What can you get for $50 at Whole Foods?

Whole Foods recently suggested a $50 Stock Your Pantry Challenge.  Is it possible to actually do both of my New Year's Resolutions (save money and eat healthier) all in one place?  Whole Foods thinks it is.  So, I decided to take the challenge and see what $50.00 could get me.  

Here is what I got: 

·         1 lb black beans

·         1 lb lentils

·         1 lb quinoa

·         2 lbs brown rice

·         3 (32 oz) boxes vegetable broth

·         1 (32 oz) box chicken broth

·         1 lb rolled oats

·         2 cans cannellini beans

·         2 lbs pasta

·         1 can black beans

·         1 jar unsweetened applesauce

·         1 (32 oz) box non-dairy beverage

·         1 (32 oz) box almond milk

·         1 (5-oz) can tuna

·         3 (15 oz) cans diced tomatoes

·         1 package no-oil sundried tomatoes

·         1 jar pasta sauce

Yes, for $50.00.   (Okay I admit, I stopped and had a Karbach while I was shopping but that didn't come home with me).  

So, now Whole Foods wants to offer you a chance to take the challenge.  All you need to do is send an email to pantrycontest@wholefoods.com by January 31st telling Whole what healthy foods are “must haves” for your pantry. They will select random emails in February for a pantry-focused giveaway. You might win:

$50 Pantry Staples Stock Up –  They are giving away 31 stock ups. Winners will receive a $50 Whole Foods Market® gift card along with a list of suggested pantry staples needed to make 14 of our healthy recipes.

Five grand-prize packages include: Pantry Staples for a Year – Each grand-prize winner will receive a Whole Foods Market gift card for $599 to use for stocking your pantry for a year.

Customized elfa® pantry system from The Container Store ($500 value) – Each grand-prize winner will receive a customized pantry design from The Container Store and a $500 elfa Store More Card to makeover your pantry.

Here is one more chance to win a $50 Whole Foods Gift Card simply by sharing a favorite recipe. 

So, now that you have stocked up your pantry what can you make with these items?  With just a few other things from the store you can make one of these delicious recipes. I made the Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe, Sundried Tomatoes and White Beans, but used ground beef, no white beans and topped with parmesaen cheese.  The kids loved it! 

Here are your recipes to try. 

• Simple Black Bean Soup
• Beef and Quinoa Meatballs
• Zesty Quinoa with Broccoli and Cashews
• Lentil Chili
• Brown Rice with Chicken and Broccoli
• Oatmeal-Apple Pancakes
• Overnight Oatmeal
• Tuscan Tuna Salad
• Mexican Taco Stew
• Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe, Sundried Tomatoes and White Beans
• Almond Brown Rice Pudding
• Simple Oatmeal

So, what's in your pantry?