Nutty Bites: Avocado

Avocados can help you stay slim & sexy!

Try saying avocado slowly in the mirror with a sultry look on your face.  Sexy, isn’t it?  Yes, I am going there.  Everything about an avocado is sexy.  It is a fruit, but some people mysteriously forget.  It is chock full of healthy, good-for-you fat that can actually help you lower cholesterol and reduce inflammation in your body.  It has nearly 20 vitamins and minerals.  It is versatile and can be eaten at any meal of the day: think sliced in a breakfast sandwich, turkey sandwich, or atop a salad.  Or drum roll please… it can be made into a delicious dip as guacamole. Who doesn’t love guacamole?  And this probably goes without saying, but guacamole does not have to be eaten with full fat chips.  It can be eaten with toasted pita, carrot sticks, celery sticks, or baked chips to help you stick with your summer goals.

Easy recipes to try:

Classic Guacamole

Ingredients:

1 ripe avocado
juice from 1/2 lime
1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro
1 green onion, chopped
1 serrano chile, seeded and minced
1 clove garlic, minced
salt

Directions:

Halve the avocado lengthwise and scoop out the flesh, discarding the pit. Place the avocado in a small bowl and mash with a fork. Add the lime juice, cilantro, green onion, serrano chile, and garlic. Mix until well incorporated. Season to taste with salt.

Recipe from “Cooking from the Farmer’s Market”

Avocado Mango Salsa

Ingredients:

1 clove garlic, finely chopped
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
½ teaspoon honey
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
sea salt to taste

ground pepper to taste

1 mango, diced (about 1 cup)
1 avocado, diced (about 1 cup)

Directions:

In a large bowl, whisk together garlic, orange juice, lime juice, orange zest, honey and olive oil. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.  Add mango and avocado.  Toss to combine.  Serve immediately.

Recipe from “Whole Foods Market Recipes”  http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipe/avocado-mango-salsa

Eat well,
Bri