The shopping bag

I am personally not a fan of grocery shopping, so I have created a system where a list is made of the basic ingredients required to run the house. This is handed over to the designated staff member to buy the weekly ration.

However, I have to admit, recently with so many 'fancy' ingredients available in the many 'fancy' stores of the city, I have begun to love grocery shopping. Since my life is pretty much centred around my quest to provide healthy options, careful and frequent grocery shopping has become a necessity. So I thought of putting down a list of some of my favourite foods which I love to shop. But before that just keep in mind the following points:

1. Spot the 'fancy store' in your locality. These days even the roadside vegetable vendor keeps a variety of produce. Find the one who is carrying good high quality ingredients and keeps all your requirements.
2. Make a shopping list and stick to it. There are always hundreds of ultra-tempting seasonal items, all I suggest, if it's not on your list, don't add it to the bag.
3. Remember to dissect the nutrition label and ingredient list especially if you are planning to buy a different brand than your routine one.

Now, onto the shopping list:
1. Kale: this enormous crinkly vegetable is delicious if stir-fried, steamed, sautéed, baked, added to a stew or just blended into a smoothie. It is quite easily available but incase you don't find it, place an order for it with your vendor. It will be a great idea to add it to your diet atleast 2-3 times a week.

2. Avocados: its difficult to find them ripe, but if you are regular costumer, I am sure the vendor will be happy to meet your demand. Once you source the ripe ones, stock upon them so you can use them as a quick snack when in a fix. I love to just cut it half, squeeze loads of lemon on it and eat it directly from the shell with a spoon.

3. Seeds: Sunflower and flaxseeds are nutrition warehouses. Buy your dose for a week, not more. They tend to get rancid if kept in bulk.

4. Quinoa: this complete protein gluten free super seed is a star ingredient for many many dishes. Make a salad or substitute rice with it as and when you can. Quinoa is available here in red or white variety. Buy whichever you like, the benefits are worth it.

5. Feta: this high calcium high protein soft cheese is easily available in most of the places. Make sure you buy the freshly made feta cheese and not an off the shelf product.

6. Almond Butter: this nut butter is protein rich and full of good fats. A spoonful of this in a glass of milk or as a spread on the multigrain toast is an ideal breakfast. If you don't find this easily in the store, there are many home cooks who freshly prepare them on order. A quick Google search will find the right place for you.

Keep Shopping! Stay Healthy!