Cannelini beans are an overlooked nutritional goldmine. They are a versatile and mild bean, with a very creamy texture. They thicken soups and sauces. Make a velvety dip base and accept flavor profiles from every culture. This twist on an international favorite can be used to stuff enchiladas and tacos, too.

Ingredients

• 1 small can organic cannellini beans, drained, and ice bathed*
• 1 small can organic black beans, drained, and ice bathed*
• 2-3 Tbls olive oil
• 1 1/4 tsps ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp cayenne
• 2 tsps chili powder blend, mild
• 1/4 tsp ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp lime zest
• 2 tsps lime juice
• 1/2 tsp lemon zest
• 2 tsps lemon juice
• Salt to taste
• 1/4 cup tahini

Tina’s black bean hummus tostada. Includes her black beans hummus with kale and orange salad on a coconut oil fried tortilla

Directions

• Toss all ingredients together in a large bowl.
• Place 1/2 of the ingredients to a food processor, blend until smooth
• Transfer to a serving bowl, repeat process.
• Chill and serve with your favorite gluten-free chip or cracker.

About Wheat

Wheat is a phytoestrogen. This is generally a good thing, unless the wheat has been genetically modified. We’re hard pressed to find wheat that is non-GMO. Wheat in it’s natual state is inflammatory. We definitely don’t want that, with regard to preventing disease. So we can see that there is good and not-so-good characteristics in all foods. For many reasons, it does us good to take a break from wheat, and wheat products, whether we’re practicing a gluten-free nutrition plan or not.

*About BPA in canned goods

When in treatment for a hormone based cancer like breast cancer, it is imperative that you buy BPA free cans. It will indicate this on the lable. BPA is a chemical that creates confusing, and incorrect messages in the endocrine system. It is thought that BPA is one of the main contributors to the rise in infertility. It’s really best to cook dried beans from scratch whenever possible.

Phyto facts

Beans are a great source of omega 3 fatty acid, the most talked about of all essential fatty acids. What we don’t speak of enough, is the ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6. We are exposed to processed oils more than we might think, in our everyday foods. These oils are almost always out of balance. Even foods in their natural state can be too far out of balance with their ratio. Too much Omega-6 can actually cause tumors to grow. All beans are great! I don’t want to discourage any bean eating! My only message, as always, is variety. Traditional Hummus is a huge staple in our culture now, but garbonzo beans have a very bad Omega 3 to Omega 6 Garbonzos are full of Delicious Medicine, just don’t eat them everyday. Black beans have a very good ratio, and they’re really purple when you look closely. Kidney beans come in white, as we’re using here, and red. Each color offers a different profile of phytonutrients.

Fiber is the real healer here, though. Beans contain both soluble and insoluble fiber. Fiber collects circulating estrogen like a sponge in the bloodstream. We all think of one thing when we think of fiber: Yep! I’m going to say it, POOP! The estrogen is eliminated, ahh, much nicer word, through our bowel movements. If estrogen doesn’t hang around, it can’t become malignant. This provides great protection against breast cancer, generally speaking. Here’s the kicker, if you don’t clear your bowels at least once per day, the estrogen is reabsorbed into the body. Please be sure to drink enough water always, but especially when eating a high fiber meal.

Sesame seeds, like Flax, have shown tremendous results with regard to the prevention, and treatment of breast cancer. High Lignan content is the primary healer here. Lignans not only balance hormones, but they also protect receptors from damage. This is crucial in preventing tumors from forming. Nature provides clues as to what the food is good for.

Citrus is the shape of mammaries, and bioflavonoids keep the breast tissue youthful in appearance, and hormone health. Hello men, this isn’t just about “The Girls,” or weird hippies living on veggies, we care about your hormones, too. A long and healthy life means more great sex!

Affectionately referred to as The Walking Encyclopedia of Human Wellness, Fitness Coach, Strength Competitor and Powerlifting pioneer, Tina “The Medicine Chef” Martini is an internationally recognized Naturopathic Chef and star of the cooking show, Tina’s Ageless Kitchen. Tina’s cooking and lifestyle show has reached millions of food and fitness lovers all over the globe. Over the last 30 years, Tina has assisted celebrities, gold-medal athletes and over-scheduled executives naturally achieve radiant health using The Pyramid of Power: balancing Healthy Nutrition and the healing power of food, with Active Fitness and Body Alignment techniques. Working with those who have late-stage cancer, advanced diabetes, cardiovascular and other illnesses, Tina’s clients are astounded at the ease and speed with which they are able to restore their radiant health. Tina believes that maintaining balance in our diet, physical activity, and in our work and spiritual life is the key to our good health, happiness and overall well being. Visit her website, themedicinechef.com