Hello, I am trying to eat healthier by incorporating more bean recipes into my diet. Seems like I run out of ideas after the first 2 or 3 'bean ideas'. Chili every week or red beans and rice every week is not enough variety.

I don't eat fish or seafood, but I do eat most everything else.

Since it is summer and very hot, I don't want to heat up the whole kitchen. Crockpot main dishes and soups are what I'm looking for, but I am also interested in some new salad recipes that include beans, that can be eaten straight out of the fridge. Again I draw a blank after 3 bean salad - can't eat that EVERY week - what else?

And I would like to keep homemade baked beans on hand this summer to go with picnic food, grilled food, summer-type foods. I am looking for a traditional baked bean recipe that you can make in the crockpot, with one kind of small bean. Traditional - not more than one kind of bean - but made in crockpot. Not sure if they make them with pintos, or what kind? Thanks alot!