cilantro black bean dip

One of the challenges of going for a whole foods vegan approach to eating what to munch on when you're in the mood for a savory snack. Or what to add to round out a meal. Or looking for something "fun" for the kids to eat.

Dips meet all three challenges and are an excellent way to encourage raw veggie eating.

I found this recipe in "Get it Ripe" by Jae Steele, but modified a wee bit to cut back on the salt and cut out the spiciness which my tribe don't go for (yet). I like serving it with tortilla chips - the ones in the picture are the veggie flax seed chips from Trader Joe's. Guiltless Gourmet also makes a good lines which has lower fat content but the sodium is higher than the Trader Joe's brand. It also goes well with homemade sweet potato rounds (recipe coming soon).

Cilantro Black Bean Dip

2 c. cooked black beans
2/3 c. chopped cilantro
2 medium minced garlic cloves
2 T fresh lime juice
1 T tomato paste
1/4 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. ground coriander
1 tsp. cumin
water as needed to thin
(optional: for a spicier dip add 1/4-1/2 tsp cayenne pepper)

Place all ingredients in a food processor/blender and combine until smooth. Add water and scrape down sides as needed. Add additional of the above seasonings to taste.


Keeping it in perspective: Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. (Isaiah 55:2 NIV 1984)

welcome

I recently started on a journey to eat as an "unrefined" vegan ... that is a vegan who also does not use refined products i.e. oils, flour, sugars and also watch salt and sugar intake.

Here's what I wrote on my other blog about this new adventure:

Two weeks ago if you had told me I would no longer voluntarily be eating dairy, meat or added oils (e.g. olive oil, soy butter, vegetable oil), I probably would not have believed you.

Yet that is exactly what has happened.

After learning that my dad has significant blockages in his right carotid artery and his heart, I began reading
 "The Engine 2 Diet" by Rip Esselstyn. It's a book that outlines the importance of a "plant-strong diet" for lowering cholesterol levels and fighting the leading causes of death for Americans in the modern era...heart disease, cancer, stroke, obesity, diabetes and Alzheimer's. Here's a link to the CDC if you want to verify the numbers.

Although Rip is not a doctor, his father is and the Engine 2 Diet is based upon Dr. Esselstyn's long-term and ongoing study and findings that a plant-based diet void of any meats, dairy, added oils (and for patients with heart disease, no nuts, avocados, coconut, simple sugars) can not only prevent heart disease, it can even reverse it. Dr. Esselstyn captured this evidence in his book, "Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease."

The evidence is so compelling, my dad currently is praying about whether he undergoes the schedule multiple bypass surgery or treats the blockages through this diet. My mom spoke with Dr. Esselstyn who confirmed that it would be possible for my dad to do this - we just have to wait on what path God would have him follow. :) Regardless, my dad is on this diet now...it's a reality for him if he wants to prevent further blockages from occurring.

At first, I thought I would also go on this diet as a way of supporting my dad, especially since we live close by and often share meals as a larger family. But after reading "The Engine 2 Diet," and learning exactly what meat and dairy especially do to your body, I'm kind of disgusted at the thought of eating it.

And I thought I would share this journey with you. Because I think many of us have false information about what "healthy' really is. I certainly did. But the only way you can know for yourself is to read the books. :)

Originally, I intended to post the recipes at Whispers in the Silence, but it didn't seem to fit entirely with the purpose of that blog. So, here's what I consider my companion blog to Whispers. One dedicated to posting recipes and other tidbits related to this unrefined vegan lifestyle.