Refried Beans…

on November 6, 2010

Youz doinâ€™ it right.

Obsessed with Trader Joeâ€™s Refried Beans. Seriously, the most delicious (and simple) thing ever. Pinto beans, oil, salt. All mixed together in a salty mash.

I am in love with this sandwich.

Sourdough bread. Italian cheese. Warm pinto beans. Sprouts. Reminds me of a salty and warm deli meat sandwich. In a good way.

Also, I cannot stop picking at cinnamon buns. I think itâ€™s time to put them in the freezer for a special treat to be enjoyed down the road. I feel like Iâ€™ve been in a sugar coma for the last 24 hours.

And Iâ€™m offâ€¦ to yoga class!

Now that my running has dropped from 30 miles per week to 10 (marathon training is over!), Iâ€™m turning my sights on other goalsâ€¦ like more yoga. I really loved doing a personal yoga challenge earlier this Fall. I went to 17 classes in 30 days or something ridiculous! It was so good for my mind, body, and soul. Iâ€™ll fallen out of the yoga habit, but I really want to get back into it. Plus, a hot yoga studio seems like a nice place to exercise this winter! Brr.

In other newsâ€¦

{ 60 comments }

Wei-Wei November 6, 2010, 1:50 pm
Do more HOT yoga this winter! I wonder how it helps with the winter cold…
Laura November 6, 2010, 1:52 pm
Hello! New reader here. I love hot yoga in the winter! I went to yoga everyday last November and would love to do it again, but would have to cut out running…oh exercise woes!
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat November 6, 2010, 1:59 pm
Hot yoga has never been more appealing to me than it is now that the weather is getting chilly. Enjoy your class!
Kristy @ KristyRuns November 6, 2010, 2:02 pm
Mmmmm…that sammy looks amazing!

Believe it or not, I’ve never done hot yoga before! I think there’s a studio a few miles away from me, so I need to get my boo-tay over there and try it! I heard it’s great for runners. 🙂
Michele @ Healthy Cultivations November 6, 2010, 2:08 pm
I’m dying to try a Bikram yoga class, but they don’t have one where I live. The nearest one is over two hours away. Boo!
Natalia - a side of simple November 6, 2010, 2:39 pm
I wish there was hot yoga near me. I’ve been wanting to try it for so long!
Crystal November 6, 2010, 2:46 pm
Yoga is amazing.. though since Iâ€™m a yoga teacher Iâ€™m biased! Certainly a great way to give your body some much needed love after all of that running- or in combination I should say! I have been doing pilates as well and I must say that I rather enjoy the different type of workout it gives me.. I find it challenging because it forces me to overcome (or attempt to) my super flexibility..
Refried beans are so yummy for the simplicity.. I canâ€™t tell you how many times I just slapped the stuff slightly warmed in a bowl with some veggies and hot sauce.. Yum for sure! Enjoy your class!!
Camille November 6, 2010, 2:52 pm
I always have to freeze bread and sweets, otherwise they are gone before I even realized I started eating them.
Lisa @ Early Morning Run November 6, 2010, 3:05 pm
I’ve looked at those refried beans a hundred times at TJ’s but haven’t tried them yet. I think they’ll be on my list next time I go!
Chris November 6, 2010, 3:15 pm
Try the Trader Joe’s Salsa Style refried beans which are equally, if not more, delicious.
Cynthia (It All Changes) November 6, 2010, 3:18 pm
I love refried beans and I especially love their black refried beans. So tasty and perfect in vegan enchiladas.
Laura@FindingAHealthyBalance....after a 100+ Pound Weight Loss!!! November 6, 2010, 3:26 pm
I feel the same but about my daughter’s HALLOWEEN CANDY that she has only eaten a bit of as she isn’t a huge candy person and doesn’t like “chocolate” candy at all (I know, it confuses me too, how can you not like Snickers, Twix, Butterfingers…dont’ get it, but she doesn’t)……..I had to end of up storing it in the up stairs closet so I stop seeing it in the Pantry and picking at it! =O
Christina November 6, 2010, 3:48 pm
If you’re interested (especially to save some moula), refried beans are incredibly easy to make yourself.

