Heeeeello all 
Can I just tell you how much I was drooling as I read your favorite cottage cheese combos today?! You guys are geniuses…seriously… I’m thinking of having some with cinnamon for dessert tonight. We’ll see if the Chocolate Brownie PURE Bar will allow that to happen 
So…workout fail. I didn’t make it to the gym today. I am SO tired – I don’t know what’s up? I felt the same way last night so I went to bed at 9:30! I think it’s because I started back into a running routine, which usually kicks my butt for a couple days. I feel like a little weakling though, because I only ran for a total of two miles 
Oh well, the body wants what it wants…and mine apparently wants rest. I’ll oblige, but I think I’m going to head out for a walk or bike ride later. There’s nothing like the wind whipping in my hair to wake me up
Well, my body might be tired, but my brain is wide awake and I was very excited to continue the 101 Simple Salad Challenge tonight by making a modified version of #19: White Bean & Toasted Garlic Salad for dinner. Oh my!
I started by combining one can (drained & rinsed) of cannellini beans with the juice from half a lemon and S&P. I used a potato masher to mash everything up to my desired consistency.
Then I toasted up some sliced garlic in 1 tablespoon of EVOO, a sprinkle of dried rosemary & dash of red pepper flakes. When the garlic chips were nice and toasty, I added the mixture plus some halved, cherry tomatoes (from my plant – finally!!!) to the bean mash. I gave everything one final mix and spooned it over a freshly toasted bagel.
HEAVEN, people. HEAVEN!
Chewy, hot bagel topped with creamy, thick beans, accented by savory garlic chips and pops of juicy tomato goodness. I could have eaten 10 of these!
For the second night in a row – dinner was ready in minutes, healthy and extremely satisfying. Another winner for the 101 Simple Salad Challenge! Go Mark!
On the side, I made another salad! This recipe, all my own My Mom brought me some fresh cucumbers – cukes, if you will – from HER garden this morning, so I combined those with the tomatoes I got from Ben’s Mom to make a simple Garden-Fresh Cucumber & Tomato Salad.
These were the crunchiest, most fragrant cucumbers ever!
Local folks – go to the grocery store and pick up a bottle of Bisignanos’ Italian Dressing ASAP. My family has been using it as our go-to dressing for salads, sandwiches, ice cream sundaes (ok not ice cream sundaes, just checking to see if you were paying attention ) for YEARS. It’s what I used on this salad and it is just the best!
Look at the freshness…bomb.
Oh! Today a couple of you asked what camera I use – she’s a pink, Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS Digital Elph. The pink color makes a difference, I’m telling you
I’m going to go veg for a little while until the temps cool down (going to get to 110 with the heat index this weekend) and then try to venture outside. I really do get more energy from working out – which is what I need to keep telling myself.
Gooooood night all!
~~~~~
What’s your favorite bean? Do you ever make yours from scratch? ie soak & boil dried beans?
My favorite beanS are black beans and white beans – like these cannellini beans and great northern beans. They’re so versatile! And no, I never make beans from scratch. If someone’s going to do the work for me, and probably do a better job than I would, I ‘m going to let them. Bring on the canned beans!
One more full day to enter the PURE Bar Giveaway – you’ve got until 10pm central on Wednesday night! Oh, and if you want to order a whole box for 30% off and free shipping, go to the PURE Bar website and enter code: PURESUMMER. It’s worth it!
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Thanks for letting us in on your awesome camera!! I like black beans and kidney beans and I never make them from scratch!!
Wow, that bean salad sounds delicious! I’m going to have to try that. My favorite beans are black beans. You’re right, they are so versatile.
I also love beans – such a great source of fiber. My fave are either black or kidney. They are a great addition to any salad. Mmm.
I never have made my own, but my mom does and the are delish!
My favorite bean is probably the garbanzo bean; so versatile and delicious. Sorry you’re so tired….hopefully you’ll get some good sleep tonight and wake up feeling refreshed!
I love garbanzo beans, in salads or for hummus! I need a new camera and I like that you have a pink one, I may need to check into something like that.
What a delicious dinner! I’ve never made my own beans, but I’ve really been meaning to. My favorite beans are either black beans or garbanzo beans
Favorite bean=chickpeas, hands down! I am embarrassed to admit that I have never made them from scratch!
Hello from a fellow iowan! I recently combined white beans with franks hot sauce and put it on some wheat ezekial bread, my roommate declared it my “poor college student dinner.” thanks for proving me wrong, beans rock.
you salad looks so yummy and fresh! very summery!
I want to start making my own beans. My favorites are chick peas, and red kidney beans (though the kidney beans make me stanky). Black beans are also pretty awesome.
is edemae a bean? if so.. my fav.
YUM THAT SALAD! Holy moly!
I love pinto beans, but I haven’t tried too many beans. Black beans are my next fave.
-muffy
Those are my favorite beans too. I’ve tried to make black beans from “scratch” once… It didn’t turn out so swell. Now I’m scared to try again! I have a bag of white beans chill-axin in my pantry just waiting for me to gather the courage. hahaha
My favorites are garbanzo, black, white and of course refried beans when i’m eating mexcian! That white bean and toasted garlic salad looks delicious!
That bean salad looks delish, great idea for dinner tonight! I alos think white and black bean are my favorate.
I would love to try any of the Pure bars but chocolate always has a special place in my heart – Brownie Bar all the way!
i bought a bunch of beans to make from scratch because they are so cheap…uh but if you don’t use them they are not cheap.
i can’t wait to get back and start the salads, my cupboards are bare since I leave tomorrow
You always have such nice “presentation”
Pretty cool post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really liked browsing your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!
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OMG that sounds amazing! Ugh I really want some right now actually!
Kristin @ Iowa Girl Eats http://iowagirleats.wordpress.com http://twitter.com/iowagirleats