Here’s something you might not know about me:

I love grocery stores.

Seriously. When I was 15, I had double dates with my high school best friend at the local grocery store. These days, if I’ve had a tough day at work, my husband knows to ask “Should we swing by Whole Foods on the way home?” It’s a thing.

There’s something calming about wandering aimlessly through the produce section, peering at each type of protein in the meat section (for the sales - duh), and poking around for interesting additions in the pantry aisles. I rarely go to the grocery store with a list - instead, I stock up on my essentials and leave it up to that particular store to inspire my next meal. With my essentials in stock, I know I always have something to fall back on for dinner. Here are some crucial items: