Easy Homemade Hummus

Traditional Hummus



Ingredients
2 (15.5-ounce) cans no-salt-added chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed and drained
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup tahini (sesame seed paste)
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Preparation
1. Place beans and garlic in a food processor; pulse 5 times or until chopped. Add 1/2 cup water and remaining ingredients; pulse until smooth, scraping down sides as needed.

Courtesy of Cooking Light Magazine

Fall Cream Cheese Loving

Pumpkin Cream Cheese




Ingredients
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/4 cup sugar
3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Directions
Beat all ingredients in a medium mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours. Makes 1-1/2 cups (24, 1-tablespoon servings).

Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

Sweating it out

I was awaken this morning to beautiful sunshine at 7:30 that made me giddy with delight because as a nurse my body is so accustomed to a 5:00am wake up call. I immediately downed a cup of coffee and headed out the door. Since I was starting my run a little later than usually I assumed it would be somewhat warmer. During my 6 miles it was not only warmer but I was sweating buckets. I guess my body has a lot of junk is needed to excrete. Typically on days that I work I tend to have of a less healthy intake.



After my run I was craving eggs and something cold so I made a quick old standby that did the trick. A scrambled egg white omelette with toast and a banana blackberry smoothie made with 8th continent soy milk and Amazing Grass chocolate greens powder.




Now I am off for a busy day of errands and cleaning then tonight I am headed to Max and Erma's for birthday dinner. See ya later!

Confession Time

Long time so talk everyone! I have been in denial for a while but the time to confess has come, I have gained 25 lbs since January. The weight has slowly but sometimes fastly gained on me. Since January my life has gone from one end of the spectrum to the next affecting every area of my life. I have always been an emotional eater as many people are but that aspect plus my decrease in exercise from last year has lead to my weight gain. As many of you know I have previously lost 100lbs and maintained the weight-loss for 2.5years. Based on my height and new weight, the time has come for me to lose a few of these pounds and put me back into my healthier lifestyle and perspective.

I slowly lost pieces of myself and heart since January and now the time has come to get it back. During the past 2 months I have begun to plan my next moves to go my own direction since my engagement was ended. I have been working as a nurse for almost 3 years in the Adult ICU and now Postpartum Mother-Baby. I have gone from one extreme to the next seeing and performing some amazing procedures in the areas of nursing. There are good days and bad days that never let me down. I have finally decided to go back to school to become a Family Nurse Practitioner. My passion is healthy and strong families in the community. So many diseases and conditions that are plaguing are healthcare system can easily be prevented by proper diet and exercise.

I am sooo EXCITED about this new adventure in my life. I plan to start next Spring 2010 or Fall 2010 then finish in 4 semesters. SO QUICK!! I have already taken my MAT, GRE and getting my application together. I get a huge smile on my face every time I think about this. So, long story short, I am going to begin losing weight and I then I am starting Graduate School.