March Health Tips: Do It Yourself (DIY) month

I encourage you all to challenge yourself to make food items that you tend to buy at the grocery store or while you are out and about. Making your own snacks is a great way to stimulate your creative side, and you can save cash while doing as well!

TIP 1:

DIY Hummus

Hummus is a high protein and fiber snack that is made from chickpeas (garbanzo beans) that can be used as a dip or spread. This is an easy and versatile recipe that you can adjust to your liking. All you need are a few ingredients and a food processor or blender!

Yield: 6, ¼ cup servings

Ingredients:

• One 15-ounce can of chickpeas (aka garbanzo beans); drained and washed

• 2-4 tablespoons of tahini (depending on preference)- you can get tahini in middle eastern or ethnic food markets.

• Fresh lemon juice, ½ of a large lemon

• Half of a large garlic clove, minced

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon sea salt, depending on preference

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

• 2 to 3 tablespoons water

Directions

• Place tahini, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, sea salt, and cumin in food processor; blend for 30 seconds. Scrape sides of food processor; blend until smooth.

• Add half of the chickpeas and blend for 30 seconds; scrape sides of food processor. Add remaining chickpeas. Blend and scrape food processor as needed until smooth (add 1 tablespoon of water at a time to help smooth the consistency.

• Taste and add salt, cumin, lemon juice, tahini as desired.

Eat your homemade hummus with chips or vegetables, or use it as an alternative to mayonnaise on your sandwich. You can also experiment and add herbs, like cilantro, or creamy avocado to enhance the flavor!