Winter Staples

When the temperature plummets and the winds are howling outside these are my "winter staples".

Brown Rice
Dried Beans / Lentils / Split Peas
Pasta
Popcorn
Oatmeal

Whole Wheat Pita
Rye Wasa Crisp Breads

Eggs
London Broil Beef Steak

Apples
Pears
Pomegranates
Lemons / Limes

Potatoes
Cabbage
Carrots
Onions
Garlic
Tomatoes

Frozen Peas / Green Beans
Tinned Crushed Tomatoes

Coffee
Unsweetened Chocolate
Honey
Olive Oil
Mustard
Dried Herbs: Parsley / Basil / Thyme / Rosemary / Oregano / Hot Pepper Flakes / Cinnamon / Cloves

Believe it or not, these few simple ingredients - when combined imaginatively and with love - provide excellent fuel, comfort, and their share of entertainment.  It's a terrific feeling to eat like a king and spend less than $2/lb. on average for food. It is possible!

In fact, the simplicity of this diet is a big health boon too.  What I DON'T eat has kept me healthy, limber, and arthritis-free.  No alcohol, no cheese / butter / yogurt, no sugar - except a drop of honey here and there.

Boring?  Not really.  Once you have your priorities straight - nutritious food, lowest price, tender cooking - it's amazing what you can cook up.