6/29 Cool Beans & Reminder 1 day until Vegan Challenge
I love things that are convenient. I am not afraid to pay for convenience. In fact, I usually encourage it. Whatever it takes to get the whole foods that are best for you into your body is what I believe. Even if I thought I could make almond milk, I wouldn’t….why would you do that??
I have always purchased beans in cans for the aforementioned reasons. In addition, it is easy, they are yummy and they are inexpensive. Our pantry looks like a bean boutique or an emergency stockpile for a small nation.
This past weekend we went to a produce market with an ethnic flair. They have exotic produce, figs, dates, and every dried food staple you can imagine. I saw dried garbanzo beans for 99 cents a pound and immediately had a thought I did not recognize as my own…. I could make our own hummus and falafel. I couldn’t decipher where this madness was coming from because as you know, I love canned beans and do not create my own beans. The thought was so random, I had no choice but to honor it. I bought the garbanzo beans and started looking for tips on how to deal with these bizarre, not so ready to eat beans.
The craziest thing happened, I found the act of putting the beans in water and putting them to bed in the fridge was really satisfying in an unfamiliar way. I felt like it invested me more deeply in their future flavor and use. I couldn’t wait to see how plump they had become as visions of hummus danced in my head.
Even though I still adore and will use the off-the-shelf variety, these brought to life beans had a nuttier flavor than their canned counterparts. The taste was brighter and more fresh. The other bonus was the cost savings. These dried nuggets of love produce a bounty of beans 2-3 times the amount that my dollars would have purchased in cans. It was like winning the garbanzo lottery once they had been revitalized and cooked.
So, now the beans are ready and so am I. Our friend Peter shared some of his home grown garlic and I began crafting the hummus as soon as we walked back in the door. Making something that we love and consume en masse from scratch, was so soul satisfying that I could hardly believe it. All puffed up and proud I walked a bowl of it next door to our friends Kenny & Amy, like I had just given birth to the next Dalai Lama.
What I really learned:
Sometimes putting the time in to create something from scratch is really, really worth it. It fed my soul, my curiosity and my desire to feed my body beautiful, healthy foods. This is one way. Another way is to purchase every convenience you can get your hands on to ensure your success of eating healthy foods when you are busy.
Both ways are exactly right. Let’s not sabotage ourselves by attaching value or lack there of to the amount of time we spent creating a meal. Instead, lets congratulate ourselves for making it work by any means necessary.
This week I will share a full hummus report. There were multiple batches and I want them to chill completely before we dig in.
The 30 Day Vegan Challenge starts in one more day (June 30th). Please join us with your own variation of the challenge. Share it with us so we can all feel inspired. Everything is more fun with friends!
Have a delicious day.
Tags: 30 day challenge, chick peas, compassionate eating, dried beans, falafel, garbanzo beans, going veg, hummus, trying vegan, vegan, vegan challenge, vegan experience
