A big key to eating healthy is having a well stocked pantry and fridge. Not only does it help to be well stocked, it helps if you have items that are easy to throw together to make a quick meal. Below you will find a list of the several items I like to have on hand. You will also find more details (i.e. uses, health benefits, etc.) regarding each of these in my upcoming blog series "Why I", so be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the blog so you don't miss out. The majority of these items I purchase from vitacost.com, amazon.com or Whole Foods.
avocado oil: one of the healthiest oils with a high smoke point.
baobab powder: comes from Baobab Trees on reserves in Malawi. It has been treasured for centuries in Africa due to it's health benefits.
cacao powder (organic, raw): bean of the cacao plant containing a rich supply of antioxidants, magnesium & iron.
chia seed: seed of a mint plant common in South & Central America.
coconut oil: oil extracted from the kernel or meat of a coconut
flax seed: seed of the flax plant which is commonly used in the textile industry to make linen.
hemp seed: seed of the cannibis saliva plant, one of the most nutritious seeds in the world. (no, you will NOT get high from eating this!)
lucuma powder: made from the subtropical fruit of the Pouteria lucuma tree and is a great source of antioxidants, fiber, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals necessary for bodily functions and of benefit to the immune system. It is rich in vitamins B1 and B2, and also containsB3 and B5, beta-carotene, iron, potassium, calcium, and phosphorus.
maple syrup: sweet runny sap from a maple tree, boiled down to allow the water to evaporate which leaves you with a sweet, thick pure maple syrup;not to be confused with breakfast syrup which is full of High Fructose Corn Syrup.
yerba mate: south american beverage made by steeping the leaves and stems of the yerba mate plant. Yerba mate contains caffeine, but it also has several other nutrients such as antioxidants, amino acids, polyphenols, vitamins & minerals.
wheat germ: part of the wheat sprout that grows into a new plant.
wheatgrass powder: made by freeze-drying, oven-drying or air-drying fresh wheatgrass. It has detoxifying and cleansing properties and can help curb cravings, promote clear skin and boost your immune system. High in nutrients: Vitamin A, phosphorus, chlorophyll, manganese, potassium, essential fatty acids and enzymes.