"The First Escape" by G.P. Taylor ~ Tyndale House Book Review

#1: The First Escape, The Dopple Ganger Chronicles By G.P. Taylor / Tyndale House Mischievous identical twins Sadie and Saskia Dopple live in the same orphanage as their only friend, Erik Ganger. When wealthy Muzz Elliott adopts Saskia, Muzz's own twin plots against her. Saskia tries to foil the crime as Sadie and Erik search for Saskia. Taylor's exciting "illustra-novel" combines graphic format with traditional text. Ages 8 to 12. 288 pages, hardcover from Tyndale.

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As a book reviewer for Tyndale House, I saw this book up for review and thought I'd give it a try. As a mom of three, I'm always on the look-out for a quality read for my children and thought I'd choose a book that they might possibly enjoy as well. The book is marketed to the Christian genre, yet the style is compared to that of the Potter books and is also compared to C.S. Lewis.

Unfortunatley, I have to disagree. Not a fan of the occult theme of the Potter books, when I saw the comparison to C.S. Lewis and the fact that it was being pushed in the Christian market, I thought it would be free from the occult influences. The book is quite dark and the inclusion of a seance was quite disappointing to me. I have yet to find anything decidedly Christian about it, and think that the comparison to C.S. Lewis is a bit over the top.

The "mischievious" twins are rude, mean, disrespecful, dishonest and downright bratty. All of these are qualities we can all possess in our sinful nature, but none of which are qualities that I feel need to be encouraged in my children. The storyline is dark, involves murder, people willing and ready to hurt children, guns carried by evil people more than ready to use them, and references to the occult. It is marketed to children ages 8-12 and I feel that none of these subject matters are appropriate for those age levels.

With my children being avid readers and the wealth of worthwhile books available to them, I feel no need to add this one to their reading lists.

This book was provided by Tyndale House in exhange for my honest review.

"Promises to Keep" by Ann Tatlock - Bethany House Book Review

Promises to Keep By Ann Tatlock / Bethany House Eleven-year-old Roz (Rosalind) Anthony and her family have just moved to Mills River, Illinois, to escape an abusive situation. Only days after settling into their new home, they are surprised to find the previous owner, Tillie Monroe, on their front porch reading the newspaper. Though her sons have sold the house and sent her to a facility for the aged, she is determined to die in the place she lived her life and somehow manages to find her way "home" day after day. Feeling sympathy for the elderly woman, Roz's mother allows Tillie to move back in. Mara Nightingale becomes Roz's first friend in Mills River. In spite of their many differences, the girls discover they have something in common that binds them together-both are hiding secrets. So they make a promise -"cross my heart and hope to die"-never to tell anyone else.

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Set in the late 1960's, this is the story of a mother and her three children who flee Minnesota and an alcholic, abusive husband in the hopes of a better life ~ or just a safe one ~ in her hometown of Mills River, Illinois. Told from the perspective of the 11-year-old daughter, this story is one that had me smiling, laughing, and almost crying at times.

Roz's childhood innocence and perspective are wonderfully displayed and had me hurting for her at times and wanting to reach out and help her make sense of her world when those around her are unable to do so. I could empathize with her older brother, Wally, and the anger and frustration he was dealing with from enduring years of watching helplessly as his mother was abused, and then, he as well in later years. As a mother, I found myself feeling for Janis, doing her best to provide for her family and make a new life.....while trying to heal and move on from her abusive past.

And then, there's Tillie. The family's unexpected "houseguest", at first considered a nuisance.....and then proven to be the family's rock. Tillie gives Roz and her little sister Valerie, the security they need, the solid figure on which to lean when everything seems unstable. As Roz especially journeys through a time of confusion and upheaval, Tillie is there. She subtly points Roz and her family to faith in God during a time where they are all learning how to cope with the loss of innocence, love and trust ~ and how to learn to love and trust again. The unexpected intrusion of Tillie into their lives is just what they needed and with her age-earned wisdom, eccentricities, gentle kindness and iron will, they learn how to find their Father....and learn what a true family is.

This is the first book I have read by Ann Tatlock and I found it to be very well crafted. The characters were well developed and ones that I could easily identify with. I love her use of words and phrases....tugging at your heartstrings, bringing a smile to your face, sometimes a giggle from within, and often a moment of reflection at the power of the written word. Although it is the first I've read, it will not be the last.

