Day 12 - Pantry Essentials - 40 Bags in 40 Days
How many times have you reached into your pantry for something, only to find you don't have it? This used to happen to me all the time, but I created a checklist of "must haves" for my pantry, and every time I open a new one of my staples, I replace it. For canned good items, I try to have two or three back ups, just in case. I replenish them as soon as I can so that I don't run out. Since I've started that habit, it has been a rare occasion that I have to run to the store at the last minute. I've also taken advantage of coupon stock ups. Soon I'll have a blog post devoted to couponing.
For our challenge, area food banks always welcome unopened, unexpired pantry items all year round. The Thanksgiving/Christmas holidays usually always find your local food bank flush with food. However, in the Spring/Summer time stock needs to be replenished, and now is a welcome time to make a canned food/pantry donation. If you have opened items such as flour, sugar, spices, etc., you can call local food kitchens to see if they would accept these items to assist in food preparation. It always depends on local laws if they can accept those items.
If you haven't already - subscribe here to register to win a roomba robot vacuum, a steam cleaner, and some essential oils for Spring cleaning!
I don't remember where I got this list, but it has never failed me! So, I'm passing it along to you.
.
PANTRY
Basics
Kosher salt
Fine salt
Black peppercorns
Extra virgin olive oil
Vegetable oil
Apple cider vinegar
Red wine vinegar
Balsamic or sherry vinegar
Rice vinegar (unseasoned)
Baking
Flour: all purpose, whole wheat or pastry
Baking soda
Baking powder
Cream of tartar
Cocoa powder (unsweetened)
Chocolate: chips or bar
Evaporated milk
Pure vanilla extract
Sweeteners
Granulated sugar
Confectioners' sugar
Brown sugar
Maple syrup
Honey
Agave syrup
Drinks
Coffee
Tea
Rice and Grains
Long-grain white rice
Brown rice
Grains: bulgur, quinoa, couscous or farro
Pasta: standard, whole grain, rice noodles or egg noodles
Polenta
Breadcrumbs: plain or panko
Snacks and Cereals
Crackers
Tortillas
Cookies or biscuits
Pretzels
Marshmallows
Popcorn kernels
Dried fruit: raisins, apricots or cherries
Seeds: sunflower, flax, chia or hemp
Peanut butter or almond butter
Applesauce
Breakfast cereal
Old-fashioned rolled oats
Canned Goods
Chicken broth
Beans: cannellini, navy, chickpeas or black
Vegetables: hominy, corn or green beans
Olives or capers
Chiles: chipotles in adobo or pickled jalapenos
Salsa
Tomatoes
Tomato paste
Roasted red peppers
Tuna
Anchovy fillets or paste
Dried Herbs and Spices
Bay leaves
Cajun seasoning
Cayenne pepper
Chili powder
Crushed red pepper
Curry powder
Fennel or dill seed
Granulated garlic
Ground cinnamon
Ground cloves
Ground cumin
Ground ginger
Oregano
Paprika: sweet and smoked
Rosemary
Sesame seeds
Thyme
Whole nutmeg
Daily Devotion from Ashes to Fire
Happy Shopping!
Psalms 62:1-2,8
1Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. 2 Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
8 Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
Genesis 42:3-5
3 Then ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt. 4 But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with the others, because he was afraid that harm might come to him. 5 So Israel’s sons were among those who went to buy grain, for there was famine in the land of Canaan also.
1 Corinthians 5:7-8
7 Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8 Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
I believe that nothing is done by accident with God. As I read through the scripture readings today, I am amazed, but not so amazed that our reading from Genesis deals with grain and our reading from 1 Corinthians talks about throwing out the old yeast. Totally fitting with our week of pantry clean out. Rotating our stock and keeping things fresh.
What really hit me when I read the Scriptures is the contrast between what is temporary and Eternal. When we focus on what is eternal - that's permanent. When we look for happiness in the things of the world, i.e. work, material possessions, vacations, friends, even our kids, etc. for our happiness and joy it won't last. Those things and circumstances are temporary. They change, even on a daily basis. We will never be satisfied. Our only satisfaction comes in focusing on the One who never changes, never fails, and is always Eternal.
So, today, if there is anything in your life pantry that needs to be thrown out, take the time to do it, and put your focus on the Eternal God.