Here’s what I do:
sautee some chopped onion and green bell pepper in a small amount of oil until cooked
add in 1-2 cloves chopped garlic and sautee 1 more minute
add in 2 whole cans (the ~15oz size) of black beans or pinto beans
add in ~1/4c canned tomato sauce (you can skip this if you don’t have it)
add in 1 packet goya sazon seasoning (you can also substitute salt – to taste)

Bring to a boil, then simmer. Once everything’s heated up, you can mash the beans with a potato masher or transfer everything to a blender or food processor. Blend/mash until everything is smooth.

I love eating these with eggs and a whole grain/toast/toasted corn tortillas for breakfast. It’s a warming, hearty meal.
- Jacalyn November 6, 2010, 4:18 pm
  Sounds fabulous. I have always wanted to make my own, but didn’t know how. Thanks for sharing!
Jacalyn November 6, 2010, 4:20 pm
Hot yoga is awesome in the winter. My challenge is 10 days in November.
Kelly November 6, 2010, 4:29 pm
I totally love hot yoga in winter too- I’m so much more motivated to go when its cold out 🙂 I’ve never come close to 17 times in one month though!
Leanne @ Simplicitlee November 6, 2010, 4:40 pm
I love going into a hot yoga class when its chilly outside! I just can’t believe how sweaty I get… whattaa workout! 🙂
Kayla November 6, 2010, 5:11 pm
That video is priceless. 🙂
Jenn November 6, 2010, 5:12 pm
Love the video! Too cute
Sana November 6, 2010, 5:13 pm
I can only see myself doing hot yoga in the winter! It would feel sooo good!
Dynamics November 6, 2010, 5:22 pm
Your husband is so cute!!! The dogs are lucky to have him.
Janene Giuseffi November 6, 2010, 5:22 pm
AHHH, I can’t get enough of maggie & james, ever!
Amy November 6, 2010, 5:33 pm
Cute video! I thought Mr. HTP would have more of an English accent. 🙂
Emily November 6, 2010, 5:46 pm
I bought a can of those refried beans a few weeks ago and have been trying to figure out how to eat them…I like your thinking 🙂 And I really want some of those cinnamon buns…like for real!
Kristin November 6, 2010, 6:01 pm
Love the video! I don’t know how many times I’ve come back from a shower to find my 100lb lab sprawled across our unmade bed! If I could physically yank the covers out from under her and make the bed I’m sure she’d stay in it too! Also loved hearing your hubby’s accent. So cute!
Trish November 6, 2010, 6:01 pm
It was so insanely chilly on my run today. The wind was blowing like mad which made it much worse. Both made my nose run like crazy. A hot yoga studio sounds like total heaven in comparison. I am so jealous. Not hot yoga around where I live.

And I’ve never had those beans before. I may just have to give them a try.

I have to watch myself with the sugar, too. I was so tempted to buy cookies at the grocery store today. After a 5 minute internal debate I opted out knowing I would just eat the whole box in a day. You can’t trust me around sugar. Not at all.
Alyse November 6, 2010, 6:01 pm
Oh, the pooches just killed me! That was great.
Gina November 6, 2010, 6:02 pm
I love refried beans! I never would have thought to put them in a sandwich though. Love it 🙂
kathleen November 6, 2010, 6:08 pm
hot yoga is a winter god send. although, remember to bring a change of dry clothes. i didn’t do that the first time i went and was dripping sweat the entire yoga session only to have to leave the studio with wet clothes near my body and was frozen until i got home =(
Lauren November 6, 2010, 6:13 pm
I agree, TJ’s has some of the best beans. I feel the same about their baked beans too.
HAHA Love the video. Too cute.
Elizabeth November 6, 2010, 6:15 pm
Your hubs’ accent is so cute. My husband is Australian and his accent never gets old…except maybe when I can’t understand what he’s saying and ask him to repeat himself 5 times. haha jk. You’d think that after 8 years together we wouldn’t have communication breakdowns! Does that ever happen to you?
Lesley November 6, 2010, 6:19 pm
Big LOL at the dogs. I used to do that to my roommate’s cats all the time. Your husband has a really cute accent. Which, of course, you already know, but I had to throw out there all the same! 🙂

Do you get your raspberries anywhere fancy? The ones at the grocery stores where I live usually look terrible, but yours look really good!
- Caitlin November 6, 2010, 8:25 pm
  naw just the regular store. i do think they are grown close to charlotte though!
Maddie (Healthy Maddie) November 6, 2010, 6:26 pm
Funny video! I need to start doing yoga again too. I haven’t been to a class in months!
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin November 6, 2010, 6:58 pm
I think I’m going to have to start doing hot yoga as a way to stay warm this winter too!
Lauren November 6, 2010, 7:01 pm
I love you and your blog, but I think doing that to the dogs was mean. 🙁
- Caitlin November 6, 2010, 8:24 pm
  hahah they liked it!! they were waggin’ their tails the whole time.
Susan November 6, 2010, 7:12 pm
Such a cute video! My Sunshine (cat) does the same thing.

