Okay, so you already know that I playfully poke fun at being vegan because I love me some smoked meat and raw cheese, but believe it or not, I don't actually run around hunting house pets and living a life full of sin and booze 24/7.
I DO go to the grocery store like everyone else and try to make good choices based on what I like to eat, what I know I need to eat, and finding a few items in between that satisfy both of those categories.
Here are things that always find their way in to my cart. Unfiltered.
1) Chocolate
Did you expect anything else to make the #1 spot?! Lucky for my Heart, I prefer dark chocolate. I always get some and will choose a fairly traded, organic variety when it's available. I find solid dark chocolate super boring, so I tend to gravitate toward the ones with little blueberries or hazelnut pieces inside… mmm 🙂
2) Almond Milk
I don't hate on dairy and don't think cow's milk is totally awful for you in reasonable quantities, but for smoothies, I like unsweetened almond milk for the extra boost of minerals and protein. Boom! Easy, healthy calories!
3) Avocados
Some foods I just notice my body takes really well to and metabolizes super efficiently, and avocados is definitely one of those foods. I eat about ½ of one per day and notice huge differences in my skin and hair when I skimp. Do not fear the fats!
4) Eggs
They're so versatile! I don't eat them every single day, but I often have them sunny-side-up on a bed of greens (or sauteed zucchini and yellow squash) for a quick, carb-free breakfast. If I don't have time to make them in the morning, I cook up an omelette or something equivalent for a high-protein, lean lunch or dinner when I'm short on time.
5) Red wine
Again, I try to go as healthy as possible: here, that means organic and nitrate-free when I can find it. Otherwise, a bit of red wine a day is supposed to keep the brain cells functioning properly for a long time and the cardiovascular system humming along nicely too. Not to mention, it's delicious. 😉
6) Greens
Pick one (or a few!) you like. Raw salad not your thing? Call me crazy, but roasted brussel sprouts with a touch of olive oil, salt, and lemon juice is incredible. I also love kale in chip form OR sauteed with olive oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper, some zucchini, raw green peppers, steamed broccoli, spinach, and asparagus…the list goes on.
Go on wit’ yo bad self, yogis! But try to strike a balance at least a couple times in a day in the name of health!
7) Fats
Extra Virgin Olive oil, raw extra virgin coconut oil, avocado oil, real, full-fat unsalted butter (in extreme moderation) all get the green light in my house. The body needs good, healthy fats to thrive and to feel full, and prepping your food with these guys is a great way to make sure you get your daily requirement.
8) Oats
When I'm at home, oatmeal is kind of a morning staple. It's super filling and keeps you full for hours when you fill it with the right stuff. You can mix in pretty much anything you like, but to make it a complete meal, always use these essentials: coconut oil, cinnamon, and ground flax plus whatever fruit I have in the house. Easy, filling breakfast in just a few minutes.
9-10) Apples And Bananas
WOW, be more boring, Erin! Okay, just hear me out! Sliced into oatmeal, eaten raw as a snack. The apples can be roasted with a hint of vanilla and cinnamon and the bananas can be frozen and used in smoothies – these guys really work hard for the money! Even organic, neither is terribly expensive, and they're a great way to get in fiber, nutrients, a healthy carb, and some antioxidants. Boom! Easy fruits for the win.
So those are my food staples at home – see, this bad yogi does balance her ‘wants’ with healthy eats! What about you? What are your grocery list must-haves?
Image credit: BakingSerendipity