3 Amazing Recipes That Avocado Fans Will Love

Gone are the days that avocados are consumed as is or is used mainly as an ingredient for guacamole. Today, you can see this healthy fruit being used in soups, salads and even sandwiches. Avocados contain plenty of healthy fats, fiber, vitamins B6, E and K as well as minerals such as copper and potassium. They're good for cardiovascular support, blood sugar regulation, prevention of inflammation and may other health benefits.

Here are 3 delicious avocado recipes that are worth a try:

Tasty Herbed Avocado Dip

What you need:

• 1 large avocado, peeled and pitted
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup chopped seeded cucumber
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Salt and ground black pepper to taste

Photo: Citnutritionally.com

In a blender or food processor, mix together avocado, garlic, cucumber, lemon juice and sour cream. Pulse until ingredients are well blended then transfer mixture into a bowl. Season with cilantro, mint, red pepper, salt and black pepper. Stir until mixture is creamy. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve - can be used as a dipping sauce or a sandwich dressing.

Chicken Soup with Avocado and Lime

What you need:

• 1 avocado, peeled, pitted and diced
• 1 tomato, seeded and diced
• 1 white onion, thinly sliced
• 8 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 4 jalapeno peppers, sliced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 4 6-inch corn tortillas, julienned and baked
• 1 cup thin strips of boneless chicken breast halves
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Photo: Womenfitness.net

Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat then cook onion, garlic, jalapeno until tender, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add tomato, chicken broth, chicken strips, lime juice, salt and pepper and simmer for about 5 minutes. When chicken is cooked, stir in avocado and cilantro and heat through. Transfer to soup bowls and top with tortilla strips before serving.

Avocado-Strawberry Green Salad

What you need:

• 1 avocado, peeled, pitted and sliced
• 10 strawberries, sliced
• 2 cups torn salad greens
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
• 4 teaspoons honey

Photo: Maxandlulacook.com

Combine avocado, strawberry, salad greens and pecans in a bowl. To make the dressing, whisk together olive oil, sugar, lemon juice, cider vinegar and honey in a separate bowl and drizzle the mixture over salad. Toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Whether you're a fan of avocados or not, you'll definitely enjoy these delicious avocado recipes!

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

10 Fascinating Health Benefits Of Strawberries

Strawberries are officially a superfood! They taste great, are versatile cooking ingredients, are available all year around, and the nutrition they offer is through the roof. Eating strawberries regularly has been shown to provide a variety of health benefits.

Any good nutrition regime is going to include high amounts of antioxidants, particularly Vitamin C, flavonoids, phytochemicals, and ellagic acid. Strawberries have all this, plus they are also rich in folate, iodine, potassium, and magnesium. This rich variety of healthy components is what makes strawberries such a great superfood. Here are just 10 of the health benefits strawberries provide:

1. Boost your Immune System - a strong immune system helps you fight off infections and disease, both large and small.

2. Fight Cancer - a lot of different cancers. The high levels of ellagic acid are especially helpful here since it can render cancer causing molecules ineffective. Studies have shown that strawberries' abilities to fight free radicals and work against potentially cancerous cells can fight breast, esophagus, pancreas, prostate, colon, and skin cancer.

3. Maintain Good Eyesight - the antioxidants and potassium can both fight macular degeneration in different ways. The elimination of free radicals helps prevent cataracts and degeneration of the optical nerve, preserving your eyesight. The potassium helps maintain the right amount of pressure on your eyes so you don't experience ocular disturbance.

4. Prevent Alzheimer's Disease - strawberries fight against the free radicals that attack brain tissue as you age, keeping your brain younger, which can slowdown or even avoid, the progression of Alzheimer's. The iodine also works to promote strong brain function.

5. Fight Wrinkles - this may mean more for your mental health than your physical health, but it's still worthwhile. Strawberries help your skin build collagen (the component that keeps your skin firm), which usually starts to decline with age.

6. Acts as an Anti-Inflammatory - strawberries power to prevent inflammation is another way they keep your skin looking young. However, this health benefit also helps prevent joint ache and arthritis.

7. Great Source of Fiber - no one wants waste to accumulate in their intestines, but it's hard to eat enough fiber to keep things moving along. Strawberries are a rich source of fiber that can keep your intestines clean and help slowdown your blood's absorption of sugar.

8. Fight Heart Disease - strawberries do this by reducing the bad type of cholesterol that can lead to plaque build up on your heart. The Vitamin B nutrients in strawberries make your heart muscles stronger.

9. Regulate Your Blood Pressure - The magnesium and potassium in strawberries counteracts many of the effects of too much salt that could otherwise result in high blood pressure. This is another way strawberries also help prevent coronary disease.

