Our true nobleness is who we choose to be. My nobility is in the choice – to take action! I created Princess Know it All to inspire women that nobility is in personal ownership and choice. This book is meant for those who want to take charge of their future and become their greatest selves.

The hardest part with making a change is knowing where to start, so, I thought to take a look through my own kitchen, breaking down just wathcha’ need to make the changes and whatever you gotta do to help you change you!

Life is about taking action, each day one day at a time – doing something to support ourselves; I call it getting in the game and staying on my own team. We gotta step up and support our families, our bodies and our dreams starting in the kitchen. I’ve made a big old list of what’s in my kitchen and the recipes that I’ve mentioned.

EQUIPMENT

I don’t have a ton of crazy kitchen gadgets and the ones I do have aren’t too pricy:

Rice Maker –Target has a great selection ranging from $19.99 and up. I use one of the cheapest ones – I have had it for 5 years and use it a few times a week and it is still going strong! Get one with a steam tray so that you can steam veggies while cooking your brown rice, millet or quinoa.

The Wand – (A hand-held mixer/blender) Ever since I got this baby I don’t ever need my blender or old school mixer. The wand is super inexpensive and saves time. Put it right into the pan and blend your favorite soups! Again, the wand is sold at any home store from Target to Tuesday Mornings!

Mini Food Processor – In the past food processors intimidated me, but now I use mine all the time because it saves so much time! Again, I use one of the least expensive food processors and I’ve had it for years. You can use it to chop up anything – from carrots to garlic. I use mine to make fish rubs, sauces and soup bases. Target has a bangin’ selection or check out your local home goods store!

Vita Mix – I just bought this machine and I’ll admit that it is pretty pricey (around $400.00). You can find it online or sometimes at Costco. I use it instead of a juicer – plop in your kale, carrots, beets etc. and make a juice without the messy clean up. The Vita Mix grinds the skins up too, giving me all the nutrition that veggies and fruits pack!

Food Mill – The food mill is traditionally used for baby food but this piece of equipment helps big time if you are healing an ailing digestive system. I used this in the early stages to grind my grains and beans.

3 Small Stainless Steel Mesh Strainers – I use these for my beans and grains.

1 Stainless Steel Colander

POTS & PANS

First of all, get rid of all of your non-stick pans! They leak chemicals and there is no such thing as a “green” or healthy “non-stick pan.” We’re going old school shorty! Buy some cast iron pots and pans. They last for 100 years, add iron to our food and taste great because they hold the flavors! Plus, they can be used on the stovetop or in the oven! I also love the enamel cast iron. They are pricey but they are beautiful, hold heat and cook up some food! The best place to find cheap enamel cast iron pans is in Marshalls or TJ Max.

● 2 cast iron skillets
● 2 Dutch Boy oven enamel cast iron pots
● 2 large oval Dutch Boy enamel cast iron pots
● 1 large stainless steel steamer and wok – I LOVE this and bought it for 39 bucks at Costco!
● 1 medium stainless steel steamer and saucepan

UTENSILS

NO PLASTIC OR SILICONE! Once again, we don’t want to use anything that can melt into our food. So bye, bye, old stuff and return to our old school plan: wooden or stainless steel utensils. Wooden utensils are cheap and don’t leak chemicals! I don’t recommend putting them in the dishwasher all the time, but once in a while it’s a good idea to get ‘em really clean.

CUTTING BOARDS

NO PLASTIC OR SILICONE! I use bamboo wooden boards but they do cost a bit more than plastic. I keep my fish and meat board separate from my veggie cutting board. I only have 2 boards and I put them in the dishwasher once in a while for a good cleaning. Setting them out in the sun for a few hours does wonders too!

STORAGE CONTAINERS

NO PLASTIC! Here I go again with the “rid yo’self of plastic…” If you are trying to cook healthy, clean food, then you sure don’t want to place your hard work in a chemical seeping container made of plastic. No sir! I bought myself a set of Pyrex glassware with tops included. There are some BPA free plastic containers available, a good idea for packing lunches. Toting glass to school at three years old is not a good idea!

WHAT’S IN MY SPICE DRAWER?

Turmeric – Cuts inflammation in our bodies. Add it to foods cooked with ginger, curry and basil.

Curry powder – A must and goes great with anything made with coconut milk!

