‘Healthy homemade hummus is less than 2 minutes away! Instead of having to gather a long list of ingredients, use these flavor packs from Bush’s! Kick flavor and color up a few notches by adding roasted beets for a huge nutritional boost!’
Hummus and veggies (or pita chips)… it might be one of my favorite quick & healthy snacks. If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll see lots of posts with either hummus included in my meal prep or packed up for on the go eating. Typically I like making my own homemade hummus, but every now and then I do grab a store-bought variety simply because of the convenience. However once I discovered these awesome flavor packs from Bush’s, store-bought simply won’t do anymore! So simple, so quick, SO tasty!
All of the flavors and spices are great on their own and you do not have to add anything “extra”, but when you want to kick the flavor up even more and personalize it…. I say GO FOR IT! Using the “CLASSIC” flavor pack from Bush’s provides the PERFECT hummus base and flavorings, so the skies are the limit for customization!
For this batch I opted to go with freshly roasted beets. Now hear me out all you beet haters! I don’t think I even attempted to eat beets until about 2 years ago. For 37 years, I was dead set against even trying this vegetable. My dad loved and ate them all of the time (raw, pickled, roasted, didn’t matter), but I thought they were absolutely disgusting (despite my ill attempts to even taste them). They smelled just like dirt and the juice stained absolutely everything it touched. Good enough reasons (for a child) to stay away from them right? Eeewwwe, gross! Beets are yucky!
However, when I was diagnosed with my spinal disease I had to become aware of foods that may produce more inflammation in my body AND also discover what anti-inflammatory foods I should start to incorporate into my diet to possibly relieve some of the pain/symptoms I have every day. I needed to pay closer attention to the actual nutritional benefits of ALL foods in relation to my body and that’s the precise moment I actually fell in LOVE with beets. I wasn’t necessary forced into trying them, but I’m extremely thankful I did because they are staple for me every single day now!
So many health benefits…
1. Lower Your Blood Pressure
Drinking beet juice may help to lower blood pressure in a matter of hours. One study found that drinking one glass of beet juice lowered systolic blood pressure by an average of 4-5 points.3
The benefit likely comes from the naturally occurring nitrates in beets, which are converted into nitric oxide in your body. Nitric oxide, in turn, helps to relax and dilate your blood vessels, improving blood flow and lowering blood pressure.
2. Boost Your Stamina
If you need a boost to make it through your next workout, beet juice may again prove valuable. Those who drank beet juice prior to exercise were able to exercise for up to 16 percent longer.4 The benefit is thought to also be related to nitrates turning into nitric oxide, which may reduce the oxygen cost of low-intensity exercise as well as enhance tolerance to high-intensity exercise.
** 3. Fight Inflammation **
Beets are a unique source of betaine, a nutrient that helps protects cells, proteins, and enzymes from environmental stress. It’s also known to help fight inflammation, protect internal organs, improve vascular risk factors, enhance performance, and likely help prevent numerous chronic diseases.5 As reported by the World’s Healthiest Foods:6
“[Betaine’s]… presence in our diet has been associated with lower levels of several inflammatory markers, including C reactive protein, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha. As a group, the anti-inflammatory molecules found in beets may eventually be shown to provide cardiovascular benefits in large-scale human studies, as well as anti-inflammatory benefits for other body systems.”
4. Anti-Cancer Properties
The powerful phytonutrients that give beets their deep crimson color may help to ward off cancer. Research has shown that beetroot extract reduced multi-organ tumor formations in various animal models when administered in drinking water, for instance, while beetroot extract is also being studied for use in treating human pancreatic, breast, and prostate cancers.7
5. Rich in Valuable Nutrients and Fiber
Beets are high in immune-boosting vitamin C, fiber, and essential minerals like potassium (essential for healthy nerve and muscle function) and manganese (which is good for your bones, liver, kidneys, and pancreas). Beets also contain the B vitamin folate, which helps reduce the risk of birth defects.
6. Detoxification Support
The betalin pigments in beets support your body’s Phase 2 detoxification process, which is when broken down toxins are bound to other molecules so they can be excreted from your body. Traditionally, beets are valued for their support in detoxification and helping to purify your blood and your liver.
Now I can eat beets in almost preparation now, but roasted ones are still my favorite! All you have to do is trim off the stems/greens, poke some holes in them (like a potato), place them individually on aluminum foil, drizzle on some olive oil/salt/pepper, wrap them up, and roast in the oven at 400 degrees for 30-45 minutes until for tender. Once you pull them out of the oven and let them cool a bit, the skin will peel right off! So easy. And I already knew roasted beets would be a FANTASTIC addition to one of my favorite healthy snacks. I was absolutely RIGHT!
Now back to this hummus…
3 ingredients: 1 can rinse & drained garbanzo beans, 1/4 cup feta cheese, and 1 cup of roasted beets
Plus 1 ‘Classic‘ Hummus Made Easy Pack in the food processor…
Blend. Blend. Blend until smooth.
= one huge (amazing) batch of Roasted Beet & Feta Hummus
Look how gorgeous it is? Such a striking color! And even if you don’t like beets and have zero desire to try this amazing root vegetable, the flavor is SO subtle. My husband and daughter who both hate beets couldn’t even tell they were in this hummus! All of the nutritional benefits and they are none the wiser about the actual ingredients. Win Win Win!
Serve alongside veggies (carrots, celery, cucumber, jicama, peppers, etc.) for even more nutritients , pita chips (as shown), pretzels, and/or slathered on your next wrap or sandwich! It won’t matter though. You will be addicted to this hummus AND if you aren’t a beet lover (yet), you may find yourself more curious about trying them on their own. Roasted, always the best bet for making any vegetables even better!
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