A MUST For Any Tea Drinker: Tea Mug With Infuser (17.99)

There is nothing that beats a really good cup of tea. And while pre packaged sachets of tea work in a bind, nothing can hold a candle to a hot cup of tea brewed from real tea leaves and using hot water heated in a kettle. And non of that microwaved stuff. For some reason the microwave leaves a weird bubbly film of what must be radiation in the water. Ick!

Anyway, the idea of a tea mug with an infuser is one of those things that generally seems better in theory than in practice. (Not unlike other things that I could name, but this a G-rated blog, so I won't say anymore!) Usually the infusers don't fit properly and have holes so big that you are left with a mug of tea mud that must be chewed because of the sludge formed by all of the escaped tea leaves. Hardly appetizing. And those little ball infusers are not much better since they often don't close properly and the holes are also too big, allowing too many leaves to sneak through. Not to mention that your mug of tea goes cold while it is steeping. And while tea pots are another option, many of us don't need to make tea for four.

Well, this is the best tea mug that I have ever seen and, having tested it this morning, operates just as you always imagined a tea mug with an infuser SHOULD operate, only possibly better. It is nice and big, holding 14 oz. I don't know about you, but I hate little cups of tea that hardly allow me to enjoy even a minute of my show or a paragraph of my book before it is gone. The infuser is very fine so nothing is leaking through, plus it sits snugly into a ceramic base which is then plopped into the cup, making a seal so that no steam escapes around the edges and the contraption can be easily cleaned. And then there is the lid, which fits over it all so tightly that the mug will stay nice and hot while steeping. And even better, the lid flips over so that you can lay it alongside your mug and there is a groove in the middle wherein you can place your used and dripping infuser safely to the side while you sip. It really can't get much better. I was lucky enough to receive mine as a gift, but after doing some research this morning, you can order yours from Amazon. It is distributed by a company called For Life Design, but it looks like they only sell wholesale through their site so you need to get it from Amazon Marketplace. For Life Design also has a nice photo of the mug, so you can see how the infuser sits in the lid. I'm a HUGE, HUGE fan!

Kitchen Gear You Can't Live Without: Prep Bowls With Lids ($20/set of six)

I first came across these while helping my girlfriend out in her kitchen one day. Looking around for a plastic bag in which to deposit 1/2 of an onion for later use, I had one of these little bowls thrust into my hand and it's been love ever since. When I got home I ordered a set for myself and I use them every single day. Perfect for a variety of things, not the least of which is holding 1/2 an onion, you really will find that these things are indispensable. They hold about 1/2 a cup and are perfect for storing the little bits of things that are too small to put in a gigantic tupperware - like sauces and dressings and even a lunch sized serving of strawberries. They're glass, which is a huge plus, and the lids stay on fabulously. I often mix up just enough vinegar and oil salad dressing for one salad, pop the lid on, shake the dressing up, and then take it work with me for topping my lunch. In fact, it is small enough that you can often fit it into the bigger container with your salad for a perfect bagged lunch. At $20 for a set of six from Pampered Chef, you can't go wrong. In fact, you'll find them so useful, I really would recommend ordering two sets.