from my cookbook Recipes for Loving The Body You’re In

I’ve been aware for awhile now that when I have sugar and/or carb cravings, the best thing for me to do is put together a big batch of beans. My favourites are black bean dishes.

Sensation wise, sugar cravings feel antsy all over my body – maybe even frenetic sometimes. After eating beans my whole body sensation is calmer and I feel settled. The gift for me is that somehow I have managed to pay enough attention to my physical sensations to notice this change when I eat beans. The bonus gift is that there is a scientific explanation for these experiences.

In addition to lowering cholesterol, black beans’ high fiber content prevents blood sugar levels from rising too rapidly after a meal, making these beans an especially good choice for individuals with diabetes, insulin resistance or hypoglycemia. © 2001-2010 The George Mateljan Foundation *I don’t have any of those conditions – maybe a tendency toward hypoglycemia…

So I have the physical sensations backed up by scientific knowledge and analysis, which augments the positive (I’m doing something loving for myself) which brings a sense of peace to my spirit.

All from a bowl of beans. How cool is that?

Here’s my most recent black bean rave.

4 cups soaked, cooked and rinsed black beans

1/2 eggplant, cubed

2 small zucchini, cubed

2 small onions, cubed

1/2 bunch celery, sliced

a handful of mushrooms, sliced

sometimes I add a carrot or 2

2 T olive oil

1-3 heaping T madras curry… you can either use the powdered recipe or the madras curry paste available in most grocery stores. 3T curry will make it SPICY…you choose…

I stir fry the vegies with the olive oil until just barely softened, then add the curry and stir. Now add the beans along with a small amount of water (1/4 – 1/2 cup?). Allow the whole concoction to simmer for just enough time to cook the vegies, maybe 10 minutes.

The last thing is to add is Himilayan Rock Salt to taste and then enjoy!