Avocado Spread/Dip

Last night I made a delicious blackened chicken.  It was a bit too spicy (and I love spice) so I will wait to post the recipe until I remake it (hopefully not so spicy).  The recipe called for an avocado spread to top off the blackened chicken (which was found on SkinnyMom).  The spread was so yummy.  I even took the left overs to work with me today and used it as a dip for my celery.

Ingredients
3/4 small avocado
Juice from 1/2 lemon
1/3 cup Greek yogurt (fat-free, plain)
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp garlic salt or sea salt

• Combine all ingredients until smooth.  

Day 21: Avocado Spread/Dip

Avocado:  Avocados are loaded with vitamins and minerals including B vitamins which help fight off infection and disease.  Avocados are an anti-inflammatory food which can help eliminate chronic disease. 

Lemon: Lemons are known to remove toxins from the body.  They help cleanse the kidneys and the digestive system.  They also strengthen the immune system which helps fight many illnesses.

Greek Yogurt:  Protein is needed for healthy skin and to help fight off disease.  Greek Yogurt is an excellent source of protein.  It is also loaded with probiotics which help keep your intestines healthy along with aid in digestion.

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Avocado Dressing

Two years ago when I completely changed my diet to control/prevent my Hidradenitis Suppurativa I was not a fan of avocados or guacamole.  It's funny when you change your diet, your taste buds change too.  I don't know what happened, but I am loving avocados and guacamole lately!  If you like avocados, you will LOVE this dressing!  It can be used in salads or as a sauce for an entree.  The first time I tried it, I used it over some grilled chicken.  It was delicious.  I have also had it as a salad dressing...YUMMY!

Ingredients
1 avocado
2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves
Juice from 1/2 lemon
2 tsp. basil
2 tbsp. Rotel tomatoes (if you are not sensitive to nightshades)
Sea salt and pepper to taste

• In a food processor combine all ingredients.  
• Enjoy over a salad!

I liked this dressing thick; however, to thin, add either more lemon juice or olive oil.

Avocado Dressing

Avocado:  Avocados are loaded with vitamins and minerals including B vitamins which help fight off infection and disease.  Avocados are an anti-inflammatory food which can help eliminate chronic disease.  

Extra Virgin Olive Oil:  Extra virgin olive oils have a phytonutrient called oleocanthal.  Studies have shown this natural phenolic compound helps fight inflammation.  Extra virgin olive oils are also rich in antioxidants which helps boost the immune system.

Garlic: Garlic is another superfood that lowers blood pressure, blood cholesterol and blood sugar.  Garlic also protects the liver and contains anti-tumor properties.  It has the ability of boosting the lymphatic system which functions as a defense in the immune system.  Garlic also reduces joint swelling and inflammation.

Lemon: Lemons are known to remove toxins from the body.  They help cleanse the kidneys and the digestive system.  They also strengthen the immune system which helps fight many illnesses.

Basil:  Basil is known to reduce inflammation and swelling.  It contains an oil eugenol which are known to have anti-inflammatory properties.  Basil is also rich in antioxidants which help support the immune system.

Lime Vinaigrette Dressing

As a Hidradenitis Suppurativa sufferer, it is very important to get your dark leafy greens.  I eat a ton of salads and make all of my dressings.  Here is a fresh dressing, great for summer days.  Enjoy over a large spinach salad with garbanzo beans and walnuts.

Ingredients
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup juice from limes
1 /2 tsp. oregano
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. sea salt

• Combine all ingredients and mix well.  Voila!

 

Extra Virgin Olive Oil:  Extra virgin olive oils have a phytonutrient called oleocanthal.  Studies have shown this natural phenolic compound helps fight inflammation.  Extra virgin olive oils are also rich in antioxidants which helps boost the immune system.

Lime:  Limes are high antioxidants and effective detoxifiers.  They have an antibiotic effect which helps protect against bad bacteria.  Limes have powerful digestive properties and help treat inflammatory disorders.  

Oregano: Oregano contains rosmarinic which is an antioxidant.  Oregano is also a good source of fiber, vitamins such as vitamin K and minerals such as manganese.

Greek Vinaigrette Dressing

If you have Hidraenitis Suppurativa, it is imperative to eat your greens!  I love all kinds of salads.  I eat a lot of spinach, kale, and arugula.  If you pick the right greens you will get a healthy amount of vitamins such as vitamin A, C and K.  You will also gain health benefits from the minerals such as iron and copper.  A deficiency in iron can cause inflammation in the body, so eat up!  Cooper is also known as very beneficial mineral for wound healing.

Let's not spoil our healthy salad with a dressing loaded with preservatives and high fructose corn syrup.  This Greek vinaigrette dressing can be used as a salad dressing or a marinade.

