I try to buy strictly ORGANIC or responsibly farm raised produce from local farms. One of the best and most important things you can do for your health is to eat foods that are free from pesticides and toxins.
The following is a list of the things that I try to keep in my refrigerator most of the time. By keeping it well stocked, I always have fresh produce on hand for preparing meals.
Another thing that I always try to keep in mind is to buy seasonal produce. It is very convenient to buy tomatoes and melons in the winter, but they do not taste nearly as good. Try to save sweet asparagus, fava beans, and peas in the spring, and tomatoes, corn, and melons in the summer.
Vegetables
Kale, Lacinto and Curly
Scallions
Red peppers
Jalapeno peppers
Avocados
Arugula/rocket
Broccoli or Cauliflower
Carrots
Celery
Cilantro
Dill
Sweet white onions
Red onions
Garlic
Ginger root
Shallots
Yams
Red bliss, Peruvian blue, or yellow potatoes (yellow fleshed potatoes are higher in sugar)
Tomatoes-do not refrigerate
Fruits
I usually keep at least 2-3 different types of fresh fruit whole or cut up available for easy snacking.
Fall/Winter
Apples
Pears
Oranges
Tangerines
Grapefruit
Spring/Summer
Strawberries and Berries
Plums
Pluots
Peaches or nectarines
Melons-cut up and ready to eat
Herbs
I try to keep herbs in pots outside my kitchen door as it is convenient and less expensive than buying them at the market. These are the herbs I use most frequently.
Thyme
Italian Parsley
Rosemary
Mint
Chives
Open Pantry Items in Refrigerator
Bubbly water-homemade with purified water-soda stream
Vegetable stock-homemade
Hummus-homemade or store bought
Dijon mustard
Grainy mustard
Organic agave sweetened ketchup
Nama shoyu soy
Tamari wheat free soy
Veganaise-original or grape seed
Tabasco-jalapeno, chipotle, original
Sriracha hot sauce
Raw agave nectar
Brown rice syrup
Fresh ground horseradish
Jams
Olive tapenade-homemade or store bought
Edamame or white bean hummus-homemade or store bought