|
|
Here are some basics to keep around the house:
Agave nectar
Sent from the heavens! Use it as a sugar substitute. It's much better for you and tastes better, too.
Bragg's Amino Spray
This has a salty soy sauce kind of taste so it's great to spray on tofu or anything you'd like to give a salty taste to.
Black pepper
Fantastic seasoning for almost everything. Invest in a real pepper grinder, it really makes a difference.
Crushed red pepper
This great seasoning also helps release happy endorphins, just like chocolate does.
Cayenne pepper
Very spicy-hot but delicious. It's also good for you - it stimulates your metabolism and has the same mood benefits as chocolate, like all peppers.
Celtic sea salt
This is great for cooking. It's so tasty and much better for you than regular salt. Because of its strong flavor you need less. I find it melts particularly well over edamame. I consider this a more subtle salt.
Eden Shake Sea and Veggies
These really add flavor to anything you cook.
Ezekiel bread
I like the 4:9 sprouted wholegrain bread but they have other kinds as well. It's "live" bread so look for it in the freezer section.
Forti-Flax by Barlean's
Already ground up in flake form, it's easy to put it in smoothies, salads, soups, etc., and it's a great source of Omega-3 and fiber.
Goldie's Premium Carob Bar
I like hazelnut the best.
Golden flax seeds
The golden flax is in its husk, so when you grind it up and put it in smoothies, salads, soups, etc., you are not only getting Omega-3 but also a lot of fiber.
Horizon organic cheeses
They have every kind of cheese you need for cooking. They even have parmesan!
Nutritious Creations Low Fat Cookies
I like oatmeal-raisin the best.
Nutritional yeast
It's a great source of vitamin B. It's a powder so you can use it as a garnish on everything from soup to salads, smoothies, etc. I sprinkle a bit on almost everything I cook. It's a standard seasoning for me.
Maca powder
Reportedly helps depression, menopausal symptoms, stamina, fertility and libido. It comes from the plateaus of Peru and can be used in the same way nutritional yeast is used. I use it in everything.
Mint tea
I always have mint tea after eating a big meal; I also find it eases hunger if I've skipped a meal. I also find it aids digestion and it's soothing to the stomach and the senses.
Organic raw almonds
These are just great to have around the house. Have four or five as breakfast if you're really in a time crunch. Put the same amount in a smoothie, it really steps up the ordinary smoothie experience.
Organic pear juice
Great for smoothies. Its subtle flavor really adds a beautiful undercurrent to anything you mix it with. Or, just have it alone.
Organic roasted vegetable stock
A must in any kitchen. Use some of it as a substitute for water when making rice or pasta. Use it in gravies, soup... really anything you want to add flavor to. It's amazing what a difference a little bit of flavor makes!
Organic garlic (fresh or powdered)
Organic garlic is just so good for you and makes everything taste better. What is surprising is that garlic powder has more of garlic's therapeutic properties because it's more concentrated. But don't give up the fresh; it's still good for you and adds a distinctive flavor.
Organic Parsley (fresh or dry)
It's great to sprinkle on almost anything. It's very good for your digestion and adds a flair of freshness. Make it the last thing you add to your meal because you don't really want it cooked and always tear, never cut it. I always keep some on the table at dinner parties.
Organic frozen vegetables
They're fresh and easy.
Organic extra virgin olive oil
It's good for you to have a bit of real olive oil, just don't over-do it.
Organic olive oil spray
I like the one by Spectrum.
Organic frozen fruit
Fresh, easy and great for shakes or as cocktail garnishes.
Organic frozen blueberries
If you're going to commit to juicing on a regular basis, you need to keep organic frozen fruit in your freezer. And, blueberries are a must - this super-berry has numerous benefits for memory and the immune system, so make sure you always have them on hand along with any other favorites. It's also nice to throw a couple of berries into the beverage of your choice in the summertime.
Organic popcorn
It's very tasty and very low in fat. The organic kind doesn't pop as well as store-bought, but the flavor and energy is much better. I have a special popcorn pot.
