Beans are a good source of fiber, protein and iron. They're low in fat and are an all around healthy food. The only problem is getting children to eat them. How do you convince children to eat this healthy food? The same way you get them to eat other healthy foods. If you add beans to kid-friendly recipes, you'll have no trouble at all.

Chicken and Black Bean Salad
Serves 4

8 cups of romaine lettuce
2 cups of shredded chicken
1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup salsa
3 green onions, chopped
4 ounces of Mexican blend cheese
½ cup fat-free sour cream

1. Layer the salad in the order the ingredients are listed.
2. Serve with baked tortilla chips.

Tip: If your children love spicy food, you could substitute chili beans in place of the black beans and add jalapeno slices.

Spicy and Cheesy Bean Taquitos
Serves 4

8 small tortillas
1 can of fat-free refried beans
1 cup of Pepper Jack cheese, shredded
½ cup taco sauce

1. Spread the tortillas with the refried beans and top with cheese.
2. Roll the tortillas into tight cylinders.
3. Place on a sprayed cookie sheet, seam side down.
4. Spray the tops of the taquitos with additional cooking spray.
5. Bake at 350 degrees until golden brown, about 20 to 25 minutes.
6. Drizzle with taco sauce and serve.

Bean Burgers
Serve 4

2 cans of pinto beans, drained and rinsed
½ cup whole wheat flour
¼ cup bacon bits
¼ cup sweet onion, chopped fine
Additional whole wheat flour
Olive oil

1. Place the beans in a food processor and pulse until a paste forms.
2. Add flour a tablespoon at a time until the paste thickens and can be shaped.
3. Fold in the bacon bits and onion.
4. Shape the mixture into patties and coat with additional flour.
5. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
6. Saute the patties until golden brown.
7. Serve with your favorite hamburger buns and toppings.

Happy Eating!

You've probably heard the rumors; people whispering about beef being unhealthy. Is it true? It depends. If you like Ribeye or New York strip steaks, you do need to cut back. On the other hand, if you enjoy the lean, beefy flavor of 93-percent lean ground beef, you're in luck. Not only is this option low in fat and calories, but it can be used in so many different recipes. All of which your family will simply love.

Italian Style Salisbury Steaks
Serves 4

1 pound of 93-percent lean ground beef
1 cup Italian style bread crumbs
2 egg whites, beaten
½ cup finely chopped onion
½ cup finely chopped bell pepper
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
4 cups of pasta sauce

1. Combine the ground beef, bread crumbs, egg whites, onion, bell pepper and garlic in a large bowl.
2. Pat the ground beef out into 4 patties and cook in a large skillet over medium heat.
3. Once the patties are cooked through, top with pasta sauce and heat through.
4. Serve with a side salad and garlic bread.

Tip: The onion and bell pepper are added to keep the meat moist. You can add any vegetables you like, which means this is a great way to sneak nutritious vegetables into your meal.

Philly Cheese Burgers
Serves 4

1 pound of 93-percent ground beef
Fresh ground pepper, to taste
Sea salt, to taste
2 large onions, sliced
8 ounces of mushrooms, sliced
Olive oil
4 slices of provolone cheese
4 whole wheat hamburger bu

1. Shape the ground beef into patties and season with pepper and salt.
2. Cook the patties in a large skillet over medium heat.
3. In the meantime, pour enough olive oil into the bottom of a medium skillet. Add the onions and mushrooms and sauté until cooked through.
4. Place a quarter of the onion and mushroom mixture on each patty, add a slice of cheese, cover and cook until the cheese melts.
5. Serve on whole wheat hamburger buns with baked French fries.