Is there anything tastier than an ice-cold avocado? Maybe sliced in 1/2 with some hot sauce. That’s my favourite way to eat it. It’s portable, easy to eat with a spoon, and I get the health benefits of eating the closest fruit to the skin.

No matter how you slice it, avocado is one of nature’s healthiest foods.

Yes, they are high in fat and calories. 2/3 of the fat is heart-healthy, monounsaturated fat, like the fat found in nuts, seeds, and olives. This fat boasts anti-inflammatory benefits which is why it’s important to the health of our cardiovascular system. Containing both omega 3 fats and oleic acid, avocado will keep your ticker ticking along.

Omega 3 fats are also important for maintaining a healthy weight, glowing skin, well-lubricated joints, cognitive function, and more!

Avocados are beneficial in blood sugar regulation. The fats keep us feeling full for longer than if we were to eat carbohydrates alone. Avocados are low in carbs and sugars and high in fibre (10 grams per cup) which makes them excellent for maintaining healthy blood sugar levels.

Preliminary results in studies show that they also have anti-cancer properties as well.

Due to its effects on oxidative stress, it can shift cancer cells into apoptosis or programmed cell death.

There are SO many ways to use avocado! Bags of them can be purchased at an excellent price right now. If you’d like to ripen them all at once, store them in a paper bag. The paper bag traps the ethylene gas produced by the avocados. They should ripen within a few days. Once ripe, use them right away or store them in the fridge for a few days.

Chop them up on salads, add them to smoothies for a creamy “milkshake” like effect, cook your eggs and throw them inside, add avocado to a greek salad or wrap, replace mayo with mashed avocado, the list is endless! Topping your salad with avocado? Keep up the good work! Avocado optimizes the absorption of other nutrients. It increases the absorption of carotenoids by up to 400%!

Even those who don’t like avocado may enjoy a tart, lemon-lime pudding, or a chocolate one. This is how I feed the non-avocado lovers in our family.

Zesty Avocado Pudding

4 ripe avocados
Juice of 1/2 a lemon
Juice of 1/2 a lime
1/3 cup of raw honey
A bit of lemon zest
Blend this all together in your blender until creamy. Store in the fridge until ready to serve

Chocolate Avocado Pudding

4 ripe avocados
1 banana
1/3 cup cocoa
1/4 cup local maple syrup
dash of sea salt
Mix all ingredients together in a blender and blend until smooth. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.

Trust me, nobody in your life will know that they’re eating avocado!