Do you like looking into the shopping carts of others when you are our shopping? I love to see what other people are buying – it gives you a little insight into their lives. I usually get comments from the check out clerks about how healthy we eat. I love it! It’s also an opportunity share why and how we eat in a brief sentence or two. Here is a peak at some things I picked up on a couple of shopping trips recently.
This Cruciferous Crunch from Trader Joe’s is fabulous – I only wish it was available in organic. It’s good raw – tossed into a salad or sauteed with some other greens and a few shredded carrots. Top it off with a splash of balsamic vinegar and you are set. How To Saute Veggies Oil Free.
Costco carries so many wonderful organic items in the produce department. We buy a few bags of these power greens every time we go. I will cook up an entire bag and split it between hubby Tom and I. We eat them in a Nurture Bowl along with steamed brown rice and a big scoop of beans – black or pinto. Give all of it a generous pour of Balsamic vinegar and you have an easy – peasy dinner in a bowl.
We usually buy mushrooms at Costco because they are such a great value but, I was out of them and found myself at Trader Joe’s so I stocked up. We use mushrooms in so many recipes including soup, even though the name says Winter Vegetable Soup – its good all year long as well as Chef AJ’s Mushroom Chili.
The Shishito peppers are so scrumptious sauteed in water along with some other veggies for a nice side dish or snack. The first time I tried these was at a little restaurant in Sacramento – they were served as an appetizer. Trying new foods is so much fun.
Water saute this bag of greens and add to a bowl of rice or a chopped baked potato and top with some balsamic vinegar, salsa or a vegan cheeze sauce.
The Healthy 8 Veggie Mix from Trader Joe’s is amazing in a green salad – it adds a nice crunch without any work on your part. I have also tossed it into a pan of greens with some sliced zucchini and saute until tender. How to saute veggies oil free – check out the post where I show in detail how to do this.
Lentils are inexpensive and cook up easily but sometimes I don’t want to cook them! These pre-cooked lentils are so handy to toss into a soup, make into taco lentils by adding your favorite seasonings or use this recipe for Chili Lentils, mix with some salsa and put over a baked potato or use them in a cold lentil salad like the Mediterranean Lentil Salad.
Have you tried the Persian Cucumbers? They are seedless and add a nice crunch on a veggie tray, in a green salad or toss some cucumber slices in with your watermelon and add fresh mint and lime juice – recipe idea compliments of Chef AJ!
I eat a lot of organic squash. It’s actually tasty raw on a veggie tray. Saute with some mushrooms, onions and greens. Spiralize into noodles and top with your favorite tomato sauce with fresh basil. I buy this at Sam’s Club and Costco. Trader Joe’s also sells smaller packages of it.
I love freshly made salsa but I don’t always have the time to make it so I keep a jar of this low sodium salsa in my pantry. The serving size says 2 tablespoons has 40mg sodium. Not bad for a store bought salsa. It works well on a Mexican Stuffed Baked Potato and don’t forget a big dollop of Donna’s Cheeze Sauce!
If you enjoy a little heat in your Mexican dishes these no salt added Rotel tomatoes are worth looking for. They add a kick to a pot of chili or Mexican Quinoa Brown Rice & Beans,a Mexican/Southwest casserole like the Vegan Enchilada Casserole.
Bell peppers are one of my favorite vegetables. I eat at least one a day.They are a great source of vitamin C. I love how sweet they are and the crunch! Trader Joe’s has them at a great price and they are organic. Win win!
Nutmeg Notes
We are loving the new stage of life we have entered as Grandparents to our dear little sweet pea! She is growing fast and changing and we are having the best time with her. She brings so much joy to our lives!
Happy Healthy Eating!
Tami
A Little Nutmeg Nugget: When I started this blog in January of 2010 I followed what I understood to be a healthy version of the standard American diet, ironically also known as the “SAD” diet. As interest in my own health and how it was affected by the food I ate evolved, I transitioned to a whole food plant based diet also known as “WFPB” diet. I have wrestled with the fact that this blog still contains all those posts and recipes from the SAD way of eating I have left behind. I no longer advocate for anyone to eat that way. At this time I am leaving those recipes and posts here. It is a record of my journey and how I came to follow a WFPB way of eating. It is my hope that those who still come here for those old recipes will be curious about what I am doing now. Perhaps they will dip their toes across the line as I did and try some plant based recipes and learn more about the health benefits.
Feel free to leave a comment.
What are your favorite things to have on hand for easy meal prep?
Are those peppers hot?
MaryEllen they are not hot peppers – love them!
I should have specified.. the shishito peppers 😀
MaryEllen the shishito peppers are not hot. Enjoy!
LOVE that last pic!!!!! We have #9 on the way!!!!
Congratulations on the 9th Grand that is yet to come! That is awesome Jody!
Cute Baby
This looks fantastic! I’ll definitely try to do this more.
I encourage you to keep your entire journey here on this site. I think seeing another person’s process is very helpful! Enjoying your blog!
Thank you Traci – I enjoyed your feedback!
Congratulations on the beautiful grandchild! I just wanted to say that i am so happy to see you posting again, love your site!