Today, I’m thankful for one of the most nourishing and versatile foods on the planet, beans! They’ve been a staple in kitchens around the world for generations, bringing comfort, flavor and wholesome nutrition to countless meals.
Beans can become so many delicious dishes. Stir them into curries, shape them into satisfying bean burgers or bean and veggie burgers, toss them into colorful stir-fries, add them to soups and stews or simply enjoy them over rice or your favorite whole grain. They’re affordable, filling and incredibly versatile.
Lately folks seem very obsessed with protein, but beans have been quietly providing it all along. Just 1 cup of cooked pinto beans contains about 15 grams of protein, along with fiber and other beneficial nutrients that help make meals satisfying.
If you’re cooking dried beans, soaking them overnight will help reduce cooking time and improve digestibility for most people. Soaking beans also helps reduce the natural compounds that can contribute to “gas”. Simply drain the soaking water, rinse the beans and cook them in fresh water.
Today, let’s be thankful for this simple pantry staple that has nourished cultures around the world for centuries.
What’s your favorite way to enjoy beans?
I started out over a decade ago watching Forks Over Knives, decided to “try out” the plant-based meal plan and had shockingly incredible results. I’ve never turned back. I have lost nearly 50 pounds, and that is just one side effect that me, my family, friends and clients have experienced after making the change.
Having been an incredible cook my entire adult life, I started my own personal chef service, NuYu Nourish, to extend my help to others. I interned under a celebrity chef, became a celebrity chef myself and have been expanding my reach and goals ever since! My plan follows strictly and simply those of Dr. Mcdougall, Dr. T. Colin Campbell and Dr. Esselstyn.
