Oh Beans!

Oh beans!

It’s a phrase that can be stated in exasperation, or can be stated with affection for a great, natural food; beans are just that versatile. Beans of any color and variety contribute to good health.

The bean is often associated with vegetarianism. I would like to say that beans are good for all bodies, including vegetarians. Beans, in general, place low in popularity on plates, where they ought to be revered and given high regard. Beans help with our digestive systems and have an important role in our body’s amino acid production. Amino acids are protein builders. Protein gives us the strength we need to move through the day.

If you eat a combination of plant foods and grains in the course of each day, you can get the necessary essential amino acids your body needs to be healthy and energetic. It’s as easy as that. What’s the difference between plant foods and grains? That was my question. Great minds think alike; Here, is the answer to the question. Plants foods are from seeds. Grains include wheat, oat, rice and barley.

My favorite bean, and it’s hard for me to choose because I love them all, is the lentil bean. My mother and grandmother make lentil soup that is–To Die for, in my opinion. In my maternal Italian family, it’s called Lenticchia; that’s Italian for lentil. The recipe has been in our family for generations, and my sister is the only one who scowls at the thought of lentils. She thinks they stick in her throat. Oh well, all the more for me.

Back to the subject of beans in general, I suppose they are not highly regarded because of course they are gassy. You’ve heard the commercial for the product Beano, I’m sure. It works.

The next time you are presented with beans, alone or in a recipe, make a mental note: “buy Beano” or something like it on the way home, and enjoy the delicious, nutritious bean in all it’s glory.