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TASTY TUESDAY // Sip on Summer

Tomorrow is the official first day of summer! It’s high time to bust out that bikini and enjoy a refreshing poolside beverage. Skip the calorie-laden smoothies and sodas and try one of these recipes from Breast Cancer Defense instead. Here is a creamy coconut shake that only tastes indulgent; it is low in sugar but high in protein and fiber. Keep a pitcher of this iced ginger tea in the fridge—it packs a punch of both flavor and antioxidants!

Creamy Coconut Shake

1 frozen banana

8 small frozen strawberries

2 dates, pitted

2 teaspoons raw cacao powder or cocoa powder

1 cup light coconut milk

2 teaspoons almond butter

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

8 ice cubes

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth.

Iced Ginger Tea

8 cups water

8 1/2-inch pieces peeled fresh ginger root

1/2 cucumber sliced thin

1 lemon sliced into rings

handful of fresh mint leaves, roughly torn

Directions:

Place ginger pieces and water in a medium-large saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, lower heat, cover and simmer for 10 to 20 minutes. The longer you simmer, the greater intensity of ginger flavor. Strain ginger pieces from water and discard. Let ginger tea cool to room temp before adding cucumber, lemon, and mint. Place into the refrigerator. Serve over ice!

Tasty Tuesday // Hummus

Whether you use it as a dip for pita or veggies, a spread for sandwiches or wraps, or eat it by the spoonful (wait…is that socially acceptable?), hummus is a wonderful food. It is incredibly versatile and sooo healthy! Hummus is made primarily from chickpeas (also called garbanzo beans) and tahini, which is a sesame paste. A few other simple ingredients, plus any number of other seasonings or additions that suit you, are blended together to make this creamy Middle Eastern favorite. Here is a breakdown of what some of the common ingredients in hummus have to offer:

Chickpeas are full of protein, fiber, and antioxidants.
Tahini is high in protein and calcium.
Olive oil is a good source of monounsaturated fats.
Garlic and lemon juice contain a lot of antioxidants and can help improve the immune system.
Hummus on a whole contains a whole slew of great things including Omega-3’s, iron, vitamin B6, and amino acids that are known to boost your mood!

Are you convinced yet? We sure are. You can buy hummus at most grocery stores, but why do that when it is so easy to make it yourself? Check out this recipe and give it a try!

Hummus

1 15.5 oz can chickpeas
1 clove garlic
2 tbsp. tahini
Juice of one lemon
1 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. olive oil

Combine all ingredients except olive oil in the bowl of a food processor. Blend until smooth, and then slowly drizzle in the olive oil while the processor is running. If it is too thick, add water as needed. Serve as is, or topped with chopped Kalamata olives, another drizzle of olive oil, roasted pine nuts, fresh parsley, or anything your heart desires!