Sticking to your New Year’s resolution to eat healthier can be difficult, especially when you’re trying to cook more nutritiously from scratch. Good intentions can veer off-course when time is short and you and your family are hungry. Stay on track with these appliances that make healthy eating at home easier:

Blender
A blender is great for whipping fruits and veggies into a smoothie, blending ingredients for a quick soup base, or throwing together a homemade (and better-for-you!) salad dressing in a skinny minute. Need some inspiration? An easy green smoothie would be great for breakfast, lunch, or a post-workout snack!

The Oven
This humble kitchen appliance is often overlooked as a tool for healthy cooking and eating. Many dishes that are often fried can be lightened up by baking them in the oven. Instead of making fries in the deep fryer, try a baked fry recipe. Switch out regular potatoes with sweet potatoes for a delicious and nutritious twist. Check out this baked sweet potato “fry” recipe to get started!

Slow-Cooker or Crock Pot
While you can still fill a slow cooker with unhealthy ingredients, this appliance knocks down one of the major roadblocks to healthy eating—time. That’s because you can throw in the ingredients before work and come home to a hot, healthy meal that keeps you out of the drive thru! Look for simple recipes with a few ingredients that require little prep work to save the most time. This hearty Crock Pot Italian Minestrone soup recipe we’ll give you your daily dose of veggies and then some!

Food Processor
This amazingly versatile appliance is often given a bad rap for being too cumbersome, but smaller models are easier to work with and store. A food processor can chop, mix, and puree foods—saving you valuable time in the kitchen. Puree chickpeas and a few other ingredients into smooth and dreamy hummus using this recipe. Hummus is super versatile dip that can go on sandwiches, salads, and grilled chicken.

Electric Griddle
This kitchen appliance isn’t just for pancakes anymore. Its non-stick surface is perfect for cooking up healthy entrees, from turkey burgers to chicken breasts. Two more things we love about it: it saves you a pan and comes with a channel that catches runoff grease. If you don’t have an electric griddle already, look for one that’s fully submersible for an easy cleanup!

Steamer/Rice Cooker
This dynamic duo of an appliance is a great way to cook more nutritiously this year. Not only will it produce tender rice, but it will also yield perfectly steamed vegetables and meats without the added oil you’d have to use if cooking in a pan. Depending on the kind you buy, you may be able to cook your entire meal in it! How’s that for easy and healthy?

TheRTAStore wants you to have fun in the kitchen this year. So if your current kitchen is outdated, needs a little fixing up, or a major overhaul—we’re here to help! Our friendly kitchen experts offer free design help if you’re looking to renovate your space. TheRTAStore also offers a wide variety of designer cabinets at wholesale prices, so you can create a kitchen you love!