From scratch cooking
Kathrynne and I made refried beans from scratch this morning. That was a fun experiment. A lot of work, but the end result was quite yummy and extremely inexpensive. I used onion powder and garlic salt instead of whole onions and garlic, since that was all I had on hand. I paid $0.99 for the bag of pinto beans at Aldi and I more than tripled the recipe with it. I ended up with the equivalent of around eight to ten cans of refried beans for a little more than $0.99 plus a little bit of time. It wasn't as hard to do as I thought it might be and I definitely plan to do it again. I'd rather have homemade than something from a can at the store anytime I can manage.
We also made three loaves of homemade (that means no bread-machine-involved) whole-wheat bread. I honestly can't remember the last time I made bread without a bread machine. I'm certainly out of practice because my loaves turned out rather sad-looking. Gratefully, the looks didn't hinder the taste. I'm considering making homemade bread at least once every week or so. Kathrynne thought that kneading the dough was a blast (I gave her a small portion of dough to knead and showed her how to do it right along with me. She actually caught on quite well!) and I was surprised just how easy it really is to make bread from scratch. Why have I been putting it off for so long?
In other food news, I re-read Fit for Life over the weekend and am on a four-week experiment with that way of eating again (probably won't stick to it totally, but am using it as a guideline). I've been so exhausted and experiencing such severe heartburn, that I was willing to "take the plunge" and do something a little "radical" in hopes I might help myself feel better. We'll see. I'd love to hear your great ideas for helping with exhaustion, especially during pregnancy.
We also made three loaves of homemade (that means no bread-machine-involved) whole-wheat bread. I honestly can't remember the last time I made bread without a bread machine. I'm certainly out of practice because my loaves turned out rather sad-looking. Gratefully, the looks didn't hinder the taste. I'm considering making homemade bread at least once every week or so. Kathrynne thought that kneading the dough was a blast (I gave her a small portion of dough to knead and showed her how to do it right along with me. She actually caught on quite well!) and I was surprised just how easy it really is to make bread from scratch. Why have I been putting it off for so long?
In other food news, I re-read Fit for Life over the weekend and am on a four-week experiment with that way of eating again (probably won't stick to it totally, but am using it as a guideline). I've been so exhausted and experiencing such severe heartburn, that I was willing to "take the plunge" and do something a little "radical" in hopes I might help myself feel better. We'll see. I'd love to hear your great ideas for helping with exhaustion, especially during pregnancy.
posted by Crystal Paine at 2:47 PM
11 Comments:
Another way to make homemade refried beans that's a bit easier.
After I've cooked the beans, I put them in a mixing bowl and mash them like I would potatoes. For 1 lb of beans, I'd use 2-3 T butter, milk to desired consistency, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. I just use a hand mixer or stand mixer.
To be honest, we would almost never have refried beans if I were going to follow the recipe you linked to. I'd rather my time-consuming recipes be other things. But, we really enjoy the above served with cheddar cheese. You could also add chili powder if you want them spicier.
HeatherHH (mom to 3 ages 5 and under, with #4 due in June)
Heather, I thought about "cheating" and doing them like that, only I realized they would be "mashed beans" not "refried beans." ;) However, I did "cheat" on the recipe by putting in around 2 cups of beans at a time while refrying instead of only a spoonful. They probably would have been better the "real way" but I guess you could say I'm lazy!
LOL! Well, I did big spoonfulls. I should note that on the recipe. :) I thought mine were easy to make with little work involved -- mostly just cooking time. :)
I really enjoyed Fit for Life, though I have never been able to follow it very well, due to the people I've lived with at any given point in my life. :)
Ideas for helping with exhaustion during pregnancy:
Stay home. Say "no" to people and activities unless you know for certain that the Lord (not your own expectations or your heart or a person's pressure) is leading you to say "yes".
Nap when your toddler naps, even if the dishes aren't done and you haven't had a shower.
Also be certain to eat lots of protein (small servings often works best) along with complex carbs. and lots of water.
Realize that your body is working as hard as a person who is climbing a mountain, every day - according to my doctor!
It is always good to have high goals for being a wife and mother. However, there are seasons of life in which paper plates, store-bought bread, frozen pizzas and pancake dinners are in order. This in no way denigrates your value as a homemaker or insults your husband or family. There will be more days ahead, Lord willing, when you may be feeling much more energetic and will be doing those things that may need to be temporarily on hold. It is important to not let one's own expectations drive us to utter exhaustion.
I never really knew what being exhausted was like until I was pregnant and chasing toddlers. The biggest battle tends to be in our minds, and we must allow ourselves to rest, to be perceptive of our bodies' signals to do so.
'Hope this helps!
I have never refried beans because I don't want any extra grease! It is not cheating and they taste great! = )
I got so, so tired when I am pregnant, I did find that paper plates for things were really nice to have. Take care of the little things and cut down on them, like having a sippy cup with water all set so it will be just when you laid down when you have to get back up to get a drink for your toddler.
Drink lots of water
And otherwise just remember that this part of being tired is only nine months! Then you have a different kind of tired....
I had such a hard time with this so maybe I am not one to give advice
We eat a lot of refried beans with meals like tacos, nachos, etc. and I like to make up a big batch and freeze them in bags. I make mine in the crockpot overnight, mash them (still in the crockpot) and cook a little longer until they reach the consistency I like. I also use "pork seasoning" or "pork base" for flavor. Yummm.
I found my second pregnancy to be far more exhausing than my first. I tried Spirulina and was really impressed with the results. There are many brands, but it is all natural and helps to oxygenate your blood.
I really love your blog and find your posts to be so encouraging. It is to uplifting to see that there are other women with the same passions and priorities!! Thank you.
andrea
When I was pregnant with our second baby girl I found that taking naps when our 2 year old rested helped a GREAT deal! Small amounts of exercise each day (walking on the tread mill, elliptical, and going for stroller walks with our toddler) were definitely energy boosters too, as well as snacking on yummy potassium filled bananas.
Cod liver oil, and switching from Crisco to coconut oil made all the difference in my fourth pregnancy. I had great energy and was able to keep up well with homeschooling my older three - until I got to that big-as-a-house size in the last month. ;-)
I can totally relate to the exhaustion you're feeling. I am 20 weeks and even though I am definately not as tired as I was earlier on in my pregnancy I still have bouts of it, mostly when I am getting to bed too late for several nights in a row. I find that for me, if I "hit the sack" early I feel great when I wake up and can go through the day like the average, non-pregnant person. And, paradoxical as it may sound, when I exercise I feel just awesome...the hardest part is making myself do it, but once I do , I am so refreshed and feel instantly better. I aim for doing 30 minutes of exercise, 3-4 times a week.
I'll be sure to pray for you as you finish out the last half of your pregnancy....it'll be so worth every bit of discomfort you've been feeling!
Heather in Pa
Oh, i forgot the biggest thing that helped the last three times. No sugar. If I had to cheat, I tried to use frutose or honey for cheating, but only natual fruit sugars. It helped me to feel much better!
Here's our simple "refried" beans recipe: Grind 1/2 cup dried pintos or black beans in a grain mill on the coarsest setting (makes about 3/4 cups bean flour). Whisk the flour into 2 cups of water on med/high heat and stir about a minute, till it boils. Stir in taco or chili seasoning to taste (about 1 tsp) then reduce to low and heat about 4 minutes. At this point, we add about 1/4 to 1/2 cup salsa. It all thickens as it cools.
(This recipe and the seasoning mix recipe are in my cookbook. :))
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