Stop Diabetes With Hass Avocados

This is part of a sponsored campaign with DiMe Media and the Hass Avocado Board.  However, all opinions expressed are my own.

Si bien este post forma parte de una campana patrocinada con DiMe Media y el Hass Avocado Board, las opiniones expresadas son mias. Esta advertencia se hace en cumplimiento de las Directivas de la Comision Federal de Comercio (Federal Trade Commission Guidelines), 16 C.F.R. Parte 255.


If your family looks anything like mine, then you know exactly what it's like to live in an age where both parents work outside the home, customs and traditions are passed on from los abuelos to los nietos, and holding on to the special moments in life is as essential to our well being as healthy eating and exercise. My family is originally from Cuba and I was raised with a very strong tie to my culture. I can tell you that if you ever watched an episode of Que Pasa U.S.A. on T.V., you witnessed what could be considered a pseudo reality show for my family. As an adult, I cherish that upbringing and I have tried to pass it on to my daughter.

One way I have done this is through food. Since I am not a stay-at-home mom, preparing healthy meals on a daily basis is not easy. Add to the equation the fact that as a food blogger I eat out several times a week and it could potentially be a recipe for disaster. We all know that Hispanics are twice as likely as non-Hispanics to develop Type 2 diabetes in the U.S., so it is imperative to find a way to eat well despite the hassles of everyday life. That's where my mom and those quick and easy nutritious recipes she used to make for us growing up come in.

You see Cubans love to eat but my mom always kept that flair she got from her grandmother for making delicious food that was healthy. She used fruit and vegetables to come up with dishes that made you feel like you were in the Caribbean - without the unhealthy additives. Since one of the ways to lower your risk for Type 2 diabetes is by maintaining a healthy weight, she found flavors from her homeland here in the United States and combined them in ways that provided "good fats" (monounsaturated fats) instead of the damaging saturated fats that raise our risk for disease.

I remember something we always had at home were avocados. We would cut them open, slice them and eat them straight up, with just a sprinkle of olive oil. They were delicious - especially if they were the Hass Avocados. Mom always said they were the healthiest food around and we didn't argue because we liked the taste. You know that phrase "Momma knows best"? They weren't kidding. Over 75% of the fat in fresh avocados is monounsaturated fat, making them a great substitute for food high in bad fat. Avocados are also sodium, cholesterol and trans-fat free.

Although she'd like me to believe it, my mom wasn't born with this knowledge. In her native Camaguey, my grandmother and great-grandmother knew this secret, so they'd take avocados and incorporate them into refreshing, tropical recipes. One of my favorites is the Avocado and Pineapple Salad, or how she calls it Guacamole Camagueyano. This is a tropical, bright salad that brings together the fresh flavors of the Pearl of the Antilles  right to your plate. It is easy and quick to make, so busy moms and dads don't have to worry about fitting a long cooking session into their already full schedule; yet they're providing their families with all the benefits they need: nutrition, fiber and dietary balance.

I would love to share my family's recipe for Guacamole Camagueyano with you, featuring the delicious Hass Avocados we all know and love. The great thing about this fruit, is that you can easily incorporate it into anything and reap its benefits. You can use it as a creamy pasta sauce, add it as a sandwich topper, make traditional guacamole or like my dad and I used to do often - eat it as a stand-alone snack.


Once you try my recipe, I would love to hear what you think of it. And you know what else I'd love? I'd love it if you shared some of your favorite avocado recipes so we can try them with our families too. I am going to be participating in a special 10-day photo challenge called #SaboreaUnoHoy and I invite you to follow it and join us for your chance to win prizes. You can visit http://www.saboreaunohoy.com/aguacatesydiabetes for more information and to find additional recipes using avocados. Oh and be sure to stay tuned to all my social media platforms for details on the #SaboreaUnoHoy 10-day photo challenge coming up soon.

Avocado and Pineapple Salad a.k.a. Guacamole Camagueyano

Ingredients:

1/4 cup olive oil

2 tbsp lime juice

1 tbsp orange juice

1 tbsp sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

3 garlic cloves finely chopped

1/2 small red onion thinly sliced

2 medium Hass Avocados

Crushed Pineapple or Pineapple Chunks (fresh or canned) 

Steps:

Whisk the olive oil, lime and orange juices, sugar, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp of pepper in a small bowl to combine. Add the onion and chopped garlic cloves and toss. Taste dressing for seasoning and set aside.

Cut the avocados lengthwise in half around the pit and remove the pit. Slice the avocado halves lengthwise into 1-inch-wide wedges and peel each segment by hand or with a paring knife. Cut the avocado wedges into 1-inch cubes.

Add the pineapple chunks and avocado cubes to a medium bowl and toss with the the dressing. Serve immediately and enjoy.