Thursday, April 28, 2011

Kitchen Staples

Nearly everyone has a few items in the kitchen that they wouldn't be caught without, and Grass Fed Girl is no different from the norm in that respect (...although, she is a bit kooky in plenty of other ways, never mind though, we won't get into those here!).
So, if you were to pop on by GFG's abode on an average day, what could you expect to find?

Almond milk! As you will see down list, I keep raw milk on hand. I only use raw milk for producing kefir, as it is costly. For normal use, such as mixing into oatmeal, I use almond milk. I've recently eliminated soy from my diet (except for an occasional tofu or fermented soy product) and almond milk is lighter in taste than hemp or hazelnut. I quite like Pacific Natural Foods Almond Milk.

Coconut oil! Food of the Gods, and multipurpose tool. Just a few examples of what you can do with coconut oil: frying, baking, blending into smoothies, as well as there being a whole smorgasbord of topical and beautifying uses as well. It is important that for maximum health benefit one selects unrefined and organic coconut oil. The brand I keep at home is Nature's Way EFA Gold, because it is readily available in my local health food store. However, other good brands I have seen recommended are Jarrow and Spectrum. I have also posted some great coconut oil recipes!

Farm fresh eggs! An egg is a beautiful thing! Packed full of protein, lutein, and essential amino acids, they deliver a powerful health boost in a tiny package. However, not all eggs are created equal. Factory farmed eggs from unhappy and unhealthy chickens are not just unethical, but they do not carry the same vitamin richness as an egg from a happy chicken that lives in a healthy environment. One should source their eggs locally, from a farm that raises the chickens on pasture. Locally, I go through The Princess Farmer.

Kefir! Kefir is an essential item to gastrointestinal health and well being. It is full of beneficial bacterias and vitamins and it is an extremely versatile food. Kefir tastes a lot like yoghurt, and can be similarly flavored with fruits, honey, and other sweeteners. I prefer to blend mine into a smoothie with berries, a banana, and some raw honey. There are commercial brands of kefir available, but nothing compares to making your own at home with raw milk. Kefir can also easily be made vegan-friendly, as it will happily grow in coconut milk! If you are interested in obtaining your own kefir starter, I recommend the KefirLady.

Kombucha! Kombucha is an amazing fermented beverage, that I am quite surprised is not widely consumed in America. There are commercial brands available for consumption (I'm a big fan of GTs Kombucha drinks), but their cost can turn many people off to the idea of regular use (usually about $3 for a bottle that contains two servings). However, take a look at this site for great instructions on how to home brew your own kombucha (it's surprisingly easy!)

Peanut Butter (all natural, organic)! Ahh, peanut butter. This is my drug of choice! I could seriously sit down with a jar and just eat it with a spoon. That said, the quality of peanut butter chosen is important. Many contain such ingredients as hydrogenated oils, loads of sugar, amongst other ickies. I really enjoy Maranatha Organic Crunchy Peanut Butter - ingredients list: peanuts, salt

Raw milk! I know raw milk is a controversial item for many people; but before you jump on the anti-raw milk bandwagon, I would ask you to give it a try. Conventional milk is not something I would touch with my worst enemy's mouth, but raw milk is not something I would even consider remotely related to factory farmed milk. The amazing benefits of this food are something that deserve their own post, and so I will save that for another time. If you're curious if raw milk is available in your area, let me refer you to the Real Milk Campaign.

Olive oil (extra virgin, cold pressed)! Olive oil is full of monounsaturated fat, which is extremely beneficial to your health. I do not cook with olive oil, as it has a very low smoking point. Breaking down the oil through exposure to high heat will cause free radicals to form, which is very damaging to health. I use olive oil in pesto (which I do not cook, I simply pour over warm food), salads, dips, and spreads.

We of course cannot forget an assortment of fruits, vegetables, and these sorts of items, but the selection is always changing with the seasons. Fresh basil, fresh spinach, kale, onions, avocados, and red potatoes are personal favorites. I love bell peppers and tomatoes as well, but I use them sparingly due to cost. I also indulge in fuji apples, cara cara oranges, mangoes, and blueberries.

1 comment:

  1. Yummm almond milk! I try to do almond milk more than soy :>

    ReplyDelete