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Thursday, April 24, 2014

Avocado Adoration: 10 ways to indulge in this heart healthy affair

I adore avocados. In fact, this love affair borders on addiction, but we won't talk about that. 

I eat avocados every day. My husband laughs that between my, and now my mother-in-law's, love of the "alligator pear," our food budget consists, primarily, of avocados and figs. 

It could be worse. 

My adoration runs so deep that I experience avocado anxiety when we're down to our last one, fearing a deficit of perfectly ripe ones at the supermarket, or worse...



Avocado adoration can be difficult because you're always on the verge of disappointment, until you learn how to play the game. 




The key is keeping some on hand ripening while you keep your perfectly ripe ones in the fridge to avoid spoiling. As you eat them, rotate in the ripe ones. 


Winning!



So, what do you do with all of these lovely avocados? Here are some ideas.

1. Avocado toast. Spread half of a ripe avocado onto a piece of multi grain toast.  Salt and pepper to taste.

2. Add to a roll-up. Spread a wrap with 2 tablespoons of hummus and add 1/4 to 1/2 sliced avocado. Roll-up and enjoy!

3. Dice avocado onto your salad.

4. Top your scrambled eggs with salsa and diced avocado.



5. Guacamole...'nuff said. Mash with some fresh lime juice and salt and pepper. Consider adding some diced tomato or corn. Just about anything goes. Make it yours.

6. Grill it. Rub with olive oil and place on the grill, cut side down, about 5 minutes. 

7. Bake it with an egg in the middle. Preheat your oven to 425. Scoop out just enough avocado to let the raw egg fit nicely. Add your egg in each half and bake 15-18 minutes, depending on size and desired level of done.

8. Mix diced avocado with black beans, corn, and diced mango for a cool summer salad. Add balsamic vinaigrette table-side.

9. Add to your smoothie with yogurt and fruit.

10. Grab a spoon and enjoy. 



Avocados are good for you. Yes, they have fat, but it is heart-healthy mono-unsaturated fat. And it will keep you feeling full longer. 

They are one of the safer conventionally grown foods because of their thick skin. They have anti-inflammatory properties and twice the potassium of a banana. Add fiber, vitamin E and B vitamins and you have yourself a super food. 

If you haven't tried one lately, try one again. Worst case scenario, you still don't like it. But what if you do? Your heart will thank you. 

Are you an avocado fan? What are your favorite ways to enjoy it?

44 comments:

  1. I LOVE Avocados. Great graphic of how tricky it can be to get them when they are just right. I would really like to get my kids to like them. I'll keep trying.

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    1. Jen, maybe you can incorporate them into other recipes and maybe they won't know they're eating them. But I think you're right...keep introducing them. Taste buds change. Thanks so much for commenting. :-)

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  2. I absolutely love avocados, it all began when I used to work in an avocado factory for a while when I lived in Australia! I had a free supply of them! I love figs too! :)

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    1. Hi Sarah! :-) What was your job in the avocado factory? We have a fig tree outside our house in Spain, but they're never ready until September and we're back in the States by then. Someday soon though. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. :-)

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  3. I love avocados, but they do spoil fast. XD
    Thanks for the tips! Acocado toast actually sounds good right about now...

    <3
    Harlynn
    mindyourmadness.blogspot.com

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    1. HI Harlynn,
      Once they are ripe, I store them in the refrigerator...it extends their life by a few days. Hope you enjoyed your avocado toast. :-) Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. :-)

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  4. I never thought to grill avocado, but I'm sure it's amazing. Everything tastes better on the grill!

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    1. Hi Jessica. It is so delicious...just a different taste. You're right. I loved grilled food too. Have you had grilled stone fruit, like peaches and plums, on the grill? Pineapple is divine as well. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. :-)

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  5. I love avocado! I purposely buy then early and do the paper-bag ripening method when I'm ready to use them.

    The grab a spoon and enjoy method is probably my favorite though!

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    1. Hi Rachel,
      Sometimes, the most simple method is the best. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. :-)

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  6. I was just talking about how I want to start eating avacados because they're so good for you! I'm not crazy about the taste, but I think adding it to a smoothie will be perfect for me :)

    Ivy xx
    Style Life Lovely

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    1. Hi Ivy,
      Adding it to recipes will definitely mask the taste. It's subtle, so it can take good flavor from other foods. Maybe blueberries are a good combination? Or bananas? Good luck! Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. :-)

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  7. Avocado toast is one of my favorite things in life now, and I only started eating it a year or two ago. Then never stopped.

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    1. Hi Steph,
      Avocado toast is one of the best breakfasts (or snacks). Love it, especially with good, thick, whole grain, peasant-style bread. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. :-)

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  8. I love avocados so much! Mixing it with hummus in a wrap - what an awesome idea! Never thought of that. Baking it with an egg in the middle - yum! What an idea! I bet grilled avos are delish!

