Welcome to Sneaky Snacks Tuesday where every Tuesday I share a healthier snack idea. Go here to read more about why I started Sneaky Snacks and go here to read about why I’m putting beans in these waffles!
We usually make waffles on the weekend for brunch or an easy Sunday evening dinner. A few weeks ago Jared said, “Hey you should come up with a waffle with BEANS in it!”
Well, you know I love a challenge so I played around one morning and came up with a recipe I was pretty happy with. Not …

Wow, if this challenge was like having a baby we’d be half way done! Crazy. Anyway, go here to read more about my 365 Days of Beans and Rice Challenge.
Week 20
Monday (Day 138) : Steak Fajitas, black beans and corn

Tuesday (Day 139): Orange Chicken over rice
YUUUUM. I can’t wait to share this recipe with you. It was sooooo worth it!

Wednesday (Day 140): Leftovers
Thursday (Day 141): Black Beans over rice, Garlic Bread, Salad, Brownies

Friday (Day 142): BLT Rice Salad, Garlic bread, fruit

Total experiement and I didn’t really like it. The flavors were …

This post is part of my 365 Days of Beans and Rice Challenge.
It was the evil hour before dinner. You know the one. I had no idea what to make for dinner, the were kids starving, hanging on my legs, bickering, the baby was waking from her nap, and the phone kept ringing.
Every week I swear I will plan my meals ahead of time to eliminate this relentless time, but Monday came and went and it didn’t happen once again and I’ve been floundering every day this week. 
Anyway, so the hour before dinner I’m searching the fridge trying to figure out what to make. …

Easy, really. I used to only use canned beans because cooking the bags of dried beans seemed like too much work. Plus I liked the convience of canned beans and didn’t always plan dinner far enough ahead to cook the dried beans.
But then I started the beans and rice challenge, and discovered dried beans are much less expensive–a pound bag of dried beans ($1-ish) equals about four 15-oz. cans of beans ($3-ish). Then I found out I could FREEZE cooked beans!! So while I do keep canned beans on hand for a quick …

Welcome to Sneaky Snacks Tuesday where every Tuesday I share a healthier snack idea. Go here to read more about why I started Sneaky Snacks.
The last time I tried combining bananas and beans they turned out awful but I was determined to try again after buying several bunches of ripe (marked down) bananas last week. This time I used white beans–milder than lentils in taste. I was so happy when these muffins turned out super yummy. No bean taste. The chocolate was an added bonus but they would have been tasty without. …

Read about my 365 Days of Beans and Rice Challenge here.
Monday (Day 131): Tuscan Calzones with marinara dipping sauce, fruit salad  
(WE LOVED THESE!)

1 batch pizza dough
1 can white beans, drained and rinsed (or 1 1/2 cups cooked from dry)
1 box (10 oz.) frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed
1 tsp. basil
2 TBSP olive oil
minced garlic or 1 tsp. garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
shredded mozzarella cheese
marinara for dipping (we used Classico pasta sauce)

Mash beans. Mix in spinach and seasonings. Divide dough into 8 pieces. Add a scoop of filling to each and top …

Welcome to Sneaky Snacks Tuesday where every Tuesday I share a healthier snack idea. Go here to read more about why I started Sneaky Snacks and go here to read about why I’m putting beans in these cupcakes!
Ok, I’m not really sure how “healthy” these cupcakes are, but they certainly are sneaky!
Vanilla Bean Cupcakes

white cake mix
1 can white beans, drained and rinsed
3/4 cup water

In  blender or food processor, puree beans and water until smooth. Add cake mix and mix well. Bake in cupcake paper lined tin at 350F about 18 minutes or until done.
Just a …

Read about my 365 Days of Beans and Rice Challenge here.
To paraphrase my mother-in-law, ‘It’s nice to have a plan. Know that the plan won’t always work.’
That’s how I feel about this week. I didn’t stick to my plan very well.
Monday (Day 124): Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup, rolls
Tuesday (Day 125): Mexican Noodle Bake with black beans and corn, cornbread

This worked in my head a lot better than in the pan. I thought it was just okay so I’m not going to share a recipe. Luckily my husband liked it–there …

Read about my 365 Days of Beans and Rice Challenge here.
Monday (Day 117 ): Vegetable Minestrone, Garlic Biscuits

Tuesday (Day 118): Chicken Salsa Chili, Cornbread
Wednesday (Day 119): Taco Salad, Grilled Corn on the Cob
 
Thursday (Day 120): Baked Pasta, Salad

Friday (Day 121): Sandwich with hummus spread–instead of mayo or mustard (Thanks for the idea, Kathleen!)

Saturday (Day 122): Peanut Butter (Bean) Bars (recipe still being tweaked…)

Sunday (Day 123): Leftovers

Wondering what this beans and rice thing is all about? Read my challenge here.
 

Baked Pasta

2 lbs. ground beef or sausage (or 1 lb. each), browned
1 24 oz. jar pasta sauce
2 cans crushed tomatoes
1 can white beans, drained and rinsed
minced garlic
chopped onion
2 tsp. Italian seasoning
1 box pasta (penne, ziti, shells, etc.)
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Brown meat; drain. Add chopped onion and garlic to meat and cook for a couple of minutes until tender. Add sauce, tomatoes, beans, and seasoning. Add pasta to …