Beans, Beans, the Magical Fruit
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When I started this rice and beans challenge I was fairly ignorant. I mean, I knew beans are full of fiber and brown rice is healthier than white, but I challenged myself mostly because I wanted to cut our grocery expenses. Dave Ramsey encourages to get out of debt and live within your means with his popular phrases: ”beans and rice, rice and beans,” “be weird” and “live like no one else so later you can live like no one else.” I needed a daily accountability reminder so I committed to preparing beans or rice every day for a year. I wanted to establish a beans and rice habit while we are working on our debt because I felt like our food expenses were the hardest for me to cut down on.
So I started the challenge out with chili and bean soups and lots of Mexican dishes. But as time has gone on I’ve needed to get a bit more creative in order to keep momentum. And in doing so I’ve learned a few things.
For example, did you know that not only are beans super inexpensive and versatile, they are considered a superfood because they are so nutritious!
Here are ten facts about beans:
- A 1/2 cup of cooked beans has about half the recommended daily dose of fiber for an adult woman and a third of the daily recommended dose for an adult man.
- Beans are digested slowly so they keeping you feeling satisfied longer.
- Beans are high in antioxidants.
- Beans are low in calories and fat.
- The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends we eat 3 cups of beans a week, or 1/2 cup per day!
- When beans and rice are combined they form a complete protein.
- Beans contain no cholesterol.
- Beans are high in protein.
- There is a type of sugar molecule found in beans that can be hard to digest and it often causes gas.
- Beans have been cultivated for thousands of years.
I’m linking this to Top Ten Tuesday.
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Interesting facts! We are trying to eat more beans, too, for health and financial reasons. I’ve discovered that garbanzo beans straight out of the can are an amazing snack! I need to read more about your 365 Beans and Rice challenge. Good luck!
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pameladonnis Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 6:58 pm
Garbonzo beans right from the can, huh? I’ve heard of toasting them so they get crunchy like nuts. I may have to try that! I love garbonzos on a salad.
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AllieZirkle Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 11:15 pm
Why not whirl in the food processor with some toasted sesame seeds, olive oil, garlic, and a splash of lemon to make home made hummus?
Yum!!
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Awesome!!! I love dried beans; I just did a post about them a few weeks ago, once you get used to cooking them instead of using canned it’s easy, isn’t it? Amazing challenge you’ve undertaken, good luck!!
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pameladonnis Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 6:59 pm
I’m definitely new to cooking them from dry, but they really are easier (and way less expensive) than I thought!
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I agree. Beans are like the super secret healthy food. It’s so sad that they’re overlooked so often!
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I actually love beans. I usually include them in whatever I’m making for lunch.
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It’s funny that you posted it. I’m visiting my Mom right now, and we’ve been talking about adding more beans to our diet because of all the anti-oxidants. It seems like every magazine here lately, has been touting all the benefits of anti-oxidants…things we’d really like. Accelerated weight loss, clearer skin, more energy.
On a humorous note, the title of your blog post really cracked me up. When I was in the military we’d have a staff meeting once a month, just to sort of touch base with all the Airmen from the various shifts. One staff meeting, they turned into a pot-luck/BBQ, and one girl brought a HUGE pan of baked beans. In the middle of our master sergeant speaking (the main supervisor we had), he was suddenly interrupted by one of our HIGHLY absentminded staff sergeants chanting “beans, beans, the magical fruit..the more you eat the more you…” And one of the other sergeants had to quickly cut him off, and remind him that perhaps this wasn’t the most appropriate time.
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Pam, I saw this post and thought of you. Quite helpful
http://dealstomeals.blogspot.com/2010/01/beansthe-options-are-limitless.html
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