I like to cook, and to bake, and I like to have fun tools and gadgets that make the job easier and more fun. Last summer I acquired that holy grail of kitchen appliances, the KitchenAid mixer (in stylish black), and I still marvel at how quickly it beats egg whites. Around the same time I wanted a food processor, but settled for a mini version to save cash. It does the job for small jobs like chopping nuts, but lately I've been considering picking up a full-size processor.

One of my justifications is that there are healthy recipes I want to make that I just don't have the tools for right now, like many of the recipes from the book The Thrive Diet by Brendan Brazier. The recipes in the book are all vegan, and many are raw, perfect for light summer meals and snacks. For instance, there's a "pizza" with a crust made from primarily ground sunflower seeds and grated beets—trust me, it's delicious!—and several recipes for homemade energy bars that I'd love to make.

So the question is: Will owning a food processor make me more likely to prepare recipes like this? And what about other kitchen appliances, tools and gadgets—can they make you eat healthier? (And while we're on the subject, I'm considering the KitchenAid food processor in black, to match my mixer—can anyone offer reviews?)

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