Beans in the News and More!

I remember when I first found out about brown rice syrup. At the time, I was addicted to all things sweet, and it didn’t take much to finagle me into believing its proponents’ health claims. “It’s a natural, healthy alternative to white sugar,” they promised. Henceforth, if it had brown rice syrup, it was ok to eat it! In fact, I thought, I was probably doing myself a favor! Cookies sweetened with brown rice syrup? Finally a sweet treat I could feel good about! Brown rice syrup flavored non-dairy ice cream? Sign me up! Chocolate balls infused with brown rice...

For most of Caroline Israel and Patty Czach's decades-long friendship, Israel has been encouraging Czach to eat healthy foods. "I want to eat healthier, and she's always very forthcoming with lots of suggestions," Czach said. "Over the years it's been in a lot of our discussions, amongst other things." In recent years, Czach was having trouble managing her cholesterol levels, and Israel suggested she eat more beans. Beans are naturally low in fat, almost completely free of saturated fat, and are cholesterol free. "She would have me over for a meal but she makes these very interesting meals that would...

One gianormous salad a day helps keep heart disease and diabetes away. It’s no secret that the standard American diet (SAD) is hazardous to your health. Most of the foods comprising the SAD foundation—like animal products (including beef, chicken, eggs, milk, cheese, fish, etc.), refined carbohydrates (bread, cereal, pasta, bagels, cookies, soda, etc.), and oils (including olive and coconut oils)—are strongly linked to obesity, heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes and autoimmune illness. Similarly, the foods correlated to a reduction in all the leading causes of death—nutrient-rich powerhouses like leafy greens, fresh fruit, and beans—are conspicuously absent from the typical American fare....

  When: Saturday, Feb. 23, 10-5 p.m. Where: SLO United Methodist Church ,1515 Fredericks St., SLO What: SLO County's 2nd annual celebration of all things vegan! Not only that but the purveyors of your favorite (and the world's only) whole-food, bean-based snack bar will be there handing out FREE samples! Of course, we wouldn't want you to fall in love with one of our Chewy Fudge Brownie bars (made with black beans, fruit, nuts, and 69% dark chocolate chips) and then have to leave without one, so we'll have some special deals, one of which includes a FREE WellBean tote...