So far, so good, in terms of my training.  Last week, I cycled 64 miles. On Monday and Tuesday of this week, I rode 43!  Perhaps, I can log 80 miles by Friday. We’ll see.  My butt is a bit sore; otherwise, I feel good!

What’s also helping me get in shape is my cooking.  I’ve been eating for performance, and my energy level is through the roof.  One reason cooking has been simplified, is that I’ve stocked a robust pantry.  Doing so facilitates making any recipe I’d like, in very little time.

Here is my pantry list.  It might help you take the effort and planning out of mealtime.

• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Beans, canned: garbanzo beans, red kidney beans, white beans
• Beans, dried: great northern, lima, lentil, split pea, black, pinto
• Bread crumbs: seasoned and plain
• Broth, dried and canned: beef, vegetable, chicken
• Cereal, hot:  oatmeal
• Chocolate: unsweetened squares, semisweet chips, cocoa powder
• Coffee: beans, ground, instant, espresso
• Cooking spray
• Cornmeal
• Cornstarch
• Crackers: low-fat, whole grain,
• Dried fruits: raisins, apricots, cherries, cranberries
• Extracts: vanilla, lemon, rum, orange
• Flour: All-purpose, whole wheat, cake, bread
• Fruit preserves: jam, honey
• Garlic: fresh and minced
• Gelatin: powdered, unflavored
• Lemons: fresh
• Limes: fresh
• Milk: evaporated, powered
• Nuts: almonds, peanuts, walnuts, pecans, pine nuts
• Onions: purple, yellow
• Pasta, dried: spaghetti, linguini, angel hair, fettuccine, penne, noodles
• Peanut Butter
• Potatoes, fresh: russet, white
• Rice: long-grain, wild, basmati, Arborio
• Soup: canned and dry bouillon
• Sugar: granulated, confectioner’s, light and dark brown
• Tea
• Tomatoes: canned whole, crushed, chopped, puree, sauce, fresh
• Tuna, canned
• Yeast, dry active