These are my “must haves” for a whole foods lifestyle!
I try to purchase everything organic, whenever possible:
Sweeteners – I have thrown away all white, brown, and powdered sugars and replaced them with:
- Maple Syrup – Grade B
- Raw, unpasteurized honey
- Coconut sugar
Flours – I have gotten rid of all bleached, enriched flours and replaced them with:
- Spelt Flour
- Sprouted Whole Grain Wheat
Fruits – I no longer purchase canned or conventional fruit unless not on the “dirty dozen” list. I try to purchase fresh or frozen organic fruit as much as possible. In order to stay within a reasonable budget, I frequently purchase:
- Bananas – super cheap
- Apples
- Pears
- Pineapples
- Kiwi
- Lemons & Limes
- Fresh Berries – I purchase these when they are in season and the prices are decent
- Frozen Strawberries and/or mixed berries – great for smoothies!!!
Veggies – I try to incorporate as many as I can into my sons’ (and my) meals, however, we are not veggie-lovers. I do buy organic and to stay frugal I purchase:
- Bagged baby carrots (quick, easy snacks)
- Broccoli
- Sugar Snap Peas
- Baby Spinach & Collard Greens – great for smoothies!
- Peppers for munching
- Avocados (technically a fruit…but…)
- Potatoes (sweet and white)
Dairy Items & other cold items
- Greek Yogurt – whole fat
- Real Grassfed Butter (I love KerryGold brand)
- Hummus
- Guacamole (I try to make my own when possible)
- Coconut water
- Kefir
Other Pantry Items – Not much in my pantry anymore but these are a must:
- Natural Peanut Butter – no added sugars or hydrogenated oils (I love Trader Joe’s brand)
- Coconut Oil
- Jasmine or Basmati Rice
- Air-popped Popcorn – great, healthy quick snack
- BPA-free canned diced tomatoes
- All sorts of beans (black, kidney, white, pinto)
- High quality dark chocolate with no SOY (find it at Trader Joes!)
- Assortment of nuts: walnuts, pecans, cashews
- Oats (regular and steel cut)
- Coconut milk (canned)
- Chia seeds
- Dates
- Raisins
