avocados

This post brought to you by Avocados from Mexico.  All opinions are 100% mine.

I can't remember how old I was when I was first introduced to the avocado. It was when we lived in Washington, DC so I was under twelve. I remember my dad would smash them up and mix in some salsa for his own version of guacamole. I still make it that way when I'm in a hurry.

Avocados can be intimitating becuase, let's face it, if food is green, kids and adults alike tend to look sideways at it.  Think about it: asparagus - green; brussel sprouts - green; broccoli - green. But take it from Sam I am.... green food can be rather tasty. I know Henry hadn't tried avocados before he met me. (but I convinved him to take one teeny-tiny bite and the was hooked!) Even our kids eat them!

Aside from being green, avocados sometime gets a bad rap for being high in fat. Here's the kicker though - they're high in the GOOD kind of fat and are packed with so many nutrients they've been deemed a superfood. They contain all 18 essential amino acids our body needs; they're rich in fiber; high in Vitamin A, contain omega-3 fatty acids, carotein (the stuff good for eyes typically associated with carrots), Vitamin C, E, selenium, zinc, and so much more. For more information on the health benefits of the avocado, click here. 

As I got older I realized that avocados can be eaten in forms other than guacamole. Seriously... did you know that? They're delicious on sandwiches, hot or cold. To dress up a turkey sandwich, throw some bacon and sliced avocado on top. For a hot version, saute cubed chicken in garlic, melt jack pepper cheese on top and cool it down with sliced avocado. Slip it all inside a toasted pita and you've got yourself a downright delicious meal.

Avocados are great diced up in salads, too. I make a summer salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, black beans, corn, cilantro, lime juice and AVOCADO. It's the bomb. Remove the black beans and corn and it's paleo-friendly. Double Bomb!

The other day I had guacamole served on top of grilled salmon. This will be my new summer recipe... It was unbelievably good and now that we're cutting out processed foods, I was looking for other ways to eat guac.

In my internet surfings for paleo foods, I've also seen people use avocados to make soup creamy instead of a milk-based product. And as a secret ingredient in baked goods. Really the possibilities are endless.

Avocados from Mexico are teaming up with bloggers to get the word out that avocados are not only good for you, but delicious.  To do this, they've come out with a fun Share the Avocado Love Facebook app - where you can send friends free gifts on Facebook or download ringtones. I now have a fun, mexican-style ringer for my phone.

You can also purchase gear at Avocados from Mexico Cafe Press store  I'm excited to wear the apron I just ordered when grilling up my salmon this summer.



But it doesn't stop there. On February 7 between 3 and 4 pm EST, they're having a #iloveavocados twitter party where you can win gifts valued up to $500. Follow @guacgrl or hashtag #iloveavocadoes to participate.

Tell me, have you trie avocados? What's your favorite way to serve them?