Cans Get You Cooking

Disclosure: I am participating in the Cans Get You Cooking campaign as part of the Mom It Forward Blogger Network. I received compensation for sharing this information with you. All opinions are my own.

I just snapped this photo of the inside of my pantry. Today, like always, it is well-stocked with canned foods. Why? Well, for a number of reasons. First and foremost, we live in Florida, where hurricane season lasts for 5 months and we always need to be prepared with healthy, ready-to-eat foods. The longest we’ve ever lost our power was for about 36 hours, but a few years ago, my grandparents had no electricity for over a week! Simply put, every Floridian knows (or should know!) the importance of stocking their pantry with canned foods.

Second, my kids love canned fruit, especially Del Monte peaches and mandarin oranges. Did you know that many canned fruits and vegetables have the same nutrients as their fresh or frozen counterparts? In May 2013, Oregon State University reported research findings that California cling peaches are nutritionally on par with fresh peaches! What a relief to know that my kids are still getting essential nutrients when they choose canned over fresh fruit.

And third, having a well-stocked “Cantry” just makes my life easier. I keep things like Hormel Chicken Breast, Del Monte tomatoes, and Goya black beans and chickpeas in the house so that I can throw together a quick, healthy meal without first having to make a trip to the grocery store. It’s homemade made easy. And when I need a really quick meal, I can just heat a can of soup and serve it with grilled cheese or garlic toast.

I also love to use Libby’s canned pumpkin to make this delicious family favorite, Pumpkin Bread. It’s the perfect treat for this time of year – or all year long!

Here’s some more interesting info about canned foods:

Do Cans Get You Cooking too? What are some of your favorite recipes or go-to meals using canned foods?

For more information, ideas, and inspiration about cooking with canned foods, make sure you check out Cans Get You Cooking on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube!

Don’t forget to check out our collection of yummy and easy to make Recipes, if you have kids get them into the kitchen with our Recipes Kids Can Make!

Find out what we eat >>> Weekly MadameDeals Menu Plan