As promised, in an effort to decrease consumption of canned foods (see my previous post on BPA in Canned Food), this week I'll give some guidance on how to cook beans from scratch!

The First Step - Measuring
Dried beans yield approximately 3 times the amount once cooked.  So, 1 cup of dried beans = 3 cups cooked beans.

The Next Step - Soaking
After rinsing, soak beans overnight in a glass jar containing 3 times their volume of cold water.  In the morning, drain the beans and put them in your favourite cooking pot with the same amount of fresh water.

The Next Next Step - Cooking
Choose your favourite bean from the chart below to determine their cooking time.  Bring water and beans to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.  Allow to cook until soft and easily mashed, then drain the beans.

The Final Step - Eating
From hearty chili to summer bean salad, there are countless ways to enjoy cooked beans!  In my next post, I'll share with you one of my favourite original recipes using red lentils:  Scarlett's Spicy Dahl

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Sources:
http://whatscookingamerica.net/Vegetables/driedbeantip.htm
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sifu_renka/3982690279/

In recent years, alarming news about Bisphenol-A (BPA) has lead many consumers to look for alternatives to plastic waterbottles, tupperware, and even children’s toys.  BPA is an industrial chemical used in the production of most synthetic plastics, and has been seen to mimic the body’s natural hormones, classifying it as an endocrine disruptor.  In particular, BPA mimics estrogen, which is cause for concern in cancer, infertility, weight gain, altered immune function, early puberty, behavioral disorders, heart disease, diabetes, and liver toxicity.  In October 2010, the Canadian government added BPA to Canada’s list of toxic substances.

A less acknowledged but highly important source of BPA to be aware of is canned food; the liner present inside cans contains BPA.  Although manufacturing costs for BPA-free cans are 2.2 cents higher than that of cans containing BPA, some companies have made the choice to go without.

In the search for BPA-free canned food, examples of brands to choose include Eden Organics (canned beans) and Vital Choice (canned fish).  This article contains the full list, and is informative for how to make decisions at the grocery store: 7 Companies You Can Trust to Use BPA-Free Cans

While it is important to choose BPA-free cans when buying canned food, it is also important to keep in mind that all canned items are still processed.  Canned foods tend to contain high levels of sodium and lower levels of nutrients compared to their fresh counterparts.  To get the most nutrition out of your food, it is important to be mindful about consuming freshly prepared foods more often.  Check back soon for tips on preparing different varieties of cooked beans for using in all your favorite bean salad and chili recipes!

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Sources:
http://www.ewg.org/reports/bpatimeline
http://naturalsociety.com/are-you-exposing-yourself-to-toxic-bpa/

Everyone who knows me, knows how much I love the west coast.  Growing up in British Columbia, I never dreamed I would move away from its peaceful serenity.  After completing high school on Saltspring Island, I moved to Vancouver to attend the University of British Columbia where I earned a Bachelor of Science with honours in Nutritional Sciences.  A true yogi, I strived for a life of balance and continued to nurture my passions throughout my university education.

Life was amazing – however, I felt somewhat unfulfilled.  I knew that there was so much more to health than the nutrition I had studied thus far, and I had the desire to learn everything I could about the human body and all complementary and alternative approaches to health.  I had begun to appreciate the importance of nourishing not only the body, but also the mind and the soul.  I wanted to live a nourishing life not only for myself, but more importantly to evoke this passion in others.

I discovered The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine through family connections and personal experiences with naturopathic doctors, and ultimately my career path became clear.  I moved to Toronto in January 2010 to pursue another four years of education to become a naturopathic doctor, a profession which I have already found to be more rewarding than I could have ever imagined.  

When I initially made the decision to move here, I didn't realize how huge of a life change it would be.  It has been such a remarkable journey already, and yet I often feel as if I have hardly begun.  I have grown in ways I couldn't have foreseen three years ago; the amount I have learned about naturopathic medicine, and myself, is indescribable.

May 2012 marked the beginning of my one-year internship at The Robert Schad Naturopathic Clinic in Toronto, and I couldn't be more excited!  I am thrilled to have the opportunity to provide naturopathic care to the community while gaining invaluable experience working with patients under the supervision of licensed naturopathic doctors.

Earlier this year while volunteering in Nicaragua with Natural Doctors International, I was reminded that we can nourish our soul, mind and body from wherever we are in the world.  A lagoon at the top of a volcano on the island of Ometepe; a yoga studio in downtown Toronto; running along Kits beach; exploring the nature trails of Ontario; connecting with patients in the clinic or a cashier at the grocery store; or simply having kale and quinoa salad for lunch.

Reflecting on these experiences and sharing them with you is what helps me to lead and teach a nourishing life, and I have come to realize that this is the theme of my journey.  I hope you will take part in my journey by checking back often for naturopathic news, health tips, and updates about the path I am on.  I would love it if you left a comment now and then - I appreciate so much all of your continued interest and support!

In the wise words of John Lennon, "Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans."  And so I wish for each of you health, peace and serenity, wherever you happen to reside in the world.

Scarlett
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Scarlett Cooper, BSc (Hons), CCNM ND 2013