It’s Friday!
My day started off with this…
I couldn’t decide if I wanted bananas on my pb toast so I decided just to put them on half! I love variety. It was a good decision. 😉 Banana and peanut butter is such a winning combo. What a great way to start the morning.
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Last night was a “wing-it” night, so I decided to throw together a kitchen sink salad.
Which brings me to the topic of kitchen staples. You will notice that my salads have a lot of the same ingredients almost ALL THE TIME. I apologize if it gets boring but I have found that there are certain foods that we almost have on hand. Items that we always seem to keep stocked because we use them so often, which can easily be made into a meal.
Kitchen staples in our house
- Huge container of mixed greens lettuce
- Black beans, usually canned
- Frozen veggies: peas, corn, broccoli, mukimame (soybeans)
- Tilapia (frozen)
- Chicken Breasts (frozen)
- Oatmeal
- Peanut Butter
- Eggs
- Insane amount of condiments–like I said I LOVE sauce
- some sort of bread or tortillas
- We generally have quite a few fresh fruits and veggies on hand as well, but get low toward the end of the week
With these staples on hand, it makes tossing together a quick and healthy meal a pretty easy task.
Options from these staples:
- Crockpot pulled chicken
- Salad
- Tilapia and roasted broccoli
- Full o’ veggie hash with an egg on top
- Stir fry
- Bean burritos
- Fried egg sandwich
- Peanut butter wraps
- Etc., Etc., Etc.
So colorful! I often go straight for the salads because they are fast, they help me increase my veggie intake for the day, they taste great, and I don’t think I have ever regretted eating a big ol’ salad. You can switch them up and make them a million plus different ways which keeps things exciting. Plus, I am a gal who likes volume when it comes to my food. I like snacks like popcorn, dinners like soups and salads, breakfasts like yogurt loaded with fruit. You know, the kinds of meals and snacks where you can get more bang for your buck; a larger quantity of food versus a very calorie dense food like pizza (but I do love pizza), and where you can eat a larger amount of food but not suffer the calorie consequences. This is probably because I truly enjoy eating; but not in an obsessive way. I love exploring foods and trying new recipes, as you have probably noticed by now.
Alright, I am off to finish getting ready for work. Happy Friday!
What are YOUR kitchen staples? Feel free to comment!
Have you ever tried almond nut butter, adzuki beans or seaweed snacks? They were recommended by Dr. Oz for people who want to lose weight.
I have tried almond butter but would prefer just to eat the almonds because I didn’t absolutely love it. I still love my pb! I just tried seaweed snack last week and I was really hoping I would like them because I know they are absolutely packed with nutrition. Unfortunately though I didn’t like them… They were just a little too sea tasting to me! I’ll have to try that third item you mentioned!
Staples:
Almond Milk, Bananas, Kale/Spinach, Whey Protien Powder (for the green monster smoothies) – blender required 😉
Eggs/Bacon
Chicken
Fish – Salmon or Tilapia
Mixed greens
Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette
I’ve really been on the KISS method (Keep It Simple Stupid)…until i get rid of all the weight I want to lose, I am staying as basic as I can. Keep your advice comin!
I’ve never heard of the KISS method but holy cow I love that! It is perfect and I wish more people would think of healthy living that way! I just may have to share that…..if you don’t mind.
Also, i tried almond butter…and I agree that I did not love it. There isn’t any caloric or fat benefit so I will just stick with PB on the taste factor.
Love the kitchen sink salad idea! never thought to put eggs in a salad. So easy, and it adds protein! Bravo, my dear 🙂
Also, my staples:
-Cottage Cheese
-String cheese or Laughing Cow wedges/babybel cheeses
-Peanut butter (I am as obsessed as you are)
-Apples/Bananas
-Bell peppers
-Canned corn (no salt added)
-Mixed greens (spinach and kale especially)
-PARMESAN CHEESE – I use it like most people use salt. Especially on steamed veggies – to DIE for.
-Newman’s Own Lite Honey Mustard – thanks to you!
Also, protein powder that I mix with water post weight lifting and chug down quickly (I usually just my blender bottle in my gym bag with the powder in it and add water before I leave the gym). It’s a great way to replenish your muscles immediately after a heavy lifting routine to help the muscle build back properly! It also aids with soreness. (thank you, personal trainer tip)
Kalkal is that not the best dresssing?! LOVE IT!