Happy 2014! I hope your holidays were relaxing … and delicious. After all the fabulous foods my colleagues and I indulged in over the holidays, we’re ready to get a healthy start to 2014. Call it a “New Year, New You.” The first item on our to-do list: Stocking a pantry that allows us to cook delicious, healthy meals. 
Extra virgin olive oil, of course, is our top pantry essential. We’ll also include: whole grains, like quinoa and whole-wheat flour; seeds, including flaxseeds and pumpkin seeds; plenty of fresh veggies and fruits; and more.
To help you stock your pantry, we’ve compiled a checklist. It’s collected from several sources, including: Wellness Today, theKitchn, EatingWell, and Shape. You can also find healthy and delicious recipes in our January eNewsletter.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (for drizzling, salad dressing, cooking, baking, more)
Grains
- Quinoa
- Brown Rice
- Whole-wheat and rye flours
- Whole-wheat pasta
- Whole rolled oats
- Pearl Barley
Legumes 
- Great Northern, cannellini, kidney, or pinto beans
- Red, and/or green lentils
- Chickpeas
Vegetables
- Garlic
- Onions/shallots
- Tomatoes (though technically a fruit!)
- Carrots
- Brussels sprouts
- Broccoli
- Kale, Swiss chard, and other greens
- Lettuce
- Cucumbers
- Mushrooms
- Spinach
- Squash
- Potatoes and/or sweet potatoes
Fruits
- Blueberries and other berries
- Bananas
- Avocados
- Apples
- Lemons
- Oranges
Other
- Canned tomatoes
- Almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and other nuts
- Flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, and other seeds
- Honey and agave nectar
- Eggs
- Raisins, cranberries, apricots, and other dried fruits
- Balsamic, red-wine, white-wine, apple cider, and other vinegars
- Dijon mustard
- Tamari soy sauce
Please let us know your healthy pantry essentials! In the meantime, here’s to a Happy, Delicious, and Healthy 2014.
Bon appétit,
California Olive Ranch Master Miller Bob Singletary
