Monday Menu . . .

Today's dinner menu is beans & cornbread!

This is one of our favorite comfort food meals

no matter the season. If you haven't learned to

like beans yet remember, it's all in the seasoning.

Try spicing it up a little with a can of Rotel like I do sometimes.

I always soak the beans over night.

The next morning I drain & rinse the beans again.

After I cover the beans with water

I add 2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, & 2 teaspoons garlic powder.

After the beans have cooked for about 5 hours do a little taste test.

Add more seasoning to suit your taste.

I cook the beans on high for 8 hours in the crock pot.

Beans wouldn't be complete without

homemade cornbread baked in

my Mother's cast iron skillet.

We like to add hot sauce & onions to our beans before

we take the first delicious bite!

I found some info on the internet about

why beans are so good for you!

They are:
~ Low in Fat ~
· Only about 4% of the calories in legumes come from fat calories (except soybeans and chick peas). The new food guides suggest we choose lower fat food more often.

~ High in Vegetable Protein ~
· Research is showing that plant protein helps protect the heart by lowering blood cholesterol levels in people with elevated cholesterol levels.
· Beans, combined with grains, seeds or nuts are a prime source of protein in many countries and have been for centuries.

~ High in Fiber ~
· Beans provide lots of fiber which reduces LDL (the bad cholesterol). And that can help to combat heart disease.
· Dietary fiber helps to enhance the health of the large intestine.

~ Loaded With Complex Carbohydrates ~
· Complex carbohydrates are the body’s best source of energy and should supply half our daily energy needs.
· Foods rich in carbohydrates are thought to increase metabolism and speed the burning of calories.

~ Rich in Minerals and Vitamins ~
· Vitamins
· Contains the B vitamins except B12. An excellent source of folic acid which is important to pregnant women by helping prevent neural birth defects such as spina bifida. It may also have benefits in preventing heart disease.
· Minerals
· High in potassium, a good source of phosphorus, magnesium and iron
· A source of zinc

Well, I've probably told you more about beans than you ever wanted to know, but isn't it nice to know that something that tastes so good is also good for you?