HEALTHY KITCHEN FAVORITES
Curious how I stock my pantry, fill my fridge and what equipment I use? Well I'm spilling the beans in detail for you below.
LET’S START WITH KITCHEN EQUIPMENT
I always say that the kitchen is the heart of the home, and having the right kitchen equipment can make cooking healthy so much easier! These are the tools that I use and love love love! If you see anything you’re curious about, just click the button below and it’ll take you to where you can shop it.
FOOD PROCESSOR
A food processor will help you puree soups, make granola bars, hummus, nut butters, and even shred vegetables. I use my food processor in a variety of ways every week.
SLOW COOKER
A slow cooker is the busy moms best friend. It’s the perfect tool for soups and stews. Basically, if you don’t have one, I highly recommend getting one - especially with a programmable timer like this Kitchenaid slow cooker.
HIGH SPEED BLENDER
I used to have a ninja blender - but truthfully I was disappointed. Then I upgraded and I’m so happy with the decision. I can’t imagine life without my blender. I use it every morning to make smoothies. It’s great for pureeing dips, sauces, and seed butters.
DUTCH OVEN
This amazing tool will let you cook on the stove and pop it into the oven without changing pots. A dutch oven will last you a lifetime. I use it for my one-pot meals and quick soups. Mine is dark blue but I LOVE this teal color!
CAST IRON SKILLET
I’m a big fan of cast iron pans. They cook so much better! An enameled cast iron skillet will help with heat absorption and retention giving you a more even surface to cook. It’s the perfect tool for cooking meats, stir frys, and pancakes!
3-QT AND 5-QT STOCK POTS
A good set of pots will be needed for boiling your pasta noodles, making and reheating soups and sauces, cooking whole grains and more. These pots are nonstick and oven safe up to 400°F. Plus I LOVE how beautiful they are - they come in 4 different color options.
CASSEROLE DISH
I love a pretty casserole dish because you’ll be using it to serve your delicious meals like lasagna, enchilada casserole, and marinated meats. This beautiful Le Creuset dish one will last a lifetime and never go out of style.
MANDOLINE SLICER
Are your kids picky with vegetables? Then trying a few different ways of cutting them is a great option. I love this slicer because you can make vegetable chips at home! It also works great for homemade slaw.
BAKEWARE SET
If you want to start baking healthier, you’ll need some good quality baking pans. This bakeware set is perfect because you can get everything all at once. Plus I love that it comes with a lid - great for when you’re bringing cupcakes to kids parties.
MIXING BOWLS AND CUPS
You’ll use these measuring bowls, cups and spoons every day. Stainless steel is durable, but not breakable so it’s great to let the kids use. And having silicone lids is perfect for storing icing, dips and salads in the fridge
CUTTING KNIVES
These are pretty self explanatory. With meal prep, you’ll be chopping a lot of meats, fruits and vegetables and a good set of knives can prevent any accidents and make life so much easier.
UTENSILS
A variety of good quality spatulas, a whisk, a wooden spoon, and a soup ladle are all helpful during meal prep and baking. And because they sit on my counter, I want them to look attractive as well. I really like this set that comes with a ceramic crock.
PIZZA CUTTER
I use my pizza cutter for pizzas, pies, cookie dough, and to slice my homemade granola bars.
SILICONE BAKING MAT
Use Silpat for any baking recipe that calls for parchment paper; Silpat replaces the need to use butter, grease, oils, and sprays.
MESH STRAINERS
I use these for so many things! I use them to sift my flour when I’m baking. To rinse my quinoa, buckwheat groats and rice before cooking. And to strain my bone broth. They’re so handy!
GLASS FOOD CONTAINERS
The perfect containers to store leftovers, use for meal prep, or keep your lunches! These stack so nicely in the fridge - I always have a set on hand.
8 OZ MASON JARS
Probably the most versatile jar you’ll have in your house. You can use them to carry snacks in your bag, salads for lunch, use for canning, use as drinking glasses, store food in the pantry and more. I find the 8 oz jars to be the ones I use the most.
4 OZ MASON JARS
I use the smaller mason jars for storing spices, seeds, and superfood powders. I also use them to store my homemade salad dressings.
REUSABLE SILICONE BAGS
Reusable bags are great for anything you’d need a bag for - kids snacks, freezer meals, storing veggies, and marinating meats. These are leak-proof, freezer-safe and BPA free.
STAINLESS STEEL SMOOTHIE CUPS
I always have a set of stainless steel cups because they’re amazing for smoothies and hot drinks like coffee and homemade lattes. I usually make myself and my daughter a smoothie for our car ride to preschool every morning. This set is perfect for the whole family to use.
STAINLESS STEEL LUNCH BOX
For my daughter’s lunch, I love love love using the stainless steel lunch boxes from LunchBots. They’re the perfect size, easy to clean and they come in a variety of different compartment options. They’re an investment at first, but it’s worth it!
