As my youngest daughter once observed, “There’s nothing to eat in the house, but we have all the ingredients to make just about anything.”

Poor kid.

She was right.

I’ve discovered it’s a whole lot easier to make healthy food when you have the right ingredients on hand. Then, when you come across a recipe, you have no excuse not to make it immediately! Plus, it’s less tempting to eat out. Therefore, I typically keep the following ingredients in the house at all times…

In my pantry:

canned goods-beans (garbanzo/chick peas, black, navy, cannellini, navy, adzuki),  tomatoes (whole, diced, sauce, paste), pumpkin

grains-rice, amaranth, millet, quinoa, wheat berries,, old fashioned oatmeal

lentils-red, green, brown

noodles-soba, udon, spelt, whole wheat

raw nuts-almonds, cashews, peanuts, pine, walnuts

seeds-chia, flax, hemp, pepitas, sunflower, popcorn

nut butters-peanut, almond, cashew, sunbutter

canned “milk”-coconut milk, coconut cream

dried fruit-dates, raisins, cherries, cranberries, goji berries

flour-spelt flour, whole wheat flour, coconut flour, garbanzo flour

baking ingredients-cacao powder, baking powder, baking soda, vanilla extract, almond extract

sweeteners-date sugar, coconut sugar, rice syrup, agave

chips-carob, vegan chocolate (mini, regular and chunk), cacao nibs

spices-nutritional yeast, Bragg’s liquid aminos, garlic bulbs, ginger root, and TONS of dried spices

potatoes-sweet, red

onions-vidalia, red

vinegar-white, apple cider, balsamic

oils-olive, hempseed, grape seed, coconut

weird stuff-silken tofu, VEGA ONE, spirulina, maca, acai

coffee/tea/vegetable broth

In my fridge:

milk-soy, coconut, almond, cashew

leafy greens-kale, spinach 

veggies-(I try to buy seasonal) broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, brussels sprouts, asparagus, celery, mushrooms

fruit-(I try to buy seasonal) lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruit, grapes, berries, cherries, apples

condiments- tamari, coconut aminos, vegan worcestershire, mustard, vegan mayo, ketchup

things I can’t figure out how to categorize-apple sauce, coconut water, tahini, maple syrup, extra firm tofu, Daiya “cheese” slices and shreds

In my freezer:

fruit-cherries, berries, mango, pineapple, BANANAS 

veggies-kale, green beans, corn, edamame

bread/buns-sprouted grain like

pizza-Amy’s

 

cubes-coffee, nut milk 

 ice cream-soy (This just happens to be Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream delivered to me from a student whose parents just happen to own the local ice cream shoppe in town!)

On my counter:

bananas, avocados, tomatoes

Self disclosure:

wine, wine, and more wine

So what are you waiting for? Go! Head to the grocery store! Fill your pantry…your fridge…your freezer!

Next post: What the heck do I do with all the food in my pantry, fridge and freezer?