And I have to say how funny it is. I just came back from my first hot yoga class (beginners, so not TOO hot), and was planning to hit TJ’s tomorrow! On the same wavelength, as it were.
Cheryl H. November 6, 2010, 7:36 pm
Love the doggie video. Best of all it to hear your husband’s accent ~ priceless, love the British accent!!!!
eatmovelove November 6, 2010, 7:57 pm
When I have anything baked out around here, there is no stopping the “pickings” and “eatings”.

Anything hot sounds good to me(!) – …a hot bath ;)…or mug of hot chocolate though for me 🙂
Rachel November 6, 2010, 8:01 pm
what a brilliant idea for a sandwich! I’ve done some random things with leftover refried beans before but this looks like a candidate for new favorite vegetarian sandwich!
holly @ couchpotatoathlete November 6, 2010, 8:14 pm
I love refried beans too — never had it on a sandwich though. I usually just spread some on a tortilla with some salsa and throw it in the microwave. Easy peasy!
Claire (Low Impact Fashionista) November 6, 2010, 8:57 pm
Beans + Sprouts = amazing combo!
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) November 6, 2010, 9:26 pm
Hahaha…you made my day with that video. Adorable!
Crystal November 6, 2010, 10:21 pm
Hi Caitlin,
I enjoy your blog. It puts me in a good mood : )
Quick question-were you the one who talked about online yoga classes or was it someone else? If it was you that wrote about the classes, could you repost the information/website?
Thank you.
- Caitlin November 6, 2010, 11:03 pm
  it wasnt me but maybe you are thinking of yogadownload.com!
  - Crystal November 7, 2010, 9:21 am
    It was yogadownload.com Thank you. Just FYI, when I was growing up, I had a red dachshund named Maggie : )
Kiran November 6, 2010, 10:28 pm
Hot yoga is a great idea for winter. Orlando is getting cold now..Brr! Surprising? 😀

James and Maggie are hilariously cute 😀
Liz November 6, 2010, 10:33 pm
ah! how cute! i love that james just laid back down. 🙂
Kelly H. (Running Phoodie) November 6, 2010, 10:48 pm
That was the cutest puppy video EVER 🙂
Amber from Girl with the Red Hair November 6, 2010, 11:43 pm
Hahaha love this. So many comments:

1. So fun hearing your hubs accent (I love accents!)

2. My cat does that too!! He will NOT get out of my way when I’m making the bed so I usually have to lock him out of the room.

3. James looks WAY BIGGER in that video than he does in pictures!!
- Caitlin November 7, 2010, 9:39 am
  he is 30 pounds! he is pretty big. Maggie is 16. She isn’t a mini dachshund.
Lily @ Lily's Health Pad November 7, 2010, 12:08 am
LOL I thought Maggie was typically the “slower” of the two…
Heidi - apples under my bed November 7, 2010, 7:53 am
How good are sprouts in a sandwich?! Cute video 🙂
Heidi xo
Brittney November 7, 2010, 7:56 am
Haha! I love the video of James and Maggie. We had the same problem with Clyde last night! I did hot yoga for the first time in about a month yesterday and it was great. Especially with the colder weather.
Amber K November 7, 2010, 11:11 am
I love refried black beans especially! Yum! OMG, James and Maggie are adorable. 🙂
jessica November 7, 2010, 11:30 am
LOVE your husband’s accent!!
Lisa November 7, 2010, 5:32 pm
My cats do the same thing!!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey November 7, 2010, 9:52 pm
I love how James found the light & then laid back down! 🙂
Sara @ OurDogBuffy November 8, 2010, 9:33 am
Ha Ha, I used to do that to my cat when she wouldn’t move 🙂

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