Chickpeas - 3 recipes it and it's benefits
It might be half year now from when last time I mentioned that my diet should be reconsidered. Also I already mentioned the period of life when I had PCOS going on and that fact made me eat different - healthier, within time, better to say lack of time I slipped again into eating fast processed food. Very well aware of that my body just don't get along well with refined sugar and lot's of white flour, no matter how much I enjoy warm pastries and that sweet taste - decision is made, those buddies has to go.
Shortly I will say a few about how to recognize PCOS and then move further on how to prevent it when it comes about food, which foodstuffs should be more in focus and what to get rid of.
PCOS causes imbalanced insulin, and we all know that insulin affects the digestion of sugar. One of the main problems is that in this syndrome the body can become insulin resistant and this pushes the body to produce more insulin than it needs to keep it in line. What causes our ovaries to produce more of the male androgen hormone - testosterone. An excess of male hormones cause visual changes on the body such as increased sloppiness, an excess of produced insulin can increase body weight and cause obesity, and all of this together can lead us to diabetes and hinder fertility. The percentage of women who are "treated" from this syndrome is on a global level more than 50%, and the forms are divided into severe and mild. I encountered all this for the first time about 10 years ago when the results showed all the signs that I had it. After that, I followed my diet strictly, I mostly ate raw food, I avoided foods of animal origin, there was not even a trace of white sugar and flour. Discipline with additional physical activity bore fruit, my cycles became regular, my skin was cleaner, I was significantly more energetic, and my hormones were balanced. Until... well, until I fell into the vicious circle of a fast life and not enough time to dedicate myself to a meal as I should + few more excuses like, I really like candies and sweets! Until a couple of days ago, when I felt a lack of energy, the absence of cycles, or were terribly painful. Another sign of PCOS, terribly painful in which you think someone is ripping out your insides. STOP, right there, no more pleasing my inner kid and emotional comfort I knew to abuse consuming junk food. I must admit that it is difficult for me to accept that I will have to keep myself back in front of delicious delicacies for the rest of my life, but the fact that I successfully led a life without them for 3 years and was happier, more energetic and pain-free motivated me to just do it!
The foods that were on my menu at that time, and are now slowly coming back on the big door, were based on seeds, full grain flours, fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs and dairy products (which are not desirable, but I can't live without them).
The current period is not the most favorable because it is the time of the year when the supply of fresh fruits and vegetables has just begun, but the good side of a diet based on fiber and complex carbohydrates is that it keeps you full for longer. Sunflower, oats, buckwheat, flax, soybeans, peanuts, pumpkin seeds are the leaders on the list and I am never without them. Chickpeas are also one of them, in addition to the well-known hummus, they can also be used for desserts, additions to salads or stews. They contain a lot of protein and in combination with cereals are a hit! They are also rich on oil and cellulose. What I have learned in the meantime is that the leaves of the plant are edible - never tried, never planted but who knows. On the Internet, you can find a lot of ideas for the diet of diabetics, and with my diagnosis, I somewhat fit into that picture, which makes food combinations even easier for me.
When we talk about the sweet part, dates, raisins and dried fruit in general (not candied) play the main role, although I bought a bag of fructose in case I don't have any of the above on hand. But no matter how harmless all this seems, each of these foods is high in calories, which means that you should not overdo it with either dried or fresh fruit. Fortunately, there is a table with foods with high and low glycemic index, which is one of my main tools.
55 or less = Low (good)
56 - 69 = Medium
70 or higher = High ("bad")
Chickpeas are listed low, so they were first on the list for preparation. And to make cooking more fun, in the future I will invent, modify and adapt recipes.
Chickpea energy balls
It is desirable to soak the chickpeas in water overnight before cooking, so that the grains swell (since they come from the bean family).
Scale showed 222gr so let it be, not arguing this one! In addition, you will need 50 grams of peanuts, 50gr sunflower seeds, 50 grams of raisins, 7 dates, 100 grams of oatmeal, 2 or more spoons of cocoa. Soak raisins and dates in lukewarm water.
Grind all seeds including oatmeal in blender, then blend the soaked raisins and dates, add chickpea puree combine it all together, add cocoa. Leave it on a side for about 30 minutes.
The oatmeal absorbs the liquid afterwards, so it takes a little time for the process to happen. Shape the balls or how ever you prefer it, if desired roll them shredded coconut, or walnuts.
Chickpea cheese spread
In my opinion, hummus is a perfect spread, but it gets boring over time and i had no tahini around. I still had about 200 grams of cooked chickpeas left, and there's nothing better for breakfast than a refreshing spread, so I added 2 tablespoons of cow's cheese, a small bunch of fresh celery leaves and a few seeds of cumin to the blended chickpeas = a perfectly balanced taste.
But, where will I spread it?
