The timing for this post is perfect because my freezer has never been so beautifully stocked in my life. I’ve actually been wanting to share that my husband and I are lucky enough to be going on the trip of a lifetime tomorrow.
While our children stay home with the grandparents, we will spend the next 15 days exploring Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, and China. I absolutely love to travel and desperately want to see as much of the world as possible, so this trip is honestly a dream come true for us!
So what does this have to do with my freezer one might ask? Since we have two different sets of grandparents who are generous enough to fly here and baby-sit, I decided to take it upon myself to hook them up.
Not only is my wine rack fuller than it’s ever been, but my freezer is stocked to the max with homemade soups, breads, tortillas, breakfast items, muffins, etc. I also bought and froze lots of locally and humanely raised meats like whole chickens, flank steaks, ground meat, bacon, and pork tenderloin. I even found some fresh North Carolina seafood that I threw in the freezer, too.
The idea is that they won’t have to worry about buying any food other than fresh fruit and veggies while we are gone. Oh, and this will also guarantee that my children will mainly be eating “real food” approved items in our absence…c’mon you know that has something to do with all this, too. :)
So without further ado, here are 21 “real food” freezer, pantry, and fridge essentials including pictures from my own kitchen (click images and then click again to zoom in)!
7 “Real Food” Freezer Essentials
I hope to keep it stocked so nicely for us to enjoy when we return! I also made a “freezer inventory list,” which would be nice to have on hand if we could keep up with it as well.
- Frozen organic berries for making smoothies or berry sauce
- Whole-grain flours like whole-wheat & masa harina and whole-wheat breadcrumbs
- Pre-made stored dishes like soups, sauces, stocks, raviolis, smoothie pops and other leftovers
- Pre-made baked goods like pancakes, waffles and muffins
- Extra whole-grain breads and tortillas for when you can’t make it to the bakery or don’t feel like making a fresh batch
- Locally & humanely raised meats and seafood that you stock up on when you find a good source and have the chance to buy it
- Frozen organic vegetables like peas and corn (frozen are more nutritious than canned)
7 “Real Food” Pantry Essentials
- Nuts (like raw cashews, almonds, & pecans) and seeds (like raw pumpkin & sunflower). The pantry works for short-term storage, but if you don’t go through these items fairly quickly then store them in the freezer.
- Dried fruit like raisins, dried apricots, and dried apple rings. Also 1-ingredient organic applesauce is great to have on hand when you are out of fresh fruit.
- Baking ingredients like honey, vanilla extract, spices, oils, salt, and baking powder/soda.
- Whole-grain products like whole-grain sandwich bread, whole-wheat pasta, brown rice, quinoa, whole-wheat couscous, whole-wheat pretzels/crackers, etc.
- Whole grain cereals like raw oats (for oatmeal), homemade granola, shredded wheat, and whole-grain corn puffs.
- Fresh fruit that doesn’t need to be refrigerated like bananas, peaches, apples, pears, tomatoes, etc. We actually keep these items in a big fruit bowl on the kitchen table.
- Staples like potatoes, onions, garlic, dried/canned beans, and canned tomato products.
7 “Real Food” Fridge Essentials
- Dairy products like milk, cheese, cream cheese and plain yogurt
- Eggs
- Perishable fruits & vegetables
- 1-ingredient peanut butter & “all-fruit” type jelly
- Cooking fats like unsalted organic butter, clarified butter (ghee), and lard
- Snacks like olives and pickles
- Spread and sauces like hummus, tzatiki, soy sauce, maple syrup, mustard, and homemade salad dressings
Watch out for the Horizon brand organic, it doesn’t have a very good rating on the
EWG website.
We’ll have to check it out. Thanks for the heads up. – Nicole
My ex-inlaws would cook anything from my freezer. My kids would get McDonalds at least one if not two of the meals. I’m jealous at how lucky you are.
