An Alternative to Health Care Costs
Check this out! Going back to basics not only saves us money, it saves our environment and most personally gives us our health & vitality back.
This typical 5 gallon storage-size pail costs approximately $5-$6. Invest in the Gamma Seal Lid too, which will cost you about $7.50, but well-worth it. With the Gamma Seal Lid, you simply twist on & off. With the typical pry-on/pry-off lid, you'll be adding much more frustration and eventually the prongs that hold the lid onto the pail will break off, loosing the essential seal.
This 25 lb of pinto beans cost me less than $7. (How much does a can of beans cost?)
I know you're thinking - but you'll have to cook them and that will take electricity plus there will be time & energy spent preparing and cooking them. You're right, but still you come out way ahead.
I purchased about 4 cups of organic black beans, did the math and, the winning ratio of benefit was 5:1. For every can I would have purchased, I ended up with 5 cans of beans instead.
Plus, when you prepare the beans yourself, you know a little more about where your beans have gone. You don't have to worry about how long they were sitting in a can, or the machinery they had to pass through or many other real concerns.
I usually cook up 2-4 cups of dry beans, and then after they've cooled off a bit, I pack them in smaller containers and freeze them for later usage. They are so convenient to use.
Sort and wash your dry beans thoroughly. You usually can find a pebble or two in each batch plus older broken beans that look rancid or dried out - toss these.
I like to soak my beans over night rather than cook them from the dry state - this saves time & actually helps to activate the enzymes within adding to the nutritional value.
In the morning I wash them again. This is very important because ALL beans give off a very sour substance. The more you wash your beans the easier you'll be able to digest them. So, I rinse them at least 4 times in the morning.
You also need plenty of water and swishing room for your beans to expand during the cooking process, so plan on either cooking less beans or use a larger pan. Your beans may come close to doubling in size.
I pour in clean, fresh water, bring them to a boil and then immediately turn them down to a simmer. I cover my beans with a lid when they cook, but leave the lid slightly ajar so they don't boil over.
Remember to stir the beans at least every 20-30 minutes or more, just in case the bottom begins to stick. With sufficient water & a low heat, this shouldn't be an issue.
Voila - after 2 hours (give or take an hour on either side) your beans will be done. I wash them at this point and let them cool before placing then in the refrigerator or freezer.
If we want a better America or world, then we want healthy individuals. We will only achieve this through going back to basics and eating foods that provide the highest nutrients available to us. The more you process a food, or the further you take it from its natural state the more nutrition you lose - it's that simple.
When we go back to basics, less time, energy & resources will be wasted and we'll have a healthier, happier population.
Plus, if we're concerned about health-care costs, then start now, whether you are 5 years old or 50 years old. Start now & choose the best wholesome foods you can.
You will discover that when you eat for nutrition, you'll eat less. When you eat for appetite or a nice taste-treat, you'll overeat, for your body is still craving essential nutrients and will try to find them even by eating a dozen donuts to find them - unfortunately... you'll never find them.
Enjoy and discover what gifts have been given to us in natural foods.
Blessings to you,
Marcy Hope Williams
