Football season.
For many women across the country, the simple mention of football is enough to send them running to the hills. There are plenty of women who do not understand the fascination with men in tight pants running around a field, risking their bodies for the sake of getting a ball across a few lines. Generally, these women only surface to celebrate football when it’s time to attend a SuperBowl party. However, female sports fanatics do exist and are paving the way for women to not just enjoy a good game, but actually understand what is happening and take their fair share of pokes at the referees and their bad calls. One of the best, and worst, aspects of being a fan of football is the food that just seems to appear. On any given game day, one might see pizza, chicken wings, nachos, burgers, and an assortment of chips. Overindulging in these snacks every Saturday, Sunday and Monday can lead to unwanted pounds causing stress once the weather warms up and Spring wedding season kicks into high gear. Football season doesn’t have to add padding to your body, there are plenty of healthy recipes that will keep the fanatics satisfied. Done right, they won’t even notice they’re missing the extra saucey wings with blue cheese and deep dish meat lovers pizza (don’t expect everyone to cross over immediately though, just keep giving them tasty options).
Avocados are one of the best super foods on the planet, and so versatile. Add the green fruit to a salad, a baked potato, or a sandwich. However, most people enjoy avocados in guacamole. Avocados are high in fiber, potassium, vitamin E, folic acid, and monounsaturated fats (the good fat). It’s easy to load guacamole with an assortment of salts, but it’s not necessary in order to get that addictive taste. Gather these ingredients and mash them all together by hand (food processors will create a smooth texture if that is preferred):
5 Large Avocados
1 Large Tomato
1 Jalapeno
2 Tablespoons of Garlic Powder
2 Tablespoons of Bragg’s Liquid Aminos
I Tablespoon of Fresh Lime Juice
1 Teaspoon of Cayenne Pepper
All of these ingredients have benefits that promote a healthy lifestyle, it’s a win-win! Guacamole doesn’t just have to be eaten with chips (but blue corn salt-less chips are the best), try putting the dip out with sliced cucumbers, carrot sticks, or grape tomatoes. When the guacamole is tasty enough, they’ll dip whatever they can find.
4 Large Avocados
1 Tomato
2 Scallions
¼ Cup Fresh Mint
1 Tablespoon of Sweet Bell Pepper
1 Teaspoon of Fresh Cilantro
½ Teaspoon on Sea Salt
½ Teaspoon of Cumin
¼ Cup of Fresh Lemon Juice
Romaine Lettuce Leaves
Once all of the ingredients are mixed (minus the lettuce leaves), scoop equal amounts into the lettuce leaves and roll into burritos. Sports fans love finger foods, so make sure these treats stay wrapped by pinning a toothpick through the middle.
Understand your crowd, are they willing to eat veggie patties and hummus? Do your friends know the difference between vegetarian and vegan? Slowly introduce new menu items to the table. Mix in the fun healthy stuff with the old saucey treats, they will add the good stuff to their plates and won’t think twice about it. Soon, they’ll be asking is there more guacamole or hummus and showing up with pita chips and blue corn chips (you never know!).
What are your favorite finger foods?
What foods do you look forward to at SuperBowl parties?
Do you have a house full of people for football games?
