...what's up with rice? I'm currently trying to slim down and I'm trying to find other things I can incorporate into my diet. (SOOOO sick of chicken). I know fried rice probably isn't that awesome, but what about steamed? Would beans and rice be an acceptable meal for someone looking to lose a bit of weight?

As long as your portions and calorie / carb counts are under control. And I'd go with a brown or yellow rice as opposed to white.

Rice is fine - and a healthy contribution to a balanced diet - but avoid white rice - boiled brown/wholegrain/whole anything is much better. White rice is high GI - while brown rice is high fibre. Best not to eat too much rice late in the evening, but don't worry too much. Boiled or steamed is fine.

I had to switch to brown rice since when i was eating rice and breads i just couldn't seem to lose weight and kick the sweet tooth. You can do almost anything with brown rice you can with white. Its normally a little tougher than the white. I wouldn't eat a big mound of brown rice with butter like i would the white, But cooked in things, I really like it.