You can tell a lot about a person when you see what they have on their kitchen counter. On a daily basis on mine, you will find essential oils, ferments, herbs/spices, and teas. Okay, other stuff too, things just keep appearing; I’m sure you know what I mean!
Here is a recent photo of my counter.
I am often asked, ‘Renee, what is all this stuff?’ My reply is easy; these are the things I use on a daily basis.
I have embarked on a complete lifestyle journey because I have realized what limited information is readily available on the food we put in our bodies. A personal mission to learn and live by what it means to be healthy for myself and family.
We live in a world of misinformation and half-truths when it comes to transparency about health. I use the following foods, oils, and spices to aid in protecting the health of my family and self on a daily basis, or as often as I can.
The truth is, if I had more space for storage I would prefer to put all the stuff away. 🙂
How to Eat/Stay Healthy, My Way
Consuming the right combination of nutrients is essential to getting and staying healthy. Even if you are on a budget, you can find savings by finding local farmers markets and health food stores compared to major chain grocery stores.
Also keep away from as many pesticides as you can by purchasing organic, or from farmers who are conscious about the products they use on their crops.
Many of your health-related concerns can be healed simply by following the rules that your doctor repeats to you time and again.
- Did you eat your vegetables?
- Make sure not to eat before bed?
- Drink plenty of water?
- Stay away from most sugar?
- Exercise a little bit per day, perhaps?
Above and beyond those general good-health decisions, below are the things I do to maintain my family’s health.
Ferments / Cultured Foods
Ask anyone in my family and they will let you know that there are always jars on the counter. Not only do we consume fermented foods and beverages but I teach many classes where attendees enjoy sampling them. In this picture, I am fermenting ketchup, pimii cream, sauerkraut, salsa, and pickles. Not shown above there are 7 gallons of different flavors of kombucha brewing. Yes indeed at every family function a fermented food is around. Why is this so important? These superfoods help support our digestive system, break down our food, make nutrients more available for our body to absorb, boost our immune system and so much more. Heal yourself from the inside out. What is your favorite ferment?
A Variety of Tea, Kombucha included
On my counter, you will find a variety of black, green and herbal teas. These are used for making kombucha.
It is important to use organic teas when brewing kombucha. Conventional tea contains high quantity of fluoride which will kill your scoby. If you want to know how to make kombucha or even buy your own brew @ home Kombucha kit (with included instructions).
Essential Oils
(In the picture) The first thing you see on the left is my essential oils. These are used to support all areas of health and wellness for myself and family. We diffuse our oils, apply topically, make room sprays with them, use for skin care, cleaning and so much more. They are so important that they go where I go – in my purse, on vacation you name it they are with me. Not all essential oils are created equal so I only use Young Living. It is important to realize whatever we put on our body or inhale it should support our health. If you are using a product that says harmful if consumed and then apply it to your skin, you are ingesting it. Our skin is our largest organ. When you are ready to journey into essential oils let me know so I can help you get started. Love my oils.
Herbs / Spices
Mother nature supplies us with many healing plants. Not only are you adding flavor to the meals you cook, you are benefiting your health. Here are some you might want to stock in your kitchen.
- Cayenne Pepper – Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
- Cinnamon – Controls blood sugar in people who have diabetes. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
- Clove – Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Have a toothache? Chew on a few cloves to release the oil for a numbing effect and kills off bacteria
- Coriander – Digestive aid. Calms intestinal spasms
- Garlic – Antibacterial and antifungal. Helps with the common cold, yeast infections and some sinus infections.
- Ginger – Digestive aid, helps with nausea and combat inflammation.
- Mustard – Breaks up congestion. May inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
- Nutmeg – Benefit the heart. Anti-bacterial properties
- Sage – Memory Booster. Anti-inflammatory / antioxidant properties. Anti-cancer actions.
- Turmeric – Digestive aid. Potentially powerful cancer fighter
These herbs have many other beneficial properties. This is only a short list of spices, there are so many more to explore.
What is on your counter?
Post the essential things you use daily in your life, found out on the table at home in the comments below!