Chickpea crackers
Grind 150 g of oatmeal, 50 g raw chickpeas and 50 g of raw buckwheat (the sound of the blender hurts my ears). Lightly fry 30 grams of sunflower and a mixture of 30 grams of flax with 50gr of peanut and cumin in a pan with a little salt and a spoonful of oil.
Add a pinch of rosemary to it, I love it, it's oily and aromatic at the same time, if you don't overdo it, it leaves a wonderful taste somewhere in the background. In the container with the ground flakes, add the roasted seeds, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 2 dc of water. Mix the mass with a spoon, pour it into a baking tray covered with parchment. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees, then reduce to 180 degrees and bake slowly until it feels dry to the touch. After baking, cool them completely, then break them into pieces and put them in a jar to keep them fresh.
Unfortunately, the final crackers didn't get photographed, partly because they were prepared quite late, and I was very tired, and in the morning we all wake up hungry ;)
The housemates were slightly saddened (or at least one of them) after my decision, I suppose out of fear that I will deprive them of all the sweets and pastries prepared so far, but that won't be the case, I'll be making and baking 'sinful food' here and there, not enjoying it less just cause I can not consume it. But who knows, maybe they will cross on "my side" soon., based on the first impressions.
It's hard to make big changes like this, even when we know it's for the best. But - you can do it! You're already on the right path.
Even when you stumble, don't give up 🧡
I can only slip for some sinful bite or two, but nothing big will happen in that case. Bad thing is that we are waiting on last minute (at least me, sometimes).
Definitely no giving up this time, thank you 🤗
I can eat chickpeas like popcorn! <3
Roast some next time with spices and olive oil. They come crunchy and super delish!
Am I blind or there is no chickpeas in the crackers? :p
Nope there are no chicks in recipe, but I doubled the photo 😏 (late night writings), recipe updated, thank you Madame!
I had roasted, I love them! Only problem is that you can not stop yourself from eating, addiction.🤤 Until chickens arrive I am the one to play the role.🤣
These recipes are great!
Must say I have two three dates every night for desert. The low gi plus other benefits are worth it.
I just can't do sugar - it's poison. I feel hungover if I eat it! Honey is good (a bit addicted to a drizzle of raw honey on coconut yoghurt) but that's about it. It's definitely all about the insulin.
My issue is hormones - I'm having the worst time of menopause ever and short of jumping off a cliff (joking) I can't find a solution to it. Off to the naturopath tomorrow for reassurance and guidance beyond what I already know to do.
Ugh.
They rank high on the glycemic index, but that's why they are rich in iron, daily dose not more than 5 dates and you probably can't more than cause sooo sweet!
It's individual, I'm not saying my tummy isn't bloated after consuming sweet sin indeed it is, but signals could be also mixed. Mostly when organism is in urge for sugar, we lack magnesium or some other mineral. It is poison, nicely packed and now dumped.
Oh, I can feel you, my mom is also having tough times and seeing her suffering out of nowhere really makes me sad..:( Did you try with supplements? She is taking some and it gives her slight relief.
Fingers crossed to pass soon. 🍀
Yeah, ashwagandwa, Vit D, magnesium mainly. A few other things. Nothing really helps much.
Sorry to hear that, mom says that game is played a bit dirty...
I can recommend you this:
https://www.3ho.org/meditation/kirtan-kriya/
Accompanied by this:
Lovely.
Chickpeas are one of the best!! (egg and fried chickpeas, while we at it!!)
I mean I would understand anyone that could miss your pastry and sweet backing, but to be honest I find as much beauty (and taste:) in any cooking/backing involving less sugar and white flower, especially when you are going to have your own veggies and cherry tomatoes! (gosh that is going to be awesome😍)
Oh and I didn't know about this food ranking and influence regarding PCOS, was very interesting, might consider some of it for myself...
I definitely won't sanction the rest of the household, as you said next to the future fresh veggies we are about to have - I don't mind it either, on contrary, half of my period 'not eating processed food' I spent on the country side. Handling that regime in the city is a bit challenging, especially nowadays.
I'll try my best to still make and bake something interesting and less sinful (fingers crossed).
PCOS is a little returning brat, thought I outsmarted it but bummer...
Aaah yes in the city it is even worst, well no time and too many possibilities for processed food all over the place...🤮
I mean it is also a mission to find your way of eating in a world where everything is made for you to crave it but it is actually bad for you!
...I am ver optimistic about that!:)
Marketing works wonders, it's amazing to me how they gradually managed to convince us that we have everything at our fingertips, we just need money to afford it.
We pay dearly to be treated even more expensively later.
yes!!! unfortunately thats how it is going...
Join the foodie fun! We've given you a FOODIE boost. Come check it out at @foodiesunite for the latest community updates. Spread your gastronomic delights on and claim your tokens.
Thank youuuuu! :))