COME LOOK INSIDE MY FRIDGE!
Does having a frig stocked with healthy choices induce healthier eating? It only seems logical what is in there is what we will consume. With that in mind, over time, I have been working on tossing the processed stuff and replacing it with more wholesome reaches. Here is a peek into my refrigerator at this moment and why those items are there:
- A big bowl of lemons and limes: I use lots of lemons for my lemon water almost every morning. Limes are squeezed over anything at the end of a dish to get that zing. Besides, that bowl of citrus looks really pretty when you open the refrigerator door. too.
- Lots of seeds: chia, flax, and hemp. I throw these in my smoothies every time I make one. I use flax every time, but I alternate using chia and hemp. We also sprinkle chia on our yogurt, too.
- Almond and coconut milk: These are used in place of cow’s milk at our house: over steel cut oatmeal, in smoothies, in coffee, desserts. My family eats cereal sometimes and they use that as well.
- Greens: Right now, there is spinach, kale, and romaine. These are for frequent salads and I always place greens in my smoothies.
- Greek organic yogurt: These make a great breakfast and snack to pack for work and school.
- Organic sour cream: I mixed this with Greek yogurt for a party dip I served at a Homecoming party we hosted last weekend.
- Filtered water: Man can not live on bread alone.
- Avocado: These are tasty on their own, as a side dish or in salads.
- Carrots/celery: Sometimes, I fix a big bowl of these cleaned and cut up and ready for snacks or to add to soups, etc.
- Green beans: This is my daughter’s favorite vegetable. I usually roast them and sprinkle fresh herbs on top.
- Parsley: This is an effective detoxifier that I add to my smoothies a lot. Of course, it makes a beautiful and nutritious garnish. Last night, I made a quick parsley, basil and garlic sauce over pasta.
- Chives: This herb makes any dish more beautiful and adds a mild onion flavor.
- Maple syrup: This is one of my favorite sweeteners to drizzle over butternut squash at the end of roasting and in sweet potatoes. Pancakes too, of course.
- Ginger root – I use this a lot for cooking Asian dishes. It can be wonderful for steeping in tea or warmed almond milk when starting a case of the sniffles.
- Ghee, butter and Earth Balance: I add these for flavor sometimes in a saute with a high smoke point oil, and I also bake with it.
- Organic french roast coffee beans: I wake up and can’t wait to brew this in the morning. The smell alone . . . .
- Cheese: Parmesan, goat and feta are chilling in there now. We do not eat a lot of cheese and use it primarily as a flavoring. Parmesan is great over vegetables, and pasta. Feta in salads adds a nice touch and goat cheese with raw honey is a current favorite indulgence.
- Pastured eggs from the farmers’ market: The yolks – HUGE and dark golden.
- Seasonal fruit: I have organic apples in there right now and some clementines.
- Some various take-out boxes: (Usually Chipotle.) I live with a teenager, and I pick my battles.
And while were are at it – the freezer:
- Sesame seeds: black and white. I sprinkle these on vegetables and in Asian dishes.
- Almonds: I throw these in salads for crunch and use it for making granola.
- Walnuts: I use these in baking and for snacking.
- Frozen organic fruits: Strawberries, pineapple and bananas are in there right now. I use these for smoothies when I do not have fresh fruit and in making a sauce of some kind.
- Homemade tomato with garlic and basil sauce: Ready to go for a quick dinner.
- Garlic: I use this a lot for cooking savory dishes.
- Chipotle chilies: After opening a can, you can freeze these in wax paper and then just grab one when you need it. They are a lot easier to slice when frozen, too.
- Vegetable broth: I try to make a big pot of this to use as a base for soups and stews.
- Vanilla ice cream: My husband’s vice.
Ok. Spill. What’s in your frig and why? Have you found great subs for some of the more unhealthy choices that you could share with The Health-Minded readers?
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