10 Foods to ADD to Your Grocery List in 2015

With the new year finally here, lots of people are beginning diets and making decisions to remove things from their diets. Taking foods away can be beneficial to your health, but it can also be disappointing and feel a lot more like a loss/failure if those foods make it back onto your plate. Removing things can feel negative and overwhelming. So instead, try adding things to your diet/life and slowly you will find that you don't crave the "bad" foods as much! I love the concept of adding foods, rather than removing because adding is much more positive and you'll be getting those nutrients from the good foods you add regardless of the other foods you're eating. So here are 10 foods I think you should add to your grocery list and incorporate into your menus in the new year.

1. Avocado

Avocado is one thing I can't go a day without. It is creamy, delicious, and so satisfying. Not only does avocado have an amazing taste but it's very versatile and has tons of good fats. I love making guacamole with a mashed avocado, salt,
pepper, and a little lime juice. This is a perfect dip for fresh veggies or to even put onto salads, a stirfry, chili, soup, or a piece of toast. Also, throwing a few slices into a green smoothie is excellent as well!

2. Almond Milk

Almond milk is another essential item for me. I use it in smoothies, oatmeal, sometimes in coffee, and even just warmed up with some cinnamon is a great nighttime drink. The Silk brand of almond milk is my favorite because the ingredients are simple and it doesn't have a lot of preservatives (like carrageenan, which can cause digestion problems). Silk's Unsweetened Vanilla is my favorite. In just one cup of almond milk you're getting almost 50% of your daily value of calcium, which is awesome! Dairy milk can often cause digestion problems, as well as draw out calcium in your bones because of the acidity, but almond milk doesn't cause a pH imbalance like dairy milk does. I definitely recommend trying out almond milk. Sometimes, I even make my own. Check out my recipe for homemade almond milk here !

3. Oats

Lots of people forget about oats and how great they are! They are a staple in my diet, and they should definitely make their way into yours as well. Oats are packed full of fiber, and are so filling and satisfying for breakfast. Oats also help to lower cholesterol, so not only are they delicious but definitely nutritious. They can be used for so many different things; not just oatmeal. By blending some oats in a blender you have a quick and simple flour to use in baking recipes. Throwing some oats into a smoothie adds whole grains and fiber. Oats are very inexpensive as well, so there is really no reason not to add them to your grocery list!

4. Flaxseed

I discovered flaxseed about three years ago, and am so glad that I did. Milled flaxseeds are very inexpensive and filled with nutrients including fiber, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids. So throw out your fish oil supplements and instead, EAT your omega-3s with flaxseeds. Milled flaxseeds don't have a very strong flavor, so they can be put in almost anything. My favorite ways to use flaxseed are to add a Tbsp. into oatmeal, smoothies, on top of salads, and incorporate them into baked goods. Also, they make a great egg replacer for all my fellow vegans out there! Just one Tbsp. flaxseed combined with 3 Tbsp. of water can be used to replace an egg in almost any baking recipe!



5. Apple Cider Vinegar (raw)

If you don't have raw apple cider vinegar in your refrigerator right now, go add it to your shopping list . . . right now, go do it. Apple cider vinegar is one of the best "foods" you could possibly have on hand. ACV can be used for tons of different things, from cleaning to drinking. Check out some ways to use it here. It's fairly inexpensive and seems to last forever! ACV is the best vinegar to use because it is the only non-acidic vinegar, so it is gentle on your stomach's pH levels. ACV actually alkalizes your stomach rather then causing it to become acidic like white, red, or balsamic vinegars.

6. Sweet Potatoes

Not sure if you're getting enough vitamin A? Well just eat a sweet potato a day and you'll never have to worry about vitamin A again. Just one sweet potato has well over the recommended daily value of vitamin A, along with lots of other vitamins and minerals. Sweet potatoes are inexpensive and super easy/versatile to incorporate into your diet. Roasted, mashed, steamed, pureed, curried, spiced, sweetened -- the possibilities are endless!


7. Quinoa

Although quinoa tends to be a little more expensive than some other grains, it's definitely well worth it. Quinoa truly is a superfood, packed with lots of nutrients and is so delicious. It's probably my favorite grain, because it makes such a great base for tons of flavors and dishes. It's a great plant based protein and is so easy to prepare to have on hand all week long. Quinoa can be a great base for a stir fry, a yummy addition to a salad, the main part of a soup, stew or chili, and can also just be eaten on it's own with different spices and/or dressings. Check out my Asian-inspired quinoa and kale recipe here!



8. Greens

Eating fresh greens can be a challenge for me because I always seem to forget about them, and eat other foods instead. This year I'm really going to try to make an effort to always have fresh greens on hand, and eat them everyday. My favorite way to eat my greens is in a smoothie, because it's so easy to prepare and doesn't take much thought. I just blend up some frozen fruit with a few handfuls of greens (kale and spinach are my favorites) and some cold water or almond milk. Incorporating greens into a stir fry is another way I try to get in my daily greens because wilted greens are much easier for me to eat. My number one tip for buying greens is to remember that "the darker the green, the better." By buying darker greens, you're guaranteed for more nutrients as well as phytochemicals. Kale, spinach, and romaine lettuce are my three favorite greens.


9. Dates/dried fruit

Dried fruit is probably one of the best snacks to have on hand. It's perfect for anyone who is on the go, or is a snacker like me. Dates, dried figs, and raisins are my three favorite dried fruits to keep in my pantry because they are all three super sweet and satisfying. Dried fruit is a great source of energy and is so portable as well as affordable. If you've never tried a date before, do it today! Medjool dates are my favorite and are basically equivalent to eating candy. Yum! You can usually find dates in the produce section of grocery stores and they are often sold in bulk as well.



10. Green Tea

Green tea isn't necessarily a food, but I wanted to include this in my list because it is something I think everyone should be incorporating into their diet. A few years ago, I made a conscious effort to start drinking a cup every day. Although it doesn't happen every single day, I try to at least have a box of green tea in my tea "collection" so it's easier for me to remember and actually drink it. Drinking a warm mug of green tea is not just good for your body, but I think it is so good for your soul. There is something about the process of making a cup of tea, drinking it, and feeling so great afterwards. My all-time favorite green tea is Bigelow's Green Tea with lemon or peach -- definitely the best in my opinion. There are so many health benefits that come with drinking green tea, so there is really no reason not to add it to your grocery list!

My Experience Going to Natural Chef School

This summer I attended Central Carolina Community College's Natural Chef certification program in Pittsboro, NC. For a while I've been wanting to attend culinary school to gain a deeper knowledge and experience in cooking. But I knew that I didn't really want to spend an entire two years going to culinary school to get an associates degree.


When I found out that I could become not only a certified Chef, but a certified Natural Chef in just one summer I knew that this was an amazing opportunity for me and my career. The program offered by CCCC is a certificate program, that is one of just three in the country. Also, it is available at a super affordable price.



I began the program the week after my college classes ended, and completed the program the week before I moved into my apartment; so I definitely dedicated my summer to cooking.


The first week we were introduced to the kitchen, and the cafe that we would be running for the summer. We also learned proper etiquette when waiting tables, and working as a hostess. Once the second week came around we began planning menus and cooking/serving in the Natural Chef Cafe. Every week we had different daily themes that determined the meal we would prepare. Some examples were gluten-free day, vegan day, baking day, raw food day, local foods day, the list goes on and on.

  

Along with running the cafe, we also learned how to work in the kitchen. Working line, doing prep work, washing dishes, preserving food, etc. Throughout the program, we learned how to cook a variety of many different foods, from de-boning locally raised chickens to making quinoa salads to homemade dehydrated kale chips. We also got several opportunities to interact with the public by helping with catering events and even did a few days demonstrating simple cooking skills/recipes to the public.

    


We spent the last week of the program focusing on a few specific topics such as fermentation and baking which I found really interesting. Another really cool thing about CCCC's program is that there is a fully functioning organic farm on campus that we were able to tour, and cook the produce from. By having the farm close by and getting it's produce, it helped us learn how to cook in-season, local dishes which was a great experience. We were also able to tour a few local farms that provided a lot of the products that we cooked with.

  

There were fourteen people in the class, and everyone was taking the course for different reasons, which made it a great mix of skill levels and life experiences. The program helped me to network, and learn different things from other people that enjoyed food like I do. By the end of the summer my views as well as knowledge on food and cooking was widened and I felt more familiar in the kitchen as well with working with people.




 I would definitely recommend this program to anyone that wants to not only gain knowledge on cooking, but also on healthy eating and using food as medicine. All of the information about the program is on the CCCC website (http://www.cccc.edu/naturalchef/ ) so definitely check it out if you're interested!

Things I Loved In July

Rice Cakes:

This month I haven't been able to get enough rice cakes! They are so delicious, and I love how they only have ONE ingredient: rice! I've been getting the Full Circle Organic Rice Cakes (unsalted) and have been either just eating them plain, crumbling them up to put onto of things, or smashing a banana ontop. They are such a good base for just about anything; jam, fruit, hummus, or nut butter.

Asian Food:

At the beginning of the month my mom and I took a trip to the Grand Asian Market in Cary and I fell in love! I had never really enjoyed Asian cuisine, but once I had the "proper" ingredients I've really enjoyed incorporating Asian foods into my diet. I've been making sushi (without the fish) every so often, and also made a really delicious miso soup. The Grand Asian Market also had a really good selection of teas, so I've really been enjoying those as well (especially chamomile green tea).

