How to Stock Your Kitchen

We are off on another road trip starting today as an early celebration of our wedding anniversary……I can’t believe it has been 11 years since we got married and in October, we will be together 20 years!  Where does the time go?

No, this is NOT a picture of our kitchen in our forever home But we do have lots of space.  As a result, I am always on the hunt to find ways to keep things well-stocked and organized.  What about you… do you have an organized kitchen and pantry?  Are you ready with plenty of items on-hand to whip up a healthy meal anytime – without having to leave the comfort of your home?  Keep these tips in mind while you’re shopping and putting groceries away to be a prep pro!

PANTRY PERFECTION

Your pantry may not be this big (not mine BUT ours is about this big!).  Organize your pantry or cupboard in sections:

• Baking ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda.  Mine also includes chips, brown sugar and anything else I may need when baking.

• Oils & vinegar (mine are actually over my stove in a cabinet so they are easy to reach)

• Herb & Spice blends (a totally separate cabinet close to the stove so I don’t have to go to far)

• Canned goods: beans, lentils, fish, tomatoes, vegetables

• Dry goods; pasta, rice, quinoa

TIP: Put veggies like onions and potatoes in bins and store in a cool, well-ventilated place.  Mine are in Tupperware bins in yet another cabinet in the kitchen.  LOL.

STOCK YOUR FREEZER

Is meal prep a thing at your house?  The closest I get to meal prep in the freezer is having lots of frozen vegetables, and meats on had.  Extra portions of meals (aka leftovers) are also frozen for those quick easy lunches or dinners when I’m not feeling well.  For many, meal prep means making big batches and then lay soups, broths, and chili flat in resealable bags for use during the week. Always keep frozen veggies and fruit in your freezer, along with your favorite protein.

TIP: Freeze leftovers in family-or-individual-sized containers for a quick “heat-and-eat meal” for the nights when you’re too busy to cook.

FIND IT FAST IN YOUR FRIDGE

Divide your fridge into sections:

• Dairy/eggs, condiments (in the side door)

• Veggies/fruit, meat/fish/poultry on a tray or plate to avoid leaks or in drawers if you have them.

• Beverages

TIP: Keep prepped veggies and fruit near the front for quick access

SHOP WISELY 

The foods you choose to fuel your body directly impact your health. Whether you’re shopping online or stocking up on groceries to avoid the grocery line, here are some kitchen staples to keep you going:

Greek yogurt | Buy: 2%, plain, non-sweetened | Why: Fat-free can mean added sugar, and flavored yogurts can greatly increase your sugar intake.  Plain greek yogurt adds extra protein and can be “sweetened” with fruit or granola or a little Stevia.

Canned tomatoes | Buy: Low sodium | Why: We want to live well and feel great. For some people, too much sodium can make them retain water.

Olive oil | Buy: Cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil – this is the healthiest because it comes from the first pressing and no chemicals were used in extraction | Why: Light olive oils do not mean light in calories, often, it means light in flavor.

Canned beans | Hack: Rinse your beans before use and reduce sodium by almost 30%

Pasta | Buy: Look for the first words to be “whole grain” on the ingredient list | Why: You want to avoid overly processed refined grains

Nuts & seeds | Buy: Natural, unsalted | Why: Sometimes nuts and seeds are coated with partially hydrogenated oil and added salt

Canned tuna & salmon | Buy: Packed in water, low sodium | Why: It will have less sodium and added fat

Crackers | Buy: Look for “whole grain” to be the first words on the ingredient list. They should have at least 3 g of fibre per serving and be low in sodium Why: Crackers can be overly processed and made with refined grains | Hack: Make your own healthy crackers with Everything Bagel Crackers.

 

 

Finally, remember to keep the following tips in mind:

• Buy real food. Use wholesome ingredients.

• Avoid shopping when you’re hungry (in-store or online).

• Always have a list and stick to it.

For kitchen tips & tricks, recipes and more, check out Hope’s Healthy Kitchen on Facebook or my website at www.HopesHealthyKitchen.com

Have an Epic Day!

