Cara’s Pantry Recommendations

               Ok, your strolling through the supermarket with the best of intentions to shop healthy, eliminate bad fats and chemicals.  The labels all seem to be healthy right?  made with whole grains, natural,  good source of fiber. I say HA!!!! and as a matter of fact I have been known to yell right there in the store……For example, you think your buying healthy whole wheat wraps, it says whole wheat right in front, made with whole grains and no trans fats……..my friends you must turn the package over and read the ingredients, check for words like enriched wheat flour, high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated/partially hydrogenated oils.   If you see any of these words put it down and run.    These additives will thwart even the best of intentions to live healthy.

Unfortunately this will take some time and patience.  Becoming familiar with all those little creepy ingredients food manufacturers add to cut costs and prolong shelf life takes some time but that is why I developed this website.    I want to help you navigate the stores with ease, which will keep you motivated not frustrated.

Here is a list of staples you will need to have on hand in your kitchen to prepare the recipes contained in this site.  Some you will be familiar with others may take some getting used to.  I suggest you give each a try with an open mind.

1.  POM CHOPPED TOMATOES- I prefer these tomatoes over canned tomatoes.  Canned foods contain a carcinogenic chemical known as BPA (more on this later) suffice it to say for this post choose POM or glass jarred tomatoes (not tomato sauce).  I also like POM because they are non GMO, all natural and they are very sweet and make excellent sauces.

2.  ORGANIC low sodium chicken broth-  again we are avoiding cans as much as we can, also low sodium allows you to season your food without worrying about over salting due to sodium content in the broth.  I used this as a base to many dishes and I feel that using organic lies a better foundation for healthy living.

3.  Grey Celtic Sea Salt-  Find this salt in health food stores, course or finely ground is fine.  This salt has a balanced ratio of minerals and is healthy when used in conjunction with a a healthy living lifestyle.

4.  High Quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil- first cold pressed dark glass bottle or Can.  Do not cut corners here.

5.  Short Grain Brown Rice, Quinoa, Farro, Wild Rice- I use these grains as the complex carbohydrates the body needs to be healthy.  These grains should be used in moderation when tying to lose weight but should still remain a staple in the house. Use organic varieties.

6.  Orangic Oats-Oat Bran,  Steel cut, and Old fashioned (NO QUICK COOKING) Oats are the only food accepted and endorsed by the American Heart Association.  I use oat bran instead of breadcrumbs when making meatballs( more on this later)

7.  Unsweetened Almond Milk- I use this in recipes for oatmeal to rice pudding.  it has replaced regular milk in our home and our kids do not miss it at all.  I use ALMOND BREEZE because they certify not to use GMO ingredients…..I’m hearing rumors that SILK is soon to follow but I haven’t seen it yet.

8.  Unsweetened ORGANIC applesauce- or make your own (recipe to follow)

9.  Chili Powder, Garlic Powder, Lemon Pepper, Onion Powder, Cayenne Pepper, smoked paprika, cocoa powder, smoked sea salt,  ( all organic ) no chemicals people.

10.  DRY organic beans– all kinds you can never have too much…………………………..

Buy organic whenever possible and do your best to avoid Genetically Modified Organisms…..these are things your body is best left without.

Use Glass containers over plastic.

Making these few small changes in your life will make a difference long term.