February is heart health month! I have been working on this recipe for the last couple of weeks. Every time I make a batch my lovely co-workers are more than happy to test it out. Instead of the traditional chickpea base, I use soaked almonds. In nature, nuts and seeds contain enzyme inhibitors which ensure the seed or nut only begins to sprout when the weather conditions are favourable. By soaking seeds and nuts in the warmth of your home, their enzyme inhibitors are broken down, and they become more nutritious and easier to digest. When soaked, the fat content decreases, and they become a better source of easily digestible protein.
Happy Heart Hummus
- 1/4 cup Olive Oil
- Juice of 3 Lemons
- 2 tbs Filtered Water
- 1 Clove Garlic
- 1/2 cup Sesame Tahini
- 1 tsp Lemon Zest
- 1/2 tsp Herbamare or sea salt (omit if restricting sodium)
- 1 cup Raw Almonds, soaked overnight, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 Red Bell Pepper
Add all ingredients in the order listed into a high-powered blender. Blend until smooth. Serve with raw veggies for dipping: carrots, celery, fennel, turnip and more. Enjoy!
Health Benefit Tally:
Almonds – lower cholesterol, lower heart disease risk, regulates blood sugar
Olive oil – lowers risk of heart disease, atherosclerosis, diabetes, colon cancer & asthma, anti-inflammatory, decreases blood pressure
Garlic – cardioprotective, lowers cholesterol, antioxidant source, antibacterial & antiviral
Lemon – antioxidant, anti-cancer, alkalinizing
Tahini – mineral-rich, decreases cholesterol
Bell Pepper – antioxidant, protects against heart disease, lycopene containing which is known to protect against prostate, cervical, pancreatic and bladder cancers