I’m something of a healthy(ish)-eater, who believes in indulging every now and again (and now, and now…). I just want what I’m indulging in to be worth it. So, when I’m making things at home that really shouldn’t be crappy for you but end up being crappy for you because they’re just sub-par ingredients, I’m not happy about it. If I’m having a peanut butter and jelly sandwich (which the Hunts eat a lot of) I want to know that those three ingredients are the best they can be. When I’m salting my food, can I make that good for me too? I don’t want the basics to become something that’s not good for me or my family. Save that for the indulgences!
So, here’s a few things that I stock in my kitchen at all times:
Pacific Organic Cream of Chicken soup // There are a lot of recipes that call for cream of chicken soup. One of our favorites (and the main use for it in our house) is for Chicken Divan. Before I found this one, I sort of dragged my feet about making it because the only one available at the grocery store was Campbell’s and if you’ve ever read those ingredients, they’re not awesome (MSG, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, etc.). But then I discovered the beauty of buying some harder-to-find food items on Amazon and about once a year I buy a case of it there. Done! It’s delicious and you won’t notice the difference between it and the lesser-good Campbell’s version.
Kerrygold butter // I’ve been known to go through one of those entire rectangles of butter in a day. I sauté veggies for Anders in it, I spread it (liberally) on a piece of toast for Parker, so on and so forth. I know not all would agree, but I’ve always been in the butter’s good for you camp. Especially for young kids. Kerrygold is more expensive than other butter but now that Costco carries it, I buy it in bulk for a little cheaper. It’s grass-fed, pasture butter, and it’s so delicious.
Organic peanut butter // Remember about two years ago when all of our food was a little more expensive? This peanut butter was $5 a jar and the way we go through peanut butter, I was not loving it! Now it’s back to $3.49. Hooray. It’s made with two things: sea salt, and peanuts. What a novel idea. Conventional peanuts and the pesticides/fungicides that go into their production is a controversial thing that has some wondering if the way they’re produced and the byproducts that are on and in them are linked to the peanut allergies that so many have today. I’m no scientist, but since we eat a lot of peanut butter, I use this one. Because the natural oils separate from the bulk of the peanut butter, store it upside down and the mixing process begins naturally.
Celtic sea salt // I put this in a little salt box I got from Target and use it all the time for seasoning our foods. This salt has tons of trace minerals that are hard to find in other foods we consume. I’ve talked to people who even sprinkle a little bit in the water they sip throughout the day for natural energy and electrolytes. Celtic sea salt has even been linked to improving adrenal and thyroid functions. You can also buy this on Amazon. It takes me a really long time to go through one bag.
Kodiak mixes // I was seeing this all over Instagram for awhile and over the last few months have gotten to trying it myself. Costco now carries it too (I was getting it at Target). It’s really good. I’ve tried several now–their Power Cakes one, the Gluten Free one, the Super Foods one (with quinoa and chia right in it) etc. I use it like a flour (not foolproof though because some of it already has brown sugar, egg, etc. in it which could screw up some fickle recipes!) in our pancakes or muffins mostly and I’m going to try using it in cookies. Most are GMO-free and they’re working on making it all GMO-free in the future. Just a healthier alternative than bleached all-purpose flour. There’s a lot of recipes on their website too.
That’s it! Was this helpful? Should I do more posts like this in the future? Do you have some of your own to add to this list?
Loved this!
Ooh, the salt in the water sounds oddly good:)
Great post! I like your philosophy on indulgences. I recently found out that our grocery store has make-your-own natural peanut butter for like $2.50/lb so that's my new go-to. I want to try that salt… I did put salt in my water for a couple of days to help balance me out when I was going through a really rough patch dealing with adrenal fatigue. It did help!
Yes and yes! I've switched to a lot of the food items you've suggested over the years and I know it's been good for me and my family, so I'd love to see more! Any chance you'll share the Chicken Divan recipe? I have no idea of what it is, but if it's a staple in your house it could probably be in mine as well. Thanks!
I can't believe I haven't shared it yet. I will!!
This was helpful thank you. I'm on board with those staples but because I'm in Canada and refuse to shop at Costco, I use other brands. Also, I think homemade stock is always better for you and cheaper and less packaging. I have never tried but I'm sure there is a way to combine plain old chicken stock with some grass-fed cream to make a quick, delicious cream of chicken soup. Whenever a cream soup is called for in a recipe I do just use stock, cream and butter as a substitute. I have just never found any soup or stock that tastes as good as homemade and doesn't have 15+ ingredients. One other soapbox I stand on(!)— I think we need to be careful about how quickly we jump on the GMO-free bandwagon. GMO has it merits ie. less pesticide use, less soil compaction and the big one, more food is grown so less of the world's population is going hungry. It's complicated for sure and the verdict is and may never be agreed upon but right now farmers are producing more food using less chemicals because of GMO.
just curious, why do you refuse to shop at Costco? also, I should read more about GMOs–I fully admit I hear things (mostly negative) about them piecemeal without doing a lot of my own research! thanks for your comment.