One idea for freezing single servings is to buy ramekins at your local restaurant supply store and fill them with soups, baked pasta, etc. and then freeze. Make one big batch and lunch is ready for the week.
I’m in the Charlotte, NC area and am wondering where you are getting your local meat from.
Hello Laura. Lisa gets most of her meat from the Matthews Farmer’s Market.
That’s interesting to know. I actually made a trip out there last saturday and was kinda overwhelmed trying to figure things out. I think I ended up getting some pork and fig leaf tea from middle ground. Is there a specific vendor she recommends for getting meat from?
Any of them will have great choices!
Thanks a million for this great sites. I just stumbled on it and I have been glued to it since them. I really appreciate your good works,motivation and encouragement to make all us get back to real food and at a budget. I am trying the meals and will surely get back to let you know how I am doing.
Do you ever make your own hummus? I saw hummus on your list, but wasn’t sure if you are making it from scratch. I was surprised at how easy and inexpensive it was! Just made some today.
Hi there. Lisa does make her own hummus. ;)
How about frozen vegetables. Are they good to use? Thanks, new to your website and don’t know if question was answered already.
Hi Mina. Sure, frozen veggies are great! :)
are the frozen veggies at a regular store ok? do they have to say organic or is any brand ok? like birds eye, stuff you would buy at Wal-Mart.
can frozen veggies be considered processed? what about pesticides and such?
If you are trying to avoid pesticides, you would want to look for organic labels. The only ingredient should be the frozen veggies. :)
Hi, I am referring to the picture of your freezer :) It looks as it is not as high as regular freestanding freezer, but more of an under the counter height … is it? I am looking for freezer that can be incorporated under the counter same as dishwasher etc so If yours is like that, would you mind sharing the brand? thx so much!
Hi Val. No, it is larger than counter height. Sorry.
what do you have stored in the mason jars in the freezer?
Hi Liz. Soups, chicken broth, and various leftovers. You can freeze just about anything that is liquid or soupy in consistency in mason jars. ~Amy
Any ideas for where to buy whole wheat pretzels. Trader Joes stopped carrying them and Whole Foods doesn’t carry any which shocked me!
Thanks
Hi Kathy. Here is an online resource: http://www.uniquesplits.com/store/. I think Lisa finds these at Earth Fare. ~AMy
Would you mind sharing what whole wheat pretzels you buy? I haven’t found any that don’t have other questionable ingredients. I buy whole foods brand organic pretzels but I’d like a better option if you can share.
Hi Darcy. Lisa usually buys them at Trader Joe’s. :)
i also buy whole grain pretzels, the only ones i could find were Whole Spelt! they taste exactly the same! i find them at whole foods :)
what brand of one nut butter and all fruit jelly do you recommend and where would i be able to buy it?
Hi Sara. Crofters is a widely available brand of all fruit spread that I usually get at Whole Foods. Regarding peanut butter, look for an organic variety that has only peanuts (and maybe salt) as the ingredients. Most conventional grocery stores carry at least one and you can find several, usually, at stores like Earth Fare, Trader Joes, and Whole Foods. ~Amy
I would like to know what type of storage container you use for your homemade bread? I have not been able to find one that accommodates a loaf of homemade bread.
Thanks.
Hi Cheramie. I have a linen bread bag that I bought on ETSY. You can also find reusable bread bags on amazon as well as several different versions of bread boxes that work well for homemade variously shaped loaves. :) ~Amy
Great info, thanks! Where did you find those over the door storage shelves?
Hi Tee. Do you mean on the pantry? Those aren’t hung over the door. Those are drilled in. You can find them at Loews or similar stores. ~Amy
To Lisa D: The best all-fruit spread I have ever eaten is FiordiFrutta from Italy. It is expensive, but made only of organic fruit, organic apple juice, and pectin. I buy it at a specialty food store for about $6, but I’ve seen it online for $4.89. It is quite yummy and worth the price.
When freezing soups in glass mason jars, what is the process? I seem to hear a lot about the jars potentially breaking. Do you just let the soup completely cool and leave some room for expansion? Is it that simple? Thanks!
