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Healthy Components of Olive Oil
By John Gambini (Founder/Co-Owner)
Last month I gave you a broad overview of many of the healthful properties of extra virgin olive oil. This month, I'd like to expand on the role of essential fatty acids.
In addition to keeping you lean and fit, a diet of heart healthy foods with good fats, also known as essential fatty acids, can help cut your risk of developing heart disease. As members of the baby boomer generation, Rick and I will soon move into the category of Americans known as "active seniors." It's more important than ever for us to focus on our blood pressure and cholesterol levels to keep them under control so we are at low risk for developing heart disease.
Two of the fatty acids you are likely to have heard of are Omega-3 and Omega-6. Experts recommend having more Omega-3 than Omega-6 in your diet. Omega-6 is found in corn oil, safflower oil, peanut oil, soybean oil, sunflower seed oil, and mayonnaise. Omega-3 is found in eggs, fish, and olive oil.
A diet high in Omega-3 fatty acids, along with a heart healthy diet, can help reduce your risk of heart disease. Texas Hill Country Olive Co. Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a delicious way to get Omega-3 fatty acids into your diet, helping to keep you healthy well into your "active senior" years and beyond.
As always, we appreciate all the wonderful people we meet each week at our orchard, farmers markets, and festivals. It is our sincere pledge to keep producing the finest quality extra virgin olive oil you can buy anywhere.
Good eating and health to you all!
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New Addition & New Uses for Olive Oil
By Nicole Swanson (Co-Owner)
There's a new addition to the Texas Hill Country Olive
Company family! David and I welcomed our second son, Daniel David Swanson, into the
world on July 15. It has been wonderful having a new baby around and finding
new uses for our olive oil.
 In this day and age, everyone wants to avoid using
harsh chemicals on their precious baby's skin, and I'm no exception. We're
using olive oil in place of baby lotion.
I've found that it moisturizes my baby's skin better than anything I can
buy at a drug store, especially on little hands and feet. As a bonus, olive oil
applied to a newborn's bottom makes that notoriously difficult first diaper change
a breeze.
For pregnancy, olive oil is almost universally recommended for
perineal massage. As for new moms, making the switch in your diet from butter
to olive oil helps you to shed those pregnancy pounds faster, not to mention it
also provides lots of antioxidants and vitamins E & K.
That's about all
that Danny will let me write for now. Until next month...
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Recipes
From the Go Texan Recipe Book
Caesar Salad with Roasted Potatoes & Texas Sweet Onions
Serves 6-10
Salad:
1-1/2 to 2 pounds Texas grown potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 large sweet Texas onion, chopped
1/4 cup of Texas extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp. each salt and pepper
2 romaine hearts, torn into pieces
Caesar dressing (recipe follows)
Parmesan cheese for garnish
Dressing:
1 T. Dijon mustard
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup lemon juice, fresh squeezed
1 ounce anchovies
2 shallots
5 garlic cloves
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1 T. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. hot sauce
2 cups mayonnaise
To prepare: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place the potatoes, onion, oil, salt and pepper on a baking sheet and toss together until everything is covered in oil. Roast for 25 minutes. Allow to cool before using. For the Dressing. Place all ingredients except mayonnaise in a food processor and purée until smooth; stop. Add the mayonnaise and pulse until combined. Refrigerate.
To assemble the salad: Put the roasted potatoes, onions and lettuce in a large bowl. Toss with enough dressing to coat the salad to your liking and top with shreds of Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
Recipe created by Chef Michael H. Flores. Photograph by Tracey
Maurer Photography. Food Styling by Mary Ellen Rose.
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Open Invitation
Your tree loves hugs, so don't be shy about visiting. You're always welcome to come by the orchard, meet our family and see for yourself how we care for the grove. It makes our day to talk to you about your tree, olives, olive oil and their future in Texas. Please let us know when you're coming. We'll be ready to welcome you, personally show you to your adopted tree and give you a tour of the rest of the orchard.
Our nearest airport is in Austin, Texas, approximately 40 minutes from the orchard. We can send you details of how to find us, as well as  suggestions of places to stay. You're welcome anytime, but we recommend the spring or fall to get the most from your visit.
Texas
Hill Country Olive Co
P.O. Box 1129
W. Fitzhugh Rd.
Dripping
Springs, TX 78620
Phone 512.607.6512
Fax 512.607.6432
www.texashillcountryoliveco.com
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