via Linda Wagner

HEALTH is one of the  top priorities in life for me and my family (dogs included) and is non-negotiable.  By having a well-stocked kitchen and pantry, life is simpler and maintaining health is a breeze. 

When I first changed my eating over to a high-raw, plant-based lifestyle, I went through my cabinets and did some decluttering of many items that I had on hand: sugar, flour, butter, dairy, processed, etc.  When I made this decision, due to health issues, I decided to dive in head first and immersed myself into learning as much as I possibly could.  I have tweaked things here and there and learned many tips and tricks along the way.  It boils down to organization.  It makes life easier, less stressful, more fun, and no wasting of food.

If you are looking to improve your health and diet lifestyle, I highly suggest to take a day and go thru your cabinets, pantry, refrigerator, freezer and if something is processed, refined, causes inflammation ( some include white sugar, iodized salt, red meat, gluten (wheat), and dairy), ingredients you can’t pronounce, have colors or numbers in the list ( that isn’t real food, people!) – REMOVE them from your household.  Yes, you may even have to toss this stuff in the garbage.  I personally didn’t want to give this out to others and hinder or worsen their health.  It’s not what I am about.  I don’t like to waste or throw out, but there are times like this when I have NO problems with tossing CRAP food (it’s not really food though) – OK, let’s call it CRAP products – in the trash. 

Once I did this decluttering in the kitchen , I began to bring in wholesome and nourishing foods.  FOODS that had LIFE and brought LIFE into my body.  It was one of the BEST decisions that I have ever made.  My health has soared, my taste buds woke up (morning, sunshine!) and I have so much fun experimenting with foods, new veggies, new superfoods, new everything.  “Where have you been all my life!  You’re here now and let’s make the most of it and get to know each other better every day!” is my attitude.  I periodically purchase new items to try out (always fun!) when funds allow.  Don’t be afraid to try new things.  It’s the only way you’ll know if you like it or not.  By the way, Scott loves eating this way too and his health has improved also.  The man loves tasty food, so if it’s healthy and nourishing for him, all the better to him and he’s all on board.

Here are some pictures of things I forgot to point out to you with descriptions below picture:

Keep a notepad next to or on fridge so that you can write down items/ foods that you are running low on or RAN OUT OF and need to restock. Keeps me in check and I don’t get caught without an item while preparing a recipe.

I have a drawer that doesn’t come all the way out, so Scott built some boxes that I can lift out and pull the other one behind it forward for easy access. Front box is for most used items, the next box for periodic use and the other box in back (you can’t see) is for items that I use once in a while, but nice have for those special occasions.

Boxes for drawer of miscellaneous tools. More organized this way from “most used” to “periodic use”.

Cabinet of miscellaneous items. Left side includes (top) baking powder, baking soda (which I buy in bulk), extracts (peppermint, orange, chocolate, vanilla); (middle) Spelt flour, yacon syrup, coconut sugar; (bottom) Vanilla bean powder, raw cacao powder, raw carob powder, cacao butter, muscavado sugar, cacao nibs. Right side: Apple cider vinegar, etc. and superfoods from Mum’s Original, Navitas Naturals and RW Garcia organic corn chips.

I didn’t show ALL the other items I have in the back pantry (which includes):  coconut flour, sorghum flour, sprouting seeds, organic coffee, coconut oil, dried fruit, protein powder (Sunwarrior), NuNaturals Stevia, organic coconut milk, bulk teas/ herbs, spices and seasonings.  The back (spare) fridge I have young thai coconuts, bulk carrots (25 lbs.), avocados, lots of greens, hemp seeds, homemade hot sauce, granola, sundried tomatoes, nuts/seeds, organic dark chocolate bars, etc.

My most used items in the kitchen are #1 – VITAMIX (use it everyday, sometimes several times a day) for smoothies (1 to 2 times/ day), blended soups, juice, nut/seed milks, dressings, ice cream, etc.) – I ADORE mine and have a total LOVE affair with it.  #2 – juicer – usually once a day – carrot, beet, lemon, ginger, celery, apple is my all time FAVORITE!  Green juices are gorgeous too!  Lately #3 has been my tea kettle – I love making herbal teas and tonics – so nourishing and soothing.  #4 – salad spinner.  I eat fresh leafy greens EVERY DAY in the form of salads, smoothies, juice, open faced sandwiches.  #5 -  Sprouter mason jar – I have sprouts growing all the time – it is so easy and cheap to grow your own.  Found out how here.  #5 – mini food processor to make raw pate’s, gluten free pizza crust, dressings, raw brownines, etc.  Lastly #7 – Spirooli spiralizer – to make veggie pasta from sweet potatoes, zucchini, beets and carrots.   #8 – stainless steel cookware and ceramic/clay/enamel pots for cooked soups, stews, chilis, and HUGE batches of herbal teas.  Lastly, the thing I use most in kitchen is a GOOD quality knife and cutting board.  I still like to roast veggies and bake gluten free breads and treats.  There is always something yummy going on in this kitchen – yet HEALTH is the main theme. 

 I periodically change the layout and set up sometimes to suit my “flow” in the kitchen.  Just find out what works for you and what you use most in your raw/ cooked lifestyle.   Set things up to make your life easier; clean-up easier and accessibility easier.  I don’t want to take minutes looking through a drawer or cabinet for a product or item, when I can have it labeled and easily accessible.  This kitchen lifestyle didn’t happen overnight – it  has been a journey and learning lesson for me -as has been my health, healing (physically and mentally) and whole food education.  Educate yourself about wholesome foods, start small and incorporate them into your diet, explore beyond your comfort zone (it’s AMAZING out there!). What used to be a room/ place of just eating/ surviving, can NOW be a place of CREATING, LIVING, THRIVING, LEARNING, FUN, HEALING and NOURISHING your body, mind and spirit.  So, turn on some good tunes and go into your kitchen and go thru your drawers, pantry and cabinet and make a conscious choice of what you want and don’t want in your diet/ lifestyle/ body. This process of decluttering and cleaning out the OLD, may bring up some emotions – feel them, see them, and LET IT GO to BRING THE GOOD IN.   For YOU are worth it with every ounce of your core.    Check out my RECIPES page for MANY healthy, wonderful recipes to get you going in that wonderful, organized kitchen of yours now.

 Hope you enjoyed the tour and let me know if you have any questions. 

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