Ingredients
1 cup red wine vinegar
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp. basil
2 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. onion powder
1 1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. sea salt
Juice from 1/2 lemon

• Combine all ingredients and mix well.  

Red Wine Vinegar:  Red wine vinegar may help balance your blood insulin levels.  Red wine vinegar also assists with digestion allowing your body to absorb vitamins and minerals.  It is also known to help with inflammation.  

Extra Virgin Olive Oil:  Extra virgin olive oils have a phytonutrient called oleocanthal.  Studies have shown this natural phenolic compound reduces inflammation.  Extra virgin olive oils are also rich in antioxidants.

Basil:  Basil is known to reduce inflammation and swelling.  It contains an oil eugenol which are known to have anti-inflammatory properties.  Basil is also rich in antioxidants which help support the immune system.

Oregano: Oregano contains rosmarinic which is an antioxidant.  Oregano is also a good source of fiber, vitamins such as vitamin K and minerals such as manganese.

Lemon: Lemons are known to remove toxins from the body.  They help cleanse the kidneys and the digestive system.  They also strengthen the immune system which helps fight many illnesses.  The Ascorbic acid that is naturally in lemons also has anti-inflammatory properties.  

Strawberry Vinaigrette Dressing

As a Hidradenitis Suppurativa sufferer, I decided to completely change my diet.  Changing my diet has worked for me.  One thing I try to eat a lot of are fresh fruits and vegetables.  In general, it is very beneficial to eat a lot of greens; however, you don't want to defeat the purpose of getting all these nutrients by adding a salad dressing loaded with high fructose corn syrup!  Here is a refreshing, healthy strawberry vinaigrette dressing, great for summer days.

Ingredients
1 pint of strawberries
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp. 100% pure honey

• In a food processor or blender combine all ingredients and blend until smooth.  Refrigerate until you are ready to serve.  I ate mine with a dark green mixed salad, sliced almonds and fresh strawberries.  It was yummy!

Strawberries:  Strawberries are known to alleviate inflammation.  They are rich in nutrients such as vitamin C, folic acid, fiber and antioxidants.  Consuming high amounts of fruits and vegetables is also good for skin conditions.  

Apple Cider Vinegar: High cholesterol is known to cause inflammation.  Apple cider vinegar not only helps regulate blood pressure, but also helps balance cholesterol.  Apple cider vinegar also has anti-bacterial properties which can help clear up skin conditions.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil:  Extra virgin olive oils have a phytonutrient called oleocanthal.  Studies have shown this natural phenolic compound reduces inflammation.  Extra virgin olive oils are also rich in antioxidants.

Honey: Honey contains antioxidants which help reduce the risk of some cancers and heart disease.  Honey also helps the body regulate blood sugar levels.

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Sesame Garlic Dressing

When I was first diagnosed with HS, I was literally afraid to eat.  I didn't know what foods were going to cause inflammation and I definitely didn't want to go through that pain again!  I knew I had to figure out how I was going to let go of all the foods I was so used to eating.  I ate a lot of salads, but one of my favorite dressings was ranch dressing.  Who doesn't love ranch dressing?  Being that ranch dressing was considered one of the most unhealthy store bought salad dressings, full of "bad" fat and loaded with sodium, I figured I better find an alternative.  This sesame garlic dressing is super easy to whip up and is absolutely delicious!  Serve with a spinach salad, sunflower seeds, and kidney beans. 

Ingredients
2 tbsp. toasted sesame oil (my favorite is La Tourangelle)
1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp. ginger
Juice from 1/2 lemon
1 tsp. honey

• Combine all ingredients and mix well.  Serve over a salad.  

Sesame Oil: Increased blood glucose levels can cause inflammation.  Sesame oil has been known to lower blood sugar levels which in turn can reduce inflammation.  This is another reason why sesame oil is said to have anti-inflammatory properties.  The antioxidants in sesame oil also benefit the skin.

Apple Cider Vinegar: High cholesterol is known to cause inflammation.  Apple cider vinegar not only helps regulate blood pressure, but also helps balance cholesterol.  Apple cider vinegar also has anti-bacterial properties which can help clear up skin conditions.

Garlic: Garlic is another superfood that lowers blood pressure, blood cholesterol and blood sugar.  Garlic also protects the liver and contains anti-tumor properties.  It has the ability of boosting the lymphatic system which functions as a defense in the immune system.  Garlic also reduces joint swelling and inflammation.

Ginger: Ginger has antioxidant effects, anti-inflammatory properties and is a natural painkiller.

Lemon: Lemons are known to remove toxins from the body.  They help cleanse the kidneys and the digestive system.  They also strengthen the immune system which helps fight many illnesses.

Honey: Honey contains antioxidants which help reduce the risk of some cancers and heart disease.  Honey also helps the body regulate blood sugar levels.

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