What’s In My Fridge?

I’ve written a post years ago about kitchen staples but I thought I’d offer a revised, updated and different perspective of that original post.

You can find the older post here: http://wp.me/p5E8l7-1d

Often times, I have clients, friends or family ask me “What’s in my fridge?” or what would a typical grocery haul look like.

It’s actually quite simple. When you’ve adopted a certain lifestyle (a long-term way of eating and living rather than a short-term diet), you tend to eat the same foods over and over again. Routine, habit and having a system in place can help alleviate stress in deciding what you need to eat. That being said, I don’t advise eating the exact same foods for every meal; variety is important.

Example: If you’re an omnivore, I suggest sourcing your protein from a variety of sources like lamb, fish, beef, turkey, and/or chicken rather than simply eating chicken breasts for 5 meals a week. Same applies to your veggies and fruits: mix them up to ensure obtaining nutrient diversity.

Here is what my typical grocery trip may contain:

Protein

• 1-2 fresh protein sources – I live very close to a grocery store that sells high-quality protein, so I only purchase fresh meats/seafood for 1-2 days at a time. Since I eat a variety of meats, my purchase will depend on my mood that grocery trip or will be based upon whichever meal/recipe I’m considering making: chicken thighs or breast, ground grass-fed beef, ground turkey thigh are some usual choices.
• Frozen or fresh fish – I think wild frozen fish if purchased from a reputable source can be a convenient protein source to have handy. Though fresh is great, sometimes at my local store the fresh options aren’t always wild, and I’d rather spend my money on wild and frozen rather than farmed-raised fish that is fresh. Frozen bags of wild shrimp are also nice to have on hand.
• Canned fish – sardines, wild salmon, and tuna

Vegetables

• 2-3 bags or containers of pre-washed greens – I can never have enough greens on hand. Trader Joe’s sells very affordable bags of pre-washed organic greens. I like to buy a variety: arugula, spinach, and salad mix.
• Endives – these are great in salads or to use as a dipping agent (dip in hummus or your favorite dip instead of crackers)
• Carrots
• Onions – I like them all: white, red, scallions
• Sweet potatoes
• 1-2 seasonal veggies – enjoying the vegetables in season is the best way to receive the highest amount of nutritional content from them. Right now, summer squash is abundant, so I’ve been buying those. I’ve also been enjoying radicchio. Here’s a good source for what’s currently in season (at least here in California): http://www.cuesa.org/this-weeks-picks
• Garlic – just because I can never have enough of this on hand

Fruits

• Avocado – a must have item for every trip; healthy fats comprise a huge chunk of my daily macronutrients! Read about fats and the importance of them here in this post I contributed to MarthaStewart.com recently: http://www.marthastewart.com/1503846/french-fries-ok-good-bad-fats
• Fresh berries – frozen can be a more affordable option most times but sometimes when blueberries or raspberries are on sale and the price is right, they are great to enjoy fresh
• Tomatoes – it’s Summer which means my faves, heirloom tomatoes are juicy and taste amazing in salads

Fresh Herbs

• Parsley – this nutrient-packed herb has become of my favorites and is loaded with micronutrients such as vitamins A, C, and K (according to The World’s Healthiest Foods, George Mateljan)
• Ginger – fresh ginger tea on occasion, as an alternative to tea bags is a treat, or I’ll grate it and add it to various dishes

Grocery/Pantry Items

• Sauerkraut – a great way to consume a food source of probiotics. I buy this brand: Bubbies Of San Francisco Sauerkraut, 25 Ounce — 12 per case.
• Olive oil – I eat high amounts of this healthy, cardio-protective. My theory: it can’t hurt to have an extra bottle on hand, just in case. My current brand of choice: California Olive Ranch Everyday Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 33.81 Ounce
• Apple cider vinegar – most of my salad dressings are no-fuss and easy: olive oil and apple cider vinegar
• Coconut oil – this is the oil I probably use to cook with the most, and I also use a spoonful blended into my coffee in the morning https://www.instagram.com/p/BCQ2sjspBLC/?taken-by=chewgoodstuff
• Basmati rice – this would be the grain that I cook the most (I may enjoy it a 1-3 times a week)
• Coffee – buy organic when possible
• Tea – I enjoy a variety of teas stocked in the pantry ranging from green tea, matcha, dandelion, chamomile, hibiscus, peppermint, and ginger
• Snacks — these are some healthier snacks I sometimes like to have around the house: Lara Bars (these new Superfoods flavors are great) Larabar Organic Superfoods Bars Variety Pack of 12, dark chocolate, or an occasional new discovery at the store

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Well, I know that’s not everything I would purchase while shopping, but that covers most of what’s in my fridge and kitchen.

Any items listed above that you also buy, or on the other hand, what am I missing that I should be buying and eating more regularly?

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