OP, here is an article/recipes about black beans from the NY Times. The recipe to make the black beans is the last link at the bottom. They are really good! http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/series/recipes_for_health/blackbeans/index.html

I also make a tortilla soup which can be made with either chicken or veggie broth. It makes A LOT and is really filling. You could always add some rice or pasta to it. Avocado (on sale at Safeway right now, 10 for $10) make it more filling as well. I always have cumin and chili powder since I make this pretty often.
4 14oz cans chicken or veggie broth
1 can black beans rinsed and drained
1 small can green chilies, drained
1 small bag frozen corn
2 cans fire roasted tomatoes
1-2 peppers (red, green, whatever is cheaper) chopped
1 onion, chopped
2-3 cloves garlic, chopped
4 Tbs cumin
2 Tbs chili powder
Salt and pepper

Sauté garlic, onion, peppers, cumin, and chili powder in 2 Tbs olive oil about 10 minutes.
Add tomatoes, chilies, broth, corn, and salt to taste.
Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes.
Add black beans and cook 5 minutes
Serve with toppings/additions of your choice

This thread definitely shows the good side of DCUM!

Double posting...or the Aldi in outer Cap Hill near Hechinger Mall. Bring your own bags and a quarter (deposit to get a shopping cart). I shop there myself to save money. Look up the Aldi Queen online. She had good menu plans for Aldi. Don't be put off by the limited selection and house brands. It's totally fine. Shop there on a regular basis and your dollar will go so much further.

OP take your $20 to Aldi in Hyattsville if you have a car. It will go much further than at Giant! It is probably 30% less.

You folks rock! I love this thread. Helpful and kind.

Don't throw those chicken bones away! Save the bones, carcass, and the gelatin/fat that collects at the bottom of the container. Toss them in a pot of cold water with some chopped up onion (and carrot and celery if you have them, but it's OK if you don't).

Bring that up to a simmer over medium heat (low and slow). Let it simmer for a couple of hours, skim stuff off the top as needed. After a few hours, pour it through a sieve into another pot, let it cool, and you've got stock to flavor your next bean dish.

Not OP but DCUMers are awesome!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Very nice, fellow mom and another mom. Lexiebow, are you near a Giant? The Giant website says gift cards can be shipped for free to a store. If you post what your preferred store is, I'll send you a gift card.

This thread is making me tear up!

Lexibow if you post the Giant that is near you, I'll send you a gift card also.

I'm PP -- Lexibow, let me know the Giant near you and I will send you a Giant gift card.

I'll call myself twinmom. I hope you and your daughter have a great holiday!

My closest Giant is the one in Brentwood (DC)

Okay, a Giant Gift card is on it's way to you at the Brentwood Giant. However, it says it will be available in 4-7 days. I will email you the specifics so you can pick it up.

OP here, I still have my $20 so I guess I'll get some items that everyone suggested and learn to cook with these dried beans.

OP here. I just want to say Thank you to everyone!! I love DCUM!! The posters here make me laugh, I learn about politics, the school systems, tips for raising my DD and lots of other useful information. I would have to say that this is the most "love" I have felt and received from strangers in my entire life. Despite the sometimes "snarky" remarks I read on other topics, I now know that deep down inside, people here in the dmv are genuinely caring. My heart is truly touched. I can't begin to express my sincere gratitude in words. Thank you all again, and Happy Holidays!!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Very nice, fellow mom and another mom. Lexiebow, are you near a Giant? The Giant website says gift cards can be shipped for free to a store. If you post what your preferred store is, I'll send you a gift card.

This thread is making me tear up!

Lexibow if you post the Giant that is near you, I'll send you a gift card also.

I'm PP -- Lexibow, let me know the Giant near you and I will send you a Giant gift card.

I'll call myself twinmom. I hope you and your daughter have a great holiday!

My closest Giant is the one in Brentwood (DC)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lexiebow, This is anothermom. After doing some more checking, it seems that you can't use the Target gift card in stores. I am so sorry and I hope some of the other posters will still send gift cards to your local Giant. Please use the Target gc to buy a present for your child.

Ah, #*$&. FellowMom checking in. I didn't know that.

Lexibow, I'm sorry, I thought you'd be able to use it at the Target stores--that's just odd. I hope you can use it for other things, sorry about the slight misfire.

Have a great day, and let us know how you're doing.

Oh, glad I saw this, was on my way to the target to shop. Hmmm, thanks anyway, I will have to go on the site to see what I can purchase. We are out of tolietries, maybe I can use it for that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Very nice, fellow mom and another mom. Lexiebow, are you near a Giant? The Giant website says gift cards can be shipped for free to a store. If you post what your preferred store is, I'll send you a gift card.

This thread is making me tear up!

Lexibow if you post the Giant that is near you, I'll send you a gift card also.

I'm PP -- Lexibow, let me know the Giant near you and I will send you a Giant gift card.

I'll call myself twinmom. I hope you and your daughter have a great holiday!

Anonymous wrote:Lexiebow, This is anothermom. After doing some more checking, it seems that you can't use the Target gift card in stores. I am so sorry and I hope some of the other posters will still send gift cards to your local Giant. Please use the Target gc to buy a present for your child.

Ah, #*$&. FellowMom checking in. I didn't know that.

Lexibow, I'm sorry, I thought you'd be able to use it at the Target stores--that's just odd. I hope you can use it for other things, sorry about the slight misfire.

Have a great day, and let us know how you're doing.

Best thread EVER! Heart goes out to not only Lexiebow but all you moms out there holding each other up-you rock!

Lexiebow, This is anothermom. After doing some more checking, it seems that you can't use the Target gift card in stores. I am so sorry and I hope some of the other posters will still send gift cards to your local Giant. Please use the Target gc to buy a present for your child.