Stocking the Pantry

I watched an Oprah show once where Dr. Oz went into people's homes and checked out their pantries and fridges and cupboards and helped them to restock them with whole, real foods. He also suggested ways that they could improve their meals. Sometimes when I go shopping I like to wonder what Dr. Oz would think about what I'm bringing home to my pantry. I'd like to see what ways my daily diet can improve. 

One thing I've figured out since going on this allergy-free diet is that most of the time in my life I've relied on fast, convenient foods. If I bought crackers, they were the first thing I ate. If I bought bread it also was gone first. If I had chips or popcorn or any food like that, it was the first food I ate each day and every day. Then what was leftover was the rest of the veggies and some fruit. I would pick through that food until I could go to the store and buy my favorite convenience foods again. 

This allergy-free diet leaves very little room for convenience foods. I do occasionally buy rice cake (organic brown rice) but that and canned beans are the closest things that I have to convenience foods. Everything else has to be prepared in some way. I think that is part of the reason that I go back and forth between starving and eating. It takes time to prepare good food. It is an art that I'm gaining great insight into right now. 

Fortunately, I felt a bit inspired last night when I looked at my fridge and pantry and I'm excited for the possibilities. So, here are the raw materials that I'm using to come up with good food this week. 

mushrooms

asparagus
tomatoes
peppers
cucumbers

spinach 
salsa

onions

garlic

eggs

ground turkey

small roast chicken

chicken breasts

frozen wild salmon

almond butter

fruit jam

blackberries

blueberries

peaches

pineapple

apples

almond milk

coconut milk

chicken broth

black beans

pinto beans

brown rice and wild rice

red potatoes

yams

olive oil

grapeseed oil

almonds 

pecans

pinenuts

almond flour

coconut flour

Dagoba chocodrops

I wonder what Dr. Oz would have to say if he came to my house today?