Two Bean Roast

Our farm share has just ended and I've had to start veggie shopping for myself again, which has been both a very saddening but also a good thing. While I absolutely loved the farm-fresh veggies and the challenge of figuring out what to do with them, it is also kind of fun to have the freedom to buy what I want. This week I decided to get a few handfuls of green beans at the store. Now I'm usually not a huge green bean fan (I think I was scarred at a younger age by the canned stuff...) but this recipe is incredible. Today I kind of experimented with it..I usually make this as a sautee but I sort of just felt like roasting stuff up tonight (being lazy during a school hell week). But it actually turned out better than the sautee version, in my opinion. So I think I'll be rewriting this recipe...permanently.

Two Bean Roast
2 Cups fresh green beans, with stringy ends chopped off
1 12 oz can white beans (drained), or 1.5 Cups soaked and cooked white beans
a bunch of sprigs of thyme (a good amount) leaves removed
a bunch of fresh rosemary (a good amount) leaves removed
3 Cloves of garlic, roughly chopped
a pinch of red pepper flakes
salt
pepper
olive oil

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Lay out green beans and and white beans on a cookie sheet. Add garlic, thyme, rosemary, red pepper flakes,  salt and pepper.
3. Drizzle liberally with olive oil. Toss the beans until they are evenly coated with oil and spices/ herbs
4. Roast in oven for 15 minutes. Take out the beans, stir them around and roast for another 10 minutes, then enjoy!

Health Benefits!!

Garlic-Contains allicin, an incredibly medicinal component, especially in raw garlic (like in this recipe!) Allicin can help prevent high blood pressure, aid in digestion, aid in inflammation reduction, help prevent and cure cold, and much much more!
Thyme- a respiratory and digestive aid, thyme is an expectorant meaning it is helpful in treating coughs and colds, and may help relieve menstrual cramps
Rosemary- Antioxidant, antiseptic and antispasmodic, has been shown to be helpful in preventing Alzheimer's disease due to certain phytochemicals it contains, camphor within rosemary helps circulation, can help prevent abdominal cramps through stimulating the release of bile.  
Green Beans- High in fiber, very high in vitamin A, vitamin-B6 (pyridoxine), thiamin (vitamin B-1), and vitamin-C and folates
White Beans- High in protein and fiber, they contain molybdenum which helps detoxify the body, high in zinc, copper, magnesium, and contain skin-protecting antioxidants. 

Sources:
http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/health-benefits-of-garlic.html
The A to Z Guide to Healing Herbal Remedies, Jason Elias and Selagh Ryan Masline
http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/learn/rosemary.php
http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/green_beans.html
http://www.healwithfood.org/health-benefits/white-beans-navy.php