Kitchen utensils are defined as small hand held objects used in food preparation.

There is difference of opinion on the utensils that are actually useful or needed in a kitchen.  One website names 46 'essentials. Here goes...chef's knife, paring knife, bread knife, knife sharpening steel, chopping boards, kitchen scissors, vegetable peeler, garlic press, grater, kitchen scales, measuring spoons, measuring jug, measuring cups, mixing bowls, colander, sieve, rolling pin, tin opener, blender, ladle, pasta fork, pizza cutter, corkscrew, bottle opener, frying pan, saucepans, ovenproof dish, roasting tin, baking tray, stirring spoon, slotted spoon, spatula, tongs, masher, balloon whisk, oven gloves, pot holders, food thermometer, food containers, plastic food bags, breadbin, clingfilm, kitchen foil, baking parchment, tea towels, kitchen tool organiser.  

Well I'm not sure I would call all of those 'utensils' but I think I probably have them all, plus more, in my kitchen. How many do you own?  How many do you use?

The original definition of vegetable applies to any part of a plant including the flowers, fruits, stems, leaves, roots and seeds that is eaten by an animal or human.  So a tomato is a vegetable after all.

Nowadays we are able to buy vegetables from around the world at any time of year regardless of the season.  However, it is interesting to think about what vegetables were available for our ancestors in Britain.  

Hunter gatherers of the Mesolithic period (10,000 to 4,000 BCE) ate indigenous leafy plants such as nettles, sorrel, watercress, chives and mint. In Pre-Roman times Britons had started to cultivate crops such as peas, beans and spelt wheat and this was expanded as the Romans brought many more vegetables to the UK such as cabbage, leek, onions, turnips, asparagus, carrots, parsnips, beets and various herbs.  Potatoes were famously introduced during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, and other more exotic fruits and vegetables such as bananas, oranges and pineapples started to be introduced as foreign travel became more accessible (to the super rich).  

Calling the cleaning of cutlery, crockery and utensils the 'washing up' is a British thing.  There are cultural differences in what it is called and how the task is completed.

I ‘treated’ myself to this stainless steel washing up bowl.  It was not cheap but I figured it was worth it as it would be long lasting and easy to clean.  When my eldest child first saw it he quipped “that’ll see you out mother”. It is one of those phrases.  It has stuck with me.  The phrase is tied up with the bowl, with washing up, with my kitchen.  When I wash up now it makes me think about my lovely son. It makes me think about mortality, my own, my families, my friends, people I’ve known who have died.  How lucky I am in regards to death. It makes me think about sustainability.  How many washing up bowls (how many things) have I thrown away? Why do I even use a bowl? Not everybody does? Is it a good thing – less water, soaking etc or “an absolute menace”? 

Zest is the outermost, colourful layer of skin on a citrus fruit. Used to add flavour to food.

Zest is also defined as an energy and enthusiasm for life.  The second meaning is thought to have come about as zest led to mean 'thing that adds flavour' and on to 'keen enjoyment'.  

In positive psychology zest is an important quality for self-improvement and making life more enjoyable.  Feeling an enthusiasm for life causes the brain to form neural networks that go on to produce positive emotions, meaning that zestful people find it easier to see the joy in life.  Studies have shown that physical exercise, mindful mediation, goal setting and celebration of your small achievements can all contribute to increasing your zest for life.