Today is International Chocolate Day. However, that’s not the focus of this post; in fact, quite the opposite. Although chocolate (particularly dark chocolate) is great when enjoyed in moderation, a healthy lifestyle really does rely predominantly on a healthy, balanced diet.

A diet that consists of mostly whole, unprocessed foods, with lots of fruits and veggies in the mix, is considered to be the healthiest. If that sounds bland and boring to you, think again! Healthy eating can be just as satisfying, if not more so, than eating junk. The trick is having the right kitchen gadgets and experiment with healthy ingredients you love.

Check out a few of our favorite healthy-diet kitchen essentials:

1. Breville 800 BLXL Die-Cast Hemisphere™ Blender, 2. Omega VRT350 Vert Low Speed Juicing System, 3. Fagor Slow Juicer, 4. Calphalon Contemporary Nonstick 11" Square Grill Pan 5. Kitchenaid 13-Cup Food Processor, 6. Emile Henry Flame Kabob Grilling Stone and Skewers

For breakfast or a delicious mid-day snack, a refreshing green smoothie* or juice is a great option. With the right blend of yummy fruits and veggies, these super-nutritious drinks are packed with so much vitamins and minerals that are easily absorbed into the body. Investing in a high-quality blender and/or juicer is something your body will reap rewards from for years to come. That’s why it’s always on our “healthy living” must-have list!

For dinner, opt for lean meats and veggies grilled to perfection. Kabobs** are a really easy option, so is grilled fish with salad or a delicious homemade salsa as a side.

*Recipe courtesy of allrecipes.com® via user WhitneyLW

**Recipe courtesy of allrecipes.com®  via user DAVESARAH

Now that all those indulgent holiday meals are history, it’s time to get back on track with sensible eating. When it comes to whipping up healthy home-cooked meals, a little bit of help in the kitchen sure goes a long way! Check out some of our favorite kitchen essentials to start off 2012 on road to healthy eating:

1. Joseph Joseph Salad Bowl w/ Servers: We love the clever and modern design of this generously-sized salad bowl! It’s perfect for dinner parties.

2. Calphalon Contemporary Nonstick Bronze 12” Wok: Cook perfect stir frys without using a ton of oil in this essential nonstick wok.

3. OXO Little Salad & Herb Spinner: Making salad for two? This handy tool makes sure your salads are restaurant-perfect every time!

4. Cuisinart Elite Collection® 14-Cup Food Processor:  Talk about versatility! This powerful machine makes creating an entire meal fast and simple.

5. Kitchenaid 5-Speed Metallic Series Blender: This not only makes perfect smoothies, it’s also great for homemade soups and sauces!

6. DeLonghi Indoor Grill/Broiler: We love this for grilling up chicken and seafood for delicious salads.

1. Le Creuset of 4 Stonewear Cocottes w/ Cookbook, 2. KitchenAid 5-Quart Artisan Stand Mixer, 3. OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Mixing Bowl Set, 4. Nordic Ware Snowman Cake Mold, 5. Calphalon Classic Jelly Roll & Brownie Pan Combo, 6. Emile Henry Le Grande 12" Pie Dish

One of our favorite things about the holiday season is the liberty to indulge in our favorite desserts. Diets can wait until the New Year! That’s what resolutions are for, right?

Why not get the baker in your life (or yourself) a gift that keeps on giving with some of the best baking tools around?

In the spirit of sweet indulgence, check out this delicious recipe for a classic pecan pie!

Irresistible Pecan Pie by IHART44

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons white sugar

1/2 cup butter, chilled

4 tablespoons ice water

3 eggs, beaten

3/4 cup light corn syrup

2 tablespoons dark corn syrup

3/4 cup light brown sugar

3 tablespoons butter, melted

1 pinch salt

1/2 cup pecans, finely crushed

1 cup pecans, quartered

1 cup pecan halves

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. To make crust: In a medium bowl, combine flour, salt and white sugar. Cut butter into flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually sprinkle the water over the dry mixture, stirring until dough comes together enough to form a ball.
3. On a floured surface flatten dough ball with rolling pin. Roll out into a circle that is one inch larger than pie dish. Place pie shell into dish and refrigerate until pie filling is complete.
4. To make pie filling: In a medium bowl, mix together eggs, light and dark corn syrups, brown sugar, butter, salt and finely crushed pecans. Spread quartered pecans over bottom of refrigerated pie crust. Pour syrup mixture over top of pecans, and then arrange pecan halves on top of pie.
5. Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) oven for one hour or until firm; let cool for one hour before serving.

*Recipe courtesy of allrecipes.com®

Recreating your favorite restaurant menu items at home is not only economical; it’s a great way to get the family excited about homemade meals again. One of our favorite lunch menu items to make at home is the panini sandwich.

There are an infinite number of options for making a great Panini sandwich, but the one kitchen essential you need every time is a great panini press. We love the Calphalon Panini Grill for whipping up authentic-tasting panini creations at home. It also doubles as a great non-stick grill for fish, veggies, and meats!

Looking for a new recipe to try out this weekend? Check out this delicious and healthy vegetarian panini:

Panzanella Panini* by Mrs. Williams

1 French deli roll, split

1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

2 slices mozzarella cheese

1 small tomato, sliced

4 fresh basil leaves

olive oil

1. Preheat a skillet over medium-low heat.
2. Sprinkle cut sides of roll with balsamic vinegar. Layer one slice of mozzarella cheese, tomato slices, basil leaves, and the remaining slice of mozzarella cheese on the roll. Close sandwich; rub outside with olive oil.
3. Place sandwich in preheated panini press. Cook until bread is toasted and golden, about 3 minutes.

*Recipe courtesy of allrecipes.com®