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I adore beans, which is why I enjoy mild Mexican and Cuban food.

Yet, it amazes me how many people I’ve talked to who don’t care for beans. And most of those people have said that it’s because they don’t like how the texture of beans feels in their mouth.

I eat beans probably about four times a week and consume them in a variety of ways. But I think my favorite two ways are (black or pinto beans) with either a side of white rice, or I just toss the beans into a big bowl and drizzle some olive oil over them with a sprinkle of cheese, and then scoop them up with warmed tortilla chips. And I usually have them with a side salad with guacamole dressing.

What I really like about beans is that they seem to fill me up, because for a little guy, I have a mammoth appetite.

And I quite fancy that they're good for you too.

Nutritionally, beans are a great source of protein. The exact nutritional composition of beans depends on the type you consume. Beans contain an average of approximately 116 calories per 1/2-cup serving, along with 8 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber and almost no fat. Beans are good sources of copper, folate, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and zinc. Beans are also heart healthy and beneficial for blood sugar levels.

Some of my personal favorites are:

  • Black Beans
  • Lima Beans
  • Pinto Beans
  • Dark Red Kidney Beans
  • Black-eyed Beans
  • I also eat a lot of hummus, which is made with Garbanzo Beans.

Yes, I’m a big bean lover. However, there is one side effect to eating beans that I’m not too keen on.

“Beans, beans, 
The magical fruit,
The more you eat,
the more you toot.
The more you toot,
the better you feel,
so let’s eat beans 
with every meal.”

Well, I don't know about "the more you toot the better you feel" because about an hour after I eat beans I feel like I could go sky riding!


Happy Monday, y'all!
X


49 comments:

  1. LOL at the tooting! That's one reason I don't eat too many beans. Red kidney, broad bean, haricot, lima, and green runner beans are favourites but that's because I haven't tried any of the others. Mind you I stick to small portions for obvious reasons, if I had more I would definitely need one of those 'loading' t-shirts. Maybe next time I want to clear a room I should feast on beans. If I said thanks for sharing, would you take offence.... whaaaaaa!!

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  2. Totally ignoring the last bit since I don't discuss GI issues (I wish I could put a sign up in the office that says, "Please do not tell me about your bowels"). :p


    The texture thing is funny to me, since I'm really sensitive to food textures but wouldn't have considered beans as problematic. Pudding, yes. Beans, not so much. Black beans are probably my favorites. And garbanzo beans - which a secretary I worked with referred to as "them banzai beans." I also spent many an hour as a kid in an activity called in these parts breaking beans. We had a big garden so we'd often sit on the porch de-stringing and snapping green beans and shelling black-eyed peas and purple hull peas. I actually LOVE doing that - it's a meditative sort of work.

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  3. Oh Ron, I'm sitting at my desk this morning laughing and snorting out of my nose. This was hysterical! I love that last photo.

    Being of Cuban descent, I know what you mean about beans. I love them but they can cause gassy issues. Have you ever tried Beano because it seems to work? My favorite beans are black and pinto, but I also like lima/butter beans.



    Thanks for the laugh this morning, I needed it! Have a wonderful week, Ron x


    Cute poem!

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  4. Good morning Valerie!

    "LOL at the tooting! That's one reason I don't eat too many beans."

    OMG...I adore beans, however, the "after effects" are just toot-toot much - HA!

    "Red kidney, broad bean, haricot, lima, and green runner beans are favourites but that's because I haven't tried any of the others."

    I've never heard of runner beans or haricot, so I'll have to Google them to see what they look like. Glad to hear you like lima beans because a lot of people don't care for those. I also like those big butter beans, which are also considered lima's.

    "Mind you I stick to small portions for obvious reasons, if I had more I would definitely need one of those 'loading' t-shirts. Maybe next time I want to clear a room I should feast on beans."



    HAHAHAHAHA! Yes, either that, or do as I do, I go outside and take a nice long walk :)


    Thanks so much for stopping by, dear lady. Have a lovely week!


    X to you and Joe!


    P.S. Hope all is well with Joe.

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  5. "Totally ignoring the last bit since I don't discuss GI issues (I wish I could put a sign up in the office that says, "Please do not tell me about your bowels"). :p"

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! That is too funny! At my previous job and even this new one, we are all so free-talking and open about GI issues.

