Confessions of a Compulsive Chopper

Not long ago, I did something I hadn’t done in years. I took a weekend off. It was wonderful. Had friends over. And I made fresh salsa…

I used my absolute favorite kitchen gadget, the Chop Wizard to chop the stuff that needed chopping (tomatoes, onions, bell pepper, jalapeno, garlic, cilantro). This thing is amazing and super inexpensive.

It chopped the tomatoes fast and uniformly—without launching seeds and pulp across the room or turning the whole thing into a squished mess. I chopped onions, garlic, and peppers, too.

• RECIPE: Mary’s Famous Pico de Gallo Recipe

The ingredients for my Pico de Gallo salsa need to include freshly chopped onion, tomato, jalapeno (go easy!), green bell pepper, fresh garlic, and cilantro. Mix together and add the juice of one lime, salt, and pepper; all to taste. That’s pretty much it!

This Chopper

I love my chopper so much that I look for things to chop just because it’s so much fun. I’m a chopping fool! And the results are always so amazing. I even took Chop Wizard to the office a while back and held a demonstration for my tolerant staff.

I know I run the risk of this sounding like I’m a paid spokesperson for Chop Wizard (if I were, I’d be out of a job). It’s just that this gadget is such a time saver. Given the fact that it makes me want to make things from scratch, it’s a money saver, too.

I bought my Chop Wizard years ago in response to a late-night TV infomercial. Sadly, the original Chop Wizard has been discontinued. But there is at least one excellent, seriously upgraded option I can recommend if chopping is your jam.

I can’t say that everything I’ve purchased through an infomercial or PBS special has turned out as well. I’ve been burned a number of times when my compulsive nature met headlong with a weak moment. It makes me queasy to think back over the years—all the junk, all the money I’ve wasted.

Cheat Sheet

When I say I am compulsive, I mean that with a capital C. How do I deal with it when it comes to buying stuff? I have these specific questions written on a flowchart that I keep close and force myself to answer:

 

 

1. 1. Do I need it?
   2. Can I afford it?
   3. Do I already have something that will do?
   4. Can I wait for a more reasonable alternative?
   5. Am I certain I have located the best deal?
   6. Am I willing to submit to a self-imposed cooling-off period to think it over?

You wouldn’t believe how many times these simple questions have stopped me short—forcing me to stop and think and then saving me from making a foolish purchase.

And there have been just as many times that this exercise gave me the confidence I needed to make the right purchasing decision.

Updated 5-5-23

 

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