Summer is here, and you will have access to fresh garden vegetables galore! One one hand, yay! On the other hand, you’re continually trying to find ways to enjoy the same ole-vegetables in a new way. Here is a simple sauté that kicks the flavor of your standard summer vegetables up a notice with a few seasonings.

The star ingredient in this simple sauté is the Better Than Bouillon Seasoned Vegetable Base. This blog is not an ad. I came across it and had been enjoying using it in different ways in the kitchen. Adding it to sautéed vegetables is just the latest experiment. You can find it with the cooking broths.

Seasoning ingredients:

1 Tablespoon White Wine Vinegar

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil*

1 teaspoon Better Than Bouillon Base

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1/2 tsp (or more to taste) Italian Seasoning

(not shown) a Salt and Pepper to taste.

*Robust olive oils are my favorite for flavoring vegetables. You can play with all types of infused olive oils.

Seasoning Directions

Whisk all of these ingredients into a bowl.

You can get creative with your vegetable selection. I happened to have an onion, red bell pepper, and some zucchini in the refrigerator. You can use zucchini and yellow squash, mushrooms, asparagus, sliced Brussel sprouts, or any other vegetable combination you can imagine. I would recommend always using at least half an onion, something about the caramelizing and flavor that makes it all tie together deliciously.

Whatever vegetable combination you choose, cut them up into sauté sized pieces. Not too big, but not too small. Just right for a bite.

Combine the seasoning with the cut vegetables well.

Next stop, the stove.

Cook seasoned vegetables in a skillet over medium heat till done. You can’t walk away from this one too long. Keep sautéing and turning the vegetables often. When you need more liquid, add a dash of white wine vinegar to the pan. Count them done when you can easily cut your thickest vegetable with your spatula.

Enjoy as a side, over pasta, or straight out of the skillet.

They rate as a vegetable and a healthy fat (if you eat a large enough portion).

It’s rich, and it’s creamy, it’s easy to make.

There is no reason not have a homemade hummus recipe on rotation at your house. Sure, the store bought kinds are convenient and enjoyable, but nothing beats the satisfaction of creating your hummus. Depending on how hummus is made (store-bought or homemade) it can pack a pretty caloric punch, especially if it is oil or tahini-based. Don't shy away from eating this nutrient-dense dip. Just enjoy with portion size caution. A serving of hummus is about 2 Tablespoons from the store or out at a restaurant. I know not a very big serving size, it is similar to your favorite full-fat salad dressings. The truth hurts, I’m sorry.

While this recipe is not calorie free, it is reduced fat. That is one of the benefits of making your favorite foods at home. You'll find less oil and tahini in this homemade hummus recipe, without losing any of the flavors. The good news is you can enjoy an extra tablespoon or two (or three if you aren’t pairing it with a dense protein).

Try it! Enjoy it! Share it!

Ingredients

• 15 ounce can of chickpeas, well drained

• 1 - 2 tsp of garlic, minced

• 2 Tablespoons of Tannin

• 1 Tablespoon of Olive Oil*

• 1/2 tsp ground cumin

• 1/2 tsp of salt & pepper

• 1/4 cup of water

• 1 large lemon juiced

*You can get fancy with the olive oil and used infused for different flavors. I’m a big fan of the robust shown, not an add.

Directions

• Toss it all into a food processor and mix well.

• It’s that easy!

Enjoy it! Use it as a dip, a spread, or even a salad dressing with extra lemon wedges. It will rate as your healthy fat, while hummus offers some bonus protein because of the chickpeas, you shouldn’t eat a serving size large enough to equal a serving of protein. You would over do the fat, quick! Keep it to 1/4 - 1/3 cup serving size.

Life is full of frequent transitions. Whether it be a graduation, a marriage, a birth (or another birth), a divorce, a death, or a journey to transform your health and fitness, change breeds distress. While taxing and stressful, many life transitions lead to something new and exciting. 

Palm Sunday 🍃 begins Holy Week for Christians. It a week of celebration as we remember the day Jesus entered into Jerusalem and the week leading up to his cruxifixction. The people looked at Him as a Savior and a King. A crowd full of joy and hope gathered to witness Jesus ride into town on a donkey. Your heart almost breaks for those full of optimism that their time to be saved had come, not having a clue what that fulfillment would look like or transition in to. 

For us, we know that Easter is coming and the ending is better than anything one of those on the roadside could've imagined. To the original Palm Sunday gathers all that was finally going right in their world was about to be tested and turned upside down. Not to mention the transition Jesus's disciples and family were about to endure. 

Wonder what it was like to be Jesus, still fully human, to ride in and see all the excitement knowing the end of the story before it could be written and shared. I don't think we ponder Jesus's humanity nearly enough. I can't imagine the weight He felt knowing that even though the ending was in their favor, they were about to endure immense disappointment, confusion, and grief. Even though He tried to explain it all, Jesus knew it was a "you gotta see it, to believe it" event. 

Jesus knew a significant transition was about to take place for His disciples and the world. While Jesus was confident the outcome would be in everyone’s favor, His disciples and followers felt fear moving into unknown circumstances. Sorrow and self-doubt consumed His disciples during the events leading up to the crucifixion. 

Ultimately, Jesus was faithful in His promise and better days were to come. 

As you move through this Holy Week, imagine being one of His disciples, unaware of the end of the story. Then reflect on your own life. When you find yourself in the throes of an uncertain life transition, take heart knowing that Easter is coming. 

No one can take away the joy that comes from witnessing God’s faithfulness in your life’s circumstances.