1quick1

Everyone is here for the same reason right? We are all looking to better ourselves by bettering our bodies. Everybody knows that a good diet combined with exercise is the best way to achieve the phisique you desire yet many times people still look for latest and greatest supplement to give them the edge. Supplements are great for "supplementing" your diet but a lot of times people start spending hundreds of dollars on these supplements and they overlook some things that I consider body building essentials. So without further delay I give you what I believe everyone should have in their kitchen.

1. George Foreman Grill ($15-50 depending on model)

This is probably one of the greatest things I body builder can ever own. It's cheap, it's effective, easy to clean, etc.

2. Blender ($10- ??)

Great for making shakes. Shakes are quick and easy and if you're eating 6 times a day like you should be you'll know they come in handy.

3. Rice cooker ($15- ??

Brown rice takes forever to cook. This helps big time.

I just bought one for $20 and it's great. It automatically cooks the rice and then when it's done it switches modes to maintain the temperature. I set it before I go the gym come back and I have rice ready.

4. Coffee Grinder ($15 - ??)

I for one have a hard time chocking down cup after cup of oats so I grind them up in a coffee grinder and throw them in a protein shake. This is a life saver.

5. A good frying pan ($15- ??)

Have to have a decent non-stick pan for when I'm cooking up them omlettes

6. Tupperware containers ($15-30)

To cut down on the burden of cooking all the time I make enough food for a few days in advance and store them in tupperware containers and take them to work. Saves tons of time and makes sticking to your diet much easier when you don't feel like cooking.

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To me these are essential items. Yes I can survive without them but the convenience I get from this is definitely worth the cost considering the time it saves me.

So if you're having a hard time reaching your goals try spending less time in the muscle magazines reading about the latest and great supplement and more time in the kitchen. These items will cost you the same as a month or two of supplements and give you far better benefits if you actually use them.

1quick1

BTW everyone else feel free to post up your "essentials."

wala

I like this thread Quick. Every bodybuilding forum should have one!

I definately have most of tho's items. At the end of the day, bodybuilding has become my life, most things revolve around my training and eating, so i'd be a fool NOT to have things like this is check.

Another to add to the list is a protein shaker. I have a blender for while in the house, but while at work, i use a shaker to mix my protein, very convenient and fast!

1quick1

Thanks wala. I agree with you about body building a way of life. It's a 24 hour a day job. I'm constantly planning my next meal, timing vitamins, counting calories, drinking water, etc etc.

Shaker cup should definitely be up there! Must've slipped my mind I couldn't survive without my shaker cups.

trav1809

nice list quick...I have everything on there except for a rice cooker, they sound like they make cooking rice 100 times easier. so you basically add rice and water, and thats it....you dont have to stand over the pot and watch it boil? come to think of it...that would be handy as hell. Coffee Grinder is a good idea too, although I normally just grind up my oats with my blender. I have given up on shaker cups, they are a pain in the ass. i have tried about 4 or 5 models...and everyone leaks. I normally have protein spilt on me, the walls, the dog...everywhere, and they are all the same. I am to the point where I say 'no thanks' when they offer me a free one when I buy my supps. I do have one of those 'bullet blenders' or whatever they are called. just a single serve resevoir that sits on the base with one setting only. its pretty handing, alot easier to clean than a full size blender. good thread though, its good to hear everyone elses ideas on subjects like these.

Malley

Very good post. I do think one thing that is essential that I want to touch on is your efa's. Essential fatty acids. People dont realize how important they are. Of course you get them from oils and nuts and a few other things. however I have saw many diets here and most of the people post nothing about efa's. Fellas realize to get where you want to be you have to diet correctly otherwise you are pissin in the wind. Your progress will be baby steps at best, and eventually you will either get fed up and quit or keep producing baby steps! I have been weight training for the better part of 11 years. I love it and would never give it up, but as of the last few years I have thought much more about my health in general. And efa's help with things like heart disease that runs rampid in my family. Give it a thought guys, efa's need to be in everyones diet and present in ALMOST every meal.

trav1809

what is the easiest way to get efa's into every meal, in your opinion.

lat-eralus

Nice List. I have everything but a rice cooker and grinder. My girlfriend cooks me pounds of rice on Sunday for the whole week, so I guess I do have a form of a rice cooker. Instead of a grinder, I just throw my oats into the blender with my protein shake.

G Foreman Grill: BBer Best Friend

lat-eralus

I throw a tblsp of Flaxseed Oil in all my shakes. Easy way to get some EFAs.

1quick1

Olive oil works as well.

trav1809

if thats all it takes to get some EFA's and they are as important as you guys say, I will add a tblsp of olive oil to everything that I eat.

Malley

Not just olive oil, but fish and flax oils also. Dont forget to add nuts of some sort. Almonds before bed are excellent as well. Like I have posted before (this is hear say), they help boost testosterone. But its hear say from a very good source.

AddictedLifter

Frying Pan

Non-stick pan is best.

Blender

And not just any blender, the Magic Bullet blender. It rocks

Good tooth brush / Paste

Found out eating 6 meals a day = 3 cavities if you don't brush a lot...

Stretchy Underpants

If your squatting (and you should be!), you will grow out of all your underwear like I did. Invest in some stretchy ones to save $. lol.

trav1809

lol, never would have thought of that....btw, who wears skin tight underwear with no stretch?