The Perfectly Creamy and Healthy Guacamole

Avocados are by far one of my favorite foods in the entire world, so naturally Guacamole was one of the first recipes I made sure to master.  Avocados are so delicious and naturally healthy for us however, not all guacamoles are made equal. That perfectly creamy guacamole you eat at restaurants is usually loaded with mayonnaise to give it that creamy consistency. That is why my recipe is so incredible. It is creamy and flavorful without the added fake fat. Guacamole is that perfect appetizer to have out whenever you have guests over from football sundays to week night dinners. Everyone loves guacamole. But, once you try this recipe you will never make it another way again. I always have people asking what I put in my guacamole and if I can make it again. So what's the secret ingredient? Feta! I know it sounds so strange but it works. It gives it the creamy texture and a little extra flavor. Try this recipe and I promise you won't be disappointed. 

Ingredients

• 2 Ripe Avocados
• 1/2 cup of diced Onions (red onion for stronger flavor, yellow onion for a more mild flavor)
• 1/2 cup of diced Tomatoes. Make sure to get rid of the juices and seeds as you don't want watery guacamole 
• Lemon Juice
• Garlic (fresh or dried) I usually do around 1-2 garlic cloves. Depends on how strong you like the garlic flavor
• 1/4 cup of Crumbled Feta 
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Optional

• Cilantro, chopped
• Serrano Peppers, chopped- if you like it spicy!

 Directions

Mix together all ingredients. Mash however much you want. I tend to like mine a little in between mashed and chunky as you can see in the pictures- seems to make everyone happy. I like to always taste as I go with the spices and lemon juice. A good thing to remember is most of the time you are going to be eating this guacamole with salty chips so go lighter on the salt to balance the chips. If it is too bland, you can always add more! If you do end up going over board with the spices, more lemon juice works perfectly. Another trick with guacamole is make it ahead of time and let it sit in the fridge to marinate the flavors together before serving. 

Russell and I have this guacamole at least once a week. Hope you all enjoy and become as addicted as we are!

El Salvador

Living Water International

So this post has taken me a little longer to write than other ones because I wasn't even sure where to start. So much happened in just a week. It was an amazing experience that I will remember for a long time.

First I want to talk about the incredible organization that is Living Water International. 783 million people lack access to safe drinking water around the world and LWI is doing something about it. They demonstrate God's love by drilling over 14,000 clean water wells to over 26 countries. Along with providing safe drinking water, their teams teach health and hygiene to the villages, and the most needed resource- living water which is the grace and power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I was blessed enough to have the opportunity to join a team in El Salvador for a week to provide clean water to the precious school Centro Escolar.  This village is made up of about 80 families and over 200 children. Most homes did not have running water and the families have been walking down the mountain to the river to get any water for themselves. Yet because the water from the river is unclean, sickness and even death have unfortunately been a result.

I speak very little Spanish and going into the trip I had no idea what to expect, but God provided abundantly. The team is full of hard workers, determined to finish the well quickly and effectively. My days were split between teaching hygiene, drilling, playing with children, and just getting plain muddy. Going on these type trips are always eye opening as we see the poverty that us in America never experience. More than anything though these trips are humbling as the joy and generosity pours out of the people in this village. These families have so little however, every day we were offered food, drinks, presents, even chairs they were sitting in. Why is it when we have so much we hold on tighter to the things we think we deserve? Anyways, these were just a few of the eye opening experiences I had this past week.

As we finished the well and said our good-byes I was heartbroken to leave. The village is grateful for us being able to give them clean water but it is them who gave to me. While I was there, I was reminded of the joy I feel when being surrounded by children. I already miss their big smiles, warm hugs, and crazy dance moves. They reminded me of how big and gracious our God is. Hearing prayers and songs in even the small mountain villages of El Salvador reminds me God is everywhere and cares about every single one of us more than we can understand.  I was of course reminded of how much God has given me and the desire to give my time, money, whatever He asks, was lit again.

1 John 3:17
"But if anyone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need and refuses to help- how can God's love be in that person? Let us stop just saying we love each other; let us really show it by our actions that we know we are living in the truth."

Here is a video that Alice graciously made that sums up our trip!

http://youtu.be/1qxxnpfkOP0

Cranberry Lemon Kale Salad with Parmesan and Pine Nuts

Kale was a superfood I had yet to fully appreciate. I could mask the flavor in green smoothies but it wasn't until Pam introduced me to this salad that now I not only enjoy kale but actually crave it! This salad has a little bit of everything in it- sweet, salty, citrus, and fully satisfying. It is an easy go to healthy lunch option or a perfect dinner appetizer for when guests come over. 

Ingredients

Salad

• 1 bunch of kale, stems removed, washed and patted dry
• 1/3 cup of dried cranberries (or you can use raisins if you prefer)
• 1/2 cup of pine nuts
• freshly grated parmesan cheese

Dressing

• Juice of one lemon
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp honey
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Prepare dressing by mixing together lemon juice, olive oil, honey, salt and pepper
2. In a food processor (or if you don't have one I used my vitamix on a low speed) process kale into small chopped pieces
3. Add chopped kale, pine nuts, cheese, and dried cranberries to dressing
4. Mix everything together then serve into salad bowl

Healthy and delicious! Hope you enjoy!

How do you like to eat your superfood kale?

Healthier Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Anyone who knows my husband knows that he loves to bake and makes deliciously naughty desserts. And anyone who knows me knows that I have an insane weakness for cookies. ANY type of cookie. Every now and then there is nothing wrong with indulging in sweets but baking was becoming an every week thing. So I decided now is the time that we start looking into slightly healthier options. For this recipe we took out butter from the recipe completely and added oats for less flour and sugar. Like I said, this is an intro into healthy desserts so it's not completely guilt- free but one step at a time right? These cookies might quickly become a new favorite. For me the hard part was to not eat all the dough and actually bake the cookies. These really are so good. Hope you enjoy!

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups Old Fashioned Oats
• 2 cups All Purpose Flour
• 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
• 1 cup Brown Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 2/3 cup of Canola Oil (use a little more if dough seems too dry)
• 2 large Eggs
• 4 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
• Semi- Sweet Chocolate Chips (however much chocolate you want!)

↣ You can also add or substitute nuts, dried fruit, coconut, or any other toppings you enjoy!

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper

2. Mix together the oatmeal, flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, oil, eggs, and vanilla.

3. Beat until the dough is moist and all the ingredients are combined. Mix in the chocolate chips or whatever topping you chose!

4. Using your hands, clump together a tablespoon of dough and squeeze the dough into a ball. Place on prepared baking sheet.

5. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden.

6. Eat and enjoy while they are still warm!

Enjoy!

Can't you just see the gooey goodness?!

What are some ways you make your desserts healthier?