“A man too busy to take care of his health is like a mechanic too busy to take care of his tools.”  ~Spanish Proverb

Grocery shopping is one of my favorite pastimes. When I first started living by myself in Boston and had to cook at home there were a few items that stayed in my kitchen. These are my go-to items that I grab every time I grocery shop.

Lemons

Every time I go to the grocery store it is a must that a grab a bag of organic lemons. Lemons are a superfood that can be added to drinks, salad dressings and are also a great source of Vitamin C. I personally keep lemons around to add to my morning tea, water throughout the day and I also use it to spice up my seafood. Whether you are cooking Salmon on the grill or want to add some flavor to your water, lemons are a great fruit to always have stocked in your kitchen.

Alkaline Water

Drinking water is such a chore. Growing up I was never a fan of drinking water. I always saw my parents drinking Pepsi, Sprite and other carbonated beverages. When I visited my doctor and he told me I needed to add more water to my daily routine I was not pleased. Luckily a friend a mine put me onto alkaline water. In my opinion, alkaline water tastes much better than regular tap water. Recently I have become a huge fan of Essentia water and the Trader Joe’s alkaline water brand. Since drinking more water, I have seen improvements in my skin’s tone and have even lost a few pounds. If you’re new to drinking bottled water I suggest starting small and buying the bottles one by one and then eventually progress to buying cases at a time.

Ginger

Ginger is a great super herb that is a natural source of magnesium, copper, potassium, and vitamin C. Whenever I am feeling sick I always make myself a herbal tea with lemon, honey, and ginger. This mixture makes me feel warm, helps with my congestion and boosts my immune system. Research has also shown that ginger helps to ease pain and support healthy inflammation levels.

Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar

ACV is one of the most popular of kinds of vinegar in the health community for its many benefits. Some of these benefits include lower blood sugar, improved symptoms of diabetes and weight loss. ACV has great advantages but isn’t the tastiest substance in the world. One way to still intake apple cider vinegar is to add it to salads, your morning tea or even cranberry juice. ACV is something to always have on standby in the kitchen.

Mrs. Dash Lemon Pepper Salt-Free Seasoning

One of my favorite zesty and flavorful seasonings to use on chicken dishes, vegetables and salads is lemon pepper seasoning. Lemon Pepper seasoning is made from cracked black pepper and lemon zest. It helps to stimulate the liver, aid in metabolic activities and detox the body. Instead of drenching your foods in seasoning salt which is high in sodium and not good for you, try Lemon Pepper instead.

Organic Grapes

Potato Chips are one of my biggest hindrances to a flat stomach. I could eat an entire bag of jalapeno kettle chips alone if you let me. Recently a healthy alternative that I have been eating instead of potato chips are grapes. Grapes are a healthier snack that I pick up every time I go to the grocery store. They are rich in antioxidants, protect against certain types of cancer and help decrease blood sugar levels. Whether frozen, fresh or juiced grapes are easy to incorporate in your diet and should always be on standby in your kitchen.

What Do You Keep In Your Kitchen At All Times?

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