M O N DAYS Contents Mother Nature Knows Best Natural Sweeteners & Baking Fats & Oils Nuts, seeds & dried fruit Flours Grains Legumes Herbs & Spices and other pantry goods Vinegars Canned & preserved goods Tea Tips for shopping economically Note This eBook has interactive elements. You can click on each subtitle to visit a page. If you would like to return to the contents page, you can click on the circle logo. It is best viewed in Adobe Acrobat or Reader. Mother Nature Knows Best Optimal health and wellbeing starts in your humble kitchen, with humble foods! We find that the easiest way to keep on track with healthy cooking is to have the right items on hand. Packed with vitamins and minerals, everyday pantry essentials are proven to play a role in the prevention and treatment of major lifestyle diseases. Foods such as seeds, nuts and berries are mood enhancing while several herbs and spices are powerful allies against all too common digestive issues, stress and fatigue. At Mondays, we believe in simple. Food that has undergone minimal human intervention is not only more nourishing and easily digested, it’s also far easier to prepare for you and your family! Similarly, your wellbeing is not dependent on fancy supplements or expensive super-powders and potions (although we do love all these new exciting foods!). First and foremost, it’s about natural, seasonal food delivered to your plate in its wholesome, perfect form. By now you’ve probably read a few blogs, experienced a few raw, paleo, or wholefoods specialties. Maybe you’ve been inspired by some delicious recipes, rushing to your kitchen only to find you don’t have half the ingredients! The purpose of the Mondays Wholefoods Pantry Essentials EBook is to help you get set up! This is your one stop shop for a total pantry makeover, so you can ditch the products that don’t serve your health and wellbeing, and replace them with inspiring mind, body, soul and planet-loving ingredients! Here’s our method for stress-free shopping and subsequent domestic goddess-ness. Shop for dry and frozen basics two or three times a month, depending on how many people you’re cooking for. Then, once or twice a week, hit the farmer’s market or local fruit and veggie shop. That way your produce is always fresher, your bank balance healthier and your heart happier for having avoided the big crowded supermarkets! Natural Sweeteners & Baking Brown rice syrup This thick butterscotch coloured syrup is not overly sweet and has a neutral taste, making it our every day sweetener of choice. The process in which it is made also helps to retain many of its antioxidant properties. Try to look out for organic or sustainably made brands. Raw Honey Some honeys are thick, dark and crystalized whereas other varieties can be light in color and bright to taste. Some particular types are suited to different styles of recipes, so be sure to try out different types to find your favourite. Try to look for raw, unfiltered and unprocessed honey, as these contain far higher levels of enzymes and healing properties. Honey is ridiculously sweet, so a little goes a long way, and is best enjoyed in moderation. Check out your local farmers’ markets to find delicious raw honey. Pure maple syrup This luxurious and dark syrup is rich in important minerals like zinc and manganese and comes from boiling down the sap of maple trees. We like to use it in raw treats, baking, roasted with nuts and seeds, and of course drizzled over pancakes! Be sure to buy ‘pure’ good quality maple syrup as its flavour is far more superior, and does not contain any nasties. Raw cacao/cocoa powder This delicious chocolate powder is jam-packed with antioxidants, magnesium and nutrients that can help you to feel energized and nourished. Use in baking, raw treats, smoothies and hot drinks. Baking Soda Baking soda is a fantastic rising agent in baking, although it can also be used for cleaning and beauty purposes. Free range organic eggs This rich and toffee flavoured natural sugar is packed with minerals and is a great low GI alternative. The crystals are produced from coconut palm blossoms, and are minimally processed. This natural sweetener is also considered one of the most sustainable sweeteners in the world. The beautifully simple egg sits alongside broccoli, salmon and blueberries in the superfood category as they are packed with protein, healthy fats and antioxidants. The incredible edible egg also contains large amounts of vitamins, including vitamin A, potassium and many B vitamins like folic acid, choline and biotin. In fact, very few foods share the same diverse nutrient makeup which is available in a single egg. Great to have in the pantry for baking, a quick and easy frittata, or a simple meal of scrambled eggs with wilted greens. Medjool dates Dried coconut These thick and decadent