Many thanks to Bethany House, who provided this book in exchange for my honest review.

"If God, Why Evil?" by Norman L. Geisler ~ Bethany House Book Review

If God, Why Evil?: A New Way to Think about the Question By Norman L. Geisler / Bethany House Why does God allow evil to exist? Good question, says Geisler. Addressing metaphysical, moral, and physical complexities, he surveys evil's nature, origin, persistence, and purpose; offers a biblical discussion of why a loving God allows some people to experience hell; and shares personal stories of believers who found real-life solutions to the conundrum of pain and suffering. 176 pages, softcover from Bethany.

"Where does Evil come from? And Why Doesn't God Do Something About It? The problem of evil is probably the most difficult question the Christian must face. If God is all-good and all-powerful, why is there suffering in the world? Can't God put an end to murder, rape, and starvation? What about earthquakes, hurricanes, and tsunamis? Why couldn't a perfect God have made a perfect world?

In this concise but thorough book, Dr. Norman Geisler carefully answers these tough questiopns, using step-by-step explanations and compelling examples. He walks the reader through time-tested answers, but also provides a new approach revolving around whether or not this world is the 'best of all possible worlds.' All this adds up to comforting news for believers: We can rest assured that God is both all-loving and all-powerful."

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How many times have those of us in the Christian faith been confronted with these types of questions? My typical answer is that while we may not understand now, we will see it all clearly when we reach Eternity. God's ways are not our ways, and our human intellect can not always see the reasons why ~ that's when our faith is tested and when we put what we say we believe into practice. There is always a bigger picture and our faith is what gets us through, trusting that He indeed works all things for good.

I do, however, understand that while faith comes so easily for me, for many others it does not. As a Bethany House book reviewer, I jumped at the chance to receive this book. I was hoping for new insights, hoping to be armed with helpful, Biblical responses to those struggling with belief in God as well as those faltering in their faith during tragic times.

This book is described as being written with the layman in mind, but I have to disagree with that description. While the book is very thorough and scripturally sound, and I like to think I'm a fairly intelligent person, I found it difficult to follow and would often have to read each point several times to try to wrap my brain around what the author was saying. It often made me think of what it was like sitting in a difficult professor's college class. =)

There were several times that I set the book aside, thinking I had read all that I could handle. I persevered, however, and managed to get through....in part due to determination, and in part due to pride! I like to think that I'm a pretty smart cookie and refused to let this book get the best of me! It is theologically and scripturally on point, but I also think it's a book that someone like myself would have to read again and again to ever get all of the concepts presented.

As a homeschooling mom, I've learned all about personality types and learning styles, and this book was definitely not written for mine.....or, I think, the "layman", as suggested. This book is extremely intellictually and theologically deep ~ very deep. It would most definitely be a worthwhile read for one to whom this type of writing appeals to. I kept thinking as I was reading, "I bet my husband would like this book".

Maybe he can read it and explain it to me. ;)

This book was provided by Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

Suwanee Soap - Review

Several weeks ago, one of my favorite fellow bloggers ~ Rebecca of Mom's Mustard Seeds ~ announced the launch of her new home-based business, Suwanee Soap.  As soon as I read about it, I couldn't wait to try it out!  She kindly sent me a complimentary bar and my intention was to write a review as soon as I received it and tried it out.

My life has a way of getting in the way of my intentions lately, and that review that I intended to do right away kept getting put off as time for blogging is sometimes hard to come by.  At first I felt very guilty, but now......I'm actually glad I waited.  I'm hanging on to the last sliver of her soap that I have left and sad to see it go!  I can honestly say that I like it more now that I've used almost all of it than I did the first day!

Originally I was interested because it was an all-natural product, and even more so because it was a fellow homeschool mom's business.  I'm all for supporting small businesses and especially one that will help keep a Mom  home where she wants to be.  However, as the weeks have gone by and I have used her product daily....the quality has me sold. =)

I am not usually a bar soap person and prefer body wash most of the time.  Day after day, however, I've found myself reaching for Rebecca's soap instead.  I have purchased all-natural, chemical-free household cleaning and personal care products for years from a wonderful company and have always been happy with what I get from them.  I have to say, though, that their bar soap doesn't impress me as much as Suwanee's.