REUSABLE PRODUCE BAGS
If you’re ready to move towards a less waste lifestyle, then I recommend simple cotton bags to hold your product and bulk foods. They’re easy to pack, washable and they’ll biodegrade once you’re done with them.
REUSABLE SHOPPING BAGS
My absolute favorite reusable shopping bags are from BAGGU. They have a wide variety of patterns and designs and fold nicely into your bag for whenever you need them. This happy face one is still my ultimate favorite - I always get compliments on it when I go out.
WATER BOTTLE
I love this water bottle because it’s both pretty and functional. I try to bring it with me everywhere I go so I don’t forget to stay hydrated.
BEESWAX FOOD WRAPS
These smell incredible and are the perfect way to wrap your produce and leftovers without using plastic wrap. Beeswax wraps will last you a long time and they’re washable. Love!
SILICONE FREEZIE MOLDS
Did you know you can make homemade freezies!? When I first found these I was so excited!! These rainbow silicone molds are so fun - they’re perfect for your summertime treats.
STAINLESS STEEL POPSICLE MOLDS
This is the mold that I use this mold to make my popsicle recipes. It’s stainless steel and makes the most beautiful popsicle shapes. You just use regular wooden popsicle sticks for this one.
Healthy Food Ingredients
Curious about what a healthy pantry looks like? Well you're about to find out. This list is detailed on purpose - I want to give everything to you here so you know exactly what ingredient to use and when. You certainly don't need to buy everything here all at once! Whenever you make something new, add a few healthy ingredients to your pantry and you'll give your kitchen a healthy makeover in no time!
QUINOA
Quinoa is a versatile whole grain that can be used in a variety of dishes - even desserts! We eat quinoa every week
BUCKWHEAT GROATS
Buckwheat groats are very nutritious and kids usually like eating them because they’re kinda fun to eat. You can eat it the same way you would brown rice - as a side, in stir frys, etc. I also love using buckwheat flour in my baking.
BROWN RICE
Pretty self explanatory. We like to cycle between whole grain rice and organic white rice.
WILD RICE
This is more expensive than brown or white rice but is really nice to have once in a while to give your body added nutrition. It’s great in soups, as a side or stir fry.
GLUTEN FREE ROLLED OATS
Instead of sugary cereals, try giving your kids oatmeal. They can top it with chopped fruits, nut, seeds and plain yogurt. I like to make overnight oats to save time in the mornings.
CHICKPEA PASTA
I try to avoid pasta made from refined flours (white pasta and whole wheat pasta) and instead we eat pasta from grains and beans. This chickpea pasta is great.
BROWN RICE PASTA
I love this brand of brown rice pasta - it comes in a variety of shapes for any pasta dish you can think of. Give it a try - I really don’t think your family will miss the old stuff when you do! It tastes pretty good.
QUINOA FLOUR TORTILLAS
So yummy - perfect for lunch wraps and Friday night tacos. I love these quinoa flour tortillas.
HEALTHY SNACKS
Who doesn’t love a good snack!? Well the conventional stuff is loaded with preservatives, too much salt and unhealthy fats. So let me share some healthier options.
TORTILLA CHIPS
A good quality tortilla chip made with simple ingredients is absolutely essential in our household. I love eat them with homemade guacamole, hummus and also make cheesy nachos. My daughter eats them plain as a snack.
SWEET POTATO CRACKERS
When you actually start looking, it’s really hard to find a cracker that’s gluten free, made with simple ingredients and nut free. So when I discovered the RW Garcia brand, I became a devoted fan. The sweet potato flavor is my daughters favorite and I pack these in her school snacks.
KALE CRACKERS
There are a variety of flavors of these crackers but I also really like the Kale ones. These are a bit more savory in flavor than the sweet potato ones - and yes, they do taste like kale (so if you don’t like kale, try a different flavor).
SEAWEED SNACKS
Seaweed is incredibly nutritious and great for a snack. They’re so easy to pack in kids lunches. My whole family loves these. I just wish they came with less packaging.
CHOCOLATE PROTEIN BARS
My husband raves about these protein bars. In particular he likes the double chocolate flavor. They’re high in fiber and protein, and a great grab-and-go snack.
NUT-FREE GRANOLA BARS
I like these because they’re nut-free and dairy-free, so they’re safe to pack in school lunches. I’ve also used these as treats at my daughters birthday parties.
LENTIL CHIPS
I love this brand because it’s free from all common allergens. These are made with lentil flour and are a yummy snack to try.
NO SUGAR ADDED FRUIT BARS
These fruit bars are high in fiber, have no preservatives and no added sugar. They’re a great fruit bar to add to kids lunches.
