START BUILDING YOUR PANTRY WITH THESE THREE STAPLE ITEMS

Do you ever go home with the full intention to cook, but lose motivation, and just end up grabbing your phone to order food from the closest pizzeria or Chinese store? Having the right items in your pantry can really help you become more agile when cooking. Let’s be honest, NO ONE wants to spend an hour cooking after a long day at work.

Building up a pantry can take months, and it can be quiet pricy. Im speaking from experience. Today, I want to start with the must have pantry staples that I like to keep on hand to help me whip up nutritious meals on the fly. They are basic, versatile, and can be used in various ways.

1. QUINOA

Quinoa is a lifesaver not only is one of the most rich aliment we can eat, it is also one of the simplest foods to cook, you can barely mess it up! So, if you aren’t great at cooking this is an ideal way to start :^)

Quinoa is usually cooked and eaten like a grain and has a similar nutritional profile, but it is in fact a SEED packed with protein. 1 cup of cooked Quinoa = 8 grams of protein. It is also high in fiber, phosphorus and magnesium which can help you maintain strong bones and improve the health of your brain and heart.

You can find this beautiful food in almost every supermarket. It usually comes in three colors; white, black, red, and sometimes you can find a mixture of colors. You can expect to pay from 5.99 to 9.99 per pound if its organic.

Quinoa takes approximately 10 minutes to cook opposed to 50 minutes that can take to cook brown rice. You can pair it with grilled chicken, steak, fish, vegetables, tuna, fresh salsa, add it to your salads to make them more hardy, or even give it a sweet turn around and have it for breakfast or a snack.

When I tell you that Quinoa is something you should ALWAYS have in your pantry, I mean it.

2. AVOCADO OIL

Avocado oil has a nutty, mild flavor that goes well with many ingredients. This oil can be a great substitution for butter or margarine. I love it in salads, salsas, fish marinades but I mostly use it in cooking.

If you already have olive oil in your pantry don’t hesitate to add avocado oil too. Both avocado and olive oil have a place in our diets. However, If you need versatility and have a limited budget, I would choose avocado oil over olive oil because it can be used for baking, cooking, and salad dressings. Think of it as only needing that one bottle for everything. It also has a very high smoke point which makes it great to use for frying (ex. sweet plantains) Moreover, it can work wonders when you apply it on your skin!

Finding this oil at your local supermarket could be a little harder. I suggest you buy it online, you can find better prices and more variety in sizes.

3.TUMERIC

One thing is for sure; tumeric can add a lot of flavor and color to almost any dish.

This is one of my favorite spices. I like to use it to give a natural yellow color to my rice and soups. Tumeric has tremendous medicinal benefits too, it can help you purify your blood as well as fighting joint pain and bad cholesterol.

Tumeric can indeed work wonders in your body, but overdosing with it or taking it for prolonged periods can deplete the blood system (limited to 2 spoons a day)

Be careful when cooking/using this golden spice, it is prone to leave stains on clothes, nails and white plates!

When purchasing this spice I 100% suggest you buy it in bulk. You can get as much as you want, and it is WAY cheaper than buying it in a jar.

This is a great addition to your pantry now that the winter is coming.

STAYING ON BUDGET AT WHOLE FOODS MARKET #BreakingTheMyth

I want to start with the basics. When I embarked this health journey, I was clueless of what or where to buy my groceries. Along the way I found Whole Foods market. The first couple of visits there were intimidating. The vast varieties of products that were completely new to my eye, and the fact that I was buying groceries at a new place made my experience a bit overwhelming.

We all know us humans are creatures of habits. So after shopping there for a while, I started to notice the desire to cook myself the best meals every single week. I mean, how can you not? Everything is organized, colorful and inspiring.

I also noticed that the prices where higher than what I was paying for at my old local supermarket. However, my produce lasted longer and even had a richer taste to it.

I am convinced that this place was one of the biggest factors on my substantial weight loss journey [ which I will share in another post ]

I fell deeply in love with Whole Foods market and its values, so much that I got me a job there :)

I was part of the grocery team for a year. This is when I was able to really learn that it was NOT that expensive, you just had to be smart and take your time when shopping.

For example, the following photo shows groceries that cost me $40.00 all together and should serve for: 5 breakfast + 5 Snacks + 5 Lunches *

And as promised, I've put together a few tips to help you Shop Smart:

1. Try to buy bulk if they have what you are looking for.

The bulk section at Whole Foods, though overwhelming at first, allows you to get just the amount that you're looking for and save $$ --- I cook for one, sometimes two. I like getting ONLY what I need, and that helps me spend and waste less. This is also a great way to start exploring new foods, without having to commit to a whole package..

2. You are not Alone.

Another cool thing is that if a new product catches your attention, and you are unsure to buy it, you can feel free to ask a team member for their opinion. Most of them have a wide experience and have been working, and shopping there for a really long time. And If you still aren’t sure, ask for a sample! they are allowed to give you a taste test! (inside scoop)

3. Do not buy Pre-Cut fruit.

Yes, I know, it is fabulous to not have to peal an entire pineapple and cut it in chucks, but there is a huge difference in price. This also goes for prepared foods, you are there to buy groceries, go home and prepare delicious meals.

I took the time to ask friends - who often eat out - how much they spend for breakfast and lunch, and the daily average they gave me was $15 - $20 usd that equals $400 a month NOT including dinner/weekends/club/cocktails .. wonder why you're broke ? )

The goal here is to really start practicing self love trough food. Step out of your regulars habits little by little. Even if some items are a little pricier than usual , we deserve the best , especially when it comes to what we eat.

If you put premium gas in your car, you CAN feed your body premium food too. After all, it is your body who earns the money for the gas.