Hummus, how I love thee! Let me count the ways!

Summertime! Perfect time for some light, refreshing and oh so satisfying snacks! Having a hard time deciding on some healthy options that will make you still want to wear that bathing suit with pride?
Here are some great options including a recipe for my all time favorite hummus courtesy of Giada:

White Bean and Roasted Eggplant Hummus

• 1 (1 1/2-pound) eggplant or 3 Japanese eggplants, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
• Olive oil, for drizzling, plus 1/3 cup
• Kosher salt, for seasoning, plus 1/2 teaspoon
• Freshly ground black pepper, for seasoning, plus 1/4 teaspoon
• 1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/3 cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from about 1 lemon)
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 hothouse cucumber, cut into 1/4-inch thick slices

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F and place an oven rack in the middle.

Place the eggplant on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown. Set aside to cool.
In the bowl of a food processor, combine the cooled eggplant, beans, parsley, lemon juice, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Pulse until the mixture is coarsely chopped. With the machine running, gradually add 1/3 cup of olive oil until the mixture is creamy. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Place the hummus in a dipping bowl and serve with the cucumber slices or any of your favorite veggies, or all natural tortilla chips (Garden of Eden makes some delightful chips and does Stacy's naked pita crisps, or bake off your own from your favorite whole wheat tortillas) Alternatively, hummus makes a great sandwich spread too!
Calories: 2 Tbs serving /80 calories

Quick Summertime Snacks to pack for the pool, beach or anytime!

• Vegetable sticks, cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 a peanut or almond butter sandwich on whole grain bread (of course add some jelly if you like!)
• whole wheat crackers and cheese
• GORP (peanuts, raisons, dried fruit, Cheerios, almonds, chocolate chips, or whatever else you want to throw in there)
• Granola or favorite protein or fruit/nut bar (I love Kind Bars, Z bars, and Luna Bars)
• Fruit (apples, oranges, grapes, pears, and bananas travel well)
• 1/2 a turkey sandwich on whole grain bread with extra veggies and hummus spread (to withstand the heat of summer and not go sour on you like mayo)
• Edamame
• Popcorn
• Pita chips
• Pickles and olives
• Hummus, of course! (goes great with celery, carrots, and pita/tortilla chips)
• don't forget those water bottles! sometimes what you perceive as hunger is just dehydration! so when soaking in the sun, drink up! (and I don't mean a margarita the size of your head ;)