Kitchen Staples: What To Always Have On Hand

We’re all REALLY busy, right? It’s not uncommon that we’re running from one thing to the next; from from work to school, from one job to another, or from an appointment to your daughters soccer game. Now more than ever, our culture eats on the go or barely sits down for dinner.

What does this usually translate to? Eating out for your lunch breaks, swinging into the closest fast food joint, or skipping meals altogether. One of the most common questions I get is how to eat healthy with such a busy schedule. Well, the truth is we all have busy, sometimes hectic lives that are packed full of commitments. There isn’t any special trick; it comes down to stocking your kitchen and setting yourself up for success.

My cooking philosophy is to keep things simple and easy, but flavorful and varied. I’m not really down to spend 2 hours prepping, stuffing, and roasting an entire chicken for dinner. (Honestly wouldn’t even know where to start. Do you stuff them?) But I’ve learned that a few hours, once a week, make for a WAY easier, healthier and enjoyable situation. I’ll focus another post completely on prepping for the week, but today I wanted to outline the staples that I make sure to keep in stock.

When your kitchen is full of the basics, it allows you to simply shop for fresh vegetables and meats on a weekly basis– without having to think too much about the rest. I do tend to plan out lunches for the week, but honestly don’t think too much about dinner as I have the things on hand to whip up what I’m in the mood for. (I realize my situation may be different since I’m usually a #partyofone, but you can definitely plan out your dinners this way too!) This list of basics is ever-changing for me personally, but it provides a foundation so that I never feel like there’s “nothing to eat” (and also forces me get creative at times).

I would love to hear what your must-haves are! Leave a comment below.