it seems as though more and more folk are catching on to the idea of stocking up on basics, buying in bulk and keeping a well managed pantry, the core of a healthy eating fam. i am not talking about going to the large warehouse markets and buying 20 rolls of tp, but rather food. you know, the essentials to living. things like rice, beans, grains, etc. some folks may find this hard to believe, but some of us live off of stuff like that. yup, we actually soak our beans and cook them. believe me, it isn't rocket science.anyway, back to the topic at hand, the home pantry. back in the day it was loaded with canned fruit and veggies from the home garden, flours, sugars, grains, seasonings and probably some funky rendered animal product (maybe lard?). regardless of what folks stashed in their pantry, it was simple and basic and people were most likely never heard saying the oh so popular americana phrase, "there is nothing to eat in this house!" i know, i know, but there really isn't anything to eat. like most people are actually going to starve. most likely not!
if people were prepared, ate simple homemade meals and actually put a teeny bit of effort into making meals, they would realize that you can find the majority of what you need in a revamped pantry. what's hiding in there now? maybe some stale crackers, cans of tuna from 2 years ago, cereal that never seems to expire, soda, boxes of betty's brownie mix and probably five boxes of noodles. no wonder they have nothing to 'eat'. you can't make a decent meal out of that stuff. but, try stocking up on these basics and you'll have endless meals on hand:
dried beans: soak overnight or for 8 hours and cook in soups or plain to be eaten as burritos, with rice and dressed up with seasonings. we dig pinto, navy, black and garbanzo (think of homemade hummus).
rice: with so many types from basmati to wild rice, you can't resist the variety of flavors that go with almost any meal. "but it takes so long to cook", you say? well, all you have to do is get it started and walk away for 20-50 minutes. really, no real labor in that. plus, when combined with your cooked beans, you have a perfecto meal. did i mention that it was also super cheap?
grains: just like the multitude of rices, there are so many yummy grains that even the non-crunchiest of folks would dig. try cooking up some quinoa, millet or even the ole standby, oatmeal. yup, it doesn't have to be so bland. oatmeal is a wonderful meal anytime of the day when topped with nuts, fruit and a drizzle of maple syrup. get creative.
seeds: i am mentioning seeds as a pantry item, but if you don't use them quick enough, try stashing them in the freezer to keep them fresh. we go through a bit of pumpkin, sesame and sunflower seeds on a weekly basis, so you can always find a few jars of them in there.
sprouting supplies: by far the most bang for the buck in the pantry if you ask me. sprouting seeds, jars, etc. will give you endless additions to your meals for so little money. right now we have some russian sprout mix, spicy and french. check out my old post on sprouting for details.
nut butters and peanut butter: this is an essential item for our family. keep in mind, we are talking about natural nut butters, sunflower butter and peanut butter. when used in moderation, it adds that little dense protein kick to any slice of toast or bowl of oatmeal. plus, always a good one to grab for a road trip to catch some surf.
seasonings: once you learn to prepare things from scratch, adding the right touches can make the simplest thing into the most taste bud pleasing meal. you can buy herbs in bulk and pour them into tiny glass jars for storage. plus, don't be afraid to dry some of that extra basil in your garden to add to your stash. yes, you can make you own dried herbs with little effort. so, we generally have a number of essentials in the spice department: coriander, cumin, cinnamon, nutmeg, fennel, basil, garlic, rosemary, thyme, sea salt, and pepper. i am sure that i am missing some, but you'll figure out what fits in your cooking groove.
teas: tea can be enjoyed anytime of the day and is always a nice reward on a chilly winter day or a hot summer afternoon. we keep a basket loaded with our favorites. from licorice mint to green tea with kombucha we love to keep a variety on hand. plus, just think of all the money you'll save by not cruising through the drive-through at your local coffee spot. add that one up? not pretty is it? you can always keep a travel mug on hand and enjoy your hot stuff on the go for a major fraction of the cost. for you coffee drinkers, it is all the same. make your own. think of all the waste that you are saving.
sweeteners: for some this may be a two product deal (corn syrup and white sugar), but if you are willing to get off of the white refined stuff, there are so many options out there that taste wonderful and aren't so bad for you. we keep a supply of stevia (we prefer liquid), maple syrup, molasses, agave and turbinado for occasional use.
the miscellaneous, but essential: this is a pretty broad category. plus, it varies by family, but this is what else we keep on hand. things like rice milk (stores for long periods, lactose free, and you can avoid having to head to the store for an emergency milk run), sea veggies (kombu, dulse, nori sheets and more. we add these gifts from the sea to our beans before cooking, make homemade nori rolls aka sushi, and to season meals), noodles (our favs are eden's kamut spirals among a few others), cans of tomato paste and diced tomatoes (add to soups, beans and make sauce), homemade jellies that we whipped up with summer's bounty of blueberries, flour (making that homemade bread) and obviously other baking essentials. so, i am sure that you'll have your own miscellaneous section.
this all may sound daunting, but it really isn't. with a bit of guidance and some sense of adventure, you can make it happen. for some tidbits and great articles on food prep check out eden foods' FOOD ARTICLES. this will set you in the right direction.
well, what do you think? cleaning out that pantry may be on your to do list if you are thinking of changing up your eating habits or saving some money on grocery bills. eating well isn't all about keeping your physical self in check, but it is also about making less of an impact, being frugal (aka saving money!!!) and enjoying a homemade meal with your family and friends. think about what food means to you. is it something that you stuff in your mouth on the run or is it a moment when you feel so blessed to be able to enjoy a wholesome meal with your family without putting mother E at stake? yeh, that pantry is a bigger deal than you think.
here are some other tidbits while we are on a roll:
- consider storing everything in glass jars. mason jars are super cheap and can store in the pantry or in the freezer and fridge. plus, you can sprout in them.
- buy in bulk if you can. if you have space to do so, buy things that you use the most of in larger quantities. most natural food stores will definitely order bags of rice, oatmeal, etc by special request.
- don't buy more than you know you'll use or need. there are things that are essential, but you may not need 5 pounds of it. if you know that you'll use up that rice milk that you got on sale, then buy a bunch, but keep an eye on that expiration date.
- don't be afraid to share. if you see something that you use, but know that you can't use that much, ask a friend to split it with you.
- keep your supplies in check. when you run out of something, jot it down on your shopping list so you don't forget. this goes along with the keeping what you need in there theory. we know what we go through weekly, so we only keep a buffer in there for some things.
- can your own garden goodies. we made bread and butter pickles, dill pickles, relish and jam from our summer bounty. way better than that store bought stuff.
- when you are ready to clean out your pantry, keep your local food bank in mind. as long as it hasn't expired, you know that someone else will benefit from your generosity.
alright, have fun revamping your pantry, or create one for yourself. we just turned an old storage space into a great pantry. get creative!