BAKING INGREDIENTS
Guys, I love to bake - it is so fun! But majority of recipes out there in cookbooks or on Pinterest are loaded with refined sugars and refined flours. Too much of this stuff can cause major sugar crashes, mood swings and weight gain. Not fun. But luckily there’s a much better way! You absolutely can bake with healthier ingredients and are better for your body. Here are the basics of what I keep in my pantry for my baking needs.
MEGA CHOCOLATE CHIPS
Hands down my favorite chocolate chips to bake with. These are made in a nut-free facility and are free of other top allergens. So they’re perfect to use for kids birthday parties, baking for school lunches, and if you have any allergies at home like I do.
MAPLE SYRUP
There are only three types of natural sugars that I keep at home for baking and sweetening foods. Maple syrup is the one I use most of the time and really love the flavor.
COCONUT SUGAR
This stuff is pure gold! I use coconut sugar in replacement of any recipe that calls for a granulated sugar - cakes, cupcakes, scones and cookies etc. It’s an unrefined sugar made from coconut palm nectar.
MEDJOOL DATES
Medjool dates can be used as a natural sweetener. Use them to make energy balls, sweeten homemade nut and seed mylks, and other recipes. I always keep a bag of these on hand in my pantry.
COCONUT FLAKES
I keep coconut flakes and shredded coconut in my pantry to use as toppings on smoothie bowls, yogurt, oatmeal, and in baking. When purchasing, make sure you choose an unsweetened option.
CACAO POWDER
Did you know there’s actually a difference between cacao powder and cocoa powder? Cacao powder is rich in antioxidants and is considered a superfood! You can use cacao powder to make all of your chocolate treats. I use it in a lot of my recipes.
PURE VANILLA EXTRACT
Real, pure vanilla extract smells divine. My daughter always asks to smell the bottle. I use this brand in all of my baking and I love it!
VANILLA BEAN POWDER
A little goes a long way with vanilla bean powder. I love to add it to my smoothies, oatmeal, and yogurt.
OAT FLOUR
Oat flour is an easy replacement for refined flours. I usually make mine at home (here’s my tutorial on how to do it) but you can also buy oat flour if you want to save time.
CHICKPEA FLOUR
Chickpea flour has a unique flavor and is so nutritious! It’s high in protein and fiber. You can use it to make pancakes, banana bread, muffins and more.
BUCKWHEAT FLOUR
I really like buckwheat flour. It’s also really nutritious for you. I’ve used it to make cakes, cupcakes and pancakes.
QUINOA FLOUR
Quinoa flour is really versatile and high in protein! Just like all of these other flours, you can use it to make cakes, cupcakes and more.
SEEDS + SEED BUTTERS
Having lots of seeds in my pantry is absolutely essential. I use them in almost every meal I make. I pop them into smoothies, sprinkle them on salads, oatmeal, yogurt, on pancakes and more. I don’t share any nuts in this guide because I have a severe nut allergy, and this allergy is so common in children these days so it’s not allowed in most schools. So seeds and seed butters are an amazing alternative! I highly recommend purchasing the Gerbs brand if you have a nut allergy in your family as well.
CACAO NIBS
Cacao is especially rich in health-promoting flavonoids, fatty acids and minerals such as iron, calcium and magnesium. Use cacao nibs to create an extra crunch in healthy granola bars, add to smoothies or even sprinkle nibs on salads for a savory treat.
CHIA SEEDS
Super high in protein. These can be used as egg substitutes. You can add them to smoothies, and chia pudding is really yummy.
GROUND FLAX SEED
When buying flax seed, always buy the ground version to get the most nutrition because your body can’t digest the outer shell properly. These are a great addition to breakfast muffins and granola bars.
HEMP SEEDS
Super high in protein - these are the perfect thing to add to smoothies. I also love them in my homemade granola bars and energy balls. We go through these really fast in my house.
BEANS
So so good for you! High in protein and good for the earth and sustainability. Eat them as much as you can - these four are my favorites.
CHICKPEAS (GARBANZO BEANS)
Cacao is especially rich in health-promoting flavonoids, fatty acids and minerals such as iron, calcium and magnesium. Use cacao nibs to create an extra crunch in healthy granola bars, add to smoothies or even sprinkle nibs on salads for a savory treat.
LENTIL BEANS
Cacao is especially rich in health-promoting flavonoids, fatty acids and minerals such as iron, calcium and magnesium. Use cacao nibs to create an extra crunch in healthy granola bars, add to smoothies or even sprinkle nibs on salads for a savory treat.
BLACK BEANS
Cacao is especially rich in health-promoting flavonoids, fatty acids and minerals such as iron, calcium and magnesium. Use cacao nibs to create an extra crunch in healthy granola bars, add to smoothies or even sprinkle nibs on salads for a savory treat.