Hi Marlana. It really is that simple. Lisa freezes a lot of individual portions in small jelly jars. I’ve broken a couple larger jars but only because they fell over, I didn’t correct them and then threw something heavy in on top. Just be aware of how you have your freezer packed. :) I was careless. I love freezing in jars!
Hi! Other than coconut oil, what oil(s) can I use for baking/cooking? Thanks :)
Hello Kristen. This will guide you: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/05/14/mini-pledge-week-10-no-refined-oils/. ~Amy
Can you comment when working on meal planning and fighting high sugar numbers-pre diabetic male, age 55 who eats no fruit and only lettuce and corn in the veg category. I understand avoiding carbs but with his restrictions, what can he eat?! Help
Hi Robin. Question for you: He can’t eat other veggies or he won’t? LMK. ~Amy
Won’t
I am getting lost on this website and love it!! It’s my new years resolution for 2014 to make the switch.
I am curious about one thing. Brown rice. A diet enthusiast told me recently that brown rice is one of the major cancer causing foods. Have you heard this or can you comment?
Thanks!
Hi Bonnie. Sadly, there are worrisome levels of arsenic, a major carcinogen, in brown rice especially that grown in the southern US where arsenic was sprayed liberally on cotton fields. :( Rice grown in California, and imported rice such as jasmine and basmati are safer choices. And, contrary to what we know about it nutritionally, white rice is a safer choice because it is stripped of its outer layers which would retain greater amounts of arsenic. It is a dilemma in my household as we eat mostly vegetarian and have depended on it heavily. Though we still consume it, mainly brown basmati and jasmine, we’ve been doing a lot of quinoa instead. Sorry to confirm. ~Amy
Thanks for the ideas! I am looking forward to doing a clean out of my pantry, fridge and freezer on the weekend and replacing things with real food :) Very inspiring!!
Hello! I love all the information you are sharing, the recipes sound devine, and I would love to feed my family organic, whole grain, and humanely processed meats, but we live a very small town with limited resources for these types of foods. We have a locally owned grocery store and a small/limited inventory Wal-Mart store. Finding these items to use in these recipes would be near impossible. What realistic suggestions do you have for a family that doesn’t have the luxury of a big city with whole food stores or a large grocery budget to cover the expense of buying natural and organic?
Hello L. I think you will find this practical and helpful: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/09/30/real-food-tips-12-ways-to-keep-it-cheap/. Also this guide helps you determine the fruits and veggies that are fine to buy non-organic: http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary.php. ~Amy
I cannot find an ‘all-fruit’ jam that does not use sugar. Any suggestions?
Hi Lisa. Try Crofter’s Just Fruit Spread. Or, you could make it yourself: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/05/10/how-to-can-some-jam-a-simple-method-without-pectin/. ~Amy
Hello there! Do you ever buy fresh berries, and then freeze them? If so can you give me some basic pointers? flash freeze? etc? Thanks!
Hi Nikki. This should help guide you: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/06/01/preserving-seasonal-foods-berries/. ~Amy
I use glass milk bottles that I have run through the dishwasher to sterilize ad allow to dry thoroughly. They hold a lot, avoid the use of plastics, and are relatively cheap at just a $2.50 deposit. Also use mason jars and other re-used glass jars for smaller quantities. NEVER throw out a glass jar!!
Genious! I never thought to do this and buy milk in glass jars! I am going to do this for dry beans/grains this week. And it looks nice on the counter, thanks for the tip!
