You've heard how meatless Mondays are good for the planet. Now, look to Cooking in Pajamas for a fast and easy vegan chili recipe. Meatless Monday is back baby!  It never actually went anywhere, I just kept forgetting to blog about it. In my quest to get healthy and lose a few pounds before my 20th anniversary trip in April, I have been testing out a plant based diet. I keep going back and Read more

Joke all you want, but since they offer so many health benefits, beans really are the magical fruit (or legume, really). If you shy away from them, here are three reasons to start eating beans today. Encourage Weight Loss Thanks to their high fiber and water content, beans are extremely filling; it doesn't take much to feel satisfied. Taking a long time to digest, beans help keep hunger at bay Read more

BPA (bisphenol A) is bad news. Animal studies of this chemical, which used to be found in many reusable plastic water bottles, links high levels of BPA to cancer, heart disease, and early puberty. BPA-free bottles have replaced reusable plastic water bottles and baby bottles, but BPA is also used in the lining of canned foods. A recent Harvard study found that after participants ate a serving of Read more

This bean salad will make the perfect side dish for your next Summer barbecue. FitSugar reader Dara8182 posted it in our Healthy Recipe group. This tasty dish is a great healthy side for your next cookout. Filled with protein and fiber, simple beans, and some garden fresh herbs, the recipe is simple, delicious, and versatile. Add this salad to wraps, veggies, or pasta for a complete meal. Learn Read more

Sometimes it's nice to prepare a big bowl of beans; then, you can use the beans over and over again to make different dishes throughout the week. Tonight I suggest you throw together a pot of these fragrant and flavorful black beans. The recipe calls for canned beans, so you don't have to worry about overnight-soaking or cooking for a long period of time. Serve the beans in a crispy taco shell, Read more

If you're a fan of slow-cooked baked beans, you'll love this easy recipe for white beans with bacon, beer, and rosemary. This dish requires time: the beans must be soaked overnight and then cooked in the oven for two hours, so plan ahead. The wait is worth it, though. The beans are rustic but elegant, and absolutely delicious. Entertaining? Serve with roast chicken and a green salad. To get the Read more

Red beans and rice is a dish that is native to Louisiana. Traditionally it's enjoyed on Mondays because it's a one-pot meal that makes use of leftovers from Sunday's family dinner. The important thing to remember is that the beans must be soaked overnight, therefore a little planning is involved when making it. It also requires time because the beans simmer with pork, vegetables, and aromatics Read more