What to put in our Pantry

Every economic indicator seems to tell us that, not only is our sluggish economy not rebounding, it’s actually getting worse. Even China, with its terrible trade imbalances and artificially priced yuan, is experiencing a contraction in the markets and is fighting to stave off inflation.

Our unemployment rate continues to hover at the government’s self-declared 9% rate (but is actually nearly twice that), and more and more people are going into debt trying to make ends meet. Food prices continue to rise and folks are getting hit in the pocketbook increasingly more than ever before.

We have concerned customers write in, asking us what we here at Solutions From Science feel a well-stocked pantry should include. And that’s a hard one to answer. We all have different eating habits, and every pantry is different. What types of foods do you eat? Are you on a low-carb diet? Are you gluten intolerant? Do you have diabetes? The answers to these and many other questions will determine the items you choose to stock in your pantry. To start off, make a list of what you eat, what you enjoy eating, and what staples you would need to sustain those choices. I'll tell you why...

Our well-stocked pantry has helped us weather not one, but two job layoffs. During these difficult financial times, we’ve never once missed a meal and we actually ate like kings. I’m absolutely certain our pantry was the real reason why we never once had to accept help from anyone while we were down on our luck. But listen...

If you don’t have a deeply stocked pantry yet, you simply must get one. Today. Don’t delay. Your pantry is your family’s food “insurance policy” when hard times hit. I’m so passionate about this subject, I’ve literally given hours and hours of my own time to help tutor my friends, family, and even strangers in learning the art of stocking their pantries for maximum benefit. But there are a few basic things that no pantry should be without, especially during a “crisis moment." Like I’ve done for so many others, I’d like to help you get a jump start in stocking your own pantry.

Here are 12 of the “must have” items I keep my pantry stocked with at all times:

Kosher salt (or sea salt)
Olive Oil
Coconut Oil
Vinegar
Black peppercorns
Honey
Fresh canned tomatoes (We have an assortment of canned fruits and veggies from our garden, but I use tomatoes the most)
Garlic
Chicken stock or broth
Rice
Dried pasta
A variety of dried beans

If you go back over that list, I want you to notice that I saved the very best item for last. Yes, that’s right. The #1 thing I encourage people to stockpile their pantry with is—dried beans. Remember when I said our family ate like kings during our job layoff? Guess what we feasted on? Beans, beans, and more beans! We enjoyed every kind of soup, stew, and chili you could imagine.

Beans: The Miracle Food
I love beans for so many different reasons. First and foremost, they taste great. Even better, they’re also cheap and affordable. Dried beans are as hearty as meat, but cost way less. And then of course, beans are also extremely nutritious. They are high in protein, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other nutrients my family needs. In fact...

There are over 15,000 bean varieties in the world, but did you know only a handful make it to your local grocery store? And the ones that do make it are usually the less flavorful varieties, picked by commercial farmers because they’re easy to grow, ship, and store. The worst part about those grocery store beans? Almost all of them sit around in some storage silo or warehouse for years before they ever make it to the grocery store shelf! If bags of grocery store beans are all you’ve ever known, you really owe it to yourself to try real beans…right now! Here's why...

At Solutions from Science, we know our customers are busy preparing themselves for an uncertain future. We know you want to stock your pantry and put away as much “food insurance” as possible for your family. That’s why we’ve put together a great collection of the best tasting dried beans to offer to our loyal customers. We’ve named this special package the Soup Bean Survival Kit. This package has only been available for a short time and already we’re getting rave reviews. Our customers are telling us these are the best tasting beans they’ve ever had in their entire life!

In fact, we've searched high and low to find the best tasting dried beans for our customers. And after months of looking, we found what we’re sure are the perfect beans anywhere. These beans are grown by a fiercely independent farmer in California. This seasoned farmer only grows heirloom varieties of the rarest, most exceptional beans in the world. This farmer, who we call “The Bean Doctor,” agreed to sell us a portion of his very limited supply. This is nothing short of a miracle, especially since gourmet restaurants are usually the first and last buyers to snap up these rare beans (when they can even find them).

The heirloom beans we've put together in our new Soup Bean Survival Kit are truly exceptional. But you can forget about ever finding these heirloom beans in your local grocery stores…they’re just too hard to find for grocery stores to purchase them in bulk!

