...a grocery list.

Before we get cooking, we have to get shopping! 


I know you've ALWAYS wanted to know what we keep in our pantry and fridge, and I am here to make that dream come true. Of course our list changes from week to week, but these are items we always have handy. That way, no matter if it's dinner or snack time, we are prepared with the right ingredients for a healthy, delicious meal. 

For the most part, our kitchen is stocked with whole, unprocessed foods. There are a few exceptions below, but we make sure to select the least processed choices possible.  This means items with the fewest ingredients, and more importantly, ingredients you can pronounce. Later posts will certainly go into more detail about why, but for now, let's get shopping!

Fruits and veggies are a huge part of our diet- as they should be! They are chock-full of vitamins and minerals, add tons of flavor to any meal, and are super easy to prepare (some are even grab and go!). I'll be highlighting each of these in various posts and recipes, but for now, just stock up!

• Apples
• Artichoke Hearts- usually canned. Just make sure there isn't added salt or sugar!
• Arugula              
• Avocados
• Bananas
• Bell Peppers
• Blueberries
• Corn- also, usually canned. Same rule with the sugar and salt!
• Jalapeños
• Lemons
• Limes
• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Strawberries
• Spaghetti Squash
• Spinach
• Sweet potatoes
• Pico De Gallo - Luckily our grocery store sells individual size containers of Pico- ranging from mango to black bean & corn to medium or hot. Of course, it's cheaper to make your own, but these are so easy and such a quick way to add lots of veggies and flavor to most meals. I'll take that trade-off.
• Romaine Lettuce
• Watermelon
• Yellow Squash
• Zucchini

FROZEN: 

For certain items, we opt for frozen over fresh. As long as there isn't anything added (think sugar or salt), these contain the same amount of amazing nutrients as their fresh counterparts- plus they last much, much longer.

• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Fruit- we like to make lots of smoothies and dessert around here, so we always have several bags of frozen fruit in the freezer. I prefer berry mixes, and Alan loves a tropical mix with mango, pineapple, and banana.
• Green Beans
• Leafy Greens: another smoothie component for me. I like the Dole "Power Green" mix of spinach, kale, and chard, but any frozen spinach or kale will do!

Meat & Dairy

Being a vegetarian or vegan isn't the only way to be healthy. If that is the lifestyle you choose, then hats off to you! But for me, I think animals and their products are just too darn tasty to live without. But as they say- everything in moderation. 

• Cheese- if you know me at all, you know cheese is my hands-down favorite food. But make sure it's worth the calories! Get real cheese, where cheese (and maybe cultures) is the only ingredient.
• Chicken- breasts, usually a big bag we can stick in the freezer and pull out pieces as needed.
• Eggs
• Egg Whites
• Greek yogurt- plain, 0% milk-fat. Again, fewest ingredients as possible (perhaps just cultured non-fat milk).
• Ground Beef- the leanest there is! (96% lean)
• Mahi mahi- fillets, again usually a big bag we can freeze.
• Milk- Technically, the kind we prefer isn't dairy. I like vanilla almond milk, or the almond/coconut blend. Get everything unsweetened to watch the sugar.
• Shrimp- frozen, de-veined and no tails. (makes it easy!)
• Turkey- also, the leanest we can find. (99% lean)

*Remember, with any frozen meat, to check the ingredients. Avoid as many additives as possible, and always check the sodium content.

Grains, Legumes, & Nuts

If you're like me, the first thing (after cupcakes) you give up on a diet is bread. But it doesn't have to be this way! The right grains (whole grains) are a great source of protein, fiber, and much more!

• Black beans- canned or bagged. Just make sure there isn't anything added!
• Chia Seeds
• Chickpeas
• Ezekiel Bread- found in the freezer section, it's made out of sprouted grain so there is no processed wheat.
• Peanut Butter- check for added sugar. Choose the jar with just peanuts and oil.
• Pistachios
• Quinoa
• Whole Wheat Pasta- choose your favorite shapes! We go for rotini and angel hair. And follow the same rule as the tortillas below.
• Whole Wheat Tortillas- remember, the fewer ingredients, the better! Also, make sure it's whole wheat flour, not enriched wheat flour.

