{"id":659781,"date":"2023-05-04T10:08:08","date_gmt":"2023-05-04T14:08:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hauteliving.com\/hautebeauty\/?p=659781&"},"modified":"2023-05-04T10:20:35","modified_gmt":"2023-05-04T14:20:35","slug":"step-inside-wellness-expert-mona-vands-kitchen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hauteliving.com\/hautebeauty\/659781\/step-inside-wellness-expert-mona-vands-kitchen\/","title":{"rendered":"Step Inside Wellness Expert Mona Vand\u2019s Kitchen: Clean Eating Tips And Daily Rituals"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Photo Credit: Courtesy of the brand<\/span><\/p>\n

When you open your Instagram and browse through your \"For You\" page, have you ever stopped to take notice of the types of content that are consuming your screen? Our eyes are often drawn to the colorful food content that is presented to us. Amidst the green summertime salads and smoothie combinations, there is a high chance you will come across Mona Vand<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 a Doctor of Pharmacy, wellness expert, clean living, a self-growth family woman who has captured the attention of social media users everywhere with her daily eating habits, recipe tutorials, and might we add, chic modern style.<\/p>\n

While we continue to be inspired by Vand\u2019s hearty, whole-food recipes that have us running to the grocery store constantly to replicate her exact masterpieces, we are thrilled to share that our fangirling has officially made it out of the chat \u2013 and by chat, we mean Instagram. We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Vand to talk about what\u2019s in her kitchen and let\u2019s just say our grocery list just got a lot more whole after this one.<\/p>\n

The Kitchen Staples<\/h3>\n

Jumping right into it, we had to ask what food items are the staples in her kitchen. And with no hesitation, the pro-health and wellness guru (as we like to call her) shared her list of essential items. [We instantly take out a pen and paper to take notes]. \u201cIt\u2019s so clear because there are always those staple items that I will make sure to have. Lemons and limes for sure,\u201d said Vand. Living in New York City comes with its struggles, but with a bit of research and the help of Google Maps, she found a little grocery store that would always deliver. \u201cWhen I\u2019d call him, he\u2019d say 20 lemons and limes. Yup, that\u2019s me! I\u2019d go through them in a week.\u201d<\/p>\n

Other items that you will always find in her kitchen are organic green olives and sauerkraut. Although we never thought of owning these items, we already know what will be in our fridges by the end of the day. Vand also keeps raw ginger to integrate into teas and blend into juice and smoothies and considers chia seeds, beets, seaweed, and organic berries to be essential items. She prefers to buy produce that is in season and sourced organically, and often orders boxes of fresh produce from local farms. And did we forget to mention that she lives across the street from Whole Foods? Coincidence or planned?<\/p>\n

The Transition: Plant-based to Clean Eating<\/h3>\n

Learning that Vand goes the extra mile for her groceries, asking if she grows any fresh herbs in her apartment wasn\u2019t far off. Though it was a no, we might have just inspired her. So, if you see a video hit Vand\u2019s feed, you can thank us.<\/p>\n

Speaking of plants, Vand used to live a plant-based diet, she now eats a more clean, simple, and natural diet. What led her to make this change? Let\u2019s dive into it.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was really gut health. Sometimes things come to you when they\u2019re meant to, and I didn\u2019t realize how much processed food I was eating. While a fully plant-based diet may work for some people, it depends on your blood type, body type, and other factors.\u201d\u00a0Our bodies function very differently, and what works for one person, doesn\u2019t always work for others, which is where the frustration can come about. \u201cI was trying so many things that weren\u2019t working, that I had to drop my ego and be open-minded. Give yourself grace. Just because you thought a certain way of eating was the only way doesn\u2019t mean it will work out. Half the battle was being ashamed, but once I let it go and embrace it, I found a new way of eating that I really enjoy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Our bodies go through different phases in life, and nothing has to be permanent. Have you ever tried intermittent fasting or the keto diet? All these trends are trial and error. \u201cIf you\u2019re eating clean and going back to whole foods, whether you\u2019re plant-based or vegetarian, you\u2019ll always be in a better position.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite having avoided dairy for a long time, Vand still enjoys ghee for its gut benefits. There are also plenty of vegan cheeses, just check the ingredients and make sure there are no preservatives, gums, fillers, or natural flavors, like Monty\u2019s NYC and Miyoko\u2019s Creamery's classic cream cheese.<\/p>\n

\"\"Photo Credit: Courtesy of the brand<\/span><\/p>\n

Grocery Store Check List<\/h3>\n

Speaking of groceries items, how does one efficiently approach grocery shopping? Because if you are anything like us, grocery shopping is not our cup of tea, and we just go for the usual items, which, actually, Mona said is quite normal. \u201cI am such a creature of habit. I find this quite common in people. We all end up eating the same thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

When the grocery store (aka Whole Foods) doors open, \u201cthe rule is to stay on the outer edges of the store. I go right to the produce section. I grab lemons, and limes, I also like a lot of greens (collard greens, mustard greens, kale), anything I am running low on. The staples mixed with my intuition. For animal protein, I order from different companies online: Grassland Beef and Wild Pastures, because they are humanely raised, antibiotic-free, and I like to know the source of where it is coming from.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

A post shared by Mona Vand (@monavand)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n