Monday Munchies

Being healthy, maintaining a budget and managing my time to do so is difficult. As a student I constantly strive to eat healthy but long days at school and late nights studying make the goal harder. There are plenty of great healthy snacks but it definitely takes planning ahead. Instead of grabbing fast food as an afternoon snack or something from the nearest vending machine for late night hunger, pack one of these healthy snacks.

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Chickpea Yogurt Dip
~Adapted from Shira at In Pursuit of More

3 c cooked chickpeas (used canned because I was in a time crunch :P)
1/2 cup soy yogurt
1/2 of one raw shallot (did not use because I did not have it one hand)
3 T olive oil
2 t white wine vinegar
1 tsp ground cumin
1-2 tsp salt
black pepper to taste

Shira’s recipe uses full fat plain yogurt but substituting soy yogurt was just as great if desiring dairy free πŸ™‚ Check out Shira’s exact recipe here. She tops it with pomegranate seeds and mint leaves. Mine is chunkier because my blender could not get it that smooth but it was still delicious πŸ˜€

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Pea Dip
~Adapted from Edible Perspective and Kath Eats

1 c frozen, thawed peas
1 clove garlic
2 T tahini (made mine from scratch- see below)
2 pinches salt
pepper, to taste
1 handful torn cilantro
1 c spinach
cayenne pepper
splash of white wine vinegar
1/2 lemon

Edible Perspective did her own pea dip version from Kath Eats original Lavender Pea Hummus. I did a combination of the two recipes. More garlic would be delicious if OK with some garlic breath πŸ™‚

For a quick lesson on making homemade tahni check out Cinnamon Spice and Everything Nice. I used 3/4 c sesame seeds to 2 T olive oil. It may have been a little more than 2 T but it seemed close enough for me.

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This last recipe was inspired by my biggest taste tester in an effort to keep him from buying the unhealthy store bought ranch. He also kept mentioning wanting to make a zesty ranch but what he meant by “make” was by a bottle of ranch and add some seasonings…so here is a homemade dairy-free zesty ranch. The original recipe was found on allrecipes. There are lots of fun seasonings in it…I think the recipe had a few more but I made it with what I had and it was so delicious!!!

Zesty Ranch Dip
Dairy-free

1 c soy yogurt
1 c Earth Balance MindfulMayo (mayonnaise)
1 t garlic powder
1 1/2 t horseradish
Ground pepper
1/2 t dried basil
1/2 t oregano
1/4 t paprika
1/4 t chili powder
1/4 t sea salt
Squirt of Dijon mustard

I used the plain soy yogurt which worked great but if I was buying the yogurt strictly for this I would probably get unsweetened. Enjoy with all your favorite veggies πŸ˜€

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Music For Your Ears:

~Sweater Weather by The Neighbourhood

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Comments

  1. Okay 1) I LOVEEEE that pea dip. I’ve made two big batches in two weeks. SO. GOOD.
    2) I thought that chickpea dip was tuna salad or something!! Hahaa I love the chunkiness. I really love chunky textures! (I.e. chunky guac–so much better than smooth guac!)
    3) SWEATER WEATHER = <3 impeccable taste, as always πŸ™‚

    • Pea dip is awesome!!! πŸ™‚

      The chickpea dip does looks funny..ha ha but still taste as great πŸ™‚ I like chunky things too so I didn’t mind.

      Thanks for your comments Erika!!

  2. Healthy Snacking – love it! I am getting better with the lunches lately – today I am having 3 fruits, a piece of salmon, and roasted veggies (leftovers). Happy Monday:)

    • That sounds healthy and yummy! I am constantly working on it…today was brown rice with cherry tomatoes and Brussels sprouts. Not bad for throwing it together last minute but it could have used some more flavor πŸ™‚

  3. Great dips to try here! I want to try the chickpea one. I’ve made hummus, but would like to try different beans.

  4. Thanks for some wonderful tasty yet healthy ideas my friend πŸ™‚

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

  5. 3 recipes in 1 post! You spoil us, Lilly Sue! Of the 3, I’m much more likely to make the ranch. I’ve nothing against the other 2, mind you. I happen to like ranch dressing and hate buying it because of all the additives. Thanks for sharing.

    • Well, with 3 options there has to be at least one for everyone, right? πŸ™‚ The ranch dressing is definitely something I will make the most..I really do love dipping my veggies in a dip but I don’t like getting store bought. I think we are on the same page πŸ˜‰

  6. Modern lifestyle truly leaves us with not enough time to make good healthy food on a budget for our health…These recipes are just right…:-)

  7. Dips are my favorite, especially for raw carrots. The chickpea yogurt dip looks good!

  8. Love that you care enough to make your own healthy fare. And it has to taste better than fast food etc. also leaves room for beer calories πŸ™‚ great photos!

  9. What wonderful dips and all so good for you. Yes, so much better to snack on this type of thing rather than go for a chocolate bar or bag of chips. I think I would like to try the ranch because we don’t have ranch dressing here.

  10. I love all of these so much I wouldn’t even think of them as healthy snacks! I wouldn’t feel the least bit deprived especially with the ranch dip! I’m such a sucker for anything ranch flavored.

    • Well, the ranch dip is probably least healthy but you’re eating it with veggies! πŸ™‚ Also, it is at least healthier than store bought options!

  11. What a marvelous array of dips! Perfect snack food with those lovely veggies πŸ™‚

  12. Wow, 3 great recipes! Even though I love dried beans and legumes and cook them all the time, for some reason I tend to buy my chick peas in cans. Weird, I know, but their flavor is quite good. Love the ranch dressing too – one of those things with great flavor but I always resist buying (homemade is so much better). Good stuff – thanks.

    • Ya, I have yet to make chick peas from scratch but I guess I should try it. I just find I use chick peas last minute and don’t necessarily plan them ahead. I love throwing them on top of salads and such πŸ™‚

      Thanks John!

  13. Cut vegetables with a tasty dip is my favorite kind of snack, and it’s not uncommon as a lunch, too. All of these recipes sound so good- I love adding plain yogurt to my standard hummus, too.

  14. These dips look excellent!

  15. I love this collection of dips! The chickpea dip looks like it could be lunch πŸ™‚

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