Pretty Beans!

I am on a bean kick as of my last shopping trip. I really can't diet the way I want to until I am done with breastfeeding, but still want to eat better. I refuse to eat most low fat stuff because fat substitutes may be good for your waistline but they are so over processed and artificial it really isn't something you should put in your body. I also don't believe in artificial sweeteners, if your diabetic there's probably not much else you can do. I am of the belief that if something you want has to be artificial, you probably shouldn't be eating it at all. Besides, have you tasted some of the foods out there that contain these ingredients? No thanks! I'd rather eat a cup of grapes than low fat cookies any day. I think it's hilarious when people order a salad for a meal then get low fat dressing. Your body needs some kind of fat, otherwise in a meal like that you will be unsatisfied and hungry in no time. Another thing I think that is kind of funny is people that drink all these diet sodas, often with a fatty meal . . . . HA! I have over the last few years finally converted to water. I still drink pop and juice with some things or for special times like holidays and such. Why do you have to wash down every morsel you eat with a sugary beverage. I noticed that many times I feel less bloat and more refreshed drinking water. Plus I used to be a dental assistant in college and know what constant pop drinking (of any kind) does to your teeth.

I ramble, back to the beans. So yesterday, I made org. veg. chili and served it over baked potato. Then topped it off with freshly cut green onions, a dollop of plain yogurt and a little shredded cheddar. It was pretty darn good. And I didn't have any airy repercussions like I thought I would. I looked up the benefits of beans and stumbled onto the Beans for Health website and read up on bean facts. They are really pretty amazing and soooo good for you. Alone they are not a complete protein but are when mixed with other ingredients in recipes. Living in the Midwest, it is so nice with this crazy Chicago weather to eat a nice warm blow of grub. Today I am making a 15 bean soup I picked it up at my local GFS store. You also add some veggies and chicken breast. Looking forward to eating it tonight. I invited my mother, she's bringing the french or sourdough . . . . hopefully sourdough. That should last a few days which I really do love. Making large pots of stew, soup, etc., batch foods like that then for the next few days there is something homemade and healthy just a re-heat away. The rest can be frozen so you don't have overload.

I found a neat little recipe for Rockin' Moroccan Pitas on the side of Bush's Garbanzo Beans. That I will be making later in the week. Looks pretty yummy, and healthy too. Lots of garbanzo's, peppers, green onions, olive oil, parsley, chicken. Serve it on a pita. Can't wait. I get so tired and in a rut (as I was commenting to Red Pens & Diapers yesterday). I make some really good things but that's it pretty much "some". I have tried to veer of my little comfortable path of dish's, usually with no luck or luck but then can't reproduce it again. I get so frustrated and hungry (still breastfeeding), that I go to my local Panera or Chipotle and get some take-out. It could be worse like fried chicken or burgers, thankfully I really don't eat that stuff but once in awhile I do crave a heavy greasy meal like that. I have a "sweet tooth" but call the grease craving a "grease tooth". By the way, I thought I coined that phrase, then I Googled it. . . . . a bunch of other people thought of it first. Perhaps someone heard me say it years ago and it has spread like wildfire ever since . . . . . hee! hee!

I think I encouraged a friend of mine to start a blog last night. She is very much the "blog type". She tells me she is working on it. I am so excited but will not rush her. She has a 14 month old and a 1 and 1/2 month old and really has her hands full. If/when she gets her blog off the ground I will plug it. Anyone that enjoys my blog will most likely like hers too. I sit here in my kitchen, baby asleep, doggie asleep, husband asleep . . . . . Ahhhhh! Me time. My soup has to simmer for another hour and 3 minutes. It's 4:17 pm. My mother is coming over at 6 pm. Hopefully it will be done in time. No matter how it tastes today, it will most likely be better tomorrow anyhow. Stuff like that usually is.