In light of all the rapture-talk this week, I thought it might be a good time to discuss kitchen staples. Whether you’re concerned about being prepared for a zombie apocalypse, saving money by eating at home, or simply just getting the hell through the busy workweek, having a well-stocked kitchen can make meal prep fun and easy.

These are some of the things I rely on in my day-to-day life. If you were gearing up for  an end-of-days-style event, you’d probably want to add a few gallons of water and more non-perishables.

Dry Goods:

Whole wheat pasta can be dressed up or down

• Beans, lentils, and split peas—perfect in everything from soup to burgers to vegetable dishes, beans and legumes are cheap and keep a long time. Plus, they’re super-easy to work with. They’re also packed with protein and fiber
• Brown rice—cheap, filling, and versatile
• Whole wheat pasta—good for both casual weeknights or dinner parties
• Oats—breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner…the possibilities are almost endless
• Canned tomatoes—use in sauces, soups, stews, salsa, and more

Oils, sauces, and seasonings:

• Olive oil—for cooking and dipping
• Balsamic vinegar—for salad dressings, sauces, and roasted vegetables
• Soy sauce—great way to add flavor
• Miso Paste—adds a rich flavor to soup, sauces, marinades, seitan, and more. One of my favorite uses is in miso-tahini dressing I used on everything from salad to eggs
• Cocoa powder—because lots of things taste better with chocolate.
• Spices—salt, pepper, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, paprika, cumin, red pepper flakes, rosemary, oregano, etc

Produce:

• Greens—spinach, kale, chard, and the like add a pop of color (and nutrients) to anything. You can even try green stuff in smoothies!
• Carrots—great in sweet and savory foods
• Peppers—perfect for roasting and adding to sandwiches and salads.
• Broccoli—probably my favorite vegetable
• Bananas—excellent plain but also perfect in oatmeal, breads, cookies, frozen and made into ice cream…
• Apples—keep a long time and are easy to throw in a bag or slice up for oats, salads, and fruit plates
• Garlic & onions—essential for flavor

In the fridge:

• Almond and/or peanut butter—a great source of healthy fats, protein, and fiber
• Plain yogurt—Perfect on its own, with fruit, grains, or even in sauces or on top of chili, soup, nachos, or practically anything else you’d top with sour cream
• Eggs—a versatile, inexpensive source of protein
• Frozen Edamame—a convenient source of protein and fiber that works in variety of dishes
• Ground flax and/or chia seeds—great source of omega 3-s that works in oatmeal, yogurt, breads, and even as an egg substitute

Other necessities:

Not like I really think oatmeal or yogurt would be much help in the event of, like, nuclear winter/the Great Flood or whatever, but hey, at least being well fed means that when the ship goes down, you’ll be in good fighting shape. I’m spending my Judgment Day apartment hunting and celebrating a friend’s birthday.

What are your weekend plans?