Dark Chocolate Hummus

This sweet treat is a quick, easy and healthy fix for a chocolate craving.

It takes about 5 minutes to make and is even lighter than traditional hummus because it contains no olive oil or tahini.  It is a great way to get kids, (or spouses), to eat beans – and it is very low in sugar- or sugar free, depending on how you choose to make it.

Oh- and it’s delicious too.  An all around WIN!

What you need:

1 ½ cups cooked, or a 15oz can of drained and well-rinsed black beans (or garbanzo beans)

3 Tbs  maple syrup (adjust to your own taste and/or use a sugar substitute of your choice)

½ tsp vanilla extract

4 Tbs unsweetened cocoa powder.  (Use what you prefer.  I went with Special Dark)

2 Tbs (more or less as needed) water or almond milk

How to prepare & enjoy:

Combine all but water/almond milk in bowl of food processor of high-powered blender.

Pulse a few times and then blend until smooth, adding the water or almond milk as small amount at a time until you reach the consistency you are looking for.  A lighter cocoa and almond milk with give more of a milk chocolate flavor, while the darker cocoas and water will taste more like dark chocolate.

If you use a powdered sweetener such as granulated sugar or a sugar substitute, expect to add more liquid to smooth the hummus to make up for the liquid nature of the maple syrup.

Get creative and experiment by adding espresso powder, cinnamon, nut butters, coconut, or even chiles!

Great with berries or pretzels – or even just a spoon!

What is Dermaplaning and Why You Will LOVE It

Dermaplaning is currently trending as one of the hottest skin care treatments. However, unlike other skin care fads, we think this one is here for to stay and for great reason. Dermaplaning is simple, and incredibly effective; providing long lasting and profound, immediate results without any downtime. Added on to any facial or used as stand alone treatment, dermaplaning is a fabulous treatment any time of year. Here are FIVE reasons you'll want to add dermaplaning to your skin care repertoire now:

1. Shed Winter Build-Up:

Dermaplaning is an incredible exfoliation that can remove up to 3 weeks of dead skin cells. This deep exfoliation triggers new cell regeneration - ultimately leading to a healthier glow. With harsh winter weather and the dry, heated indoor air, skin gets dried out faster - which makes winter an ideal (do we dare say 'necessary') time to dermaplane.

2. No Downtime:

Unlike other skin care treatments, the results of dermaplaning are immediate and do not require any downtime. The only side effect is smoother skin and a glowing complexion!

3. Removes Vellus Hair (aka, Peach Fuzz)

Another incredible side effect of dermaplaning is the removal of that peach fuzz that, yes, gets worse with age. (Thank you, hormones!) Without this peach fuzz, make-up and other skin care products are more easily absorbed into the skin.

4. Smooth Uneven Skin and Reduce Pores

Dermaplaning gently resurfaces the skin - resulting in even skin tone and reduced pores. With repeated treatments (every 4 weeks), fine lines disappear and skin is visibly smoother.

5. Better Absorption of Product and Flawless Makeup

With the deep exfoliation and removal of the vellus hair, active ingredients in skin care products are more readily absorbed and make-up is applied flawlessly. Ever feel like you could just keep applying moisturizer, but it's not penetrating - book a dermaplaning session now.

For a limited time - add Dermaplaning to any Facial for only $30.  (Normally $40)*

You do not want to miss this outrageous offer - your winter skin will thank you!

*(offer expires 2/28/18)

200 Hour Reflexology Certification Course

Do your goals for 2018 include learning something new? Do you have a passion for Health and Wellness? Are you craving a career change that includes helping others feel their best?

If you've answered yes to any of those questions, check out our 200 Hour Reflexology Certification Course. The class starts January 28th and there's still room for TWO more sign-ups.

So Many Ways to Give (and Save) this Holiday Season

So many ways to give (and save) this Holiday Season at Therapeutic Bodywork! Our Gift Cards, Holiday Packages and Wellness Shop are all available online - OR come by the office Monday-Saturday between 8am-5pm and we'll put together a beautiful Holiday package.

1. Wellness Memberships - this is the Ultimate Gift of LOVE that keeps on giving - all year long. Spoil your loved one with a Wellness Membership. No payment upfront - payment is automatically deducted on a monthly basis. Membership definitely has it's benefits - feeling great is only one of them! Click here for details.

2. Holiday Nourishing Package - This package gives the recipient options - and who doesn't love options?!           75 Minute Massage PLUS (recipient chooses) 60 Minute Reflexology OR 60 Minute Hydrating Facial                     All for $199 - BUY NOW

3. Gift Cards Available in Any Denomination - Spend over $200 in Gift Cards and receive 15% off your purchase in our Wellness Shop. Offer applies to purchase made on the same day. Purchase Gift Cards

4. Incredible News Wellness Members - For the entire month of December, Devotees save 15% and Fanatics save 20% on all purchases in our Wellness Shop. SHOP NOW

Kitchari Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup basmati rice
• ½ cup yellow mung dal
• 3 teaspoons Kitchari Spice Mix*
• 2 tablespoons ghee
• 6 cups water
• 1–2 cups chopped vegetables (optional)

The Kitchari Kit has all the basic ingredients you'll need to get started.

 

Directions:

Wash rice and mung dal and soak overnight. Drain soak water.

In a medium saucepan warm the ghee. Add the Kitchari Spice Mix and sauté for one to two minutes. Add rice and mung dal and sauté for another couple of minutes. Then add 6 cups of water and bring to a boil.

Once the kitchari has come to a boil reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and cook until it is tender (approx. 30–45 minutes).

If you are adding vegetables to your kitchari, add the longer cooking vegetables, such as carrots and beets, halfway through the cooking. Add the vegetables that cook faster, such as leafy greens, near the end.

Add more water if needed. Typically, kitchari is the consistency of a vegetable stew as opposed to a broth. A thinner consistency is preferable if your digestion is weak. You will notice that kitchari will thicken when it cools and you may need more water than you originally thought.

Garnish with fresh cilantro and add salt to taste (optional).

Makes 4 serving

Note: The following spices may be used in place of Kitchari Spice Mix

• 1 teaspoon black mustard seeds
• 1 teaspoon cumin seed
• 1 small pinch of asafoetida (hing) powder
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 4 thin slices of fresh ginger root

Garnish

• Fresh cilantro (great for pitta—ok for vata and kapha)
• Coconut (great for pitta, good for vata, but not so good for kapha)
• Lime (ok for everybody)