Great website!!! Thanks for sharing. Could you share what type of storage containers you use to freeze your meats, soups, breads, fruit, etc? Also…what storage containers do you use for storing your pantry items? My family and I are starting to eat fresh foods and I know making meals and buying fresh food and storing it will help. Thanks!,
Hi. Here are some of Lisa’s favorite kitchen supplies: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/my-kitchen-essentials/. Also, you can find mason jars in all sizes that are good for storing and freezing. I LOVE them. ~Amy
I’m trying to get my family to eat healthier but so many dinner and even most lunch recipes call for some kind of meat. We are NOT vegetarians but organic meat is not something we can buy all that often. I’m looking for recipes that don’t call for meat or that you can use a substitute, whether it’s beans or what have you. Seems like this should be simple but we usually have some kind of meat at lunch and dinner and it’s usually store bought. I’m not sure how to change the way we eat. I should mention there are 8 of us in our family.
Thanks :)
HI Jacquie. Have you combed through our recipe index: dev.100daysofrealfood.com/real-food-resources/recipe-index/? The Leakes reduced their intake of meat, as well, so there are a many recipes that are meatless. For others, it is just as simple as leaving out the meat…like in spaghetti and meatballs. Also, it is not as difficult as most people think to get adequate protein in our diets: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/09/19/why-are-americans-so-concerned-about-protein/. Adding various beans, lentils, nuts and seeds will go a long way to add flavor and protein to dishes. Grains, such as quinoa, are highly nutritious and are a complete protein in and of themselves. It may take some experimentation but you will find the alternatives that work best for your family. This post might also help: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2010/05/19/becoming-a-%E2%80%9Cflexitarian%E2%80%9D/. Best of luck! ~Amy
Hello,
I just discovered this site today, and love it! My husband has a lot of dieting ideas that come from the 1990s, like all fat is bad, etc. I am trying to convince him that just eating non-processed foods is the way to go. We’ve been trying to eat whole grains mostly. Whole grain bread is fine, but I really don’t like brown rice. I had parboiled rice the other day, and was wondering what your thoughts on that were?
Thanks so much!
-Melinda
Hi Melinda. We’ve not tried parboiling. A nice and highly nutritious alternative to rice is quinoa. ~Amy
I’m just curious as to why you put vanilla extract on that list. Isn’t that just a chemical
Hi Garrett. There is a large difference between imitation vanilla which is synthetic and pure vanilla extract which is what we use. Here is more than you probably ever wanted to know about vanilla: http://www.joyofbaking.com/Vanilla.html. ~Amy
Wow I guess I should have really reviewed what I typed . Sorry for all the mistakes. Hope my comment makes sense.
A friend of mie has inspired metro look into the ‘real food’ concept and I was lucky enough to stumble onto your Westie. This is a great resource for us newbies. I have read ‘the start here’ page. My question is should I start with cleaning out my pantry, freezer, and frig first or grocery shop or plan my mels. I guess I am on information overload so not sure what my tre next step is fom here.
Hi Regan. You have to choose a methodology that works best for you. That said, if you’ve covered the “start here” page, then what worked for me was beginning some meal planning. Once I did that, I could decide what to keep or get rid of in the short term in my pantry making room for what I would add for my meal preparation. You can do the same with your fridge. Instead of just tossing things out which seems wasteful even if it doesn’t represent stellar nutrition, you might consider a food pantry donation. Best of luck and welcome!! ~Amy
Like one of the previous posters, I’m newly married and on a semi-tight budget…I also have Celiac disease and can’t digest anything with wheat, barley, rye, or oats (which eliminates many processed foods right off the bat, but not all of them). On top of that my husband is an athlete who eats A LOT… he’ll typically eat what I consider a full meal every two hours or so.
I’ve noticed a number of your meal plans include whole wheat/whole grains. Do you have suggestions for someone who is severely allergic to these things?
Thanks!!
Hi Sarah. We welcome you to adapt our recipes to your gluten free needs. I also have to do that fairly regularly as there are gluten sensitivities in my household. This is a post that you might find helpful: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/06/28/food-allergies/. Also, Deliciously Organic: http://deliciouslyorganic.net/ will be a great resource for you. Good luck. ~Amy
I’m very interested in starting this “real food” plan. I’m newly wedded and on a very tight budget…so in terms, I have fallen victim to processed foods because of their affordability and easy preparation. I know changing our food habits is going to be a process…something I’m going to have to gradually introduce to my kitchen since we are so tight with money right now. Anyways..does anyone have any local grocery stores they recommend? I know Giant has an all organic food aisle or two, and also theres Trader Joes, anyd more recommendations besides farmer markets?
