Living Well 5/14/26
Wednesday, May 13 – Healthy You Exercise class will meet at 9 a.m. at the Extension office. Wear cool, comfortable clothes, supportive shoes and bring water to drink.
Wednesday, May 13 – Create MHV Club – Cancelled for this month. Will resume in June.
Thursday, May 14 – 4-H Cooking Kit Distribution – from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Extension office.
Thursday, May 14 – Modeling Squad practice for Club congress at 5:15 p.m. at the Extension office.
Friday, May 15 – Healthy You Exercise class will meet at 9 a.m. at the Extension office. Wear cool, comfortable clothes, supportive shoes and bring water to drink.
Monday, May 18 – Sewing for Service- will meet at 9 a.m. at the Extension office. Volunteers are needed to sew, iron and cut out.
Monday, May 18 – 4-H Home School – will meet at 1:30 p.m. at the Extension office. We are starting a new Puppet series, so if you are interested in learning about Puppetry join us.
Tuesday, May 19 – MHV Potluck and Bingo – will meet at 10 a.m. at the Extension office. Bring a food item to share and a couple of prize items to contribute to the prize table.
Tuesday, May 19 – Modeling Squad practice for Club congress at 5:15 p.m. at the Extension office.
Wednesday, May 20 – Healthy You Exercise class will meet at 9 a.m. at the Extension office. Wear cool, comfortable clothes, supportive shoes and bring water to drink.
Thursday, May 21 – Looped with Love Crochet MHV Club – will meet at 10 a.m. at the Extension office.
Friday, May 22 – Healthy You Exercise class will meet at 9 a.m. at the Extension office. Wear cool, comfortable clothes, supportive shoes and bring water to drink.
Monday, May 25- Extension office Closed for Memorial Day Holiday
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New Pantry Inspirations
A “healthy pantry” today isn’t just stocked, it’s strategic, flexible, and inspiring. The goal is to create a space where you can build fast, nourishing meals without overthinking it. Think high-fiber carbs, whole food proteins, healthy fats, and flavor boosters all working together.
Here’s a fresh, modern take on pantry inspiration—with real-life, usable ideas (not just a list).
1. The “Build-a-Bowl” Pantry
Design your pantry so you can build bowl meals in minutes. Beans, grains, and legumes are nutrient-dense, shelf-stable, and versatile for quick meals
•Whole grain: quinoa, brown rice, farro
•Protein: canned beans, lentils, tuna
•Veg add-ins: canned tomatoes, roasted peppers
•Finish: olive oil, seeds, herbs
Meal idea: quinoa + chickpeas + olive oil + lemon + herbs = instant lunch
2. The “Smart Convenience” Pantry
Healthy doesn’t mean everything from scratch anymore. Frozen foods can be just as nutritious as fresh and save time
•Frozen vegetables and fruit
•Microwaveable whole grains
•Pre-cooked lentils or rice
•Tuna or salmon pouches
Meal idea: rice pouch + tuna + avocado + soy sauce = 5-minute bowl
3. The Healthy Snack Pantry
Replace “processed empty-calorie snacks” with options that actually fuel you. Nuts, seeds, and popcorn provide fiber, protein, and healthy fats that support satiety
•Nuts and seeds (protein + healthy fats)
•High-fiber bars
•Air-popped popcorn
•Dried fruit (no added sugar)
4. The Flavor Booster Shelf (the secret weapon)
Healthy food becomes craveable with the right pantry flavors. Herbs, spices, and pantry flavorings make simple ingredients into full meals
•Vinegars (balsamic, rice, apple cider)
•Mustards, miso, tahini
•Low-sodium broths
•Spice blends
Upgrade idea: drizzle tahini + lemon + garlic on anything = instant flavor
5. The Plant-Forward Protein Pantry
Shift toward flexible protein options. These options provide fiber, protein, and essential minerals while supporting heart health
•Beans, lentils, chickpeas
•Tofu, shelf-stable soy products
6. The “Backup Meal” System
Create a safety net so you never default to takeout:
•Pasta (whole grain or legume-based)
•Jarred tomato sauce
•Canned beans
•Frozen vegetables
Go-to meal: pasta + beans + greens + olive oil = complete dinner in 15 minutes
Start with one idea and build more as you go! Which idea is your favorite?
Article source: https://www.foodandhealth.com/blog/new-pantry-inspiration