Oops, I replied below!
Oh this is perfect. We have Wegmans around here and they also sell Kerrygold which I never once thought to use as a substitute – genius! I JUST now switched over to organic PB for my toddler (who did not notice the difference) but have to keep Skippy around for my husband who does notice. What do you use for jam/jelly on the PBJ? I've read all the labels but they all seem the same.
WEGMANS you lucky duck.
for jelly I usually use TJ's jelly. I like their organic reduced sugar one, but the rest of my family prefers their normal raspberry, so I buy both. I think most jellies are pretty similar, I just try to find one that's lower in the sugar content.
The long answer on Costco— mostly I can't get past having to PAY to shop somewhere. Getting "ID'ed" as I enter bugs the heck out of me. They are cruel to their suppliers. Costco can throw a supplier under the bus, sending them to bankruptcy with one shake of their finger. It's very difficult for small manufactures to get into Costco. Also on non-food items, there is that "have to buy this minute" pressure because the item might not be there next week. Moreover, I only gave it a year but I just didn't find I saved much money on food and I always left the store grumpy—likely due to my anit-Costco attitude which I just can't rid myself of! One more thing, if you're trying to shop local, Costco is the antithesis. Sorry for the essay but once I get started on Costco….
I know what you mean, I hate the fact that I have to pay for a membership although, we do more than make it up in savings each year so I guess that justifies it. And showing my ID to get in is also so tiresome!
Also, on a positive Costco note, they are really great to their employees apparently! (As opposed to the Sam's Club/Walmart model). But I didn't know that about them ruining certain suppliers!
They do treat their employees really well and that is super positive. I guess it feels exclusive though as a segment of the population can't afford the membership and thus isn't even allowed in the store—sort of feels like segregation.
I love when you do posts like these, really helpful and realistic swaps.
Thanks! I'll keep em up.
I buy organic, natural PB too but had no idea about storing it upside down?! You have seriously changed my life!
yes! only before you open it should you store it this way. it may require a little stirring still but waaaay less than usual as the oil sort of rises again through the peanut butter!
I love this! I'm still intrigued by your lime juice and salt concoction a few months (years?) ago. Would love more health products with links and/or health boosters that you or your sister does. Thanks again Bridget!
I'm not actually doing that anymore! :/ mostly laziness and not being certain it was doing anything — purely based on lack of FEELING any concrete differences. I will definitely think of more things to share–or for Kate to share (she is more experimental than I am!)
Thank you! Yes, this was super helpful. I think the process of switching to healthier alternatives is the easy part but the research is so daunting. I buy what I am used to simply because it's too hard for me to figure it all out on my own. Thank you for doing it for us 🙂 I just added some to my amazon cart.
Oh! And thank you for the TJ peanut butter tip! I bought the same kind months ago and ended up feeding it to my dog because it was too runny. I will try again now that I am in the know!
if you get aaaaaall the way to the bottom stirring it, you'll fully incorporate the oil!
Yes to Kerrygold butter, always and forever.
I love this. I think the thought of "healthifying" your home can be overwhelming and expensive, so by doing it slowly and in places where it really counts, is a great approach. Also, all of the research takes time. Thanks, Bridget!
Tip: Costco has an organic peanut butter with just peanuts and salt. I used to use the Trader Joe's one too, but this one is a better value. I was hesitant to try it because the jars are big and I didn't know if we would like it. You can't tell the difference!
Yes, yes!! Love hearing recommendations for good, yummy food products.
Yep. Loved this post! Got the sea salt in my Amazon cart as we speak 😉 and you are the one who got me into loving butter and not feeling bad about it! Kerrygolds for the win!
Love all your healthy recommendations and the weekly 'weekend links' posts! Thank you so much! And of course your family is adorable!
Love Celtic Sea Salt. It's the only Salt we use since my doctor recommended it. It's enhanced my life and my food immensely!
And love the fact that you are supporting real brands with values!
Love Celtic Sea Salt. It's the only Salt we use since my doctor recommended it. It's enhanced my life and my food immensely!
And love the fact that you are supporting real brands with values!
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