Suwanee Soap currently offers their safe and pure soap in Patchouli Essential Oil, Lemon Essential Oil, Tea Tree Essential Oil, Lavendar Essential Oil w/ Lavendar Petals, and Lavendar Essential Oil.  I received the Lemon Essential Oil soap after mentioning that I love the scent of citrus. =)  The soap comes in what I think is very quaint and charming packaging perfect for the product that lies within.  Simple and pure.  It reminds me of something you'd find in a country store off the beaten path, which is where some of the best natural products can be found.  Lately, in our busy,never-stop, ever-increasingly complicated world, I find myself drawn to and longing for sweet simplicity and how refreshing it is when I find it {not to mention the refreshment I get from that squeaky-clean sensation that comes with using the soap - haha ; ) }!

The bars are wrapped in muslin and tied with a brown string.  Simple, yet appealing.

Inside you find the pure goodness, not perfectly stamped out bars of manufactured goods, but that of a product that is handmade, and made with care. =)



The above is a photo of the Lemon Essential Oil.  I borrowed the pics from Suwanee Soap's site and Facebook page because I forgot to take pics of my own.  I didn't think Rebecca would mind ~ I think she'll just be happy to see the review finally be posted.  ; )

The scent makes it's presence known while being soft and not over-powering, which as someone who is highly sensitive to many scents, is something I can really appreciate.  It lathers extremely well, another feature I love.  The soap from the other company I order from doesn't lather as well which is why I usually prefer body wash.  I like bubbles. =)  It also rinses cleanly away, leaving no hint of residue and the scent doesn't linger heavily on your skin so as not to conflict with any other scent you may wish to wear.

I wanted to try this soap for the simple reason of helping another homeschooling mom start her business, because she is a mom I relate to so well.  Now, after using the whole bar, I can honestly say that I really do LOVE it and will be using more of it!  I'm thinking it would make a really nice gift and think it would look too cute partnered with embellished hand towels, dish towels, kitchen towels, etc.  If you are a person who might receive a gift from me for any reason, don't be surprised it you find a ♥super sweet♥ set such as this in a gift bag with your name on it. = )

You can find Rebecca and her handmade soap at her websites:

Mom's Mustard Seeds

Suwanee Soap

or on Facebook:

Mom's Mustard Seeds

Suwanee Soap

A Very GOOD FRIDAY Indeed

Easter has been my favorite holiday for as long as I can remember.  When I was little, it was more about the fact that I loved Spring more than anytime of year, I loved all the blooming and new life in the air (although, the pollen ~ not so much), I loved going Easter dress shopping, getting my Easter basket full of goodies, the colorful, bright and cheerful decorations, going to my Granny's house for a big feast followed by an egg hunt {which would often be done more than once because we would beg for the eggs to be hidden one more time ;) }....and all of the things most kids love about Easter in our American culture.

When I became a Christian, the meaning of Easter made it even more special to me and my reasons for it continuing to be my favorite holiday shifted a bit.  I still go Easter shopping, still love the colorful, bright and cheerful decorations, I  now enjoy making Easter baskets for my children, I love our Easter picnic.....I still love it all.  But the significance of Holy Week, the sacrifice on Good Friday, and the hope, joy and victory of Resurrection Sunday causes everything else to take a back seat and pale in comparison.  I now look at the beauty of the flowers blooming and the new life springing up all around as a ♥sweet, sweet♥ reminder from my precious Savior of the Eternal life that is waiting for me, as a fragment of the beauty that I will so undeservedly behold when my journey through this temporary world is over and I reach my true Home.

Each year, I try my best to point out these things to my children, to show them how to see God's gifts all around us, and to impress upon them the meaning of Good Friday and the Victory on the Cross in a way that it will be forever implanted in their hearts.  Each year, without fail, they will ask (although by now they know the answer) WHY Easter is my favorite holiday ~ when many, including them, would choose Christmas.  They ask because they love to hear me tell the Story.  They, too, love to hear of the One who loves them more than any other.....and that He sacrificed everything for THEM.