Coriander – This adds a bangin’ spash of flavor. If you love cilantro then this is a must.

Sea Salt – I order from Natural Imports because they have the highest quality of sea salt. However, Trader Joes or your local market fo’sho carries a good Sea Salt too.

Black Pepper – I couldn’t use black pepper for a long time because it stimulates the bowel and can cause friction. However, now I add a dash for flavor!

Cinnamon – I love to add this to my apple Kuzu drinks or cinnamon tea to keep intestinal bacteria at bay! Add a stick to a pot of water or sprinkle on your oatmeal!

WHAT’S IN MY PANTRY?

Two of my shelves are packed with clear glass jars filled with grains, legumes/beans. If I can see them, I cook them and I know what I need to buy.

My pantry is stocked with:
● Black Beans
● Adzuki Beans
● Millet
● Quinoa – Red & White
● White Corn Grits
● Oats
● Brown Rice
● Tahini Sesame Nut Butter– (organic in a glass jar)
● Almond Butter
● Almonds, Pecans, Dried Fruits –( unsulfured and unsweetened)
● Avocados
● Potatoes
● Sweet Potatoes
● Onions
● Garlic
● Sea Veggies: Kombu, Wakame, Aarame, Dulse, Hijiki
● Dried Seaweed Nori Snacks
● Kuzu – (a thickner)
● Arrow Root – (a thickner)
● Dried Shitake Mushrooms
● Dried Daikon
● Dried Lotus Root
● Ghee – (clarified butter which heals ulcerations and dairy- free)
● Coconut Oil
● Olive Oil
● Sesame Oil
● Avocado oil
● Tamari
● Mirin – (rice wine for cooking) – (fructose syrup free)
● Organic Tamari and Organic Shoyu Sauces
● Ume Boshi Vinegar
● Rice Vinegar
● Ume Boshi Plums

Yes, I do eat some processed foods. What exactly are processed foods?
● Processed foods are foods that go through a process to get to you, they are created in a factory, and they are packaged and put in a box. When foods become complicated it is a process. Non- processed foods are foods in their simplest form. Our bodies are created to receive simple food.

Some processed foods in my pantry include:
● Organic Marinara Sauce –( this is for my quick fix kids meals)
● Organic Rice Pasta
● Rice Cakes
● Gluten Free Corn Cake Mix –(Bobs)
● Can of Chopped Organic Tomatoes
● Soba Buckwheat Noodles 100 % Buckwheat (no wheat)
● Granola
● Cereals – Granola w/Flax – (under 10 grams of sugar per serving), Brown Rice Cereal, Low Sugar/ Gluten Free Corn Flakes.
● Gluten Free Corn Bread
● Yellow Corn Masa
● Yellow Corn Meal
● Organic Gluten Free All Purpose Rice Crumbs – (yeast free)
● Organic Coconut Milk
● Organic Tortilla Chips
● Sea Snax –Toasted Seaweed Sheets
● Eden Brown Rice Chips – I love these!
● Eden Canned Beans –( for when I am in a jam, they are cooked with kombu and no BPA in the can liner- you must rinse well before cooking)
● Canned Tuna in Water ( seaweed in tuna salad is bangin’ )

WHAT’S IN MY FRIDGE?

I LOVE an un-crowded fridge. The only things on my shelves are leftovers, eggs, almond milk or rice milk and occasionally apple juice. My drawers are full of veggies ready to be cooked.

1st SHELF: Almond Milk, Apple Juice, Aloe Vera Juice

2nd SHELF: Leftovers (stored in glass containers),  Mochi, Corn Tortillas (homemade when I can get ‘em!), Yogurt, Coconut Water Kefir, Earth Balance Butter, Nut Cheese(made fresh from Whole Foods by a friend of mine)

3rd SHELF: Fresh Organic Eggs (from my friend’s farm), Whole Grain Organic Bread (for my girls)

IN THE FREEZER: Meats: ORGANIC GROUND LAMB & BEEF FROM HERONDALE FARMS IN NY- they ship to your door! Veggies: I buy frozen organic veggies – they are cheaper than fresh, last longer and I never have an excuse for not cooking veggies because I’ve got them on hand! Costco sells HUGE bags of them for $7 dollars and change!

● Frozen Organic Broccoli
● Frozen Organic Green beans
● Frozen Organic Corn
● Frozen Organic Peas