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Lauren Scott's avatar

Courtney, we have ~bean~ on a very similar journey it sounds. I too have been trying to incorporate more beans into my life after working with a gut health coach. I've eaten them by themselves to start the day (much to my husband's disgust), made dense bean salads a la Violet Witchel (she's on TikTok and Substack), thrown them into every possible soup, and even incorporated them into brownies (weird, but it kind of worked). Before a couple years ago, I really only ate beans when I went to Mexican restaurants. Now they're in at least one meal I eat a day, and dare I say, my body is better for it. All hail beans!! 🫘 PS I love the Brami Lumpini beans!! They make getting fiber while traveling so much easier.

Courtney Bowers's avatar

I love this so much!! You're inspiring me to keep up with this journey and finally try out a dense bean salad. Also very intrigued by brownies with beans!! Have to make those soon. And loove that you're on the lupini bean train too! I love those and the Mamma Chia squeeze packets for traveling too, otherwise I will be so miserable the whole time lol

Lauren Scott's avatar

I'll send you some recipes to try! You'll have to let me know what you think if you make them. Ooo, I've heard of the Mamma Chia packets but haven't tried! I'll have to get some ahead of my text trip.

Morganne Hatfield's avatar

I echo what Meg said about this essay—what a delight! I’m glad beans (and nuts) are slowly showing you their worth. They’re both a big staple in my diet.

We actually got a bunch of Rancho Gordo beans for stocking stuffers. My partner and I have been sold ever since we were gifted an RG bean box for Christmas a couple years ago lol.

Also, loved these lines in particular: “the act of going to therapy is the act of dismantling reality and reassembling the parts of yourself into something new.” And “Maybe they tasted extra good because they reminded us we were alive, that we were celebrating a new age for someone we loved, that it doesn’t matter if your toes smudge before you even leave the salon because it’s the act of being together that makes life so sweet.”

Morganne Hatfield's avatar

Oh and these Lupini beans are new to me, must try!

Courtney Bowers's avatar

Yes lemme know what you think!! If you like edamame, I think you'll love these ones

Courtney Bowers's avatar

Omg thank you 🥲 looking up rancho gordo beans now!! High praise if they make it into a stocking stuffer. If you have particular bean recipes you love, I'm still all ears! I want to make sure this doesn't just drop off in 2026 lol

Morganne Hatfield's avatar

Will do! Honestly tend to mostly use beans as a part of a larger dish (ie soups/chili, chickpea curry, bowls etc.) rather than making them the star. That I forget I can do! lol

Meg's avatar

Who knew the topic of beans could yield such a lovely essay?!

Also I LOLed at the graphic with the “bean” people before I even started reading 😆

Courtney Bowers's avatar

If you'd told me that in January, I would have never believed you!! But thank youuuu so glad someone else gets my humor 🫶