u/tianamarie

Hi! I got a small 16oz package of Rancho Gordo pinto beans. I’ve seen so many opposing views on how to cook them so I’m turning to you, bean experts. I’m half Puerto Rican and half Ecuadorian, we grew up on beans!! But they were always canned, and cooked very fast. I’ve never seen or worked with beans that take 10 hours to cook!

I don’t have a pressure cooker. I do like my beans highly seasoned, so I’m looking for advice on when to add seasoning as well. I’m soaking them now, and will probably do so for about 6 hours per package instruction. Then I’ll try and make them! I do love a creamier consistency but I’m hoping for a BIT of structural integrity too— so I can get the full effect/best of both worlds!

I currently plan on using: a yellow onion, half a head of garlic, a serrano or two, and a couple of Roma tomato’s. Then I plan on using seasonings like salt, adobo, tomato powder, and chili powder if needed. If you don’t think this is necessary and/or will take away from my first experience with these beans please feel free to let me know!!

Thank you in advance for your help!

Stats in the title. I’d like to lose 38lbs all day, to fit into my wedding dress. I know, I know— but I bought my dress years ago and life happened and the wedding is postponed until 2028. I have a BIT of time, but would like to plan for alterations. So ideally a 10 month to a year plan would be perfect.

I struggle with 1) being a carb lover and 2) having a partner that is also a big foodie and will eat anything under the sun. Since we split cooking duties, I’d like to be able to batch a few things for myself and still have a dinner with him most nights (though he doesn’t mind eating some of my “diet food”).

I’ve recently tried to figure out my best macros. I do need SOME carbs— as a woman it helps regulate my period, and I need brown rice and lentils to help with my ahem regularity. I’ve tried everything and these two foods + Metamucil are the only things that work.

I’m using Carb Manager and I can’t for the life of my figure out the perfect “plan”. The options they give me are Low Carb Moderate Fat (20/40/40), Moderate Carb and Fat (30/30/40), and High Protein (25/40/35). Those seem to be sort of what I need to be doing but hitting 130g of protein is near impossible without carbs and fat.

I eat a lot of eggs, cheese, labne, yogurt, sour cream, chicken thighs, ground beef (80/20), steak, bone broth, lentils, brown rice, salad mix, tomato, cucumber, pickled red onion, olives, lupini beans, edamame, capers, raspberries, protein shakes (orgain and vital proteins), etc. I do a ton of coconut milk curries and egg drop soups, put feta/halloumi/shredded cheese on a ton of stuff, etc. I could still up my fiber for sure, and I know I’ll have to start watching my sodium.

Overall my goals include, in order of priority: — Lose 38 pounds — Gain Muscle — Tone arms, back, and butt

I hate cardio, but I know it’s necessary. I have weak knees so trail/outdoor running and incline walking always results in pain after a few weeks. I love strength training but don’t want to overdo it. I’d love to do Pilates and yoga but I’m broke af, so I’d have to do it at home and pick good/engaging programs. I’ve used Fitness blender in the past and liked it— it’s different now though and I haven’t explored it much. I am open to doing IF as well, as that’s worked for me.

Mainly I want to do this right, keep it steady, build good habits, and have this be a long term lifestyle change— even if I do have this tiny goal of looking cute in my wedding dress to think about.

If you’ve made it this far: THANK YOU. I appreciate you.

Edit: My Carb has me on 1,297 calories a day, I forgot to add that.

I just want someone to braid my hair. I have a shag cut, so there are some layers— but I want two cute little French braids that’ll last me a couple of days so I don’t have to think about my hair too much. I have hair fatigue lol. I’d even wash beforehand, but if a wash/style doesn’t run me up past $40 (on the highest highest side), I’ll be thrilled.