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    1. Hi Tiffany, I love avocados in nearly every way. You'll find your favorites, I'm sure. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. :-)

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  9. Ok I tried to leave a comment and received an error. I do not like avocados. Not sure why but I can't get past the bland taste. My aunt LOVES avocados so I can share these options with her. Thanks for joining Workout Wednesday Link Up this week. #wowlinkup.

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    1. Thank you for the opportunity to link up. :-) And thanks for passing on the ideas. Cheers!

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  10. I have yet to master the perfectly ripe avocado. I've only bought two, and one was too hard and difficult to scoop out; the other was too soft and going brown inside. What's the key to knowing exactly when it's ready?

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    1. Hi! I just updated the post to include a graphic on how to know when your avocado is ripe. Hope this helps. :-) Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. :-)

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  11. I have yet to master selecting the perfect avocado. The two I bought, one was too soft and one was too hard. What's they key?

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    1. Hi! I just updated the post to include a graphic on how to know when your avocado is ripe. Hope this helps. :-) Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. :-)

      Delete
  12. I loo0o0ove avocado! lol I haven't tried baking it with an egg in the middle yet though, I keep seeing that around. I love adding it to my sandwiches and salads. Now I'm hungry!

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    1. Hi Patty,
      I love avocados in nearly every way. You'll find your favorites, I'm sure. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. :-)

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  13. Would you believe that I never ate avocados until I was in my twenties? I love them now though and can barely imagine a good sandwich or nachos without them. Great post :-)

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    1. Thanks, Christy! I came to avocados late too. But, it's never too late. Thanks so much. My lunch today was a hummus and avocado roll-up. Thanks for visiting and for commenting! :-)

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  14. I LOVE avocados. Now I finally know when they're perfectly ripe!

    Lindsey // MoreAwesomerBlog.com

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    1. Hi Lindsey! That sweet spot of perfect ripeness is divine, isn't it? Thanks so much for visiting and for commenting! :-)

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  15. Seriously sitting at my desk at work eating a sandwich with an avocado smear! Love me some of that green nut :-) Pinning this Kelly.

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    1. Love it, Kathe, My lunch today was a hummus and avocado roll-up. Thanks for visiting ,for commenting, and for pinning! :-)

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  16. Great ideas! I LOVE avocados. And live in California, so I get the benefit of lots of fresh ones!

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    1. Thanks Jen! You're so lucky! Enjoy those wonderful butter pears! :-) Thanks again for visiting, and for your comments!

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  17. I love this post..... about as much as I love avocados! Have you seen the new Subway commercial about avocados? If not, you have to Google it. It is hilarious!! I love avocado mixed with salsa and use tostitos to dip it with. So yummy!

    New follower from Blogger group on FB!

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    1. Thanks, Angel...and welcome!I have not seen the Subway commercial. I will definitely check it out. Mixed with salsa sounds like a great option...like a creamy salsa or a spicy guacamole. :-) Thanks so much!

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  18. Oh man love love love avocados! So glad it's avocado season! Thanks for joining the #wowlinkup!

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    1. Me too, Amanda! Thanks so much for the opportunity to link up! :-)

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  19. Favorite way: on toast with salt & pepper, or in a dessert paired with chocolate or lime. Your post made me laugh a lot :). Especially the second picture. That's exactly how I feel when I'm waiting for an avocado to ripen :)

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    1. Thanks, Audrey! Avocado toast is a winner every time. The dessert pairing is genius..thanks, again. :-)

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  20. I just ate an avocado right before I ate this and was just thinking i should write a post about them as well. I usually just eat them in salads or scoop them right out of their skin sprinkled with a little salt and pepper, will have to try some of these other ways.

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    1. Avocados are fabulous aren't they? And they need such little prep...salt and pepper is wonderful. I hope you enjoy the other ways as well. Thanks so much for stopping by and for your comments. :-)

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  21. I love to make a healthy crab salad and serve it in avocados when the girls come for lunch. Easy to do but looks like you put in a ton of effort. Such a great fruit! Thanks for the fun read.

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    1. Robyn, that sounds delicious. It looks fabulous, but I bet it tastes amazing too. Thank you for stopping and for the great suggestion. I will have to try it. :-) Enjoy your weekend!

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  22. Hmm, avocado toast - interesting! Will definitely try this one.

    Thanks for linking up with Let's Get Real Party!

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    1. Hi Nicole,
      Avocado toasts are delicious. Get a good multi grain artisan bread, toast it, add the mashed avocado (or sliced) and a bit of salt and pepper to taste...perfection. Let me know what you think. :-) Thanks so much for stopping by!

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