Hummus is great on it’s own, but when it’s topped with feta, roasted red peppers, artichokes and kalamata olives it is downright delicious. (It would also be a good way to serve hummus with a non-believer crowd. )

I’ve wanted to make a dip like this for quite some time so I jumped at the chance to bring an appetizer to the first cookout of the year. (True Minnesota story: it has snowed since that first cookout and may snow again tonight!) It is essentially Greece’s version of taco dip and is wonderfulwith pita chips and cucumber slices.

Lucky enough to have some leftovers? It made a great lunch stuffed in a pita with a tomato and cucumber salad.

Layered Hummus Dip - 8 appetizer servings – inspiration from Whole Foods Market

• 1 batch of hummus (or 16 oz prepared)
• 1 – 14 oz can of artichoke hearts, drained
• 3/4 cup roasted red pepper
• 3/4 cup kalamata olives
• 1 cup feta crumbles

Prepare hummus if making it from scratch.

Chop artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers and olives.

Layer hummus on the bottom of glass dish. Sprinkle artichoke hearts, red peppers, feta cheese and olives over top.

Serve with pita chips, cucumber slices and any other vegetables.  You could also add chopped red onions or tomatoes if desired. A healthy, different crowd pleaser perfect for spring and summer afternoons!

On our fourth day of yoga teacher training in a row, our teacher mentioned that we might be an emotional, slightly crazy wreck for the next few weeks. The training is intense, there is a ton to learn, remember, work on and practice/observe yoga classes on top of that.

I thought it was kind of funny when he mentioned that because at that point in time, I was still feeling pretty good. Then day 6 came and I was downright exhausted. The training had been intense, but I had also been pretty busy. There were definitely times when I wondered why I did this to myself.

As the weeks went by, I felt my confidence growing, my musical ability improving and my love for yoga deepening.

Now, it’s three weeks later and tonight is our last class. I can’t believe how fast it went and how much I’ve already learned – and how much I have yet to learn. I’ve started seeing yoga in an entirely different way and am so very grateful for the opporutunity to participate in the training – now onto adapting it for the kids at camp!

Next up? Another training sometime soon I hope – once I finish photography and photoshop.