Weekly Meal Plan – 3/6/15 – Shelf life of Paleo Foods

One of the lessons I have learned living a Paleo Lifestyle, is that it can get expensive quite quickly. The good news, it is preventable most of the time by just being armed with the right knowledge and shopping smart. We have talked about eating paleo on a budget and I sprinkle money saving tips into most of my posts. One more way to save money is not to waste ingredients. Once you have stocked your pantry from the brand new Healthy Version of Costco online, Thrive Market, knowing the shelf life of the food will help you maximize use and save money.

Shelf Life of Paleo Foods

One thing I am definitely guilty of is not looking at the expiration dates on my food, mainly because we buy fresh so the pantry gets neglected. The second charge, is assuming that once something is open it will magically stay fresh forever because I may need it 6 months from now and don’t want to buy it again.

One thing to remember with this list of food, these are all for store bought and not homemade. The shelf life of home made food varies greatly depending on too many factors for my brain to understand. When in doubt, give it the look, smell and maybe the taste test.

A quick note on the list below, the terms unopened and open refer to whether or not the package has been open (seal has been broken). Many people do not realize some of these items have a shelf life and for your safety and health, it is important to take note.

• Almond Flour/Meal lasts up to 9 months. Refrigerate or freeze in an air-tight container for optimal freshness.
• Almond Milk (carton) lasts 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator once opened. Check the carton for storing details and shelf life for unopened cartons as it varies by brand.
• Arrowroot Powder/Starch lasts 2 to 3 years when opened. Refrigerate in an air-tight container for optimal freshness.
• Avocado Oil lasts 1 to 2 years when unopened and 6 to 8 months when opened and can be refrigerated to extend shelf life.
• Baking Powder lasts 18 months when stored in a dry place in an air-tight container.
• Baking Soda lasts 2 years when stored in a dry place in an air-tight container.
• Black Pepper (whole and ground) lasts 2 to 3 years when stored in a cool, dry place.
• Chia Seeds last 2 years and can be refrigerated in an air-tight container to extend shelf life.
• Chocolate (semisweet and unsweetened) lasts 18 months. Refrigerate for optimal freshness and freeze to extend shelf life.
• Cocoa and Cacao Powder lasts 2 years when unopened and 1 year when opened.
• Coconut Aminos last 6 months when opened and must be stored in the refrigerator.
• Coconut Butter lasts 8 to 12 months when unopened. Check the jar for the shelf life once opened.
• Coconut Milk (canned) lasts 3 to 5 days when opened and 2 years when unopened. Opened coconut milk needs to be stored in the refrigerator in a sealed glass container and not in the can.
• Coconut Oil lasts 18 months when it is refined and lasts indefinitely when it is unrefined.
• Coconut (shredded) lasts 6 months but can be refrigerated to extend shelf life.
• Coconut/Palm Sugar lasts up to 2 years when stored in a cool, dry place in an air-tight container.
• Coffee Beans last 6 to 9 months when unopened and 6 months when opened and can be stored in the freezer to extend shelf life.
• Coffee Grounds last 3 to 5 months when unopened or opened and can be stored in the freezer to extend shelf life.
• Dried Fruit lasts 6 to 12 months when unopened and 3 to 12 months when opened and can be refrigerated to extend shelf life.
• Flax Seeds last 6 to 12 months and can be refrigerated to extend shelf life.
• Gelatin lasts 6 to 12 months and should be stored in its original container.
• Ghee lasts 9 months when unopened. When opened, ghee lasts for 3 months when not refrigerated and 1 year when refrigerated. Store ghee in a cool, dark place for optimal freshness.
• Honey (raw) lasts indefinitely when stored in a cool, dry location.
• Maple Syrup (pure) lasts 1 year when unopened and 1 year when opened. Maple syrup that is open must be stored in the refrigerator.
• Molasses lasts for 2 years when unopened and 6 months when opened and can be stored in the refrigerator in an air-tight container to extend shelf life.
• Nut Butters last 15 to 18 months. Read the labels for refrigeration instructions as it varies by brand.
• Nuts last 4 to 6 months when unopened and 2 weeks when opened and can be stored in the freezer to extend shelf life.
• Olive Oil lasts for 2 to 3 years when unopened or opened.
• Salt lasts indefinitely when stored in a cool, dry place.
• Sunflower Seeds (raw) last for 2 to 3 months and can be refrigerated to extend shelf life.
• Sunflower Seed Butter lasts 6 months when opened and can be refrigerated to extend shelf life.
• Spices/Herbs (ground and dried) last 2 to 3 years when stored in air-tight containers away from sunlight and heat,
• Tapioca Powder/Starch lasts for 1 year when opened. Refrigerate or freeze in an air-tight container for optimal freshness.
• Tea (loose leaf or tea bags) lasts for 6 to 12 months and can be stored in the freezer to extend shelf life.
• Vanilla Extract (pure) lasts indefinitely when stored cool, dark place away from heat, moisture and sunlight. Avoid cupboards near the stove, dishwasher, or fridge and shelves near windows when storing extract.
• Vinegar lasts 2 years when unopened and 1 year when opened. A slightly cloudy appearance doesn’t indicate or affect quality.

Just to try to be as helpful as possible, I created a downloadable and printable shelf life guide for you. You can save to your computer, print out and have on your refrigerator, or hang in your pantry. I just have one favor to ask, have your friends come download it here or just to tweet this for me:

Holy overload of information. I think we got it all covered when it comes to the shelf life of paleo pantry items. You have a post, downloadable guide and this weeks free meal plan as always. Feel free to Pin, Tweet, or Facebook this image and send people back here to download. Let’s make sure people can keep their food fresh.

Monday

Cranberry Walnut Paleo Granola from Cook Eat Paleo

Parsnip Ribbons with Bacon, Parsley, and Capers from Nourish Paleo Foods

Honey Dijon Crockpot Chicken

Tuesday

Breakfast “Burrito”

Bacon Garlic Short-Rib Loaded Baked Potato from The Curious Coconut

Wednesday

Cream of Portobello Mushroom Soup from Delicious Obsessions

3 Ingredient Paleo Flatbread with Avocado and Chorizo from Naked Cuisine

Thursday

Stir Fry Beef Salad

100% Paleo Lasagna from Our Full Plate

Friday

Turmeric Tea from Hello Natural

Cajun Garlic Shrimp Noodle Bowls from Lexi’s Clean Kitchen

Saturday/Sunday

Coconut Cake (Bread) with Chocolate Frosting

Caveman Cookies