Category: Blog

Spicy Cilantro Jalapenos Avocado Hummus

MeganLeave a comment

PictureLooking for a healthy snack? A snack that is easy to make? Something that is easy to store? Being a connoisseur of hummus myself, I figured why not try and make it? It cannot be that hard and by making hummus myself I know what ingredients I’m putting into it. Plus, I can make a larger batch put it in the refrigerator and have it at my convenience! YUM

So what is hummus? Hummus is paste like spread that is made from Garbanzo beans aka chick peas, Tahini (baked sesame seeds), garlic cloves, either lemon or lime juice, and olive oil. Feel free to add any additional ingredients you want to add. In this case, I added Cilantro, Jalapeño and Avocado.

Here are some (not all) of the health benefits of Hummus:

*Helps to regulate blood sugar levels:
-Due to the low glycemic index of Garbanzo beans

*Helps to improve digestive health:
-Thanks to the Garbanzo beans being a good source of fiber

*Helps to maintain healthy muscles:
-Garbanzo beans are a good source of Amino Acids which help to build and maintain muscles and tissues.

Hummus is a great snack to include in your lunch or when guests are coming over. It’s very quick and easy to make as long as you have the Tahini on hand. Blend these ingredients in a food processor or blender and you have a healthy snack immediately available!

 
 
Ingredients:

  • 2 cans 16 oz. Garbanzo Beans rinse
  • 2 Jalapeños
  • 1 Avocado
  • 1 bunch of cilantro (leaves and stems)
  • 2 Limes or 2 Lemons
  • 2 Tbsp. Olive Oil (I generally use a bit more)
  • 5-6 Cloves of Garlic
  • 6 Tbsp. Tahini
  • Sea Salt
  • 1/4 cup of water


Directions:

  1. Put everything into a food processor and blend until all ingredients are smooth.

No Bake, Gluten-Free, and Dairy-Free Protein Energy Bites!

MeganLeave a comment

PictureWhat has nut butter, chia seeds, flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, raw honey, coconut flakes, dairy-free chocolate chips, and gluten-free oatmeal?  My take on bite-sized protein energy balls!

These little packs of protein are truly amazing and FILLING!  Seriously, who doesn’t just love when a snack has all the aspects of what a snack should be: salty, crunchy, smooth sweetness of honey, and a kick of bittersweet chocolate that also happens to be dairy-free???  I mean…this is too good to be true?  Right?

Wrong!

I have been making my version of protein energy balls for a couple of years now and the recipe changes every time!  Try adding your favorite healthy ingredients to the mix.  Once you’ve mixed all the ingredients together roll them into bite sized balls and place them in the refrigerator.  These have been great on the go snacks for every occasion and trust me your family will love them!

​Reasons to make your own Energy Balls:
1.They’re easy to make.
2.They’re easy to customize to your taste with different types of healthy food options.
3.Chocolate, nut butter, and a salty crunch all rolled (literally) into a bite-sized treat…need I say more! =)

Have fun making these bite-sized treats!

 
 
Ingredients:

  • 1 cup. dry oatmeal (gluten-free)*
  • 2/3 cup. Coconut flakes*
  • 1/2 c. nut butter………………… (for a creamier consistency use 1 cup)
  • 1/2 cup flax-seeds……………… (I use regular, some prefer ground flax-seeds)
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips……..(I use dairy free chocolate chips from Enjoy Life_
  • 1/3 cup Raw Honey or Agave
  • 1-2 Tbsp. Chia seeds
  • 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract*Optional….I also add additional seeds like Pumpkin Seeds for more protein and crunch!

Directions:

  1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Use a spoon or small melon ball scooper to make even and consistent sized bites!
  2. Place in Refrigerator and watch them disappear!

Decorative Lanterns

MeganLeave a comment

PictureJust about every store I walk in has lanterns, lanterns, and more lanterns. Almost every home furnishing magazine also has the exact same design concept of using lanterns everywhere in the home. I think it may be safe to say that lanterns are a versatile decoration that can be displayed throughout the year for every season and just about every holiday! So basically, lanterns are my kind of decorative design!!

I also think it is safe to say when it comes to storage in your home, it too has its capacity. So it’s important to find décor that has these multi-functioning purposes especially if space is an issue. I will have a blog in the near future about organizing ideas and suggestions to help you stay decluttered!

I was lucky to find this lantern at Pottery Barn; plus I got it on sale, which is a huge Win!  
​
When I got it home I had some vague idea of what I wanted this lantern to look like, but was not sure where to look for the additional pieces. Store after store I looked for decorations as filler from Spanish moss, to regular moss, onto river rock, or even grapevine etc. you name it I thought about it.  I realized with the above-mentioned items how messy it would be to be digging out our vacuuming up any one of those items from Spring while trying to decorate this beautiful lantern for Christmas. I knew I needed something simple, easy, and functional.

So when I found this greenery that I could simply place on the bottom of the lantern with no pieces or residue falling off I knew this was it.  I added a battery operated candle for some height and Bellissimo!

When decorating bigger pieces, like this lantern, simple is always better.  I certainly did not want to take away from the actual lantern itself, I just wanted to add some warmth with decorations that complemented it not competed with the overall structure.  I think the final conglomeration looks better than even I had expected and if my husband says ‘Honey, the lantern looks really nice. I like the way you decorated it,” then it must be noticeably good!

If you have a decorative piece in your home and want to spruce it up go for it!  It’s actually quite surprising how different a room can look when you change a few pieces with items you already have in your home!

Happy Decorating and Spring Cleaning!