My Favorite Things

I have been challenged recently by several clients who wanted to know what my favorite health food snacks and extras are. There are so many things out there dubbed “paleo,” “low-carb,” “AIP,” that it can be difficult muddling through the options to find things that are good quality and actually taste good.

Now, let me begin this list by saying that I am a bit of a lazy shopper. I am not about to go to multiple stores to get a few items at each. I am all about convenience and ease, and I have found that most of my clients feel the same way. I do a majority of my in-person shopping at either Costco or the local grocery store, depending on my needs for the week. I plan my week in a way that I rarely go to both in the same week. I do a lot of my extended shopping on Amazon and have found it to be the easiest, cheapest, and most convenient way to get the products that I need without having to also go to a health food shop and pray they have what I need.

Below are my 11 favorite food products that you can order online and have delivered to your door in two days via amazon prime. There are also 3 bonus products that I use regularly around the house and the kitchen.

Vital Protein Collagen Peptides.

I love this product so much for a vanity reason because I have actually seen it make a difference in my hair, skin, and nails. While it does claim to help with cellulite, I have mostly seen its affects with my hair and nail growth. I have also noticed clearer skin since beginning it. The best part about this product is that it is pure collagen peptides from high quality, grass-fed beef. There is no other products or filler in here so there is no concern for gluten, soy, eggs, corn, or even carbs. It is all protein, baby! It contains 18 grams of protein per serving and 0 grams of carbs! It is flavorless so it goes great in smoothies, but as an FYI it isn’t great on its own in water. One container will last you a month if you are using it daily.

Nick’s Sticks.

100% grass-fed beef or turkey jerky with no gluten in it… sign me up! These are delicious and make a great mid-afternoon snack. I like to snack on one of these before I head home for the day to help prevent mindless snacking while I am making dinner. Nothing worse than sitting down to eat and not even being hungry because you snacked too much. The fat and protein will help buy you a few hours if you eat it around 3:00 pm and plan for dinner around 6:00 pm.

Organic Bison Cranberries Bars

Similar to the Nick’s Sticks, these are also grass-fed and very delicious. The cranberries give it a surprising zing and some extra flavor. These come in a variety of flavors to keep it more interesting including chicken sriracha and apple with bacon.

NUCU Organic Coconut Wraps.

This product is only made from coconuts – coconut meat, coconut water, and coconut oil. Great for people on the paleo and autoimmune paleo diet and are in serious need of a tortilla. It is also a great low-carb tortilla wrap for those trying to cut their sugar. These are gluten/grain/soy/egg-free and go great with some chicken and slaw!

Organic Coconut Milk.

This is something that I bought just to try because it was so cheap, and now I keep my pantry stocked with it. It helps increase the flavor and desirability of certain soups and curries, and is super easy to work with.

Flavor God’s Seasonings.

If you like a lot of flavor, then get this! Great for taco and burrito bowls, burgers, chicken, seafood, veggies and the works. These are some of the cleanest ingredients I have seen in a seasoning, plus it tastes delicious!

Endangered Species Dark Chocolate.

Dark chocolate is my jam and it broke my heart that I had to quit while recovering from Autoimmune issues. Thankfully, I have found a few brands that do not cause me any issues. I particularly like this brand simply because it gives a portion of its proceeds to endangered species. I’m all about that!

Justin’s Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups.

Back to my sweet tooth. These are delicious if you aren’t totally into dark chocolate, yet. They are sweet and savory while also being totally upfront with the ingredients in their products. Can’t get any better than that!

Organic Date Lady Dates.

This is a decent snack to help with the afternoon slump, particularly for those following a paleo/autoimmune paleo diet. While they are a little high on the sugar/carb side, they are totally natural and taste great. These also go a long way in paleo dessert recipes, if you’re into that type of thing.

Kirkland Cold-Pressed, Organic Coconut Oil.

This one is another shout out for my love of Costco and their high-quality Kirkland brand products. Fun Fact: Costco is one of the highest distributors of organic products and beat the pants off Whole Foods in terms of quantity and price! So much love for Costco! When it comes to coconut oil, you want to choose cold-pressed and organic versions to ensure you are getting the best quality. Coconut oil has a high heat tolerance and works great on the stove top, much like butter. It also works great as a skin and lip lotion or a makeup remover.

Traditional Medicinals Organic Tea.

Organic tea that comes in a K cup, how much easier can life get? I love dandelion root as a coffee alternative, but it definitely is a more subjective taste. I have some clients who adore it and others who cannot stand it. This is great for those on the autoimmune paleo diet who need something resembling coffee that is, in fact, not coffee or caffeinated. I more enjoy these teas at the end of the day to help wind me down without wine or chocolate.

Dr. Bronner’s Fair Trade Castile Soap.

There are so many household tweaks that can help make your cleaning products better for your health. Now, I try really hard not to drive myself crazy with the loads of healthy household products that you can purchase, but this is one that I actually love. It has helped a lot with dry skin during the winter and smells fantastic. Plus it has ingredients that actually make sense! Keep in mind, this does need to be diluted. I keep a cup in my shower and fill it with water to rinse off. The big bottle lasts a while!

Epsom Salt.

As a kid, I never thought I would like Epsom salt baths as much as I do. They are incredibly relaxing and can help with detoxification. A paleo lifestyle is all about decreasing stress in order to heal the mind and body and this is one of my favorite ways to do that.

There you have it. I feel like Oprah telling you what my favorite (health) things are. Give them a try and let me know if you enjoy them as much as I do!