An avocado a day...

...keeps the doctor away?

The avocado fruit comes from the small, tropical avocado tree native to Central Mexico (but now grown in tropical and Mediterranean climates around the world).  About 90% of the US's supply of avocados come from California.  The fruit has thick, green skin and a pear shaped body.  When avocados are ripe, they are slightly soft.

Avocados are extremely nutritious and considered a complete food.  They contain antioxidants, proteins, folic acid (great for women who are pregnant) and fiber.  An avocado contains more potassium than a banana.  They are also great sources of vitamins A, B-complex, C, and E.  It has also been studied and observed that avocados increase the absorption of antixodants by the body.

Avocados have been used to help relieve: 

- Skin disorders

- Digestive problems

- Circulatory problems 

- Inflammation

- Arthritis

You might be thinking, "This is all great but aren't avocados high in fat?" Yes, avocados do have a mono saturated fat content higher than any other fruit.  But what you need to consider is that we are talking about good fat not McDonald's and chocolate cake bad fat here.  Despite the negative connotation associated with the term "fat," there is such a thing as "GOOD fat."

The benefits of eating an avocado's mono saturated, "good" fats are that they:

• Make you feel fuller quicker and longer. 
• Support your inflammatory system.
• Support your digestive tract. 
• Improve cardiovascular health. 

Don't be surprised if your avocado turns brown quickly after you cut it open and expose it to air.  To prevent this effect, sprinkle lime or lemon juice on the flesh of the avocado.

We do not recommend that you share avocado with your pets.  (The ASPCA lists avocados as toxic to animals... this has not been proven but thought it was important to share.)  It is also recommended to consult with your doctor before eating avocados if you are taking anti-depressants.

*Tip: If you purchase hard, or unripened, avocados, place them in a brown paper bag.  This will speed up the ripening process.

Here are some quick & easy ways to get an avocado a day:

• Make a morning shake with avocado, frozen berries, milk/water, yogurt, wheatgrass juice
• Make a breakfast sandwich with avocado 
• Add avocado to your salad or grill chicken sandwich for lunch
• Add avocado to your tacos or burritos
• Read our blog! We are posting two breakfast recipes using avocados this week - check back in with us on Wednesday and Thursday!