WHATS FOR DINNER?

I don't know about you, but one of the questions I dread each night is.... WHATS FOR DINNER???  Especially when I'm in desperate need of a trip to the grocery store.  It's so easy to turn to take out when this happens.  It's no secret that take-out is high in calories and hard on your wallet.  I have some tips for avoiding this nightly dilemma, and get you back to enjoying cooking in the kitchen.

#1  The first step to having options, is to keep a stocked pantry.  I know, I know, sounds easier said then done...But when you have most of these nutritious foods in the house, you will be amazed at what you can create in no time flat!

GRAINS - 

 •WHOLE GRAINS - oatmeal, barley, bulgur, brown rice, quinoa, cornmeal, popcorn etc.
 •100% Whole Wheat bread, tortillas, bagels, muffins
 •Whole grain crackers
 •Rice Cakes
 •Whole grain cold cereal

FRUITS-

 •Fresh fruits IN SEASON - apple, orange, grape, banana, pear, berries, pineapple etc.
 •Frozen and or canned fruit - berry, peach, pear, pineapple, mandarin oranges etc.
 •Dried fruit such as raisins
 •All fruit jams 

 •Juice - white and/or purple grape, orange, apple, pineapple


VEGETABLES- 

 • Fresh vegetables IN SEASON - potato, sweet potato, summer squash, winter squash, broccoli,  cauliflower, carrot, celery, bell pepper, green bean, corn, tomato, romaine lettuce, spinach, mushroom, avocado, garlic, onion, etc. 

  •Frozen and/or canned vegetables -green bean, corn, pea, tomato, tomato sauce, tomato paste, etc.

MILK

 • Yogurt 

• Cottage cheese  

• Cheese - Cheddar, mozzarella, swiss, parmesan, etc.

PROTEIN-

• Nuts and seeds - dry roasted peanuts, sunflower seeds, almonds, walnuts 

• Canned tuna, salmon, chicken, turkey, chili 

• Beef 

• Chicken 

• Fish 

• Wild game

 • Deli turkey, ham

 • Eggs 

• Peanut butter 

• Canned and/or dried beans - black, pinto, kidney, white, chickpea, etc. Miscellaneous

PANTRY STAPLES - 

flour, sugar, brown sugar, powdered sugar, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, yeast, mustard, mayonnaise, etc. • Salsa • Chicken/beef/vegetable broths or bouillon • Canned soups - low-fat, low sodium cream of chicken, mushroom, tomato, etc. • Herbs/Spices - salt, pepper, basil, oregano, parsley, thyme, rosemary, paprika, cumin, chili powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, etc

PRINT GOOD FOODS TO HAVE ON HAND LIST AT:
Good_Foods_To_Have_On_Hand.USUextensions