Chickpea Pasta Salad

As the weather gets warmer, there is little I crave more than pasta salad. It can admittedly get old quickly though (simply because I eat it so often), so I like to change it up. This pasta salad made with chickpea pasta has an elevated flavor and texture and is full of plant-based protein.

Chickpea Pasta Salad

Serves 4-6

MAIN INGREDIENTS

1 box chickpea rotini  

1/2 cup cherry or grape tomatoes (halved)

1 cup canned chickpeas

1/2 cup canned black olives (sliced)

1/2 cucumber (sliced)

DRESSING INGREDIENTS

4 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon dried oregano

salt and pepper to taste

Prepare chickpea rotini according to directions on package. While pasta is cooking, cut tomatoes in half, slice black olives, and thinly slice cucumbers. Drain and rinse chickpeas. Combine all dressing ingredients and stir until thoroughly combined. Drain and rinse pasta, and allow to cool. Pour cooled pasta into a large bowl, add all ingredients, and mix well Add dressing and toss until thoroughly combined. Cover and refrigerate. Keeps for up to 5 days. (Tip: Double the recipe for larger gatherings.)

Try this with a glass of chilled white wine on a summer's night. Heaven.

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Earth Month Giveaway: Win a $250 Gift Card to Gaia Conceptions!

April is one of my favorite months. It's the time when spring finally feels like it's here, and it's also Earth Month, which has always been special to me. As many of you know, I ran an eco-friendly clothing line for 15 years, and making sustainable choices is a part of my everyday life. And while I'm definitely of the "Earth Day Everyday!" mind set, it's nice to celebrate our beautiful planet during this time.

To celebrate Earth Month (and spring!), I'm teaming up with our long time partner and friend Gaia Conceptions - creators of gorgeous, custom made, sustainable clothing - to give you one of you a $250 gift card to grab some new spring and summer pieces for yourself! (Scroll down to enter!)

Gaia Conceptions offers a wide variety of genuinely beautiful eco-friendly clothing and accessory items, all designed and made by hand in the USA. Ordering their clothing is a truly customized experience - you choose color, fabric, and size. 

Use the form below, and/or do the easy entry on on Instagram right here. There are several options for extra entries as well.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway will run through the end of this Saturday April 8th, 2023. It is open to Bubby and Bean readers worldwide. All entries from the Rafflecopter form above and Instagram will be combined. A winner will be randomly chosen and announced here by end of day the following Monday.

Thank you to our friends at Gaia Conceptions for celebrating Earth Month alongside us and giving Bubby and Bean readers a chance to own some of their stunning apparel!  

4/10 UPDATE: Closed! Randomly chosen winner (via random.org) is Lily/luminosity_frequency. Please check your email/Instagram DMs. Thank you all you entered! We have another one coming up soon!

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Sweet Springtime Snack Mix

I shared this last year, but we just made it again and it was so easy and delicious that I just had to post it one more time. This is a fun recipe to make with kids and perfect for Easter gifts or baskets. 

Sweet Springtime Snack Mix

INGREDIENTS

8-10 cups popped popcorn
1-1/2 cups vanilla baking chips
1 cup mini pretzel twists, broken up
1-1/2 to 2 cups M&M'S  
pastel sprinkles


In a large bowl, combine the popped popcorn, pretzels, and M&M’S. Melt vanilla baking chips in the microwave for 30 seconds and stir in between until melted. (Or use a double broiler.)  Pour the melted vanilla chips over the popcorn mixture while stirring. Once combined, spread the mixture evenly on a wax or parchment paper covered baking sheet, and immediately cover with sprinkles. Gently stir so sprinkles stick to the vanilla coating. Allow to cool and break into pieces. Store in an airtight container or fill individual party bags.

We love giving these out to neighbors too. Enjoy!

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8 St. Patrick's Day Activities for Kids

St. Patrick's day is a very big deal here in Chicago. We go for it, Irish or otherwise. My kids treat it like any other holiday and really get in the spirit. Today I thought I'd share some of the things we do to make it fun. 

1. Wear green.
Obviously!

2. Make an Irish meal.
A friend from Ireland recently told that no one in Ireland eats corned beef and cabbage, but that doesn't mean you don't have to! I've actually never had it, but I do love love vegetarian shephard's pie.

3. Go to a St. Paddy's Day parade.

We've actually never been to one, but have plans this year!

4. Make a leprechaun trap.
My kids are experts at this. You can find a ton of ideas with a quick Google search, or even buy one. 

5. Color your drinks green.

A little green food coloring goes a long way. Or you can go a more natural route and make smoothies with spinach in them.

6. Get craftin'.
We have handmade St. Paddy's Day crafts all over our house right now. Paint rainbows with cotton ball cloud. Cut shamrocks out of green construction paper and make a garland. If you have green paper or colors, the possibilities are endless.

7. Read St. Patrick's Day themed books.

My kids love holiday themed books, and we keep a few St. Patricks Day themed ones for this time of year.

8. Have a coin hunt.

Leprechauns bring and hide coins throughout our house while we're sleeping the night before St. Patrick's Day, and our kids look forward to the hunt for weeks.

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