Reply #7: Our pantry is stocked with basics

[yellerpup]

Beans both dried and canned, rice, lentils, quinoa, couscous, egg noodles, rice noodles, pasta, tomatoes and tomato sauce, some canned Asian-style veggies but mostly canned fish & meat (crab, clams, corned beef), homemade jams & jellies, onions, potatoes, garlic, peanut butter, sesame butter, teas, coffee, and lots of dried spices and herbs (these I use up within a year, if not they get tossed). Also, sugar, flour, dried fruits, always a jumbo bag of chocolate chips, cocoa, baking needs (baking soda, powder, various salts and peppers) cornmeal, grits, olive oils, canola oil, many vinegars. I cook almost everything from scratch and we never eat fast food so because I'm in the pantry a couple of times a day things stay fresh and up to date. I shop for fresh fruits & veggies at least three times a week and buy organic when possible. I hate to throw out food, so am mindful of what is freshest and most nutrient rich and use those ingredients while they are most potent. I was not so well organized before 9/11/2001 (about anything in my life) but now I think steps ahead. I don't ever go into New York City without wearing (or taking) shoes that I can walk (20 miles) home in.