What’s better than a healthy snack of hummus?

Our answer: Hummus that’s been garnished with something just as healthy, for additional layers of flavor.

That’s the latest good idea from Tribe Mediterranean Foods. Their newest line, Tribe With Toppings (formerly called Tribe Origins), offers a “topped” line of hummus in seven delicious varieties.

All-natural and extremely creamy (research showed that was what consumers wanted), the line uses Tribe’s Classic Hummus as a base.

We’ve purchased different hummus brands in some 20 different flavors, from artichoke and Kalamata olive to sundried tomato. The flavors are blended into the hummus.

We love them, but we equally love the festive look of Tribe With Toppings. There’s no reason you can’t combine the two concepts.

So grab some pita bread, lentil chips or a spoon, and dig in.

While we don’t know the secret Tribe With Toppings recipes, we tasted them, looked at the ingredients, and then made our own versions, patterning them after the Tribe flavors.

 
You can also use hummus with toppings in a delicious hummus sandwich.

Let us know what you create!
  

Beyond cocktails, a glass rimmer can be used with almost any drink, from iced coffee to hot chocolate to milk.

But why buy them, when it’s easy to make your own—and to customize the rimmer to each cocktail recipe?

Depending on whether you’re making a rimmer for a sweet or savory drink, you can start with a base:

Use a base of crushed hard candies or cookies, instead of sugar. Add a spice for dimension. For a beautiful presentation, use edible flowers.

Experiment with whatever appeals to you:

 
Share your favorite inspirations with us!

Also consider matching your cocktail snack to the rimmer. For example, with a dill rimmer, serve a dip flavored with dill or a complementary flavor like basil.

Adding The Rimmer Mix To The Glass

Place the rimmer on a flat plate next to a small bowl of water. Dip the rim of the glass into the water and then into the rimmer mix. Twist the glass against the mix to evenly coat the rim. Pour in the cocktail and serve.
  

But some environmentally conscious espresso lovers have told us that they limit themselves to drinking one cup a day, because they can’t recycle the aluminum capsules.

Now they can go “from brew to renew.”

In response to consumer wishes, Nespresso has launched recycling programs in Arizona, California, Florida, New York and Texas. You can bring spent capsules to participating Sur La Table stores. Sur La Table, a big seller of Nespresso machines, will send them to a recycling center. The aluminum will be recycled and the coffee grounds will be composted.

Learn more about the Nespresso recycling program.

Over the years, we’ve had many a potato chip, but none as guilt-free and delicious as Popchips. They have half the fat but all of the flavor. Super-crunchy, they’re fun as well as fabulous.

Instead of frying potato slices to make chips, Popchips are made with proprietary process. The potatoes are cut into small pieces, then popped under heat and pressure—no fat.
After the chips are popped, some fat is required for the seasonings to adhere. That’s why these delicious chips have half the fat of conventional chips. Compare one-inch servings:

Read the full review and TRY THEM! The line is gluten-free, non GMO and certified kosher, and is available at retailers nationwide.
Potato Chip History

The first potato chips were born in the U.S.A.—by accident, in the course of a “food fight” between a fussy restaurant patron and a cranky chef. Check out the story.

What Are The Best Conventional Potato Chips?

Our favorite conventional chips are the original Saratoga Chips, first made at the Moon Lake Lodge in Saratoga Springs, New York.

A few years ago, local entrepreneurs began to produce Saratoga Chips. Small, curly and elegant, they’re terrific for everything from snacking from the box to nibbling with a Martini.

The company’s luscious dip mixes are also noteworthy. Packaged in a reproduction of the original chip box, Saratoga Chips are a great gift for the chip lover. Small, individual-portion size makes a great party favor or stocking stuffer.

Many Americans start the day with a bowl of granola or a yogurt-granola combination, or carry bags of granola for a healthy snack on-the-go.

With all the brands on the grocer’s shelf, what constitutes the best granola cereal?

The best granola is a healthy granola. As with all foods, choose a brand that starts with the highest-quality natural ingredients, and scan the nutrition label for:

Many pre-made granolas have unnecessary added ingredients, such as preservatives, and too much added sugar. Making a healthier granola at home is easy and cost effective: Most ingredients can be bought for significantly less in the bulk foods aisle of your grocery store. If you want to limit your gluten intake, you can find gluten-free oats. You can even give containers of your special blend as house gifts, special treats and stocking stuffers.

 
Why Are Whole Grains So Important?
Check out this article on whole grains. It may change your eating habits. It certainly changed ours!

Find more of our favorite cereal brands, plus recipes.