Healthy summer appetizers for easy snacking and sharing

Healthy Summer Appetizer: Beet Hummus

If you’re looking for easy, healthy summer appetizers, look no further! These crowd pleasers are full of nutrients and sure to satisfy even the hungriest snacker. Summer is often remembered as the time of the BEST produce. Warm strawberries, bright lemon desserts, fresh mint drinks – a plethora of flavors and nutrients! 

There are two staple appetizer recipes we love from our Summer Issue 8 that we want to share with you – a nutritious beet hummus (this blog post)& a refreshing melon and mozzarella salad (coming soon!). You’ll be making these healthy summer appetizers for snacking on repeat all season long and reaping the benefits of fresh produce. Read on to learn a bit about the ingredients and for the recipe!

Jump to recipe!

More than just a colorful dip!

What makes beets nutritious?

What distinguishes beets from most foods is its concentration of phytonutrients called betalains. These betalains are

  1.  anti-inflammatory
  2.  have antioxidant properties, and
  3.  support detoxification (specifically phase 2 with glutathione support).

Stick with us as we get into some of these details (anyone else here love the science, too?)

One of the first things about betalains is that they make beets an incredible food for liver health. These phytonutrients trigger glutathione-S-transferase activity, which binds toxins to glutathione to both neutralize and excrete it from the body. For this reason, anyone in need of detox support could benefit from consuming beets.

Another cool thing about beets is their fiber is also different from most other plant fiber, in that it may be more similar to the raw carrot (see Issue 3). These fibers are particularly beneficial for digestive health. Finally, beet greens are not only edible, but a great source of luteins – phytonutrients particularly beneficial for eye health. If you want to learn more about the benefits of beets, read Issue 5 where we discuss beets, minerals and their role in our digestion, how to craft the perfect bedtime snack, and more!

Enjoy this recipe with delicious dippers like carrots and cucumbers, or make a herby sourdough discard cracker for easy snacking.

Keep an eye out for part 2 of healthy summer appetizers: melon & mozzarella salad!

Beet Hummus
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Beet Hummus

A fresh, colorful addition to your snack rotation or the potluck table, this beet hummus is a flavorful take on the classic you're sure to love. Pair it with savory crackers, spread it on a sandwich, or dip fresh cut veggies to enjoy!

Ingredients

  • 1-2 small beets

  • 15 oz cooked chickpeas (soaked is best!)

  • 1 clove garlic

  • 2 Tbsp olive oil

  • 1/2 tsp salt

  • Juice of 1/2 lemon

Directions

  • Boil beets, skin on, until fork tender
  • When ready to use, peel the skin off and chop into chunks.
  • Add all of the ingredients into a food processor and blend until desired consistency.
  • Serve warm or cool in the fridge.

Notes

  • Delicious with fresh veggies like cucumber and carrots, or make a savory sourdough discard cracker to pair with it!

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Healthy summer appetizers for easy snacking and sharing

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Hi, I’m Alyse! I’ve never been good at titles or labels defining who I am, but have been asking God recently to help me understand what it means to be HIS, to be a bride (I’m getting married in a few months!), to be a friend, to be a faithful follower. Health and whole body wellness has been my goal since shifting away from disordered eating and climbing out of depression and anxiety a few years ago.

It hasn’t been easy but understanding that my body needs true nourishment has inspired me to honor the life God has gifted me with. I have passions for baking, reading, and photography, and I’m always trying to be more present to see the beauty of life. I love the ocean and a good acai bowl, long conversations with earl grey tea, and the quiet of the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. It often feels like a whirlwind of change in my life so I turn to writing and journaling as often as I can. Others’ writing and beautiful images greatly inspire me, and the Ember Journal has provided so much of that since last fall. Elissa & I became fast friends after we connected over her family’s chicken eggs (very on brand for us both!) and she shared how she was creating The Ember Journal, the plans they had for it, and even invited me to assist with cover shoots.

I’ve since come on board as operations assistant and love the work I get to do to help create a place for holistic growth for so many! I’m extremely grateful to be with like minded women who share the Catholic faith. I trust in God’s timing for gifts such as these- He’s always seen me through. Here’s to seeking the slow in the constant movement of life, to being intentionally present to the Lord, and living our lives fully!”
@alysemariie
Hi there, I’m Ireland! Currently residing just outside Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, It’s been my mission the last couple of years to capture beauty in the slow and simple and to learn what rest and nourishment truly mean to one’s body. The Ember Journal has been a huge resource for that—not only in reference to health but also in the goodness of my heart.  While I am part of the Ember team here, I also run my own small business of brand design, media management, and curate a small shop of home goods.

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I’m Elissa! First and foremost I am a beloved daughter of God currently in a season of rebuilding and resting in my true identity. Formerly a full time traveling wedding photographer, I left it all behind 2 years ago and moved back home to San Diego, CA to focus on regaining my health after physically hitting rock bottom.

The Ember Journal is truly a beauty from ashes endeavor for me. In my darkest hour, this project has been a Springtime of hope and given me purpose in this season of ‘pause’. Samantha and I initially connected on insta through the small Catholic photographer world and became friends as we discovered our shared passion for our faith, holistic health, homesteading, and the NTA (future goals). One day on the phone I shared with her some of the future desires God has placed on my heart and she immediately told me about Katie and this magazine idea – it was like all of our desires just fell into place.

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I found the world of holistic wellness after having my son in 2018, when pregnancy and nursing pushed many of my health issues over the edge. PCOS and haywire hormones, gut issues, and everything that goes along with those had me asking lots of questions. He is so faithful. Holistic wellness became a way of life for me after chronic illness ravaged my life for many years.

I would never have chosen this path for myself, but God has truly paved a way through the wilderness. Yes, I’m grateful for the knowledge I’ve gained about ancestral nourishment and tossing toxins but most especially the pruning and deep healing of the soul in the midst of suffering. Health, freedom, telling stories through photographs, creating a beautiful home, living off the land, and upholding Truth are a few things that light a fire under me. I have big dreams that reflect the garden of God’s vast goodness and my heart lies in journeying alongside others as we run toward Jesus – to dwell in the hidden refuge of His heart.

@samanthakworthing
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The Ember Journal began as a small endeavor with a modest vision. And yet, the holy Spirit brought this little team of women together and kept paving the way for something great. I am always inspired by Brother André Bessette in that no matter how small we begin, if it be the Lord’s will, He will bless it tremendously! Besides, I think we each needed an outlet to gush about this content we love so much, without bothering those patient souls closest to us with constant unsolicited health talk.
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