    "The texture thing is funny to me, since I'm really sensitive to food textures but wouldn't have considered beans as problematic. Pudding, yes. Beans, not so much."

    Same here. Pudding (especially rice pudding) I feel as you. But for some reason, the texture of beans doesn't bother me at all.

    "I also spent many an hour as a kid in an activity called in these parts breaking beans. We had a big garden so we'd often sit on the porch de-stringing and snapping green beans and shelling black-eyed peas and purple hull peas. I actually LOVE doing that - it's a meditative sort of work."



    OMG...that sounds so cool! Which reminded me, I also love green beans and snow peas (which I don't even know if they're considered a bean).


    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a FABU week!


    X

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  6. Nobody likes lima beans! I'm not a bean eater and yes, because of the texture - beans do not have a good mouth feel. But yes, yes, they are good for you and I don't care - ain't gonna eat no beans! As for effect of beans (and cruciferous vegetables), wait till you get a bit older, everything you eat will have that effect. I should probably buy stock in the Beano company, with the aging of the population, it's stock has got to go up.

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  7. Hola Denise!

    Last night, while I was Googling photographs, I found that last photo online. Isn't it hilarious?

    "Being of Cuban descent, I know what you mean about beans."

    While I was still living in Florida, one of my close theater friends at the time was Cuban as well. He made such awesome Cuban dishes with lots of beans and rice! LOVE Cuban food! I also have a friend in Florida, who's husband is Mexican. And OMG...can that man cook some incredible Mexican food. He even makes his own tortilla shells!

    "Have you ever tried Beano because it seems to work?"



    No, I haven't, but I've seen it at the drug store. Perhaps I need to try it - HA!


    Thanks so much for stopping by, girl. Have a wonderful week!


    X

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  8. "Nobody likes lima beans!"

    Grace, you are so right. SO MANY people I talk to do not like lima beans, especially.

    " I'm not a bean eater and yes, because of the texture - beans do not have a good mouth feel."

    And I'm surprised the texture of beans doesn't bother me as well, because I'm very sensitive to the way food feels in my mouth.

    "As for effect of beans (and cruciferous vegetables), wait till you get a bit older, everything you eat will have that effect. I should probably buy stock in the Beano company, with the aging of the population, it's stock has got to go up."



    HAHAHAHAHAHA! That cracked me up. But I know what you mean because even at my age, I can feel that effect starting to happen. Ironic you mentioned BEANO because one of my other readers mentioned the same thing. I guess I need to try it.


    Thanks for stopping by, Grace. Have a SUPER week!


    X

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  9. Hey, what's going on here? I click on to "Being Ron" and all of a sudden I'm in the middle of the campfire scene in "Blazing Saddles"!


    Seriously, though, I am well aware of the healthy attributes of beans, but I never really developed a taste for them. But since I've been expanding my diet and looking for more healthy foods, I'm going to give 'em a try. Sounds like it'll be a real gas!


    Have a darn tootin' great week, buddy!

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  10. "Hey, what's going on here? I click on to "Being Ron" and all of a sudden I'm in the middle of the campfire scene in "Blazing Saddles"!"

    Bwhahahahahahaha! Rob, that was beyond hilarious and brilliant! You are so quick witted and clever!

    "Seriously, though, I am well aware of the healthy attributes of beans, but I never really developed a taste for them."

    Yes, and I know many people who have never developed a taste for beans, so I understand your feelings. I actually never even thought about how good beans are for you, I just liked them. However, upon doing some research, I discovered that there are so many healthy benefits to eating them.

    But OMG....the GAS issue that comes with beans is atrocious. "Sky riding!"

    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Have a super week!
    X

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  11. I remember that little rhyme from my grade school days, Ha! It's probably stuck around so long because it's TRUE!!

    I'm a lover of beans, too, particularly red beans, green beans, black-eyed peas, and Great Northern beans. I don't care for Lima beans -- at all!

    Besides being GOOD for you, beans are extremely versatile. You can add them to so many dishes, season them, and enjoy them on their own without going to a huge expense. And their color brightens up most dishes, too.

    Happy Monday, my friend!

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  12. "Well, I don't know about "the more you toot the better you feel" because about an hour after I eat beans I feel like I could go sky riding! ROFLMAO

    Ron, that made me laugh out loud, as did the photo of "Fart now loading!" Did you take that or did you find it online?

