Reference Articles

If you've ever asked me what cooking gear I keep on hand in my kitchen—the pots, pans, tools, and gadgets I reach for most often—this page is it: my personal go-to list of essentials. This guide contains all of the core tools, utensils, bakeware, cookware, and appliances I rely on day-in and day-out. Whether you’re looking for great gift ideas, upgrading a well-worn setup, or just curious what a “real-home-cook” uses, this reference gives you the baseline gear you need to cook, bake, and create whole-food meals.

This homemade weed killer works great without needing a ton of toxic chemicals. For best results, avoid applying the weed killer when you see rain on the forecast 1-2 days after the application.

Keeping a stocked pantry is one of my passions! For me, food in our pantry and freezer is Food Insurance! And buying in bulk keeps you ahead of increasing prices due to inflation.

Canning Lids These can be hard to find or get at an affordable price, especially during the summer. My personal goal is to always be 1-2 years ahead on canning lids because of that 2020/2021 shortage where so many stores were sold out or overpricing them. I finally found For Jars and they are cheaper per lid than what you can buy right now at Walmart or Kroger (and better quality!). Use Code ACREHOME10 for an extra 10% off at For Jars.