Healthy On-the-Go Grocery Guide:

Dear Margaret,

I hope you are still having a great time on your honeymoon...and you better be tan:) I can't wait to see pics.. I leave tomorrow for Paris so I will definitely share pics/discoveries/vintage finds/etc. when I get back... I'm so excited!

Anyhow..when I was in NYC last week for market, my friend Erin requested I write a blog post recommending a healthy grocery guide for her (a city girl on-the-go), bc she never has time to prepare a meal at home but still wants to be healthy without all the labor.  As we both know, New York is full of temptation on every corner, making it hard to stay on track (I seem to always gain a few pounds no matter how long my visit:).. so its helpful to always be prepared. She uses "Fresh Direct" grocery delivery service, so I went on their website and chose my recommended list of goods that are easy to prepare at home and/or pack with you for the day. I always advise choosing local, what's in season, and organic when possible... especially with dairy and produce. This "grab-and-go" list is a general guideline that applies to anyone anywhere who wants to look and feel good while in a time crunch:)

Enjoy!
xoxo,
Kara

Erin's Grocery List

Fruit:
-Honeycrisp apples (in season now and so delicious, pair well with peanut butter)
-Bananas (great in yogurt)
-Fresh cut fruit like pineapple, mango, melons, etc
-Berries
-Grapes
-BluePrint green juice (any brand of fresh pressed juice is good to have on hand as a great way to get more fruits and veggies)

Veggies:
-Raw bagged veggies like: mini sweet mixed bell peppers, broccoli and cauliflower florets, cherry tomatoes, baby carrots, sugar snap peas, etc. (can throw in any salad, eat them plain or dip in hummus)
-Packaged lettuces 
-Microwave-ready packs for dinner like: asparagus, edamame with sea salt, or brussels sprouts in herb butter
-"Little Dippers" with hummus (pre-cut celery and carrots)

Meat:
-can get a pack of lean grass-fed ground beef or turkey and make easy burger patties or meatballs with chopped onion/garlic/egg/salt and pepper to eat/pack with you all week.. they freeze well too.

Deli:
-Deli Cheese: get your favorite sliced cheese for sandwiches.. I love Muenster. Also organic string cheeses are handy to take with you.
-Deli Meat: all natural, antibiotic and nitrate free turkey, ham, or roast beef for sandwiches, wraps, or just snacking.

Cheese:
-Get a couple of your favorite cheeses for snacking, salads, sandwiches etc. They add calcium and protein to your diet. My favorites are: manchego, goat, feta, and parmesan. You can even just cut off a hunk and take to work with you for a snack with an apple or grapes, etc.

Dairy:
-Wholly Guacamole 100 calorie packs (spread on wraps or dip with veggies)
-Fage 2% Greek Yogurt (add fruit and/or healthy cereal or granola for any meal/snack.. perfect way to get protein)
-Cottage Cheese 2% (Friendship is a good brand with minimal ingredients. You can add chopped fruit, organic jelly, or cherry tomatoes and avocado.. all great options.)
-Free Range Eggs (hard boil them at the beginning of the week and take them with you)
-Whipped cream cheese (on Ezekiel cinnamon raisin toast in the morning.. so good)
-Organic half and half for your morning coffee
-Earth Balance Vegan Butter spread (for toast and cooking)

Grocery:
-Bottled waters or get a Brita filter
-Blue Diamond Almond milk (vanilla or original-can drink on own or use with cereal, etc. I love it)
-La Croix sparkling waters (love coconut and grapefruit.. good to pack with lunch)
-Organic coffee (can get instant if you prefer, Mount Hagen makes one)
-Food For Life Ezekiel sprouted grain breads, tortillas, English muffins, etc (keep in freezer).. My favorite is their gluten free Millet Bread
-Triscuits ("cracked black pepper and olive oil" and "dill" are my faves but "original" is good too)
-Kashi Go Lean cereal (has tons of fiber and protein.. will keep you full)
-Tate's Bake Shop gluten-free cookies (only 80 calories and very good)
-Ghiradelli Dark Chocolate Squares with Sea Salt (amazing.. I always have in my purse for my sweet tooth fix)
-Pirate's Booty snack packs (gluten-free)
-Glenny's Soy Crisps (love BBQ and Ranch.. 9 grams protein)
-Lundberg Spicy Black Bean Rice Crisps (gluten-free)
-Salsa of choice
-A good olive oil and vinegar for salads/cooking
-All Natural Peanut Butter or Almond Butter ("Peanut Butter & Co" good brand.. "Justin's" makes snack packs)
-Organic jelly (for toast or in cottage cheese)
-Pure organic honey (for yogurt or sweetness in general)
-Brown Rice microwave packs for quick lunches/dinners (just add protein, veggies, and sauce)
-Amy's Lentil Vegetable Soup (add dollop Greek yogurt for more protein)
-Mixed Nuts (favorites: walnuts, cashews, almonds, pistachios)
-Oatmeal Packs without added sugar (add nuts/nut butter and fruit.. can get hot water almost anywhere you go, so good to take with you)

Frozen:
-Amy's Individual Margherita Pizza (so delicious, I add ham and bell pepper before baking)
-Amy's Tamale Dinner
-Amy's Light and Lean Lasagna
-Kashi 7 Grain Waffles
-Organic chicken breasts or tenders (good to have on hand to throw together a quick dinner.. just defrost and sauté with herbs and olive oil) 

"Heat and Eat Meals":
-Always look at the "heat and eat" meals and their ingredient lists.. a lot of times they are really good and cheaper than ordering in.. and much easier than buying all the ingredients to make the dish yourself!