Yearly Pantry: Week 1

I always start this project every year with gusto, only to fall short in my first week. This is a year-long project by Tenzicut at www.downtotheroots.net to establish one's pantry. She says doing this is like "money in the bank, only better." I have to agree - the few times I thought I was out of something only to find it in the pantry has been a relief. Wow, I don't have to run to the store after all!
So we're starting the new year with NUTS. Nuts are on sale after the holidays and I never went out to find them, which is why I usually failed on my pantry storage project right off. This year is different.
I bought 18 bags of shelled and unshelled (and unsalted) pecans, almonds and peanuts. I spent $1.50 a bag, marked down from $4 to $5 a bag. They are all in the freezer, where they can remain unspoiled for up to a year. I can use them directly from the freezer without thawing them for baking or, as planned, making nut butters.
Tenzi says nuts are a significant source of protein and rich in copper, magnesium, zine, iron and calcium. Nuts will spoil quickly when exposed to light and those kept longer for a month should be put in the freezer. Those salted or spiced have a shelf life of six months in the freezer.