 

 

Frozen Grapes:

I've been loving cold treats all this month, to stay cool, and frozen green grapes have been my favorite! All I do is rinse the grapes off and de-stem them and then put them in a jar and stick them in the freezer overnight. They are the perfect sweet, cold treat to suck on and enjoy throughout the day!



French Pressed Coffee:

I don't know why it's taken me so long to realize how amazing a french press is, but this month I came to that realization. French pressed coffee is so much better than drip coffee, it is so much richer and creamier. Also, it doesn't take up as much room/energy as a bulky coffee maker does.




Master Chef:

I've always enjoyed watching Master Chef, it's so entertaining and I love trying to create recipes in my mind from the ingredients the contestants are given in the show. It's definitely been one of my favorite TV shows this summer.









"The Secrets of People Who Never Get Sick":

This was the book that I read this month, and I found it so interesting as well as useful. It's an easy read and is fascinating to read about other people's regimens of how they stay healthy. Definitely a book to check out!

Things I Loved In June

June flew by so fast, but it brought many new favorites that I want to share with you! This month was mostly spent at school and spending time with family. Can't believe it's over, I'm but excited for July!

So here are some things that I've been loving in June:

• Glass straws

I had alway thought about getting/using glass straws because I think they are so useful and environmental-friendly. I bought two from ManyMinis's store on Etsy, they were fairly cheap and I just love them! I love how they are reusable and are made out of something other than plastic.

• Cold Brewed Tea/Green Tea

Because it's been so hot, drinking hot tea is not very enjoyable. So I've been putting two green tea bags in a large mason jar full of water and letting it steep overnight. I love drinking it throughout the day, it's so refreshing and green tea is so good for you!

I've also been loving these two types of green tea, Bigelow's Green Tea with Lemon and Target's Lemon Ginger Green Tea, they are both delicious! 

• Quinoa

I had never really gotten into eating quinoa until this month. We made some in class one day, and ever since then I can't stop eating it, it is so good with just about everything! I buy it in bulk, and that seems to be the cheapest way to purchase it. Throw it in salads, or use it instead of oatmeal, or as a base for a mexican dish (instead of rice). Yummmm!

• RAW Apple Cider Vinegar

I have always loved apple cider vinegar because of all the amazing health benefits, but I feel like this month I loved it even more! At the beginning of the month I got some BRAGG raw ACV and have almost hit the bottom of it. I try to take a shot of it everyday, or use it on a salad.

If you want to try a shot of ACV, make sure it is raw and you take about two tablespoons, also following it by something sweet, like juice is definitely recommended! 

• Not using the microwave

This month, I've tried to spend more time preparing food, and not "giving into" convenience  so I've been trying to not use the microwave as much as I can. This is definitely a challenge, but it makes me put more time and love into whatever I'm cooking, it also helps me to "get back to the basics." In doing this, I've been loving a stovetop tea pot to heat water for tea or anything else I need hot water for. 

• Farmer's Market

My local farmer's market has been in full swing this month, and I've been loving it! Every Saturday morning I go and get as much produce as I can to use for the week. My favorites have been kale, berries, tomatoes, potatoes, and cabbage.

• Dr. Bronner's Soap

In June, I've also been trying to use more natural skin care products, and this is one that I've fallen in love with! Dr. Bronner's "Magical Soap" can be used for just about anything, from washing your hair to washing your dishes or clothes. Trader Joe's sells it for a great price, so I've been using that almost everyday this month. 

• Coconut Oil

Coconut Oil is an amazing completely natural moisturizer. It is pretty cheap and you only need a tiny bit on you lips, legs, or even hair. 

• My Beef With Meat by Rip Esselstyn

I am not a huge reader, but have been trying to read more this month. While on vacation, I read this book and absolutely loved it! I definitely recommend it to anyone that is considering giving up animal products, or someone that is trying/wanting to eat a more plant-based diet. It is a very eye-opening book that really makes you re-think what you're eating.

• Forks Over Knives

If you love documentaries as much as me, then you should check this one out. I would definitely say that this documentary is so powerful and one of the best I've ever seen. It is on Netflix, and it is filled with information regarding the benefits of eating a plant-based diet. It discusses The China Study which is one of the most comprehensive studies of nutrition ever conducted and is filled with information and also the results from the study. 

• Culinary School

June was mostly spent at school, and that is totally fine with me! I've been doing a summer program that will certify me as a Natural Chef, and its been so much fun! We've been learning not only basic cooking skills, but also using a holistic approach to food as well as using local ingredients. If you want to read more about the program check out this link