Avocado, Cilantro and Jalapeño Hummus

I haven't always been a big fan of hummus. It took me years to find one that I could actually tolerate and it happened to be at Trader Joe's. Their Cilantro and Jalapeño Hummus is to die for but now that we have moved, there isn't a Trader Joe's near us. I have always wanted to try to make my own but the process always seemed so complicated and I had no idea what Tahini was or where to find it. I finally got a food processor and decided that now was the perfect time to try to make some of my own!  The process was anything but complicated and the end product was delicious. Enjoy!

Avocado, Cilantro and Jalapeño Hummus

Ingredients 

1 can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed 

1 whole avocado, skin and pit removed 

1 cup cilantro, roughly chopped

1/2 jalapeño

2 tsp tahini

1/4 cup olive oil

2 Tbsp garlic

1 tsp garlic powder 

Squirt of fresh lime juice

Sea salt to taste 

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until mixture reaches a smooth consistency. 

Vegetarian Delight-Mexican Quinoa Skillet

I became a vegetarian, the first time, in 2010.  I was never a big fan of meat, sticking to mostly chicken and turkey, but after watching the documentary, Food Inc., my mind changed.  I was the typical starter vegetarian, cooking a ton of pasta and potatoes and not really thinking about it from a healthy standpoint.

When we moved back to California, I couldn't stay away from the Carne Asada.  I had been a vegetarian for over a year, but there was something about the smell of the carne that just couldn't keep me away.  At the beginning of this year, it was my New Years resolution to go back to my vegetarian lifestyle, because I felt so much better eating that way, but I wanted to do it different this time.  I wanted to be a healthier vegetarian and have my food fit in to my active lifestyle.

This blog is dedicated to eating your veggies and throwing in an occasional splurge along the way, as well as some fun health and fitness stuff too!  I hope you enjoy!

Mexican Quinoa Skillet

INGREDIENTS:1 tablespoon coconut oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup quinoa
1 cup vegetable broth
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
1 cup corn kernels
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
salt and pepper, to taste
1 avocado, halved, seeded, peeled and diced
Juice of 1 lime
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Heat coconut oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Stir in quinoa, vegetable broth, beans, tomatoes, corn, chili powder and cumin; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat and simmer until quinoa is cooked through, about 20 minutes. Top with avocado, lime juice and cilantro.
Serve immediately.