Written by Dr. Elliot Lysyk, DC ~ Vernon Chiropractor

Salsa

• 4 medium tomatoes
• A small handful of cilantro
• 2-4 cloves of garlic, depending on how much you love your fellow man
• Hot pepper of your choosing, depending on masochistic tendencies. I add one jalapeno (minimum), but I have also used one serrano, which is quite a bit hotter. Or, if you are feeling frisky, go for one habanero—what the heck. 2-3 Thai chilies also bring a nice kick.
• 1/3 of a red onion, or more if you enjoy dreadful halitosis
• Orange juice from ½ freshly squeezed orange balances out the chilies’ heat
• Freshly squeezed lime juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

In a food processor, carefully pulse contents below to bring salsa to your level of preferred coarseness. I like it a bit coarser, not overly pulverized.

Hummus

• 1 large can chickpeas
• 1-2 cloves garlic (I know, I am a garlic fiend)
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 3-4 Tbsp sesame paste (tahini paste)
• Freshly Squeezed lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Process in a food processor on high, adding a small amount of water, until hummus is blended to desired consistency.

And there you have it—an immune-boosting snack sure to save your life and kill others around you.

Side note: Cilantro can help remove heavy metals and neurotoxins from your body as it is considered a chelating agent.  Lycopene, found in tomatoes, is an antioxidant & cancer-preventing phytonutrient.  Garlic helps lower cholesterol and regulates blood pressure, among so many other things.  And onions are a form of birth control (kidding!!).