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WEEK 13 -BLOG CHALLENGE - Green Beans.

Green beans are very versatile, they can be eaten raw, steamed, boiled, baked and sauteed and variety is the spice of life. We need to eat from a variety of vegetables from a rainbow of colours to get all the nutrients we need.

Green beans (also known as string beans) are often a staple in peoples diet which is good as they are loaded with Vitamin A, C, and iron. Vitamin A supports the immune system as well as maintaining healthy eyes and skin. Vitamin C strengthens blood vessels, bones and teeth. Iron allows your muscles to store oxygen for future use and helps your red blood cells circulate. oxygen into the bloodstream.

Variety in food energetics is also key for good nutrition. The science behind Traditional Chinese Medicine is that all food has energy and this energy can affect our bodies. Food can be hot/cold, yin/yang, alkaline or acid forming. It is maintaining a balance of both that creates good health. So if you eat too many yin foods (sugar, fruits, alcohol for example) you need to balance your diet with neutral foods or yang foods (meat, eggs, cheese, salt). Vegetables are considered neutral and balancing foods (from dark leafy greens to root vegetables).

Green beans are considered neutral in temperature, they are neither warming or cooling for the body. Food affects mood. So if you are feeling space, unfocused or scattered, maybe you are eating to many yin foods and you need to balance with neutral foods. Of if you are feeling forceful and agressive, maybe you are eating too many yang foods. Neutral foods (vegetables) will add balance to your diet.

Maybe try some green beans?

pastel drawing

Since beans are long and lean, I knew I had to draw many of them to fill out the composition. Overlapping them also added some much needed angles and from the strong horizontal direction. I also wanted to add some interesting negative spaces between the beans to make it visually more pleasing.

Green Beans with Hazelnuts and Lemon
By Christina - All Recipes.ca

Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients
• 1 1/2 pounds fresh green beans, washed and trimmed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon zest
• 1/3 cup chopped toasted hazelnuts
• Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
1. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook beans 3 to 8 minutes or until tender. Drain and place in a large bowl.
2. Add olive oil, lemon zest, hazelnuts, salt and pepper. Serve immediately. Beans may be made 1 day ahead, chilled and covered, then reheated.

Nutritional Value:
Green beans/ 100 g = 31 calories
Fat 0.2 g
Carbohydrate 7 g
Fiber 2.7 g
Sugar 3.3 g
Protein 1.8 g
Source of: Vitamin A, C, B6, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and sodium.

Green Beans with Hazelnuts and Lemon.docx

Green Beans with Hazelnuts and Lemon.docx

Green Beans with Hazelnuts and Lemon.docx

How to get started...
1) Introduce green beans into your diet this week. Use the recipe provided or find your own.
2) Green beans are long, lean and linear. Try using the beans to make letters and spell your name. Or what other word could you spell with green beans? Have fun making a word or simple picture using lines and take a picture.

Keep it simple and have fun and submit your 'creations' to me at lynnldallaire@gmail.com so I can track your progress for your prize!

How to get started...
1) Introduce green beans into your diet this week. Use the recipe provided or find your own.
2) Green beans are long, lean and linear. Try using the beans to make letters and spell your name. Or what other word could you spell with green beans? Have fun making a word or simple picture using lines and take a picture.

Keep it simple and have fun and submit your 'creations' to me at lynnldallaire@gmail.com so I can track your progress for your prize!

Share your recipes on Facebook, or email them to me and I can share them too!