Pass the staples please.....

...and I'm not talkin about the silver kind you use to hold papers together! I have been mostly shopping the perimeter of the grocery for about 6 years now. We all know that is where the fresh veggies, fruits, meats, dairy, and breads are. I made this lifestyle change when I opened a women's fitness facility. Even though "Katrina" destroyed the gym I still shop this way. I have to admit that it was very difficult for me at first because I had this notion that cooking from scratch was too hard. After working at it for a while it simply became a habit I am now thankful I have. With prices sky-rocketing at the grocery it pays to eliminate purchasing expensive kits & ready made meals, plus it really is liberating to start with a few basic staples and make whatever you want. With things like flour, sugar, eggs, oil, extracts, and spices, you can make a huge assortment of baked goods. Everything from simple breads and biscuits to delicious cakes and cookies. The best part about it is the fact that you know exactly what you are feeding your family. Contrary to popular belief it's not all that difficult either. The picture above is a simple dish I make when I'm pinched for time. I simply place a whole chicken in the crock pot with carrots, potatoes, onions, celery, spices, water, and a little bit of butter. My crock cooks according to time so I set it for 8 hours and let it work it's magic. Delicious, inexpensive, and healthy to boot! So with that I say....Pass the staples please. ;-)