What's in YOUR pantry?

Ever been in someone's house & peeked in their medicine cabinet or linen closet? Admit it! We've all done it! But how would you feel about taking a look in their pantry or kitchen cabinets when they weren't looking? I have an open door policy where my friends are concerned. Help yourself... if you want something, go ahead & look for it! Or just ask & I'll either tell you where to look or get it for you. But if you were the one whose pantry was being spied on, checked out, what would the peeker find? If you caught someone peeking in your pantry would you slam the door shut, embarassed at what might be lurking in there that you don't want anyone else to see?

I've been trying to be better about the food we buy. Not only because of the cost of food but also for the nutritional value. Currently there are a couple boxes of store brand PopTarts in the pantry and a tub of chocolate chip cookie dough in the fridge. Other than a couple bottles of wine there's really nothing TOO bad hiding in the pantry - or the fridge, for that matter. I keep very little refined white sugar on hand - except to feed the hummingbirds in the summer - otherwise I use Sugar in the Raw & am really happy with that. I'm trying to get Mr. C. to get away from artificial sweeteners: Sweet n Low, Splenda, etc. I also found that agave nectar is an awesome natural sweetener - sweeter than honey! I'm making the change to a gluten free diet - hoping to make my tummy happier - so when the regular pasta & crackers & bread are gone, they're GONE! I've been reading labels recently & try to always buy gluten free products. I've also discovered that Betty Crocker has gluten free brownies!! How cool is that?! Bob's Red Mill and Hodgson Mill make gluten free flours & pastas that are good. Bertolli makes a gluten free Alfredo sauce that's really good too! I checked out the McCormick's spice website - they say if there's gluten in any of their products, it will be marked in BOLD print... otherwise consider them to be gluten free. Here's a website that has lots of gluten free recipes & product information. There's also a link to sign up for a free e-newsletter. http://www.liveglutenfreely.com/

Growing your own herbs is a good idea... basil, sage, rosemary, thyme, parsley, chives - all easy to grow! I have a terra cotta strawberry pot that has been sitting in the snow on the deck... now inside thawing out. When it's thawed I'll empty the dirt, add some "fresh" dirt & start some herbs of my own! Used fresh, they're awesome! But picked in bunches & dried - they're THRIFTY!! Put them in ziplock bags or jars & freeze when they're dried. No more buying them at the store. You never know what else you're getting!

Fresh veggies and fruits are a must! It's hard to get 5 "servings" a day - I should be trying harder to do that. I keep fresh bananas, apples, and grapes on hand along with frozen strawberries & blueberries.... and prunes (the ones in individual packets). Onions, garlic, Yukon gold potatoes, yams, squash, dried beans & lentils -also on hand... along with frozen & canned veggies.

What about milk or other dairy products? I'm not a milk drinker. I can open a new carton of milk & it will smell "funky" to me... I have to have Mr. C. do the sniff test. I use milk for cereal & cooking when required - otherwise I find it useless & distasteful. Literally! I like SILK - vanilla flavored soy milk. Again, not to drink, but on cereal or in smoothies! Yum! And yes, it's gluten free! I do like yogurt.. Yoplait is gluten free - don't know about any others specifically. DAISY brand sour cream & cottage cheese - also gluten free!

Enough about MY pantry (fridge & cabinets).... what's in YOURS???