Organic whole grain pasta
There are so many wonderful choices - rice pastas, whole wheat, live grain, spinach (my favorite.) Go to your local health food store and try what looks good to you.
Pink Himalayan salt
Another great salt. It's pretty strong so you don't need to use much. I consider this a sharper salt.
Quinoa
This is one of my favorite foods. It's a carbohydrate, but a great one. It's a super-grain and is actually good for your body. I buy it in the organic bulk section of my health food store. However, if you are trying to lose weight, you need to watch your portions.
Rudi's Organic Bakery
They have great breads. I get the hot dog and hamburger buns.
Raw coca beans
Reportedly amazing for depression and give you natural energy. You can eat them raw, which is a bit bitter for my taste. I grind them up and make pudding or a chocolate shake or cookies or sprinkle it on muffins. Let your imagination be your guide... it's chocolate!
Rooibos tea
Rooibos tea harvested exclusively in South Africa has 50 times the anti-oxidant properties of green tea and is caffeine-free. This healing and anti-aging herb used for centuries by locals is now available for teatime.
Skinny Mini Vegan Cookies
When I tasted their chocolate chip cookie I really couldn't believe how amazing it was... and low in fat. So far I've only found these in Montreal.
Yerba matte dark roast
Reportedly can help anyone trying to get off of coffee. But that's just one of its benefits. Its nutty, coffee-like flavor gives you energy and enhances your mood all day. It also supposedly aids in weight-loss, too.
Healthy food suggestions for busy people
We all get busy and lazy and I think these companies make it easy for me stay a vegetarian and to make healthy food choices.
Frozen
Amy's
They make a great veggie loaf dinner that's very low-fat, but watch the fat content in most her things if you are watching your weight.
Boca
They have burgers and the spicy buffalo nuggets are amazing.
Cascadian Farms
I love all their frozen fruit, veggies and french fries.
Food for Life
Look for their organic "live" bread. Sometimes it's called sprouted bread and can be found in the freezer section.
Garden Burger
Great everything.
Health is Wealth
They have a variety of meatless snacks like chicken-free nuggets and bite-size munchies in spinach, broccoli, jalapeno and pizza varieties. Very tasty and low-fat.
Morningstar
They have great nuggets and all sorts of patties for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Vans
Great waffles.
Freshly made
Found in most health food stores or some stores will make a special overnight delivery (just ask):
Healthy Eats
Everything is yummy and they have vegetarian and vegan choices. Especially the turkey sandwiches and turkey sandwich slices.
Vegan - Vegetarian
Everything by them is extraordinary but I especially like the spinach/soy, buckwheat noodles and the duck.
Understanding the carb hype
Everyone's on the health train these days and carbohydrates are the most misunderstood. Obviously anything with white flour, called semolina, is bad. It's processed and turns to sugar almost immediately after you have eaten it. You have to be wary of regular wheat bread. Wheat can be difficult to digest for most people so you have to always strive to get "whole grain" or "live" or "sprouted" grains. In the frozen food section of most health food stores you can find frozen bread that is considered "live" which is easily assimilated into your body and can help avoid allergies - we all have some level of intolerance for gluten and wheat you should make sure you're getting the healthiest version of carbohydrates. Just remember, the less refined the better.
Supplements
Most of us need supplements to fill our nutritional gaps. A lot of the food we eat is overcooked or lacks nutritional value so I take Digestive aids, Omega-3, B-complex, calcium and blue/green algae. There are so many choices these days that target specific goals, just make sure the source is reliable. I only buy supplements from the health food store because I just don't believe that the "superstores" put enough care into creating them. They may be cheaper, but when it comes to your health you can't afford not to get the best.
When you can't find what you want
I'm fortunate to live in New York City where there is a health food store on practically every corner but if one isn't available to you take control of the situation. Most health food store managers I have spoken to are happy to send out products, so find the one closest to you and work out a deal with them. Also, I buy specialty food online all the time. I have made a grocery list, in the resource section, of brands that you can buy from directly. And, let's not forget that we are the customer and the stores will try their best to accommodate you - request and you shall receive.
|
 |
