Before we chat about this guacamole, I wanted to share this quote I founda few days ago and thought was amazing and so incredibly beautiful.

“It isn’t the things that are happening to us that cause us to suffer, it’s what we say to ourselves about the things that are happening.”
 
“The truth you believe and cling to makes you unavailable to hear anything new.”

– Pema Chodron, best-selling author.

I have heard from so many readers, friends, etc. how they are suffering from autoimmune disease, cancer, Lyme disease and so many other ailments. These folks are on numerous medications and are severely upset with their lives and their health.

My advice to them?

And to any of you suffering from an ailment…

Stay positive.

Yes, it’s harder than it sounds. Much harder but it’s amazing how this quote is so incredibly true… ‘the trust you believe and cling to makes you unavailable to hear anything new’ …if you only believe your doctor that you have to live your life on a certain medication or that you will never get better- well, then that is awful and it’s time to start talking to yourself and pumping yourself with positive affirmations and messages to keep your spirits high and mighty! It’s what you say to yourself each and every day about what is happening in your life that will keep you positive and away from the suffering you’ve faced in the past.

I suffered for so many years but I’ve actually never, ever thought about the suffering or felt sorry for myself.

Yes, I’ve cried.

A lot.

And wondered if the pains would ever go away.

And they did.

But never once did I feel bad for myself and keep the suffering going. I simply put on my big girl pants – traveled far and wide to every doctor under the sun and found answers.

Was it easy?

No.

Is it easy now?

Heck no.

But I manage and get through my days with a smile.

And that’s all I can do.

That’s why I wanted to share this beautiful quote with you because all of you… my readers, my fans, my family, my friends and so forth….

It’s up to you to believe you WILL get better and you ARE getting better and you ARE doing all you can to stay positive.

It’s also up to you to push those negative thoughts out of your head and to move on with your day with a smile and determination that you will heal.

Remember, it’s what we say to ourselves that makes us suffer… so if you are positive and focus on your happiness and health, it will come. It may take a long time, but it will come.

My Pop-Pop (Italian Grandpa) once said to my father…

“Accentuate the Positive. Eliminate the Negative. Latch onto the Affirmative. Don’t mess with Mr. In Between.”

I agree completely with this and with the above quote by Pema Chodron.

We only get one life to live. And you’ve gotta make it the best you can – even if you have been suffering. Simply turn around the way you talk to yourself and your outlook on life…

Because I’m sending you all a big smile.

And a big ol’ hug too.

Now let’s move onto this guacamole recipe because I know you wanna dive into these pictures with a gluten-free bag of chips, don’t you?

I’ve received so many questions on my Facebook and Pinterest pages on ‘How To Make Guacamole‘ so I thought I’d share with you a quick n’ easy way to enjoy a mashed avocado along with a few other fresh, organic ingredients!

It’s so easy and no, you don’t need to be a good cook or chef to master this easy guacamole recipe. Honestly, it takes less than 5 minutes and can be used as a dip for your gluten-free chips, crudites or used as a spread on sandwiches in stead of mayonnaise. So many uses, so little time… right?

xo

Creamy Asparagus Guacamole

Serves: 8

 

Print

Prep

5 minutes

Cook

5 minutes

Total

10 minutes

 

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, Vegetarian & Vegan

Author: Amie Valpone

Recipe type: Entree

Ingredients

• 3 large ripe avocado peeled, pitted and diced
• 1 bunch fresh organic asparagus ends trimmed
• 2 Tbsp. raw cashews
• 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp. fresh lemon zest
• 2 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh basil
• 1/4 tsp. chili powder
• 1/4 tsp. sea salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper

Instructions

1. Steam asparagus in a steamer basket on the stove top for 5-6 minutes or until bright green. Remove from heat and transfer to a food processor; add remaining ingredients. Pulse until smooth; remove from food processor and transfer to a shallow serving bowl.
2. Serve as a dip with sliced organic vegetables or as a spread on sandwiches instead of mayonnaise.

Nutrition Facts

Creamy Asparagus Guacamole

Amount Per Serving

Calories 155 Calories from Fat 117

% Daily Value*

Fat 13g20%

Saturated Fat 2g13%

Sodium 71mg3%

Potassium 534mg15%

Carbohydrates 10g3%

Fiber 7g29%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 4g8%

Vitamin A 1025IU21%

Vitamin C 13mg16%

Calcium 33mg3%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

This guacamole recipe is celebrating my dear friend Liz who is a wonderful blogger over at The Lemon Bowl and who is expecting a baby boy very soon! My blogging buddies and I have joined together to celebrate a virtual baby shower just for Liz. Hope you enjoy all of our ‘lemon’ themed recipes below from my amazingly talented friends.

 Appetizers

• Whipped Feta Spread with Lemon, Garlic & Rosemary by Miss in the Kitchen

• Cauliflower Mashed “Potatoes” in a Lemon Cup with Smoked Paprika by Climbing Grier Mountain

• Lemon Basil Bruschetta by Dine & Dish

• Chipotle Sweet Potato Fries w/ Lemon Basil Aioli by What’s Gaby Cooking

• Lemon Garlic Herb Marinated Olives by Sarah’s Cucina Bella

• Kalamata Olive and Feta Dip with Baked Lemon Pepper Pita Chips by In Aggie’s Kitchen

Beverages

• Sparkling Honey Rosemary Lemonade by Nutmeg Nanna

• Basil Hibiscus Lemonade by Fabtastic Eats

• Jam Mocktails: Lemon & Pineapple by Cooking with Books

• Lemon Jalapeno Spritzers by Bev Cooks

• Sparkling Blackberry Lemonade by Crumbs and Chaos

• Limonana (Middle Eastern Frozen Mint Lemonade) by An Edible Mosaic

• Tipsy Lemonade Iced Tea by Family Fresh Cooking

Salads

• Lemon Quinoa Salad with Pistachios & Sun-Dried Tomatoes by Cookin’ Canuck

• Greek Salad with Garlic-Lemon Vinaigrette by Gimme Some Oven

• Pear Quinoa Salad by Reluctant Entertainer

• Lemon Avocado Salad Dressing by The Lean Green Bean

• Herbed Calamari Salad with Preserved Lemons by Everyday Maven

Main Dish

• Italian Lemon Roast Chicken Pot by Eat2Gather

• Lemon Garlic Shrimp Tostada by A Zesty Bite

• Lemon Pepper Shrimp Linguine by Taste and Tell

• Salmon with Lemon Herb Butter by Handle the Heat

• Chicken Saltimbocca with Lemon Cream Sauce and Olive Orzo by Baker by Nature

Desserts

• Honey Lemon Shortbread Cookies by Rachel Cooks

• Lemon Blueberry Macarons by Chocolate & Carrots

• Lemon Glazed Cookies by A Cedar Spoon

• Healthier Lemon Bars by Texanerin Baking

• Lemon Sugar Cookies by What Megan’s Making

• Light Lemon Mousse by Country Cleaver

• Lemon Sugar Cookie Sandwiches by i am baker

• Mini Lemon Cheesecakes with Gingersnap Crust by The Law Student’s Wife

• Lemon Cupcakes with Lemon Chips by Seeded at the Table