This year the focus has been a little more difficult because my birthday falls on this most significant of days.  I've had mixed feelings about it all week, wanting the focus of today to be on Him and not me.  This is almost impossible with my three biggest fans, and my heart overflows with gratitude for the gift that they are to me, and for their excitement and determination to make "my" day special.....to make me feel special.

Each morning when I am trying to wake up {not a morning person ;) }, I grab my most bless-ed cup of coffee, check my email and read an online devotion or two while I wait for my brain to become functional.  This morning, several Good Friday devotions and videos waited for me in my Inbox and as I read and viewed them on the day that those who care about me celebrate my birth, I was overcome with gratefulness.  On this day, supposedly "my" day, it strikes me even harder that His sacrifice was indeed made for ME.  He gave His life for ME......everything was for ME.  And I am so undeserving.  So overwhelmed.  So..........blessed.

I recently pulled my old Bible from High School off the shelf, as I came across it looking for something else.  Oh, the memories that came flooding into my mind as I flipped through it, reading notes and looking at verses that I had underlined long ago.  I remember one of the things to do in our youth group was to choose a "life verse".  Some chose verses that told of Salvation.  Others chose verses of encouragement.  I chose a verse (actually two) that I wanted to signify my life in Christ, my hope for my walk with Him.

"....according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.  For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

Philippians 1:20-21

Looking back on the years I've lived and choices I've made, there are some things I might change if I could.  My "life verse" will stay the same, however.  It is still what I hope my life will say in the end. I'm not sure if it will; I suppose I could ask those around me and they could tell me best.....but I don't think I will.  Their answers might depress me. ; )

 I participated in our church's Passion Play last week, and in our "Finale", the participants changed costumes and re-entered the sanctuary dressed as Saints, clothed in garments of white, bringing forth our crowns to offer to our King. On this Good Friday, I am struck by the fact that I don't deserve that robe of white.....and I wonder what kind of crown I will be able to lay at the feet of the One who gave His all for ME. 

And for YOU.  If YOU had been the only one in existence....He still would have done it. The scars He bore, He bore for YOU.  The death He died, He died for YOU.  The Enemy He defeated, He defeated for YOU.  His Victory can be yours, as it is mine.

My children have asked more than once, "Why is it called Good Friday?  It's the day that they killed Jesus.  That's not good at all."  For me, it is Good Friday because we have a Savior who was willing to take on our sins as His own, to pay the price that we couldn't pay.  It is Good Friday because He loved us so much and loves us still.  It is Good Friday because, as Christians, we know the story doesn't end on Friday.....we have the hope and victory of Sunday. 

It is GOOD, and it is True.  And because of this, there is coming a day when I will rise..........and until then I can have a song in my heart, a hope for things to come, and an appreciation and gratitude that comes from being able to see the bigger picture in all things.  This life is not the end.  It is just a path of stepping stones to my Life Eternal.  I will rise.  Because He did.  I hope and pray that you will, too.

Blessings in Disguise....

I've been posting on Lies Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free by Nancy Leigh Demoss on Wednesdays for a while now, but I have to admit......I finished the book a long time ago. =)  Posting once (sometimes twice) a week on it is making it go on forever!  I'm finding myself wondering, "Is anyone still interested?" and "Should I continue?".

Also, to be perfectly honest, I've hit a section in the book that is a difficult area for me, and I'm finding it quite difficult to write about something that hits so close to my current hurts and struggles.  I don't know if I should continue to post without revealing too much of myself, or just let it go.........feel free to give  your opinion. ; )

In the meantime, I still want to link up with Rebecca at Mom's Mustard Seeds.

I posted last week that I was undergoing an attitude adjustment.....and part of me still is. =)  I had to write a devotion for a group that I'm in and almost bowed out ~ but due tothe fact that I feel guilty if I don't follow through with my obligations, I did it anyway.  This is a slightly altered and less personal version of what I shared with them ~ and I'm sharing it with you, too.  Because......well, I'm still kind of there ~ and I think that a lot of people are right now.  It seems like everyone I know is struggling with something and maybe I'm not supposed to act like everything is perfect in my world ~ maybe being real is what I'm supposed to be.

