Avocados Really Good For You!

Avocados Really Are Good For You

In the US alone, there are over 400 different types of avocados with Hass being the most popular. Technically a fruit, the naturally buttery and rich flavor comes from their good fat content. High in fiber and containing more potassium than banana’s, avocados have more protein than any other fruit. California accounts for 90% of the avocados that are grown in America.

Beyond Guacamole and BLTA’s

Avocados are delicious and good for you, but they are not just for BLTA’s and guacamole. Use them on sandwiches as a replacement for mayonnaise, or spread on crackers.

Try Chilled Avocado Soup with Yogurt and Melon for a delicious alternative. This easy to prepare recipe is the perfect cool down for hot summer days.

Avocado and Red Onion Salad is another simple recipe that you can whip up in minutes. Just slice your onions and avocado’s, add some olive oil, red wine vinegar and a dash of salt and pepper.

Roasted Beet and Avocado Salad is another unique way to prepare this delicious and healthy fruit. Once beets are roasted, they take on an earthy almost sweet flavor that pairs wonderfully with avocados.

 

Most folks pair fresh avocados with lime and cilantro, but when blended with honeydew and lime zest, they take on an entirely different flavor. Prepare an avocado and honey dew salsa with olive oil and red wine vinegar, and pour over lightly grilled scallops.

Medicinal

Of course, there are hundreds of ways to prepare avocados, but they are also good for what ails you.

If you eat avocados, you could prevent oral cancer cells from growing. Research shows that there are compounds in the avocados that could seek out and destroy cancer cells without harming the healthy cells.

Avocados are high in oleic acid, and like olive oil have been proven as a defense against breast cancer.

Because avocados contain high levels of beta- sitosterol, they can help lower cholesterol. In fact, in a recent study, volunteers lowered their cholesterol by up to 17% after one week of eating avocados.

The amount of folate in avocados can help prevent against stroke and heart disease. Avocados also contain high levels of glutathione, monounsaturated fats, and vitamin E, which is good for a healthy heart.

Beauty

Eating avocados is great for your body, but this wonderful fruit also makes an amazing skin mask. Just mash an avocado, add some honey, yogurt, and cucumber slices to place over your eyes, leave on until dry, rinse, and your skin will have a youthful glow.

If your tresses are dry and brittle, try preparing an avocado hair mask. All you need is honey, olive oil, and of course avocado. Leave on your hair for 20 minutes and shampoo as usual.

Fresh Corn

 There is nothing better than biting into a fresh ear of corn. One of the most popular vegetables in the world, corn can be prepared in a multitude of different ways.

Organic VS Genetically Modified

Fresh corn has been in the news quite a bit lately, with people outraged about farmers using

genetically modified techniques to grow corn. Those against genetically modified corn say that there is no proof GMO’s are safe because of the amount of chemicals needed to grow GMO’s. In fact, most countries have banned their use.

Organic corn is grown without chemicals in and is full of vitamins, minerals, and vital nutrients. Organic corn is usually more expensive than corn that has been grown with GMO’s.

Where is it Grown?

The US is the world’s largest producer growing over 35% of the planets corn. The Corn Belt consists of Minnesota, Michigan, South Dakota, Ohio, Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. China is the second largest producer of corn. Other countries that grow the crops include Africa, Mexico, France, Brazil, Argentina, and Romania.

Selecting Corn

Sweet ripe corn has moist husks that are bright green. When choosing corn, look for dark, stiff, and moist silk. When you press gently on the husk, you should feel the kernels.

After you buy your corn, keep it cool and moist. When you get home from the market, refrigerate it immediately. Corn loses about 25% of its sugar after it has been picked. Cook your fresh corn as soon as possible in order to retain its natural sugars.

Cooking Time

If you are boiling your corn, use a pot that is large enough to hold the corn. Fill with water, cover, and bring to a boil. Add your corn and continue to boil for three or four minutes, covered or not covered.  You can also boil your corn with the husk on. Once your water starts to boil, turn the heat off and put your corn in the water, cover and leave until ready to serve.

Grilling corn is prepared by pulling the husk back and leaving it attached at the cobs base. Before you do this, soak the ears for 15 minutes. Discard the silk. Add butter by patting the corn dry, rubbing with softened butter, and pulling the husks back up. Grill for 15 minutes.

Microwaving your corn is best for one or two ears of corn. After you husk and discard the silk, rinse and loosely wrap with paper towels. Microwave on high for one or two minutes.

If you want to bake your corn, preheat at 375°. Prepare as you would for grilling, but place ears in a single layer directly on the oven rack or in a baking pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. 

What's your favorite method for preparing fresh corn?

