Groceries

Photo courtesy of Rebecca Lillis

I encourage eating local, organic food because I believe it benefits our bodies, our communities, and our earth. Knowing how much pesticide residue is retained by various types of produce can help us make more informed decisions when shopping. To learn more, see the Environmental Working Group’s 2014 guide: http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/list.php  You can sign up to get a PDF version of the “Dirty Dozen” and “Clean 15” lists that are helpful to bring along when shopping. 

When it's not possible or I choose not to buy locally, I can often find what I need online.  Below are some links to products I buy and use regularly. If you decide to purchase any of these products, please consider purchasing through my links.  There will be no increase in your cost.

BAKING
Anthony's Blanched Almond Flour, Gluten Free (2lb)
Anthony's Almonds Blanched Almond Flour, 5 Pounds (5lb), 100% Gluten Free Anthony's Blanched Almond Flour, Gluten Free (2lb)
Anthony's Almonds Blanched Almond Flour, 5 Pounds (5lb), 100% Gluten Free Beyond Gourmet Unbleached Parchment Paper, 71-Square Foot Roll  
Bob's Red Mill Baking Soda
Bob's Red Mill All-Natural Hazelnut Meal/Flour, 14-Ounce Packages (Pack of 4)  Note:  The 4-pk is $36.44 and the individual packs are $16.75, so buying the 4-pk is worth it if you use this product. 
Bob's Red Mill Organic Coconut Flour, 16-Ounce Units
Bob's Red Mill Tapioca Flour 20 oz.  Note: Tapioca flour/starch is not SCD compliant. Although used widely in Paleo recipes, some people question whether it falls under a pure Paleo approach to cooking.
Great Lakes Unflavored Gelatin, Kosher, 16-Ounce Can (Single)
Let's Do Organic Coconut Shredded, Unsweetened, 8-Ounce (Pack of 6)
Navitas Naturals Organic Cacao Powder  Note: There's debate in the SCD community about whether raw cacao powder is a "legal" ingredient, but we know many people who use it often and successfully.
Purity Farm Ghee (Clarified Butter), 7.5-Ounce  Note: Not everyone likes the taste of ghee. I recommend trying it before investing in a big jar. I like it in baking and on veggies, but my family much prefers real butter and they can handle the dairy, so we usually stick with butter. 
Purity Farms Organic Salt Free Ghee Clarified Butter -- 13 oz (See note above about ghee.)
Rodelle Organics Pure Vanilla Extract-Bourbon, 4 Ounce
Rodelle Pure Vanilla Extract, 8-Ounce
Spice Lab Finely Ground Pure Himalayan Salt, 2 pounds
Vincent Family Dried Cranberries 10 oz
Other baking products: apple sauce, honey (local), and medjool dates

CONDIMENTS, SAUCES, ETC.
Bragg Organic Vinegar Apple Cider
Bubbies Pure Kosher Dills Medium Size -- 16 fl oz
Eden Foods Organic Sauerkraut Glass (6x32 OZ)
Coconut Secret Raw Organic Vegan Coconut Aminos 8 Fl Oz Note: There's debate in the SCD community about whether coconut aminos is a "legal" ingredient.  We use it and have had no problems.
Kevala Organic Tahini 16 oz
Red Boat Fish Sauce, 500 ml (17 oz.)
Wellbee's Honey BBQ Sauce

Wright's Liquid Smoke - 3.5 Oz Note: For SCD, do not use the Applewood Smoke; Hickory and Mesquite are fine.

MEATS
I purchase shares of local, grass-fed livestock every year.

In addition, I am a loyal customer of  U.S. Wellness Meats which offers high-quality, grass-fed, free-range beef, bison, goat, and lamb using sustainable land principles.

After searching high and low for sugar and additive-free bacon, I hit the jackpot with Sugar Free Pork Bacon.  It's definitely expensive (our biggest food splurge), but worthwhile as our son eats this delicious bacon nearly every day.

I also use their hamburger meat weekly and like to stock up on their beef franks, chicken organ meats, flat iron steaks, ground turkey, and stew beef when I have a coupon. All of these items are sugar-free and SCD/GAPS/Paleo compliant. There are so many other items I want to try, so I will be adding more to my list after testing out in my own kitchen! 

