To quickly and easily prepare something healthy, it's convenient to have a standard assortment of nuts, seeds, herbs, and spices at home. This way, you can make something at any random moment, for example in combination with fresh vegetables and fruits. These versatile ingredients often have a longer shelf life, especially if you store them in a dark place and in well-sealed (canning) jars. If you ensure that you always have a base at home for a smoothie bowl, a spread, or another healthy recipe , you make it a: easy for yourself and b: your body can generate energy well for you!

NUTS

My favorites: almonds, cashews, walnuts, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, and pecans. Choose unroasted nuts, as they are the healthiest because they still contain all the fatty acids and amino acids. During roasting or toasting nuts, these are partially lost.

SEEDS AND PIPS

Flaxseed (whole), hemp seeds, chia seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, pine nuts, pumpkin seeds. All seeds and pips are rich in nutrients, but each type has its unique profile. For example, flaxseed stands out for its amount of omega-3 fatty acids, hemp seeds are high in protein, and chia seeds consist of 40% fiber. Sesame seeds are good for hormonal balance, sunflower seeds contain a lot of vitamin E, pine nuts lower cholesterol, and pumpkin seeds are packed with magnesium. Therefore, alternate between the different types so you can get all the good nutrients.
Preferably buy flaxseed whole: the broken version has already oxidized due to exposure to oxygen, which significantly reduces its efficacy or even makes it negligible. The active compounds of flaxseed, chia seeds, and sesame seeds are better absorbed in the body when they are broken open or ground. The high-speed blender does this in a few seconds when you press the pulse button.

I personally use seeds and pips in all varieties, but my big favorite remains flaxseed! It is an ingredient that is cheap to buy, and I use it for various purposes. I even make flaxseed milk from it in the blender, super healthy!

Flaxseed is high in fiber and supports good bowel movements. Additionally, flaxseed has binding properties. For example, a tablespoon of (broken) flaxseed can replace an egg. I also regularly bake flaxseed crackers; they are a good low-carbohydrate alternative. These are available ready-made, but can also be easily made at home. Due to the cohesive texture, adding water is sufficient.