Avocados are an amazing fruit! Not only can it be added to savoury breakfasts, lunches and dinners, but its creamy texture allows it to act as a dairy substitute in a lot of dessert recipes as well.
Avocados, along with being delicious, provide us with many health benefits:
They contain healthy fats – avocados are high in Omega-3, an essential fatty acid, as well as mono-saturated fatty acids. These “good fats” reduce inflammation, improve skin health, balance your mood, promote weight loss, and much more.
Avocados are high in riboflavin – Riboflavin, a B vitamin, is beneficial in boosting energy, promoting cell growth, as well as protecting your skin.
They are also high in potassium – this mineral is useful in maintaining bone health, muscle relaxation and lowering high blood pressure.
Avocados lower cholesterol – the “bad” cholesterol, or LDL cholesterol, that builds up in our bodies can be caused by an unhealthy diet of processed foods and trans fats. Introducing avocados to your diet can actively lower these levels.
They can boost nutrient absorption – the healthy fats within avocados are extremely beneficial for good bacteria in our guts, which are responsible for promoting the uptake of nutrients from the foods we eat.
Check out some recipes you can try out with this awesome ingredient:
SHRIMP AND AVOCADO SALAD:
In a pan on medium heat, cook 1 finely chopped clove of organic garlic in olive oil for 3 minutes. Add in a handful of shelled, deveined shrimp, season with sea salt, pepper, and add 1-2 tbsp. organic honey. Cook shrimp for 3-4 minutes on each side until opaque.
In a bowl, add organic chopped tomato, organic chopped red onion, 1 organic avocado chopped, organic chopped red pepper, and top with shrimp, olive oil and lemon juice to taste.
CHOCOLATE AVOCADO PUDDING:
In a food processor, add ½ an organic avocado, ¼ C milk of choice, 1 tsp. cinnamon, 2 tbsp. cocoa powder, 2 tbsp. honey or maple syrup, ½ tsp. pure vanilla extract, and blend until smooth. Top with an organic whipped topping and strawberries and enjoy for dessert!
BREAKFAST QUESADILLA:
In a pan on medium heat, cook 2 organic eggs over butter or oil over medium (or over easy if you like runny eggs!).
On a medium tortilla, place the cooked egg, a few slices of organic avocado, 2 slices of organic tomato, cheese of your choice, sea salt and pepper on once half, fold it in half, and cook on medium heat until each side is browned. Slice into smaller pieces and serve warm with salsa and sour cream.
