This list is NOT all-inclusive, it is however what I keep around for quick easy dinners which are high in nutrients and low in “naughty calories.” (“naughty calories” as those calories which may give LOTS of energy, but that energy is short lives and difficult on your body.) I buy all organic and as much locally grown as possible, however considering where we lives, locally grown can be difficult. So, here goes:
Frozen Fruits and Vegetables: Fruits and veg which have been frozen are picked when they are dead ripe and flash frozen; more available nutrients even int he off-season. There is seldom fewer than 20 bags of various fruit and veg in the deep freeze.
Whole Wheat flour: home-made bread, biscuits, pie crusts (yes with WW flour), cookies. . . you name it whole wheat flour can be used. a 5 lb bag will keep for months sealed in an air tight contain OR a zip loc 1 gallon bag. If you aren’t going to use it within this time frame, freeze it and it will keep indefinitely.
Coconut Flour: same as whole wheat flour, just increase moisture in recipes. No Gluten for those who are gluten sensitive and gives a lovely flavor and nutty smell to the whole house! LOVE this stuff!
Coconut oil: I use it where recipes call for lard or shortening or butter while baking and it’s wonderful in Thai and stir-fry meals. Its better for you in that it is not artery clogging, it works as an anti-inflammatory for joints and muscles (talk to anybody with RA or Lupus and they will agree), you can use it inside and outside your body and a friend of mine with grand babies uses it for nappy rashes.
Whole grain pasta: great for quick meals, tasty and filling and when used in moderation, not overly high on the glucose producing level.
Pasta sauces: they can be used with pasta of course, but also when thinned out with a bit of vegetable or chicken broth can make a great spicy tomato soup, they work as a baking or poaching liquid for chicken, great addition to beans, or if you are like my husband, dipping sauce for home-made bread.
Dried beans, peas, legumes: Wash and place in a slow cooker with water to cover by 3″ , turn it on and walk away. Six hours later you have lovely boiled beans. Easy, to do, and very versatile!
Brown / white / wild Rice: I use this in the dog food, people food, as a binder when making “meat” balls, even as a pie weight with a little aluminum foil. You’re only limited by your imagination.
Canned beans and tomatoes: Yes I know the issues with the cans and the “liners” however when used moderately, canned tomatoes and beans are easy to use in recipes, quick and simple.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO): High a high smoking point, is good for you on so many levels, can be used internally and externally. Make-up remover without chemicals. Make sure to buy the good stuff! Organic high quality EVOO is well worth the prices and you will find, olives from different countries have different tastes; some smooth, some sharp, some spicy. I keep both domestic (Braggs) and Foreign EVOOs on the shelf. There’s an EVOO coming out of Australia which is amazingly good!
Scotch Oats: These I buy at a local whole foods grocery. They can be used as is cold or hot, you can use them as a binder in meat loaf, grind them into a round chop and they be used as bear porridge, smoothly grind them and you have a flour which is lovely ad nutty to taste but low in gluten. I eat them cold with Kefir and frozen fruit. YUM!
Experiment with your likes and interests and see what works for you. All of these ingredients are inexpensive and keep long-term on the shelf.
Random Recipes 