Last weekend I was walking down in the West Village when I came upon one of my favorite health food stores, Lifethyme Market.

It’s always been a fun spot to walk around and look at the fun, new products as well as their homemade prepared food bar.

Now, if you know me well enough, you know that I cannot eat out yet because of my food intolerances.

I wish I could but I just still cannot.

Still healing, but I hope soon.

Anyhoo, I saw this amazing Cauliflower Hummus that they had and I read the ingredients about 20 times before I honestly almost had a heart attack.

O my gosh; I could eat it.

O my gosh.

You would have thought I was a kid in a candy store.

Nope, just Amie in a health food store eyeing the cauliflower mash.

I died and went to heaven.

I didn’t know what to do. I’ve never been able to just stop in and pick up some food to munch on in so many years. I felt like an alien.

I took one of the to-go containers and put about 10 cups of this ol’ cauliflower hummus inside, grabbed a spoon and an avocado and headed to the register with the biggest smile on my face.

The clerk must have thought I was crazy because I ripped open the bag that he put my container in and dug into the cauliflower right then and there outside on 6th avenue in the West Village.

I almost cried.

Actually, I think I did.

So emotional.

I felt so cool.

So amazing.

Wow, this is what it feels like to be able to go into a store, pick something up and just eat it without worrying or getting sick.

I peeled my avocado, cut it in half and spooned the cauliflower hummus right inside.

Bite.

Bite.

Bite.

I ate the whole thing.

Yes, I ate an entire avocado and about 20 cups of this cauliflower hummus on 6th avenue on the corner in the West Village on a 20 degree Saturday afternoon.

And I loved every minute of it.

Every. Single. Minute.

Then I took a deep breath, realized I was so full and jumped on the subway home.

Quite possibly the best day of my life.

Quite possibly.

Yes, it’s the small things that matter and that make you feel so good.

And you can bet what I did on Sunday morning.

I went out and bought 4 cauliflowers.

Steamed ’em and mashed ’em up into my own hummus creation.

I leave you with my famous, life-changing bean-free white mush that has changed my life.

Seriously, my birthday is in 3 weeks and I just may ask my family to treat me to another 20 cups.

It was just that good.

Life is good.

Cauliflower No-Bean Hummus

Gluten-Free and Vegan

Serves 2

• 1 head organic cauliflower, cut into florets
• 1 cup vidalia onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 cup cilantro, finely chopped
• 2 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 cup Shiloh Farms cashews
• 1/4 tsp. sea salt
• 1/6 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

Directions

1. In a medium pot, steam cauliflower florets with 1 cup of water for 5 minutes or until soft.
2. Combine all ingredients in a food processor; pulse until mixture forms a creamy consistency.  Transfer to a serving bowl. Serve warm with crudites, gluten-free crackers and toast.
3. Enjoy.