Graza

Whether your new year’s resolution is health, happiness, more time with friends or no-more-resolutions-I’m-living-my-life-dammit, one really simple change will help you live that life healthier and happier.

Here it is: Replace all seed and “vegetable” oils with olive oil.

That’s it. And we know. This one seems obvious coming from us (and maybe even a little self serving). But we hope by now you know we avoid bullshit as unequivocally as we avoid canola.

We love you. We love olive oil. We’re serious about this. So here’s 1) Why eating more olive oil can make this year better than the last few (low bar, but still…) and 2) How easy and FUN it is to ~make the switch~

Why your single-most impactful resolution may be the delicious choice to eat more EVOO:

Olive oil is full of monounsaturated fats like oleic acid and antioxidants such as vitamins E and K. All of these are brilliant for reducing inflammation, but olive oil’s nutritional superpowers only start there. Consuming olive oil reduces the risk of heart disease, Alzheimer’s, type 2 diabetes, and early research suggests regular use may prevent cancer. Some doctors even use olive oil to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

Replacing seed and “vegetable” oils with olive oil is a massive course correction for your mental, physical and sexual health. See? Your year is already looking up.

A study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found a significant association between people who generously drizzle their diets with extra virgin olive oil and mental health quality of life indicators like vitality. Speaking of vitality… They recommended consuming nine tablespoons per week to naturally reduce the risk of impotence and enjoy better sex, which is a natural mood booster.

Olive oil also has an antioxidant in it called oleocanthal, and oleocanthal mimics the effects of pain medication. It works similarly to ibuprofen. So when you eat antioxidant rich olive oil—and our single origin Picuals have some of the highest antioxidant levels of any varietal—you're reducing inflammation, easing tension on your joints, and munching your way to a more painless existence.

And don’t forget – if you’re all-in, Type A about your resolutions (we feel you), you can also replace butter with olive oil (Though we are mega-big-fans of butter—shoutout Kerrygold). For sautéing, pan frying or roasting, it’s a simple swap. For baking, replace butter with ¾ the amount of olive oil (it works best when it calls for melted butter). As an example, 6 tbsp of olive oil replaces 8 tbsp of butter. Think brownies and dense cakes and muffins. YUM!

And one more thing. If you’re eating olive oil on the regular, you’re probably cooking too. Or at least adept at tearing bread into chunks, squeezing Drizzle onto plates, opening bottles of wine and sharing with friends. Which is, in itself, a boon for your mental health. As is not stressing about your resolution because doing it comes so naturally…