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How to stop herbs and spices clumping together
It can't just be me – I come to use a particular jar of dried herb, spice or seasoning, to find it completely stuck together and impossible to get out. It's so frustrating, and seems to be worse with onion and garlic powder, which always seem to cake soon after the containers are opened.
This happens when moisture and humidity get into the container causing it to clump together and form a rock. Whilst the moisture will reduce the flavour and strength of the herbs, a lot of them you can re-invigorate by removing the moisture. Far less wasteful than throwing unused herbs and spices away.
How to remove the moisture
The easiest way is in the oven. I heat my oven to about 125C (250F) and use a metal skewer to get break the clump (or in this case garlic powder) out of the container, onto a sheet of baking paper, on a baking tray.
After just a couple of minutes, the heat will have removed the moisture, and I remove the tray and allow it to cool. Once cooled, I transfer it back into the container using a funnel and it now dispenses freely!
To prevent it happening again
Make sure the containers you store your dried herbs,spices and seasonings in are completely air-tight and always shut the lid/ close the container properly. Storing somewhere cool and dark (or even in the freezer!) will also help prevent moisture coming into contact with the inside of the container.
Avoid the temptation to shake the container directly into a pot of steaming food – this will allow moisture in. Spoon what you need out of the container, away from the stove top.
You can also add some dried beans or rice to the container to absorb any moisture and prevent the mixture from clumping.
Storing the containers upside down will also help prevent air getting in, making them last longer.
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Where Do You Get Your Paleo Supplies From?
Whilst the main elements of a Paleo diet are fresh, local and seasonal – such as meat and vegetables, there are a few important ingredients and supplies that aren’t so easy to find. I used to get these items from health food shops, but I found they could be really expensive, there wasn't much choice – and they were heavy to carry home!
I now do the non-fresh part of my Paleo shopping almost all online. My favourite supplier is iherb, as I've found them to be the cheapest, they have a large range – and they deliver Worldwide (even to Australia!) quickly and cheaply.
Iherb have just reduced their delivery charge to Australia – it’s now only $10 on orders over $60. They also offer $10 off your first order over $40 – or $5 discount on smaller orders. Definitely the cheapest way to stock up on Coconut Oil and fill your Paleo pantry!
These are the items on my non-fresh Paleo shopping list
Coconut Oil
No Paleo kitchen is complete without Coconut Oil! I go straight for the largest containers as it doesn't last long. I really like this huge container of Nutiva Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. I also have a smaller jar of Artisana Organic Extra Virgin Raw Coconut Oil in my pantry.
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Coconut Aminos
I love Coconut Aminos and use it regularly, exactly as you might use Soy Sauce, for instance in sauces and to marinade meat.
Coconut Butter/ Manna
I first read about these products on US websites; but couldn't find them in Australian stores.
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Paleo Baking
I've just got a new Paleo recipe book “Paleo Indulgences”, with lots of recipes for occasional treats and special occasions. Quite a few of the ingredients I didn't have, so I have just ordered from iherb.
Coconut Crystals
I've just ordered these Coconut Crystals as a few of the recipes call for them.
Coconut Nectar
Similarly a few recipes call for Coconut Nectar, so I'm eagerly awaiting delivery of these too
Arrowroot Starch
Coconut Flour
Almond Flour
Shredded Coconut
Coconut Flakes
Flax Meal
Hazelnut Flour
Sunflower Seed Butter
Almond Butter
Yeast
Salt
I tend alternate between Celtic sea salt and pink Himalayan sea salt.
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Herbs and Spices
I also have to stock up on the herbs and spices that I use regularly in my cooking. I generally use a lot of turmeric, Parsley, Ginger, Nutmeg, garlic powder, curry powder, oregano, cumin, basil and cinnamon
Kelp Noodles
A recent addition to my cooking is kelp noodles as a great pasta alternative.
Supplements
Depending on time of the year and nutrition, there are a few supplements I sometimes take.
Vitamin D
Many of the Vitamin D3 capsules sold are in very small doses – instead of taking several, I prefer to take one capsule at a higher IU
Omega 3
Treats
After reading on so many American Paleo sites about Larabars, I've also tried some from iherb, for an occasional treat!
Toiletries
Other than food, I also order paraben-free shampoo online as many of the brands I find in shops locally have lots of undesirable ingredients.
Which non-fresh Paleo supplies do you regularly buy? Where do you source your Paleo supplies from? Are there any items you have trouble finding locally?
