Wintery Shepherd’s Pie with Sweet Potatoes

My family loves Shepherd’s pie! I “reinvented” it in order to satisfy my “sweet potato” tooth. I love the mushrooms and rosemary in this- it gives it an earthy and warm taste!

  • 1 lb ground lean turkey

  • 2 large carrots, diced

  • 1 large celery stalk, diced

  • 1/2 onion, minced

  • 8 oz mushrooms, sliced

  • 2 garlic cloves, minced

  • 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves

  • 1/3 cup beef broth

  • 1 Tablespoon tomato paste

  • salt and pepper to taste

  • 2 lbs sweet potatoes

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1/4 plain yogurt or low-fat sour cream

  • 1 tablespoon Earth Balance butter spread

  • dash of salt, pepper

  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Cook sweet potatoes in microwave or oven. You can peel them or leave the skins on- your choice! Allow to cool some. Mash in a medium bowl with garlic powder, yogurt or sour cream, Earth Balance butter and salt and pepper. Set aside.

Brown turkey in pan over medium heat. Remove and saute carrots, celery, onion, mushrooms, and garlic in the same pan for 5-7 minutes. Toss turkey back into pan and add tomato paste, broth, salt and pepper, and  fresh rosemary. Mix and pour into a 9×13″ pan. Top with sweet potato mixture and then grate Parmesan cheese over the top. Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes. Turn on broiler for 3-4 minutes if cheese is not browned to your liking when cooking times ends.

My “Mom-trepreneur” Article in the Florida Today Newspaper

Some publicity for my Sweet Hummus!

newspaper

 

Pick up your Florida Today newspaper this morning and read the article, or go to their website and read it there and watch the video!

 

Sweet Hummus Muffins ~ 3 Ingredients!

I just made a half of a dozen Spiced Fig muffins that took 3 minutes and 3 ingredients to create! Since my sweet hummus is chickpea based, these ground up legumes act as a flour. The hummus already has the spices to add the wonderful flavor to them, so all that is left to make the muffins are an egg and baking powder.

DSCN6533

  1. 1 cup Spiced Fig Hummus

  2. 1 egg, beaten

  3. 1 teaspoon baking powder

Mix all ingredients together and fill 6 muffin cups about 1/2 – 2/3 full. Bake at 350 for 18-20 minutes. Allow to cool. Add chocolate chips, nuts or raisins to batter if desired.

Swap out the Spiced Fig Hummus with Gingerbread Hummus for a holiday treat!

DSCN6470

On a Lighter Note, Pumpkin Pie

This pumpkin pie was one that I made for Thanksgiving. I used Wholly Wholesome’s organic frozen pie crust (which I found at Publix and it was deliciously wonderful!) and adjusted the recipe on the can of pureed pumpkin to fit my “eating clean” lifestyle.

Pumpkin Pie

  • 1 15 oz can pureed pumpkin

  • 1/2 cup organic sugar

  • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup

  • 2 cage-free eggs or 4 egg whites

  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

  • 1/2 teaspoon ginger

  • 1/4 teaspoon cloves

  • 1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk

  • dash of salt

Mix sugar, syrup,  cinnamon, salt, ginger and cloves in small bowl. Beat eggs or egg whites  in large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and then add sugar mixture. Slowly add in almond milk.

Pour into frozen pie shell.

Preheat oven to 425° F. Bake for 15 min. Reduce temperature to 350° F and bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Loosely tent with foil if crust begins to brown past your liking.  Cool on wire rack for 2 hours.

My Cyber Monday Special

Ok, so I might as well jump on the bandwagon and offer a deal on my hummus for this 2012 Cyber Monday…

My Christmas gift bag is a unique and ready-t0-give present for teachers, neighbors, fellow employees, and anyone else that is on your “to shop for” list. Order today, Monday the 26th, and get 5 gift sets for $40 (a $50 value).

With each gift bag, you will receive your choice of hummus in a mason jar, topped with an apple, and tied up with festive bows and decorations. If you are interested in placing an order, please email me at: wholetothecore@hotmail.com OR call 321-427-5217

Thank you for your loyalty and for recommending my hummus to family and friends! I appreciate everyone who has helped me in this small business journey!

*Delivery fee may apply

Valentine’s Day Gift Set Special – A Guilt-free Present!

For a unique and “something other than candy” Valentine’s present, you can purchase this gift set to hand out to teachers, neighbors, fellow employees, and anyone else that is on your list.

