Superfood Guacamole

I love guac, you love guac, we all love guac!! (I know some small subset of the population doesn’t, but this isn’t for them. It’s for those of us with a soul. Lol. I kid, I kid. If you don’t like guac, it’s ok. But I’m sorry for your loss.

It’s really hard to do guacamole better than it already is on its own…BUT the other night while I was whipping up some guac, I thought about upgrading it to have a bit more of a “superfood” pizazz.

I know “superfood” is a total buzzword and honestly just a marketing term to make health nuts more interested in buying something. However, it did get its roots in some merit- certain foods do have a high concentration of nutrients that provide health benefits for humans. Are these foods a cure-all or miracle food? Of course not! No single food can be! But they sure as heck can be a major health, wellbeing, and longevity-booster when consumed consistently and over the long-term.

So I say why not eat some “superfoods”?! In addition to the fact that guacamole can be a healthy part of our diet (healthy fats and fiber from the avocados!!), this recipe gets a boost from 3 fun ingredients: spirulina, turmeric, and collagen.

So first up, what is spirulina? Spirulina is a blue-green algae that is a rich source of many nutrients. Amino acids magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin K, and vitamin B12 are a few of the power players. Plant antioxidants like chlorophyll and zeaxanthin promote glowing skin, detoxification, and contain anti-inflammation properties, too. Always opt for an organic or responsibly sourced spirulina that is tested for toxins, as the quality of the water they are grown in effects the level of contaminants in the spirulina, and obviously we would want that to be low!

How about turmeric? Turmeric is a root that has a vibrant golden color. There are a couple popular ways to consume it- use the fresh root like you would a root of ginger. (Chop or mince, or use a nob to add flavor to dishes from soups to smoothies). It also comes in powder form, which is what I used for this recipe. In terms of its benefits, the most powerful component is its anti-inflammatory properties. This comes from a compound called curcumin. To maximize the anti-inflammatory benefits, pair turmeric with black pepper, which can increase the absorption by 2000%!! All disease starts with low-grade, chronic inflammation so bringing inflammation down in a natural way with turmeric is a great disease-prevention strategy (along with a balanced diet).

Finally, let’s talk about collagen. There are a lot of health claims out there about collagen, and it’s important not to fall into the hype. There isn’t enough research yet to support many of the health claims and disease-curing claims being thrown around. However, many people DO note improvements in skin elasticity/hair/nails or even their gut health and joints when taking collagen consistently over at least a few months time. The best suggestion is to try it out and see if it works for you. There has been no known harm to taking collagen, so if you enjoy it as part of your health routine, or notice improvements that you are seeking in your overall wellness, by all means, add a scoop of collagen to your guac! Personally from a youth preservation standpoint, I like collagen for the skin elasticity benefit.

Without further ado, let’s get into the recipe! If you are looking to play around in the kitchen with some superfoods in a unique way, this guac is right up your alley!! As for dipping options, chopped veggies are rad, and if you are craving a chip, I love Siete grain-free chips. They are made with avocado oil and are non-gmo.

 

Superfood Guacamole

Ingredients:

3 avocados

Juice of 2-3 limes

Several sprigs of cilantro, stems removed and leaves torn 

Salt and pepper, to taste

1/4 teaspoon coriander

1/4 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon turmeric

1/2 teaspoon spirulina

1 scoop plain collagen

To make:

1.  Scoop out the flesh of the avocados and mash them slightly in a bowl until they just start to break down into smaller chunks.
2. Add lime juice, cilantro, salt, and pepper. Mix to combine.’
3. Add the rest of the spices/superfoods to the mixture and stir and mash to combine ingredients and reach your preferred guac texture. 
4. Bon appetit! Enjoy with chips, chopped veggies, or as a condiment on all the things! 

What’s your favorite way to eat guacamole? What ingredients do you use? Are you a purist, or do you add unconventional ingredients? Let me know!

Have a great week!

XO, Alexandra