You know it’s going to be a great day

when you cut open a perfect avocado!  Or when you get in the car, and “Pillowtalk” is the first song that you hear.  Or when your Secret Reward at Victoria’s Secret is $100 (true story!)

But about the avocados…

Avocados are pretty “in” right now.  I’ve been eating them since the 70’s, thanks to my mom who was (and still is) pretty obsessed with them.  She actually put one in my Easter basket once.  Seriously…you can’t make this stuff up!

So what’s so great about avocados anyway?  Pretty much everything!  They are unusual because they contain both healthy fats and fiber.  Avocados are rich in beneficial monounsaturated fats, and contain Vitamin K and potassium.  Oh, and they taste great!

In the book “Eat Fat, Get Thin”  by Dr. Mark Hyman, there are several avocado recipes, including Avocado Cream, Quick Herb and Avocado Omelet, and Raw Zucchini Ribbon, Tomato and Avocado Salad.  They all sound great, but I’m pretty basic when it comes to avocados.  My favorite ways to eat them are in a salad or as guac (using veggies instead of chips to dip.)  And sometimes I just cut one in half, sprinkle with a little pink Himalayan salt, and scoop it out of the shell with a spoon.

Speaking of guac, if you are buying it pre-made, read your labels.  Most of them have some kind of preservative.  I love the fresh guac at places like Chipotle and Qdoba, but it is so easy to make your own at home.

The hardest part is finding the perfect avocado.  I like to buy them before they are ripe, when they are still pretty green and firm.  They will take a few days to ripen, but at least they won’t get banged around in the store.  You can put them in a brown paper bag with an apple or banana to get them to ripen faster.

Avocados darken in color and will feel slightly soft (not mushy!) when they are fully ripe.  If you are not going to use them in a day or two you can store them in the fridge.

I like to keep it simple with my guac.  I cut them in half lengthwise, twist the two halves apart, and scoop the flesh into a bowl with a spoon.  The safest way to remove the pit is to use a spoon to scoop it out.  I used to use a knife, but one time I slipped and ended up with a nasty puncture wound.  That was the end of that!

I mash up the avocado(s) with a fork…I like my guac a little chunky, add a squeeze of lime, and some of that wonderful pink salt…sooooo good.  If you want to jazz it up a bit, a spoonful of fresh salsa can be gently stirred in.

So, can avocados help you feel happy, healthy and hot?  They absolutely can!  You’ll be happy eating something so delicious, and they are packed with nutrients to keep you healthy.  And all those good fats support gorgeous skin and hair…and that’s hot!

I love hearing from you…what is your favorite way to eat an avocado?