Pantry Secrets To Success!
Make your fast-food a friend not a foe

You’ve just gotten home, nothing is prepared for dinner and you want something quick. Your hand inches towards the phone for pizza… nooooooooo!

How about healthy-fast-food instead? It’s all about the set up. As Gavin and I get closer to having our little ones we have found this to be a life-saver.
Here is a list of what is always in our pantry…

Canned Beans: Garbanzo, pinto, black, kidney, lentils, etc… we pretty much keep a little collection. Canned beans are a quick way to get your needed fiber and protein and up the full-factor of any meal. Look for no- or low-sodium brands when possible, rinse before eating and always check the ingredients. you are going for just beans… not beans plus chemicals.

Raw nuts: Keep a variety or simply your favorites. They are an easy go-to for munchies and they are great for making a salad fancy. They also are surprisingly filling. Full of good-for you fats and oils.

Pasta?: Well yeah! Precooked brown rice (make it sure it’s clean of chemicals… we keep bin of cooked rice in the fridge) needs only a minute in the microwave, quinoa cooks in 15, bulgur and whole wheat couscous takes five, and quinoa pastas are ready in eight minutes.

Nut Butters!: A personal favorite of mine, especially as I’ve needed to up my caloric intake in a healthy way… almond, cashew, peanut; all delicious and filling add-ons for things like a quick stir-fry, putting into shakes, oatmeal, or on fruit.

Spaghetti sauce: You have to have something to pour over the quinoa or whole grain pasta. With lots of vitamin C and numerous other benefits go for the delicious all natural no sugar added sauces.

Salsa: A must in our house. Great way to up your veggie intake and add great flavor to chicken, fish, eggs, veggies… whatever! Stick to the all natural and you have an awesome 10 minute meal.

Coconut oil: Due to the chemical compounds of oils, when you want to cook fast you need an oil with a high smoke point; it keeps you healthier and your pans cleaner. Plus it adds a wonderful nutty flavor.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: For fast meals it is a go to for dressings and simple veggie flavoring with a few spices.

Reduced-Sodium Broth: Go all natural with the broth, throw in a can of beans with chopped veggies and you have an easy go to for a simple 10 minute soup.

Spices!: These are freebies that will flavor whatever you want however you want it! Stick to the all natural spices which can be cheap if you look in the bulk section where you are buying the spice not the container.

Cupboard Friendly Veggies – Garlic, potatoes, and onions are the fresh veggies that last for ages. Keep them in a cool dark place and avoid putting the onions next to the potatoes.