My personality is an encourager and I feel anything but encouraging. I am the quiet, shy one ~ and when I'm going through difficult times, my natural inclination is to become even quieter and fade into the background until I get a better grip on things. =) I am also generally happy and cheerful, and it is rare that my faith and trust in the Lord wavers, and when I get really discouraged it usually only lasts for a moment or two and I am right back to normal {or my version of it, anyway ;)}.

The past few weeks....or months, I've been drowning in drama ~ and I don't do well with drama.  If you know me and want to get rid of me, just go "Drama Queen" (or King) on me and that'll do it! ; )  It seems like the relationships that God gives us that are supposed to be our sources of support are the ones that Satan is using to discourage me the most. Add to that the fact that I haven't had a full good nights sleep in probably 2 months and have had almost contant pain from headaches, and my propensity to have a positive outlook has dwindled.

The other day, I lay in bed waiting for Excedrin Migraine to work, looking up at the skylights......and thought, "Lord, the sun is shining so brightly today.....why can't I feel your warmth?" I eventually got up and reached into my tote for something, pulled out my music folder, and a piece that my ensemble has been working on, "Healing is in Your Hands",  fell out. (I actually posted the video a couple of weeks ago for "Then Sings My Soul Saturday"). I looked at the words and then pulled it up on YouTube. As tears filled my eyes, I was reminded that His warmth never left me....it was me in my hurt that backed away so that I couldn't feel it.

I also decided to check my email before I logged off, and a friend had sent me this song......having no idea of where I was emotionally.  But Someone else did and His timing is always perfect.

(mute the auto music player below to hear the video)


How thankful I am that He hears my every prayer, sees my every tear.........and that His mercies are always there, even if we have to lift the veil of our own lack of faith to find them. How thankful I am for ♥music♥, that He uses to reach my heart and wrap His warmth around me when I am unable to feel it, and to give me hope to get me back to "normal"........until the day that I am Home.

My Mustard Seed Planting verse for the week is simple and well-known to those of us in the Faith.  But simple Truths and His promises of what's to come is sometimes just what we need.

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."

 Rev. 21:4



It's a Giveaway for Crafty Tuesday!!

Zumba with Pam is hosting a Facebook giveaway with lots of goodies.....including one of Sweet Diva's Embroidered Wristlets:

To enter her giveaway, be ♥sweet♥, visit her page and show her some ♥love♥, as well as the pages of ♥Sweet Diva♥ and all of the other sponsors:

Angel Soy Candles

Lucretia's Body Oils & Sprays

Clare Fallon Soaps

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And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. ~ Colossians 3:17

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Linking up with:

To Be Continued....

I'm currently undergoing an attitude adjustment.......I'll be back next week! ; )

Lies Women Believe.....About Marraige

from Chapter 6 of Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets Them Free by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

And the lies continue......and are Satan's greatest tool in achieving his destructive purposes in our lives ~ and in our marriages.  What was meant to be a joyful, fruitful, and intimate relationship between a man, a woman, and God has often become a battleground.

If he can get use to believe and act upon his lies, he will succeed in putting us into bondage, stealing our joy, and wreaking havoc in our relationships.

Lie 21 : "I Have to Have a Husband To Be Happy"

Satan has distorted the truth about marriage and has us believing that its purpose is personal happiness and fulfillment......and that we cannot be truly happy without a husband to meet our needs.  Or, that our husbands are supposed to make us happy.

The Truth is that marriage is good, it is right, and it can be a source of great happiness and blessings in our lives.  The Truth is that the ultimate purpose of marriage is to glorify God ~ not to make us happy.

Those of us who look to our marriages and husbands to make us happy and fulfill our deepest needs are setting ourselves up for disappointment.  We live in a world that searches only for personal happiness and fulfillment, a world of romantic ideals, Hollywood fantasies and unrealistic expectations.  A world where everyone has a soul mate, and once you find your soul mate.....you live happily ever after.  The problem is that the romantic ideal is very rare, if it exists at all. 

When I was younger, I believed ~ as many others do ~ in the whole soul mate scenario.  As I've gotten older,  lived through my own marriage relationship difficulties, and observed others, and observed divorce rates, etc., my mind has changed.  I believe that there are a number of people in the world that you could end up with and have a happy life together.  I believe you choose your soul mate.  You choose the person (hopefully with the Lord's guidance) and make a choice, every day, to love them.  Because in my world, reality is often not my romantic ideal and looks nothing like the Hollywood fantasies or Disney movies I loved as a little girl.  Real life is difficult, it is sometimes messy......and my husband (bless his heart) doesn't always make the choices, or say the right thing, notice what I'd like him to notice, respond the way I'd like......or do many of the things that would make me gloriously happy every day.  (And the same goes for me making him happy).

