Creamy Avocado Dip

Did you know avocados are actually a fruit? Rich in essential fatty acids known to guard against heart disease and have many anti-inflammatory properties. Avocados are abundant in vitamin K, dietary fiber, and have approx 5 grams of protein. They are a nutritious touch to salads, sandwiches, or as a delectable dip with your favorite raw veggies or a sauce with your meal. Let’s get dipping!

Ingredients 

• 2 medium peeled and pitted avocados 

• 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt or unsweetened plain plant based yogurt

• A tbsp of lemon or lime juice ( also helps with oxidizing)

• 1/2 tsp crushed garlic or a pinch of garlic powder

• 1/4 -1/2 tsp salt

Instructions 

• Mash avocados

• Combine all ingredients and combine by hand or pulse in a food processor ( scraping down sides)

• Transfer to bowl and chill

• Serve with fresh veggies, crackers, or with your favorite dish as a sauce.

Roasted Chickpeas

Crunchy, salty, and oh so yummy! Chickpeas, are inexpensive, readily available in your local supermarket, and packed with fiber, protein, folate and iron.. When roasted, chickpeas become crunchy, almost like a nut. They are great as a snack or sprinkled on salads in place of croutons. The key to this recipe is to keep stirring the chickpeas as they cook, and checking often to make sure they are golden brown, but not too done. You want them crispy!

• Prep Time: 5 minutes

• Cook Time: 20-30 minutes

• Yield: 2-3 servings

Ingredients

• 1 15 oz. can chickpeas

• 1 Tbsp. olive oil

• kosher salt or sea salt, or garlic salt

• Paprika, cayenne, or curry powder ( optional)

To Prepare

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F

• Toss chickpeas with olive oil and kosher salt.

• Spread out in an even layer on a heavy baking sheet lined with parchment paper

• Roast 20-30 minutes.

• Take out of oven and sprinkle with your spices

• Store at room temperature lightly covered but best when just cooked

Note: For best results, watch the chickpeas carefully. There is a perfect point when the chickpeas become crunchy and golden, almost like nuts. Roast them too long, and they get too hard. Too short, and they taste too soft.

Makes 3-4 servings.

Good Morning Green Juice

There are those mornings when a glorious green juice is all I need!

Ingredients

• 1 Green apple

• 2 stalks of celery

• ½ cucumber

• ½ lemon juiced

• ½ lime juiced

• ½ inch of fresh ginger

• 1 cup of spinach

• ½ bunch of parsley

To Prepare

• Process all ingredients in a juicer.

• Shake and serve over ice.