Because the beans in our Soup Bean Survival Kit are so fresh, picked just this harvest season, you’ll find that both their soaking and cooking time are greatly reduced. No longer will you need to spend hours of your precious time slaving away to make mouth-watering soups and other bean dishes. Our beans only take an hour or two to cook at most, unless you choose a slow-cooking method like a crockpot.

Now you can see why I love my heirloom dried beans so much. They are, without a doubt, the most versatile food in my entire pantry. These beans are easy to cook, taste great in any dish, and are almost impossible to ruin. Briefly soak, cook, and then add them into whatever dish you’d like. It is that easy. No matter how you cook them, you’ll love the taste. My children love them, and that’s saying a lot considering I have three of the pickiest eaters in the world.

In your Soup Bean Survival package, you’ll receive nine different gourmet varieties of heirloom beans:

Christmas Lima
This is not the lima bean you think you know! Originally from Peru, this bean is called the “Christmas” lima because it’s often used in holiday soups and stews in Italy. It has a delicious, chestnut-like flavor and hearty texture. Great to use in your soups, or serve alone.

Jacob's Cattle Gold
This heirloom bean is very unique. It has a beautiful golden color with speckled markings. These beans add flavor to your stews and chili, and can also be refried for all your Mexican dishes.

Green Flageolet
This little-known bean is often called the “caviar of beans.” It has an amazingly creamy and delicate flavor that cooks everywhere line up for. These beans are great for any dish, but be sure to try them in your to cold salads and even put some in your fresh homemade salsas.

Hutterite Soup
The Hutterite Soup bean has a dull appearance, but it isn’t a dull bean. It has an amazingly buttery taste, and these beans are one of our quickest cookers. You can use them in any dish, and they also make a great substitute for rice. Slow Food USA has award the Hutterite Soup bean with the coveted “Ark of Taste” award.

Jacob's Cattle
Another “Ark of Taste” award winner, this plump bean is white and red speckled. It is popular for holding its shape even long after cooking. It has a full-flavored taste, similar to the flavor of new potatoes. Use it in your baked beans for a new twist.

Eye of the Goat
This bean is a cousin to the well-known black-eyed pea. Gray with a dark stripe, it’s true to its name - the bean really does resemble the eye of a goat. These beans are so packed with flavor you’ll be amazed that you don’t even need to season them with soup bones or ham hocks. They taste amazing in any recipe.

Snow Cap
These beans look like cranberries dipped in white chocolate – really! Until recently they were almost impossible to find, and are one of the most sought-after beans in the culinary world. Stock your pantry with this bean for some of the most amazing soups you’ll ever create. Try them in your New England clam chowder!

Black Valentine
Black Valentine beans are some of the most popular heirloom beans available to home gardeners. The nutty, rich, and vibrant taste makes this bean a crowd-pleaser. A cool use you’ve never considered: when mashed, this bean can be used to make cupcakes and brownies!

Runner Cannellini
You’ll get five pounds of this bean because it is one of the most popular beans in our package. It has a marvelous flavor and is prized by Italian cooks everywhere. The flavor is creamy and buttery, and it makes an excellent substitute for potatoes. Try pureeing them for a hummus-like dip.

As you can see, the Soup Bean Survival Kit will help you get a jump on stockpiling your pantry. This kit alone will pack your pantry full with thirteen pounds of beans! Remember, a full pantry is your family’s secret weapon against rising food prices and a bad economy. Stock your pantry now, and eat healthy, delicious food for months and months to come.

Don’t Eat All Your Beans... Save A Handful For Planting!
Your beans aren’t just food—they are also seeds. Because they’re heirloom, open-pollinated varieties, you can actually plant them and enjoy these beans for years and years to come.

The beans chosen for the Soup Bean Survival package were carefully selected to give you the highest probability of germination should you decide to plant them. I have a handful of beans set aside for my spring garden, and I know that planting them will be just another way to help my family save money and spend wisely. In fact, once I begin growing them myself, I may never have to buy dried beans ever again. But here's the best part...

We have a special bonus when you order your Soup Bean Survival Kit today. We’re including a free Soup Bean Survival Cookbook, full of delicious recipes you can try for your entire family. From mouthwatering soups and salads, to sandwiches and main course meals, this cookbook uses ordinary staples from your pantry to provide meals the family is sure to enjoy. You can even use these beans to make wonderful brownies, fudge, and cookies!

Now is the time to start stocking your pantry with the things you need to make it through the winter. Order your Soup Bean Survival Kit by clicking here.

Lindsey
Food Security Team