Kitchen Basics
Some easy things that I do in my kitchen to make my life easier and more efficient:
Buy and wear disposable rubber gloves (like "doctor" gloves). This makes food preparation with kids so much easier. I don't get food (meat in particular) under my nails, if someone needs me in a rush (potty, fall...), I can tear the gloves off and run rather than wash and, if I have germs on my hands, they don't get into my food.
Get at least one huge, high quality cutting board. I love it because I can chop away without losing space. It is not the most convenient for transferring the foods into pans, but I compromise for only have to wash one.
I have mediocre pans, but they work. Honestly, if I could I would probably buy nicer ones.
I also have mediocre knives. So, my suggestion here would be to buy a really good knife sharpener and keep it in a handy place. I sharpen my 2 favorite knives a ton.
I have several colanders of varying sizes. I try to only use one, but when I am cooking one meal for both gluten free and regular, this is really handy. Plus, if I need to strain beans or wash veggies when noodles are in the colander I am not in a pinch.