Also, I have found myself victim to processed foods because of the easy meal prep it comes with… Both my husband and I work full time and find ourselves exhausted at the end of a work day. I understand those microwavable frozen “steamer dinners” are filled with preservatives and are not considered by any means “real food”…is there anything that comes close, however? I hope that was not confusing…basically I’m asking, are there any “frozen meal options” out there that are considerably good for you?
Any advice out there for a beginner?
Hi Mallory. Welcome! Getting started is half the battle. Start with this page which will then direct you where to go for answers to most your questions: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/start-here/. Regarding frozen meal options, sadly, most contain lots of additives, preservatives, salt, and ingredients that are dubious. It would be difficult to find any that meet the real food criteria. Good luck. You so can do this! ~Amy
LOVE this blog! It’s totally helping me get my family on the path to eating way less processed foods :). I also love when you post the products you use such as the lunchbox containers, the smoothie pop silicone things and the napkins. I’m wondering if you use any special containers/bags for freezing? I’d love to find something besides my few glass 9×9 casserole dishes that I can freeze pre made meals in and then put them directly into my oven. Any ideas would be great!
Hi Sara. So glad you love the blog. Lisa’s kitchen essentials can be found here: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/my-kitchen-essentials/ Hope this helps! ~Amy
Could you recommend a brand of “all fruit” jelly that you mentioned? I have seen some, but they aren’t organic. Or then on the flip side….I have seen organic, but they include organic sugar as the first ingredient so I am thinking not the best option. Sorry if this is a silly question……totally new to ALL OF THIS and just trying to make better choices for my family. Thanks for all your help sorting out the all the confusion in the world about food!
Hi Jen. I use the St. Dalfour’s jelly and it is sweetened with fruit juice as opposed to sugar. Jill
I was wondering what you view of tofu/tempeh was? I know it is “processed” but if it is just soybeans, is that OK?
Hi Anne. It would depend on the ingredients as you suggest. If it is simply just soybeans, I would make sure it’s organic so that you know it does not contain GMO’s. Jill
totally random….what kind of fridge do you have?
It’s a GE Monogram.
4 giant and complex countries in 15 days?!? (Though I guess Singapore is tiny.) You are racing! In the future, you might find it more rewarding to just see 1 country but actually see multiple parts of it and really experience it with some depth.
I also hope that you consider the environment when you travel. High-end travel is an environmental disaster in terms of water and other resources consumed (by the grounds and the humans), the food flown in, etc, etc, etc. It’s also a horrible message to send to spend more on 1 night in a hotel than locals live on for an entire year.
And please consider not using animals as a form of entertainment on travel. They weren’t meant to be ridden on, used in shows, etc. For you to ride on an animal, it has often been taken from the wild and then been through a torturous “taming” process in the countries you are visiting.
Wow Margot you sure seemed to glean a lot of information about our trip from one short paragraph! In the past we have explored countries in more depth, and will be doing so again this summer. But in the case of our trip to Asia, I was delighted to have at least briefly experienced the various countries. Now I know which to revisit and explore in more depth.
In terms of our lodging, in Singapore we slept on cots in a relative’s apartment (6 people total) so that was free. But elsewhere I think the locals would rather us send “a horrible message” by contributing to their local economy than not. Just a hunch :)
Ashley — as far as it being more expensive — it doesn’t have to be. We are on a tight budget (family of 4) and we spend about 120.00/wk on groceries (buying over 90% organic). I just keep things simple.