Tasty Tuesday: Wicked Good Salmon Cakes

Today’s YUMMY recipe is from Rachel at Wicked Good Spice Mixes.  If you haven’t tried any of their products, you are missing out on some AMAZING things.  I am a HUGE fan their spices and love to use their flavored vinegars on my salad in place of dressing.  A little goes a long way…

Ingredients:

• 1 14.75 oz can of salmon
• 1 medium onion, finely minced
• 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/4 cup of coconut flour
• 1 small jalapeno pepper, finely minced
• 2 tsp of Wicked Good Pink Himalayan salt
• 1 tsp of black pepper
• juice of whole lemon
• 1 tsp of Wicked Good Garlic Explosion
• 1 tsp of Wicked Good Very Veggie
• coconut oil for pan frying

Instructions

1. Drain liquid from canned salmon
2. Combine all of the ingredients in a medium bowl.
3. Mix thoroughly.
4. Shape into 6 large salmon cakes or 10 small cakes.
5. Place 2 tablespoons of coconut oil into a medium size skillet and heat over medium heat
6. Place three of the salmon cakes into the skillet  and cook for approximately for 4 minutes or until golden brown.
7. Flip and cook until other side is golden brown

Serve with Wicked Good Achilles Mediterranean Roasted Veggies.

A Wicked Good Idea is Born

The main reason the company was started was to show people how easy, healthy and fun it can be to make a delicious meal at home!  Rachel always thought the hardest thing about cooking is how much of this spice and how much of that spice you should add.  So go ahead and throw all of those spices you use infrequently and start using our spice blends! They are fresh and economical!  Our blends are perfectly formulated to use for just about everything you like to cook.

BREAKING NEWS!

Renowned Chef Greg Manning from The Serenity Cafe in Toms River  is now using our spice blends and fruit infused balsamic vinegars to prepare some of his fantastic meals!  Greg now has three restaurants, The Serenity Cafe in Toms River, The White Butterfly Serenity West in Jackson and Serenity South in Wareton, Ne Jersey.  If you are looking for a great place to eat with friendly and attentive staff, look no further!  Eat Local! Shop Local! Support Local Business!

Have a recipe you want to share?  Send me an email.  If we use it in our blog, you will receive some “happy mail” from me.

Have a blessed day!

Tasty Tuesday: Pineapple Grilled Salmon

Thank you Patti Watson from Pampered Chef for today’s recipe…

USING PINEAPPLE PEEL AS GRILLING PLANKS IMPARTS A WONDERFUL FLAVOR TO THE SALMON AND KEEPS IT FROM STICKING TO THE GRILL.

INGREDIENTS

• 1   pineapple
• 4   salmon filets, 6 oz (175 g) each
• ¼ cup (50 mL) Teriyaki Sauce with Honey
• 1 cup (250 mL) rice, uncooked
• 2 cups (500 mL) water
• ½ tsp (2 mL) salt, divided
• ½ cup (125 mL) grape tomatoes
• 1   garlic clove, peeled
• ½   jalapeño pepper, seeds removed
• ¼ cup (50 mL) cilantro, loosely packed
• ½   lime

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the Indoor Outdoor Portable Grill to medium-high heat.
2. Slice the top and bottom off of the pineapple and peel and core it using the Pineapple Wedger.
3. Place the salmon filets on top of each of the four pineapple peels and brush with the Teriyaki Sauce with Honey.
4. Grill the salmon, covered, for 25–30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 120°F (50°C) for medium doneness.
5. Meanwhile, add the rice, water, and ¼ tsp (1 mL) of the salt to the Rice Cooker Plus and cook in the microwave according to package directions.
6. Cut half of the peeled and cored pineapple into 1″ (2.5 cm) pieces, reserving the other half for a later use. Working in 2 batches, coarsely chop the pineapple using the Manual Food Processor and place it in a medium mixing bowl.
7. Chop the tomatoes, garlic, jalapeño, and cilantro using the Manual Food Processor and add the mixture to the pineapple. Juice the lime using the Citrus Press and add the liquid to the pineapple mixture.
8. Combine the cooked rice and the pineapple mixture. When the salmon is finished cooking, serve it on the planks with the rice mixture.

Yield:    4  servings

Nutrients per serving:   Calories 650, Total Fat 14 g, Saturated fat 2.5 g, Cholesterol 135 mg, Sodium 700 mg, Carbohydrates 62 g, Fiber 3 g, Sugars 20 g, Protein 66 g

Want more recipes to help you change up boring dinners?  Check out Patti’s website where there is over 250 recipes to spice up your dinner menu.  If your wish list is bigger than your wallet, host a party to earn free and discounted products.  Just like to shop, check out the monthly customer specials. 

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!