I have collected recipes for as long as I can remember. I've had recipe boxes, jammed full of clipped out recipes and scribbled down index cards. I finally realized that I needed to find a better way to store my recipes. So, I bought a recipe software program where I could type recipes, print out the recipes on computer paper, slip them into a plastic protective cover-- then place them in a labeled binder. (This was very time consuming, to say the least.) That worked out really well, until I had about 10 jam backed binders. Fast forward to my beginning stages of staring this food blog, in 2008.
I discovered the Key Ingredient Website, and I have never looked back. Adding a recipe takes less than five minutes!
One of my favorite features is the Cookmark Button. If I see a recipe on a website, I can highlight the recipe, press the "Cookmark Button" and a recipe card is automatically created for me! I appreciate how Key Ingredient automatically adds the recipe source website address.
How cool is that!
I have created my own profile, so that I can easily organize my recipes, and where people can follow me. A new feature that Key Ingredient has added (and I really like this one) is that if someone sees one of my recipes, they can "clone it. However, they cannot change the source-- so the recipe always links back to me. I love that!
See? Here's one of my own recipe cards, that happens to be my #1 Most Viewed Recipe on my food blog. (I guess that Meat Loaf is really popular.) A big bonus to food bloggers-- Key Ingredient does drive more traffic to my website. Nice.
So, what does this website cost? Nothing! It's free! There's no advertising, and I have never received any kind of SPAM email.
I don't own an iPad (yet), but if you do, they have an iPad version.
I do have an iPhone, and I have their free Key Ingredient app.
The Key Ingredient recipe cards can be easily emailed, added to Pinterest, tweeted-- it's got all the social bells and whistles you could ask for. What more could you want?
Well, how about a Digital Recipe Box? Meet Key Ingredients newly released Recipe Reader!!
Next to my stand mixer, this is one kitchen tool that I cannot be without! I have over 500 recipes that I have saved onto Key Ingredient, and they are organized in 22 of my own different cookbooks. The Recipe Reader is an invaluable companion to Key Ingredient Recipe Cards, because they can be stored onto your recipe reader!
I owned the original DEMY recipe reader, and I loved it. I found a video that demonstrates a lot of the features I've talked about. (This DEMY version is no longer available, but you can view this You Tube video by clicking here.)
This new Recipe Reader is truly new and improved. Besides the new sleek black look, it has so many great features:
- It's now wireless! Once I programmed my router information, the Recipe Reader automatically goes to my Key Ingredient account, and updates any recipes I've added, when I turn it on.
- The Recipe Reader is cordless, so you don't have to worry about electrical cords getting in the way. (It comes with a recharger.)
- I can search for a recipe by cookbook, or category. A new-- and much appreciated new feature is-- I can search for a recipe by ingredient. Yay!
- Just like an iPad or Smart Phone, you can flip through screen with your fingertips.
- The screen can easily be wiped with a damp cloth, if you spill ingredients on it.
- There are some pre-loaded recipes, included with the Recipe Reader. A new feature is, I can delete the whole cookbook or just the recipes I don't want to keep. I'm so happy about this new feature.
- I can increase the font size, if I can't remember where I set my reading glasses.
- There are three different timers built in. I love this feature!
- There is a conversion calculator and a lengthy ingredient substitution list.
- I especially love the "Short List" feature. If I'm making a few recipes, I can save them to the Short List, so I can easily flip back and forth with different recipes.
- Did I mention that it's now wireless? I so love this new feature the best. Of course, you can use a USB cable, just like the former DEMY model did.
The Recipe Reader isn't large and cumbersome, either.
Plus, it can be set up in to different positions-- Portrait or Landscape.
I bought my original DEMY Recipe Reader for $199.95, almost three years ago. It has never failed me, even though it didn't have some of the new features that I've just listed. A few months ago, Key Ingredient allowed me to trade in my old DEMY for this new Recipe Reader, so that I could become acquainted with it.
I have to tell you, that their customer service is stellar. If I had a question, or had some challenges getting the Recipe Reader to sync, wirelessly, "Heath" immediately emailed me back, and walked me through the process.
On Sunday, September 23rd, the Recipe Reader was launched with QVC at an introductory price of $161.72 (plus shipping).
I am so pleased with my sleek new Recipe Reader, that I asked Key Ingredient if I could offer a Contest/Giveaway-- and would they provide one Recipe Reader to my readers?
Guess what? They said "yes"!
You want to one of these. I know it. I cannot imagine not having my Recipe Reader, at my fingertips. I no longer have to worry about printing out a recipe that I've saved-- nor do I have to risk setting my laptop on my kitchen counter, and worry about spilling liquid on the keyboard.
You must leave a comment on my blog to enter. Comments on my Facebook page don't count, sorry. Share with us how you've been saving your own recipes, or how many recipes you think you have saved. Or just say hello, and where are you from?For one additional entry, please follow me on Twitter and tweet this contest, and leave a comment that you've done so..For one additional entry, follow me on Facebook, and leave a comment that you've done so.I will give you two entries if you create a free account on Key Ingredient, and follow me there. Leave me a comment, here, telling me you've done so.You will get two more entries if you create one recipe card, on Key Ingredient, and use the hashtag #foodiewifecontest Leave me a comment, here, telling me you've done so.
THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED. THANK YOU FOR ENTERING.
I'm most excited about seeing what kind of recipes I'll find, from those of you who share one. I'm always looking for inspiration.
Disclaimer: I paid for my own Recipe Reader, and Key Ingredient has not paid me for my review. My review is my own honest opinion-- and believe me, I love my Recipe Reader! Thank you, Key Ingredient for sponsoring this giveaway!
Good luck!
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