Beans, beans, good for the heart…

Have you eaten beans lately?

Beans have been a food staple for humans for thousands of years.  They have been cultivated all over the world, including ancient Egypt.  They are endlessly versatile and can be added to a variety of meals.

Beans are healthy — low in fat, high in protein, and utterly loaded with nutrients.  Pair beans with rice in a meal and you’ll create a perfect protein.

Beans are also economical — a bag of dry beans costs about as much money as you have in loose change under your couch cushions and then you’ll have enough beans for at least two or three meals.  If you don’t have time to slow cook beans, canned beans are reasonably inexpensive too.

Beans are good for Planet Earth — they add nitrogen and other nutrients to the soil.  In fact, beans are very easy to grow and take almost no work at all.

One of Recycla’s favorite meals on cold, blustery days is slow-cooked beans. Cannellini, kidney, pinto, and black beans are her favorites and she loves to simmer them for hours and have them for dinner.  True, her house might not smell so great, but the reward is being able to scoop warm pinto beans into a tortilla and then adding salsa and a little cheese to create an utterly divine dinner.

What is your favorite bean?

Photos courtesy of Seeds of Change.