    My girlfriend and I both enjoy Mexican food. Qdoba is one of our favorite eating places. But you're right, the after effects are not wanted.

    Hilarious post, dude!

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  13. I too am a huge bean fan, but I prefer the coffee flavoured ones.

    And that always reminds me of the brilliant Bob Newhart and his fabulous "Nutty Walt" sketch; "Wait, it's a drink, made of beans? Yeah, ok Walt"

    Bob Newhart - Walter Raleigh: http://youtu.be/p1KbtLrBZ0k

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  14. Hey there Debbie!

    "I remember that little rhyme from my grade school days, Ha! It's probably stuck around so long because it's TRUE!!"

    I had never heard that rhyme before, so when I saw it online, I laughed and laughed. OMG...it's so funny! And you're right...TRUE :)

    "I'm a lover of beans, too, particularly red beans, green beans, black-eyed peas, and Great Northern beans. I don't care for Lima beans -- at all!"

    Yes, to ALL of those! And yes, so many people I know do not like lima beans; even those who like beans.

    "You can add them to so many dishes, season them, and enjoy them on their own without going to a huge expense."



    I agree, they are not only good for you, but also very inexpensive.


    Yaaaaay...beans!


    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a fantabulous week!


    X

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  15. I'm not a bean lover, because of the pappy feel of them in my mouth. I will eat baked beens (Heinz) now and again and I do love chicken in black bean sauce, but that's the extent of my liking for beans.

    Our little 'bean' poem is:

    Baked beans are good for you heart
    The more you eat the more............

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  16. That tshirt is just too funny! You should watch my dog when she toots, she looks back at her rear and gets up and moves across the room as if she can get away from herself, ha!

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  17. Talk about a house divided. I love beans, but Tara does not. I will never understand this, as beans are both delicious and a great source of protein, not to mention the other health benefits mentioned in your post. I think she has texture issues, too.


    Me? I could probably eat paste and be okay with it. If it was flavored with lime and chile powder, that is.


    Or...beans! Bean-flavored paste! Yes!!


    This summer, I've begun making refried beans from scratch. Audrey and I love them. The whole process is time-consuming, but totally worth the trouble - they are far better than anything you can find in a can.


    Happy sky riding!

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  18. I gotta admit, I am NOT a bean lover. Something about the consistency just does not do it for me. However, beans in chili I can tolerate. I dunno I am an odd one. And you are right the tooting is not a perk. My dad loves beans and tooting so let me just say when beans are for dinner in that house you want to be far, far away!

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  19. I have never met anyone who liked Lima beans, besides my parents! Those things are nasty! I like black beans, baked beans and garbanzo. I have to be careful because of sodium content though! I was shocked by the levels of sodium in canned beans.

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  20. I love beans! Just made chili con carne last week with the black and red kidney varieties. The only one I don't like is lima. Maybe if they were prepared a certain way but just cooked plain... bleh! Unfortunately, I have assorted tummy issues so beans can certainly bother me, but it's not every time. (Wonder if that product 'beano' would help?) Well, I do eat them because they are healthy and tasty. Just bought vidalia onion hummus yesterday. YUM!

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  21. Hey there Babs!

    Yup, so many people feel the same about the way beans feel in their mouth. And I'm surprised I like beans as much as I do because I'm very particular about textures of food.

    "and I do love chicken in black bean sauce."

    Me too!!!!!!!!!!! There is something about the combination of chicken in a black bean sauce. YUMMY!

    "Our little 'bean' poem is:

    Baked beans are good for you heart
    The more you eat the more............"

    HA! Love it!!!!!!!!!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a lovely week!

    X to you and Mo!

    P.S. Your big day is coming up soon!!!! :)

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  22. Suzi, isn't the shirt brilliantly hilarious? The second I spotted it online, I knew I wanted to use it for this post :)

    "You should watch my dog when she toots, she looks back at her rear and gets up and moves across the room as if she can get away from herself, ha!"



    Bwhahahahahahaha! I'm just envisioning that. HYSTERICAL!


    Hope you had a FAB Monday. And thanks so much for stopping by!

    X

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  23. "I think she has texture issues, too."

    Yes, Mark, so many people do. And I'm surprised that I don't have issues because I'm very particular about food textures. However, beans don't bother me at all. I LOVE THEM!!!!

    "Or...beans! Bean-flavored paste! Yes!!"

