In theory, human beings eat food in order to ingest nutrients: both macronutrients (like carbohydrates, protein, and fats) and micronutrients (like potassium, iron, and vitamin D).
While the miracle of the industrial revolution has drastically increased the quantity of food produced as well as the distance food can travel before going to market when processed, we have come to learn that the nutritional value of processed foods is usually much lower than whole foods. We have also come to learn that mass-production of processed foods often comes with lots of non-food additives, stabilizers, and texturizers that can accumulate in our bodies and aggravate health issues in people who are already more vulnerable to chronic illness.
That’s why we try–as much as we can based on the housing and financial situation in which we find ourselves–to purchase whole foods and process them at home.
Finding a quality stand mixer with lots of interchangeable parts helps us keep the kitchen gadgets to a minimum while expanding our cooking options. Below are the products we have loved using in our own kitchen. I will update this post with comparable options at various price points that still provide a benefit without breaking the bank, as I become aware of them.
KitchenAid KSM150PSER Artisan Tilt-Head Stand Mixer with Pouring Shield, 5-Quart, Empire Red
I once overheard three brides talking about how they should never have asked for a KitchenAid mixer on their wedding gift registry because they never used it. That’s why I was hesitant to let my husband invest in such a big purchase. However, after three years of ownership, we use this baby more than almost any other gadget in our home. That’s because it has so many interchangeable attachments and accessories that we feel like we own a mini food processing plant in our kitchen.
KitchenAid KSM2FPA Food Processor Attachment, Dicing Kit, Silver
With this attachment, we don’t need to buy a separate food processor because we can slice, dice, and chop in one. One day, we will make salsa with this attachment; tonight, I may use it to make Whole30 beanless chili.
KitchenAid Fresh Prep Slicer/Shredder, 1, White
We love gluten-free, vegan carrot cupcakes and this attachment shreds carrots the easiest. It is also great for shredding onions to add to paleo burgers.
KitchenAid KSMPDX Pasta Deluxe Set Stand Mixer Attachment, Stainless Steel , 5 Piece
Long ago, I observed a newly married couple making homemade pasta. They were wildly in love, and I longed to have a husband with whom I too could make homemade pasta. Thanks to this attachment, I was able to fulfill that dream two years into our marriage with this grain-free recipe. Not only was my heart’s desire fulfilled, but the pasta was also really good!
KitchenAid KSMPEXTA Gourmet Pasta Press Attachment with 6 Interchangeable Pasta Plates, White
Making little spirally pasta was also fun, especially with my toddler helping.
KitchenAid Stand Mixer Attachment, KSMFGA Food Grinder, White
We have never used this meat grinder, but I imagine that one day, we will make homemade sausage with it. That way, we can reduce the over-saltiness and all the sugar that is often added to sausage links.
KitchenAid Fruit and Vegetable Spiralizer Attachment Stand Mixer, Polished Aluminum
This bad boy makes spiral fries with potatoes, which are really fun to then bake in the air fryer toaster oven.
KitchenAid Bcgsga Spice Grinder Accessory Kit, Stainless Steel 2 oz, Silver
We don’t own this attachment but if we did, we would grind our spices and make Carrabba’s italian dip mix.
KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment Stand Mixer, 2 Quart, White
For my husband, “I love you” is captured in two words: “ice” and “cream”. We use this attachment to make homemade ice cream at least once a month, sometimes more, using whole food ingredients we can pronounce.
KitchenAid Stand Mixer Bowl, 5 quart, Glass with Measurement Markings
I wish I had this attachment. I have longed for this attachment.
Why? Because things get stuck on the side of the mixing bowl, that’s why. And spatulas are hard to get in there when the bowl is mixing.
One day, I will get this attachment.
KitchenAid K45WW Wire Whip for Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, Stainless Steel
This little guy is great for whipping things, like a mostly-egg-white omelette on a cast iron skillet. Why mostly egg-whites? Because you need at least one egg yolk to prevent the egg whites from sticking to the skillet. Egg yolks have all the fat, and fat keeps things from sticking to pans.
KitchenAid K45DH Dough Hook Replacement for KSM90 and K45 Stand Mixer
We loved making grain-free, dairy-free, gluten-free Christmas cookies using this dough hook. Adding organic chocolate chips and organic sprinkles made the whole experience super fun for the kids (and for mom, too).
KitchenAid Stand Mixer Bowl, 5 quart, Glass with Measurement Markings
This glass bowl with measuring levels would have been so helpful all those times I wanted to double a recipe and forgot if I had doubled a specific ingredient or not. (Pro Tip: We regularly double or triple all recipes we cook and then freeze what we don’t immediately eat in order to reduce the time spent cooking or washing dishes. Life is too short to spend a third of our waking hours in the kitchen.)
KitchenAid KSMTHPS Secure Pouring Shield, Fits 4.5-5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixers, Clear
I never thought we would use this attachment, until I had a toddler. All of a sudden, being able to pour in ingredients without them splashing back up upon her was a huge time-saver. Why? because she doesn’t know exactly how to angle her pour to prevent said backsplash, and mommy doesn’t like having to do extra cleaning, that’s why.
KitchenAid Fitted Stand Mixer Cover for Tilt head stand mixer models (4.5-quart and 5-quart), Empire Red
If you don’t use your KitchenAid as frequently as we do, you may want to invest in a dust-cover in order to keep it clean. However, it is easy to wipe down and doesn’t have many tight crevices, so getting something like this is more of a personal preference than a need. It doesn’t look pretty perfect, though… doesn’t it?
I will update this post with comparable stand mixers that I find for a lower price point.
Do you have any you recommend? Please comment below.
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