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May Is Mediterranean Diet Month

The fourth annual Mediterranean Diet kicks off in May and is a great way to get started on a healthy eating plan. The month long celebration started four years ago by the Oldways Preservation Trust. This non-profit organization helped create the popular Mediterranean Diet

Pyramid in the early 1990’s.

History
The Mediterranean diet has been around for hundreds of years and was originally enjoyed by people from the South Mediterranean region, particularly Crete and Southern Italy. More of an eating style than a diet, it become popular in the early 1990’s. The Mediterranean diet is based on whole foods, which include vegetables, fruit, fish, whole grains, olive oil, and red wine. 

During the early 1960’s, researchers began to notice that those who lived in the region has lower incidences of heart disease, diabetes and cancer. During that time, people who lived in the Mediterranean region had the longest life expectancy on the globe. 

Most of the food from the region comes for the ocean with the majority of fats coming from the abundant olives that are grown during the mild winters and hot summers. Because most people worked the fields, there was a lower rate of obesity. Those who lived in the region ate a diet that was rich in vegetables like eggplants and potatoes. Another important part of the diet was, and still is, red wine.

What Foods to Include

                                   

The Mediterranean diet recommends that you eat seven to ten servings of vegetables and fruit every day. You should also include nuts, whole grains, and legumes in your food intake. 60% of the calories that are consumed on a daily basis with the Mediterranean diet come from foods that are plant based. Fish and poultry should be eaten once a week, while other meats should only be enjoyed twice a month.


According to the Mediterranean diet it is not how much fat you consume, but what type of fat you eat. There are no hydrogenated oils or saturated fats in the diet as these contain dangerous Trans fats, which have been proven to contribute to heart disease. Olive oil is the main source of fat in the Mediterranean Diet, but you are also encouraged to get your fat from seeds, fatty fish like trout, salmon, mackerel and herring and nuts.  

Wine is a big part of the Mediterranean diet. Men are allowed to consume 10 ounces of red wine each day, while women are encouraged to drink five ounces in the same time period. 


Health Affects
In a study conducted in 2003, 22,000 participants started the Mediterranean Diet and noticed an overall reduction of deaths. Scientists conducting the study believe that the lack of saturated fats reduced coronary artery disease and high blood pressure. Because of the high amounts of fresh produce that were eaten, there was an abundance of antioxidants, which are known to fight cancer. 

When Life Gives You Lemons Grab the Tequila

Cinco de Mayo is the Mexican holiday that is celebrated by millions of people all over the globe, and if you want to get in on the action May 5, there are plenty of ways that you can put that bottle of Tequila to good use.

Tequila has some amazing medicinal properties, and not that you would want to waste it on the kitchen sink, also makes a wonderful cleaner. Surprisingly enough, tequila can also be used to make synthetic diamonds. Other uses include cold and flu remedies. Try taking a shot of tequila before you go to bed for a deeper more relaxing sleep. Tequila is a great anesthetic and can be used for sore throats, toothaches, and earaches. 

Great chefs and cooks know how tequila can enhance the flavor of food. Use it instead of wine in your favorite sauces, or marinate a couple of pork chops with a good bottle of tequila, and don’t forget the all-important cocktail. This year instead of a traditional margarita, try something different.

Tequila Grapefruit Cocktail         

Ingredients:

• 1-ounce white tequila
• 1-ounce orange tequila
• Fresh grapefruit juice
• Club soda

Directions:

Pour the orange and white tequila over ice. Fill the rest of a tall glass with grapefruit juice. Finish with a splash of club soda. Garnish with lime and lemon and enjoy.

Then pair your tequila grapefruit cocktail with delicious hard or soft-shelled tacos. 

All you have to do is prepare your taco’s the way you normally would, but instead of using ground beef, try marinating a flank or skirt steak in tequila for a few hours or overnight. Grill and fill your tortillas with your favorite toppings like cheese, diced onions, salsa, lettuce, avocados  tomatoes and sour cream and you've got a Cinco De Mayo feast that will impress all of your party goers.  

Tequila Marinade

Ingredients

• 8 cloves garlic chopped
• 1 bunch roughly chopped fresh cilantro, leaves and stems
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and diced small
• 1 red onion, sliced
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 6 large limes juiced 
• 1/2 cup Tequila
• 1/4 cup Tamari (wheat free soy sauce)
• 1 1/2 to 2 pounds flank steak , pork or chicken

Preparation Method:

Combine the above ingredients in a resealable plastic gallon bag. Add the steak and let marinate in the refrigerator for 2 hours. Remove from the refrigerator, and let marinate at room temperature another 30 to 45 minutes before grilling.

Are you are celebrating Cinco de Mayo, what Mexican foods or drink will be on your menu? 

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