Beans with a side of smoothie

I’m glad to see the Egg Strata made it to the table, and that Mark was able to add flavor to his liking while still remaining within his budget confines. I’m thinking maybe he preferred more cheese in his strata, just by his comment about adding a milkshake (obviously to boost the calcium and vitamin D intake for the day). None the less, this got me thinking. Maybe we can add a “milkshake” into the routine for a calcium and vitamin D source, since milk is “out” by itself. Using ice cream may be a bit tricky, however, as it’s an expensive processed food. Usually the cheaper you go with ice cream, the lower the quality of product you are buying. So, what about using yogurt, and making more of a smoothie? Mark still has to check the price of yogurt so determine its feasibility for inclusion in his budget, but if it is, he can use the following ingredients and add them just to his liking: milk, yogurt (store brand, and vanilla probably tastes best in a smoothie), peanut butter, and banana. This may work out to be too expensive to have on a regular basis, but maybe something to try on occasion.

Next, I think it’s time for another pot of beans. I believe Mark still has the “15 Bean Soup” on his shelf somewhere, and Dot is waiting anxiously to cook them! It is incredibly easy (and cheap) to make bean soup! This is another staple in my household, and I add to them whatever fresh vegetables I have on hand. We soak the beans overnight and usually cut up the vegetables the night before as well, so that in the morning there’s no stress of trying to do a lot of preparation while also trying to get everyone ready to go. Some vegetables that taste great with the beans are: onions, celery, peppers, carrots, and fresh chopped garlic. A can of stewed tomatoes is a great addition as well. Also, depending on the cost of meat (ham, in particular), Mark may be able to afford adding some into the soup for flavor. The “15 Bean Soup” comes with a flavor packet, however, it tends to add too much salt for my family’s tastes, so we usually omit it. But, if Mark likes the flavor, adding it is always an option. Mark’s cornbread would make a great side to this meal, so maybe another loaf is in order!