20130208-051910.jpg

For $10, you will receive your choice of hummus in a mason jar, topped with either a bag of all-natural graham crackers or an apple, and tied up with festive bows and decorations. If you are interested in placing an order, please email me at:

wholetothecore@hotmail.com

OR call 321-427-5217

Please give 48 hours notice before date needed. Pick-up/delivery* will be scheduled at this time.

Thank you for your loyalty and for recommending my hummus to family and friends! I appreciate everyone who has helped me in this small business journey!

*Delivery fee may apply

Our Thanksgiving Day Oatmeal “Parade”

20121122-090346.jpg

Like many households, we have a Thanksgiving Day tradition of watching the Macy’s Parade. This morning, in honor of that tradition, we created an oatmeal “parade”. Yesterday the kids colored a turkey and Santa on his sleigh so we could start our parade with Tom the Turkey and finish it with Santa just like the Macy’s parade. Our “parade” line up included raisins, cranberries, honey, cinnamon, vanilla, bananas, and peanut butter. We were able to start turkey day off on a healthy note so we can enjoy the treats later today.  Enjoy your day with family and friends!

20121122-090401.jpg

20121122-090408.jpg

Homemade Sweet Hummus for Sale!

Coconut Lime Hummus

Coconut Lime Hummus with Cucumber Slices ~ Or try it with graham crackers for a Key Lime pie-like treat!

As a wife and mom, I strive to feed my family healthy and nutritious foods so we can work and play to the best of our abilities. As I was feeding apple slices and peanut butter to my kids one summer afternoon, the wheels in my head started turning, and I  decided to try making a sweet hummus and came up with a yummy creation- Cinnamon Raisin Hummus! From that, several other flavors evolved and I began to sell them to family, friends, and friends of friends. Now my product is available at Downtown Produce in Melbourne as well as The Melbourne Beach Market. About twice a month, you can find me at the Brevard County Farmer’s Market at Wickham Park on Thursdays from 3:00-7:00 PM.

All my hummus flavors are gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and vegan-friendly!

NEW, LIMITED-TIME CHRISTMAS FLAVOR-

Gingerbread – Chickpeas, Raisins, Almond Butter (Dry Roasted Almonds, Organic Evaporated Cane Sugar, Palm Oil, Sea Salt), Water, Orange Juice, Ginger, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves, Molasses, Sea Salt

Cinnamon Raisin – Raisins, Chickpeas, Almond Butter, Water, Cinnamon, Lemon Juice, Sea Salt – Click here for nutrition label

Orange Date – Dates, Chickpeas, Almonds, Orange Juice, Water, Cinnamon, Orange Zest, Sea Salt – Click here for nutrition label

Spiced Fig – Figs, Chickpeas, Almond Butter, Water, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, All Spice, Pure Maple Syrup, Lemon Juice, Sea Salt -Click here for nutrition label

Coconut Lime – Golden Raisins, Chickpeas, Almonds, Unsweetened Coconut, Water, Lime Juice, Lime Zest, Sea Salt – Click here for nutrition label

Sweet Hummus Ideas:

  • A dip for apple, pear, and peach slices
  • Spread on bananas
  • Jazz up the morning- spread on your whole grain waffle, toast, or english muffin
  • Great on whole grain crackers or pretzels for an afternoon snack
  • Turn it into a savory sauce over pork or turkey

These flavors are packed full of complex carbs, are high in protein, and have a good dose of healthy fats. This is a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth and keep you feeling full!

PRICING:

$7 for 1, 8 oz container

$13 for 2, 8 oz containers OR

$18 for 3, 8 oz containers

To purchase, e-mail me at

wholetothecore@hotmail.com

or call

321-427-5217

I accept cash, check, or Paypal payment.

 If you have any questions, please e-mail me or call!

My Small Business

My oldest, Aleyah, recently asked me what I do with the money that I make from my hummus. I was happy to report that the money I earn from my sales goes towards paying for her and her sister’s ballet tuition. According to the 3/50 Project, for every $100 spent in locally-owned business, $68 returns to the community! I love selling my sweet hummus because it promotes whole and clean eating, it provides me with the means to allow my girls to dance, and I know that I am giving back to my community!

Diet – (n) The food you eat

After fasting from my blog, I return with a link to a study that shows the importance of what you eat- which is the core of my eating “beliefs”.

We all are on a diet. A diet is what you eat on a consistent basis, not a temporary change in what you eat in order to lose weight.

