I am one of those people who is not to be trusted when there's a bag of potato chips nearby. Once the bag is opened, it seems to whistle a tune only I can hear and I'm drawn to its call until I cave and start munching. Because of this weakness, I try to keep potato chips out of my apartment and walk by that aisle in the grocery store swiftly, with head averted.
I'm afraid that my will to avoid potato chips has been broken by these Kettle Chips Baked Salt & Pepper ones. They are perfectly seasoned with a satisfying crunch. They are easy to eat by the handful and don't leave you feeling greasy or overfed. As far as I'm concerned, they might just be the perfect chip.
What would a dinner table be without its salt and pepper? They've become so ubiquitous in everyone's kitchen. However, we rarely wonder why. Both were heavily used in cuisine for hundreds of years, but so were several other spices. What made people focus on salt and pepper?
The story begins with salt. In Ancient Rome, it gained popularity as a condiment. Italians during the Renaissance served salted dishes at the same time as sugared dishes. It was not until the 17th century that the French created a salt-sweet divide. Salted foods were eaten throughout the meal because they stimulate the appetite. Sweet plates were served at the end; they satiate the appetite and shutdown our desire to eat.
It was in France that salt met its inevitable spicy partner, pepper. 17th-century Classic French cuisine, which developed at the court of Louis XIV, considered pepper and parsley as superior to the various spices imported from the Middle East. In fact, it viewed all spices as vulgar ingredients masking the true flavor of a dish. Pepper was the only spice acceptable. And, it eventually attained the same status as fine herbs which were thought to be more wholesome and exquisite. The French heightened the importance of pepper giving it the status it has today.
I know. Could we get over the eggs already? You already know I can't because I love hard boiled eggs, plus, I have this "thing" for salt and pepper shakers.
I love an eye-catching set of salt and pepper shakers, and a set that's earth-friendly? Even better, since Earth Day is coming up this Sunday, April 22.
The Salt and Pepper Orbs are designed by Andi Kovel and are handmade by Esque in Portland, OR. What makes these gorgeous spheres appropriate for touting for Earth Day? They are made of recycled glass and are processed in an electric furnace that is powered by wind. They're a little expensive at $159 for the set, but isn't the Earth worth it?
It's been a while since I've posted about my favorite things on the table (other than food, of course): salt and pepper shakers.
The Lift n Shake is a cute reminder that after putting down all those calories, you need to hit the gym. The happy little weightlifter is made from cream plastic; the barbell is plastic as well. Salt and pepper is on either side of the barbell. Just lift it up and tilt to shake. You won't build muscle, but that's okay.
Get ready, y'all. Valentine's Day is just over two weeks away, and though the holiday is probably my least favorite "holiday" of the year, I can't help but pay it much attention because 1) hearts are my favorite shape, and 2) pink is my favorite color. Trust me, if I had my say with the Universal Holiday Design Council, I'd make Thanksgiving pink and serve everything from heart-shaped casserole dishes.
But I will take great advantage of Valentine's Day until the rest of the world changes and swoon over things like these heart-shaped salt and pepper shakers. Yes, they are being marketed as wedding favors, but I can ignore that for now. The shakers stand 3¾" tall, are shiny chrome, and are $4.99 from Bliss Wedding Markets. If you are planning a romantic dinner in, these would be darling on the table, but I'd plan to use them every day.
It's time for Holiday shopping, and with the intention of avoiding crowds, traffic, over-spending, and the stress of trying to decide what to buy, I just might give a set of salt and pepper shakers to every person I know. It might sound silly, but everyone can use a little spice in their lives, and salt and pepper shakers are things that you can definitely find for every personality type.
For the classy, sophisticated newlywed couple, the Vera Wang Grosgrain Salt and Pepper Shakers are perfect. Vera Wang's designs are known for their classic elegance, and these sleek, tall-standing shakers with a simple raised dot-pattern is no different. Heck, most people know the designer for her wedding gowns, so these are perfect for the couple who's still trying to pay off their wedding bills.
Legos are an icon of childhood for most of us, whether you were the one building elaborated fantasy worlds or your children are/were. Like just about every other product you can think of, Lego seizes just about any opportunity for merchandising that it sees and has moved out of the playroom and into the kitchen. Earlier this year, we saw some Lego Eggos, but now the company is offering us real kitchen gear, like ice cube trays shaped like Legos and salt and pepper shakers shaped - somewhat disturbingly - as Lego-men heads. They also have a Lego Apron, which is not made of Legos, but features the classic body of a Lego person on it, a set of Lego coasters and Lego corkscrews for opening wine (probably not something you want your kids to see in case they mistake them for toys).
