where've ya bean?

Even though my stomach disagrees, I think that Beans are one of the earth's perfect foods. Healthy, versatile, yummy, cheap. Beans are great!

In fact, they are the theme for the next "My Blog is Burning," which I may have to participate in this time. Here's the info, plus some fantastic bean puns from Too Many Chefs. Bean Martin. that's classic.

Here's a can of beans that's traveling all over the world.

Beans & Crockpots are true soul-mates.

Who doesn't love a good bean tale? A Jack & the Beanstalk database with different versions and illustrations.

Mexican jumping beans jump because they have moth larvae in 'em. ew.

Speaking of ew, we all know beans are the "musical fruit." Blame it on oligosaccharides. But don't fret. There are precautions you can take to lessen the sound effects.

A favorite gulity pleasure (guilty in that it's cheap fast-food) is actually pretty healthy. Taco Bell Bean Burrito Fresco Style. Now, making burritos at home is even better....healthier and probably cheaper, and of course yummier. My favorite way to make them was inspired by the gi-huge-ic burritos at Tomatillo's. All you do is make plain white rice, and when it's done you add chopped up fresh cilantro and jalepeno (about one bunch's worth of cilatro leaves and 1 or 2 peppers, depending on their heat) and mix thoroughly. pile some in a large tortilla, add beans (I like black beans...from a can...flavored with cumin, garlic powder, mexican oregano and hot pepper flakes) and any other burrito fare you desire (cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, etc.). Since you're getting bulk from rice and beans, you can make a dozen burritos easy...burritos for a week!

Vanilla Beans are sexy.

The Bean Bible. Bean praying?

The Powamu Festival is a Hopi Indian celebration of the bean sprout. The Bean sprout represents fertility. and there's flogging!

Jelly Bean art.

Bean art.

Bean fortune telling.

Chocolate covered beans. Coffee beans that is. *drool*

Well, that's enough beans to power a submarine, i think. It's bean real, it's bean fun! (sorry, couldn't help myself.)

over-stuffed

Now that the holidays are over, everyone's making thier New Years resolutions. Heck, I made some. But I thought this post-New Years post should go in a different direction...eating lots, excess & gluttony. that's the theme for today.

Eat like a Sumo wrestler. Man those recipes look good. And healthy, too!

While we're in Japan, gotta mention competitive eating, a sport which the country seems to excel at (without getting fat...WTF?). And yes, I said sport.

Planning some excess drinking? Follow thses tips for a feel-good tomorrow.

Excess cooking.

Excess Americanized Mexican dining (and Cartman likes it, too!)

Excess chocolate? no such thing...but this comes close. *drool*

Just want to feel big? Eat little foods.

Want inspiration to actually get bigger? A database of weight-gain stories.

Ananova's list of stories about world record food.

Speaking of which, Have you seen the Discovery Channel's show "Big?" The replicate everyday objects to huge scale. They've done a blender, a pop-corn popper, a bbq grill, a toaster and an espresso machine...plus some non-food related stuff (but who cares about that stuff, eh?).

Sure gluttony is one of the 7 deadly sins. But heck, I guess I'm a glutton for punishment (harr harr). So, go overboard once in awhile! You can live a big life but have a big heart at the same time.