As those that regularly meal-plan know [1], it's a way of life. A strategy for cooking more, wasting less, eating healthfully, and saving money, meal-planning is also much easier to do if one possesses the right kitchen equipment, cookbooks, and containers. If someone you know is an avid meal planner, consider giving them (or gifting yourself) one of these practical finds.
Make It Ahead: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook
Make It Ahead: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook [2] ($35) by Ina Garten
An Enameled Dutch Oven
Staub seven-quart oval cocotte [3] ($479) or Le Creuset 6 3/4-quart oval Dutch oven [4] ($345).
Meal-Planning Notepad
Meal-planning notepad [5] ($7).
Purple Ball Jars
Purple Ball jars [6] ($13 for six).
All About Braising: The Art of Uncomplicated Cooking
All About Braising: The Art of Uncomplicated Cooking [7] ($35) by Molly Stevens.
A Solid Food Processor
Breville 16-cup food processor [8] ($400, originally $600) or Cuisinart seven-cup food processor [9] ($180).
Blue Apron Subscription
Blue Apron subscription [10] (from $60 per week).
Divided Airtight Container
Divided airtight container [11] ($30).
The Soup Club Cookbook
The Soup Club Cookbook [12] ($25) by Courtney Allison, Tina Carr, Caroline Laskow, and Julie Peacock.
Moleskine Weekly Planner
Moleskine weekly planner [13] ($23).
A Good Slow Cooker
KitchenAid six-quart slow-cooker [14] ($90).
Martha Stewart Living's One Pot Cookbook
One Pot: 120+ Easy Meals from Your Skillet, Slow Cooker, Stockpot, and More [15] ($26) by the editors of Martha Stewart Living.
Snap-Lid Glass Containers
Snap-lid glass containers [16] (from $7).
Eat Your Books Subscription
Eat Your Books subscription [17] ($30 for one year).
A Solid Chef's Knife
Global 8-inch chefs knife [18] ($94, originally $149).
Slow Cooker Revolution Cookbook
Slow Cooker Revolution [19]
Mason Jar Pour Caps
Recap mason jar lids [20] ($28 for four).
Grocery List Pad
Grocery list pad [21] ($7).
Weck Jars
Weck jars [22] (from $24 for six).