Avocado Surprise

When I came across this article on MindBodyGreen.com, I was shocked to read the headline and actually had to read it a few times! It was an avocado surprise to me! I had never, ever, considered the fact that you can eat the avocado pit or seed! Yes, I said the seed!! The following is a direct excerpt from the article on MindBodyGreen.com, and I will be trying the avocado pit smoothie for sure! The curiosity is killing me! Mind blown.

 

It comes as no surprise that avocados are incredibly healthy, but did you know that the pit houses most of its antioxidants? That’s right — the part that you have been throwing away! By consuming it, you will reap the following benefits:

 

• It acts as a digestive aid. Because the pit is high in soluble fiber, your GI tract will love it.

• The fiber will alsokeep you feeling full, thereby diminishing cravings.

• Considering the pit is full of antioxidants, it willkeep your skin glowing. In fact, it can even repair cell damage caused by free radicals and rebuild collagen.

• A phytochemical known as flavonol is found in the seed, which mayreduce tumor growth.

• A study conducted by Pennsylvania State University found that the avocado seeds may improve high cholesterol and even help in the treatment of hypertension and diabetes.

• It contains several nutrients, including calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

 

In order to utilize these nutritious powerhouses, you can either blend them up in your smoothies or grate them and then sprinkle them on top of your salads or other food. If you do not have a high-powered blender, you can grind the pit into a fine powder using a food processor. Because the seed tastes bitter, it is best to pair it with strong flavors. You may want to just utilize half of the pit at a time for a single-serve smoothie.

 

Delicious Avocado Pit Smoothie

Serves 2

Ingredients

• 2 cups almond milk
• 1 cup frozen blueberries
• 1½ medium banana
• 1 avocado pit or avocado pit powder
• 1 scoop vanilla or chocolate protein powder of choice
• 5 drops essential orange oil (optional)

 

Preparation

In a blender, combine all the ingredients and blend on a medium-high setting for a minute. Enjoy!

 

High Protein Lentil Salad

I grabbed a bag of lentils at Costco a while back and I was running out of ways to put them to use, that wasn’t so repetitive. So I played around with a favorite salad of mine, and replaced the black eyed peas with the lentils. Try it out and see if you love it as much as I do! I love Mexican food, and my Granny taught me a few southern tricks of the trade, and thats where my usual black eyed peas came into play. Now I am proud to say that I have options!

 

High Protein Lentil Salad 

 

1 cup dry lentils (green or brown)
15 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained (could use black eyed peas here too)
1 red bell pepper
1 C thawed sweet corn kernels
1/2 small red onion (or sweet onion)
1-2 Roma tomatoes
Large bunch cilantro, stems removed
1 medium avocado, chopped
Optional: green onion (I love onions, so I use them!)

 

Dressing:

Juice of 1 lime
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. cumin
1/8-1/4 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/8 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. black pepper
Tapatio hot sauce, to your personal taste

 

Directions:

Cook lentils according to package directions, leaving them firm and not mushy.
Drain them.

While lentils are cooking, you can make the dressing: place all ingredients in a small bowl and whisk to combine. Set aside.

Finely dice the bell pepper, onion, avocados and tomatoes. Roughly chop the cilantro.

In a large bowl, place the black beans, bell pepper, onion, tomatoes, and lentils.

Add the dressing and toss to combine. Add avocado and cilantro, and lightly toss.

Serve immediately or chill covered in the fridge for at least an hour to let the flavors combine.

 

I LOVE to eat this with tortilla chips, but it is amazing just as it is, a stand-alone salad packed with protein! Enjoy!

 

 

Creamy Raw Chocolate Pie

Creamy raw chocolate pie. When you hear that does it make you wonder how good could that be? Well let me assure you this is an amazingly delicious dessert that you will crave! A friend shared this dessert over the Christmas break, and I have been craving it ever since. There are so many wonderful characteristics of this pie! Besides the delicious taste, the creamy chocolate mousse, it’s healthy, gluten free, raw, vegan, just simple chocolate deliciousness! I would never have thought that an avocado, yes an avocado, could be turned into this heavenly treat!

 

Creamy Raw Chocolate Pie

 

Coconut Crust:

2 C shredded unsweetened coconut

1/4 C honey

1 T coconut oil

pinch of sea salt

 

Chocolate Mousse:

2 avocados, peeled and seed removed

1/2 C honey

1/2 C cocoa powder

1 T vanilla

2 T coconut oil

1 can coconut milk, chilled in the fridge

 

Fudge Sauce:

1/4 C Grade A maple syrup

2 T cocoa powder

 

In a food processor, combine crust ingredients and pulse until a dough begins to form. Press the crust in to a parchment lined springform pan.

 

Clean the food processor bowl and place back on the base. Now place all the ingredients for the mousse into the food processor and process until smooth. Set aside.

 

Scoop the solid coconut cream off the top of the can, leaving the watery liquid in the can, it is not needed. Whip the solid cream on high until light and fluffy, about 10 minutes.

 

Carefully fold the chocolate mousse and coconut whipped cream together, leaving the mixture swirled. Scrape the filling onto the crust.

 

For the fudge sauce, mix together the maple syrup and cocoa powder until smooth. You can place the mixture into a squeeze bottle for easy drizzling.  Once drizzled on the pie, you can lightly drag a knife across to make swirls.

 

Cover and refrigerate for at least 3-4 hours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foods That Cleanse The Body: Avocado

Foods That Cleanse The Body: Avocado

 

When you hear the word avocado, you may start day dreaming about smooth, silky, delicious guacamole. I know I sure do! But did you know that the avocado is a little nutritional hulk? Yes, the avocado might have a high fat content, but it contains powerful antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that the body reaps great benefits from.

 

The fat content of this little fruit is made up primarily of phytosterols, which are key in the body’s anti-inflammatory reaction. Another key portion of avocado fat composition is known as oleic acid. Oleic acid is thought to help the body absorb nutrients better in the digestive tract. Avocado fat is monounsaturated, reduces cholesterol, and reduces the risk of stroke and heart disease. So don’t let the high fat content scare you, its good for you!

 

Pair the unique fat composition of avocados, with their vitamin, mineral and antioxidant content and you will agree that this little fruit is a nutritional giant. Avocados are low in sugar, contain 4 grams of protein per serving and are rich in phytochemicals, that prevent various cancers. This delicious green nutrition giant is filled with vitamin C, B9, B6, B5, E, K, folate, and has more potassium than a banana.

 

The newest information that I am excited to learn about the avocado is that it naturally contains glutathione. Glutathione is to me, the antioxidant powerhouse! Adding glutathione to your daily diet eliminates toxins in the body, is anti-aging, and gives your body an immune-boost, and protects you against certain cancers! So eat fresh, unprocessed avocados with a source of vitamin C, like tomatoes, and you will increase your body’s absorption of glutathione. Sounds delicious to me!