Fresh uses for healthy, delicious avocados

The summer produce selection offers juicy fruits and vegetables that are hard to find with the same ripeness and flavor in the winter. One of the stars of the season is the avocado.

Whether you like avocado alone, sliced inside a sub, or creamed in guacamole dip, the fruit’s flesh is filled with nutrients. One avocado totals about 276 calories, according to caloriecount.com. The majority of the fat is unsaturated, making it a better health choice compared to saturated fats.

Avocados naturally contain vitamins K, C and E. In addition, the fruit boasts a healthy quantity of folate, potassium, riboflavin, niacin and fiber, according to avocado.org.

While some may associate avocados with guacamole, Bon Appetit’s website suggests recipes using the delicious fruit in a smoothie, soup and ice cream, just to name a few of the creative options. Feeling inventive? Endlesssimmer.com has recipes for chocolate-avocado macaroons, avocado donuts and double chocolate avocado muffins.

An easy way to cut an avocado is to slice it in half lengthwise and remove the pit. Then, cut half-inch sections horizontally and vertically through both halves of the avocado. Once both halves are sliced, flip the flesh inside out and easily cut off the chunks of avocado.

Another favorite use for the avocado, however, is not in cooking. The avocado’s creamy green flesh is also excellent for use in hydrating facials.

Dry skin makes a face feel tight, dull and irritated. Not to mention, dry skin is “prone to natural wrinkling” because “UV rays penetrate deeper into dehydrated skin,” according the “Beauty Book” author Helen Foster. If you’re up for enjoying some simple pampering, the avocado is an easy, fun solution.

Using simple kitchen ingredients, you can easily make an avocado facial that moisturizes and exfoliates without any added chemicals. This natural facial also gives you more bang for your buck because it is less expensive than over-the-counter moisturizers.

Scoop out two tablespoons of the creamy flesh when the fruit is ripe. Mash until its texture is smooth. Combine with two teaspoons of sugar. Mix well until smooth. Apply to washed, clean face and leave on for 15 minutes. Remove with warm water using a gentle washcloth to remove the facial.

Before the summer season’s abundant produce goes down with the warm weather, pick up an avocado or two, and try something new with the creamy, green fruit.

Chocolate avocado milkshake recipe
1 avocado
1 cup chocolate ice cream
1 cup milk
1 lime
Directions:
Combine avocado, chocolate ice cream and milk in a blender. Once blended, squeeze half of a lime’s juice into the mixture and blend all ingredients together again. Enjoy!
Recipe courtesy of http://www.endlesssimmer.com.