Agave - Find at EarthFare in the baking aisle with the sweeteners. There are a few varieties, amber, light, raw light and raw amber. OM cookingrecommends the raw versions, as any time you can choose whole food, raw products, the better. The amber variety has a more distinctive flavor that might be desireable. www.madhavahoney.com is a place to get it direct in larger quantities.

Almonds, Raw – Find at EarthFare in the bulk section. There are regular and organic choices. Here’s a tip for eating organic. The price difference here is pretty large. Nuts are completely impervious until the shell is cracked. Therefore, pesticides are not a problem for nuts. The trade off is the fact that the nutrient content could be lower because of chemical fertilizers used, however, nut trees tend to be old growth, and tree roots go deep into the earth in search of nutrients, so the need for fertilizer is lessened. Therefore, because of the great price difference, OM cooking recommends the non-organic. They also tend to be fresher, because more people buy the cheaper conventional nuts. If you can't get enough almond snack wraps, you can find even cheaper raw almonds at CostCo, but in 3 lb. bags. Stock up!

Apple Cider Vinegar - Bragg's brand Find at EarthFare in the vinegar and oil aisle. Bragg's is the original! www.Bragg.com

Brazil Nuts - Find the best ones in the bulk section at EarthFare. They don't sell non-organic ones!

Brown Rice – Found in just about any store, but the secret is to find FRESH rice. Brown rice can go rancid if left to sit around forever. That brand at the Piggly Wiggly on the bottom shelf that no one has bought in months is not the best choice! OM cooking recommends EarthFare.

Celtic Sea Salt - Find at EarthFare in the bulk section.

Coconut Oil - Find at EarthFare in the oils aisle. There are a number of choices. Spectrum naturals makes a refined and unrefined product. The refined is best for cooking and sauteeing, as it has it's distinctive coconut smell removed, and is more stable at high temperatures. Jungle Products makes a fine extra virgin product for raw preparations and skin and hair care.

Dates, Deglet Noor – Find at EarthFare in the packaged bulk section. Preferred over the Medjool dates because they are pitted. Avoid dates sold in conventional supermarkets as they generally contain additives and/or sugar. Read the label!!

Edemame – Find at EarthFare and most other grocery stores in the frozen vegetable section. Available in pods, and shelled. For eating whole the pods are preferred, but to add to a dish, buy the shelled, they are easier to add to a stew or salad. Also available at Asian Markets like “First Asian” and “Saigon Market” in North Charleston.

English Cucumber – Found in any grocery store these days. Look for the long ones wrapped in plastic! Can’t miss ‘em. The plastic wrap means they don’t have to be peeled. No wax.

Honey, Raw – Find at EarthFare in the baking isle with the sweetners. Be sure the label says RAW. Really Raw Honey, or Wee Bee are two good brands. If you end up LOVING the raw honey, and want a bigger jar, order from www.reallyrawhoney.com

Halloumi Cheese - The cheese that grills! This cheese is amazing becuase you can saute and grill it, and it doesn't just melt. It actually browns! Find at EarthFare in the specialty department, usually next to the other Mediterranean cheeses like feta and goat.

Jicama - Some say it tastes like a cross between a potato and an apple.... you'll find it in the produce section, often near the other "roots" such as turnips and rutabegas.

Millet – Find in EarthFare in the bulk section. Can also be found in conventional stores in boxes with the convenience rice mixes. Millet can go bad after a few months, so fresh millet is important, so EarthFare bulk is our pick. Chef Ken keeps the millet at EarthFare fresh!

Miso – Only by miso at EarthFare in the ‘vegetarian’ cooler. Miso Master brand is the best because it is unpasteurized and they carry the “low sodium” light miso variety which is recommended for miso soup. Miso in Asian markets are pasteurized and are very high in sodium.

Nama Shoyu - NOT being carried by any Charleston stores at this time, but available from OM cooking: click  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Online:www.goldminenaturalfoods.com. Oshawa brand is the ONLY raw, unpasteurized soy available in North America.

Nutritional Yeast – Find at EarthFare in the bulk section. Also can be found in the baking isle in a convenient container. It’s pretty cheap, so it would just depend on what works best for you. Has a great shelf life, so don’t worry about spoilage.

Peanut Butter – Any OM cooking recipe that includes it is best made with FRESH ground roasted peanuts, and the only place to get it is EarthFare in the bulk section. Take the time to grind your own. It’s fun to watch it come out of the machine. PLUS you can buy exactly what you need if you like!

Quinoa - Find at EarthFare in the bulk section. Labled "Peruvian Quinoa", you can also find it boxed up in the aisle with packaged rice and barley. The bulk section goes through quinoa pretty fast, so you can be sure to get fresh grains. Just be sure to soak it before cooking!

Rice Vinegar – Find at EarthFare in the Asian section, not with the other vinegars! Most conventional groceries also have it in a specialty/ethnic section, also can be found in Asian Markets like “First Asian” and “Saigon Market” in North Charleston. Go for the Marukan GREEN label (unseasoned). It has no added sugar or salt.

Seitan – Find at EarthFare in the ‘vegetarian’ cooler. Also in the freezer section There are a few varieties. OM cooking recommends the “chicken style” by White Wave in a package similar to firm tofu. It is not as heavily seasoned as the other varieties.

Sriracha Hot Sauce - You can find this in most grocery stores these days either in the "hot sauce" section found in so many stores these days, or check the Asian section. A secret is that if you go to a specialty Asian market like the Saigon Market in North Charleston, you'll pay about half the price! (And have fun perusing the various "unique" ingredients found only in Asian markets. Try a bottled drink from the cooler.... Chef Ken's technique is to find the one with the least amount of English on the lable! Have fun!)

Tempeh – Find at EarthFare in the ‘vegetarian’ cooler. Occasional found in other grocery stores, but because of slow movement, avoid it there. Tempeh has a shorter shelf life. Look on the back of the package for black blemishes. Choose cakes with few or no blemishes.

Tofu, Firm – Find at EarthFare in the ‘vegetarian’ cooler, and most other grocery stores such as BiLo, Publix, and Harris Teeter in the refrigerated salad section. Firm tofu is packed in water, in white tubs with a plastic film top. Sometimes found in the produce section if there is an “organic” section.

Tofu, Silken – Find at EarthFare in the Asian section. Does not need to be refrigerated. Packaged in septic containers

TVP (Textured Vegetable Protein) – Find at EarthFare in the bulk section. Be sure to get the fine variety, not the “chunks”. Can also be found in the baking isle (Red Mill brand) alongside the cornmeals, flours, etc.

Umeboshi – Vinegar and paste. Find at EarthFare in the Asian section. Avoid the whole plums as they must be ground up to be used and are more expensive. The best source is through www.GoldmineNaturalFoods.comonline. They have the best brand.

Veganaise (vegan mayo)- Find it in the "vegetarian cooler" at EarthFare with the non-dairy cheeses. It needs to stay refrigerated!

Vegetable Stock – Pacific Brand, found at EarthFare and also BiLo and Publix. Found with prepared soups/stocks, or in the ‘natural food’ section of the conventional stores if they have one. Kitchen Basics is another brand that is acceptable, not a close second, but if Pacific is unavailable a good substitute.

These statements are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Please consult your physician before starting any diet or exercise program