gistfile1.txt

$node = node_load(1);
// I want field_foobar;
$value = FALSE;
if ($items = field_get_items('node', 'field_foobar')) {
  $item = reset($items);
  // A lot of fields use value, some use target_id, tid, it depends on their hook_field_schema.
  // Good luck with that.
  $value = $item['value'];
}