Hummus: so easy to make, so easy to eat!

It's been a busy few weeks, but I finally have something blogworthy to post! 


I made a small batch of hummus to go with dinner tonight, and I realized that some people might not know how incredibly easy it is to make. Many people probably don't know that hummus comes from chickpeas/garbanzo beans, either. In other words, it's good for you! (Depending on what you add to it.) 


I don't have step-by-step pictures for this post because, well, I was hungry. And when I'm hungry, I ain't got time for that. Tonight, I made Ranch Hummus, which is the recipe below. However, hummus is extremely versatile which means you can season it however you like.

Ranch Hummus

1 cup cooked chickpeas/garbanzo beans*

1/2 tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2 tbsp. Fat Free Ranch Dressing

Put all ingredients into a food processor.

Process until smooth and creamy.

Eat until your heart is content.

*You can use canned chickpeas/garbanzo beans, but everything tastes better and is better for you when fresh!

How easy was that?! Regular hummus is just as easy. Replace the Ranch Dressing with 1/2 tbsp. more Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 1 clove of garlic and a dash of salt.

I used mine as a spread on Black Bean Burgers. You can eat is as a dip, a spread, or with a spoon. I would also like to pose this question: kale chips, where have you been all my life? Tonight was my first time making these scrumptious bites of magic. If you haven't tried kale chips, then you are totally failing at everything. Try them, now. And dip them into your homemade hummus. You're welcome.

Peanut Butter and Protein!

As some of you might know, my husband and I have a healthy lifestyle. We eat clean (with the exception of our weekly cheat meal), and we workout with a combination of cardiovascular exercise and weight training every day. In today's society, it can be difficult to find healthy and beneficial snacks to eat throughout the day. Don't be fooled by advertising... those "healthy" snacks you bought from the store probably are not that healthy. Read the ingredients. If it contains something you cannot even pronounce, then you might want to rethink putting it into your body. This is why my husband and I experiment with different cooking and baking recipes. Today, he whipped up a batch of Protein Packed Oatmeal Cookies. They are healthy, beneficial in giving us a boost of protein, and they are delicious. Read on for the recipe!

Protein Packed Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients
2 c Old Fashioned Oats
2 scoops protein powder (we use Optimal Results Low Carb Whey Protein)
1/4 c Stevia Baking Blend
2 eggs
3 tbsp cholesterol-free, low sodium butter spread
1 tbsp vanilla (and an extra splash... for the homies)
3 heaping tbsp all natural creamy peanut butter
1 tsp baking soda
Splash of milk to reach a smooth consistency (we used goat's milk for a richer taste)


Preheat oven to 350*. Prepare cookie sheet by lining it with foil and spraying it with a Canola Oil cooking spray. Mix all ingredients with a spoon in a medium mixing bowl. 

Drop by heaping spoonfuls onto the cookie sheet, about one inch apart from each other. Bake for 15 minutes or until the bottoms are brown. This recipe yields about 15 large cookies. Pack one in your lunch for a healthy midday snack!

And remember...

Just kidding ;)