Meals that Heal – Spiced Guacamole and Flax Seed Crackers

This is definitely not your traditional guacamole, but even fans of the traditional version are surprised at how much they like this version.

Eastern View

Few foods from the plant kingdom echo the heavy richness of fine cheeses, creams and butter as does the avocado. Avocado melts in your mouth like brie or ice cream, and provides the creaminess that most associate exclusively with dairy, but is actually an oily berry.

Although Avocado is unusually high in fats, it has no cholesterol and is an excellent choice for those wanting to lose weight.Avocado can be a very satisfying replacement for butter, cheese, and even creamy desserts, moderating your appetite for these less-healthy foods. Plus, it provides the healthy fats your body needs, essential Omega 3’s and 6’s which are necessary for a healthy metabolism. This buttery green fruit is also packed with vitamins, minerals and even complete proteins.

Avocado grounds while it nourishes Vata. It’s heaviness is comforting and calming, redirecting attention inward. Avocado can be compared to mushrooms for the earthy qualities it can impart; however, adding a wedge of lime, a pinch of salt, or cilantro will help lighten up avocado, and assist your digestion of this heavy fruit. It combines well with any foods (bitters and sours) that improve fat digestion and metabolism.

The avocado’s heavy, oily, and cool qualities lubricate the intestines and moisten dry lungs. Eating this nourishing food helps soothe the joints, moisturize dry hair, skin and nails, and enhance libido. All Vata problems. Avocado strongly builds ojas, (vitality) and is an excellent rejuvenating food.

Western View

These days, the avocado has become an incredibly popular food among health conscious individuals. It is often referred to as a superfood… which is not surprising given its health properties.

They contain more potassium than bananas  and potassium is a nutrient that most people aren’t getting enough of. This nutrient helps maintain electrical gradients in the body’s cells and serves various important functions.Several studies show that having a high potassium intake is linked to reduced blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure.

Avocado is a high fat food. In fact, 77% of the calories in it are from fat, making it one of the fattiest plant foods in existence. But they don’t just contain any fat… the majority of the fat in avocado is oleic acid. This is a monounsaturated fatty acid that is also the major component in olive oil and oleic acid has been linked to reduced inflammation and been shown to have beneficial effects on genes linked to cancer.

The fats in avocado are also pretty resistant to heat-induced oxidation, making avocado oil a healthy and safe choice for cooking.

Spiced Guacamole

Ingredients

• 2 large avocados
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Juice of 1/2 lime
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1.2 teaspoon ground pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne (omit for pitta)
• 1 teaspoon brown mustard seeds (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds (optional)

Directions

Mash the avocado in a medium bowl with a fork until creamy. Mix in all the remaining ingredients and serve with Flax Seed Crackers.

Flax Seed Crackers

Ingredients

• 1 cup flax seed meal
• 1⁄3 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 cup water

Directions

Heat oven to 400°F

Mix all ingredients together. Spoon onto sheet pan which is covered with a silicone mat or greased parchment paper.

Cover the mixture with a piece of parchment or waxed paper. Even out the mixture to about 1/8 inch. I find a straight edge, like a ruler, works well, though you can use a rolling pin or wine bottle too. The important thing is not to let it be too thin around the edges or that part will overcook before the center firms up. So after you spread it out, go around the edges with your finger and push the thin part inwards to even it up.

Bake until the center is no longer soft, about 15-18 minutes. If it starts to get more than a little brown around the edges, remove from oven. Let cool completely – it will continue to crisp up.

Break into pieces and serve with your favorite dips or Spiced Guacamole.

There’s no one size fits all for what you should eat. If you would like to talk with me about what is the right diet for you, sign up for a complimentary consultation. Just click on the link to my online calendar to find a good time that works for you.

In health,

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