This week we'll explore the many ways to enjoy chickpeas and how to easily make muffin batter right in the blender. We'll also delve into next weekend's rare planetary alignment and the importance of Vitamin C.

Eat Colorfully

Seasonal Ingredient Spotlight: CHICKPEAS

Since we're still in the depths of winter (at least in Vermont), this week I figured we'd celebrate a pantry superstar: chickpeas. These powerful legumes are high in protein and fiber, can easily be incorporated into a wide variety of dishes, and are usually only a dollar or two per can (and less than that if you buy dried beans).

In this ode to chickpeas, let's explore some of the many things you can do with them.

• Use them in hummus (of course). I have a huge number of hummus recipes on my blog for you to explore. If you're new to homemade hummus, I'd start with this basic lemon hummus (omit the toppings to keep it simple). If you're already a hummus pro, check out some of my fun variations like this Green Goddess Hummus or this sunshine-hued Turmeric Hummus.
• Mix them into salads. This could include any sort of green salad, grain salad, bean salad, etc. One of my favorites is this Vegan Waldorf Chickpea Salad which is easy, comforting, nostalgic, and high in protein.
• Make them into croutons. Just rinse them, pat them dry, and toss them with a dash of olive oil and whatever spices you're in the mood for. Then toast them under the broiler, tossing frequently, until crispy. They're great as a crunchy component on top of salads and soups.
• Make chickpea blondies. Yes, it's true! My absolute favorite baked goodies in the entire world are these Tahini Chickpea Blondies. They're vegan, grain-free, high in protein, and you'll never know the chickpeas are there.
• Use them as a base for no-bake treats. If you're looking for a fun dessert, these Birthday Cake Bars are a blast. Or, for everyday snacking, I always have a batch of these Chocolate Chickpea Protein Truffles in the fridge. Chickpeas play a starring role in both, creating a cheesecake-like filling that's plant-based, creamy, and decadent.

Which of these ways have you enjoyed chickpeas? I'm guessing you've probably made hummus and used them in salads. But have you tried them as croutons? Have you tried them in desserts? If not, prepare to be amazed! These magical little legumes can truly do anything.

Try This Week: BLENDER MUFFINS

These cold February weekends are perfect for baking, don't you think? Personally speaking, I like to bake a nourishing treat to have on-hand throughout the week. Recently I've been baking a lot of "blender muffins", a.k.a. sneaky shortcut muffins that are delicious, nutritious, and easy.

Like the name implies, the batter for blender muffins is made right in the blender. They're convenient, fast, and minimize dirty dishes. Additionally, because you're enlisting the help of the blender, you can use whole oats as the flour element. There's no need to buy pricey oat flour or dirty a separate kitchen gadget to grind your own oat flour. You'll just dump everything into the blender to create a smooth batter, stir in any mix-ins by hand, and bake.

I actually have three different blender muffin recipes on the blog. If you love classics, check out these Vegan Morning Glory Blender Muffins, which are bursting with a nourishing combination of carrots, zucchini, and blueberries. If you're looking for something chocolatey, you'll love these Vegan Mocha Banana Blender Muffins. If you're craving an indulgent (yet still healthy) treat, then these Peanut Butter Banana Blender Muffins (stuffed with a dollop of peanut butter!) are for you.

Live Colorfully

In the Natural World: PLANETARY ALIGNMENT

Keep your eyes on the sky this coming Saturday (February 28) since the planets will be having a party. During this unique event, six different planets (Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune) will all be visible. It's tricky to be able to see Mercury, and even rarer to be able to spot all six at once.

This set-up is actually visible for a week or so before then, so you might be able to look all week. But next weekend in particular will be the time when all of the planets are easiest to see. Mercury, Venus, Saturn, and Jupiter can be seen with the naked eye under good conditions, while Uranus and Neptune are much fainter and usually require binoculars or a telescope to spot.

Want to check it out? Your best chance at seeing all six planets together will be shortly after sunset on Saturday evening, looking to the west. Mercury is so close to the sun that it can often be useful to look downward toward a flat horizon from a high vantage point. If you live on the West Coast, you're in a particularly good spot; try looking out over the ocean, ideally from a beachside cliff or bluff.

Want to learn more? I really liked this BBC article about the "planetary parade" (cute!), which has useful pointers, photos, and diagrams. We also enjoy the Starwalk app, which shows you in real-time where everything is.

Self-Care Pick: CELEBRATING CITRUS + VITAMIN C

Do the winter blues have you feeling down? If so, I have a way to bring some sunshine into your life: fresh citrus! Citrus is at its peak right now, and nothing beats a glass of vibrantly-colored citrus juice.

Another seasonal thing to consider: Vitamin C. We all know Vitamin C for its immune-supporting properties, which are incredibly important especially during cold and flu season. However, it's also a critical nutrient for a wide variety of other bodily functions including our nervous system, our ability to handle stress, our ability to fight inflammation, our energy production, and the efficiency with which we absorb iron.

My current favorite? A blend of grapefruit, orange, and tangerine juice. It has just the right amount of bitterness (key for digestive function!), balanced by beautiful sweetness.

If you're craving citrus too, you're in for a treat: there's one day left in the free citrus attachment promotion for my favorite juicer, the Nama J2. It's the only time of the year they run this promotion, and tomorrow (Monday the 23rd) is the last day. You can get the citrus attachment (usually $89) for free with the purchase of the J2 juicer. If you use the code BRUSSELSPROUT10 at checkout, you'll save an extra $60. That's $149 in total savings. If you've ever dreamed of investing in a juicer, now is a really good time, especially if you're a citrus fan.

Thanks for joining me for this issue of Eat Colorfully, Live Colorfully! I'd love to hear from you, so please feel free to reply with questions, thoughts, or requests. If you missed a previous issue, you can view all my newsletters here. Have a great week!