Try this soothing recipe. These beans are tasty and especially nutritious with the addition of organic blackstrap molasses and anti-inflammatory spices. Blackstrap molasses is rich in B-6, magnesium, calcium, and potassium, all of which combine to produce a very calming meal. B-6 is a key vitamin to lift mood. This recipe is easy to make with a slow cooker; start it in the morning, and by dinnertime a rich, healthy meal will be waiting.
Ingredients
- 2 cups dried organic pinto beans
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 tbs. Olive Oil
- 1⁄2 cup organic blackstrap molasses
- 1 6-oz. can tomato paste
- 2 tbs. yellow mustard
- 1 tbs. smoked paprika
- 1⁄4 tsp. cayenne
- 1 tbs. grated turmeric root
- 1 tbs. Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbs. organic apple cider vinegar
- 6 cups water
- Sea salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Wash, rinse and soak the beans overnight. In the morning, rinse the beans and place in the slow cooker.
- Sauté the onion and garlic in the olive oil and add to the slow cooker along with the rest of the ingredients (save the salt and pepper until the beans are finished cooking).
- Cover with the water and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
- Salt to taste.
- Serve with coleslaw or a chopped green salad and Vibrant Vinaigrette.
This recipe was taken from my book Eat Right, Feel Right: 50 Recipes and Tips to Improve Mood Sleep Attention and Focus
Other Good Mood Recipes
Recipe: Mood-Boosting Split Pea Lentil Soup
Leslie Korn, PhD, MPH, is a Doctor of Behavioral Medicine and a pioneer in natural and integrative medicine for mental health and chronic illness. She is the author of 10 books and the developer of the Brainbow Blueprint® model.
She served as a Fulbright scholar on traditional medicine, a Clinical Fellow at Harvard Medical School, and a National Institutes of Health-funded research scientist in mind/body medicine.
She served as a Fulbright scholar on traditional medicine, a Clinical Fellow at Harvard Medical School, and a National Institutes of Health-funded research scientist in mind/body medicine.
Latest posts by Leslie Korn, PhD, MPH (see all)
- Heavy Metals and Mental Health: What You Need to Know - January 30, 2026
- Why Does Nutrition Matter in Mental Health? - January 26, 2026
- Nourishing the Body, Calming the Mind: Food as a Regulatory Process - January 22, 2026
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