POSTPARTUM PANTRY

GHEE

We will go through a lot of ghee, especially in the first few weeks postpartum.  Ghee, which is clarified butter, is generally tolerated by people who cannot consume dairy or butter. We can purchase ghee through the online sources I use, but not always my favorite brands. It is best to purchase ghee in advance.

My favorite is from Ancient Organics, made from grass-fed cows; you can buy in bulk or in large containers on their website. Whole Foods does sometimes carry this ghee now.

At the super high-end range of the spectrum, there is Maha Ghee from Gir cow milk (A2 protein) from India.  It’s lovely and can sometimes be a better option for people with extreme dairy sensitivities, however I generally prefer the Ancient Organic ghee for flavor.

COCONUT MILK:

Native Forest's unsweetened simple Coconut Milk is my favorite brand.  It is available from Thrive Market. Whole Foods also usually carries it, but Fresh Direct/Food Kick does not, so I recommend buying at least 6 cans in advance if you like coconut milk based dishes.

SPICES

I like to have a lot of spices on hand, as cooking with spices is super helpful for digestion postpartum.  Please let me know which of these you have on hand (so we don't need to order them) and if there are any spices you generally dislike.  If you prefer to use organic spices only (which I do recommend), it is best to stock up in advance as the online groceries stores I use may not have organic available.

cumin - whole seed

coriander (whole pod and powder)

cardamom (whole pod and powder)

fennel - whole seed

fenugreek - whole seed and powder

bay leaf 

turmeric

cayenne

cinnamon 

nutmeg 

cloves 

curry 

garam masala 

cayenne 

vanilla 

Pink Himalayan salt, Celtic salt or high quality sea salt

black pepper

Some of my favorite sources for bulk organic spices are Banyan Botanicals, Burlap & Barrel, Mountain Rose Herbs & Frontier Coop.

Burlap & Barrel especially has super high quality spices and this company is doing great work to support farmers worldwide.

Two Ayurvedic spices I particularly like for postpartum are Pippali & Hingvastak, both available from Banyan Botanicals.  The small spice jar size is plenty as both are strong herbs. Banyan is also a great source for sesame oil for abhyanga (oil massage, which is great postpartum).  They also sell great fennel, coriander, cumin and some other spices.  

BROTH:

Pasture-raised organic chicken, beef, pork, mushroom ~ make your own in advance and freeze or purchase.  

If I am making a chicken soup or a chicken dish I will make a broth.  However if you are interested in beef or lamb stews, because of their long cooking time these dishes require us to have some broth on hand.  Some of these companies are available through online sources, but having some purchased in advance guarantees best quality.

BRODO (FROZEN)

BONAFIDE PROVISIONS (FROZEN)

KETTLE & FIRE BONE BROTH (BOXES)

SPECIALTY OILS: 

The toasted pumpkin seed oil, hemp oil and chili oil from Ulli’s Oil Mill are divine for drizzling. They are grown and made locally and are all stamp pressed.

OTHER DRIED GOODS

There is no need to stock up on these items, unless you prefer to purchase some of your favorites from this list in bulk or from your favorite sources. 

GRAINS

Some wonderful resources for dried organic and heirloom grains and legumes include Banyan Botanicals, Village Harvest, Hive Market, Maine Grains and Rancho Gordo. Also may of the local butchers in NYC stock specialty and heirloom grains and legumes. Lentils and split peas are favored in early postpartum because they are easiest to digest.

white basmati rice

quinoa

barley

amaranth

millet

gluten-free oats

wild rice from

LENTILS:

red lentils

split mung beans (it is helpful to purchase these in advance.  Whole Foods usually only has the whole bean and it is difficult to find organic split mung locally).

yellow split peas

french lentils

ADDITIONAL OILS & FATS

grass fed/pasture raised butter

coconut oil

olive oil

sesame oil 

chicken fat, lard, tallow (Sources include local butchers, Epic Provisions, Fatworks, Heritage Foods, Thrive Market or the AIP Store)

SWEETENERS:

raw honey

maple syrup

blackstrap molasses

dried dates

DRIED FRUITS (USED IN STEWS OR SOAKED AS A SNACK):

prunes, apricots, black mission figs, blueberries, cherries,, dates

goji berries & chinese red dates (jujubes)

look for unsulphured dried fruit 

SEEDS & NUTS:

Some interesting sources for super high quality nuts and seeds, and nut butters are:

PURE FOOD FOR BETTER HEALTH (SPROUTED, RAW & ORGANIC ALMONDS & WALNUTS)

HERON FOX FARM (UNPASTURIZED/RAW)

ULLI’S OIL MILL (SEED PROTEIN POWDERS)

seeds

pumpkin

sunflower

hemp

chia

pinenuts

black and white sesame

nuts

walnuts

brazil nuts

almonds

macadamia nuts

nut butters

almond

tahini

walnut

sunflower

MISC:

miso pastes

apple cider vinegar

low sodium tamari or soy sauce

liquid Amino Acids

a bottle of red wine for red wine based meat stews

nutritional yeast