“What everyday blessings have you experienced that are often easily forgotten?” This question from my morning reading made me ponder.
I am grateful for the warm weather and beautiful sunsets while riding in Arizona over the past few weeks. And as we travel home to a colder climate, I’ve realized what life would be without some of the things I take for granted.
For example, one morning we temporarily lost power in our trailer. When the green light on our coffee pot finally came on, I was so grateful for this first hot cup of broth.
I also return from this journey with a renewed appreciation for a simple food that adds a nutritional boost to our meals – canned beans.
Yes, for the money, beans – black, pinto, red, white, whatever – are by far the most nutritious food ever. In fact, beans and lentils are the only foods that are considered both protein and vegetables as they are a good source of protein, as well as fiber and other nutrients.
Just one serving of canned or cooked beans covers half of the daily fiber requirement. And most of it is soluble fiber – the kind that can lower cholesterol and keep blood sugar levels in check.
Beans also provide potassium (which helps control blood pressure) and numerous B vitamins. A notable “B” is folate – a nutrient necessary to prevent certain birth defects in newborns.
I prefer to cook dried beans when I’m at home, but canned beans are great for camping. (Guess the old cowboys knew what they were doing.) Canned varieties have more sodium, however, so just drain the liquid and rinse in cold water to get rid of about 40% of the sodium, food scientists say. Add a can of beans to cooked meat, poultry, and / or vegetables and toss the mixture over the lettuce greens. Add some grated cheese and voila! A complete meal!
On our way back to civilization this week, we’ll stop at my sister’s home in New Mexico to celebrate Thanksgiving. And oh, how grateful we are for a hot shower, a real bed and a lovingly prepared meal with my sister and her family.
This trip also sealed my gratitude for this country in which we live. We can travel freely, explore the desert on our horses, and sleep peacefully at night thanks to the sacrifice of those who guard our safety.
As the price of gas continues to skyrocket and we encounter other uncertainties in our current life, it is interesting to note that our country’s first official thanks came during the dark days of the civil war.
In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln called a day of thanksgiving to “recognize solemnly, reverently, and gratefully as with one heart and one voice … the ever-vigilant providence of Almighty God.”
I am particularly grateful for that.
Barbara Intermill is a Registered Nutritionist and Certified Diabetes Educator affiliated with the Monterey Peninsula Community Hospital. She is the author of “Quinn-Essential Nutrition” (Westbow Press, 2015). Email her at barbara@quinnessentialnutrition.com.