What's Lunch Got to Do With It?

Sick of the same ol' turkey sandwich at noon? Try something new this month. Turkey is great, but only keeps in the fridge for a few days. A simple, satisfying alternative is hummus. Hummus is a traditional Mediterranean dish made of chick peas (garbanzo beans), tahini (sesame paste), garlic, olive oil, lemon juice and a little spice (cumin is my personal favorite). Once procured, it keeps for at least a week- and won't get slimy like lunch meat.Hummus can be tucked into a whole wheat pita with lettuce and tomato, or served with your favorite crackers or vegetables like celery, carrots, cucumbers or grape tomatoes. In addition to being packed with protein, hummus is a great source of monounsaturated fat – the type that helps lower total cholesterol and LDL ("lousy" cholesterol). It's also high in folic acid, potassium and fiber- nutrients that may help reduce the risk of colon cancer. Pick up some hummus at your favorite deli, or see our Nutritious Nibbles page for the recipe. Bon appetite!.