Intro to Sustainable Living: The Pantry
- The Modern Domestic Woman
- 52 minutes ago
- 3 min read
A well-stocked pantry is truly the foundation of a good kitchen; it not only allows you to feed yourself or your family in a meaningful way, but it also provides back-up food in times of emergency, saves money, cuts back on food waste, and generally allows you to be more mindful with your meals.
THE GOAL:
We’re going to start small with the essentials. Our goal is not to tear through our kitchens, throwing things away. That defeats the purpose of being eco-conscious! Today, we’re in the planning stages, so we are going to get educated, use up what we already have, assess, and make a plan.
Where to Start:
The process can be overwhelming at first, but we’re going to start with some reflection questions to get you one step closer to a sustainable pantry that works for YOU.
What do I like to eat/cook?
What does my family like to eat?
What am I hoping to change about the way I cook?
Now, go through your kitchen/pantry and make observations:
What do I already have?
Do I have a sturdy cabinet or shelf to display my goods?
Do I need jars or other containers for my items?
Menu Planning:
Part of creating a successful pantry is doing some kind of weekly menu planning. No need to get overwhelmed around this task; instead, shift your mindset to look at meal planning as a weekly ritual instead of a chore. Block out time for meal planning just like you would an appointment. If you can’t plan for the entire week, start small and plan out 1-2 meals, and gradually build on your momentum. Just like any new habit, this process will feel a little clunky at first, but you will find your rhythm!
Time to Shop!
Buy only what you need if it's a specific recipe, but do stock up on essentials that you use daily/weekly (flours, sugars, spices, oils, rice, etc.). We’ve included a shopping list with the essentials below. If you’d like to print out another list, you can get that here or in the download below 👇
Outside the Pantry:
Naturally, you’re going to start looking for other places in your home where you can swap for greener options. Below is a list of easy alternatives to get you started.
About the Author:
Katie McCall is a Midwestern writer, cook, and community builder with a deep-rooted love for nature, food, and family. Raised in the rural suburbs of Chicago, she spent her childhood foraging for morel mushrooms, picking green beans, and learning early on that nourishment is about far more than what’s on the plate.
She holds a B.S. in Journalism from the University of Illinois and later honed her culinary skills at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts. Katie went on to co-found Two Wild Seeds, a gluten-free bakery she ran alongside her mother in St. Charles, Illinois. Though the bakery closed in 2021, her relationship with food—as storytelling, care, and connection—continues through her writing and creative work.
Katie currently serves as President of MDW Cares, where she helps guide the organization’s mission to create accessible, supportive resources for women navigating life transitions. Her leadership is grounded in the belief that community care, honest conversation, and small daily acts of nourishment can change lives.
When she’s not writing or cooking, Katie can be found tending her garden, restoring her 1905 farmhouse, wandering farmers’ markets and antique shops, or experimenting with new ways to live thoughtfully and creatively. She is endlessly curious, deeply grounded, and always searching for what makes life feel both meaningful and delicious.