LIFESTYLE
We allllll love a restock video, no shame over here. But most of the time the restocks are filled with sugary junk in plastic bottles that looks pretty but isn't something we actually want to eat or drink and processed meats and cheeses in cute shapes but processed....
So we're on a mission to have the best of both, because why the f not. So this is the healthy girl fridge restock - homemade almond milk, a stunning hibiscus drink, some energy balls that taste like dessert, sweet potato brownies, chia puddings and some meal prep ideas. Everything looks bougie, tastes incredible and is actually good for you.
Plus we've added the clean store-bought staples worth having on hand - fermented foods, good quality dairy, and drinks that aren't just sugar, water and E numbers. This is the kind of healthy fridge organisation that makes you feel good every time you open it.
Here's what to make and what to buy for healthy eating.
What to Make
Almond Milk
Shop-bought almond milk is mostly water with stabilisers and barely any almonds and tastes like absolute trash. Homemade almond milk actually tastes nice and only takes three minutes to make.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup raw unsalted almonds (soaked overnight or in hot water for 10 minutes)
- 4 cups of filtered water
- A pinch of sea salt
- Optional: 1 tsp vanilla extract or 1-2 dates for sweetness but you actually don't need these at all.
Method:
Drain and rinse the soaked almonds. Add to a blender with water, salt, and the optional vanilla/dates. Blend on high for 60-90 seconds until completely broken down. Strain the milk through a nut milk bag or fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth squeezing out as much liquid as possible.
Store in glass bottle in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. You need to give her a little shake before using as there some natural separation. Don't throw away the almond pulp - it can be used it in smoothies or dried out and used baking or energy balls.
Fresh Lemonade
There's nothing better than a fresh and zingy lemonade. Have it still over ice or add some sparkling water for a healthier take on a soda.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of fresh lemon juice (about 6-8 lemons)
- 4 cups of filtered water
- 1/4 cup of raw honey or maple syrup (adjust to your taste)
- A pinch of sea salt
Method:
Juice the lemons and remove the seeds, leaving the pulp behind is fine. Mix the lemon juice, water, honey, and salt in a large jug, stirring until the honey dissolves. Taste test and add sweetness if needed. You can store it in fridge for up to 7-10 days and it gets better after a day as the flavours develop.
Hibiscus Iced Tea
Forget iced tea in cans with synthetic flavours and sweeteners. This is bright pink, tart, refreshing and full of antioxidants. It looks expensive, especially if you decant it into small bottles and costs almost nothing.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup dried hibiscus flowers or 3-4 hibiscus tea bags
- 4 cups of boiling water
- 2-3 tbsp of raw honey or maple syrup
- Juice of 1 lime
Method:
Pour boiling water over the hibiscus flowers or tea bags. Steep them for 10-15 minutes (longer = stronger which is more tart). Strain out flowers or remove the tea bags. Stir in honey while tea is still warm so it dissolves and add the lime juice.
Let cool fully, then refrigerate either in one big bottle or jug or display it in a nice row of bright pink mini bottles. When you're ready to drink, serve over ice or drink straight from the bottle. The tea keeps for up to a week in the fridge and the colour will stay vibrant and beautiful the entire time.
Energy Balls (Date and Almond)
Energy balls seem like they have been around forever, but for some reason we still see people buying them instead of making them and that's wild. Bought ones are usually with good ingredients but they are way more expensive than making them yourself. Plus you can add the things that are important to you, more seeds and nuts, collagen powder, and switch up the flavours. Here's your basic base recipe.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of Medjool dates, pitted (so worth the extra time spent to find real ones)
- 1 cup of almonds
- 2 tbsp of almond butter
- 2 tbsp of cacao powder
- 1 tbsp of chia seeds
- A pinch of sea salt
- Optional: shredded coconut for rolling
Method:
Blend the almonds in food processor until finely ground (not quite a powder, some texture is good). Add in dates, almond butter, cacao, chia seeds and salt. Pulse until the mixture comes together and is sticky. If it's too dry, add a splash of water or more almond butter. Roll the mixture into balls (about 1 tablespoon each) and then roll in shredded coconut if you're using it. This recipe makes about 15-20 balls depending on the size of each ball.
They store in airtight container in fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Sweet Potato Brownies
These are fudgy, rich, chocolatey brownies made with sweet potato instead of flour. Naturally sweet, gluten-free, and shockingly good.
Ingredients:
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, (roasted and skin removed)
- 5 tbsp of cacao powder
- 100g honey or maple syrup
- 60g of flour
- 60ml of olive oil
- 2 eggs
- 100g of dark chocolate cut into chip sized pieces
Method:
Mix the sweet potato, cacao, honey, eggs, flour, olive oil in a bowl until smooth. Fold in 3/4 of the chocolate chips Pour into a baking tin lined with parchment and sprinkle on the remainder of the chocolate. Bake at 170C for 25-30 minutes until set but still slightly fudgy in the center.
