Homemade Spicy Hummus Recipe

I'm in love with hummus. 
But I'm not in love with the $3-4/cup price of it in store. 
So, this week on cooking day, I tried a spicy hummus recipe I found online somewhere. But, 'spicy' being a relative term, it didn't quite do it for me. 

Here's the recipe I ended up with. It could still use a little more spice, but I wanted to let it 'steep' in the fridge for a couple of days and check the spice level before adding more. So far, I'm thinking more would be better. (I like the spicy to make my ears warm... if you don't like it that spicy, no need to worry - this recipe doesn't do that.)

Spicy Hummus Recipe

1 can      chickpeas
2 Tbsp   tahini seseme paste
1/8 cup   olive oil
1 tsp       crushed pepper flakes
1 tsp       ground cumin
1 clove   garlic, crushed (I used 1 tsp garlic powder)
1/4 cup   lemon juice 
1/3 cup   water (or could add oil?) 
1/2-1tsp  tobbasco sauce
1 Tbsp   paprika (for color and slightly smoky flavor)

Blend all in food processor and serve with crackers, chips, veggies... whatever.

Enjoy! 



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A Qucik Update on the Shampoo Thing...

Having tried the baking soda shampoo option, (you can find that post here) I thought I'd turned a corner in my endeavor to live more naturally.

But I digress.

I have decided that gloriously foamy, chemically infused shampoo is worth it.

I guess what changed my mind was the day I met someone in the store. I'd gone in with my shampoo-free hair, my make-up free face, and happened to run into someone I had not seen for ten years.
Their face sported quite the look of shock
...and not in a good way.
Their complexion - decades older than mine - naturally glowed. And it had nothing to do with lifestyle choice. Pure genes.  They didn't understand. I didn't either I guess - how could I look so much older than someone who is decades older than me?!

I have decided it's okay to look nice. Even if I have to use make up and shampoo and mousse in my hair to accomplish it. It's nice for me (always nice to have people NOT stare in horror, don't you think?), and it's nice for my husband too. I can honor him by looking my best in and out of his presence.
And hey, it's even nice for others - then I don't have to give them nightmares.

Everyone wins.

Thanks, store-bought shampoo!

Make Your Own Tortillas - Quick, Cheap, and Healthy!

Wraps are healthy, right?
... not necessarily. 

The tortillas themselves may contian ingredients that are harmful to your health. We're talking about ingredients that are known to be hazardous. (For example, the potassium sorbate found in some commercial tortillas is a known carcinogen.) That's not including the many forms of sugar that are found in the majority of processed foods. (excess sugar intake inhibits insulin production, contributes to type II Diabetes, and leads to obesity and other related health issues) 

That's just two ingredients. 

I figure I'll save us the risk and even money (they're $3-4 for a 10 pack in store), by making tortillas ourselves. It's super quick and easy. Then at least we know what's in it :) 

I use this recipe from Mennonite Girls Can Cook (using whole wheat flour instead of white though) These yummy tortillas have become a staple in our kitchen! 

Homemade 

Flour Tortillas 

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup oil
• 2/3 cup hot water

Method:

1. Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
2. Cut in shortening until crumbly.
3. Pour in hot water, a little at a time, mixing with a fork until dough comes together.
4. Place dough on a lightly floured surface and knead a few minutes until smooth.
5. Cover and let rest 45 minutes.
6. Divide dough into 8 pieces and roll each piece into a ball, cover balls with plastic wrap. 
7. With a rolling pin, roll each ball into a 6-7 inch circle, don't worry they don't have to be perfect circles. Cook one tortilla while you roll out the next one. 
8. Preheat your pan on medium heat. Do not add oil.
9. Place tortilla in hot pan and cook until small bubbles appear before flipping to the other side, cook approx one minute on each side.   
10. Stack cooked tortillas and cover with a tea towel till all are cooked.
11. Now they are ready for your favorite recipe.  Can be frozen for future use.

Enjoy! We sure do :)

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What is a Whole Foods, Plant Based Diet?

In my last post I outlined how I came to be thoroughly convinced that whole foods and plant-based foods are the healthy option. 

But what IS a whole food? What counts as plant-based? 

Whole foods are "foods that are unprocessed and unrefined 

or processed and refined as little as possible before being consumed." (*)

'Plant based' is basically an inclusive term applied to vegans, vegetarians, and those who eat eggs, and dairy products, but avoid meat.  (who would technically be classified as lacto-ovo-vegetarian ... as if it matters.)  

Now, before you think I've got it all together - please know that I don't. I had diet coke last night. I'm dipping tortilla chips in hummus right now. Trading in unhealthy for healthy around here has been and continues to be a process. 

This eating style tends to raise a few questions: 
If I'm just eating fruit and veggies, what am I eating?! And - the ever popular - where do I get my protein?! 

