The pantry

Looking through my kitchen and pantry, and pondering some nourishing winter meals for my husband and me, I noticed that there are some staples I just can't live without no matter the time of year. Our diet really doesn't change much; we just rotate produce based on what's in season.

10 things you'll *nearly* always find in my kitchen and pantry:
1. Grass-fed Butter
I've since moved far away from the locally-owned, independent natural grocer that carries everything on this list in abundance, but I've been able to locate the butter at Safeway of all places. They only carry one brand of grass-fed butter, but it happens to be the same one I'd been buying at my preferred store. I LOVE butter. Real, golden, honest butter. That's my dad's farm-raised influence right there. He eschewed my mom's margarine (and now I know why, yuck!) and he wouldn't even drink milk- he'd only eat his cereal with half and half because he said it was closest to the "real thing, straight from the cow." I miss my dad, but he's here with me in every buttery piece of toast. I don't drink "milk" anymore, either. Ick. 

2. Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
We've been getting this from Trader Joe's since we moved out yonder. I use it like butter when I've run out, or I may add some to a soup for some depth and nutritive benefit. I swallow a teaspoon of it for sore throats, and when I'm feeling run down I take a teaspoon of it topped with nutritional yeast, which is a surprisingly delicious combination. I also use it as a facial moisturizer and makeup remover, with a few drops of cedarwood oil mixed in just because I like that scent. I also made a homemade deodorant with coconut oil but I'm not happy with the recipe yet. Coconut oil is really versatile, but it must be extra virgin to make it into my house.

3. Nutritional Yeast
I discovered this at my last job, when a vegetarian coworker in charge of making snacks for the kids (a job I eventually took over) started to flavor the popcorn with it. It was a vitamin bonus for the kids and added flavor without bothering any student's dietary issues (dairy, salt). I fell in love with it. As mentioned above, I eat it with a spoonful of EVCO on a bad day, but also I use it as a delicious thickener in sauces, soups and homemade salad dressings, I sprinkle it on garlic bread, mashed potatoes, in my husband's lunch burritos, and on top of any sort of salad or cooked grain dish. I am a nut for yeast. I buy it in bulk, and for that I make the trek back to my old beloved indie store far, far away. It's worth it. I bought one canister of it at the health food store, and have just been re-filling it with the cheaper bulk stuff. Same exact thing, but at least I kept the canister with the shaker top for ease of use. Better than scooping it out of a baggie and making a mess.

4. Bragg's organic apple cider vinegar
I've seen this in a few stores but I prefer to buy it at our local health food store (which smells like heavenly aromatherapy ALL the time), just to have a reason to go. Unfortunately/fortunately, I end up buying other goodies while I'm there, like fair-trade chocolates (honestly tastier than commercial brands), kombucha (also can be had at Safeway but let's support the little guys), extra teas I probably don't need, or a new bottle of essential oil. Good thing the ACV bottles are large and I don't need to go buy it often, or I'd be broke for certain. That store is heaven for me but hell for my wallet.


5. Loose-leaf tea of at least three varieties 
Another item I snap up while I journey north for the bulk yeast. It really is cheaper and healthier for me to buy bulk herbs and loose-leaf teas. The tea bags are questionable for our health, considering what may be leaching out of the bags due to high water temperatures. But the whole leaves/herbs/flowers are also tastier and probably have more benefit than the tea/herb/flower dust you may find in a tea bag. I typically keep a green tea, a black, and a few herbals- favorites include red raspberry leaf, chamomile flowers, dandelion leaf, tulsi, rooibos, pau d'arco, and lavender. I have a few white teas but I don't like them as much. I also try to keep a stash of Earl Grey for my husband's sake. 

6. Raw Honey
There's nothing like raw honey. It tastes better and is better for you. The stuff in the plastic bears is fake and possibly toxic. I use raw honey occasionally in tea, sometimes on yogurt or buttered toast, but when I'm sick I use the heck out of it. I take whole teaspoons of it, and coat thinly-sliced garlic in it and make a tea with that after 12 hours. Really works well. It's expensive, which is why I use it sparingly unless we are ill.

7. Lentils
Lentils are healthy, filling and versatile. I haven't been buying bulk or organic, but maybe I should. I usually make a big batch at once. They cook faster than beans and I enjoy them in the same way. 

8. Quinoa 
Superfood, yes, but I just like the taste of it and the fact that it cooks quickly and easily. I do buy this one in bulk along with the yeast and tea. It's cheaper that way. My favorite is red.

9. Basmati Rice
Also cheaper in bulk, especially because I use it less often than quinoa. It's fussier to make, since for best results, it must be rinsed three times and then soaked for thirty minutes. I've tried it without that pre-cooking process and it was a sticky mess. I like the texture of this type of rice the best.

10. Yogurt, kefir or cultured buttermilk (sometimes all three!)  
I'm picky about my dairy, so I try to buy this at the health food store, but luckily Safeway is branching out into healthier foods and I've found trusted organic brands there. It's hit or miss, however, and can be cheaper if I wait for my trip to my trusty natural store up north.
We love yogurt, and I'm excited to add kefir to my yogurt routine. The fermentation is so good for us, and I love the "bite" it adds to the flavor. I usually only buy the cultured buttermilk if I can't find kefir, because they're similar, but honestly I can't find an organic one near me. If I wake up late or just don't feel like cooking in the morning, yogurt/kefir/buttermilk is where I turn. I add granola and banana and we're good. 

Honorable mention #11: Coconut or almond milk.

Since I don't (won't) drink cow's milk anymore, I have delved into the delicious world of alternative milks. I didn't include coconut or almond milk in my top ten because I just don't drink them that regularly. More likely in warmer months. We need to watch out for certain greenwashed brands, some of which are linked to Monsanto, like Silk, and I've heard various pesticide warnings about the almonds used in most almond milks, but I think any of those options is going to be better than the industrial garbage sold in the familiar gallon jugs. We do buy half and half because my husband likes it, (and if my dad drank it, then I'll concede). On occasion, I buy goat's milk but the taste is a bit much for me. Goat yogurt on the other hand, is incredibly satisfying. 

On a related note, we don't eat chicken eggs (many, many reasons for that), but we enjoy duck eggs. They are more expensive but they're healthier and bigger. Wonderful options abound and we are blessed to have options. In some places, all you get is McDonald's, Walmart, Dollar General and a smattering of convenience stores. I am grateful we live where we do. And grateful to have food in our pantry.




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