Let me preface this post with the fact that I LOVE fresh food {as if that is not obvious}.
I really would prefer it, hands down, to any prepared or frozen foods for so many reasons- for the taste, experience, ambiance, and better nutrition in some cases.
But, let’s be real.
Sometimes, that is not always practical.
Even for me. The healthy food blog writer.
But, being busy doesn’t have to mean that you need to rely on fast food, delivery pizzas or frozen meals with millions of ingredients and preservatives. Yes, even if they are low calorie and brag about how healthy and “lean” they are on the front.
People. There is a better way.
Even if you are short on time.
You all know by now that I think the listed ingredients are the most important thing to look at, especially on packaged food. Can you recognize all of them? Does it sound like something you could make yourself if you tried? Is the list relatively short?
If you can’t pronounce or recognize the ingredients, how do you think your body does?
How do you think you’ll start to feel if those foods are staples more often than you’d like to admit?
Exactly.
Not worth it.
With those guidelines in mind, here are my picks for better food, fast. Not the other way around.
Sarah’s Top Freezer Food Picks:
1. Ezekiel Sprouted Corn Tortillas:

Why: Sprouted forms of all grains are easier to digest and not inflammatory like many other grains/grain products are. Corn is naturally gluten-free and a good change-up for people who can eat wheat, but probably over-consume it anyways. Please, please get your corn and corn products always organic to avoid GMO’s.
What you can make: gourmet quesadillas (see my recipe here), healthy taco night, enchiladas or homemade corn chips.
2. Ezekiel Sprouted Grain Bread:

Why: Same as above, nutritionally speaking. Ezekiel sprouted grain bread has sprouted legumes as sprouted grains, giving it a nice dense texture and nutrient dense profile. Tip: it’s much better toasted than not. Find in the freezer section of the grocery store, and keep it in yours until you’re ready to use it.
What you can make: Grilled panini’s and sandwiches, toast with eggs, or a PB+ banana+ or AB+ raw honey for sweet toast.
3. Frozen Vegetables:
Why: Just as nutritious as fresh because the veggies are often frozen right after they are picked.
What you can make: You can boil, roast, steam or saute any frozen veggies with garlic, olive oil, sea salt and pepper for a easy dish, or do a stir fry (with or without meat) and cover with tomato sauce. I love roasted green -beans you can’t even tell they were frozen after they are cooked and caramelized on the hot pan.
4. Applegate Farms Organic Italian Chicken & Turkey Sausage, Roasted Red Pepper Chicken Sausage, Chicken-Apple Sausage, Organic Turkey Burgers & Wellshire Apple-Chicken Patties:


Why: All organic, clean meat in a convenient pre-cooked packaged. Delicious flavors and nothing weird in the ingredients (nitrates, preservatives, etc).
What you can make: These are perfect for slicing and sauteing plain, adding to soups, quinoa/ whole grain dishes, omelettes, or in stir fry’s. The turkey burgers would be great on their own or with some Ezekiel toast, avocado, tomato, lettuce and mustard or other clean condiments.
5. Blake’s Sheppard’s Pie:

Why: A great, healthy 1 pot (ah hem, 1 box) comfort food meal. It’s like a pot pie without the flour and wheat component. The ingredients are all real, pronouncable and good foods without weird oils, thickeners or additives. The ingredients listed contain: mashed potatoes, organic ground beef and veggies.
What you can make: Dinner or lunch on the go.
6. Organic Bistro: Wild Salmon & Rosemary, Orange & Cranberry Brown Rice Pilaf or Asian Style Coconut Lemongrass Organic Chicken with Brown Rice:


Why: Another healthy 1 box meal. The salmon is wild, the chicken is organic, and the rice is brown, without processed sauces.
What you can make: Dinner or lunch on the go.
7. Nature’s Highlights Brown Rice Pizza Crust:

Why: With 2 ingredients and free of gluten and wheat, this is a great alternative to a regular pizza crust. It has a great, crunchy thin texture so you can have your pizza without feeling weighed down.
What to do with it: Homemade pizzas or appetizer flat breads. Add veggies, meat and whatever good cheese you like, or keep it simple.
8. Essential Baking Co Pizza Dough:

Why: With only 3 old world ingredients, this is the right way to do a pizza night. See ya Dominos. Perfect for kids!
What to do with it: Homemade pizzas, flat breads or calzones.
Sarah’s Top Pantry Food Picks:
1. Clean tomato Sauce: Trader Giatto’s Puttenesca or Arribiata Sauce; Montebello Tomato Basil Sauce:
Why: No added sugars, preservatives or weird oils.
What you can make: Add over a stir fry, over chicken & fish, spaghetti squash or with sprouted grain pasta.
2. Amy’s Soups:

Why: This is the only canned soup that I have seen without a lot of.. ah hem.. crap. Stick to the ones without tofu for the healthiest choices.
What you can make: By itself, or part of a soup + sandwich or soup +salad combo for lunch or dinner.
3. Kitchens of India: Black Gram Lentils Curry or Mashed Vegetable Curry:
Why: Very few ingredients, and all relatively clean for a packaged food (minus the sunflower oil).
What you can make: Heat and serve over greens for a warm salad, over roasted veggies or brown rice or by itself for lunch or dinner on the go.
4. Salsa: Muir Glen, Amy’s or fresh pico de gallo:

Why: Clean ingredients with a little flavor kick to keep things fresh.
What you can make: Salsa is a perfect accompaniment to Mexican nights, or an easy topping for fish or chicken.
5. Quinoa or Brown Rice: (ideally pre-sprouted like the True Roots brand):

Why: These are both true whole grains, both gluten and wheat free, warming and filling. If you can find the pre-sprouted kind, the cooking time is less, and nutrients are more. If not, you should try to sprout yourself before consuming, ideally.
What you can make: Pair with red or black beans and Cajun spices, sausages, a stir fry, with grated parm cheese and veggies mixed in, or with coconut oil, cinnamon, apples/pears/raisins and walnuts for a delicious morning bowl of goodness.
6. Canned, troll caught wild tuna:

Why: No refrigeration required but adds some great substance to your meals.
What you can make: mixed with olive oil + Dijon on slice of Ezekiel bread, mixed with curry powder, red grapes and celery for a tuna deli salad, or on green salads (french style) with green beans, olives, capers and tomatoes.
All foods found at Whole Foods, PCC and Trader Joes, which are great places for busy people to find good stuff without spending hours trying to find a cleaner brand. Just my 2 cents.