Building a Plant-Strong Kitchen

To help those transitioning to a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle get their kitchens in shape, we've compiled a quick and dirty list of our go-to foods and appliances. These are the basic "must-haves" for plant-strong living.

Appliances: High-speed blender, food processor, progressive onion chopper (perfect for dicing onions AND tomatoes -- homemade brushetta is a snap!)

Baking: Sprouted spelt flour, oat flour, 100% whole wheat flour, cacao powder, cacao nibs, pure maple syrup, flaxseed meal, unsweetened applesauce

Beans/Legumes: Red, black, adzuki, white and garbanzo beans; lentils; split peas

Bread: Ezekiel Food for Life Sprouted Breads, English Muffins and Tortillas

Canned: Muir Glen crushed and diced tomatoes

Cereal: Rolled oats, Ezekiel Food for Life Golden Flax (for Matt and Sienna), Ezekiel Food for Life Cinnamon Raisin (for Ryan)

Condiments: Dijon mustard, ketchup (without added sugar), salsa, balsamic vinegar

Drinks: Water, decaf green tea, decaf chai tea

Fruits: Medjool dates, raisins, bananas, frozen blueberries, apples, seasonal fruit, avocado

Miscellaneous: Tofu, three grain tempeh, Field Roast “Sausages," low-sodium vegetable broth, yellow miso paste

Non-Dairy: Silk Unsweetened Original Almond Milk

Nuts: Cashews, almonds, walnuts

Pasta: 100% Whole Grain Spelt

Seeds: White chia, ground flax, hemp, sunflower

Snacks: Nature’s Promise natural almond butter, natural peanut butter, popcorn, Larabars

Spices: Tumeric, black pepper, cinnamon, ginger, cumin, Bragg’s Liquid Aminos (in place of soy sauce and tamari)

Vegetables: Spinach, carrots, garlic, onions, sweet potatoes, white potatoes, kale kale and more kale! (Too many veggies to list, honestly -- we eat them all!)

Whole Grains: Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah), brown rice

While our kitchen is filled with so much more, these are the plant-strong staples to help get you started. The rest you'll pick up as you roll along. Happy shopping!

Lean more about plant-strong eating. LIKE us on Facebook.