Pumpkin Spice Hummus, The Complete Hummus Cookbook

The Pumpkin Spice Hummus (featured below) welcomes the holiday with the aroma and flavors of pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. This is just one of the recipes found in the “The Complete Hummus Cookbook,” by author Catherine Gill.

https://amzn.to/2D3zZdb

The Complete Hummus Cookbook is a guide to the many ways you can prepare hummus. The Complete Hummus Cookbook provides information on the perfect food to pair hummus with as well as how to make different kinds of hummus with chickpeas, black beans, lentils, edamame, and green peas. 

With over 100 recipes for everything from appetizers to meals, to side dishes and desserts, the cookbook will have everyone enjoying the delicious, nutritious, and very versatile ways of presenting hummus.

Pumpkin Spice Hummus

Serves 8

Ingredients

½ cup canned pumpkin puree

½ cup canned chickpeas, drained or equivalent cooked chickpeas

2 tablespoons tahini

2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

⅛ cup lemon juice or juice from half large lemon

2 tablespoons olive oil

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg

⅛ teaspoon ground ginger

⅛ teaspoon ground clove

¼ teaspoon sea salt

1-2 tablespoons water

Directions

1. Using a food processor, blend all ingredients until the desired consistency is reached and hummus is well-combined. 
2. Add more water to make hummus less thick or more salt to taste, if desired.

Tip: This hummus looks lovely with a little sprinkle of cinnamon on top and few pepitas (raw pumpkin seeds) on top as a garnish.

About the Author.
Catherine Gill is a writer, blogger, and holistic vegan chef who specializes in natural and health foods. She studied and found her passion in writing, literature, and social science in college. She runs the popular blog The DirtyVegan since 2010, focusing on comfort-food-style vegan recipes that are fun, accessible, and healthy. She also ran Dirty Vegan Foods, a vegan bakery specializing in veganized versions of classic desserts. She has an active social media presence on Twitter (@TheDirtyVegan) and on Instagram (@thedirtyvegan_official). She is also the author of The Dirty Vegan Cookbook.

November 19, Carbonated Beverage with Caffeine Day

Though today we look at the caffeine in Carbonated Beverages, this is also an opportunity to view the caffeine in energy drinks that have been cited as the cause of some deaths and is currently being investigated by the US FDA. Some energy drinks contain 2 to 3 times the amount of caffeine found in soda.

How much Caffeine is too much?

Mayo Clinic

Up to 400 milligrams (mg) of caffeine, a day appears to be safe for most healthy adults. That's roughly the amount of caffeine in four cups of brewed coffee, 10 cans of cola or two "energy shot" drinks.

Although caffeine use may be safe for adults, it's not a good idea for children. And adolescents should limit themselves to no more than 100 mg of caffeine a day.

Even among adults, heavy caffeine use can cause unpleasant side effects. And caffeine may not be a good choice for people who are highly sensitive to its effects or who take certain medications.

5-Hour Energy Drinks: FDA Looks Into Caffeinated Beverage

Hidden Dangers of Caffeinated Energy Drinks

Caffeine (mg) based on 12-ounces Soda

National Take Your Parents to Lunch Day

National Take Your Parents to Lunch Day is an event that takes place each October. Parents visit their children’s school and have lunch with them in the cafeteria. The goal is to learn more about what goes into putting together a healthy lunch, and for parents and school officials to open the lines of communication so they can work together to provide kids with the healthiest meals possible.

Make a Muscle, Make a Difference, Make a Donation to MDA

The MDA Telethon was a labor day tradition throughout my life. Then in 1988, I gave birth to a son with Cerebral Palsy. The telethon became more important. It was a reminder we were not alone in a fight against childhood muscular diseases. I remember a theme reminding me about the importance of food, "Make a Muscle, Make a Difference". Here are some foods that can help you make a muscle.

In Loving Memory of Jerry Lewis

(1926 -2017)

To Jerry Lewis - Thank you for getting families, communities, organizations, corporations, and the medical field together to find a cure and to help others live independent lives.

Make a Donation to MDA 

Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon (1987) 

"You'll Never Walk Alone"

All About Whole Grains Month

Stop by the Whole Grains Council to learn more about whole grains and try some new recipes.

Identifying Whole Grains

Whole Grain Stamps

There are three different varieties of the Whole Grain Stamp: the 100% Stamp, the 50%+ Stamp, and the Basic Stamp.

