Simple Foods = Good Eats

There are many simple, yet frugal items that we can purchase and stock, that are so good - good for you - and filling.  These are things we should have in our food arsenal for those "just in case" SHTF days.
Remember - we never know or expect when things go wrong.  Weather, financial hardship, truck strikes,  health, job loss, terrorism - the list goes one.  Generally emergencies happen when you are least expecting them.  It is always smart to be prepared for anything.

DRY BEANS & PEAS
Beans are so very good for you and full of protein.  Many vegans use beans instead of meat.  They are versatile and can be prepared in so many ways.

 I keep a variety of dry beans and peas on hand.  So many uses for them.  Lima beans in the jar.

It doesn't matter what brand you buy - they are all good.  As you can see - Kroger, Wal-Mart, Dollar Tree, and ethnic stores are all represented.  I get them where they are the cheapest.

There are so many varieties to chose from.  In the ethnic store I go to, if there is one type - there are a 100 to chose from.  Every shape and color and different tastes.  You need to try new varieties and experiment a little.  Don't limit yourself - you may just find a new favorite.  Beans are very inexpensive.

I use not only for ham & beans, but also in soups and stews, as meat extenders in tacos & such (such a good food extender), smashed as in refried, side dishes, casseroles, you name it.  They can be canned for easy consumption in the case of emergencies or just for convenience.  Once cooked - beans and lentils can be made into  vegan burgers (they are yummy too).  Dips can be made from beans.
So many uses and so good for you.
They will last years and years in dry form if kept in a cool dry place.  NO, they may not cook as quickly when they are very old (nor maybe get as tender), but they will still provide you with nourishment, fiber, protein, and fill your belly!

PASTA
Pasta is so very versatile.  Most people think of it as something that goes under sauce or that is added to cheese.  It can be so much more.  There are flavored  varieties, different shapes and sizes, gluten free and not, wheat, plain, veggie  and on and on.
I love pasta!  We often receive fun varieties in gift baskets we get at Christmas.  My nephew and his wife get us a variety of things we probably wouldn't try without influence!

See - fun shapes and sizes, different flavors,  just a lot of variation!  I also have linguine, spaghetti, elbow macaroni & shells.

Pasta CAN be covered in sauce or cheese - but it can be added to soups and/or casseroles (great extenders).  Many pasta can be made as a side dish, stuffed, baked, used under stir fry dishes, made into jar mixes (for dry shelf stable meals) and so much more.

I have purchased little alphabet pieces of pasta at the grocery to add to soup mixes, which is fun.

I like to break up spaghetti and add to rice and make my own rice a roni style mix.

I use spaghetti to make our own lo mein type oriental meals.

There are just so many uses.

If I plan on keeping pasta for a long, long period of time - I freeze it for several days (to kill anything), bring to room temperature and then store in glass jars or in sealed tins/or tubs.  It will last for ages in kept cool and dry.

So there are two items to add to your deep pantry that are frugal and filling and in many instances very healthy.  These could literally save you and your family.

I am going to try to post about different items each week - so we can all keep low cost items at hand for whatever life may present us.

BE READY FOR WHATEVER MAY COME YOUR WAY - AND HAVE YUMMY EATS AS WELL!