​Tamarind paste can be used in curries, pad thai dishes or stir fries to enhance flavor. Tamarind has many properties that are advantageous for digestive issues and inflammation. 

Coconut Palm sugar is derived from the sap of palm trees and contains the minerals iron, zinc, potassium and calcium. Regular sugar does not contain these. Coconut palm sugar also has a lower glycemic index than regular sugar. This sugar still should be taken in small doses, and has the same amount of calories as regular sugar. 


Biona sells the 250g and 500g package of coconut palm sugar in a variety of health food shops. 

If you live in Ireland, Nua Naturals also sells coconut palm sugar (150g) packages for €3.75. I even found the coconut palm sugar in a centra in the health food section. 

​Coconut cream is a thicker version of coconut milk. It can be used in curries or soups. It doesn't require refrigeration for storage and is reasonably priced. I found this brand in particular at the Asian Market on Drury Street in Dublin.

I found that using coconut cream in curries makes a big difference in how creamy the curry sauce is. In the past, I would use flour to thicken the curry sauce, but there is no need when you use coconut cream. 

Nutrition Facts per 1 tsp/ 5ml:

• 5 Calories
• 90mg Sodium (4%)
• 1 g Carbohydrate
• 1 g Sugars

This 8 oz bottle was bought for €9 in Nourish, so it is quite pricy. I have found that it lasts me anywhere from 6-8 months. The coconut aminos are also available in a larger 16.9oz bottle. They are carried in specialty health food shops, and can be ordered online through amazon. 

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​These liquid aminos can be used as a replacement for soy sauce or tamari. Although it is derived from soy beans, this also mixture contains vegetable protein.  They can also be used in salad dressings and stir fries. This is gluten free and low in sodium and preservative free. 

This spray bottle is useful for spraying on seasoning when making salads, stir fries and sauces.

Avocado oil is not yet as popular as coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil. However, it is versatile, healthy and cold pressed. Compared to other cooking oils, it has a much higher smoke point.

The smoke point of avocado oil is 500°F/260°C. This is much higher than:

• Rapeseed/Canola oil 435°F/225°C
• Virgin avocado oil 400°F/205°C
• Extra Virgin Olive oil 375°F/190°C
• Virgin Coconut oil 375°F/190°C

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​Avocado oil is made from Hass avocados and has a smooth taste. It is a clear and watery liquid, not as viscous as olive oil. This 16.9 fl.oz/500ml bottle was purchased for $10 at marshalls in the health food section. This is a discount store, and compares this bottle to the regular price of $14. This is quite an expensive oil, but when you don't use it every day it can go a long way. The price is comparable to a really nice extra virgin olive oil. 

Nutrition Facts per 1 Tbsp/14g serving:

• 130 Cal from fat
• 14 g fat
  • ​2g Sat fat
  • 2g Polyunsaturated fat
  • 10g monounsaturated fat​

This brand is readily available in North America including Canada in large retailers. Chosen foods also sells cooking oil sprays, seeds and grains.