I’m wrapping up 2020 on (another) new appliance high note

It’s December 31, and we have all bitched and complained about 2020 so much that I (almost) don’t have any words left. This is a year we will never forget (unfortunately for predominantly bad reasons), but if I’ve learned anything, it’s the importance of acknowledging life’s small joys—because these are what keep you going during times when it seems like the sky is literally falling. Of course I’m grateful for my family (who I’ve managed to keep healthy, well-fed and educated—which, frankly, has been exhausting) and I’m grateful for my work (which thank G-d became even more plentiful since the start of the pandemic). But I’m also appreciative of the several small yet significantly impactful upgrades I’ve made to my daily household routine, which have managed to make every day just a little bit easier and more bearable (especially as I close in on 10 months of being housekeeper-less). 

Yes, I’m referring to the handheld vacuum that changed everything—and most of all gave me a much-needed outlet to express my nervous energy by cleaning every last nook and cranny in my house when it was still too early for a cocktail. Speaking of cocktails, thanks to the SodaStream my recycle bin is no longer overflowing with an embarrassing number of Spindrift cans. I’m also giving a shout-out to the Dyson that literally makes cleaning up after my two messy boys and one apparently not-non-shedding dog somewhat of a pleasure. The Mirror saved my sanity (and body) when I could no longer venture out for my daily Pilates class. The Burst toothbrush is worthy of a mention here as well because it’s that good (and I even got one for my husband for Chanukah). 

But just in time for 2020 to come to a close, I upgraded my air-fryer and this may be the best investment of all. For the record, I use the air-fryer virtually every day. Whether for making bacon to go along with our Saturday morning pancakes or my son’s frozen “carnival food” (i.e. chicken tenders and tater tots) or experimenting with vegetables from my weekly Misfits Market box (last week’s potato chips were a fail), it gets a lot of action. But I HATED the effort required to take it out from the cabinet beneath the stove, the cleaning and squeezing it back in between the blender and food processor. It just became a major grill.

I had my eye on the Cuisinart Digital Air Fryer Toaster Oven for quite some time, but my husband resisted. (“I just learned how to use the toaster!”) I held out for about three months and finally ordered it last week—and it arrived just in time for the last chicken tender dinner of 2020. All I can say is that I’m in love. Since this one doubles as an air-fryer and toaster oven, it can sit on my counter and I don’t have to deal with the schlepping anymore. It’s also so much bigger than my original air-fryer from Costco, which means no more multiple batches. (This is HUGE.) It also makes no noise, so there’s no additional yelling or saying “What?” on top of the madness that already goes on here. 

So with 2020 thisclose to being over, I wish all of you a happy, healthy 2021 filled with pleasures both big and small!