It may seem a little odd, kicking things off with a story about how someone died but given the nature of this project, maybe it isn’t so unusual afterall. Uncle Harry, (who you will read about again later) met his demise after he and his first wife, Sally, separated. Turns out, after his birthday bash, he couldn’t leave well enough alone so Harry and Sally mutually decided that separation would do them both a world of good. He largely kept to himself and indulged in his favorite thing: a diet of beans and little else.

They found his body in the little room he rented during the separation. Apparently it was a room without ventilation. The combination of beans and poor ventilation was blamed for his death because he died from his own flatulence.

Harry’s autopsy showed large amounts of methane gas in his system.

“It was just the right combination of foods,” a scientist said. “It appears he died in his sleep from breathing the poisonous cloud that was hanging over his bed.”

Had Harry been outside or had his windows been open, it might not have been fatal but he was shut up in the airtight room, without even any plants as a source of oxygen for survival.

Harry was a big man with a huge capacity for creating gas. Several of his rescuers got sick, one was hospitalized.

The following was one of his favourite recipes.

Five-bean overnight killer salad

This recipe marinates overnight for a wonderful dish that will keep in the refrigerator for well over a week. After you drain the beans, rinse them with water as this improves their taste and removes excess sodium.

THE BEANS

• 10 oz. can green beans
• 10 oz. can yellow wax beans
• 1 cup lima beans
• 14 oz. can kidney beans
• 19 oz. can chick peas
• 1 red onion, chopped
• 1 red pepper, chopped
• 1 tsp basil, chopped

THE DRESSING

• 1 cup sugar
• 2/4 cup red wine (or balsamic) vinegar
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1/2 tsp. salt

Combine beans, onion and pepper in a medium-sized bowl. Mix the dressing in a smaller bowl. Pour the dressing over the bean mixture and gently stir. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Gently stir in the evening and again in the morning.