    *two thumbs up*

    YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    "This summer, I've begun making refried beans from scratch. Audrey and I love them. The whole process is time-consuming, but totally worth the trouble - they are far better than anything you can find in a can."



    Sounds faaaaaabulous! I have never done that myself, but I really need to because I know that they must taste HEAVENLY made from scratch!


    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Have a terrific week!


    X to you and Tara!

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  24. Hey there Shae!

    "I gotta admit, I am NOT a bean lover. Something about the consistency just does not do it for me."

    Yup, I know many people who feel the same, so I totally understand. And yes, in chili their are so many things included, so I guess the bean texture is not as prominent.

    " And you are right the tooting is not a perk. My dad loves beans and tooting so let me just say when beans are for dinner in that house you want to be far, far away!"



    Bwhahahahahaha! SKY RIDING!!!!!!


    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a super week!

    X

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  25. "I have never met anyone who liked Lima beans, besides my parents!"

    I know, isn't that strange? Even as a kid I loved them. But what's weird is that I didn't like green peas at all. Yet, as an adult, I've grown to love them.

    " I like black beans, baked beans and garbanzo."

    The BOMB!

    " I have to be careful because of sodium content though! I was shocked by the levels of sodium in canned beans."



    Yes, I agree. And I'm very careful to get beans in a can with low sodium. I usually buy organic beans, which have very little salt in them.


    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a terrific week!
    X

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  26. "I love beans! Just made chili con carne last week with the black and red kidney varieties."

    Yup, I knew it, Mary, from the different recipes/dishes you've shared on you blog. All of which looked HEAVENLY. I really like the way you cook because it's stuff that's healthy and very tasty!

    "The only one I don't like is lima. Maybe if they were prepared a certain way but just cooked plain... bleh!"

    Yes, many people who do like beans are not fond of lima's. It's strange, because even as I kid I loved them.

    " Just bought vidalia onion hummus yesterday. YUM!"



    Sounds FANTABULOUS! I'm a huge hummus lover.


    Thanks so much for stopping by, neighbor. Have a grrrrrrreat week!
    X


    P.S. Isn't the weather gorgeous?

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  27. Ron, the only bean on list that I'm not craze about are lima beans. But all the rest, I love! I'm half Spanish, so beans were always a big part of my mothers' cooking. I also like Mexican food as well. I can eat guacamole every day of the week.

    "Well, I don't know about "the more you toot the better you feel" because about an hour after I eat beans I feel like I could go sky riding! Lol.


    Love the T shirt. Hysterical!

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  28. Hey ho Robert!

    "Ron, the only bean on list that I'm not craze about are lima beans."

    OMG, that is so funny because SO MANY people said the same thing! I guess I'm the only person who likes them :)

    "I'm half Spanish, so beans were always a big part of my mothers' cooking. I also like Mexican food as well. I can eat guacamole every day of the week."

    Two of my friends in Florida are Latin - one Puerto Rican, one Cuban, so they were responsible for my love of Spanish food. I adore avocado, so guacamole is a HUGE favorite of mine.



    Isn't the T shirt brilliant? I laughed when I saw it!!!!


    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Have a fabuloso week!
    X

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  29. This might be a bit TMI! And, you do realize, there is a nifty little pill called Bean-O that can take care of those after effects! Works like a charm. But the tee-shirt is hysterical. :-)

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  30. Hey there Lisa!

    " And, you do realize, there is a nifty little pill called Bean-O that can take care of those after effects! Works like a charm."

    Yes, you're like the third person to mention Beano, so I've gotta try it :)

    " But the tee-shirt is hysterical. :-"

    Tee, hee...isn't it priceless?

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a super week!

    X

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  31. Hysterical, Matt!!!! Wasn't Carlin brilliant?

    Thanks so much for sharing the vid, buddy. Enjoyed!

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  32. Omg, the images and memories this bean post is evoking, Ron! Where do I begin? I share your love of Mexican food such as fish with a generous helping of black beans and rice. Or my father's bean soup and his constant reminder on how healthy beans were. Or my wild and crazy brothers who would wear that tee because they seem to toot synchronistically. (I watched Words and Pictures last night. LOL) Mr. Bean, and "Master of Disguise;" two of my niece's favorites when she was very young, not only hilarious, but a testament that classy and tooty can be very challenging.
    Ron, I think you'd enjoy a Mexican film,

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  33. Oops...the comment posted...Just wanted to recommend the Mexican film, "Like Water for Chocolate"; magical realism expressed beautifully.
    Have a wonderful week, Ron! :))

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  34. Helloooooooooo there Petra!