I must confess here that I was oddly concerned those first days that I might fall over in the middle of the afternoon, having become too weak from a lack of meat. It's been a month, and I've not fallen over once.  (Actually I feel stronger and more mentally alert! More on that later...) 

Here's a sample of what I eat in a day, with protein sources highlighted. (Though all fruits and vegetables have some protein)

Breakfast: 

1-2 cup coffee (1-2 tsp brown sugar)
Smoothie (2 cups of fruit, 1 cup water, kale or spinach, chia seeds, flaxseed)
water

Lunch:
Toasted tomato sandwich
1/2 cup trail mix
water

Snack:
1/2 cup trail mix
piece of fruit (or, today, a soup bowl of chips and 1/2 cup of chipotle hummus - Mmm! )
water

Supper:
personal pan size vegetarian pizza (black beans and spinach  on a tortilla crust is my fave) or 1/2-1 cup serving of sweet potato lasagne... something veggie :) 
water

Snack: 
bowl popcorn, salted, with 1-2 tbsp butter (when do you measure? When it's hard or melted??) 
water 

** on days I work out, a protein shake is added too.
Hmm. It doesn't look like much in a list like that, but I'm FULL. It's surprising how filling healthy foods really are. Empty calories in processed foods don't keep me satisfied as long as whole foods do. Interesting... (who knows? Maybe this way of eating is not as expensive as one would think, if one needs fewer whole foods than processed 'food'...)  who eat milk or eggVegetarians who eat milk or eggs are called "lacto-ovo-vegetarians"s 
For more info on identifying whole foods, how to shop and much much more, check out 
100 Days of Real Food


What kind of whole foods do you plan to rotate into your meal plan?

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The Whole Foods Diet - The Convincing of a Starch-Loving Chocoholic

You should know I love chocolate. And meat. And bread. And sugar. Well... I did. Until something happened. A few things happened really, that together convinced me that a whole foods diet is a good idea. 

First, information got me:

I began watching documentaries, reading and talking to friends about health and food. "Food Matters" and "Forks over Knives" were well researched, fact-based (not sensationalist) looks at how diet impacts - and dictates - our health. Specifically, how plant-based foods aid our health, and how processed and animal based foods contribute to disease. It wasn't long before I became convinced. (Watch them and you'll see what I mean...) I wasn't ready though, to sell out and make the commitment of eating well. (I did mention that I LOVE chocolate, bread, meat and sugar, right?) I was not yet willing to give it up. 

Then there was chip night... 

Feeling the pressure to make a lifestyle change but not yet willing to actually DO it, I decided to console myself with a giant bag of chips and a mountain of yummy, yummy dip. I munched and crunched on those salty circles until the foil bag lay empty. I got to enjoy those chips the next day too - I felt full all the next day from those little liars. I thought they would make me feel better. They didn't.
I also got to enjoy those chips for the next month - I could see them everyday, resting as a soft pillowy addition to my waistline. Every glance in the mirror reminded me that the taste is not worth it!

And finally there was the hamburger incident...

I stared up at the menu above beeping tills, and chose a Big Mac. I hadn't had a McDonalds burger in years (usually I order a wrap), but the coupon convinced me.  It went down tender, and oh-so good. Salty fries and a soda finished it off. 

An hour later, I lay on the couch. We're talking fetal position, holding my stomach. It's not that the burger was bad - its only crime was being a burger; a greasy, salty, heavily processed food item that my body was not used to.  But there on the couch, with a hard rock of remorse in my gut, and crying out 'why?!', I swore to never again eat another take out burger. It wasn't a difficult decision.


Now, dare I say, I've made the switch. Not all the way immediately - I  mean, I had a quiche for lunch (animal based), and dipped chips in my hummus (Small amounts of chips - not a bag!!!) But, I am indeed convinced beyond inaction. It makes no sense to go on eating what makes me feel awful and will eventually contribute to disease.

After a month of eating well, I can tell you -I feel a whole lot better physically and mentally. I'll post on that later.  I'll also post on how I'm not going totally hard-core or getting it perfect.

 In the meantime... 

Here's a peek at the evolution 

of this starch-lover's eating habits: 

2 years ago:  

4-8 cups of coffee daily. Each contains 3 tsp of sugar. (2 years before that, it had been 4-6 tsp)
Daily chocolate break. (1/2 cup or more of chocolate chips, every afternoon with my coffee)
Meals = 50% meat, 50% white starch, and finishes with a baked dessert of some kind. (no veggies. ever.)
Snacks - cookies and muffins. (3-6 pieces per day) 
End the day with chips and dip and diet pepsi

The last year: 

2 cups of coffee daily. Each contains 1/2-1 tsp of brown sugar
Meals = 30% meat, 35% brown starch, 30% vegetables. (no dessert usually)
Snacks = crackers/cheese, homemade granola bars. 1-3 pieces per day. 
End the day with  popcorn. and diet pepsi

But this month? Even better: 

2 cups (or less) of coffee daily . Each contains 1/2 - 1 tsp of brown sugar
Meals = 30% starch, 70% vegetables & legumes
Snacks = nuts, seeds, fruit, vegetables
End the day with popcorn and water

Crazy, eh? I look back and wonder, "who AM I?" But it's not a difficult way to eat. I don't spend my days wishing I could please have some chocolate pudding or a burger or a big bag of chips (you did read about the incidents, right?) What's to miss? They just make me feel like junk.

