I swear, it feels like last week that I was writing a post about how excited I was for summer to arrive. I don’t know where the time went, but I hope you got to indulge in local, fresh produce in its abundance these last few months. Pretty soon, my posts will transition back into pumpkin, squash and apple-related content. Stay tuned!

For now, I’d like to send you into a long, holiday weekend with a recipe that always goes over well. I brought this guacamole to a party once, and ever since, people request it. It’s hard to go wrong with guacamole, but the spices and flavorings you add can really take it to another level! It’s the perfect recipe for a Labor Day barbecue, or just for a day by the pool.

Avocados have been really affordable around here lately. They cost 79 cents each at Aldi this week! You can’t beat that. Avocados are also one of the foods that you don’t have to buy organic, because of their strong outer shell that protects them from pesticides. That helps.

I have to admit, it really grinds my gears when people can’t separate avocado from guacamole. They think they’re one in the same. They’re not.  I eat avocado almost daily. I slice it up in my salads or on top of cooked dishes, I’ve spread it on toast and I blend it into my smoothies. I’ve even made chocolate pudding with it! It is so versatile and so healthy.

Avocado is a healthy, monosaturated fat. This means that contrary to what you think of when you hear fat, this food actually helps you lose fat in your body, particularly in your stomach area! It also contains fiber and 20 vitamins and minerals, including potassium, folic acid and B vitamins. To top it off, it provides phytonutrients and antioxidants, both essential to fighting against illness and disease.

So, if that isn’t reason enough to incorporate avocado into your diet, I don’t know what is! And although I recommend branching out from only using them for guacamole, it’s a good starting point, and this guacamole is delicious.

Guacamole based on a Hauser Diet recipe

Ingredients:

2 avocados

1/2 cup red onion, diced

2 Tablespoons cilantro, chopped

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1 medium tomato, diced

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1 Tablespoon lime juice

1/2 to 1 hot pepper, diced (optional)

Directions:

Peel, slice and mash the avocadoes in a bowl. I use a large, wooden spoon. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix into the avocados until evenly distributed.

If you like smooth guacamole, you could put all of the ingredients in a blender or food processor. I like mine chunky, so I just stir it until it reaches a consistency I like.

Enjoy!