How to Freeze Beans and avoid BPA

Canned products are usually lined with BPA-a product known to cause cancer, birth defects, miscarriages, obesity, and insulin resistance, which can lead to Type II diabetes. I have decided to quit buying anything that comes in a can. This means no more canned beans.

Instead, I have fun with dried beans. I set aside a few hours in a day and call it my “Bean-Fest”. I put on Salsa music, grab a spicy apron and get to work.

Every burner and large pot that I have on hand is utilized, cooking legumes of every shape and size.

I follow the basic instructions in my cookbook on how to cook beans, but I cut out the salt and cut down the cooking time by 33%. Meaning, if it tells me to cook the beans for 1 1/2 hours-I only cook them for an hour, or just until they can be forcefully squished with a fork. You want the beans to be a little tough.

After draining the beans, I divide them in half, leaving half in the pot and the other half in the lid, allowing them to cool down. I also stir the beans from time to time to release the captured heat.

You could transfer them to another dish to cool faster, but since I don’t want to wash another dish-I opt for the above method.

Once the beans are cool, I measure out 2 or 3 cup increments into ziplock bags, depending upon how I use the beans and toss them in the freezer.

I measure 3 cups for my garbanzos in order to be ready to make my Hummus Among Us Recipe.

I measure out 2 cups for my red and black beans for salads or to accompany rice meals.

In order to use the beans, I allow them to thaw in the refrigerator for a good day before they are needed.

Voila! Ready-at-the-helm beans without an infestation of BPA. Kind of a win-win for very little work.

Linking up here, along with other parties:



Between Naps on the Front Porch

Observing the Sabbath

This is my plan for what will be going on in our house today. After a visit from the parents, several family get togethers, church and a picnic in the park-Biceps and I need some down time.

For a time, there will be snuggling.

Then, if one of us is a little rowdy (Max), we will go to our separate corners.

And while I write, Biceps will probably fall asleep on my lap and twitch his way to dreamland.

I call this a pretty perfect way to observe the Sabbath. Even God rested, why shouldn’t we?

Skinny Orange Julius w/ Stevia

It’s so beyond summertime here, it’s ridiculous. I’ve been sweating every minute of every day-whether I’m sitting down or vacuuming or doing Crossfit, it’s the same. Stinky sweat and no end in sight.

This brings me always to the same place-I need something cold to drink. But I don’t want to consume my daily caloric intake with one or even two drinks. You can find a printable recipe at the bottom of this post.

(Did you know that the average Starbucks Frappuccino is in the range of 400-500 calories? YIKES!)

I decided to come up with a skinny version of one of my favorite drinks-Orange Julius. The result was a delicious drink without any of the spare tire conversion.

This recipe is a great just as a beverage, but can also be frozen and eaten as Orange Sherbet-(a skinny alternative to icecream)!

Here is all that you’ll need to make your own Skinny Orange Julius:

This Recipe makes a Pitcher of 4-5 Servings:
4-5 Peeled Fresh Oranges
4-5 Cups of Ice
1-2 Cups of Water
1/4 tsp Vanilla Creme Stevia

This Recipe makes one serving:
1 Orange
1 Cup of Ice
1/4 Cup of Water or as Needed
2 Drops of Liquid Vanilla Creme Stevia

In a blender, combine the peeled oranges, adding 1/2 of the needed ice on top.

Add the water and pulse until the ice is broken up into chunks. Add to this the other half of ice.

Next, add the Stevia.

Puree everything until it’s blended, but still a bit chunky.

Pour into a chilled glass, prop your feet up and enjoy.

Make an extra serving to freeze and enjoy later on as a skinny Orange Sherbet.

Watch out summer, I may have you beat.

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?

Even though my parents are going through one of the most challenging times in their life (“an opportunity for growth” they say), they are putting it all behind them to come visit Biceps and I.

Well, us and the rest of the siblings. But, I believe it’s mainly about us.

I have big plans concerning big amounts of food to keep my dad fueled and big, delicious desserts to force my mom to stay awake past 8pm.

I am so excited to see their smiling faces. The end.