Two birds, One stone

Busting a Common Myth, & My New Favorite Snack!

Here we have it, my first post with some info about my diet! I figured I'd get started anyways because my diet and fitness seem to be winning by a landslide for new things to post about!

Preface: Alright, so the number one thing I get asked about is my weight. People frequently ask me about my fitness routine and my diet. Well to be honest, I don't do a WHOLE lot, however, that isn't to say that WHAT I do won't yield results if followed. The reason I say this is because people who started to follow the routine I kind of grew up doing, not knowing any better, actually lost weight. For example when my boyfriend moved in with me he lost 25 - 30 lbs. in a couple of months! It sounds really shocking, but his lifestyle before he moved in with me was entirely different. The foods he ate were different and when he ate was different. I will do a separate post on this another time, because I'm kind of a freak of nature and it will take a little bit of explaining to do in order for this to all make sense. It will be a little bit of a longer post since I have weird eating routines; I'm very habitual, and I also eat very specifically. Right now I'm just going to talk a little bit about one of my new favorite snacks. When I said I was habitual, I mean it. I eat this snack nearly every day and let me tell you some of the benefits of this deliciously decadent green dip!



Myth: Avocados are bad for you and will make you fat.

So up until this past year and a half I wouldn't go near an avocado with a 10 foot pole. Actually, I lie. I would eat it but only IF it was so well masked I didn't know where or in which form it was hidden. Now however, my gosh, it is in my salad, on my plate, in a dip, spread, topping in some form or SOME HOW. Currently I've been obsessing over guacamole. I've made it on my own and bought various packaged varieties. My favorite to date is Wholly Guacamole. Now, I know that a lot of people LOVE avocados just like I do, but steer clear of them for one reason: it is STUPENDOUSLY high in fat! Wondering why I used the word stupendous over other adjectives? Because it is GOOD fat. Most people don't know the difference, but let me break it down for you. GOOD fats are those that come from vegetables and are liquid at room temperature (chilled however, they will turn to solids), BAD fats are those that usually come from animals or animal by-products, and in contrast to good fats are solid at room temperature. Good fats include monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats. The difference between the two is only chemistry. The opposite, bad fats, would be saturated fats. Poly and mono unsaturated fats promote heart health, and THINNESS. So, the thick white grease that's left over after you cook bacon, that would be bad fat, verses olive oil you're using for your salad dressing which would be good fat. Although, just because I say good fat doesn't mean it is good in excess. While it's true it still is MILES above being better for you than bad fats, it shouldn't be consumed in copious amounts. Why? Calories. Fats in general have 9 calories per one gram, that's a looottttt of calories. Limiting them is the best way to keep calories down, but replacing your regular calories with this good fat can be beneficial to your heart, health, and figure--it cuts down your belly fat (when replacing high carb diets with monounsaturated fats)! And one more HUGE reason for us gals to consume more monounsaturated fats? It decreases risk of breast cancer according to a Swedish study!!

Reduce belly fat!

Benefits of avocados!

• High in monounsaturated fats which lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease! (Replace 5 percent of your saturated fats with monounsaturated fats to cut risks of a heart attack by over 1/3!!)
• Has 25% of your daily requirement of vitamin C
• Has Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Oleic Acid, Folic Acid, Cartenoids (great for eye health), Calcium, B6 and more soluble fibre than any other fruit!
• Has 60% more potassium than bananas!

Quick tip:

Absorb more antioxidants from your tomatoes and peppers in your salads by adding avocado oil!





20 Minute Beauty:

• All famous avocado mask: I'm sure we've all seen this in the movies, well it's simple enough to do! Mash up an avocado add a tablespoon of organic honey (which has antibacterial and anti inflammatory benefits). Avocado has specific sugars like D-manno-heptulose which can improve the structure of the epidermis by boosting collagen as well as providing a protective antimicrobial barrier. Apply it to your face for 15-20 minutes to reveal more radiant and nourished skin!
• Hair mask: Take 1 ripe avocado and mash it well. Mix 1 tbsp of honey and 1 tbsp of olive oil. Mix them well. Apply it to your scalp and using a wide toothed comb smooth it through your hair. Wash it off after 20-30 minutes. Do this up to once a week for shiny manageable hair!
• Body butter: Smooth mashed up avocado over rough patches of skin for 20 minutes to soften the driest areas of your skin!
• Big date? Woke up with puffy eyes? Take a slice of avocado, the same as you would with cucumber, place it under the eyes for 20 minutes, relax, and done. Puffy-eyes-begone. Avocado, like cucumber, has nutrients that stimulate circulation! 

And now for the best part, why I love avocado. GUACAMOLE!

Why it's good not only nutritionally for your diet, but also good at helping you stay on your diet! 

Well first of all it's delicious, it's a health food that doesn't taste like a health food. But it is also very filling! I buy packages of Wholly Guacamole from the grocery store which are preservative and chemical free, but also the best tasting guacamole I've yet to find. I will scoop about 70-80 grams of guacamole in a bowl and that fills me up for a small meal replacement. Half of the contents is 198 calories but what I eat is between 140 and 160 calories. And those of you that are lucky might even live somewhere where the 100 calorie snack packs are available! I eat it with Tostitos Tortilla Rounds. There are approximately 40 chips per 50 grams for 270 calories, I consume about 35 grams which is 189 calories. I know they are deep fried but I haven't found a baked alternative in Canada, although I have seen baked Tostitos tortilla chips in the US. You could also make your own, which would be a little bit more preparation by cutting up tortilla flat into bite sized pieces, brushing them lightly with olive oil, seasoning them, and putting them in the oven until they are crispy. No doubt this would reduce the calories from fat, but requires more time. Also, don't be afraid to spread guacamole on a cracker, on a sandwich, as a spread on flat bread, or even eat it on its own! In any way, shape, and form it is simply amazing!

Therefore a very filling and deliciously satisfying snack would be:

140 - 160 Calories from guacamole

189 Calories from tortilla chips

= 329 - 349 Calories total

I find savory foods tend to feel more like meals. The great thing is, this feels and tastes like a meal. It keeps me satisfied for hours. I don't feel starved even hours after eating this. Because avocados are so high in fibre (both insoluble and soluble) which your body needs to keep its digestive tract running efficiently. But what fibre also does is it slows the breakdown of carbohydrates in your body which makes you feel full for longer! How could it get any better? :)

I'd like to close by saying myth officially BUSTED.