dates are naturally dried and have an incredible caramel-like flavour. They are larger and sweeter than regular dried dates and work wonderfully in raw treats, baking, added to smoothies, or great as a snack when craving something a little sweet. We like to add coconut flakes or shredded coconut to our muesli, granola, baking, and raw treats.You can also make your own coconut butter by blending the dried coconut in a high speed blender for 15-20 minutes. Be sure to check use by dates, as the fresher dried coconut has a far superior flavour. Coconut Sugar/Crystals Fats & Oils Ghee Ghee is also known as purified butter, and has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. This healthy fat is used to nourish and regenerate the body’s tissues, cleanse toxins, improve eye health, lower cholesterol, boost the immune system and promote general wellness. It is also wonderfully easy and enjoyable to make. Ghee also has a high smoke point, making it excellent to use for grilling, sautéing, and frying.Try to ensure the butter used for ghee comes from farmers using sustainable and organic practices. Butter, milk and yoghurt should be free of artificial hormones and antibiotics, and the livestock should be raised in humane conditions. These dairy products are better for you, the planet, and of course better for the animals. Extra virgin olive oil This lovely oil can range from light golden and buttery tones to grassy and green, so be sure to try out different varieties to find your preferred variety. Olive oil is stable up to 180 degrees, however we recommend saving flavourful and fragrant extra virgin olive oil for drizzling over salads and vegetable dishes to add an extra flavour. Once heated it tends to lose its high anti-oxidant value. Buy olive oil made by small producers who cold-press their olives. We recommend checking out your local farmers’ markets or specialty food store. Hempseed oil This nutty and delicious oil is packed full of nutrients, essential fatty acids, omega 3 and 6, vitamin E, chlorophyll, and has fantastic antioxidant qualities. This wonderful oil is also known to help decrease inflammation, helps to function hormones, keeps cholesterol and blood pressure levels in check, aids in better brain function and increases energy levels. Daily consumption can also help to give you shiny hair, clear skin and strong nails. Hempseed oil is most nutritious when cold, making it excellent for drizzling over salads, added to smoothies, a dipping oil, or drizzled over a delicious rice dish. Extra virgin coconut oil This tropical, aromatic and luxurious oil is known to have incredible heath benefits. We recommend to include this superfood in your everyday diet. Benefits include healthier glowing skin and hair, can lower cholesterol levels, help with weight loss, can aid in increased levels of immunity, and assist proper digestion and metabolism. It is also known to provide relief from kidney problems, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and many other viruses. This superfood is wonderful used in raw treats, as a butter substitute in baking, and has a high smoke point, making it excellent for grilling sautéing and frying. Be sure to buy the raw and extra virgin varieties to ensure the oil has been through minimal processes and is as natural as possible. Fats & oils to avoid Canola, margarine, shortening, and a whole host of others fail on one point or another — these usually contain trans fats and hydrogenated vegetable oils. A few other rules of thumb – use your nose as a first line of defence. If the oil ever smells rancid, toss it out. Be sure to buy top quality oils, store them carefully, and heat them only to the point where they are fragrant. Refined oils that often tout sky-high smoking points can do so because they’ve been stripped of nutritionally beneficial components that contribute to a lower smoking point. Use high quality, thick-bottomed pots and pans to help control the heat easily. Nuts, seeds & dried fruit We always have a vast selection of nuts, seeds and dried fruit. Nuts and seeds contain good healthy fats, protein, and large amounts of vitamins and minerals essential for a wholesome diet. We love to experiment with nuts and seeds to make our creamy butters, milks, desserts and dressings - the options are endless! Buy your nuts and seeds raw and unsalted – this makes them much healthier and much more versatile for wholefood cooking. Dried fruit is an excellent source of soluble fibre, great for using in baking, raw treats, adding to smoothies, or tossing through salads. It’s best to buy them organic, unsweetened and unsulphured. - Apricots - Sultanas, raisins & currants - Walnuts - Macadamias - Hazelnuts - Pecans - Pumpkin seeds - Chia seeds - Dried frigs - Goji berries - Almonds - Cashews - Brazil nuts - Sesame seeds - Sunflower