NEW PRODUCT

Hi, I'm Susan Bowerman and today I'm going to give you a recipe makeover for hummus. It's usually made with garbanzo beans or chick peas but today I'm going to make it with black beans and show you how easy it is to put together.

I'm starting with a can of black beans that I drained. I didn't rinse them, but, I did save the liquid from the beans because I might need to add a little in case in ends up being too thick. I'm going to put the beans into my food processor. You can do this in a blender too, if you prefer.
Normally hummus is made with olive oil, but instead of olive oil I'm going to use some avocado to add a little bit of healthy fat and some creaminess. Instead of the usual lemon juice I'm going to add some lime juice. 

I'm also going to add a little bit of salt, and a little bit of garlic. These are all optional you can decide how much or how little flavor. I like things strongly flavored so I'm putting in a little bit of cumin and finally I'm putting in some cilantro...

In the competitive world of professional sports, good nutrition can be a key advantage. Global sports icon and international soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo believes that it is essential. That’s why the Portuguese winger/forward is joining forces with Herbalife to promote great nutrition and regular exercise for people of all activity levels.

“I strongly believe in the importance of the right nutrition for me as an individual, both on and off the field,” says Ronaldo. “I am looking forward to working with Herbalife, as a company that shares my passion and brings such expertise and knowledge in the area of sports nutrition.”

Herbalife Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael O. Johnson says that teaming up with Ronaldo is a natural. Ronaldo is a leader on his team and Herbalife is a leader in global nutrition. “One of the most exciting elements of our new relationship is that we will be working with Ronaldo to develop cutting edge sports nutrition products together, which will be cobranded,” said Johnson.

Ronaldo is already working with Herbalife Senior Director of Sports Nutrition Dr. John Heiss on a comprehensive product line. As his official nutrition sponsor, Herbalife will also work with Ronaldo to optimize his own nutrition program and provide him with a range of products to support his demanding training regimen. Finally, he will team up with the Herbalife Family Foundation to develop programs that assist nutritional health and education initiatives.

Johnson says Herbalife gets positive exposure from more than 100 sponsorships of athletes, teams and sports events. “The world is wearing the Herbalife brand and it is a testament to our products that Herbalife is attracting interest from renowned athletes in Europe and around the world.”

Interesting Facts

• He was born in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, on February 5, 1985.
• He has played for several different football clubs, including Andorinha (Portugal), Nacional (Portugal), Sporting CP (Portugal), Manchester United (England) and Real Madrid (Spain).
• In the 2010–11 season, he became the first player in La Liga to score more than 40 goals in one season. He then repeated this achievement with 46 goals in the 2011–12 season.
• From 2009–2013, he averaged more than one goal per game, making him one of the most prolific goal scorers in soccer history.

Getting a good night's sleep should be one of the easiest and most natural things to do. But busy lives and hectic schedules make us less likely to eat properly, and bad food habits can prevent us from getting good quality sleep. "When we're busy, we tend to eat less than we should during the day, and then much more than we need in the evening. This is exactly the opposite of what we should be doing," says Herbalife's Luigi Gratton, M.P.H., and Vice President of Nutrition Education.

Gratton suggests being aware of how certain foods can affect our sleep pattern. Protein-heavy foods stimulate the production of chemicals in the brain that keep us alert, and large meals eaten just before bed can lead to indigestion and heartburn - a perfect pairing to keep you up at night.

Low-fat, high carbohydrate meals are digested more quickly, and stimulate the production of different brain chemicals - ones that help aid relaxation and facilitate sleep. So it's best to opt for a high protein breakfast and lunch to keep you alert and clear-headed all day, and save the carbohydrates for dinner.

If you're like most people, caffeine is a stimulant, so a cup of coffee before you hit the sack is probably unwise. Both caffeine and alcohol can disrupt normal sleep patterns; you might be able to fall asleep, but not for long. This makes it hard to reach the deepest and most restful stage of sleep. So even with a full eight hours, you still feel sluggish in the morning. Chances are you'll also be roused from sleep by a full bladder, since both caffeine and alcohol act as diuretics.

Whether or not to snack before you go to bed depends on your usual patterns. If your evening meal is small and light (and early), then a light snack is fine if you feel it helps you sleep and you can afford the extra calories. Calcium-rich foods like milk and yogurt are good choices, since calcium helps muscles to relax.

Good nutrition for a good night's zzzz's:

• Have a lighter dinner, focused on salad, vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans
• A bowl of lentil soup with a salad and some fruit for dessert
• If you know that caffeine keeps you awake, avoid caffeine-containing beverages for 6-8 hours before going to bed
• Keep your alcohol intake moderate to avoid sleep disruption
• Drink most of your fluids during the day, and cut back after dinner. If you need to take medications at bedtime, use only a small amount of water
• If you like to have a bedtime snack, include foods that are high in calcium to induce muscle relaxation
• A cup of warm milk is an age-old remedy for sleeplessness, and for good reason

Follow the tips above to help get a restful night's sleep, and develop healthy sleep patterns for a healthy lifestyle.  If you need more ideas about improving your personal wellness goals, Herbalife is a leader in the health and wellness industry, and your Herbalife Independent Distributor can help you discover the best products for your nutritional requirements.