My Kitchen Essentials
I’ll be using this page to keep a list of the products and food that I use in my day-to-day cooking activities. Check back often as this page will be updated frequently!
Kitchen Tools and Products
- Vitamix Blender
I am a huge fan of my Vitamix and consider this blender absolutely essential to my kitchen. Expensive, but worth it!
Vitamix 1363 CIA Professional Series, Platinum - Vitamix Dry Grain Blade Add On
Very important add-on for the blender that allows you to make those hard-to-find flours. I use mine regularly for gluten free/grain free flours!
Vitamix Eastman Tritan Copolyester 32-Ounce Container with Dry Blade, Lid, and Recipe Book - Dutch Oven
I have Martha Stewart brand which I have used almost daily for approx. 10 years.
Martha Stewart Enameled Cast Iron 6 qt. Round Casserole - Lime/Lemon Squeezer
You just get so much more juice with one of these and I like a lot of lime and lemon!
Amco Enameled Aluminum Lemon Squeezer - Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls (various sizes)
Light Weight Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls – Set of 4
You’ll also want to have these standard kitchen essentials
- Colander
- Fine Mesh Strainer
- Potato Peeler
- Kettle
- Stock Pot
- Salad Spinner
- Measuring Cups and Spoons (Keep these out at eye level if possible)
- Prep Bowls are fun if you have the room to store them
- One Non-Stick Pan (used only for my regular kale omelette, I use stainless steel pans/pots for all other food!
Food Stock
Trying to figure out what to buy and stock your kitchen with each week can be overwhelming.
If you’re (1) new to healthy, clean eating, (2) trying to lower or maintain body weight (3) looking for help creating an allergen friendly kitchen (4) interested in a Paleo friendly diet (items not paleo friendly marked with *)
This is your list!
Below is a look inside my cupboards, fridge, freezer and on my counter.
This gives you a quick glimpse into my diet…simple whole foods-loads of veggies, fresh fruit, dairy free, soy free, grain free (rice being the exception), beans, legumes, lean meats, natural nitrate free bacon (my weekend love affair) and seafood.
Pantry Items
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Organic Seasoning Salt Herbamare 8.80 Ounces
- Sea Salt
- Fresh Cracked Black Pepper
- Cacao
- Raw Almonds and/or Almond Meal
- Raw Cashews
- Large array of Spices (favorites include: Oregano, Basil, Margaram, Paprika, Dill, Cayenne, Chili powder, coriander, Cumin, Turmeric, Cinnamon)
- Hemp Protein Powder*
- Dried Red Lentils*
- Brown Rice*
- Dried Split Peas*
- Canned Chickpeas, Beans (Pinto, Black, Kidney etc)*
- Canned Tomatoes
- Raw Honey
- 100% Coconut Milk – 8.5 oz packages (6-pack)
(AROY-D has no additives or perservatives) - Shredded Unsweeted Coconut and/or Coconut Flour
- Natural Banana Chips
- Seeds and Nuts of choice
Fridge Items
- Coconut Milk (Calcium Enriched!)
- Eggs
- Loads of Greens (Favorites include: Kale, Spinach, Salad greens)
- Loads of Fresh Fruit (Favorites include: Strawberries, Blueberries, Oranges, Apples, Kiwi)
- Tahini
- Real Maple Syrup
- Better Than Bouillon Organic Beef Base, Reduced Sodium – 16 oz
- Better Than Bouillon Organic Chicken Base, Reduced Sodium – 16 oz
(Love this brand!) - Coconut Secret Raw Organic Vegan Coconut Aminos 8 Fl Oz
(Optional! A savory soy, msg and gluten free alternative to soy sauce) - Fresh Ginger
- Tabasco Sauce
- Fruit Spread (Try for Refined Sugar free, sweetened with fruit juice)
- Nut Butter of choice (Almond is my go to!) Avoid Peanut Butter for Paleo friendly*
- Lemons
- Limes
- Carrots
- Fresh cilantro or fresh herbs or choice (we make lots of homemade guacamole)
- Jalapeños
- Whatever meat or fish looks good that week! I always like Chicken, fresh Fish, Nitrate Free Bacon, Shrimp
On my counter:
- Tomatoes
- Garlic
- Sweet Potatoes or other Root Veggies
- Salt Pig (with Sea Salt)
BlissHome Nigella Lawson’s Living Kitchen Small Salt Pig, Black - Bananas
- Avocados
Please note: Many of the links on my site are affiliate links. Should you decide to purchase anything, I will receive a small commission. Please let me know if you purchase anything so that I can personally thank you for supporting Simply Whole Foods!
Simply Whole Foods 
8 thoughts on “My Kitchen Essentials”
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Kerrie
Awesome holl! Just what I need to get started! I’m going to try hard to get all this! Dairy free, soy free and gluten free. I’m already gluten free but I think it would be great to try dairy/soy free as well. I too have digestive issues just starting to figure them out!
Simply Hollie
Hi Kerrie! I’m so happy that you came across my site. The above list will get you started on a path towards dairy, soy, gluten free…if you have any specific questions regarding brands or recipes etc. don’t hesitate to shoot me a quick email. I know first hand how overwhelming the process can be when trying to figure out food intolerance. I would highly recommend starting with an Elimination Diet to weed out sensitivities…I found my soy/dairy intolerance by following a strict 3 week Elimination Diet. I would also include grains as unfortunately, they can wreak havoc in some peoples bodies (mine included!) It took me a long, long time to connect that grains in general were causing me issues. My body just can’t handle them!
Let me know if you want specific instructions on following an Elimination diet and I’ll send you an email directly. I’m so happy that my site can be a starting point for your journey to a healthier (digestive issue) free Kerrie! xoxo
Kerrie
Thanks Hollie! I appreciate the help! Your blog is amazing and I’ve been enjoying trying out the recipes myself. So far I have realized that gluten and soy don’t work for me. I’m okay with dairy! I really would love to buy a vitamix blender. Which one would you recommend? There are a few options!
Simply Hollie
Hi Kerrie, I have the 5200 model. I’ve used it daily for the last 5 years. It’s a workhorse! So happy you like the blog – it means a lot to me that you are supporting me and trying the recipes 🙂 Costco has it the cheapest. You’ll want the dry blade attachment as well if you want to make gluten free flours http://www.costco.com/Vitamix-5200-Super-Package.product.11609068.html
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Larissa
Wooo! Good news is, i have the majority of these things at all times. Bad news is, I end up throwing a lot of fresh food items away. I’ve been looking into freezing and canning. Do you do these things? And if so, any tips, advice, what to can/freeze and what to not? Thank you, your site is lovely!
Simply Hollie
Hi Larissa,
Yes it can be a challenge especially when you fist start eating a whole foods diet. I freeze a fair bit. You can freeze things like canned pumpkin puree, any unused smoothies (you can add back to new smoothies as you would ice) or any small amounts into ice trays and then place into a large freezer safe bag when frozen. You can also freeze any homemade broth you make by chilling (once it’s semi-solid its easy to scoop into portion sizes to freeze). I also freeze any left overs and send those for lunches. Anytime I have veggies going bad I make a big batch of soup or stock! hope that helps 🙂