NUT BUTTERS
Artisana Raw Organic Cashew Butter-16 ozs.  Note: I tend to use this brand for baking and the Kevala for eating as a spread.  I find the Artisana easier to measure and work with, but slightly prefer Kevala's taste when eaten on its own.
Mara Natha All Natural Roasted Almond, Butter Creamy, 26-Ounce
Kevala Cashew Butter 12oz
Kevala Cashew Butter 12oz (3 Pack)
Other nut butters: macadamia, peanut, pecan

OILS
California Olive Ranch Extra Virgin Olive Oil -- 25.4 fl oz
Chosen Foods Avocado Oil 500ml Bottle-Naturally Refined 
SunFood Cacao Butter Organic -- 1 lb Note: Some, but not all, protocols allow cacao butter.  It is SCD and Paleo "legal" and we use it for special desserts without any problems.  When purchasing, be sure that the cacao butter is food-grade.  Some are designed for skincare, etc. and are not of high enough quality to be used in food.  We really enjoy the flavor and quality of the SunFood brand I linked here.
Viva Labs Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
Other oil: sesame

OTHER
Kombucha starter (kombucha is not SCD legal): Kombucha Kamp Genuine KOMBUCHA CULTURE (1 Lrg SCOBY + 1 Cup Strong STARTER LIQUID - Makes 1 Gallon)
Wraps:  Paleo Wraps (Coconut Wraps)
Yogurt starter: GI ProStart

SNACKS
16oz Dried Cherries California Bing Cherry No Sugar Added Gluten Free Natural
Bare Fruit Organic, Gluten Free Apple Chips (Pack of 2)
Clif Bar Kit's Organic Fruit And Nut Bar Berry Almond
Clif Bar Kit's Organic Fruit And Nut Bar Cashew
Clif Bar Kit's Organic Fruit And Nut Bar Peanut Butter
LARABAR Fruit & Nut Food Bar, Gluten Free (Pack of 16)  Note: For SCD, we stick with Apple Pie, Cashew Cookie, Cherry Pie, Coconut Cream Pie, PB&J, PB Cookie, and Pecan Pie. SCD protocol suggests not including juice concentrates.
Raw Sundried Gooseberries Incan "Golden" Berries-16 ozs.
Vincent Family Dried Cranberries 10 oz
Additional snack ideas will be provided on a separate post (including apple sauce, guacamole, raw nuts, wraps, etc. and items to be made in the dehydrator -- beef jerky, kale chips, sweet potato chips and more!).


PLEASE NOTE:

I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.  There is no extra cost to you when buying via my links. I have researched these products, use them myself and believe them to be of value. 

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August 18, 2014

The Dirty Dozen and The Clean Fifteen

One of the things I really enjoy about attending book group is that our conversations bounce from one topic to another and we all think it's completely normal and understandable, even if the connections might seem odd from the outside. So it came as no surprise to me that the topic of organic potatoes came up while we were discussing The Night Circus! The conversation also signaled to me that it could be helpful to remind people where to get more information about buying "conventional" vs. organic food.

Organic food has been getting a lot of press lately - good and bad - and there are some misconceptions out there. It can be daunting trying to figure out where to put our grocery dollars, especially for those of us who have budgetary considerations. As I mention above, I believe that local, organic food benefits not only our bodies, but also our communities and our earth. Having a veggie garden, supporting farmers' markets, and purchasing shares in a CSA are some examples of ways to promote local and organic eating.  

There are also many items I buy regularly that are not organic. How do I choose? One place to start is to consider how much pesticide residue is retained by various types of produce. To learn more, see the Environmental Working Group's 2014 guide: http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/list.php You can sign up to get a PDF version of "The Dirty Dozen" and "The Clean Fifteen" lists that can help you make more informed decisions about where to put your food dollars when shopping for produce. (You might have already noticed this link above when I posted it earlier this year.)

Another tip is to ask local growers at your farmer's market if their produce is organic. Some local growers do practice organic growing methods but haven't gone through the official certification process so they can't advertise it as organic.

Interested in learning more on this topic?  Send me an email with your suggestions for future blog topics: fromthegut.contact@gmail.com

Happy eating!