Lifestyle: 10 Plant Based and Chemical Free Food Items in my Kitchen

1. Daiya Cheddar Style Cheese Slices:  Daiya cheese is dairy-free, gluten free, soy free (as well as free from many other common allergens). The company supports the environment, practices sustainability, and also makes eco-friendly and sustainable packaging . They are also amember of the new Plant Based Food Association (PBFA),a new trade association representing the nation’s leading plant-based food companies. For more information on Daiya products see here: https://daiyafoods.com/ 

2. Hilary's Apple Maple Veggie Sausage: Made from lentils, apples, dates, and millet;  this plant-based sausage has a savory taste with a hint of sweetness. It is organic,vegan and gluten free. All of Hilary's products never have additives or artificial ingredients. They are also free from top 12 food common allergens. For more information on Hilary's products see here: https://hilaryseatwell.com/pages/free-from

3. Planet Oat Oatmilk: Oatmilk seems to be the new hot commodity for many non- dairy drinkers, and also has the least harmful impact on the earth in comparison to soy and almond milk. As a coffee drinker who visits cafes; there has been many times that I have witnessed customers leave a specific shop because there wasn't any oat-milk present. Because of how delicious it is, I am almost that loyal. Planet Oat Oatmilk is Free from Gluten, Dairy, Soy and Peanuts. This brand is my favorite because it is creamy, not too sugary, and mixes well with my coffee. For more info see here: https://planetoat.com/

4/5. Trader Joe's Organic Tri-colored Quinoa: Trader Joe's is one of my favorite supermarkets. I love that I can get a variety of healthy options (which might cost me more at another store), on a budget. Two items that I never leave Trader Joes without is their Organic Tri-colored Quinoa and their Brown Rice Fuselli (variety of corkscrew shaped pasta listed below in #5). I prefer whole grains such (Quinoa and Brown rice), instead of white rice and white pasta, because they are healthier for you and help aid in digestion. For more information on “Whole Grains”, check out this article from Cooking Light magazine https://www.cookinglight.com/nutrition-101/essential-whole-grain-foods-you-need-your-diet For information on Trader Joes and cool recipes see   https://www.traderjoes.com/  
6. Teddie Peanut Butter: “Oh, How I Love Peanut Butter”. Especially Teddie's. Made in my own hometown (Massachusetts), without sugar or additives; all of Teddie's Peanut Butter products are made with only two ingredients,  Peanuts and Salt. My favorite Peanut Butter is their "Chunky". I put this on crackers or multigrain bread with strawberry or apricot jam. For more information on Teddie products see here: https://teddie.com/

7. Annie's Goddess Dressing: There's Falafel (my favorite food/fried chickpea patty), and then there's Tahini which is a tasty dressing which you can put on top of Falafel. Annie's Goddess Dressing is a Vegan and Non-GMO (Non Genetically Modified Organism), Tahini and Lemon dressing,  made with chives and parsley. I put this dressing on my homeade "Sabbich" (an Iraqi-Jewish street food made with an hard boiled egg, fried eggplant, and pickled veggies in a pita pocket), and also on my salads. The bottle label is also very pretty, with an image of a Goddess surrounded by beautiful flowers and plants and carrying earth in here hands. For more info on this product see here:  https://www.annies.com/product/goddess-dressing/

8. Alkaline Water: "Essentia Water is supercharged ionized alkaline water that has a pH of 9.5 or higher with a clean, smooth taste". Alkaline water is any water that has a PH (a scale used in chemistry to specify how acidic or how alkaline a water based solution is), of 7 or higher. Some people drink Alkaline water to help balance out acidity in their body and bring it to a more alkaline state. I have tried other brands of alkaline water,  but like the crisp and fresh taste of the Essentia brand. For more info on this product see here : https://essentiawater.com/

9. Chex: Growing up my mom rarely brought sugary things in the house (other than dessert for after dinner). For cereal she would always buy Cheerios and cereals made from whole grains, instead of the sweetened cereals many of the other children I know had like Cocoa Puffs and Fruity Pebbles.  Among many of the whole grain cereals I've tried, Chex is one of my favorites. I like the texture (and now with oat milk), really enjoy the taste. All Chex products are made with simple ingredients and are free from artificial colors or flavors. Also, Eight out of Nine of their products are Gluten Free. For more information on Chex products see here:   https://www.chex.com/products/

10. Nature's Own Thick Sliced Multigrain: I Love , Love , Love Multigrain bread and for the past three years have not eaten any other kind. Natures Own has this Perfectly Crafted “ Brioche” style multigrain bread that is soft , thickly sliced and taste so “ gourmet” like. I would highly recommend it.  All of Natures Own products have no artificial preservatives, colors or flavors , no high fructose corn syrup and is low fat . For more information on their products see here: https://www.naturesownbread.com/perfectly-crafted