Switching your kitchen/pantry around takes an investment of time and money, as superfoods, nuts and organic foods are not cheap (but definitely worth it). The way I did it was to buy the first lot small and figure out which ones worked for me. Then over the next few months I would buy large box/bag one at a time as it is more cost efficient that way.
Superfoods
Are great for adding to smoothies, great for bioavailable vitamins and minerals and some are natural detoxing.
My own personal favourite superfoods are:
Chia Seeds
Green Power
Maca
Lucuma
Baobab
Spices
Non-irradiated, non-GMO spices are readily available at health stores and online so I simply replaced these one by one or as I went along and had extra money.
(I don't like the Mixed Herb options I found, so I mix my own - thyme, sage, oreganum, basil & marjoram :)
Also something that goes well with everything is putting coriander seeds and rosemary into a pepper grinder.
Nuts
Not cheap again, but essential for vegans. The health benefits, the protein and, of course, the taste! YUM! Buy in bulk and replace when you can afford to.
I prefer raw nuts as the fat has not been hydrogenated, plus the health benefits of soaking and activating your nuts completely is worth it and once the nut has been cooked that option is no longer there.
Almonds and cashews are staples.
Pumpkin, sunflower and sesame seeds are next on the list
Pecan nuts are a serious bonus and a must if you love to make carrot cake like me :)
SproutsMeals have to be planned a few days in advance when sprouting, but it is a routine that you incorporate into your lifestyle and get used to. It is a 'sacrifice' that I gladly make so that no animal has to suffer on my behalf.
Cooking Oil options:
I recommend the following:
Coconut Oil
Rice Bran oil
as they can be cooked with at high heats and not become hydrogenated.
(For non cooking oils I love my organic avocado oil and use it in all my salads)
Wheat free flour:
Wheat makes me sneeze and itch (there are times when I am eating out and I just want a damn pizza or a brownie with everyone else, so I suffer the consequences, but I generally try to avoid it by using these)
I am never without the following 3 staple replacement flours.
Coconut Flour
Almond Flour
Chickpea Flour
Also you need Xantham Gum to help bind your flour.
Chopping up and freezing food
Just because I live alone and cook for one doesn't mean that I want to pop down to the stores constantly every 2/3 days to buy fresh fruit in smaller portions so that it won't go off. I chop and freeze fruit in ziplocks for portions for my smoothies.
(FYI don't forget to take the ziplock out of the freezer first thing in the morning so that by the time you are ready to blend it it is slightly defrosted and easier to cut through).
I also freeze my peppers and celery, as well as fresh ginger and turmeric, so that I am not chopping til 9pm on a weeknight if I'd like to cook something for dinner after work.
I generally cook 2/3 large portion meals every few days and then I have enough to eat for lunch and dinner and alternate meals.
Also you easily freeze freshly squeezed lemon juice - I measure it into small containers in 10ml and 5ml measurements and, once frozen, I pop them into a larger container labeled, surprisingly, 10ml and 5ml and they are so easy to just take out and cook / bake with the pre-measured portions
 |
| My homemade Hot Box / Wonder Cooker |
So far I am only growing some basil and celery outside. I will post more on this once I've got a small herb garden going. For this you will either need a balcony or a garden or some wall space.
Worthwhile investments:A hot box / wonder cooker (make your own pattern here)
A stick blender (a tough one that can handle frozen fruit like my Triblade Kenwood Chef Hand Blender)
A dehydrator like this one.
...and if you love fried foods every so often like me, a green pan is a worthwhile investment.
I hope these suggestions are helpful. Please feel free to share and post any suggestions back to me too :)
No comments:
Post a Comment