I think you can find a picture of an avocado on any health and wellness blog or Instagram. They are such a superfood!! There were so many years with excessive warnings about eating too many avocados due to their high fat content.  I am so glad those days are over!!  Avocado has healthy fat which is primary in reversing insulin resistance. They also contain a monounsaturated fat which is imperative for memory and brain health.  They have more potassium than a banana and are high in B & C vitamins. That is only the beginning when it comes to their health benefits. Avocados are part of my weekly diet and this recipe for avocado crema came to me in a moment of panic.  We were having some friends over and I was supposed to make an appetizer.  I had worked a little later than anticipated and only had a few minutes to come up with something.  Well, this was it!! I had no idea how it would turn out but it got eaten really quickly and so now it is a family favorite!  It is great as a dip for vegetables or tortilla chips and my favorite topping for any kind of taco or Mexican food!   AVOCADO CREMA 2 Avocados (scooped out) 8 oz. plain yogurt 1 handful of cilantro 2 TBS. taco seasoning (I use Bold Taco from Penzey’s or Frontier) salt to taste (if using unsalted taco seasoning) a squeeze of lime     1.Put all ingredients […]

  This is my own version of Salsa Verde. I added fresh herbs, took out the anchovies and what I got was a delicious, fresh and bright green mixture that goes great on anything! This is one of those recipes I’m continuously finding new ways to use. I’ve had it as a dip for veggies, a sauce to top any cooked fish or meat (especially lamb) and mixed with an aioli for sandwiches. I will also turn it into a quick salad dressing by mixing 1TBS. of the salsa verde with a little extra olive oil and vinegar. Spectacular! The uses for this one are endless. Enjoy it any way you want, let me know how you like it! This will be in my fridge most of the summer. Ingredients: 1 small bunch parsley 1 small bunch mint ¼ cup pine nuts (can substitute walnuts or cashews) 2 cloves garlic 1 TBS. capers 2 TBS. white balsamic vinegar ½ tsp. salt ¼ cup lemon olive oil or ¼ cup regular olive oil +the zest of 1 lemon. ½ tsp. crushed red pepper Directions: 1. In a food processor, combine parsley, mint, pine nuts, garlic, capers, white vinegar and salt. 2. Put lid on and turn it on slow speed. Drizzle olive oil in while the processor is running until salsa verde is the consistency you would like. You might need to add a little more olive oil if you want the salsa to be runny. 3. When done, stir in crushed […]

  This is one of those recipes people tend to shy away from because it seems complicated. It is actually so easy!!! Mayo made with olive oil is so much healthier for you and you can easily turn it into an aioli by adding additional ingredients like garlic or chipotle chilies. I also use this recipe as the base for a homemade ranch dressing, chicken salad, and my chipotle chili aioli! We enjoy this on sandwiches and as a sip for fresh veggies. Enjoy!   Ingredients:  1 large farm fresh egg, room temperature 1 tsp. of salt 3/4 C organic extra-virgin olive oil Juice of 1/2 lemon 1 tsp. of dry mustard     Directions:  1.  Using your food processor or blender, combine the egg, salt, lemon, and dry mustard. If you would like to add anything else, you would add it now and pulse until combined. (If you prefer a chunky consistency you can add your additions after you have processed the mayo). 2.  Turn the processor on high and slowly drip the oil in, the slower the better! Do not rush this step. Take it from me, if you pour the oil in too quickly you will have a liquid mess. 3. You should see the mayo start to become fluffy and thick as you slowly drip the oil in. As soon as all the oil is added, transfer to a glass container and you can store in the refrigerator for up to a week!         […]

I’ll admit it, we have a crush on salsa over here. I have been making homemade salsa ever since the kids were young and we have always loved to put it on everything. We are a little obsessed! Which is why I have several recipes. This is another salsa I came up with that is so easy and versatile. This recipe is pretty flexible so its possible you’ll have all the makings in your pantry at any given time. I started making this salsa a few winters ago when I was craving tomatoes and realized that if you use a good quality canned tomato the salsa is still very delicious. Be CAREFUL what brand of tomatoes you buy because some of the canned variety taste like the actual can they come in. Also, if you want less heat you can use just one or two of the chipotles. Salsa is a great way to keep fresh flavors and veggies in your diet during the winter. Our bodies desperately need veggies and if you’ve made the change to eat more of them, you will keep craving them. I truly enjoy making homemade salsa, for me, it is another way in which I choose to put more good into my body and nurture my health. I hope you can be inspired by how easy this is and begin to make your own salsas at home!   Ingredients: 1 28 ounce can of San Marzano whole tomatoes in their juices. 1 can chipotles in adobo […]

I am a little bit obsessed with avocados! They are actually one of my favorite healthy fats to put in my diet. I even wrote a little blog post about healthy fats you can read about here. Avocados are packed with fiber, vitamin E and potassium. The fat helps you feel fuller longer and their creaminess tastes almost decadent. These are just a couple reasons why I eat them almost every week. One way I eat avocados is in guacamole. I like to make a salad and top it with my Carnitas or Shredded beef, this guacamole and my homemade salsa. Yum! I love making these types of toppings that are not only crowd pleasers but packed with nutrition. When guests come over they can enjoy what we make and I can keep eating the way I like to without sacrificing flavor! This recipe beats out jarred cheese dip any day of the week! Ingredients: 4 avocados 1 large tomato or 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, chopped 3 green onions finely chopped 1 handful of cilantro leaves, chopped 1 jalapeno (or any other pepper you would like) (optional) 1 tsp. sea salt ½ tsp. Of cumin ¼ tsp. Crushed dried chili de arbol (optional) Juice of 1 ½ limes Directions: 1. Using a potato masher, mash avocados in a medium bowl. 2. Add chopped tomatoes, green onions, cilantro, jalapeno, salt, cumin, and dried chilis. Mix together and taste to make sure the seasoning is to your tasting.   3. Squeeze […]

This aioli recipe is a great condiment choice because it is not only full of flavor but it is much better for you than store-bought mayonnaise. It is made with olive oil which is such a good source of healthy fat and really important for hormone balance as well. You can use aioli for so many things: a dressing for slaw, a little drizzle on a taco or to spice up a burger.  There are so many possibilities! Make sure to use high-quality organic extra virgin, cold pressed olive oil. I want my Olive Oil as fresh as possible so I purchase mine from a local store, Olive Oil Taproom because it is bottled for me upon purchase. Our friend, David, makes aioli and kindly shared this recipe with me! He is an artist in the kitchen and everything he makes has so much flavor! This mortar and pestle method requires patience but is so worth it! Enjoy!!   Ingredients: 4-6 garlic cloves, pinch of salt, pinch of smoked paprika, ½ tsp fresh lemon juice,  1 ½ C Spanish extra virgin olive oil   Directions: 1. Place garlic in a mortar with a pinch of salt and pinch of smoked paprika. Using the pestle, smash the garlic cloves to makes a smooth paste. (I alternately grind circularly as well as pound it with the pestle). 2. Add lemon juice to the garlic. 3. Then, drop by drop, add the olive oil as you continue to crush the “garlicky” paste. Keep turning the pestle […]