Lunches are usually leftovers from dinners and breakfasts, snacks are usually fruits and veggies. We buy very little meat as that can really drive the cost up (it’s white meat/fish). Minimal dairy as well (yogurt and cheese are more nutritionally dense than milk, and too much dairy — more than 2 servings a day– isn’t a good idea http://www.care2.com/causes/does-dairy-cause-breast-cancer.html This also holds true for risk of prostate cancer btw). And I bake and freeze things like banana bread, zucchuni muffins, pumpkin scones, dinner leftovers, soups, pineapple carrot muffins, rolls, “pop tarts”, pancakes, etc to pull out as need for breakfasts and lunch boxes.
I think meats, dairy, and snacks like chips and crackers really drive up the cost of most grocery bills.
On the second shelf, under the milk, there is a jar that says “ghee”. What is that? Just curios :)
Hi Amy. Ghee is clarified butter. Essentially, more of the milk solids are removed from the butter than what is initially removed during the butter making process. Jill
Just wondering… Do you use special canning jars for freezing your soups/sauces? P.S. You’re amazing with your commitment to this! I’m towards the beginning of my journey…
Hi Vin. I usually just freeze my soups and sauces in regular containers, either glass of BPA free ones. I haven’t had any problems doing it that way. Best of luck to you. Jill
I’d love to get this in a printable list that I can put in my binder for when I’m planning my trips to the grocery stores… I’ve started exercise & dietary changes in an effort to regain my health & lose weight. I need all the help I can get!
Hi Melissa. Sorry, we don’t have it in a printable format, only the post. Best of luck. Jill
I live in the Charlotte area as well and I’m curious where you get your local meats, milk, and fruits/veggies? Also, have you ever purchased a cow? Curious about your experience.
Hi Jenn. Our milk is from Lakeview Farms. They offer a home delivery service (http://www.lakeviewfarmshomedelivery.com/), but, they also sell their milk in Earthfare and Whole Foods. Local meats, fruits and veggies are mostly purchased at Farmer’s Markets. There are quite a few in the Charlotte area…check out this article that lists a few…http://charlotte.cbslocal.com/guide/a-guide-to-charlotte-area-farmers-markets/. You can also find local sources for meat here…http://www.eatwild.com/. Hope this helps…good luck. Jill
We just made the switch to eating healthier, but I’ve noticed it is SO expensive!!b I’ve had to almost double my grocery budget, which I’m not sure how sustainable that will be long term. Any tips on how to save and eat healthy? Thanks!!
Yay, Ashley! It doesn’t have to be really expensive! Read the “100 days on a budget” challenge they did a couple of years ago. You can find the link near the top of the page.
My top 3 tips:
1) Cook beans from scratch and work them into your menu every week.
2) Makea weekly meal plan so you only buy what you need in the store
3)Do as much from scratch cooking as you can (chicken stock, bread, jam, applesauce)
Hi Ashley. You should take a look at the 100 Days on a Budget series…https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/100-days-on-a-budget/. Jill
I wanna know exactly how you store all your freezer items? I feel like when I put stuff in the freezer it doesn’t last very long…
Hi Janis. I have a standalone freezer to store most things that I plan to keep for a while. I think this helps because it is not being opened several times/day. I store my stuff in either airtight containers or sealed baggies. I also make sure anything that is warm is completely cooled before I seal it and freeze it. Best of luck. Jill
What exactly do you make with masa harina. My husband is Mexican and they use it to make tamales at Christmas time. I honestly didn’t know is could be used to make anything else. Thanks for all your great tips!
Hi Kathy. Lisa uses it to make corn tortillas…https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/04/26/recipe-easy-whole-grain-corn-tortillas/. Jill
Bob’s Red Mill sells non-GMO masa harina (dry). Ours had to be ordered through Azure Standards because i haven’t even found it at Whol!e Foods or Sprouts here! You could order directly from BRM too, of course.
I absolutely LOVE your site, thank you for all of your very informative posts!!! I’ve gained great wisdom from your posts and recipes. Keep up the great work, you are very appreciated. PS Enjoy your trip.