The problem with our current view of "soul mates" is that when things are hard, when they are ugly....when they don't turn out the way we imagined that they would and we don't feel happy, we assume that we made a mistake.  That our "soul mate" is out there, somewhere.....waiting for us to find them.  And people spend their lives in and out of relationships and marriages, looking for that elusive, fulfilling happiness.....leaving damaged people and broken hearts along the way.

"The Truth is that happiness is not found in (or out of) marriage; it is not found in any human relationship.  True joy can only be found through Christ.  The Truth is that God has promised to give us everything we need.........The Truth is that contentment is not found in having everything we think we want but in choosing to be satisfied with what God has already provided." ~Nancy Leigh deMoss

When we stop expecting our husband to make us happy and fulfill our every need, and look to God instead ~ it is then that we find true joy and contentment.  The type of joy that Satan can't steal and the peaceful contentment that gives us grace in times of difficulty and the ability to love our "soul mates" when they're not so lovable.  It is then that our marriages can begin to be what they were intended to be ~ a glorification of God, of His Love, His Joy, His Contentment, His Grace and His Mercy.

The Truth is ~~ It's really not all about us after all.  The strange things about the Truths of God :  the less we make things about us and the more we make things about Him, the closer we are to getting what we were after in the first place.

My Mustard Seed Planting verse of the week:

"My soul, wait silently for God alone,

For my expectation is from Him.

He only is my rock and my salvation;

He is my defense; I shall not be moved. 

In God is my salvation and my glory;

The rock of my strength,

And my refuge, is in God."

Psalm 62:5-7



One of the Sweetest Voices In My World....

....and the fact that I'm the mother of the soloist does not influence my opinion AT ALL! ; )

This week, my youngest ♥sweet♥ boy sang his first solo at church.  I was just a little bit proud.  He has asked that if I post this, I inform the world that his mom filmed the soundcheck, and that the "real thing" was much better.  I personally think he did a wonderful job in both!!

Wednesday night dinner in the dining room before church.....isn't he adorable....frozen-looking "Mom wants to take my picture" smile and all?!

3rd Grade Choir.....

May he always desire to use his talents for the Glory of God, may his heart always long to sing to the One who "gave up His life so that he could live"......and may he "never forget what Jesus did"!

(mute the auto music player at the bottom of the page to hear this very ♥sweet♥ song!)

Zoned Hummus

From Zone Perfect Meals in Seconds. This is my favorite hummus recipe - the ingredient list may look a little strange, but it has delicious flavor and a great balance of protein/carbs/fat. My family is a big fan of hummus, and say they prefer my hummus over any other. We're serious about enjoying our food, so I'm pretty sure it's not just flattery! ; )  I often serve it alongside quinoa tabouleh as an appetizer with pita bread/pretzels/crackers/celery for dipping or as a spread in wraps, etc.  Grill some mushrooms & chicken (for the carnivores) and wrap it, along with the tabouleh, all up in a whole grain wrap or pita. YUM.

Zoned Hummus

{Sorry, no pic today.  It looks like.....hummus! ; ) }

Ingredients:

2 cups chickpeas, drained, canned, cooked ( save juice)

14 ounces tuna in water, drained, canned, no-salt

2 hard-boiled eggs

1/2 cup tahini, raw or 1/2 cup sesame tahini, raw, toasted, unsalted

1/3 cup lemon juice, fresh ( 1 lemon)

1/4 cup fresh parsley, minced

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 cup filtered water or 1 cup chickpea liquid

1/2 teaspoon sea salt (optional)

ground paprika ( to garnish)

Directions:

Combine the chickpeas, tuna, eggs, tahini, lemon juice, parsley,garlic, cumin, pepper, and chickpea juices or water in the work bowl of a food processor.

Add sea salt if desired.

Cover and process until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides with a spatula.

Add additional water as needed to blend. Taste and adjust the seasonings.

Cover and refrigerate.