Farah helps high-achieving women and men lose weight and find their balance. Farah has helped hundreds of clients around the world through private coaching, online programs and her blog. Now let’s leave it to Farah:

Transitioning to a healthier lifestyle and eating real food can be confusing and overwhelming – so many choices and lots of conflicting information out there.

Having a well stocked pantry is like money in the bank. With basic supplies on hand, you’ll be prepared to put together a healthy meal. If you have good food, you will eat good food.

Today I’m sharing my top 10 staples to stock your pantry with as you make this amazing move towards a healthier happier you!

1. Raw Cacao:Raw cacao is minimally processed and the purest chocolate you can find. Cacao can be beneficial to cardiovascular health and brain health. It is also rich in zinc, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. In the raw, cacao is low in fat and sugar. It also allows me to make my favorite chocolatey desserts. No deprivation here! Another amazing use is as dry shampoo, crazy I know but if you are brunette you will love it!

2.  Lentils: I love keeping a variety of beans and legumes on hand. Lentils are my favorite! They are packed with protein, fiber, copper, phosphorus and manganese. Additionally, they are a good source of iron, protein, vitamin B1, pantothenic acid, zinc, potassium and vitamin B6. I really love that they cook so fast and make a hearty meal!

3. Raw honey: I have a sweet tooth and all natural sweeteners like raw honey are my go to! Not all honey is created equally. Quality if super important, raw honey is packed with vitamins, nutrients and enzymes. I use it daily to sweeten my coffee and in my cereal and desserts.

4. Quality oils: Cold pressed, unrefined and organic. Some of the healthy fats include extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, unrefined sesame oil, ghee (clarified butter), and butter (grass-fed, unsalted). I use olive oil for salads, coconut oil in daily coffee and ghee or butter for high temperature cooking.

5. Herbal teas: Especially licoricetea, which is naturally sweet, are great for providing a touch of sweetness alongside delicious flavor. My favorite brand is Yogi Tea. Having these teas on hand helps me reduce my coffee consumption, especially that afternoon coffee, these teas did the trick!

6. Spices: I have a variety of spices and enjoy using them in my cooking and meals. Two favorites: 1. Cinnamon naturally helps balance blood sugar levels and adds a familiar taste of comfort. 2. Turmeric provides amazing anti- inflammatory properties.

7. Canned tomato: Having these on hand means that I can make a meal in no time! I can make tomato sauce, stew or soup. When choosing, I go for organic, BPA free and purchase the one with no sugar added.

8. Rolled oats: These complex carbs are heart healthy and packed with fiber and nutrients. I love how versatile rolled oats are… I can make them whole for breakfast, grind them into flour or toast them in granola.

9. Nutritional yeast: I love adding this to many dishes. It has a cheesy flavor and is often used to emulate cheese in vegan dishes, thicken sauces and dressings, and acts as an additional boost in nutrients because it’s filled with B vitamins.

10. Raw apple cider vinegar: A fermented vinegar that has been around for years with so many amazing uses. I use it in salad dressing, to make bone broth, or I add it to soaked gains/legumes to make them more digestible. Also known for it’s medicinal properties when topically used, as well as an all purpose cleaner!