#iamtheconspiracy

The Mighty Garbanzo Bean

I have been using my steamer like crazy for nearly two years, I have added steamed food to my diet because I am not and may never be ready for a totally raw diet ( I will do a future blog about steaming). A raw food diet is reported to be the healthiest diet, but it is said that steaming come in as a close second. Unlike cooking steaming does not destroy the nutrients that your body needs.
I began experimenting with steaming my beans, and I use the same method that is used when you steam rice. Place the beans in a bowl of water (after soaking them over night 12-24  hours, this activates the life in the bean and release the nutrients that are hidden in this powerful food) and allow them to steam until they are done.
I started experimenting with the garbanzo bean, because I was getting tired of lentils, navy, and pinto beans. Now when I started eating the garbanzo, I had no idea that this bean was so powerful nor did I know that this bean was the major ingredient in hummus. Before I share my recipe for my "Ghetto Hummus" let's take a look at the garbanzo bean and its nutrients:

Provide phyto-nutrients

flavonoids

function as an antioxidant

they are anti-inflammatory

give the body energy

good for the heart

provide muscle building protein

provide dietary fiber that is insoluble and undergoes a conversion into short chain fatty acids in the large intestine that support the digestive tract

In other words they are an excellent food that helps protect as well as feed the body vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that are needed.

I cooked some garbanzo beans and happened to look them up on the internet and found out they were the main ingredient in one of my favorite foods, hummus. So I steamed some garbanzo beans with onions, garlic, and miso soup. When that was complete I decided to puree it in my blender and to my surprise a nice tasting hummus came out. Here is the recipe for those that want to try this healthy treat.

Ghetto Hummus

a bag of garbanzo beans (soaked for at least 12 hours, this allows the beans that you are using to come a live, or as I like to say "activate the axe'")

half an onion 

a garlic clove

Miso

seasoning ( I used Braggs aminoes, and spike)

Place beans in your steamer, or pot if you are going to boil them and place enough water to cover the beans.

add the onion, and the garlic, and miso and steam or boil, season to taste

Once the beans are complete pour beans and soup that forms into blender

allow to puree until smooth

and eat

This hummus can be used as a vegetable dip, sandwich spread, on salads, and anywhere else you would like. I used the hummus and made a burrito with cheese, lettuce, and tomato. It is yours do what you want with it.

Nuff said

Peace, good eating, and 1hunidyears

Getting Back Into the Grove

It is the New Year and the cold has had me down, but today the weather has broke and it is time for a run. I have fallen out of shape, and I know that I am not alone. Some of you have already fallen down on your New Year resolution and here are some tips to help you out.

1. Take it slow..
I have not ran since before Christmas, but I know I can still make my 3 mile run, but how I make it is the important thing. I can't jump into it and go for a record or I will not make it. So I have to start out slow. Remember to take it one step at a time and to take it slow until I you are able to increase. What is  the hurry, staying fit is a Journey not a goal.

2. Change your focus
Back to  the ending statement of number 1 remember fitness is a Journey, when we look at it from this perspective it makes it simple for us. We are not trying to catch those super athletes, we are just trying to improve the quality of our lives, now if you become a super athlete in the process Great. The fact of the matter is that most of you who are reading this article just want a better life, and adding a  fitness component is to help with that. So stop trying to keep up with everyone else push yourself but "Do Not Hurt Yourself". When you feel pain it makes it easier for you to give up, remember your workouts should be fun.

3. Find YOUR workout
Now this is where we get into the fun aspect. I am one of those people who hate doing the same thing repeatedly. I need something that is fun and fulfilling. For example I am nosy and I like to explore, running gives me an excuse to be out in my neighborhood and do both. I get to run through my neighborhood or the woods and see what is happening in the world. You would be surprised by what you can learn about a neighborhood when you run through it, or you never know what you will see when you run on a nature trail.
Find a program or design one that fits you. Attach a purpose and it will become easier for you to continue on your path. Attach a spiritual, or mental goal to your workout. For example instead of making your workout just about physical outcomes attach some spiritual or mental one to it as well:
Did you know that in some cultures running is seen as prayer, and you can use it for those purposes
Many Martial Arts styles have a spiritual component that you can explore
Audio books can be played as you workout and you can add the increase of knowledge to your workouts
Be creative with your workouts and keep them interesting remember above all things that it is YOUR workout.

Nuff Said
Peace & 1hunidyears