While you can count calories to lose weight, drinking a 140 calories can of soda doesn’t even compare nutritionally to the 140 calories in 1 1/2 cups of grapes.  Soda: no nutritional value vs. Grapes: high in Vitamin C, K, and manganese. If you aren’t eating the right foods, then you aren’t feeding your body what it needs to maintain energy, stay disease-free, and maintain proper organ function. So check out the study conducted by Preventive Medicine Research Institute and read how 35 years of study show the significance of eating the foods that fuel your body rather than those that drain your body.

Nutritional Benefits of Sweet Hummus

The main ingredients in my sweet hummuses are chickpeas, dried fruit, and almonds or almond butter. These foods contain phytonutrients- organic nutrients found in plants that provide the human body with the ability to help fight off disease and promote proper healing. They also stimulate brain function and promote heart, eye, and bone health.

Benefits of Chickpeas/Garbanzo Beans

  • High in fiber – According to MayoClinic.com, dietary fiber not only keeps your digestive system running smoothly but also helps lower cholesterol and stabilizes blood sugar

  • High in protein – Along with their significant amount of fiber, the protein in chickpeas helps control hunger

  • High in iron to battle anemia and the fatigue and infection associated with it

  • High in folate which is necessary for the production and maintenance of new cells, and in the development of an unborn baby

Benefits of Almonds/Almond Butter

  • High in monounsaturated fights to help promote heart health

  • High in fiber – According to MayoClinic.com, dietary fiber not only keeps your digestive system running smoothly but also helps lower cholesterol and stabilizes blood sugar

  • High in protein – Along with their significant amount of fiber, the protein in almonds helps control hunger

  • High in manganese, copper and riboflavin to help in energy production

Spiced Fig Hummus
Benefits of Dried Figs

  • Fiber – According to MayoClinic.com, dietary fiber not only keeps your digestive system running smoothly but also helps lower cholesterol and stabilizes blood sugar

  • High in calcium which is needed for bone health and growth

  • High in potassium to maintain muscle function and blood pressure control through regulation of sodium levels

  • High in iron to battle anemia and the fatigue and infection associated with it

Orange Date Hummus
Benefits of Dates

  • High in fiber – According to MayoClinic.com, dietary fiber not only keeps your digestive system running smoothly but also helps lower cholesterol and stabilizes blood sugar

  • High in B vitamins to keep energy levels high and the minerals magnesium, potassium, copper and manganese

  • Exceptionally high levels of polyphenols – antioxidants that have shown to prevent cardiovascular diseases, cancers, osteoporosis, neurodegenerative diseases, and diabetes

Benefits of Orange Juice/Zest

  • High in Vitamin C, and Folic acid – These allow the body to get rid of carcinogens, inhibit heart disease, improve fertility, and inhibit mild depression.

  • High in Lutein Zeaxanthin – Lutein and zeaxanthin may help lower the risk of macular degeneration and other eye diseases.

Cinnamon Raisin Hummus
Benefits of Raisins

  • High in fiber – According to MayoClinic.com, dietary fiber not only keeps your digestive system running smoothly but also helps lower cholesterol and stabilizes blood sugar

  • High in the trace mineral Boron which provides protection against osteoporosis

  • High in iron to battle anemia and the fatigue and infection associated with it

    Coconut Lime Hummus
    Benefits of Raisins

  • High in polyphenols – antioxidants that have shown to prevent cardiovascular diseases, cancers, osteoporosis, neurodegenerative diseases, and diabetes

  • High in fiber – According to MayoClinic.com, dietary fiber not only keeps your digestive system running smoothly but also helps lower cholesterol and stabilizes blood sugar

  • High in the trace mineral Boron which provides protection against osteoporosis

  • High in iron to battle anemia and the fatigue and infection associated with it

Benefits of Unsweetened Coconut

  • High in Omega-6 Fatty acids which are important for metabolism, bone density, and reproduction. They also help promote for healthy skin and hair.

  • High in fiber – According to MayoClinic.com, dietary fiber not only keeps your digestive system running smoothly but also helps lower cholesterol and stabilizes blood sugar

  • High in folate which is necessary for the production and maintenance of new cells, and in the development of an unborn baby

Benefits of Lime Juice and Zest

  • High in Vitamin C, and Folic acid – These allow the body to get rid of carcinogens, inhibit heart disease, improve fertility, and inhibit mild depression.

  • High in Lutein Zeaxanthin – Lutein and zeaxanthin may help lower the risk of macular degeneration and other eye diseases.