seeds - Linseeds & flaxseeds A note on flaxseeds & chia seeds Think of flaxseeds as chia’s much cheaper older cousin. They don’t receive the same attention as chia, but if you are on a budget, flaxseeds are a fabulous option. Both flaxseeds and chia seeds contain a high amount of omega 3, vitamins, minerals, calcium, dietary fibre, protein and potassium. When soaked in liquid, these seeds soften and form a jelly-like consistency, making them fantastic as an egg replacement in baking, or they can be used to make healthy puddings. Flours Almond Flour/ground almonds Brown & White rice flour Almond flour is our absolute favourite to use in most baking and raw treats as it gives a beautiful moist texture and nutty flavour. Almonds are a great source of fibre, good fats and the powerful antioxidant, vitamin E. Brown and white rice flour is a popular and cost-effective alternative to regular white flour. Easily digestible, low allergenic, with a neutral flavour, rice flour is fantastic mixed with other flours in baking. Rice flour is also great for thickening casseroles and sauces. Spelt flour Coconut flour Spelt is an easily digested grain that contains a low amount of gluten. Spelt is very similar to regular white flour, making it great as a substitute in baking recipes, and as a thickener for sauces and casseroles. Try to buy whole grain when possible as white spelt has still been stripped of its husk. Coconut flour gives baking a light and fluffy texture, as well as a beautiful coconut aroma. It can be a little difficult to work with in the beginning as it is quite different to most others flours. Buckwheat flour Buckwheat flour is a fantastic flour, used mostly in pancakes and breads giving them a strong earthy and rich flavour. Buckwheat is incredibly nutrient rich, and contains powerful antioxidants, essential amino acids and complex carbohydrates. It’s also fantastic used in sweet and savoury pastry tarts. A note on making your own gluten-free flours You can make most of the above flours fresh by using a high-speed blender or food processor. We prefer to make ours in small batches, as the more fresh the flour is, the more nutrients it contains. Grains Millet Millet is an ancient seed that is naturally gluten-free. When cooked, millet has a really lovely and light texture, and is relatively fast to cook. The trick is to cook the millet in delicious home-made stock to give it an incredible depth of flavour. Fantastic used as a rice or couscous alternative. Millet is one of the few grains that is alkalizing to the body. It is also non-allergenic, has a low glycemic index and is rich in protein, magnesium, calcium, niacin, copper, manganese, iron, fibre and antioxidants. Millet aids in digestion, relieves constipation, lowers cholesterol and acts as a handy little probiotic. Oats This ultimate morning grain comes in many different shapes and sizes. Whole oat berries (also know as groats) cook up super fast and are naturally sweeter and more hearty. Steel cut oats are made by cutting the groat down into smaller pieces. Old-fashioned rolled oats are produced by steaming whole groats and rolling them to varying thicknesses. Instant oats are simply the thinnest or most finely cut oats. All varieties work wonderfully in baking, used as a crumble topping, as overnight bircher muesli, or as a creamy and fruity porridge. Oats contain a good amount of vitamins, minerals, iron and soluble fibre, making them an excellent breakfast choice. Please note that oats are not entirely gluten-free unless stated on the packet. Quinoa This super hero grain is rich in protein and amino acids which is great for tissue growth and development. Quinoa is naturally glutenfree and can be used as a substitute for almost any grain. Amaranth This highly nutritious, gluten-free grain contains more iron, calcium and protein than most other grains. This delicious and nutty grain absorbs liquid well, making it excellent for adding to soups, stews and casseroles. We like to add it with other flours when baking. It also makes an excellent oatmeal breakfast alternative. Farro Similar to barley, this grain is dried in such a way to become chewy and nutty with the taste close to couscous and rice. A popular Italian grain that can be hard to get your hands on but when you do, will become a staple in the pantry. Used in soups, casseroles and salads, it’s rich in complex carbohydrates and fibre. Farro does contain gluten and a lot like spelt flour, the molecules are weaker compared to wheat. Rice (brown, red, wild varieties) Rice is a fantastic staple ingredient to have in a well stocked wholefoods pantry. There are so many great varieties to choose from. We particularly love brown rice for its nutty flavor, red and wild rice for adding a lovely texture and dimension to salads, and white rice for coconut