I wrote about how I like to look at food list..how they inspire me to buy and cook with foods that I may have forgotten.  I thought it might be a good idea for me to create my own list - my favourite, everyday foods. Once I started typing away at my list I realized it was quite big! I thought about categorizing but well….nah.

My favourite super nutrient packed and yummy foods!

1. avocados
2. fuji apples
3. blueberries
4. broccoli
5. almonds
6. red onions
7. tomatos
8. good olives
9. salmon
10. spinach
11. basil
12. cilantro
13. thyme
14. egg
15. goat cheese
16. brown rice bread
17. butter
18. olive oil
19. dark chocolate
20. licorice mint tea
21. coffee
22. cream
23. sugar ( for my coffee!)

*** these foods I readily have in my pantry or fridge***

The foods I would like to eat more of:

1. kale
2. swiss chard
3. cabbage
4. beans
5. more fruit - kiwi and such ( I am not much of a fruit eater except in my daily smoothies)
6. leeks
7. root vegetables: squash, pumpkin ( not potatoes though - not my thing)
8. seeds

I am sure I could think of more but for now, that is about it.

I try to purchase all my foods/produce from the local farmers and organic. I really feel that when I buy local and/or organic I am not only helping to keep my family healthy but also the planet.

Be well,

PS If you have any simple recipes to encourage me to eat more of the foods I want to eat more of, please send them my way!

Some humans call me “chickpeas”, which is a cute name but my formal name is “garbanzo bean.” I know this maybe hard to believe but I am over 10,000 years old and spent my early years in the Middle East.  I bet you don’t know anyone that old! I was a food for the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans and today I am grown worldwide (I am tasty!).

Growing me  may have some challenges (weather and such) but no worries with pesticides as the bugs do not like the malic acid in me. So you can say I am all natural and ORGANICALLY GROWN!

Check out this groovy video on my harvesting!

I am not too tasty dry so be sure to cook me before using me in  yummy soups, curries and salads. The most well known way to taste me is as hummus, dipping carrots and crackers into my smooth, nutty delicious flavour. I am packed with fibre (you all know what that is good for!), protein, folate and magnesium. I am super healthy for human’s heart!

Another trivia about me is that I come in many colours! Not just boring beige but black, green and red! And I grow in a pod (love my siblings!).

One of my favourite preparations…

Chickpea, Pine Nut and Red Pepper Salad

•    1/3 cup of pine nuts
•    2 can s of chickpeas (but be sure to rinse and drain me!)
•    ½ roasted red peppers
•    3 scallions
•    ¼ cup of simple everyday dressing ( see this great dressing right below but only use 1/4 for this recipe!)
o    ¼ cup of balsamic vinegar
o    ¼ cup olive oil
o    ¼ cup canola oil
o    2 tbsp of good mustard
o    1tbsp (yum) of maple syrup
o    2tsp of dried basil

You may want to toast the pine nuts but if not, no worries. Simply combine and lightly toss all ingredients into a bowl.  That’s it! And a great picnic food!

Be well,