The Avocado, or “Alligator Pear,” is an amazing fruit full of vitamins, minerals and even protein. Avocados are fantastic sources for good cardiovascular health, blood sugar regulation, and anti-cancer benefits. As a vegetarian, avocados are a staple in my diet. I put them on salads, in smoothies, on top of veggie burgers, and along side my rice and beans. Veggie California Roles with avocados are also a favorite meal of mine. Next time you head to your local grocery store or farmers market, pick up some organic avocados and try the following suggestions.
Avocado Facials
Avocado is a wonderful facial cleanser. Step one-mash up a whole avocado with a fork in a medium sized bowl. Step two-add one teaspoon of honey for dry skin or one teaspoon of lemon juice for normal to oily skin. Blend well. Step three-massage mixture into face and neck with fingers. Leave mask on for fifteen minutes then rinse off with warm water. Enjoy your glowing skin!
Avocado Hair Mask
There are moisturizing and conditioning benefits to using avocados in your hair. Create shine and body by following these directions. Step one-thoroughly mix together one avocado, one egg yolk, and one tablespoon of olive oil. Step two-wet hair with warm water and massage mixture into scalp and throughout hair. Step three-cover saturated hair with shower cap. If you don’t have a shower cap a plastic bag may be used. Step three-use hair dryer for twenty minutes. Step four-completely rinse mask out of hair. Step five-shampoo and condition hair and style as usual.
Homemade Guacamole
Guacamole is the perfect dip for entertaining or for when you’re relaxing in front of the television. Follow this recipe for your next shindig. Step one-mash two ripe avocados in a mixing bowl with a fork. Step two-add ½ cup of minced red onions, two tablespoons of finely chopped cilantro leaves, one tablespoon of fresh lime or lemon juice, ½ teaspoon of coarse salt, a dash of black pepper and top with ½ chopped ripe tomato. Step three-don’t forget your favorite chips.
Baby Food
Avocado is a fantastic first food for your baby. They’re smooth and creamy and easily digestible. Avocados are nutritious and healthy food for babies because they contain vitamins A, C, and folate and minerals potassium, iron, and calcium. Simply mash up avocados with a fork and serve. Breast milk/formula can be added to thin or rice cereal can be added to thicken.
My favorite fruit! Just had one for breakfast this morning with a little balsamic, olive oil and salt. Great post!
@Sara, Avocados are so versatile and easy to put in a lot of dishes and I think that’s what makes them so great! Thanks for reading!
Don’t forget about the trick of holding on to the seeds to prevent oxidation! Great article. There are a million and one uses for the avocado… well, at least a million
@Scott, Yep, the air coupled with an enzyme found in avocados can turn this fruit brown. Storing the pit in the avocado or guacamole helps!
Also, the enzyme in avocado is sort of anti acidic conditions so adding lime or lemon juice will also decrease the reaction of the enzyme with oxygen. Hmmm, maybe that’s why most guacamole recipes contain lemon or lime!
I eat one at least weekly, it helps keeping my blood sugars low and is part of my diet!
@T, Good for you for keeping avocados as a part of your diet! I found this info for you on http://www.diabetesdaily.com:
“Defends against diabetes…Not only do avocados lower your LDL cholesterol without lowering HDL cholesterol, they also can reduce the amount of triglycerides, another type of fat, in your blood. Eating high-fiber foods, like avocados, can benefit people with type 2 diabetes in several ways. One study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that a high-fiber diet (50 grams per day) lowered cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose, and insulin levels. Avocados have earned the backing of the American Diabetes Association, which has included avocados in its collection of suggested recipes.”
It has the “good” cholesterol too (though I can never quiet remember which is the good one). 🙂
@Jason, it’s actually the “good” kind of fat-monounsaturated, which lowers cholesterol levels. Eat up!
Great article!
Wendy, You just knock me out! You are a wealth of wonderful and useful information. I so enjoy reading and learning from what you have to say. Keep on writing. I can’t wait to read your next piece.
Marilyn
Thanks so much for reading and commenting! 🙂
Thanks for the great tips. Avocados are a great add-on to salads, sandwiches, burgers, tacos, and more. Loved the article! ~Wendy B.
Hi Wendy! Thanks for reading my article and for leaving a comment-fantastic!
Avacado quesadillas are phenomenal!! as is just and avacado plain and simple….
Harrumph!!