Let them cool completely before cutting into squares. The store in fridge for up to a week.
Chia Pudding Recipe (3 Ways)
Chia pudding is the ultimate make-ahead breakfast or snack and 2 tbsp have 10g of fibre. Prep it the night before, grab it in the morning.
Base recipe:
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
- 200ml almond milk (or any milk)
- 1 tsp maple syrup or honey
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Mix everything in a jar, shake well, refrigerate overnight. Chia seeds absorb liquid and turn into pudding texture.
Chocolate: Add 1 tbsp cacao powder to base recipe. Top with banana and almond butter.
Berry: Base recipe as is. Top with fresh berries and a drizzle of honey.
Matcha: Add 1 tsp matcha powder to base recipe. Top with sliced kiwi and coconut flakes.
They keep for 3-4 days in fridge so you can make multiple jars at once for the week.
Quick Prep Items
Golden Milk Mix: Mix together: 1/4 cup turmeric powder, 2 tbsp ground ginger, 1 tbsp cinnamon, 1 tsp black pepper and a pinch of cardamom. Store it in a jar in the fridge. When you want golden milk add 1 tsp of the mix to warm milk and honey.
Cold Brew Concentrate: Add coarse ground coffee to cold water (1:4 ratio) and steep 12-24 hours in the fridge. Strain and add into a sealed bottle. You can mix the concentrate with water or milk when you want iced coffee. Lasts 2 weeks.
Overnight Oats: Add equal parts oats and milk to a jar. Add chia seeds, vanilla, and maple syrup, refrigerate overnight. Top with fruit and nuts in the morning, perfect for when you want a change from chia seed pudding.
Veggie Prep: Chop carrots, cucumber, celery, bell peppers. Store in containers with water to keep crisp. They are easy to grab throughout the week for snacks with hummus, tzatziki or moutabel.
What to Buy - The Clean Convenience Staples
We're not almond moms and not everything needs to be homemade. Some things are worth buying if you choose clean, quality options.
Poppi or Olipop:
These are super cute prebiotic sodas with gut health benefits and way less sugar than regular soft drinks. They taste good, they're fun, and they're not just sugar water in a fancy bottle.
We say they are worth buying because making fermented drinks at home that taste this good is difficult and time-consuming. These are convenient, genuinely better for you than regular soda, and satisfy the fizzy drink craving.
Greek Yogurt Pots (Single Serve):
Full-fat Greek yogurt in individual portions. High protein, probiotics, versatile for breakfast or snacks.
We say they are worth buying because portion control matters. A big tub of yogurt often leads to eating way more than you intended or it goes bad before you finish it. Individual pots keep portions reasonable and nothing gets wasted.
Individually Wrapped Cheese:
Small portions of good quality cheese - goat cheese, feta, mozzarella balls, aged cheddar in small blocks.
We say they are worth buying because let's be honest, opening a big block of cheese means eating the whole block. Individual portions help us stop that. Pair with olives, crackers, or apple slices for a quick snack.
Sauerkraut and Kimchi:
Both are different fermented cabbage loaded with probiotics for gut health.
We say they are worth buying because fermenting vegetables at home is a little time-consuming, requires specific conditions and you need to wait weeks for results. Good quality store-bought sauerkraut and kimchi give you all the benefits without the effort. Look for refrigerated versions (not shelf-stable) with minimal ingredients - just cabbage, salt, and spices.
Kombucha:
Kombucha is fermented tea with probiotics, slightly fizzy, various flavours.
We say its worth buying because brewing kombucha at home requires a SCOBY, weeks of fermentation,and trial and error to get the flavour and carbonation right. Just watch the videos of people's kombucha exploding and you'll see what we mean.
How to Organise Your Fridge
Because if you're anything like us you love the american style fridge organisation but have no idea where to start.
Top shelf: Drinks - almond milk, lemonade, hibiscus tea, kombucha, Poppi. Clear glass bottles and jars look best.
Middle shelves: Prepared snacks and meals - chia puddings, energy balls, brownies, overnight oats, hummus, cheese. Use clear containers so you can see what you have.
Bottom shelf/drawer: Fresh produce - chopped veggies, salad greens, fresh herbs. Keep them visible so you actually use them.
Door: Condiments, fermented foods (sauerkraut, kimchi), olives, smaller jars.
Keep everything in clear containers or jars. Label with the dates so you can easily see if something needs using up. When you open your fridge, you'll see colour, freshness and options that make you feel good. Who needs takeaway when you have a fridge like this. That's the healthy girl edition.