The surprising Avocado

Avocados are a shining star when it comes to super foods.  Avocados are loaded with heart healthy, brain loving Omega fats. Avocados have plenty of fiber, vitamins and minerals in them and they contain the highest amount of protein of any fruit or vegetable.  Wow – just writing this makes me want to eat an avocado right now!  I do know that some people might not grab an avocado from the fruit basket, cut it in half, remove the pit and go at it with a spoon to scoop out and enjoy the creamy flesh inside. Some people get turned off just by the internal color of this delicious fruit.  Ahh, good news for those who want to eat healthy, and still enjoy fun foods.  Avocados can be added to homemade salad dressings to add some healthy ‘creaminess’ to the dressing.  Avocados can be added to smoothies to increase the nutritional value of the drink.  Avocados can be blended with fruit and honey and then frozen to make an ‘ice cream like’ treat.  Or, you can use avocados to make a pudding or a vegan mousse.  The following is a recipe I make often and have used to impress and surprise my dinner guests.  Try it - you might just find that you love avocados more than you thought!

Strawberry Chocolate Mousse

2 ripe organic avocados

8 Fresh organic strawberries (frozen work also)
2 tbsp. raw honey
2 tbsp. cocoa

Wash and cut greens off of strawberries.  Cut each avocado in half and remove the pit (discard pit).  Scoop out the avocado flesh and place in blender or food processor.  Add the strawberries, the honey and the cocoa and process on medium/high, mixing as needed for about 1 minute (until smooth and well blended).  Process on high for an additional minute to make an even fluffier mousse.  Serve immediately or store in refrigerator for later use.  This keeps in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to two day.

Avocado Note: Did you know that you can mash up an avocado and then spread the paste on your skin for a mask? I have never tried this beauty tip but I would think that I might be tempted to eat the mask!

For more information on this superfood see http://www.examiner.com/article/benefits-of-the-avocado-a-healthy-superfood-with-a-history#sthash.ELep0VaQ.dpuf