Now that you’ve mastered the art of healthy grocery shopping, you’re probably wondering how else you can make healthier choices in the kitchen!  One of the easiest ways to eat healthier is to cook your own meals, as much as possible.  That way, you know exactly what you are putting on your plates and in your mouths.  The first step in cooking healthier meals is stocking your pantry full of healthy ingredients that you can incorporate into lots of different recipes.  Here’s a list of some of my favorites!

• Canned tomatoes are one of the most versatile items you can stock up on!  Add them to stews, chili, or make your own pasta sauce.
• Spice up your food with a well-stocked spice rack! Besides their numerous health benefits, using spices like cinnamon, oregano, thyme and ginger  to flavor your food can help you reduce your salt intakes.
• Frozen vegetables are great to keep on hand, especially when your favorite veggies are out of season or not available at the grocery store.  Plus, research shows that they are just as nutritious as fresh veggies, since they’re packed at their peak!
• Extra-virgin olive oil may be a little pricey, but it’s worth the investment in your health!  Full of healthy fats, it can be used for things like roasting vegetables, salad dressings, or even in homemade hummus.

• Black beans,are an excellent source of protein for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.  Whether canned or dried, they can be an addition to chili, pastas, soups, or even lasagna!
• Fill up your freezer with your favorite frozen fruit – they can be used for an energizing morning smoothie, added to your favorite yogurt, or even simmered in a saucepan into a berry sauce for French toast or pancakes.

• Eggs are perhaps nature’s perfect little protein package, wrapped up in an assortment of essential vitamins and minerals!  Have them on hand for breakfast omelettes, to hard-boil for on top of lunch salads, and for baking healthy treats!
• One of the healthiest breakfasts you can have is oatmeal, so stocking up on rolled oats means you always have them on hand to whip up a quick breakfast.  Try swapping out your regular morning cereal for a warm bowl of oatmeal for a filling breakfast that will give you lasting energy throughout the day.
• An essential pantry ingredient is 100% pure honey. It is a natural sweetener which is versatile and delicious. It goes great in smoothies and my children love to eat peanut butter and honey sandwiches with bananas on whole wheat bread.

• We all know about my favorite new yogurt, Greek yogurt!  Keep your refrigerator stocked by “going Greek” (see my earlier blog post on Greek yogurt.  You can add your own flavor and sweetness to your Greek yogurt with fruit!

• Another perfect little protein source can be found in nuts and nut butters – although calorie-dense, they give you that healthy fat boost to your meals and snacks, and can help lower your cholesterol levels.  Try a handful of almonds or a tablespoon of almond butter with sliced apples for your next snack.

• Whole grains are the backbone of a healthy diet – branch out from rice and try some other alternatives, such as quinoa, bulgur (cracked wheat), or barley.  Plan your meals around these grains for a healthy dose of fiber!

What is your number one pantry essential?  I’m sure there are more great staples out there that I’ve missed here!  Leave me a comment and let me know!

Assistance provided by Megan Skinner

Top 5 Foods to Lower “Bad Cholesterol”

1. Oatmeal: contains soluble fiber, which help decrease absorption of the “bad cholesterol” (LDL) in the intestines; need at least 10 grams of soluble fiber for maximum cholesterol-lowering benefits; TRY steel-cut oatmeal or cold cereal made with oatmeal and/or oat bran and add fruits

2. Nuts: rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (aka: PUFA) that help keep blood vessels healthy and elastic ; TRY to eat a handful a day (1.5 oz) to help lower risk for heart disease (I.e. replace meat/cheese/croutons in salad with a handful of almonds)

3. Fatty Fish: contain omega-3 fatty acids, which help lower blood pressure and blood clotting risk; TRY eating fatty fish like mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna, salmon (bake or grill instead of frying) at least twice a week and/or using flaxseed or canola oil

4. Olive Oil: contains antioxidants that lower LDL cholesterol without affecting HDL levels; Extra Virgin Olive Oil is less processed and contains more heart-healthy antioxidants (avoid “light” olive oils); TRY to use 2 tablespoons a day for heart-healthy benefits (sauté with vegetables, add in marinades, mix with vinegar and use as salad dressing, etc.)

5. Stop eating trans fats. Avoid saturated fats. Read food labels and avoid anything that says “partially hydrogenated oils.”

What foods do you try to eat to maintain healthy blood cholesterol levels, or to lower your own?

Written by Mitzi Dulan with research assistance provided by Monica Lobo.

What comes to your mind when you think of oatmeal?  Is it an image of the plain porridge you used to have to scarf down as a child?  Or is it an image of a package of instant, just-add-water oatmeal?  Well, not to worry – oatmeal has come leaps and bounds from being the “boring breakfast” it used to be!  In addition to all the different flavor combinations you can add to it, there are also many health benefits associated with eating oatmeal.

1.  Fiber is Your [Weight Loss] Friend

Oats are full of filling fiber, and this fiber does wonders for keeping your appetite satisfied for long periods of time.  This high fiber content will keep you feeling full, so you’ll be less likely to reach for any junk food lying around.  Have a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast, and you’ll find you won’t be hungry for at least 2-3 hours!

2.  Cholesterol Control

The type of fiber found in oats is the soluble kind, and this travels around your body picking up extra cholesterol and getting rid of it so it never makes it to your bloodstream.  Adding oats to your meals can help to cut down on the “bad” cholesterol in your body, leaving your arteries clog-free!

3.  Energy Maintenance

The fiber from oats can also help to maintain energy levels by managing your blood sugar levels.  This means you won’t experience those highs and lows that you do after eating a meal or snack high in sugar.  To watch your sugar intake even further, try making oatmeal from scratch using old-fashioned oats instead of buying instant oatmeal packages (although they’re still good in a hurry!).

4.  Variety is the Spice of Life

This one’s a no-brainer – oatmeal is perhaps the most versatile breakfast out there, since there are endless amounts of combinations!  Try adding a tablespoon of your favorite nut butter and berry preserves for a fun PB & J version, toss in some canned pumpkin for an autumn-inspired bowl, or just load up on your favorites – granola, mini chocolate chips, dried cranberries, chopped almonds, whatever you like!

Recipe:  Almond-Banana Oats

Adding the banana to your oats is completely optional, but it does help to produce a creamier bowl.  That also goes for the milk – feel free to use water instead!  This will serve 2 healthy portions, or 3 mid-sized ones.

1 cup old-fashioned oats
1 cup water
1 cup milk (can be organic cow’s milk, almond, or hemp – they all work!)
1 banana, sliced (fresh or frozen)
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground flaxseeds
1 tbsp almond butter
1 tbsp chopped almonds

Bring oats, water, milk, banana and cinnamon to a boil in a saucepan over medium heat.  Stir rapidly for a minute or so to ensure the banana is fully mixed in.  Continue to cook for a few minutes until the oats reach your desired consistency.  Spoon into a bowl and top with the flaxseeds, almond butter and almonds.  Enjoy!

What’s your favorite oatmeal-topper?  What else do you use oats for as part of your breakfast – smoothies, pancakes, muffins?

By Mitzi with assistance from Megan Skinner