Beans can help us live longer! Cultures known as “Blue Zones” where people live long lives full of vitality and good health, are known for eating beans. What’s more, beans are inexpensive and can keep your food budget low. Most beans that you cook from the dry bags (pictured above) need to be soaked before cooking. Fortunately, lentils do not, so they are a quicker cooking bean.
Studies show that eating beans helps reduce your risk for heart disease. Lentils are an excellent source of folate and fiber. They contain both soluble and insoluble fiber. The soluble fiber forms a gel and helps to sweep cholesterol out of the body. The insoluble fiber helps to move the food along in your intestines, preventing against constipation. Lentils are mineral rich and contain protein, which along with fiber, helps to keep you full.
Check out the Blue Zones blog for awesome articles
Here are two great Blue Zones books by Dan Buettner:
- The Blue Zones, Second Edition: 9 Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who've Lived the Longest
- The Blue Zones Solution: Eating and Living Like the World’s Healthiest People
For Lentils with Chicken recipe from Clean Eating Magazine: http://www.cleaneatingmag.com/recipes/one-pot-lentils-chicken/
Click here for Chinese Lentil and Noodle Salad Recipe: http://www.cookingwithpulses.com/recipes/chinese-lentil-and-noodle-salad/ Consider using whole wheat pasta in this recipe.