Avocado Awesomeness

I LOVE AVOCADOS!!!

    Avocados are undoubtedly a superfood.  We’ve always been a huge fan of the avocado.  Who doesn’t love chunky guacamole in their taco salad, or topping their quesadillas? I like to simply mash it on a piece of toasted ezekiel bread. My kids don’t even mind when I throw some broccoli sprouts on top.  As mothers, we discovered avocado to be the best baby food on the planet. 

Here is why.

    Avocados are *a nutrient and phytochemical dense food consisting of significant levels of the following: dietary fiber, potassium, magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K1, folate, vitamin B-6, niacin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, choline, lutein/zeaxanthin, phytosterols, and MUFA (monounsaturated fatty acids) rich oil at 1.7 kcal/g. This caloric density is medium-low because an avocado is about 80% by weight is water (72%) and dietary fiber (6.8%). Unlike the typical fruit, avocados contain a very low sugar content with only about 0.2 g sugar per one-half fruit.

*Avocado's potassium and lutein may help promote normal blood pressure and help to control oxidative/inflammatory stress, respectfully. The consumption of avocados with salads or salsa increases the bioavailability of carotenoids multi-fold, which may add to the potential health benefits.

Here are a few ways you can reap the benefits of this incredible fruit!

Black Bean, Avocado Summer Salad

1 can of black beans
1 cup of non-GMO corn
1 avocado diced
1/2 red onion diced
chopped cilantro
1 cup diced grape tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped red, yellow, and orange peppers
2 cups boiled shrimp
1/2 tsp sea salt
juice from 1 lime

Mix it all together, and Voila!

Chocolate Mint Surprise (no one will ever guess that the surprise is the avocado)

Base layer:
1 cup almond or sunflower flour
1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 scoop vanilla protein powder (optional. I just like the way it tastes and adds more protein)
1 Tbsp chia seeds (optional)
2 Tbsp pure maple syrup

**Mix together and mash it on a plate or 8 x 8 pan

Filling:
1/4 c. melted coconut oil
1/2 c. mashed avocado
3 Tbsp raw honey OR raw maple syrup OR stevia
1 tsp peppermint extract or 1/2 tsp peppermint essential oil

**Blend together in a food processor and then spread evenly over the base layer

Top Layer:
1/4 c. melted coconut oil
1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
2 Tbsp raw maple syrup

**Blend together until smooth and pour over the top of the filling.  Freeze for at least two hours

Avocados can also be used on your skin. I use it to cleanse my face and it leaves my skin feeling soft and moisturized. Here is my recipe for face wash using avocado oil.

Avocado Oil Face Cleanser

1/2 c. organic avocado oil (you can find this online or at your local Whole Foods Market)
3 Tbsp raw honey
2 Tbsp. organic Castile Soap

**Whisk all ingredients together until they are fully combined.
**Transfer to a small squeeze or pump bottle.
**Use a dime size amount and wash your face thoroughly with warm water. Rinse and pat dry.

Reference:  *http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3664913/