The Healthy Kitchen

One of my goals when I moved to my new house, was to have an organized pantry. My pantry has always been pretty organized, but this time I wanted a fully organized, Pinterest worthy pantry! You know the ones with the perfectly matching baskets, bins and everything lined up?! I have finally completed my pantry project, and it may not be the perfectly matching pantry exactly like you see on Pinterest, but it's perfect for me and what I was looking to create. 

My reason for wanting this perfectly organized pantry was so that I could easily create meals, have my favorite pantry staples stocked up and on hand, for my family to easily find snack options and just because it's such a great feeling to be organized in the kitchen!  My list of favorite items follows:

Pantry Items

• Nuts: Almonds, Walnuts, Cashews, Pecans, Pine nuts
• Seeds: Sunflower Seeds, Sesame Seeds, Pumpkin Seeds
• Dried Fruit: raisins, cranberries, apricots, dates, goji berries
• Unsweetened shredded coconut
• Peanut Butter, Almond Butter, Sunflower Seed Butter
• Tahini
• Organic canned beans or dried beans– black, kidney, garbanzo, cannellini, refried
• Lentils
• Vegetable Soup Stock
• Canned vegetables:  corn, roasted red peppers
• Canned tomatoes (diced, crushed, fire roasted), tomato sauce and tomato paste
• Canned jackfruit
• Canned Coconut Milk
• Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Avocado Oil
• Non-Cooking Spray- Coconut Oil based
• Grains: Organic brown rice, barley, Quinoa, Faro, Oatmeal, Couscous
• Cold Cereal/granola
• Popcorn Kernels
• Whole grain pasta or gluten free pasta, quinoa or other variety of pasta
• Organic Whole Grain Bread, Pita Bread
• Tortillas
• Tortilla Chips
• Rice noodles
• Rice paper wraps
• Seaweed paper for wraps
• Sweeteners: maple syrup, brown rice syrup, coconut sugar, raw honey, stevia
• Unsweetened applesauce
• Whole Wheat pastry flour
• Whole Wheat bread crumbs
• Cornmeal
• Aluminum free baking powder
• Arrowroot powder

I keep my spices in a separate cabinet.  Here is my list of favorites to have on hand:
Spices

• Herbs – fresh: basil, parsley, sage, oregano, cilantro, mint, thyme - Best to grow your own!
• Dried seasonings – Italian blend, oregano
• Cumin
• Chili powder
• Cayenne pepper
• Crushed red pepper flakes
• Curry powder
• Dill
• Garlic Powder
• Cinnamon
• Cardamom
• Ground Ginger
• Nutmeg
• Onion Powder
• Paprika
• Sea Salt, Pink Himalayan Salt
• Turmeric

Other Favorites

• Chia Seeds
• Flax Seeds
• Hemp Seeds
• Garlic
• Ginger root
• Cacao, nibs, powder and cacao chips
• Maca
• Lucuma Powder
• Amla Berry Powder
• Dried Mint, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Chamomile (to make teas)
• Tofu, Tempeh
• Nutritional Yeast
• Protein Powder, Sun warrior, Garden of Life or Vega brand
• Bragg’s liquid Aminos

Refrigerator Favorites:
Fresh Fruits & vegetables 

• Citrus Fruit: Lemons, Limes, Oranges, Grapefruit
• Apples
• Celery
• Carrots

• Avocados
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Mushrooms
• Zucchini
• Cucumbers
• Bell Peppers
• Potatoes – sweet, white, purple
• Onions

• Garlic
• Greens: spinach, kale, romaine, green leaf

 
Other Items to Keep on Hand

• Salsa
• Hummus dip (can also make easily with garbanzo and white beans)
• Jam or jelly
• Almond, soy, coconut or rice milk
• Frozen veggies for quick meals – frozen peas and corn, edamame
• Frozen plant-based veggie burgers
• Tortillas
• Mustard, Ketchup
• Tamari or soy sauce
• Vinegar: red wine, apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar, white wine
• Hot sauce
• Olives  

I hope this inspires you to organize your pantry and load up on some key ingredients to quickly navigate a healthy lifestyle!