The second food blend I talked through at the OM Yoga show on Friday was this brilliantly lime green dressing, the colour reflecting it’s sheer quantity of nutritional goodness. Naturally vibrant colours in food, are an immediately identifiable way of noting their anti-oxidant content. It is these protective compounds that have been linked to greater longevity levels around the world.
A simple way of understanding how anti-oxidants are useful to us is to consider how a sliced apple, over time begins to brown. However, if we were to pour lemon juice which is rich in the anti-oxidant vitamin C, over this apple, then what would occur? The delay of the browning process otherwise known as oxidation. One of the theories of aging is that we are simply rusting, or oxidising slowly over time. Therefore if we eat more anti-oxidants and reduce the 21st century lifestyle factors which encourage oxidation (STRESS, smoking, over-consuming alcohol, pollution, strenuous exercise to name a few) would we slow down the ageing process? This seems logical bearing in mind that areas of the world which experience longer and healthier lives inhabitants eat more plant-based foods and experience less stress.
The turmeric and avocado blend:
The wonderful yellow spice turmeric is a key element to both the taste and health promoting effects of this creation. It is the active ingredient curcumin, which gives the antioxidant effect and is well known as having pain alleviating potential in conditions such as arthritis, muscle sprains and other injuries.
Research also shows promising results in using this spice for inflammatory bowel conditions.
The wonderful avocado is so much more than seven points on the Weight Watchers scale! This high protein fruit offers antibacterial as well as anti-inflammatory properties. Long gone is the theory that all dietary fat equals weight gain. Fatty foods are not all created equal. We need some healthy fats in our daily food plans to help us absorb the wonderful fat soluble vitamins A, E, K and D.
Most of avocado’s calories are derived from monounsaturated fat. Monounsaturated fats like oleic oil have been found to reduce heart disease, reduce dementia risk and lower cholesterol levels.
The garlic component notches up the health benefits a peg or two. This herb with its long history stretching back to the building of the Egyptian pyramids, in which we find inscriptions suggesting garlic would promote strength and resilience is an indisputable superfood. As well as an anti-bacterial, garlic is well known for its cardiovascular benefits: lowering the blood pressure by causing the blood vessels to relax and dilate.
Olive oil is the binding component to the blend but is also high in antioxidants, phytosterols (naturally lower cholesterol levels) and vitamins. Lemon zest serves to create an unusually tangy taste and texture as this vitamin C rich fruit picks up the smoothness of the pulpy avocado and clashes with the turmeric. An all round teaser of the taste buds.
This works so brilliantly with any green salad and can be blended up as a light and oily dressing or given more ripe avocado to thicken it up into a mayonnaise texture. Works well alongside fish or tofu.
Ingredients:
• 6-8 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• Juice + zest of 1 small unwaxed Lemon
• whole ripe avocado
• 1 medium clove garlic, minced
• 1 Tbsp. ground turmeric
• 1 Teaspoon honey
• pinch of Himalayan sea salt (to taste)
• Black pepper
Blend all ingredients in a small sized blender.