Olive oil is an important source of monosaturated fatty acids...the good type of fat that helps to decrease LDL (bad cholesterol) and increase HDL (good cholesterol). It also protects your heart, decreases the risk of colon cancer, helps to heal ulcers and keeps your skin glowing and moisturized!
It also is SUPER YUMMY!! My favorite is Kalamata Olive oil....it has an extra amazing fresh and fruity taste to it!
But...not all olive oils are created equally and it's a very fragile oil so here are some guidelines:
1. ONLY buy Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) and it must be cold pressed. Organic? Even better.
2. Stovetop - only heat olive oil at the 3 or 4 setting...maximum.
3. Oven - only heat olive oil to 350F...maxium.
So basically, EVOO is best eaten in it's natural, raw state. Here are some of my favorite ways to use EVOO:
1. Pour it on toast. Makoto and I pour Kalamata Olive Oil over toasted Dimpflmeier 7-Grain toast almost everyday. Add a dash of sea salt and freshly ground pepper for a boost of deliciousness! (If you're feeling extra fancy and want to have a very Parisian lunch, top with chopped basil and sardines (yes...sardines...The French eat sardines the way us North Americans eat tuna...if you like tuna, you will love sardines).
2. Pour it over pizza (yes...Makoto and I eat pizza! Life would be so boring without pizza! There are so many crust options (thin, gluten free) and topping options now!) - I learned this while visiting Italy. The pizzeria's would insist on pouring fresh olive oil over my pizza. At the time (I was 16yo), I was completely afraid of the added fat from the olive oil but now realize that olive oil is a form of GOOD fat that has many beneficial health properties and helps me to burn bad fat. Try it...you will never eat pizza again without pouring olive oil on top!
3. Add a heaping tsp to your smoothie or yogurt - it blends instantly into your smoothie/yogurt and boosts your snack with a dose of antioxidants!
4. Chop up all the leftover veggies in your fridge and spread them on a baking sheet. Drizzle EVOO, fresh chopped up herbs, sea salt and fresh ground pepper over them and bake at 350F for 30-45min (or until veggies are tender).
5. Pour a 1/4c of EVOO into your next bath...add 20 drops of your favorite essential oil if you're feeling extra fancy. Soak for at least 20min. When you come out of the bath, towel dry and just massage the oil left on your body into your skin.....your skin will feel baby soft.
I even designed Sprout Botanicals Nipple Balm with olive oil as the main ingredients due to it's healing and moisturizing properties (http://sproutbotanicals.com/product_detail/item/olive_nipple_balm/)
I heart olive oil forever!
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