I can't wait to share some recipes, and especially can't wait to tell you how I feel as a result! It's quite interesting how food really does affect our bodies...

"Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food." - Hippocrates 

**The 'just incase someone thinks I know what's best for them disclaimer': 

Any of the statements made by the author are opinions. Nothing here should be taken as legal or medical advice, 

or any other kind of advice that could cause you to lose your mind and sue me. 

These are my opinions and experiences. That is all **

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On Going Natural in the Kitchen - an Update

I mentioned my intent to go more natural in the kitchen, and thought I'd check in with you about how it went.

I tried the homemade Cream of Chicken Soup, and it was tasty! (Here's the original post that has the recipe)

I used one of the soups in a Shepherd's Pie dish, and the other is in the freezer for next time. 
(don't ask about the spray bottles... I was going to use them for natural hairspray but changed my  mind. But I don't want to confess that to you, so just don't ask, K? Thanks.) 

After doing a bit of looking for natural options, I soon found myself doing two things: 

1) drowning in the deep, dark realization that I haven't even SEEN the tip of the iceburg that is  'healthy living'

2) deciding to start somewhere anyway. 

So I started with something that bugs me. Hairspray. I hate the idea that I'm inhaling a cloud of chemicals every week. That can't be good!! Then I thought of the chemicals I'm putting on my hair and body, and decided to reduce them. 

Last Week's Healthy Living Action Steps:

('cuz this thing is only happening one reasonable, attainable step at a time.)

1. Getting StonedAnother place I'm uncomfortable putting chemicals, is on freshly shaven armpits. I switched back to the natural stone deodorant this week. It's $4 (not the .49 I can get with a coupon) but I'm willing to pay now. Here's an interesting piece on different methods of deodorizing, different products, and also different opinions about why deodorants / antiperperants are healthy.
2. Facial Nudity
   
   Well... almost. I've been going without eye shadow and liner for awhile. But I started leaving my foundation alone too. It's a little scary to be all face-naked ... I worry people will see my laugh lines and start offering me the senior discount whether I'm in my thirties or not...
   But this is no-chemicals-on-my-face time.  Well... like I said, almost. I can't leave the mascara alone yet.  In time...
3. Threw the 'Poo
   Washing hair with just baking soda and water or... *gasp* JUST water. Here's the separate post on how that went.

I'm not ready to set goals for the next few weeks... I'm still reeling with all the information I'm taking in on Raw Eating. (have you heard of this? It's basically Veganism times 100. At least that's how it feels on this side of it.) I'm interested in this uber-healthy way of eating, but feel a thousand miles away from any decent progress.

So I'll just sit here for awhile and try to figure out my first step.  ... which might be buying a dehydrator... ;)

What are some steps you've taken recently toward healthier living? 

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Washing Hair Naturally - Baking Soda or Just Water?

In an effort toward a more natural lifestyle, I decided to go shampoo-free. (and hairspray... and mousse...)

  

I was a teensy bit concerned though.

How does it work? Is my hair going to be gross?
Won't my hair be greasy and stinky?

But I'm on week two and it's going okay so far.

For a couple of days I used Just baking soda / water mix. and, because a friend told me it's possible, I've also been using plain ole water! (Check out this article for info) Sure, when I washed the first time my hair felt like wet straw and I nearly cried, "What have I done!?!?" But it dried normally.

It's definitely a different feeling. Kind of like straw. With Pomeade in it. Definitely not light and limp as with product. I hope the texture gets better with time. On the upside though,it behaves like it actually does have pomemade in it - helpful for styling...   

Now I just need a haircut. (which I needed before anyway...) 

Straightened and styled.  Not my best hairday, but I blame the
desperate need for a cut, not lack of shampoo. 

Wearing it up. (as one does when one needs a haircut...)
Note: These pictures were taken by my 5 year old daughter. What a helper.

So far so good.

And, I resist the urge to feel like a phony. Yes, this is one small step forward in health. But yes, I still drink aspertame-laced diet soda, eat salt laden chips, and live on coffee with sugar in it. I adore lattes. Caramel ones.

But.

One step at a time. Those things will likely fall off naturally as they no longer fit into my lifestyle.
That's all this is. Tweaking of lifestyle one piece at a time.

It's okay not to get it all at once. Actually, it's impossible to expect that!

So I celebrate this one step, and continue toward the next ones. (At this point those next steps will focus more on diet methinks...)


What are some ways you have moved toward a more healthy lifestyle?


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