In the past couple years, the avocado has become one of my favorite superfoods. It is an amazing fruit that provides a plethora of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. Avocados will provide you with:
* potassium for muscle contraction and healthy blood pressure
* vitamins A, D, E, and K for a powerful immune system
* monounsaturated fats including oleic acid which are great for the heart - oleic acid may prove to be a key nutrient in battling cancer cells
* fiber to clear toxins and promote a healthy GI system
Interestingly, there have been studies proving that avocados help the body absorb fat-soluble nutrients like carotenes, lycopene, and lutein better. In March 2005, the Journal of Nutrition found that adding an avocado to your salad can increase the absorption of those nutrients 5-15 times!
An avocado that is ready to eat should be slightly soft, but not have any cracks or sunken dents. If it has a slight neck (instead of being rounded on top), there is a good chance it was tree ripened and may have better flavor. If your avocado is ripe, it will last about a week in the fridge. Expect a creamy, buttery type consistency, and a nutty flavor from your avocados. They are awesome on salads and sandwiches. They are a great substitute for mayo. And of course, they are the key ingredient in guacamole, which can be put on just about anything to make it taste better.
As for preparing, take a knife and simply slice the avocado in half lengthwise. Twist open, remove the pit, and scoop out the flesh. If you don't want your avocado to brown up from oxidation, you can sprinkle a little lemon juice or vinegar on it.
you are the best teacher
ReplyDeleteWell thank you! That is nice of you to say. I try hard to be the best elementary PE teacher I can be.
ReplyDeletehow do you know what Avacadtos look like.I will miss you this summer.
ReplyDeleteAvocados are usually dark in color, shaped like a pear, and have a rough skin. The picture above shows what an avocado looks like when you cut it open. Ask your local grocery stores if they have avocados, and if they don't, ask them if they could start to carry them during season (which is Spring and Summer). If your local grocery store doesn't carry them, most Hy-Vee grocery stores in Lincoln or Omaha will have them.
ReplyDeleteI will miss everyone this summer too. But before you know it, we'll be back to school!