Teething and Beans

Until about two weeks ago, Caroline only had four teeth. Since then another two teeth (top) and three molars have come through. Needless to say, some of our nights have been a bit rough and we're back to sleepless nights and long bedtime rituals. The silver lining, at least for someone like me, is that with an additional five teeth, Caroline is able to eat more foods. Most notably, beans have finally made it onto Caroline's favorite food list. Beans are highly nutritious and even though our family is not vegetarian, we try to eat beans or other legumes several times a week. Beans are inexpensive too, especially if they are bought in their dried form. I buy dried beans in bulk at the East Lansing Food Co-op. I soak about five cups of beans over night, rinse them in the morning, and then add enough water to cover them by several inches. I bring the pot of beans to a boil and then let them simmer gently for about an hour. They are done when they are tender and creamy but not soft or mushy. I fill old quart size yogurt containers with beans and enough cooking water to fill the container but leave about half an inch of space at the top and then put them in the freezer for another time.

Caroline's Lunchbox Menu, October 22: Breakfast - O's, blueberries (frozen from Walton Orchards); Lunch - Garbanzo beans, chard, rice, pureed butternut squash; Snacks - Westwind Milling Company buckwheat and corn pancakes, applesauce

Childcare Center Menu, October 22: Breakfast - orange juice, Cheerios, Life, Rice Krispies; Lunch - chicken nuggets, zucchini, squash, bananas, rice; Snacks - cream cheese, graham crackers