Blog Category: Food

It’s no secret that homemade hummus can be a simple, delicious way to add some protein and flavor to your meals. But let’s admit it, making hummus from scratch can be a bit of a hassle. So, why bother? Well, there are many benefits to making your own hummus at home – including being able to control the ingredients and flavors you use. Plus, freshly made hummus has an unbeatable taste that is sure to impress even the pickiest eaters in your family!  Here’s an easy recipe for homemade hummus that won’t take up too much time or effort. 

The most basic ingredient for hummus is chickpeas (or garbanzo beans). For every one cup of cooked chickpeas, you will need two tablespoons of tahini paste and two tablespoons of lemon juice. You should also have salt and pepper on hand for seasoning purposes. Feel free to play around with additional herbs and spices depending on what flavor profile you want your hummus to have – cumin, garlic powder, paprika, oregano, etc., are all great options!  

Once you have all the ingredients together, it’s time to assemble them into a delicious dip! Begin by adding all the ingredients into a food processor or blender. Blend until everything is mixed together evenly and then season with salt and pepper (or whatever other herbs/spices you plan on using). Blend until everything is smooth and creamy – this should only take about five minutes (or less!) if you're using a powerful blender or food processor.  Finally, scrape down the sides of your blender/processor as needed before transferring your freshly made hummus into a bowl or container. That's it! Enjoy with pita chips or veggies as desired. 

Still looking for something extra special? Customize the recipe by adding some roasted red peppers or kalamata olives into the mix while blending everything together! If you want some extra zing in your dip, add a dash of sriracha sauce before blending - this will give it just enough kick without overwhelming other flavors! And if you're feeling adventurous – try adding some nut butter for an interesting twist on traditional hummus recipes. The possibilities are truly endless when it comes to creating unique variations of homemade hummus - so get creative! 

 Making homemade hummus doesn't have to be hard! With just a few simple ingredients and steps in hand you can whip up this yummy dip in no time at all. This easy recipe provides holistic moms with an opportunity to make healthy snacks that their entire family will enjoy without sacrificing time or effort in the kitchen - so go ahead and give it a try today! Bon Appétit!

If you’re looking for a quick and easy snack that’s packed full of energy-boosting nutrition, then you’ve come to the right place. Homemade energy balls are a delicious way to get the energy boost we all need throughout the day. With the right ingredients and a few minutes of your time, you can whip up a batch of homemade energy balls that will keep you going until dinnertime. Let’s take a look at what it takes to make these tasty treats! 

The first step is to gather your ingredients. You’ll need 1 cup of salted peanut butter (or any nut butter of your choice), 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup, 1/2 cup dried fruit (such as cranberries or raisins) and 1/4 cup chopped nuts (or seeds). You can also add some optional extras such as cocoa powder or ground flaxseed for an extra nutritional kick.  Play with this - the possibilities are endless!  

1 cup peanut butter ( or almond butter)

1/2 cup oatmeal

1/4 cup honey (or pure maple syrup)

1/2 cup dried fruit (cranberries or raisins are favorites!)

1/4 cup chopped nuts or seeds (walnuts, almonds, pistachios, or sunflower seeds are great)

1 Tablespoon cocoa powder, cacao nibs, and/or ground flaxseed (optional)

2 Tablespoons toasted coconut to roll the balls in (optional)

Once you have all your ingredients measured out, it’s time to mix them together in a bowl until everything is well combined. Then roll the mixture into small balls about the size of a golf ball. Place these on a lined baking sheet and refrigerate for about an hour before serving. This will help them hold their shape better when served.  

 

These homemade energy balls are best served cold straight out of the refrigerator, but they can also be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, or frozen for up to 3 months. Just be sure to thaw them before eating if they have been frozen!       

                                              

For a healthy energy boost that doesn't involve caffeine or sugar-packed snacks then why not give homemade energy balls a try? They're quick and easy to make with just a few simple ingredients - peanut butter, oats, dried fruit and nuts - that are packed full of natural goodness. Plus they taste great too! So next time you're feeling sluggish during the day why not whip up a batch of homemade energy balls for yourself? You won't regret it!

Holistic moms know that processed foods aren’t just bad for our waistlines, but also for our health. An important area of focus is inflammation, which has been linked to a variety of chronic illnesses. Let's take a look at what causes inflammation and how processed foods contribute to it. 

Blog Body: 

What is Inflammation? 

Inflammation is the body’s response to an injury, infection or allergy. It’s an important part of the healing process and helps protect us from further damage or infection. However, when inflammation becomes chronic, it can lead to serious health issues like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. 

Processed Foods and Inflammation 

Processed foods contain refined grains , added sugar, trans fats, and synthetic ingredients that can cause inflammation in the body. Refined grains are stripped of their fiber and other nutrients during processing, making them higher in calories but lower in nutritional value. Additionally, refined grains stimulate insulin production more than whole grains do—which can lead to weight gain and high blood sugar levels that trigger inflammation. When we indulge in sweets, our bodies break down glucose for energy. This process causes inflammation throughout our bodies, though this inflammation is usually too subtle to notice. In the long run, however, it can contribute to a host of serious health issues—including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Processed foods often contain trans fats (such as hydrogenated oils), artificial sweeteners and additives that all contribute to inflammation in the body as well.  These ingredients are low-cost fillers used by food manufacturers to give food a longer shelf life or enhance flavor—but they come with significant consequences for your health.  

