Some people hate them and others love them, but you're better off loving them. Given the fact that I'm a vegetarian recently gone vegan, beans have come a major staple in my diet. I've learned how to use beans in several different ways ranging from soups, salads and entrées. If you're still underestimating the greatness of beans, don't be so quick to disregard them, in fact Web MD has named them 'Nature's Perfect Food'. Why? you ask.

THE BENEFITS:

• Bean eaters are associated with smaller waist sizes and a 22% lower risk of obesity. They also take in less "bad" fat and one-third more fiber than those who avoid these nutritional gems.
• One cup of beans provides a whopping 13 g of fiber--which is half of what we need daily--with no saturated fat.
• Beans are loaded with protein (about 15 g per cup) and dozens of key nutrients, including a few most women fall short on--calcium, potassium, and magnesium.
• Beans also fill you up and keep you full. Studies have shown that eating foods high in protein and fiber will keep you sustained the longest.
• Studies also tie beans to a reduced risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and breast and colon cancers. And surprisingly, red, pinto, and kidney beans are the highest antioxidant food, beating out both blueberries and cranberries.

Now that you're convinced that you should be eating more beans, you'll need to know how to shop for them.

• Buy canned they're just as healthy. You may have heard that bagged beans are best, but they need to be soaked and then boiled for hours before they're ready to eat. Who has the time or patience for that? Bagged beans are generally less expensive (about $1 per 16-ounce bag versus $1.50 for a 15-ounce can) and have no added ingredients, including salt. But canned varieties, which are ready to eat, can be just as nutritious.
• Go for low sodium. Canned low-sodium beans are exactly the same price, with two-thirds less sodium. That's a decrease from about 720 mg per cup (a third of the daily max of 2,300 mg) to 220 mg. Rinsing beans in a colander under cold water for 1 minute will wash away about a quarter of the sodium.
• Look for vegetarian versions. Choosing vegetarian refried beans reduces the saturated fat content from 16% of the daily value to zero per cup and adds a bonus 2 g of protein--and they taste just as delicious. Amy's Organic Low Sodium Refried Beans are my favorite vegetarian option.
• Avoid dented or bulging cans. Small dents and dings are okay, but if you find a badly dented or swollen can in your cupboard, or if a can spurts liquid when opened, toss it out right away using disposable gloves. These are all possible signs of botulism, a potentially deadly form of food poisoning that generated canned-food recalls as recently as last summer. If you're ever unsure, think, When in doubt, throw it out. For more on food recalls, visit recalls.gov/food.html; for info on how to discard contaminated cans, check cdc.gov/botulism/botulism_faq.htm.

Now you know how to buy beans, but you should know which beans are the best and why? It's always great to have variety.

• Black: Rich in anthocyanins, the same heart disease– and cancer-fighting antioxidants that are found in grapes and cranberries.
• Garbanzo (chickpeas): A recent study found that a chickpea-fortified diet slashed “bad” LDL cholesterol levels by almost 5%.
• Kidney: The thiamin (vitamin B1) in this bean protects memory and brain function; a deficiency has been linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
• Navy: Potassium regulates blood pressure and normal heart contractions.
• Pinto: Fiber helps stabilize blood sugar, lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes.

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The colder months aren't always the happiest for me because I enjoy fresh air and sunshine as most normal people do. One thing that really keeps me amped this time of year is the motivation to look my best when the skin baring season approaches. I view my daily workout as if I'm pre-gaming for for the summer and I look forward to looking fabulous while I layout for a much needed tan in my itsy-bitsy-teeni-weenie-bikini. This positive outlook improves my mood and there's proof that exercise in general can aid depression. In fact exercise may work just as well as antidepressant medication.

Regular exercise may work as well as medication in improving symptoms of major depression, researchers have found.

In a study of 202 depressed adults, investigators found that those who went through group-based exercise therapy did as well as those treated with an antidepressant drug. A third group that performed home-based exercise also improved, though to a lesser degree.

Importantly, the researchers found, all three groups did better than a fourth group given a placebo -- an inactive pill identical to the antidepressant.

While past studies have suggested that exercise can ease depression symptoms, a criticism has been that the research failed to compare exercise with a placebo. This leaves a question as to whether the therapy, per se, was responsible for the benefit.

The new findings bolster evidence that exercise does have a real effect on depression, according to the researchers.

Doctors may not start widely prescribing exercise as a depression treatment just yet. But for patients who are motivated to try exercise, it could be a reasonable option, the study authors say.

Don't go moping around the next time you're feeling down, get physical. You may even want to invite your friends for a group workout. Instead of getting your happiness from a bottle of pills you can do something great for your body and your mind.

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I haven't posted in a few days because I've been sick. I'm feeling better now and I'm back to posting. Enjoy these FIT CLICKS!

 READ: Walking or riding your bike can make a difference. One woman shares her story with CNN.

 LAUGH: This ad from 1934 really goes to show you how body image has changed over the years.

 BE POSITIVE: This article will give you a positive outlook on 'How to Be Happy'

 LEARN: What Happens To Your Body If You Drink A Coke Right Now?

 CHECK OUT: Paul McCartney's new Peta ad

 CELEBRITY MOTIVATION: Madonna shows off her super muscular arms at her Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Just six months after giving birth, Bridget Moynahan looks to be back to her slender self. Here she is taking little John Edward Thomas for a walk in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles Wednesday. I think it's great that she can get exercise with her son right on her back.

You can find all kinds of similar baby carriers at eBabyCarriers.com.

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