• If a product bears the 100% Stamp (left image above), then all its grain ingredients are whole grain. There is a minimum requirement of 16g (16 grams) – a full serving – of whole grain per labeled serving, for products using the 100% Stamp.
• If a product bears the 50%+ Stamp (middle image), then at least half of its grain ingredients are whole grain. There is a minimum requirement of 8g (8 grams) – a half serving – of whole grain per labeled serving, for products using the 50%+ Stamp. The 50%+ Stamp was added to the Whole Grain Stamps in January of 2017, and will begin appearing on products in the spring and summer of 2017.
• If a product bears the Basic Stamp (right image), it contains at least 8g (8 grams) – a half serving – of whole grain, but may also contain some refined grain.

Examples of Whole Grains

Read the label and look for the following

whole grains as the first ingredient:

Amaranth 

Barley 

Brown Rice 

Buckwheat

Bulgur (Cracked Wheat)

Corn (Polenta, Tortillas, Whole Grain Corn/Corn Meal) 

Farro 

Kamut® 

Millet 

Oats, Whole Oats, Oatmeal 

Quinoa 

Rye, Whole Rye 

Sorghum 

Spelt 

Teff 

Triticale Wild Rice

Whole Wheat Flour

Recipe: Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash

Sneak Preview: 2020 National Nutrition Month - Eat Right, Bite by Bite!

The theme chosen by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for National Nutrition Month 2020 is Eat Right, Bite by Bite! 

I am a National Nutrition Month fan. This year’s theme provides numerous opportunities to teach nutrition for all ages. From our children's first bite, picky eaters, teen and adult choices, cultural influences, disability feeding, and aging. 

"The theme’s rhyme and simple food treatment not only appeals to kids and kids-at-heart but “bite by bite” also supports the philosophy that every little bit (or bite!) of nutrition is a step in the right direction. Small goals/changes can have a cumulative healthful effect. Nutrition doesn't have to be overwhelming.

Most importantly, Eat Right, Bite by Bite is fun, positive, kid-friendly, inclusive of and adaptable for all eating patterns and cultures, and accessible and easy to understand."

Resources and materials will be available in early 2020 at https://sm.eatright.org/NNMinfo.  

A Dietitian’s Perception of Food Styling

This photograph took 18 hours and 215 shots. Many times it takes longer, and sometimes I know after a few hours I’ve caught what I am looking for. 

Food Styling
Most food stylists have a background in the culinary arts, many are professional chefs. They have knowledge of nutrition, cooking techniques, and food science. The role of the food stylist is to make the food look attractive in the finished photograph. 

I’m a different type of food stylist. My experience comes from nutrition, dietetics, food science, recipe development, gardening, and portion control. The biggest difference is portion control and I enjoy working with only fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy. 

My goal is to create and illustrate wonderful and appetizing foods using portion control. I want those who view the photographs to experience a feeling of satiety. 

The Process
I start with a sketch, which includes a grocery list. However, I do leave myself open for specials, sales, and the unusual.

I prepare 3 identical dishes. (One for Jake; the second is the one I play and create with, and the third is called the "Hero" - to be used in the final picture.

I have numerous locations I like to photograph from (inside and outside). 

The Den is my studio with extra lights, umbrellas, reflectors, etc.. I use stone, wood or tile tables. Also, the fireplace creates a nice backdrop. 

I'm a collector of cloth napkins, baskets and bottles; and I use them in my photographs. Below are some of the different areas I photograph in the den and in dining room.

Inside: Kitchen table; Kitchen window; Kitchen Chair; Food Prep Counter.

Outside: I have a collection of large logs I’ve arranged throughout my yard. Depending on the time of day, I will use them as a stand or background. I also love to use my garden as a background, the food tastes better. 

Plates/Accessories. I usually stay with basic colors, so as not to distract from the food, since I like working with foods of many colors. To decorate the image, I like using napkins, herbs, fruits, vegetables, baskets, parchment paper, etc. 

I sometimes wonder if we took the same amount of care and preparation creating a meal or dessert from fruits, vegetables or whole grains; rather than a high calorie, high sugar, and high-fat pastry would we make the same choices. 

This is a book, I have found very useful, "Food Styling, the art of preparing food for the camera." The author, Delores Custer is passionate about her work and it shows.