Simple dishes take the conversation to a broader discussion about Palestine

Jerusalem24 -Diala Shaheen, sport nutritionist and nutrition and health blogger, runs a nutrition and health blog ‘The Hummus Theory’, in which she presents nutrition advice through Palestinian and Mediterranean dishes and ingredients. She highlights their nutritional value, easy recipes, and uses the well-known Hebron ceramics plates to add a touch of art.

The Hummus Theory started in 2017 when Diala was doing her undergraduate degree in Vancouver Canada, in the University of British Columbia. The reasons she started the blog were tow gabs, she says, the first was that people didn’t know much about Palestine and the Palestinian culture, people and cuisine. And the second was that people her age didn’t have the nutritional information to sustain their own nutrition.

The choice of the name came to be because she wanted to have a Palestinian element, Hummus, which is a well know dish worldwide, and the hummus theory was a very catchy name, she adds.

“I try to place Palestine’s name on the map in a different way, a way I think I can do, I can contribute to my case, presenting Palestine and my people through a common language, the language of food and art. Other than the usual way to talk about Palestine, a way other people from different cultures can relate to. People will know more a Palestine through this creative way”, Diala adds.

In her blog, you can’t help but admire the colorful dishes and beautiful presentation, Diala chose the dishes the are most endangered to be taken and assumed not Palestinian, like hummus which is known worldwide, specially in the vegetarian and vegan world. Sadly, she says, a lot assume it to different countries and cultures. “I’m using these simple dishes not a lot of people talk about, these are the important elements of our culture and cuisine, they show that our food is healthy and balanced. What’s trendy now is being vegan and vegetarian, and the Palestinian cuisine is one of the oldest which is also based on simple ingredients”, which helps it be considered to many.

Diala believes despite the number of food bloggers, and Palestinian food bloggers, that what makes her blog “The Hummus Theory” special, are the simple dishes, easy recipes, nutrition element, the colors, and the ceramic plates which a lot of followers from different parts of the world frequently ask about – which starts another conversation about Palestine.

She believes that each person has his own way to contribute to the Palestinian cause, her way, through the hummus theory, presents a political cause through food which takes the conversation to a broader discussion about Palestine as a whole.

For more details follow the link to the full interview!

https://soundcloud.com/24fmpalestine/vibes-16-2