KITCHEN STAPLES

Here is a working list of things you should try to keep in your pantry, fridge, cabinets or counter. 

PANTRY

• Organic cereals that contain fewer than 8 grams of sugar (2 tsp) per serving
• Organic rolled oats (for oatmeal and homemade granola recipes)
• Milk alternatives, such as unsweetened almond, hemp, soy or rice (or make your own!)
• Organic granola bars with fewer than 8 grams (2 tsp) of sugar per serving
• Sulfate-free dried fruits, preferably unsweetened
• Variety of nuts (should be stored in freezer if not used within a few weeks)
• Organic popcorn kernels (heat grapeseed oil in pot, toss in kernels, cover and pop!)
• Organic, cold-pressed, unrefined oils (olive, coconut, walnut, grapeseed)
• Natural sweeteners (honey, agave, brown rice syrup)
• Vinegars (unseasoned brown rice, unseasoned rice wine, balsamic, apple cider, red wine, white wine, umeboshi)
• Organic canned beans (garbanzo, black, cannelini, kidney, adzuki)
• Organic grains (quinoa - both regular and red, amaranth, millet, brown rice - both short and long grain, sushi rice)
• Organic pasta (I prefer black rice, brown rice or quinoa pastas)
• Organic dried lentils and beans (black, adzuki, pinto, etc.)
• Organic flours (should be frozen if not used within 6-8 weeks, so buy sparingly in bulk) (whole wheat pastry, buckwheat, quinoa, corn)
• Dried seaweeds (nori, kombu, dulse, wakame,arame, kuzu, agar agar)
• Organic soy sauce/shoyu and/or tamari
• Chia seeds

REFRIGERATOR

• Organic creamy almond butter
• Organic creamy peanut butter
• Organic tahini
• Sesame oil (sesame seeds turn rancid quickly, so store seeds and oil in fridge)
• Umeboshi plums or umeboshi paste (purchase at Whole Foods or other similar store)
• Organic, free range eggs (preferably from a local farm)
• 100% real maple syrup
• Organic sweet white miso
• Dijon mustard
• Vegainase (vegan mayo that has no egg yolks, so less fattening too)
• As many fresh, organic (preferably locally grown) veggies you can fit into your fridge!
• Organic apples, oranges, pears and any other locally-grown fruit (preferably not tropical)
• Sesame seeds (dry roast and fill a glass jar)
• Ground flax seed

FREEZER

• Seeds and nuts (if not eaten within 2 weeks)
• Flours (if not eaten within a month or so)
• Organic edamame
• 100% juice popsicles, preferably homemade with organic juice, fruit and/or yogurt
• Organic, whole grain bread
• Organic tortillas
• Organic, homemade pancakes and waffles (for quick breakfasts)

IN BOWL ON COUNTER

• Ginger
• Garlic
• Lemons
• Limes
• Onions

IN CABINETS/DRAWERS

• Stainless steel pots and pans with NO NON-STICK FINISH
• Cast iron skillet
• Enameled cast iron stock pots and skillets
• Quality knives that are kept sharpened (I take mine twice a year to Breed's Hardware)
• Different sized glass and stainless steel mixing bowls
• Wooden cutting boards
• Glass and/or porcelain baking dishes
• Stainless steel baking and cooking sheet pans, and muffin tins
• Stainless steel vegetable steamer basket
• Wooden and/or stainless steel spoons
• Stainless steel wire whisks
• Garlic press
• Stainless steel zester (for garlic, ginger and citrus zest)
• Tongs
• Natural-bristle baster brush (great for brushing oil onto skillets)
• Quality blender
• Quality food processor
• Immersion blender (for pureeing soups in the pot)

IN SPICE CABINET

• Garlic powder
• Quality sea salt
• Kosher salt
• Peppercorns
• Ground cumin
• Ground mustard
• Ground red pepper (cayenne)
• Chili pepper flakes
• Ground chili powder
• Dried herbs (basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary)
• Smoked paprika
• Cinnamon
• Fresh nutmeg (not in jar, but whole that you can grate on zester)
• 100% vanilla extract (not imitation)
• Quality cocoa powder
• Non-aluminum baking powder
• Baking soda
• Muffin liners
• Toothpicks