puddings. Rice is also one of the most easily digestible grains, and is very economical. Buckwheat groats Contrary to what the name implies, buckwheat doesn’t contain wheat. It’s not a grain, but a fruit seed related to rhubarb and sorrel. Buckwheat is gluten-free, a good source of protein and magnesium, it contains eight essential amino acids and is known to balance mood, mind clarity and it even provides calcium, manganese and vitamins B and E. It’s also cheap and versatile, buckwheat is a staple in every wholefood lover’s pantry! Legumes Legumes are a wonderful source of protein, and are a staple in most vegetarian and wholefood diets. They are also rich in fibre, vitamins, minerals, complex carbohydrates, and are very economical. We like to soak them overnight, simmer in flavourful stock, and then add to savoury meals. You can also freeze any leftovers, making fantastic quick meals. Kidney beans These kidney shaped beans are slightly sweet in taste. We love to add them to spicy casseroles and stews to add a bit of bulkiness and texture. Cannellini beans Lentils Lentils are rather beautiful looking and come in many varities such as Beluga, or Puy, red and yellow. Great for tossing through salads, or using as an alternative to rice or pasta. Chickpeas Wonderful for adding to salads and soups, and for making home made hummus dip. We love to roast them in a skillet or in the oven with herbs and spices for a crispy, delicious and nutritious snack. Black beans Not only great in savoury dishes, these delicately flavoured beans are also wonderful used as a base in baking or raw treats. They give a lovely fudgy texture to brownies or fudge, and are a great glutenfree alternative. These small white beans make a wonderful creamy dip. Simply blend with herbs, garlic, olive oil and a little lemon juice. Butter beans These large white beans are fantastic added to most savoury dishes, and make a delicious base for home made baked beans. Simmer with some organic tomatoes, plenty of herbs and you have a wonderful meal suitable for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Black eyed beans These attractive beans look great in any dish, particularly salads. We like to toss them with rocket, chopped sundried tomatoes, capers and dress with extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice and a good pinch of sea salt and pepper. Delicious! Herbs & Spices and other pantry goods A fantastic collection of herbs and spices is completely necessary for adding an awesome flavuor kick (plus medicinal benefits!) to simple and nutritious meals. We like to use an abundance of fresh herbs in our cooking whenever possible, but dried are also excellent to have on hand when you need them. As for spices, we like to create custom spice blends. Get creative and try out new blends to keep your food tasting new and exciting. Just remember to rotate through the spices ever y so often to ensure freshness. - Sea salt, Himalayan Salt or Celtic Salt - Coriander, both leaves and seeds - Cayenne pepper - Peppercorns - Cumin - Cardamom - Cinnamon - Nutmeg - Cloves - Ground Ginger - Fenugreek - Tumeric - Smoked paprika - Fennel seeds - Dried garlic granules - Oregano - Thyme - Basil - Parsley - Mint - Sage - Rosemary Good news! Some of the most common garden herbs have the most incredible healing proper ties. Both basil and rosemar y have powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammator y and antibacterial proper ties. Coriander is a fabulous heavy metal detoxifier, and parsley a powerful liver and kidney cleanser. Not so common, but a wonderful herb to have on hand, lemon balm brews a delicious tea that relieves tension, stress and anxiety. Vinegars Balsamic vinegar A dark and rich vinegar with a smooth, slightly sweet and sour taste. Add a small dash to marinades, stir fried vegetables, or superb used in a vinaigrette. Red & white wine vinegar These varieties of vinegar are generally more light and subtle in flavour, and are fantastic used in a vinagerette, or as a salad dressing. Apple cider vinegar This nourishing vinegar provides an incredible amount of health benefits. ACV is known to help with weight loss, relieve heartburn, nausea and migraines. It naturally balances pH and glucose levels, detoxes the body, promotes a healthy digestive system, boosts energy and regulates candida issues. It is also known to help relieve asthma, eczema and allergies, along with lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. Incredible, right? These are only a few of the incredible healing properties of ACV. It also does wonders for hair, nails and skin, and works as a fantastic hair rinse, leaving your locks soft and lustrous. I have also used ACV as a fabric softener and window cleaner. Enjoy as a daily tonic added with water, or use in salad dressings. A note on vinegar A great