All this Lego gear is a lot of fun to have around and definitely gives a new twist to playing with your food. The only way that this stuff could be more fun is if the ice cubes were stackable, though it should only take a little water to get them to stick together long enough to build a small tower. You'll need more than one tray for a fort.
Can you tell I have a slight obsession with salt and pepper shakers? Sure, I like a little pepper every once in a while for some "kick," but I am an extreme saltaholic. Unless I am in a restaurant where there is no salt available at the table, I always salt everything.
These shakers are nothing particularly special, though I am always fond of spherical shapes. They are 50 mm in diameter, are made of bakelite and stainless steel, and have silicone rubber rings in black and white to identify salt or pepper. What is special though, is the design house from which they came, Suck UK. What a name! The company also offers other interesting products in home design.
Just because the summer sun is rapidly setting and cooler days are just around the corner doesn't mean that you have to say goodbye to the good old barbecue grill. You can keep the spirit of grilling alive with these adorable little salt and pepper shakers in the shape of kettle grills. Each shaker, made of ceramic, metal, and plastic, stands 3 ½" x 2 ½" x 2 ½" on three legs, two of which have tiny wheels that so that they can roll across the tabletop. They are avilable online at What on Earth.
We love salt and pepper shakers of all kinds here - after all, what would food be without seasonings? It would be boring. And while it doesn't hurt to have an interesting set of shakers on the table, there is such a thing as having ones that are too interesting. Creepy, even. These chicken feet salt and pepper shakers let you "shake a leg" in seasoning your food, but they still look like chicken feet and they might be disconcerting to see on the table. They're also $50 per pair, and at that price, I'd rather spend the money on some expensive salt than ceramic feet.
Who knew that something could be sleek and cute at the same time? These salt and pepper shakers designed by Henriette Melchiorsen are perfectly spherical globes of polished stainless steel. Because the shakers have extra ballasts in the bottom, they never tip over, only rock back and forth.
They're available from Scandinavian Design Center for 239 kr, which is about $40USD.
Made by Umbra, a Canada-based home design firm, these teardrop-shaped salt and pepper shakers are made from a steel base and transparent acrylic top. They are 2" in diameter and 4 1/2" tall, but the most unique quality about them is that they dispense the salt or pepper out a single opening, instead of multiple holes. Very cool!
Umbra products can be found worldwide at home design retailers. The salt and pepper shakers are availbale online for $12.95 at Modern Motive.
Some might do just a little flick of the wrist when seasoning their foods, but if you go full-body and get into it, then you need these. I definitely need these. They are Cha Cha salt and pepper shakers, shaped like little black and white maracas. All you have to do is put on your Carmen Miranda outfit and start shaking.
The Cha Cha shakers are available at DCI, though I believe you have to call them to actually purchase.
The online store for the Museum of Modern Art has some beautifully designed things for the home and kitchen that if they weren't useful at all (another garlic crusher!) they're all little works of art.
These stainless steel salt and pepper shakers are $28 for the pair. They're sleek, yet adorable with their rounded design and "weeble wobble" effect. The base is heavy, so they never topple over.
I am one of those people who is not to be trusted when there's a bag of potato chips nearby. Once the bag is opened, it seems to whistle a tune only I can hear and I'm drawn to its call until I cave and start munching. Because of this weakness, I try to keep potato chips out of my apartment and walk by that aisle in the grocery store swiftly, with head averted. 
I know. Could we get over the eggs already? You already know I can't because 
Get ready, y'all. Valentine's Day is just over two weeks away, and though the holiday is probably 
It's 
Legos are an icon of childhood for most of us, whether you were the one building elaborated fantasy worlds or your children are/were. Like just about every other product you can think of, Lego seizes just about any opportunity for merchandising that it sees and has moved out of the playroom and into the kitchen. Earlier this year, we saw some 
Can you tell I have a slight obsession with salt and pepper shakers? Sure, I like a little pepper every once in a while for some "kick," but I am an extreme saltaholic. Unless I am in a restaurant where 
Just because the summer sun is rapidly setting and cooler days are just around the corner doesn't mean that you have to say goodbye to the good old barbecue grill. You can keep the spirit of grilling alive with these adorable little salt and pepper shakers in the shape of kettle grills. Each shaker, made of ceramic, metal, and plastic, stands 3 ½" x 2 ½" x 2 ½" on three legs, two of which have tiny wheels that so that they can roll across the tabletop. They are avilable online at 
We love 
Who knew that something could be sleek and cute at the same time? These 
It's my party, and I'll cry if I want to...
Some might do just a little flick of the wrist when seasoning their foods, but if you go full-body and get into it, then you need these. I definitely need these. They are 
The online store for the 
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