Happy February, friends! I hope you’ve all been having a good week so far. I’ve been battling some sort of respiratory illness on and off for the last few weeks, and I am praying that I turn a corner soon because I am dragging. Until then, I’m making sure to get tons of Vitamin C, Zinc and Vitamin D, going to bed early, sipping on hot tea all day, and incorporating some olive leaf extract, which supposedly can boost immunity.
I did manage to venture out to Costco the other day to load up on essentials. I do the bulk of my food shopping at local supermarkets and farmer’s markets, but we usually visit Costco every month to get certain things that we use in large quantities and/or are at a far better price in bulk. I admittedly love a Costco visit - it’s a sad little thrill when they start stocking a new product that I enjoy, and the kids live for the free samples. My local Costco has been steadily adding more products that can support a healthy diet, so there’s plenty to choose from if you’re new to plant based eating! These are my family’s staples, the things I buy over and over again and use regularly in our household. Inventory varies from store to store, so if you can’t find the exact item, chances are your Costco carries something similar.
Organic Frozen Berries
We do a lot of smoothies in my house, and these organic frozen berries are such a good deal! I’ve talked a lot about dark berries being a nutritional powerhouse and an essential anti-cancer food, so a big bag of frozen berries is a must for me. I also occasionally defrost these and use them atop my favorite non-dairy Siggi’s yogurt, oatmeal and/or chia pudding.
Organic Quinoa
I love quinoa because it is so quick cooking - it goes from the bag to the table in under 20 minutes. It’s a fantastic source of plant based protein and is a blank canvas for so many flavors and types of meals. I always have a big bag on hand.
Organic Rolled Oats
I regularly cook oatmeal for breakfast for my girls, and we also use it in a lot of our baking, too. Oats are an incredible source of dietary fiber, are rich in antioxidants, can help lower cholesterol and improve blood sugar.
Tuscan Extra Virgin Olive Oil
I know that oil is a hotly debated topic in the plant based community, but I’m personally of the belief that limited amounts of high-quality, extra virgin olive oil can be incredibly healthful. It also really enhances the flavor and texture of food, so I find that I’m satisfied with less when I use a little bit of oil here and there. I personally look for extra virgin olive oil in glass bottles, and find that this one is good quality for the price. It has a PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) quality label, which guarantees that you’re getting real Tuscan olive oil, and not an imitation product.
Organic Extra Firm Tofu
Tofu is my family’s preferred source of plant based protein, so this multi-pack of extra firm tofu is a must for us. We use it in stir fries, baked and in sandwiches/wraps/tacos, in buddha bowls, in scrambles…the list goes on!
Organic Maple Syrup
Pure maple syrup is my preferred sweetener; I use it in many of my baking recipes, in oatmeal and on pancakes and waffles, and also in savory marinades and salad dressings. Real syrup can be very pricey, and Costco has the best price I’ve found anywhere. We always have several jugs of this syrup on hand.
Canned Chickpeas
Chickpeas are another favorite plant-based protein in my house and I feel like I am constantly opening up a can for something - chickpea salad sandwiches, crispy pan fried chickpeas, curries, pastas, salads, buddha bowls. I try to make them from scratch when I can, but keeping a case of canned chickpeas on hand has proven to be very convenient.
Organic Hemp Hearts
I love hemp seeds; they’re a great source of omega 3 fatty acids, are full of antioxidants and fiber, and are high in protein. I sprinkle them on avocado toast, oatmeal and buddha bowls, blend them into smoothies, and use them in my homemade plant based parmesan cheese. I transfer these seeds to glass jars and keep them refrigerated to extend their self life.
Rao’s Marinara Sauce
My love for pasta and Italian food is well documented and I am, unsurprisingly, a marinara sauce snob. I find most store bought sauces to be unpalatable, and most are filled with added sweeteners, seed oils and other not-great-for-you things. The ingredient list for this sauce is short and clean, and it tastes as close to homemade as you’ll find in a jar. We always have this sauce on hand.
Organic Baby Spinach
Spinach is such a great green to always have on hand because it is so mild in texture and flavor that it can be an easy nutritional boost to many kinds of meals. I throw big handfuls into soups, stews, pastas and pots of beans. I also whirl it into smoothies and pestos, and use it as a base for salads and buddha bowls. Or, you can just sauté it in some olive oil and thinly sliced garlic for a very easy, very healthy side that complements most dinners.
Organic Raspberries
My kids adore raspberries, but unfortunately they can be eye-poppingly expensive, especially if they’re organic and purchased in the off-season. Costco sells these twin packs of organic raspberries for a good price, so we always add one to our cart. We have them at breakfast daily, but a small bowlful with some almonds or macadamias makes a great mid-afternoon snack, too.