    "Or my father's bean soup and his constant reminder on how healthy beans were."

    OMG, how ironic because my father made a bean soup too, I kid you not! It was a bean and ham soup. And let me tell you, it was DELICIOUS. He adored beans and ham.

    "Or my wild and crazy brothers who would wear that tee because they seem to toot synchronistically."

    Isn't that shirt hilarious? When I spotted it online, I knew I had to use it for this post.

    (I watched Words and Pictures last night. LOL)

    I had to Google that because I had not heard of the film, and the story and cast look very interesting. I love Clive Owens. I will look that film in F.Y.I.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a super week!

    X

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  35. HA! I just got your continued comment. Sometimes Disqus will do that, it posts before you hit the publish button.

    "Like Water for Chocolate"



    Yes, I've seen that film and it's awesome. Great story!


    X

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  36. Ron, you're welcome. I had a feeling you would get a chuckle. Carlin was the bomb!

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  37. HA HA HA! I need that shirt. it's better than what I currently do which is make the military sign for putting on your gas mask. :-D I think beans are indeed the magical fruit. I have a thing for bean burritos. ;-S

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  38. Hello there Angelia!

    Isn't that shirt brilliant?

    "it's better than what I currently do which is make the military sign for putting on your gas mask."

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! HILARIOUS!

    "I have a thing for bean burritos."



    Me too. And I bet you, living in Texas, have had some amazing Mexican food!


    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a super week!
    X

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  39. tee hee...Ron!


    I love beans too. Don't have any tootling problems though, I add a couple of dried bay leaves to the cooking water, when cooking dry beans for recipes, that seems to work the charm. Maybe give this a try. I don't use canned beans unless I absolutely have to. It's easy to cook up a batch of beans and then freeze what you don't need in portions for later use. Hope this helps.


    Have a toot-free week!!! ;-)

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  40. " I add a couple of dried bay leaves to the cooking water, when cooking dry beans for recipes, that seems to work the charm. Maybe give this a try."

    *applause*

    Geraldine, THANK YOU for that tip. I can't wait to try it!

    "I don't use canned beans unless I absolutely have to."

    The only canned beans I use are either from Trader Joe's or Super Fresh because they are very low in sodium and are organic.

    Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your knowledge, my friend. Hope you're having a beautiful week and enjoying this fabulous fall weather!

    X

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  41. It depends upon which way the wind blows the processed beans. It's always a good idea not to stand down wind. Doesn't tooting burn calories? Maybe for the person running away.

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  42. "Doesn't tooting burn calories? Maybe for the person running away."

    Bwhahahahahahhaha! Lauren, that. was. brilliant.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Thanks for the GREAT morning laugh, my friend! Enjoy your day!

    X

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  43. I love beans too Ron and I agree...I do not like the after effects. There should be a better way!! Hope the job is working out ok!! Happy Weekend to you...xo Jeanne and the girls

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  44. Hey there Jeanne!

    I don't know whether you read Geraldine's comment, but she suggested this:

    "I add a couple of dried bay leaves to the cooking water, when cooking dry beans for recipes, that seems to work the charm."

    I'm gonna try it and see how it works :)

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend Happy weekend!

    X to you and the girlz!

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  45. OK I gotta ask. Are you a member of the blue flame club? Because me, my brother and my boys are. I'm just sayin. HA HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAH!!!!!

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  46. " Are you a member of the blue flame club? Because me, my brother and my boys are. I'm just sayin. HA HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAH!!!!!"

    Katherine, that is HILARIOUS!

    No, I'm a member of the "Tooter Club."

    Bwhahahahahahahaah!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a super weekend!

    X

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  47. I don't mind baked beans as long as they're in a sweet sauce & I love hummus. I will eat string beans & green beans but since hubby hates beans, not too often around here.

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  48. Benze, you love hummus too? OMG...I can eat hummus until it comes out of my ears. In fact, tonight when I went grocery shopping I picked up my favorite hummus at Trader Joe's!

    YUM-MY!

    Thanks for stopping by, my friend. Hope you're having a super weekend!

    X

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