Hello friends, Heidi here from Rain Country—God is good all the time. In this video I share my current top five favorite dry pantry staples, and I want to be clear: I’m talking dry goods beyond the obvious rice, beans, flour, sugar, and salt. These are the things I reach for constantly because they help me cook from scratch, stretch what I grow, and keep meals simple, frugal, and nourishing. First up is squash powder—pumpkin powder especially, but also zucchini and spaghetti squash powder. I use it for pumpkin pie, dips, cookies, and even spiced rolls, and I’ve been adding the mild powders into breads and tortillas (about 1/4 cup per recipe) because it keeps things soft, flexible, and more nutritious while cutting back a little flour. Next is tomato flakes, which are my base for sauces, soups, chili, enchilada sauce, and more—without the “tomato powder turns into a brick” problem. I also rely on dairy powders like butter powder, heavy cream powder, and cheddar powder for quick cooking (especially eggs) without grating cheese. Then I talk about dehydrated vegetables, meats, and even cooked-and-dehydrated beans for fast soups and easy meals. I also share my trick for getting dehydrated meats light and crispy without a freeze dryer. Finally, I cover herbs and spices—both culinary and medicinal—because they’re a huge part of how I flavor food and make my homemade remedies.