Simply…Cooking

As the bounty of summer dissipates and the eve of autumn awaits, it is more important to have fully stocked pantry.  First, the fresh veggies are out of season, so having a stocked pantry enables us to still feed our families fruits and veggies at each meal.  Second, as it gets colder, I am much less likely to make a run to the store for items.  Having a fully stocked pantry means less trips to the grocery store. (which is also budget friendly as well!)

My items I like to keep stocked up for cold months are typical for use in soups, chili, etc.  These are the types of meals we crave when the wind is howling outside and the snow is falling quickly.

So here is a list you may want to stock up on now before it is too cold, or when you see a good sale at your market!
(Remember-less grocery store trips and healthy meals!)

Beans.  For chili, side dishes, fillings for burritos, enchiladas, etc.

Chicken Stock.  I will use tons of it in winter as I make soups.

Crushed tomatoes.  Stock up when they have a good sale. Crushed tomatoes are great for soups (pasta y fagioli recipe here).  I use them for a vegetarian chili. Also great to make homemade tomato sauce when the urge arises!

Pasta and Brown Rice. A staple in our pantry ALL the time.

Canned veggies. Since the fresh produce dwindles, canned is a better alternative during winter. (frozen is even better) Even the produce in the grocery store that is fresh, is most likely less healthy than canned at this point-unless you live in a mild climate.  If you do not, chances are that produce has traveled a long way and several days to get to you, and therefore has lost many of its nutritional quality.

Boxed almond, soy, rice milk.  How many times do we run out of milk and don’t want to go out in a snowstorm to get some?  Then there’s a screaming toddler, “I want miiiiiilllk!” Here is a great alternative that does not need refrigeration and can be opened up as needed. We especially prefer chocolate flavors of these types of milks!  And they are so healthy!


Canned Pie Filling, Pumpkin, etc.  Winter means lots of pies!  Plus, canned pumpkin can be used for many other things-muffins, breads, etc.

Canned Peaches. When the days of fresh picked peaches are just a memory, satisfy that sweet craving with some canned peaches, topped with homemade whipped cream.  My kids love it.

25 lb.  bag of bread flour.  I make tons of bread, especially in winter.  I also make pizza dough and freeze it to use for all types of things besides pizza! (click here for some ideas)

So are you inspired to stock up?  Be alert for sales, stock up now and you will be assured less trips out during cold months, and still serve healthy dishes to your family!

What to do with all those garden fresh tomatoes?
This is the time of year we are overflowing with delicious garden tomatoes.

One of my favorite ways to use them up is bruschetta.  Now traditionally, we would serve bruschetta on some nice grilled Italian bread (drizzled with olive oil and rubbed with garlic).  But I have some other delicious ways I love to serve bruschetta.

I love the way I feel when I eat simpler, more wholesome foods.  Meals from scratch with the least amount of ingredients are always best.

I was making lemonade the other day when it hit me-lemon water.  Just lemons and water.  I remembered reading somewhere all about the health benefits of lemon water.

So I looked it up and wow, amazing!  Lemon water does so much for your health!

Just a few of the many, many things I found:

-Aids digestion
-Good for skin
-Antioxidants help prevent colds, flu, etc
-Good for liver
-Detoxifies
-soothes heartburn
-Prevents many, many diseases

So now everyday I am making a pitcher of lemon water and we are drinking it all throughout the day.  It doesn’t get much easier than squeezing some lemon juice into water.

Refreshing on a summer day and full of health benefits!