Do you rotate between using coconut milk and unsweetened almond milk or is one healthier than another?
Both are good alternatives. They vary in the amounts of different nutrients they contain, so it is not a bad idea to alternate between the two. Mostly it comes down to personal preference in the taste.
I saw PB Fit Powder at Costco. Do you recommend it? Anything wrong with it? It sounds like a yummy way to add a little flavored protein to lots of things.
https://www.amazon.com/PBfit-All-Natural-Powdered-Roasted-Pressed/dp/B01KKEECLS
PB Fit powder is organic and non-gmo. It does have a small amount of sugar, but it is not much.
How does Kerry Gold, pasture butter compare to Ghee?
Kerry Gold is good because it is made of milk from free range cows. Ghee is clarified butter. That means the milk solids have been removed, so it has less lactose, which makes it a better alternative for someone who is lactose intolerant. Again, it mostly comes down to personal taste preference. Ghee will tend to have more of a roasted, almost nutty flavor. It will also not be quite as creamy as butter. You can use it the same as you use butter.
Hemp seeds, chia seeds, and flaxseeds. Do you use all 3 of them and just rotate them in baked goods, smoothies, etc.?
Yes. It is good to rotate them because they each have different nutrient values. Once again, it may come down to personal preference in the taste and texture of one over the others, but they are all beneficial.
Do you recommend using organic pure maple syrup or is pure maple syrup ok?
Yes. Pure maple syrup is okay.
What do you think of Agave used in baking? I usually rotate between honey, agave, and syrup.
It comes down to the taste and texture you want with the finished product. Each of them will make it taste a little different.
Do you recommend organic dates or are plain dates ok?
Organic is always better, but conventional is okay too. Just be mindful that dried fruit is high in sugar, so you want to eat it in moderation.
Is it important to buy organic chicken broth or is normal ok?
Buy organic. It is now widely available, which is nice.
Organic spaghetti sauce, ketchup, diced tomatoes since tomatoes are on the dirty dozen list?
Yes, try to buy those products organic if possible.
Since grapes are on the dirty dozen list, buy organic raisins?
Yes. That is preferable. Again, keep in mind that they are high in sugar. So, eat in moderation.
Is there a general rule of thumb you follow to decide which food items to buy organic or not? I am wondering if I can cut back a little and buy only the items that are on the EWGs Dirty Dozen list, except for all organic dairy products like you recommend. For example, I used to buy organic carrots, zucchini, green beans, peppers, oats, broccoli, romaine, Brussel sprouts etc. Thinking of not doing that anymore to cut costs. Recommendations?
It is a great idea to try and buy the dirty dozen in organic and buy the others as conventional.
I am out of honey. Any suggestions of where to buy local honey?
Farmer’s markets are great places to get local honey. The Bekemeier’s brand at Dierbergs is made in Missouri.
What about raw nuts? Ok not to be organic?
Yes. It is okay.
Black beans, cannellini beans, etc. organic or not?
Try to buy organic. They are also widely available in cans.
You still recommend sunflower butter or almond butter over peanut butter, correct?
Yes. They are healthier alternatives, but peanut butter is still a better alternative to something like Nutella.
How bad is Nutella? For example, my kids like apples dipped in Nutella for dessert.
It is not great. It is high in sugar, calories, and fat. In fact, sugar is the number one ingredient.
If my kids want chips, what kinds do you recommend?
Kettle Chips brand or the Veggie chips that come in the canister like Pringles. They have a few different flavor varieties.
Besides butter, what other ideas do you have for flavoring Organic air popped popcorn?
Stick with organic butter and Himalayan salt, but you could use coconut oil, if you like the flavor.