Herbs, Spices, & Other Essentials

• Balsamic Vinegar
• Basil
• Butter
• Chili Powder
• Cilantro
• Coconut Oil- unrefined.
• Coffee
• Cooking Spray
• Cumin
• Dark Chocolate Chips- the more cacao the better. And of course- less is more with ingredients.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Garlic Powder
• Honey- natural.
• Onion Powder
• Oregano
• Red Wine- the most essential of them all.
• Red Wine Vinegar
• Salsa
• Salt
• Soy Sauce
• Stock- low sodium chicken and beef
• Pepper
• Popcorn- wasn't quite sure where to put this on the list. But if you're like me, or Olivia Pope, this IS an essential. Aim for air-popped!
• Vanilla Extract

Well, that seems like more than enough to get started. I'll see you back here in a few days- for my debut recipe. Now, get shopping!

Stay Happy & Healthy,

Molly

PS: Pro tip- stay on the outside of the grocery store as much as possible. The freshest, most natural ingredients are along the walls in most supermarkets. The further you go into the store, the more processed the products.

...introductions.

Hi there! 

I'm Molly and that's Alan, and we're the {future} McCormacks. We're just your average mid-20's couple who loves eating, drinking, our dogs, and spending time with friends and family. I'm a proud Clemson Tiger, and Alan is a graduate from the University of Alabama. We met at the Most Magical Place On Earth, Walt Disney World, where we lived and worked for the first 2 years of our relationship. Now we are engaged, and enjoying life in the Lone Star State- Houston, to be specific. 

Now enough about us (you'll get more of that if you keep reading), and onto why I created this blog...

I, like most women in America, have struggled with my weight since I can remember. And, again, like most women in America, have tried every trendy diet and trick out there. Low-carb, no-dairy, high protein, counting calories, counting points, 7 day cleanses, 21 day challenges...you name it, I tried it! And while I'd see results initially, they were never sustainable long term. And even worse- whatever food (or foods) I was depriving myself of, I eventually gave up and over indulged in them (think, an entire pizza in one sitting, washed down with a 6 pack). This would make me feel terrible about myself, and search for the next diet. It was a vicious cycle of binging, and restricting, and tracking, and crying. 

When we got engaged a year ago, I, like most brides, started thinking about the dreaded "wedding diet." I wanted (still do) to look perfect on my big day, and was overcome with panic of how to do it. Luckily, before starting any crazy challenges, I read a few books (my favorite is Michael Pollan's Food Rules), and watched a few documentaries (if you haven't seen "Fed Up" go watch it. Now. Seriously, stop reading this and go watch it. I'll wait). I started doing my own research on how to lose weight, and more importantly, how to be healthy. The answer I came to is pretty simple: eat whole, unprocessed foods, and move your body around once a day. 

But eating healthy doesn't mean you have to give up your favorite foods or recipes! Trust me- I am literally drinking a glass of wine as I type this, and we had pizza for dinner. Sound too good to be true? It isn't. 

Look at me, going off on a tangent. I am not here to be preachy, or act like I know the secret to a perfect lifestyle, or that I am above wings or cheesy fries. (Anyone who says they are above cheesy fries, does not deserve a seat at my dinner table). I've just found a few ways and recipes to make life a little healthier. And, I am just so darn excited about it, that I can't help but share it with anyone who cares enough to read this blog. 

So, hopefully, you're still with me. And, it would sure be neat if you'd follow me on this never-ending journey to revamp old favorite recipes (and create brand new ones) that will leave your taste buds dancing, without making your pants cry. Along the way, I'll be sharing the science behind food. As they say, knowledge is power. Understanding how food works, and how it effects my body, is easily the best tool I've found to keep up with this lifestyle. 

Well, I think that's enough for now. Until next time! 

Stay healthy and happy,

Molly