Throughout my career, it has always been a passion of mine to stay up to date on the latest health products and groceries made with quality ingredients.  For over a decade, my clients have looked to me for “Ashley Approved” store bought food products that can be easily prepared and that do not contain excessive sugar and other inflammatory ingredients. Now, with constant changes in the food industry and diet trends, the average consumer is more confused than ever about what to buy.  I am always working behind the scenes, assessing the quality and taste of food products that claim to be healthy.  As I continue to test these foods, I will only showcase the items that I approve of; those which deserve a spot in your grocery cart. My detective work will be displayed on this website, along with some other tips, tricks, and budget-friendly hacks that cater to a busy lifestyle.  I invite you to join me on this journey of filling your pantry with higher quality foods, and with supporting not mass production, but smaller food companies who truly care about your food quality.

1. I AM A HOLISTIC REALIST

Although I will always advocate for whole foods that are minimally processed, the reality is that most of us cannot keep up with a consistent diet of holistic, traditional foods. Currently, households are busier than ever, and the amount of time dedicated to meal prep continues to decrease. I understand how the endless demands of our current lifestyle consistently interfere with the amount of cooking time that we have. Because they save time, fast-food and home delivery meal kits are gaining popularity. However, keeping the right foods stocked in your pantry and fridge can also save you loads of time and money, and these foods provide you with better nutrition than many of these alternatives.  It is easier now than ever to save time grocery shopping by ordering from local grocery stores, or by getting foods delivered from online stores. There are packaged foods that can still support your health—it’s just a matter of making the better choice.

2. I RESPECT DIFFERENT DIETS

I provide an umbrella of categories that fall under a variety of areas, such as gluten-free, keto, nut-free, vegan, dairy-free, egg-free, paleo, and so on.  Rather than promoting products from a specific company, I give you a completely unbiased database of approved items. No matter where you are or what food intolerance you have, my number one goal is to help you find the healthiest products that best support your health and dietary needs.

3. I FIND SMARTER FOOD SWAPS

There are numerous companies currently producing high quality food, and there are also many who are not, and who probably never will. Certain processed and prepackaged foods are much better than others; it is just a matter of knowing what those options are.  There is no shame in using these convenience foods when you need them. No matter what stage you are at with your food selections, there is tremendous value in knowing where your money is best spent—even if it is a “best of the worst” junk food scenario.

4. TASTE AND TEXTURE MATTER

We are all guilty of having allowed persuasive marketing tactics and convincing food labels to sway us into purchasing a food item. How many times have you opened a pretty package and been severely disappointed by the taste? I am very picky about texture and taste, and I believe that my standards are quite high. If something is highly nutritious but does not deliver in the flavour or texture department, I will either not list it, or I will be very honest about it in the details on the product page. I do my absolute best to portray the most transparent description of the food, giving you both pros and cons, so you can decide if it is an item worth trying.