ADUKI BEANS
Cacao is especially rich in health-promoting flavonoids, fatty acids and minerals such as iron, calcium and magnesium. Use cacao nibs to create an extra crunch in healthy granola bars, add to smoothies or even sprinkle nibs on salads for a savory treat.
SAUCES & FLAVORINGS
Many store bought dressings and sauces are loaded with refined sugars, preservatives and other things we really don’t need. You can flavor your meals much more simply and I truly believe it tastes so much better. To make my sauces and dips - these are the ingredients that I use.
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
ACV has a variety of uses - from food, to cleaning, to even your skin and hair. My husband uses it for upset stomach. I like to mix it with water and drink it like a shot to help aid in weight loss. And I use a lot of it to make my homemade salad dressings.
UME PLUM VINEGAR
A flavor that is salty, sour and sweet all rolled into one. It’s similar to ACV - improves digestion, eliminating toxins from the body, and increasing energy - but is used widely in Japan. You can use it to make salad dressings, sauces and marinades.
TAMARI SAUCE
The difference between tamari and regular soy sauce is that it’s fermented. So you’re getting beneficial gut bacteria along with great flavor. This tastes great on rice, quinoa, and buckwheat groats. I also use it as a sauce with chicken and pork.
COCONUT AMINOS
A soy-free sauce that you can use as an alternative to soy or tamari. It’s jam packed with 17 amino acids, potassium, vitamin C and vitamin B. You can use it to season your grains, flavor beans and in marinades for your meats.
COCONUT OIL
Coconut oil is a staple in my house for anything that I cook. It is a source of healthy fats and does not go rancid when heated like other oils do.
EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL
I use extra virgin oil to drizzle on my salads, beans and grains.Tip: Olive oil has a low smoke point so don’t use it to cook your foods because it actually goes rancid when heated.
AVOCADO OIL
A good alternative to olive oil when you want to use it in cooking. Avocado oil has a higher smoke point so I use it to drizzle over my veggies when I’m roasting them in the oven.
AVOCADO OIL SPRAY
Gosh I love this spray! I use it all the time when I’m cooking and baking in the oven to prevent the food from sticking to the pan.
DIJON MUSTARD
Dijon mustard gets used all the time in my homemade salad dressings and marinades.
WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE
I use this in my slow cooker stews, in sauces and marinades.
ORGANIC SPICE SET
Organic spices taste different and smell different! I like this brand - but whenever i run out I usually just buy organic spices from the bulk section and refill these jars.
SUGAR FREE KETCHUP
Conventional ketchup is really high in refined sugar! You can try making your own - or you can buy a sugar free alternative like this brand. It will taste different than what you might be used to but you’ll love it.
FERMENTED FOODS
More and more studies are showing how important our gut bacteria is to our overall health. For that reason, we should be consuming fermented foods each and every day. Here are some of my favorites.
FERMENTED PICKLES
Fermented pickles are different than regular pickles! Make sure you see the word fermented on the package.
FERMENTED MISO
Tastes sooo good as a flavoring in soups and stews.
SAUERKRAUT
I like to take a spoonful on the side of my plate at every single meal.
KOMBUCHA
This is a yummy drink that’s bubbly, and will probably make you burp a lot. Kids love it. I’m a big fan of ginger kombucha.
SUPERFOOD POWDERS
I like to geek-out on superfood powders. They’re basically derived from foods all over the world that have been found to be the most nutrient dense. Each superfood will have different results. There are far more available that what I’m sharing with you here, but these are the ones that I use personally and really enjoy.
SPROUTED PROTEIN POWDER
This protein powder is derived from plant ingredients and is sprouted so it’s better for digestion. I like to add a scoop to my morning smoothies to give me a serving of protein in the morning - which will in turn give me more energy!
COLLAGEN PEPTIDES
This is also a good source of protein. I love to use this in my homemade lattes (turmeric, matcha, chai etc). It creates the perfect amount of creaminess but without dairy.
SPIRULINA POWDER
Spirulina as a dark green powder made from blue-green algae and is high in nutrients. A little goes a long way. I’ll add this to my smoothies.
MACA POWDER
True story: when I was trying to get pregnant with my daughter, I started adding maca to my smoothies. That’s because it’s known for fertility. It’s also great for energy and endurance. It has a caramel-ey flavor and tastes great in smoothies.
REISHI MUSHROOM POWDER
They say that reishi mushroom is one of the top most nutritional foods out there, helping to boost immunity, reduce stress and improve sleep. You can add this powder to smoothies, lattes and bone broth.
CHAGA MUSHROOM POWDER
This is another superfood mushroom that is said to slow the ageing process, lower cholesterol, and may even help to prevent cancer. You can add this powder to smoothies, homemade lattes and bone broth.
MATCHA POWDER
Matcha is very high in antioxidants. It can boost your metabolism and help your body to naturally detoxify. My favorite drink is a homemade matcha latte with collagen powder… soooo good!