Staples To Have In The House

It’s essential to have some crucial things in your home if you want to start a vegan lifestyle so that you can whip up a meal without much thought.

• Vegetable broth – I use vegetable for soups & sautéing. I usually always have 3-4 large boxes on hand all the time.
• Beans – I keep a variety of dried and canned beans. Black beans, chickpeas, and kidney beans are the ones that I use the most; however, it is always nice to have navy, pinto, and cannellini on hand for soups or taco night!
• Potatoes – We aren’t a huge potato family, mainly because of the high glycemic index. If you are diabetic or pre-diabetic, you want to make sure to limit your potato intake. I like to have a few on hand either russet or sweet potato for soups and side dishes.
• Rice – I love Jasmine rice, but unfortunately, it has a high glycemic index (GI). But, did you know that black rice has a low GI of 42.3, and has higher antioxidants than brown or white rice? You can find black rice at Whole Foods, sprouts, or almost any large grocer. For most people, rice is not an issue but if your are diabetic or pre diabetic you want to avoid anything that has a high GI.
• Lentils – Red and green lentils are basic staples. You can make so many things out of lentils. One great tip when cooking with lentils is to soak them for an hour or 2 before cooking. The outer shell of the lentil contains anti-nutrients that can interfere with digestion. If you have time to soak them overnight, that is even better!
• Onions & Bell Peppers – I’m a huge red onion fan over here! I always have at least 3 red onions and 1-2 white or yellow onions at all times. Onions add flavor to everything!
• Quinoa – having bags of quinoa in the house will save you so much time when you don’t know what to make. You can add quinoa to salad or soup and even make burgers out of it. A quick tip: use a rice maker for the perfect quinoa!
• Basil – This spice makes all the difference when you make soups or even just as a pizza topping. Buy a basil plant to have in your kitchen or yard for fresh basil anytime you want it.

• Cilantro – Did you know some people think that cilantro tastes like soap? Crazy, right? Well, it turns out that a small percentage of people share the same common gene that makes you think cilantro tastes like soap! It’s a great spice to have on hand when you want to make tacos or salad for the rest of us. If you find you didn’t use it during the week, you can add it to a smoothie for some extra GREEN nutrition. It is high in folate, potassium, and manganese, which is vital for our muscle recovery.
• Nuts – having nuts in the house is a must. My go-to nuts are cashews because you can make so many different sauces out of cashews. I also love pecans, almonds, and pistachios. Put a handful in a food processor and add them on top of any salad for yummy flavor.
• Fresh fruit – whatever your favorite fruit is, make sure to always have that in your home. If you can get fresh blueberries and strawberries, those are great for snacking! Apples are my favorite after-dinner snack. They give me that something sweet without the excess sugar and calories. Bananas are great for smoothies in the morning and banana ice cream at night. They also help you sleep!