Practical Tips for Avoiding Processed Foods 

The best way to avoid processed foods is by eating more fresh fruits and vegetables instead! Eating a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables provides your body with the antioxidants it needs to reduce inflammation naturally. Additionally, avoiding sugars (especially added sugars) is one of the most effective ways to reduce inflammation since sugar increases insulin levels which leads to more inflammation. Lastly, try replacing processed snacks with healthier alternatives such as nuts or seeds for a quick dose of healthy fats which will help reduce inflammation even further!  For those who like dips, hummus or other bean dips are fantastic to dip veggies in.  If you are getting healthy nutrients from good whole foods, you won't be snacky and grabbing for the unhealthy options.

Conclusion:                                   

When it comes down to it, reducing consumption of processed foods is important if you want to reduce inflammation in the body over time. With so many healthy options available these days – such as fresh fruits & vegetables – there’s no excuse not make healthier choices! So grab some natural snacks today – your body will thank you tomorrow!

Do you feel like your stomach is always on fire or bloating is an every day occurrence? Does it seem like no matter what you do, no amount of medicine or diet changes can make it go away? Dairy products may be the culprit. Let’s explore why dairy could be causing inflammation in your body, and how reducing consumption can help. 

Inflammation is a natural response from the body when something is wrong. It happens when the immune system senses something—a virus, bacteria, or allergen—that doesn’t belong in the body and launches an attack to get rid of it. The problem with inflammation is that it can become chronic if it goes unchecked for too long. Chronic inflammation has been linked to a variety of health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity and even cancer. 

One link between dairy products and inflammation comes down to a hormone called IGF-1 (Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1). This hormone is found naturally in dairy products and research has linked increased levels of IGF-1 to increased levels of inflammation in the body. Another concern with dairy products is their high cholesterol content; consuming too much cholesterol can also lead to chronically elevated levels of inflammation throughout the body. 

 

The good news is that reducing your consumption of dairy products can help reduce inflammation in your body. Cutting back on dairy won’t just mean cutting out ice cream; even things like cheese, butter and yogurt should be avoided if possible - anything that is derived from cow's milk is dairy. If you focus on eating nutritious whole foods instead, such as vegetables, fruits, nuts and grains, you will have taken a giant step towards reducing inflammatory triggers in your diet.  

Dairy products are one of many sources of inflammation in our diets; other sources include processed foods containing additives and preservatives as well as unhealthy fats like trans fats or saturated fats from animal sources. Reducing our intake of these foods can help reduce overall inflammation levels in our bodies. If you think that dairy may be contributing to your chronic inflammation issues, try cutting back on your consumption for 1-3 months to see if there’s any improvement in how you feel! Good luck!

If you have ever experienced inflammation, you know how uncomfortable it can be. But many of us carry inflammation and don't even know it.  It can be within our organs and tissues affecting many different functions of the body. It’s often hard to pinpoint the exact cause of inflammation, but one cause may be due to the consumption of animal products. Let’s take a closer look at meat and inflammation. 

First, let’s quickly define what inflammation is and why it occurs. Inflammation is your body’s response to an injury or infection. It’s a natural defense mechanism; when your body senses something needs healing, it sends out white blood cells to help fight off the invader and repair the damage. This process can cause swelling, pain, redness, and heat in the affected area—all signs of inflammation.  Although inflammation is a natural, needed response in our bodies, it can also cause harm when there's too much, too often, too long.  In this way, inflammation is an insidious enemy-- often hidden and silent, yet capable of wreaking havoc on our health if left unchecked. It rears its head as diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune disease, cancer, and much more.  Understanding its dangers can serve as a potent defense against the development of chronic illness.

So how does meat fit into this picture? Meat can be linked to inflammation due to its high levels of saturated fats, cholesterol, and arachidonic acid which clog up our arteries and trigger heart disease and cancer. Many processed meats contain nitrites and nitrates which are known carcinogens (cancer-causing agents). Some studies have indicated that animal proteins may stimulate an inflammatory response in our bodies because they contain certain types of amino acids like arginine and cysteine which can act as pro-inflammatory molecules.   Also, meat stimulates insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) which promotes the growth, proliferation, and spread of cancer. (End of Dieting, Joel Fuhrman, MD.)

But if you do find yourself suffering from chronic inflammation or other health issues, reducing or eliminating meat from your diet might be one way to help reduce those symptoms. Additionally, incorporating more anti-inflammatory foods like fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants into your meals can also help reduce any underlying inflammation in your body. 

 

At the end of the day, everyone has unique dietary needs—but for those experiencing chronic inflammation or health issues related to their diet, considering reducing or eliminating meat from their diets could potentially make a difference in their overall health and wellbeing. Incorporating more anti-inflammatory foods like fruits and vegetables can also help reduce underlying inflammation in the body while providing essential vitamins and minerals necessary for optimal health. 

*I highly recommend finding a plant-based doctor who knows the science to guide you on your journey.  Too many doctors are uninformed when it comes to food and health.