The Veggie Pantry: Nuts and Seeds

Today seems like a great day to continue with our Veggie Pantry series!  I’ve really been enjoying opening up my little pantry to you, and showing you what I like to keep on hand as staples in my kitchen.

If you missed either of the previous posts, here you go:

• The Veggie Pantry: Grains
• The Veggie Pantry Beans and Legumes

Today I wanted to show you what I like to keep around in terms of nuts and seeds.  Nuts and seeds are a very important part of a vegan or plant-based diet.  They’re important sources of protein, and healthy fats, like monounsaturated fats, polyunsaturated fats, and omega-3 and -6 fatty acids.  Basically, this means that they’re nature’s beauty products.  Start eating a few servings of nuts and seeds everyday, and you’ll be well on your way to gorgeous skin, hair and nails!  They’re also great for your heart, because they help lower LDL cholesterol.

Here’s what I keep on hand at all times:

• Raw Almonds- almond butter, almond milk, bars, salads, sauces, smoothies, stir-fry.  Recipes-  Blueberry Almond Smoothie, Raw Superfood Breakfast Cereal, Cranberry Kale Salad.

• Raw Walnuts- bars, salads, nut pates.

• Raw Cashews- bars, butter, cream sauces, salads, stir-fry.  Recipe- Easy Vegan Cashew Cheeze Sauce, Raw Caramel Bites.

• Raw Sunflower Seeds- bars, butter, salads, pates.  Recipe- Springtime Strawberry Salad.

• Raw Pumpkin Seeds- bars, salads, pates.  Recipes- PB&J Bites, Raw Caramel Bites.

• Sesame Seeds (also tahini)- bars, hummus, grain bowls, salads.  Recipes- Chili Hummus, Roasted Red Pepper Hummus, Sesame Ginger Green Beans.

• Ground Flax Seeds- baked goods as flax eggs, bars, oats, smoothies.  Recipes- Agave Cornbread, Apple Cinnamon Oats, Strawberry Pear Ginger Smoothie.

• Chia Seeds- bars, French toast, puddings, smoothies.  Recipes- Chia French Toast, Peach Chia Pudding, Health Vegan Blackberry Milkshake.

• Hemp Seeds- bars, grain bowls, salads, sauces.  Recipes- Grapefruit Collard Wraps, Quinoa Veggie Salad.

All of these nuts and seeds have their very own tastes, functions and nutrients.  I use them all for completely different reasons and they all bring their own individual personalities to the table.  Make sure to include a variety of nuts and seeds as a part of your balanced diet.

I typically buy nuts and seeds from the bulk bins at my favorite grocery store.  The exceptions are chia and hemp seeds, which I buy packaged at the health foods store or online, as they aren’t available in the bulk section where I shop.

What are your favorite nuts and seeds?

Happy shopping!

<3 Lindsay