Easy Guacamole
Most guacamole recipes have ingredients in them that are decidedly NOT bladder friendly! They'll have things like vinegar, lemon juice, lime juice, tomatoes, onions and peppers. That just won't do for someone who has a sensitive constitution! This recipe doesn't have any of those offenders, and it is incredibly easy and delicious. I have a friend that always asks me to make guacamole for her when we visit.
Easy Guacamole
Makes 4 small servings
Cut one medium sized avocado in half, removing the seed. Slice the fruit into cubes and scoop it into a bowl.
Add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon Adobo seasoning to the diced avocado and mash with a potato masher or a fork.
Easy Guacamole is delicious served as a sauce for burgers, fish or chicken, as well as, a dip for chips or a side dish with tacos, etc. Enjoy!
I served it with Veggie Burgers for Meat Lovers when I took these photos.
Tomatoes are a real problem for folks on low acid diets, like the IC diet. Pumpkin makes a suitable substitute.
Pumpkin Ketchup
makes about 1 cup
In a medium sized sauce pan, combine:
16 ounces (2 cups) pumpkin puree
3 packets Truvia-type sweetener
1/3 cup pear juice
1/2 teaspoon garlic granules
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon celery seed
1 tablespoon coconut sugar
Partially cover and simmer over medium-low heat for about an hour, until thickened, stirring occasionally. The ketchup will splatter, but it needs to cook down, hence partial covering. Use anywhere ketchup is desired.
Enjoy!
Ingredient Substitutions for the IC Diet
One of my biggest challenges since being on the IC diet is finding adequate substitutions for certain basic needs, like condiments. Mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, salad dressings, etc., all have vinegar in them. Not only is white vinegar made from grain, any vinegar is a real no-no for folks with inflammatory conditions, especially interstitial cystitis (IC.)
Anything tangy or tart is pretty much off limits on this way of eating. The reason is that acidic foods set off IC bladder symptoms like crazy. Some foods are worse than others. Here is the "official" foods list -- compiled based upon research and patient experience. I find I do best when I follow this list's suggestions strictly.
However, following this list strictly can lead to what seems like a very boring and bland diet! Thankfully, God has given me creativity in the kitchen. I've discovered some substitutions and ingredients that work just fine in place of the normal foods that most folks eat. Many, many times folks want what I'm eating and like what I've prepared better than "normal" food. I'm hopeful that my recipes and substitutions will open a whole new food world for those with inflammatory conditions, like IC, that have to restrict the acidity in their diet.
The biggest challenge is the inability to use Lemon juice and vinegar. Instead, I use "baby" pear juice, which can be found in the infant foods section of most grocery stores. Pear juice is already low acid, and the baby form is supposed to be even more so.
With the pear juice, I'm able to create all sorts of salad dressings and homemade mayonnaise. Check the sidebar for several recipes.
Tomato sauce is another big challenge. In the past, I've used pumpkin puree instead of tomato sauce in a few recipes. I've created a new pumpkin ketchup recipe, and I'll be experimenting with other pumpkin-based sauces.