selection of good quality vinegars make a wonderful addition to any pantry. There are many fantastic varieties to choose from, from fruity and sour, to dark, rich and smooth. Vinegars are great added to salad dressings, used in marinades, drizzled over roasted meat or vegetables, or can even be used to add a lovely depth to sweet dishes. Canned & preserved goods We like to have a wide selection of canned and preserved goods in our pantr y to use as healthy meal staples, or as fantastic ingredients to use as building blocks to a great meal. Olives These salty little bites of goodness add a delicious flavour to any savoury dish, and are great used in sauces, pesto or tapenades. There are quite a few varieties – we particularly love Kalamata, green and black. Homemade relishes & jams We love to have a delicious selection of home made relishes and jams, they are great to have on hand for adding a little something special to savoury or sweet dishes. Preserving your own is also an excellent way of using up an abundance of fruit or vegetables which are about to go bad. Capers Capers are small flower buds of the Capparis shrub, which grows in the Mediterranean, and are about the size of a pea. These flavoursome little bursts of deliciousness are a ver y versatile cupboard ingredient, and are fantastic for adding a distinctive salty and slightly sour flavour to many savoury dishes. Coconut milk or cream Coconut milk or cream is fantastic to have on hand for adding to smoothies, desserts or making your own whipped dairy free toppings. We also like to make our own coconut milk by blending shredded coconut with filtered water and a pinch of sea salt. Canned or preserved organic tomatoes Tomatoes are a fantastic and cost friendly option to have in the panty for making pasta sauces, soups and casseroles. We like to preserve our own at the end of tomato season, to last throughout the winter season. Nut/seed butters We love to have a selection of nut and seed butters simply for spreading on toast, or as a dip for freshly cut vegetables and fruit. Nut butter is also great used in baking, raw treats, or even added to your smoothie. We like to make our own simply by adding our favourite nuts or seeds in to a high powered food processor, and blending for 10-15 minutes until smooth. You can also add a little sea salt or oil to taste. Preserved lemons Preserved lemons add an incredible flavour punch to any savoury dish. To use, finely slice a little preserved lemon and add to your preferred dish. A little goes a long way! Sundried tomatoes Sundried tomatoes are ripe tomatoes which have been dried out in the sun. Sun drying protects all of the goodness in the tomatoes, and intensifies the concentrated rich and sweet flavour. They are typically preserved in olive oil, herbs and spices, and are fantastic for adding to many savoury dishes and sauces, or simply enjoyed on toast. Don’t toss out that oil when you’re done with the tomatoes – it will pick up flavour from the tomatoes and is fantastic in salad dressings. A note on buying canned goods: Try to buy BPA free cans if possible, as some types of cans contain the chemical bisphenol-A which can be hazardous to your health. Here are some simple ideas of how to reduce the risk of being exposed to BPA. • Consciously reduce the use of canned foods when possible, or look for cans that are clearly marked BPA-free. Sometimes you can also purchase bulk food in ‘cartons’ as opposed to cans. • Try to use fresh or frozen vegetables and fruit which haven’t been exposed to BPA. • Use dried beans instead of canned. They may take longer to cook, but you’ll also save tons of money. • Try to buy tomato sauces in glass jars if possible. • If you drink beverages in cans, opt for glass or plastic bottles, which are safer than canned versions. Tea Tea is a wonderful tonic that can help to soothe and restore your body and mind, and comes in many fantastic varieties. They can be both stimulating and relaxing – we love to enjoy a cup or few daily. Tea leaves can even be added to sweet treats and baking, giving a beautiful subtle aroma. Here we share our favourites and some of their wonderful benefits. Black tea Green tea Chamomile Green tea is considered the least processed, and contains a very high amount of antioxidants. This nourishing tea has been used in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine to help heal wounds, aid digestion, and to improve overall health and wellbeing. This tea also contains caffeine, and has a delicate grassy flavour. Chamomile is another excellent herb which is known to help settle the stomach. It also soothes the nervous system and relaxes the muscles, making it a perfect choice for the evening, an hour before bed. Herbal tea Herbal teas don’t contain caffeine and can be made using the flowers, leaves, bark, seeds, and