10. Healthy Babies - the folate in strawberries can prevent birth defects. Ingesting high amounts of folate during pregnancy can help with the healthy development of your baby's spinal cord, skull, and brain. The earlier in your pregnancy you start eating the strawberries, the better it will be.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Two Fabulous Spinach Salad Recipes

Spinach is another great salad ingredient! If you want to make tasty food that is also good for you, you must check out these salads. Are you looking for a spinach salad recipe? There are lots of people who are looking for information on making salads with spinach and other great ingredients. There are lots of different salads to choose from. Read this article for tasty spinach salad recipes that are also good for you!

Spinach is another great cooking ingredient that is extremely versatile, and, as a result, can be used in many different dishes. It is great with fruits, such as peaches or strawberries. It is great with nuts, such as almonds. It is great with vegetables, such as onions as well. For example, you can combine spinach with strawberries and almonds, dress the salad with raspberry vinegar and olive oil, and you got a very tasty Strawberry Spinach Salad.

Or, you can combine it with red onions and peaches and dress with coriander, vinegar and olive oil, and you will get another delicious salad.

If you are looking for a great spinach salad recipe, check out these two great recipes - they look great and they taste great:

1. Strawberry Spinach Salad

This is a great looking and great tasting, very colorful dish. The combination of green spinach and red strawberries makes this salad great to look at, and it also makes the salad very tasty!

Photo: Tastemade.com

Here is how to make this salad with strawberries and spinach. Chop the spinach. Slice the strawberries. Chop the almonds.

Combine spinach, strawberries and almonds in a salad bowl. Dress with a bit of raspberry vinegar and olive oil, and mix.

2. Spinach, Peaches And Red Onions Salad

Here is another very easy dish that you can make. Just like the spinach strawberry salad, this one is also very colorful and it looks very nice. Green spinach, orange peaches and red onions look great together in this recipe.

Photo: Dole.com

Here is how to make this - chop spinach, peach and red onions. Make a tasty dressing for this salad with coriander, vinegar and olive oil. Combine the spinach, peach and red onions in a salad. Dress with the coriander dressing and mix.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

5 Most Popular Strawberry Smoothie Recipes

Strawberries are sometimes are referred to as the "queen of fruits". Rich in Vitamin C, calcium and iron, you have a lot of health benefits to gain just by consuming strawberries. This low-calorie, high-fiber super food is known to help boost short term memory, promote bone and eye health, decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease and prevent cancer. On top of that, strawberries also have powerful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-aging properties.

And because they contain a good amount of anthocyanins which give them the red color, strawberries also stimulate the burning of stored fat in the body! A nutrition powerhouse and a great weight loss aid, it's no wonder why any strawberry smoothie recipe would top anyone's best smoothie list!

If you love using strawberries for your healthy smoothies, here the 5 most popular strawberry smoothie recipes you can try:

1. Classic Strawberry Smoothie

The Classic Strawberry smoothie is a popular breakfast choice. It's creamy, citrus-infused mix will jumpstart your energy levels at the beginning of the day and will also keep your tummy filled until lunchtime. Definitely a strawberry smoothie to try!

What you need:

6 fresh or frozen strawberries

1 medium banana

1 cup plain non-fat yogurt

1/2 cup freshly-squeezed orange juice

3-4 ice cubes

2. Strawberry-Kiwi Combo

Rich in Vitamin C and polyphenols, this strawberry smoothie is designed to help fight off diseases and keep your health in check. This delicious high-fiber concoction also helps curb your cravings and keep you feeling full longer. One of the best healthy smoothie recipes that helps you lose weight!

What you need:

5 fresh or frozen strawberries

1/2 ripe banana

1 small kiwi fruit, sliced

1 1/4 cups fresh apple juice

1 1/2 tsp. honey

3-4 ice cubes

3. All Berries Mix

Like strawberries, other berries such as blueberries, raspberries and blackberries are rich in essential nutrients, fiber and antioxidants. Boost your energy and promote healthy weight loss with a glass of this delightful berry fusion!

What you need:

3-4 fresh or frozen strawberries

1/2 cup berry mix (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries)

1/2 cup low-fat yogurt (any flavor)

Juice of 2 limes

3-4 ice cubes

4. Lumpy Strawberry Delight

Worried about your sugar intake? This sugar-free strawberry smoothie is a must try! It's rich in vitamins, minerals and protein that will instantly boost your energy. Turn a bad day around with this irresistible healthy smoothie recipe!

What you need:

1 cup fresh or frozen unsweetened strawberries

1 cup skim milk

1 tbsp. pumpkin or sunflower seeds

1 tbsp. cold-pressed organic flaxseed oil

5. Tropical Strawberry Splash

One of the most flavorful healthy smoothie recipes around, this filling smoothie mix makes a good post-workout drink. It's extremely hydrating, refreshing and energizing - not to mention mouth-watering!

What you need:

1/2 cup fresh or frozen strawberries

2 small ripe bananas, sliced

1/2 cup pineapple slices

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

1/2 cup plain yogurt

3-4 ice cubes

Try any of these healthy smoothie recipes for a stronger, more energized body. These strawberry smoothie recipes will definitely make you fall in love with the fruit more!

Article Source: EzineArticles.com