A well stocked pantry/shelf, fridge etc...

When I have a recipe in mind to cook a wonderful, healthy dinner for my family, I hate to find that I am missing a key ingredient. So I have a well stocked pantry. I like to have some great staples and then get the fresh ingredients as I go, but always have some onions and carrots in my crisper in the fridge. 

My pantry, or big white, free standing closet/with shelves, and the cabinet under my counter hold most of my stash :).

20 lbs. of rice, red and white quinoa, red and brown lentils, yellow and green split peas, barley, olive oil, brown sugar, brown rice, flour, and all types of pastas. I tend to have a few boxes of each: penne, ziti, elbows, shells, and spaghetti, as well as a few other types, tri colored and regular. Dried beans are a good thing to have as well, although I tend to use canned beans for the convenience of it. I have red, white, and black beans as well as tomato sauce and paste, diced tomatoes, whole tomatoes in sauce, green and black olives, chick peas, tomato sauces, refried beans from TJ's, butter beans, all of the canned food are no sugar added, low salt or no salt added, and organic when I can get it. I no longer buy canned corn and use only organic frozen corn. I also do not use any greens in a can because they taste like greens from a can. I buy both fresh and frozen, no pesticide spinach, and always fresh kale and other green leaf veggies. The corn tortillas are becoming another staple in the house, as well as tortilla wraps kept in my fridge for quick, last minute rice, bean and veggie burritos. 

Also the spices on hand are always, salt, pepper, basil, oregano, garlic powder, italian seasoning, cumin, cayenne pepper, thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, and a myriad of other spices from all over. 

I like to have fresh organic garlic on hand at all times, garlic is so great for so many things, other than adding flavor and some spice to a meal, it is very healthy and boosts your immune system when eaten raw on a slice of bread (to help with minor stomach upset in some people). My kids and I love it. 

Try to plan your menu a few days in advance so as to make sure you have all the fresh ingredients you will need. I tend to cook what I crave for each night, and my go to meal when I have no idea what to make, has always been rice with carrots and onions and a pot of beans(with potatoes, carrots, onions and garlic) with either sauteed kale if I have it or avocados for the husband and girls. 

What's in your pantry?