5 unique pantry staples

A well-stocked pantry is crucial for any healthy eating plan. To keep your palate excited and yourself safe from food boredom be sure to have different flavoring options. Truth is you don't need a ton of different products or hard to find ingredients. The pantry staples that I rely on the most are easily found in any health food store or online sites such as Amazon. Below are the products I always reach for to add instant flavor to any dish.

1. Ghee: Ghee is clarified butter, which results in pure healthy fat with all the milk proteins removed. This makes it a great option for anyone sensitive to or eliminating dairy from their diet. Butter (from a healthy source) has important minerals that support bone health and good fat to keep us satiated. This ghee is my favorite and tastes the best of any I've tried. It does come with a higher price tag but this product is grass-fed and a little goes a long way in cooking. I use this to coat vegetables before roasting, mixing into mashed sweet potatoes, and even blending with coffee in the morning. The brown butter is my favorite version with a slight nuttier taste. I urge you to give this healthy fat a try, it may even become a staple in your kitchen!

2. Primal Mayo: Now mayo was a condiment that I was never a fan of before cleaning up my diet. But once my palate started to change I realized there was still something missing from my meals. I mention the importance of some healthy fat with meals and this mayo was the perfect addition to my rotation. Primal mayo has only six ingredients and made from a clean oil source, not like the ones you would find lining the grocery store shelves. I even mix this with mustard, lemon juice, salt and vinegar for a healthy salad dressing. Or mix with another one of your favorite sauces such as pesto, for a creamier consistency. Most health food stores have started to carry this or find it here.

3. Himalayan Pink Sea Salt: Contrary to popular belief, salt is an important mineral for a healthy body. While it's true that table salt should be avoided, salt from the right source is a necessity for a clean pantry. Himalayan pink salt is extracted by hand to preserve all the beneficial trace minerals that aid in nutrient absorption and toxin elimination from our bodies. Aside from the wondrous health benefits, sea salt will enhance the flavors of any dish. Use during and after cooking to really make your food delicious. Sea salt helps the body absorb water faster so I'll add a pinch into my water bottle throughout the day. I've used this brand from Costco which is a great way to buy in bulk, and even Trader Joe's has a version.

4. Coconut Aminos: This is a product I discovered after adopting a paleo diet and have incorporated into my cooking ever since. It is a coconut-based alternative to soy sauce for those eliminating soy from their diet. It has a slightly sweeter taste but can be utilized in many ways. Aside from eating with sushi, you can add some in a soup base or any vegetable stir fry for added flavor. I like to include it into my homemade salad dressings to give it a sweeter taste without having to use sweetener. Grab it here and see what you can create with it!

5. Fish Sauce: I've saved the most unusual one for the last because it is a product I can't cook without nowadays. I received a free sample and was hesitant to try it because the name doesn't first sound appealing if you haven't used it before. But I slowly started to include it in asian style dishes and was a hooked immediately. It has a salty taste so a couple of drops are all that is needed for a flavor boost. A teaspoon added into ground meat before making burgers creates an amazing flavor combination. I've now started to drizzle over eggs, season vegetables, and mix with the sweeter base of coconut aminos for a delicious asian style sauce. This brand is popular and for good measure- it only has two ingredients but tastes unlike anything you have in your kitchen.