avocado | The Positive Pear

Avocado known by many interesting names, including the alligator pear, butter pear and vegetable butter. Avocados have amazing anti-inflammatory properties that fall into five basic categories. Which are omega-3 fatty acids, phytosterols, carotenoid antioxidants, non-carotenoid antioxidants and polyhydroxylated fatty alcohols, also known as PSAs. The anti-inflammatory properties of the avocado make it beneficial in helping to prevent rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Having such amazing anti-inflammatory benefits also make it a great anti-aging food, as well as a nutrient dense, natural anti-inflammatory for conditions which contribute to chronic inflammation such as Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Avocados are also packed full of dietary fats to provide maximum absorption of necessary fat-soluable phytonutrients. These phytonutrients, which are also known as carotenoids, include lutein, alpha-carotene, beta carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin. By adding 150 grams of fresh avocado to your salad or eating avocado with similar foods increases absorption between 200-400%. Remember to peal NOT slice to get more of the green dark green flesh that lies just beneath the skin.

Here’s another fun TPP recipe using super yum avocados. Serve as an appetizer, side dish, or if you LOVE avocados as I do, then enjoy as a meal. 🙂

Stuffed Avocados

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons Red Onions, finely chopped
1/4 tablespoons seedless Cucumber, peeled & diced
1/4 cup Grape Tomatoes, diced
3 tablespoons Green Bell Pepper, diced
3 tablespoons Kalamata Olives
1 Garlic Clove, finely minced
1 teaspoon Anaheim Pepper, seeded & finely chopped (optional)
1/2 cup freshly squeezed Lime Juice (to prevent browning & for topping)
2 Avocados, peeled, halved, pitted and rubbed with lime juice
1/4 cup of fresh Cilantro, or Parsley finely chopped (for topping)
1 Head Romaine Lettuce leaves, washed

Combine chopped red onion, cucumber, diced grape tomatoes, bell pepper, kalamata olives, garlic, Anaheim pepper and lime juice. Rub avocado with the remaining lime juice. Top avocado halves with the mixed ingredients, squeeze an ample amount of lime juice on each, then sprinkle with fresh cilantro (or) parsley and for nice added flavor add freshly ground lemon pepper. Place filled avocado halves on your romaine lettuce lined bowl or plate and serve.

When eating for good health always buy local and or organic and focus on anti-inflammatory foods. If buying local is a challenge, then consider Trader Joes as an inexpensive options. Each store will vary in terms of quality, but I personally love the avocados from my local Trader Joes. If shopping at other stores look for PLU #s 94046, 94225 and 94770 for Organic Hass Avocados. Trader Joes buys in bulk and ships to each of its stores, so the avocados could be from a number of different places such as; California, Mexico, Chile, Dominican Republic or New Zealand. Sometimes the country of origin will be included on the label. Another very reliable store is Wholefoods. They offer both organic and conventional produce. They frequently purchase from local farmers, which is an amazing bonus. The prices are a little higher as a result, but it’s completely worth it. When avocados are picked and how they are stored affects their carbohydrate, starch and sugar content and level of anti-inflammatory healing properties. This is why its important to purchase your produce from someone who cares as much as you do. There are many known inflammatory culprits, so my recipes will exclude them. Peppers being one of them, please feel free to add if you have no issue with this flavorful option. Be sure to look for an article explaining these known culprits. Enjoy The Positive Pear ‘s version of Guacamole.

Guacamole Inflammatory Culprits Free:

5-6 Organic Hass Avocados
1/4 cup of fresh Cilantro
3 tablespoons minced Shallots (substitution: onion or green onion)
2 cloves Garlic, minced
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed Lime juice (substitution: lemon juice)

Anaheim peppers make a nice addition to this guacamole recipe, if you are fine with digesting these or do not have a chronic inflammatory contion, then feel free to add:

1/4 to 1/3 cup chopped & seeded Anaheim peppers (lime green-not spicy but completely optional)

Rinse avocados. Cut in half. Spoon out pit. Spoon avocado out of peel into medium mixing bowl and mash with fork or potato masher. Add all remaining ingredients and mash to blend. Serve with slices of fennel or celery.