Your back-to-school pantry: simple, quick and healthy

September 18, 2015

Now that we’re settled into the back-to-school routine, it’s a great time to take stock of what’s going on at home – specifically, the kitchen. With a well-stocked pantry, quick breakfasts, to-go lunches and family dinners are super simple.

These are some of the basics you’ll want to have on hand to make quick, healthy and happy eating a snap.

Oats: for breakfast, ground into flour for baking, for homemade granola – is there anything oats don’t do?
Brown rice
Quinoa
Black beans
Lentils
Whole wheat pasta: brown rice pasta is a great gluten-free option
Whole grain tortillas: perfect for wraps and even a pizza base, or for making homemade tortilla chips
Chia seeds: a quick protein boost at breakfast, especially when made into a quick and easy pudding
Hemp seeds: add this plant-based source of protein to oats (here at Peeled, we love blending them up in smoothies and sprinkling them on acai bowls!)
Nut and seed butter: think almond, cashew, and sunflower – no need for any other ingredients!
Tahini: this paste made from ground sesame seeds is a great addition to homemade hummus and makes a creamy base for sauces
Raw nuts: almonds, cashews, walnuts and Brazil nuts are all packed with protein and healthy fats to fuel your busy day
Dried fruit: raisins and goji berries are delicious for snacking or topping – try them on your morning oats
Raw local honey
Nut milk: try almond or coconut milk – hemp and quinoa milk are also delicious alternatives!
Spices: this is a great time to clear out your spice rack, too - get fresh jars of cinnamon, allspice, dried basil and oregano, ginger, cumin, and turmeric to enhance dishes.

And of course, we’ve got to spotlight a few items that may not be pantry based, but that are a key part of a healthy diet. Don’t forget your produce!

Fresh fruits: apples, bananas, berries (think blueberries, strawberries and raspberries for an extra antioxidant boost), lemon, avocado
Fresh veggies: colorful peppers, winter squashes (acorn, butternut and kabocha are plentiful right now!) cruciferous broccoli and cauliflower and plenty of greens (spinach, kale, swiss chard and romaine are versatile and packed with nutrients)