Shopping Paleo


My family has been doing Paleo long enough now to notice a pattern of what we like and regularly cook and eat. I decided to write a master list of all the foods (ingredients) that we use, to have for reference when I write my shopping lists. I recommend you do this too, because it will help you stay organized and intentional about your food and cooking. It doesn't have to be boring or predictable. Keep at least a couple days' stock of proteins, veggies, and healthy fats in your home, and you'll have everything you need for Paleo success!

A tip for writing a productive shopping list is to plan out your meals for the week, at least loosely (for example, "beef with Brussels sprouts" or "a white fish with spinach"). You can narrow down the flavors or specific recipe later. And before you go out to hunt and gather your food, check your freezer, refrigerator and pantry so you don't over-buy and end up throwing away spoiled food. That is so not cool!

These are the foods my family regularly cooks and eats, organized into categories of Proteins, Vegetables, Fruits, Nuts and Seeds, Fats and Oils, Spices and Fresh Herbs, and Treats. I'm probably forgetting some things; this is not an all-inclusive list. But you get the idea. You are welcome to use this list as a starting point for your own. Happy Shopping "Structured Foraging!"  :)

PALEO SHOPPING LIST

Proteins
grassfed beef - ground
ground bison
ground turkey breast
stew meat - grassfed beef or buffalo
lamb leg steaks
pastured or organic fed free range chicken thighs, whole roasting chickens
Alaskan true cod - frozen
Alaskan salmon - frozen, "fresh" or canned*
cage free eggs/Omega 3 eggs (for the Hubs and Baby V)

Special occasions:
bacon - uncured pork or beef (Yes, "beef bacon." Trader Joe's has it and it is delicious.)
chicken sausages like Al Fresco's Sweet Apple, free of gluten, nitrates, nitrites and MSG

*Alaska canned salmon is a great way to get this fish into your diet while keeping your costs low! especially with this website as an almost endless recipe resource: Alaska Seafood

Vegetables - In season, fresh, organic and local when possible; frozen in winter
avocadoes
broccoli
Brussels sprouts
zucchini, yellow squash
spaghetti squash
butternut/acorn/delicata squash
baby spinach
spring mix
kale

onions - especially red or sweet
green onions/spring onions
leeks
cabbage
beets
sweet (orange) potatoes also known as yams
carrots
celery
asparagus
mushrooms - especially fresh Baby Bella or dried Shiitake

Fruits
fresh/frozen:
bananas
apples
pears
Champagne mangoes

dried:
DATES
currants
organic raisins, cranberries
figs
prunes

Nuts and Seeds (Treats when we have extra $)
walnut halves or pieces
raw pumpkin and sunflower seeds
macadamias
sunflower seed butter

Fats and Oils
for cooking:
Extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, and grapeseed oil

for drizzling over salads and veggies:
walnut oil

for EVERYTHING ;-) :
Coconut milk, canned with no preservatives or thickeners. For cooking, baking, tea/coffee creamer, making ice cream, and so much more...

Spices and Fresh Herbs
Lots of them! Food tastes best with flavor :)

Some of our favorites are:
dry:
sea salt
fresh ground pepper
turmeric
chipotle chili powder
oregano
thyme
sage
marjoram

cinnamon
ginger - fresh root and ground powder
nutmeg

best fresh but also available dried:
cilantro
basil

[Treats]
almond milk for Hubs' lattes - organic unsweetened vanilla from Trader Joe's or unsweetened vanilla from Blue Diamond Almond Breeze
full fat coconut milk with no preservatives or thickeners
shredded dried organic coconut flakes or chips
local, fresh pressed apple cider
raw, local honey
organic Grade A or B maple syrup
cocoa powder for baking, smoothies