What I like to call "Staples"

I have found myself, like i've previously stated, with bare cupboards. Often, and not only having food, but good food, is extremely important.....to me. I'm also completely aware that many people have this same dilemma, but I'm trying to shine a whole new light on turning nothing into SOMETHING AMAZING! There are many things I buy every time I shop, and they usually make no sense, but always end up saving our meals right before that "crucially needed" shopping trip. You know a lot of people say planning meals before you shop helps, but I've found it either ends up being more expensive or we end up eating a similar "menu" every week. Still we end up with not much, but this way I have found our food lasts much longer. So I would like to share what you will find on any given day in my panty. If any of the mentioned items are missing, ask us what we ate for dinner last night!:)

I think one last important tid-bit of information might be to add that like most of us budget friendly shoppers, I split my shopping between a couple stores. Mainly two, the 99 cent store for a lot of produce, sauces, spices and other special goodies that if you search you will find. And Sprouts for Meat and Dairy since those are the two aspects of my meals I don't mind spending a whole lot more money on. While I have to get as much as I can for the least amount, health is also wealth therefore as close as I can get to clean hormone/chemical free food I try to.

Olive Oil
Vegetable Oil
Red Wine Vinegar
Apple cider Vinegar
Balsamic Vinegar

CHICKEN STOCK POWDER (preferably Knorr)

canned tomatoes: (any and all)
Sauce
Paste
Chopped
Stewed
Whole
Crushed

beans:
garbanzo(chick peas)
kidney
white
black
refried

coconut milk
condensed milk
evaporated milk

sugar white and brown
flour
baking soda and powder
vanilla

dried spices:
red pepper flakes
basil
parsely
thyme
oregano
dill
ginger
tumeric
cinnamon
cumin
lemon pepper
pepper

I use a lot of Greek Yogurt, in place of all other dairy "creams" even Mayo, even though mayonnaise still has a purpose on its own.
Other items I have for MANY reasons are;

Ketchup
Mustard
Bbq sauce
Soy
Teriyaki
Oyster sauce
Mayo

Milk
Ranch
Butter (I use unsalted)

Having a large variety of produce usually ends up saving the day. On nights when protein is scarce we can get by with vegetarian meals. Not to add I can make an abundance of canned foods that are always better the longer they sit, although they dont. :)

Some of those staples are:

Tomatoes
Carrots
Celery
Potatoes
Onions white and Purple
Garlic!!!!!!
Cabbage
Zucchini
Squash
Cauliflower
Greenbeans (I mostly buy frozen)
and Peppers (sweet, bell, spicy)
Mushrooms

While this seems like a huge list to shop for you should remember that if the spices and canned stuff is mostly present then MOST of your shopping can be produce, proteins and dairy.