Heart Beet Hummus

And musings on Valentine's Day

Hello!

I’m traveling by bus to NYC for a much-needed trip with my twin sister, Dimity, and two of our best friends.

Sans kids.

While I’ll miss those little rascals, I’m ready for a full reboot.

Though my husband is fully capable of managing our home and children without me, I wanted to check in about his meal plan to help him feel supported (did I mention, we also have a new puppy?).

In the process, it was nice to remember that meals can be very simple, and in fact, must be when there’s only one caregiver at home (which for many people, is the norm!).

As a result, we landed on some simple ideas using bulk ingredients I’d stocked in the chest freezer (jars of pesto, pasta sauce, and broth). Rice and beans with all the fixings, using broth to cook the rice (extra protein, extra gut health!). Pasta or pizza, using frozen crust, with the tomato sauce. Most certainly do frozen chicken nuggets one night! Cut carrots and fresh fruit to round things out.

Dinner can be that simple. (Does that sound simple? I hope so.)

I find that when holidays like Valentine’s Day loom ahead, the internet starts to team with ideas that quickly veer away from simple, emphasizing dishes and cute hacks that are overly complicated and thematic.

And don’t get me started on the candy.

In the spirit of celebrating this upcoming Valentine’s Day with an easy, seasonal recipe that feels loving and festive, I want share my HEART BEET HUMMUS from Seasonal Family Almanac.

Heart Beet Hummus is a creamy, bright, kid-approved dip you can make in bulk, and freeze!

It taps into the heart beet of the Earth (rather than Target).

Ok, I did let my children buy Hershey Kisses this year to give one to each of their classmates - along with handmade cards!

So, with this recipe, as my dear friend and co-author Jana wrote in our book Seasonal Family Almanac, “tend the fire of love in your wild heart and get creative and playful.”

In other words, don’t feel the pressure to go nuts “buying” into the commercial elements of the holiday.

Just snuggle the ones you love close, and make something yummy.

♡ Emma