MUST-HAVES for your kitchen

Recently, a family member asked that I write a post on items that you should have in your kitchen.. Everyone is certainly different, but here are a list of the "must haves" for my kitchen! These items make throwing together a meal pretty easy, and I don't carry too many pre-made items. This allows for more fridge and cabinet space!  (Andrew did help me come up with this list, as I was too lazy to get off the couch to look).

Obviously, this should all be tailored to you and your cooking style!

 Oils, etc..

GOOD Extra Virgin Olive Oil (I use the brand from Sur la Table, it's only $9 but really good)

Balsamic Vinegar 

Sriracha (one of my favorite heat elements)

Coconut Oil

Coconut Oil Spray (use instead Pam)

White Truffle Oil (because I love it, totally not necessary)

Worcestershire  Sauce

Liquid Smoke (BBQing only)

Local Honey

Louisiana Sugar Cane Syrup

Tabasco OR Crystal Hot Sauce

Spices (dry)

Red Pepper Flakes

Marjoram

Basil

Oregano

Rosemary

Black Pepper (I have this in a grinder so it's fresh)

Celtic Sea Salt (I like the grey sea salt)

Kosher Salt (for cleaning black iron pots)

Garlic Powder

Onion Powder

Sage (leaf)

Fennel Seed

Herbs de Provence (fantastic on chicken)

Cumin

Coriander Seed

Cayenne Pepper

Spanish Paprika 

Nutmeg

Cloves

Allspice

Cinnamon Sticks (not ground) *i shave the cinnamon straight from the stick each time so it's fresh

Saffron

Jar'd Stuff:

White Granulated Sugar

Turbinado Sugar

White Wheat Flour

Steel Cut Oats

Rolled Oats

Coconut Flakes (not the sugared kind in the baking section)

Dark Chocolate Chips 

Rice (I keep a few different varieties including wild, brown, purple, & arborio)

Canned Tomato Pasta

Canned Tomato Sauce

Canned Whole Tomatoes

Fig preserves

Assorted Nuts (I keep pecans, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and almonds)

Corn Starch

Baking Powder

Baking Soda

Coconut Flour

Dried pasta (I like Ziti)

GMOs + GE+ WFM = P.O.'d

One hot topic in the grocery biz today are Genetically Modified Organisms (or GMOs).  What is this and why should we care?

Wikipedia describes GMOs as "an organism that has been genetically modified using various genetic engineering techniques." This can range from anything from plants, fish, mammals, insects, etc. (also called GE- genetically engineered).
Without getting into the nitty-gritty of the science of GMOs, it basically means that these organisms (plants, in most cases) are exposed to chemicals or radiation to create a specific change in the product.  The first example of this was in 1994 with the "delayed ripening tomato", a tomato that didn't get too ripe too fast. Many of these foods are genetically modified to last longer, be resistant to disease, etc. GM livestock has even been in the works, but isn't on the market yet.
Some of you may think that's really cool; I think it's really creepy.  I mean, this is OUR FOOD that we are talking about!

Although there is a consensus between most scientists that GM food isn't any more harmful to humans than conventional food... I personally find that hard to believe.  I'd rather my tomato just be a chemical-free tomato.  I like knowing that it grows in dirt, gets picked by a wonderful farmer & carried to the market with other wonderful tomatos... not created in a test tube. If it gets too ripe, I'll make salsa or something.

Right now, there is a lot of talk in Congress about whether food that has been genetically modified should have to be labeled as such.  Isn't that a little crazy that there's even discussion on it? Currently, GMOs do NOT have to be labeled.. So that beautiful papaya that you buy on the produce aisle... could actually be GE'd, but you wouldn't know... and the government doesn't think we really need to know either way.

In the past, I've been a pretty big fan of Whole Foods.  If I can't find something at the farmer's market, I typically pick up my grains/sugars/etc.. from WF. I feel like they are a pretty fair company, often times the produce is really nice, and they are also environmentally conscious.  This was such a huge let down... read on if you want to be a little P.O'd.
http://worldtruth.tv/usda-forces-whole-foods-to-accept-monsanto/

I ESPECIALLY like this part in this article:
"Perfectly dramatizing the “Revolving Door” between Monsanto and the Federal Government, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, formerly chief counsel for Monsanto, delivered one of the decisive votes in the Citizens United case, in effect giving Monsanto and other biotech bullies the right to buy the votes it needs in the U.S. Congress."

Oh welll... all the more reason to visit your farmers' market.  I bet that their tomatoes are actual tomatoes.

Here is a great page that shows what products are at a higher risk of being GM'd.
http://www.nongmoproject.org/learn-more/what-is-gmo/