Quite a bit has changed since our last favorite things post, we’ve added a few new faces, had a few babies, and even hired a man to join our team! And yes he managed to survive a retreat in the Tennessee woods with 16 women for a weekend, so he’s definitely a keeper. But we’re still a dedicated team bringing you the freezer meals you love, designing menus for your dietary needs, and working diligently to make improvements for a seamless experience. We gathered for our second annual retreat to not only plan and gear up for an exciting 2015 for OAMM, but to get pampered by our fearless leader, Tricia and her FAVORITE brands! 
FoodSaver
If you have been a reader for a while, you know we love things that help to streamline our cooking days! The FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer is one of those things. We shared a few of the awesome perks of using one of these bad boys on a cooking day here but a quick recap is that we love how it can save you time and money!
My new favorite product is the Freeze ‘N Steam bags that allow you to seal and then steam in the microwave (thus saving you money on those expensive freezer aisle steamer veggies).
OAMM Staffer Kim was one of the lucky recipients this year. “My husband, Matt, was quite excited when I came home with a Food Saver from the retreat. He had a large portion of deer meat in the refrigerator waiting to be processed, and we both were excited to be able to package and freeze it using the Food Saver. It was super easy to use, and I know the meat will last so much longer than in regular freezer bags. We double-teamed it and got everything packed up and in the freezer in record time!”
By having the wild game meat safe in the freezer Kim can then share their family bounty even through our Forest to Freezer Mini Menu! BUT THAT’S NOT ALL!!! Not only did FoodSaver so graciously pass on a FoodSaver for us, you have a chance to win the FoodSaver New FM2000 Vacuum Sealer as well! Just enter a comment below on what you would use your FoodSaver for and we will be drawing a winner on December 15th!
**This giveaway is now closed.**
Kitchen Aid
Our dear friends over at Kitchen Aid once again came through with amazing gifts for our OAMM Team. Bright, shiny new mixers in beautiful new colors (lavender cream, cranberry, and sea glass shown below) with the coveted glass bowls, a Sparking Beverage Maker, Masticating Juicer Attachment and Pour Over Coffee Maker. 
We’re dedicated Kitchen Aid fans. And just when we thought they couldn’t get better, they outdo themselves again. These new colors of mixers are so perfect for that pop of color you’re looking for in your kitchen. You don’t want to hide these away in the pantry, they’re art!
We used these two mixers for our second annual Chopped competition. They were very helpful, especially in the appetizer and dessert challenges. The new Juicing attachment for the mixer gave the winning team their tropical edge by juicing oranges in just seconds without the big clean up of a stand-alone juicer.
The glass bowls and whisk attachment gave the dessert course the fluffiest whip cream, there wasn’t much leftover!
The Sparking Beverage Maker is a great addition to your kitchen especially if you’re trying to kick the soda habit. Make your own sparkling water and impress your holiday guests! Or save that $2 daily habit to the drive-thru. Their new Pour Over Coffee Maker will impress even your local barista with the attention to careful brewing and flavor as a traditional pour-over but just with the touch of a button. Check it out!
Last but certainly not least, Kitchen Aid has fantastic ceramic bake ware. Available in a large variety of colors, it can match any dishware you already have. The bakeware is incredibly versatile, safe in the oven, dishwasher, microwave, and best of all FREEZER! Looking to cut back on your plastic and aluminum usage? These pans are the answer and won’t leave you with shattered glass all over the freezer.
As much as well all love to cook, it is nice to have someone prepare a delicious meal so you can just relax! Sarah from Simply Sarah showed up on Friday evening and whipped up not only 2 options for our entree but also filled the fridge with food for staffer Lisa, who is following an AIP lifestyle. And for the ultimate pampering, who doesn’t love NOT having to cook? She even brought her OWN KitchenAid food processor and gear. Stating she “wouldn’t be caught prepping a meal without her trusty Kitchen Aid!”
Epiphanie
We love our gear. We also love a versatile bag in which to keep all of our gear – enter Epiphanie bags. The removable dividers and lined pockets make traveling with your camera, laptop, or even just your wallet a breeze! These were last years bags, but they just introduced their new line and let me tell you, I didn’t think they could improve on the designs they already had – but I was so wrong! These babies are GORGEOUS! 
We had an amazing time taking a break from our busy lives and coming together in person to celebrate all that is Once A Month Meals. Take some time and check out these amazing brands and add a few of their items to your wish list or shopping list for that someone special this holiday!
Disclosure: The brands listed above graciously provided us with the items listed for us to use and giveaway. There are also affiliate links in this post.