roots of many plants. There is a large variety of flavours available – we love to try them all. Black tea is made from the same plant as green tea, although aged leaves are used instead of fresh. Common varieties of black tea are English Breakfast, Darjeeling, and Earl Grey. This tea contains a little caffeine, and has a dark and rich flavour compared to most other teas. Peppermint The menthol that is naturally present in peppermint tea is a muscle relaxant which can help aid stress and anxiety. This can also help you to fall asleep if enjoyed before bed time. The menthol also acts as a natural decongestant for when you are feeling a little blocked up. Chai Masala Rooibos tea Rooibos tea is also known as red bush tea, and contains many healing proper ties. This caffeine free tea contains powerful antioxidants and large amounts of essential minerals. Rooibos is also know to soothe the stomach, improve circulation, help to aid skin conditions, and help to encourage a restful sleep. Rooibos tea has a similar taste to black tea, and is naturally sweet.The health benefits of this wonderful tea are quite extraordinary, and we definitely recommend trying it out. Ginger & lemon tea Ginger has been shown to soothe and balance the digestive system. It is also known to naturally fire up your energy. Make your own ginger and lemon tea by slicing fresh ginger root and a lemon into slices and boil in one cup of water for five minutes. Strain, and sip the tea slowly. This healing and nourishing tea is made out of a blend of herbs and spices, and has been cherished for centuries in India to preserve health and increase peace of mind. The more we learn about chai masala, the more benefits we find. In addition to improving digestion, chai enhances the immune system, fights inflammation and has antioxidant properties. It has also been suggested that chai has antibacterial and anti-cancer effects. We like to make our own chai blend using black tea, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, fennel, clove and black pepper. Tips for buying tea Try to by unbleached and biodegradable bags if possible, as these are better for our environment. Organic is best, although not absolutely necessary. Be sure to check that the tea contains no added sweeteners of artificial flavours. Tips for shopping economically Try to buy local if you can, both to support your local farmers, and also to get quality produce, which will last longer. Buy in season! Out of season produce is usually imported, and has a much higher price tag. Grow as much as you can no matter how much space you have. Get creative! Herbs on your windowsill, sprouts on your kitchen bench. There is something so satisfying about enjoying food you have grown yourself. Plan and write lists before you go shopping. This way you have a better idea of what you will need for the week’s meals, and don’t end up having to nip out again to grab something, or buy extra ingredients that aren’t necessary. Preserve left over food. Not only does this reduce food wastage, you will thank yourself later when you want to enjoy some delicious honey stewed peaches in the middle of winter, or need some organic tomatoes to toss through your pasta dish. Buy staples in bulk. We like to stock up on gluten free flours, nuts, seeds, legumes and grains. Even when you have the most empty fridge, you will be able to muster up some kind of meal or baking to satisfy your hunger pains. Buy frozen. Quite often frozen greens such as spinach, peas and beans are far more economical than fresh, and make a fantastic quick and easy option for adding to meals. Make your own gluten-free flours. Pre-packaged flours can come with an expensive price tag, which is why we love to make our own, and will only take a few minutes at best to prepare. Share with your neighbours, trade fresh eggs for kale, or gift them with a basket full of muffins. Not only is this a lovely initiative to create friendship, it also builds a strong community feel in your neighbourhood. Get creative! We find that when it nears the end of the week and the fridge and cupboards are bare, this is when we muster up the most exciting and flavoursome dishes, using ingredients that you wouldn’t normally experiment with. Our favourite kitchen equipment Good kitchenware and equipment will make your time in the kitchen a joy. Investing in quality will save you thousands in the long run – wholefoods cooking requires lots of blending, cutting, grinding and chopping - the cheap stuff just doesn’t cut it. Hannah’s kitchen must haves are a high speed blender, slow masticating juicer, nut milk bags, pestle and mortar and lots of glass preserving jars for storage. Eleanor loves her food processor, slow cooker, sharp knives and beautiful serve ware! mondayswholefoods.com
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