The Essentials of a "Natural" Pantry

People ask us all the time, what are the foods you always have on hand? What products do you love? What are your go-to recipes? So today we'll take you through the Lawrence Family Kitchen and share our favorite things we keep stocked in our dairy-free, grain-free, and sugar-free pantry.

 

ALWAYS IN OUR FRIDGE:

• Lemons/limes

• Root vegetables: carrots and beets

• Greens: celery, lettuce, spinach or spring mix

• Cauliflower or broccoli

• Ripe avocados

RECIPE STAPLES ALWAYS ON HAND: 

• Onion

• Fresh garlic

• Fresh ginger

• Fresh or dried herbs

• Farm fresh eggs

ALWAYS IN OUR FREEZER:

• Frozen wild-caught fish

• Frozen ground turkey

• Frozen chicken: whole/breasts/tenders

• Frozen homemade bone broth

• Frozen peas and sweet corn

• Frozen "riced" cauliflower

• Frozen bananas (for smoothies and homemade banana ice cream)

• Greens powders: Spirulina, Aloe Life Greens, Wheat Grass Powder

MUST-HAVE MUNCHIES:

• Bubbies pickles and Bubbies sauerkraut

• Olives in olive oil

• Seaweed snacks

• Soaked nuts or seeds(Soaking & Sprouting Guide)

• Easy Dips: Salsa, Guacamole, homemade dressings, almond butter

• Grab and go veggies: sliced carrots, celery & cucumber

• Grab and go fruit: oranges, grapefruit, grapes, apples (usually whatever is in season)

GO-TO PROTEINS:

• Scrambled or boiled eggs

• Soaked and seasoned nuts & seeds: Almonds, walnuts, sunflower, or pumpkin seeds

• Almond butter & carrots or apples

• Smoothies with plant-based protein powder: Vibrant Health, VEGA, Bone Broth Protein Powder

NON-DAIRY FAVES:

• Homemade almond or coconut milk sweetened with stevia

• Chia pudding with coconut milk

• Homemade dairy free ranch dressing (great on salads, veggies, chicken fingers, tacos, etc.)

• Nutritional Yeast for that "cheesy" flavor

MUST-HAVE PANTRY STAPLES:

• Olive oil

• Coconut oil

• Raw apple cider vinegar

• Raw honey

• Almond or coconut flour

• Coconut milk in BPA-free cans

• Coconut flakes

• Raw cacao powder

• Hemp seeds

• Flax seeds

• Sea salt

OCCASIONAL SWEETS & OTHER INDULGENCES:

• Dates or other dried fruits (figs, apricots, ginger, mango)

• Raw Energy Balls

• Trail Mix with dried fruit and dark chocolate pieces

• Coconut ice-cream (store-bought or Homemade with maple syrup)

• Baked apple crisp with coconut whip cream

• Baked apples stuffed with dates and chopped nuts with coconut whip cream

• Chocolate avocado pudding

• Acorn Squash Dessert

FAVE VEGGIE & WHAT WE MAKE WITH IT:

• Cucumber (really a fruit!): sliced for mini-sandwiches, dipped in homemade ranch, juiced or peeled and blended in smoothies

SIMPLE GO-TO RECIPE:

• Green Smoothie: 1 frozen banana, 1/4 avocado, 1 cup coconut milk, 1 scoop plant-based protein powder, 1 Tbsp Almond Butter and 1 Tbsp greens powder

FOR LAST MINUTE ENTERTAINING:

• Sliced veggies and fresh fruit with a homemade dip

• Assorted teas with homemade almond milk

BEST SHOPPING TIPS:

• Stay on the outside of the grocery store and avoid the aisles with boxed & bagged items

• Eat produce that is in season (usually found on sale)

• Aim to buy items with thin skin (strawberries, bell peppers, etc.) as organic, and for economical savings choose produce with thick skins (banana, avocado, oranges) as conventional. Familiarize yourself with the dirty dozen list of heavily sprayed foods and buy them organic.

BEST LABEL-READING TIP:

• If it says "enriched" that means it has been stripped of all viable nutrients and then fortified with synthetic vitamins (which are coal tar "petroleum" based ingredients). These fake-synthetic vitamins and ingredients deplete the body of minerals, are easily trapped in vital organs and cause toxicity in the body.

• If purchasing any items with soy or corn (except sweet corn) assume it is GMO. 90% of conventional soy and corn on the market is GMO. Always choose organic if buying items containing soy or corn.

FAVORITE PLACES TO SHOP:

• Spirit of Health, of course :)

• Farmer's Markets

• Local CO-OP

• Trader Joe's

• Sprouts

• Costco

MY TYPICAL SHOPPING BAG:

• Oranges

• Grapefruit

• Apples

• Seasonal fruit (berries, grapes, cherries)

• Lemon/limes

• Cucumber

• Salad greens

• Cauliflower

• Onions

• Carrots

• Beets

• Sweet potatoes

• Cherry tomatoes

• Celery

• Avocado

• Eggs

• Nuts/seeds.