Hummus

So I had a request from a friend to do some "non Maddox" posts.  This friend apparently thinks there is more to me than my mom-ness.  And in looking back a few years ago, I think there was.  I just need to find out what happened to her and let her sit in front of the computer more often.  So as I think of interesting things to write about I will hop to it.

But until then, you get a hummus recipe since I have had several requests for it. I don't know about you peeps out there in cyberland but I love me some hummus.  It is very easy to make and really cheap.  I can make a batch for less than $1 and I think it tastes better than the stuff you get at the store.  Not to mention it is better for you.  No preservatives and junk.

So here is what I do.

Grab a can of garbanzo beans (chick peas) and strain about 2/3 of the juice out. 
Pour the rest of the juice and beans into a food processor.
Add a few (or more) cloves of garlic, a tablespoon or two of olive oil, the juice of half a lemon, and some salt and pepper.

Here is mine, pre-blended.

Oh, I almost forgot the most important part.  The tahini.  Tahini is what gives hummus its hummus-y taste.  I found it at Albertsons.  That is the only place I could find it, so you might have to do a little searching.

Here is what my tahini looks like.

It has the consistency of runny peanut butter.

So now that you know what it is put some in with the beans.  I usually use a regular teaspoon and do 2 pretty good size spoonfuls.

Ok, now you can blend.

Here is what it should look like.  If you want it runnier you can add some water and blend again.

Yeah, that's the stuff.  It is awesome! Also very hot, go easy.

Of course you can add stuff to it to make it fancier, or leave it as is.  I personally like to add some Sriracha.  It is that Asian chili sauce that has the rooster on the bottle.

What a yummy snack. And healthy to boot.

Here is the original recipe I used but I don't measure anything. I like to wing it. You know, live on the wild side.

1 can of chick peas drained but save the juice
2-3 cloves of garlic
juice of 1/2 -1 lemon
about 1-2 Tbs of tahini
salt and pepper
water

Enjoy

Camping

So today is camping day.  As I type we are driving up to Mt Rainier national Forest to do some old school camping.  Well, maybe just kinda old school.  There will no running water or the modern amenities of a KOA nearby.  We will be roughing it with our jugs of water and sticks for roasting food.  Oh and the 2 SUV's and 1 car packed to the brim of supplies.  Apparently 5 adults, 2 kids and 1 baby, and 2 dogs need A LOT of stuff to camp.  None the less the next 3 days promise to be adventurous and packed with fun.

This camping trip also promises to add back the few pounds I have lost over the last week and a half.  I was doing so well at working out. I was so disciplined.  grr.  Those damn smores...and chips... and beer...and hot dogs....and hamburgers.  Oh the carnage.  I did bring some veggies and hummus.  Can I live on that for 3 days and say no to the naughty stuff?  I will let you know on Sun night, but I suspect my answer will be no.

Hopefully I will have more pictures of this camping trip than the last one.  See you on Sunday!
J

P.S. I would like to thank U.S. Cellular for providing EVDO all the way up this lovely mountain. I love you USCC.

Maddox's New Hobby

Initial exploration

So over the last 6 months or so Maddox has been very interested in my cameras. Of course he is not allowed within 3 feet of my Rebel XTi but I do sometimes let him play with our little Elph.  It is small, durable, a few years old, and generally he is pretty careful with it.  He knows how to actually take pictures, although he composition is not so good.  Or really it is just bad, but he is only 2 so I cut him some slack there.  So I was on the hunt for a cheap camera for him to have all to himself.  I found him a little 2 MP camera on ebay for $10 (the perfect price) and he was not interested in it.  Apparently it did not do enough for him.  He needed zooming capabilities for all of his complex shots and more buttons for general clicking. So I asked Nana if she has an old one.  Bingo, she did.  So he finally got the package the other day and he was very excited to open the box.  He busted though the tape and stumbled upon and great little camera for him that has a flash, zoom and several other buttons. 

He decided he was going to shoot his Lighting McQueen car with his new camera

He shot in a few different places

He is making sure he likes what he got (even though it is a 35 mm camera and has no screen)

Maybe another angle???

Let's try a close up...

What a professional.

Must adjust for lighting...

All and all, he really likes his new camera.  He has been using it all over the house.  Thanks Nana.

Oh and he got a new hat too.  How cute is a little guy in a crooked cowboy hat, chaps and undies with cars on them???  I love that little guy.