Downtown Melbourne Farmer’s Market – Here I Come!

farmers'This Saturday, January 12th, Whole to the Core Sweet Hummus will be at the Downtown Melbourne Farmer’s Market from 9:00 AM until I sell out! Come by and see me – it is going to be a beautiful “winter” day (clear and 80!).

Ballet is My Favorite- Barre None!

barre Last night, I traded in some of my birthday and Christmas money for a class card at Space Coast Ballet so I could take adult ballet classes. Monday nights at 6:30, you can join the beginner’s class to learn the basics of ballet. My plan is to take a few of these classes to refine my physical abilities and to re-familiarize myself with ballet “lingo”. Then I am wanting to leap into the daytime adult class with the regulars, and hope that I can keep up with those ladies! If you follow my blog regularly, you know I am a runner. I run about 3-4 times a week. However, just to put running and ballet into perspective for me:

Running- I love, but Ballet-  ♥ I LOVE ♥

Lemon Blossoms = Lemon Hummus Soon!

My lemon tree has begun to blossom which means homegrown lemon zest and juice will soon make a special spring/summertime hummus! Can’t wait!

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Coconut Lime Thumbprint Cookies

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Here is a second cookie recipe (the first one being Gingerbread Pinwheels) using sweet hummus. Christmas was the ideal time to play around a bit since the kids and I had an afternoon to roll, cut, and decorate some for them and some for Santa. Once again I used Immaculate Baking Co.’s Organic Sugar Cookie Dough.

  1. Allow cookie dough to sit out for a few minutes so it is easier to work with.

  2. Roll two cookies together and then flatten slightly with palm of hand.

  3. Press thumb into middle of cookie making a small well.

  4. Fill cookie center with 2 teaspoons of Coconut Lime Hummus.

  5. Bake for 10-12 minutes at 350.

  6. Cool for a few minutes on cookie sheet and then transfer to cooling rack.

Eat This 3x a Day

raisins

Raisins

Eating a handful of raisins three times a day may help control blood sugar and blood pressure.

  • In a recent study, conducted by Harold Bays, MD, medical director and president of Louisville Metabolic and Atherosclerosis Research Center (L-MARC), Those wrinkled little guys significantly reduced systolic blood pressure in participants over a 12 week period compared to no change when those same participants ingested pre-packaged crackers and cookies. Raisins are a whole food rather than a processed/pre-packaged food,and so offer the body what it needs.

Dr. Hays states, “Raisins are packed with potassium, which is known to lower blood pressure,” Dr. Bays said. “They are also a good source of antioxidant dietary fiber that may favorably alter the biochemistry of blood vessels, causing them to be less stiff, which in turn, may reduce blood pressure.”

  • In a similar study, raisins also significantly decreased mean post-meal glucose levels by 16 percent when eaten three times a day.

“Raisins have a relatively low glycemic index and contain fiber and antioxidants, all factors which contribute to blood sugar control,” said James Painter, Ph.D., R.D., and nutrition research advisor for the California Raisin Marketing Board. “Decreasing blood sugar and maintaining normal hemoglobin A1c levels is important because it can prevent long-term damage to the heart and circulatory system.”

Between the health benefits of the raisins, and the cinnamon in my Cinnamon Raisin, my sweet hummus can be a great, little “indulgence” for diabetics and heart patients.

New Beginnings for a New Year

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As we look ahead to 2013, I wanted to share a few exciting things have been happening around me lately and the new changes that are coming my way. I have had to make some major decisions concerning my business and its growth within just the past month. So to keep this short and simple, here are the steps we have made in order to move forward:

  • A New Kitchen! Due to an increase in demand and the limited time I had to make hummus in a restaurant’s kitchen, I have moved my operation to Flavors Market on Industrial Blvd., one block south of Ellis Rd. in West Melbourne (effective Monday, January 7th). You can come in and buy sweet hummus as well as other homemade goodies and lunches from The Bald Strawberry (Gluten-free), Baked on the Beach, Moluna Cuban Delights, Flour & Spice Boutique, and Aldendorf Chocolates.

  • A New Food Processor! At the restaurant, I was using an industrial food processor and knew I needed one at the new kitchen. We invested in an even larger one than the one I was using so production can be faster and more efficient.

  • New Selling Locations! I recently posted that my new beachside location is The Green Turtle Market on Eau Gallie Blvd in Indian Harbor Beach. I am planning on being at the Downtown Melbourne Farmer’s Market on Sat., January 19th. I am also hoping to work it out to be back at the Brevard County Farmer’s Market at Wickham Park on some Thursdays. Stay tuned for details for the exact dates.

A BIG “Thank You” to my friends, Mike and Tracy Melhado, the owners of Island Pasta Company in Downtown Melbourne. My business venture would have been off to a rough start if they had not allowed me to come in and use the kitchen! One small business helping another small business is an ideal way to lend a helping hand to other entrepreneurs and their dreams. I pray that I can give back to others just as the Thornado Hospitatlity Group has done for me. Next time you are heading out for a brunch, lunch, or dinner date along the Space Coast, please visit Island Pasta Co., Calilou, or River Rocks. I know for a fact that these restaurants are well-staffed and take great care in providing excellent service and food.

A “New” Way of Thinking About Weight Loss

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In American society, too many of us long to be thin. In that striving to be thin, we will take extreme measures which may include total deprivation of certain foods, yo-yo dieting, and the latest weight-loss trend- all which can leave us frustrated and physically sick.

I love this photo above because, if we eat right – those foods which are whole and clean– and get off our lazy rears and exercise, then the extra weight will come off naturally. But even more importantly, are health improves, our stamina increases, and we are quipped to go out and do our best in all that we are called to do!

Gingerbread Hummus Pinwheel Cookies

DSCN6649If you want to add a burst of flavor to some ordinary cookie dough, here is a great and simple way to do it: Roll out the cookie dough, spread on some Gingerbread Hummus, roll up the dough like a jelly roll or cinnamon roll log, and slice and bake! Here is the recipe:

  • Immaculate Baking Co. Organic Sugar Cookie Dough- 8 cookie dough rounds

  • 2 Tablespoons of Gingerbread Hummus

Preheat oven to 350. Allow dough to sit out for about 5 minutes. Lightly flour counter and roll out dough to an approx. 8″x4″ rectangle.  Spread hummus over the entire rectangle. Starting on the long side, carefully roll the dough over until into a long log-shape. Slice into 10-12 cookies and place on a cookie sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Allow to cool a few minutes on the pan and then transfer to a wire rack.

You can use any flavor of sweet hummus and you can double the recipe to accommodate your tastes and needs.

Merry Christmas!

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May you enjoy this wonderful day as we celebrate the birth of our Savior!

 Blessings from Whole to the Core

Celebrating Advent – The Angel’s Candle

Today we celebrate the last Sunday of Advent. This week’s candle is called the Angel Candle and it represents the love which God shared with the world when He sent His Son, Jesus!

 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
   and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Luke 2:8-14

Just as the angels shared the Good News of the birth of Christ, we are also commanded to go and tell. May we spread the true Gospel through our words, actions, and attitudes, loving each other just as Christ loved us and gave himself for us!

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18-20