The more you eat the more you…get lots of protein and fiber in your diet!  I don’t know about you but for me I could never figure out where beans fit into my diet.  Are they a carb a protein, what? I did some research and the verdict is in.  Protein!  You can actually replace the meats in your diet for beans.  A cup of pinto beans provides 14 grams of protein–that’s 28.1% of the daily value!

 So, for those of you who do not like beans, I am sorry you are missing out on this one.  BUT for those of you who do, I have some different ideas on how to incorporate them into your diet.  My favorite, bean burrito night.  In a microwave safe bowl I heat up a can of vegetarian refried beans, vegetarian because sometimes there is added lard fat for flavor and we don’t want that!  Take a whole wheat or low carb tortilla slap about two tablespoons of beans right in the center.  Sprinkle some 2% milk or fat free shredded cheese on top along with some finely chopped white onion and fold tight.  Just take one side to other and fold it back then fold the bottom and top up so nothing can fall out.  Flip it over so the folded side stays put and bake in the oven at 300 degrees until slightly golden.  Remove it from the oven and top with fat free sour cream and salsa!  You can get creative with the inside ingrediants.  Another easy classic meal is a good ole pot of brown beans, minus the ham bone, bacon or whatever else you are used to using.  Just get a bag of brown pinto beans and spread them out over a cookie sheet.  Check for and remove any rocks, mishapen beans, etc that you see.  Then, pour the beans into a strainer and rinse them with cool water.  Pour the beans into a soup pot and fill with plenty of water.  Avoid adding any salt or spices while they soak, this may toughen the beans and/or double the cooking time later.  Put them in the refrigerator and let  them soak overnight.  When the beans are ready to cook drain the old water and add fresh water to the pot.  Cook on Medium to Medium High for about an hour and a half stirring every 20 minutes.  You can add whatever spices you like to your pot of beans.  Amazingly enough, beans are filled with lots of flavor and I have found that even if I load it with different spices it never tastes very different.  I like adding fresh garlic, seasoned salt, and black pepper.  Try it out and see what you like, I bet you won’t even miss that ham bone!  Its also fun to add beans to your favorite soups or even salads.  One of my favorite salad toppings are garbonzo beans yu-mmy! 

So, lets all give beans the credit they deserve.  They are full of fiber and protein providing us full tummies and clean pipes.  They taste great and go with anything.  And they are super cheap!  Whats not to love? 

Happy beaning.  Have a great week!

 Lauren