3 Uses for Avocados
I’m a California girl through and through. I love avocados. In California, avocados are available year–round, plentiful and eaten like other people eat butter. I not only eat them and grow them, but I also use them to make DIY skin and hair beauty treatments, and even cook with avocado oil. You could say they are the ultimate plant–based superfood. There are so many uses for this fruit, in this post I give you 3 uses for avocados.
But what exactly is an avocado? For those who may be unfamiliar with this creamy, unctuous food, it is the fruit of the Persea americana tree that is native to Central America and grows primarily in the highland region of south–central Mexico. Mattias Lopez of REVIEWBOX Mexico commented of its many health benefits, “not only does avocado taste great (especially guacamole), it’s been proven to help with many ailments and improve our overall health. Diabetes, obesity, heart disease and more can all be combatted by including healthy fats in your diet like those found in avocados.”
With that in mind, we’ve put together three uses for avocados that you can easily add to your lifestyle right now.
Avocado Oil Health and Beauty Benefits
A little while back, we wrote a post on the health and beauty benefits of avocado oil. The oil is extracted by pressing the pulp of the fruit. It is a great source of vitamins D, E and A. For centuries avocado oil has been used for skin and hair care by the Indigenous peoples of Central and South America.
This oil is excellent at lowering cholesterol, aiding in weight–loss and is even good for eye health. Due to its high nutrient content, it is still used in skin care products for dry, damaged and aging skin to prevent wrinkles and fine lines, and to lock in skin’s moisture. It is still used in hair care products for its essential fatty acid and unsaturated fatty acid content.
Eating Avocados
Due to its high smoking point, avocado oil can be used for baking, roasting, searing, sautéing, deep–fry, stir–fry and BBQ. A tablespoon of avocado oil can be added to smoothies. Drizzle a slice of cantaloupe with avocado oil and sprinkle with sea salt. It is a great substitute for olive oil to dress salads. Add avocado oil to curries to enhance their flavor.
Sliced avocado, smashed avocado, guacamole, and even sushi. These are just a few ways you can eat fresh avocados. They all taste great and are easy ways to add some avocado to your diet. For breakfast, team your toast with a poached egg and some avocado. Or, make a creamy smoothie by adding 1–2 oz. avocado to the other ingredients in the blender.
To include it in lunches and dinners, why not create a burrito bowl at home? They’re super quick and easy to throw together and make for a nutrient–dense, healthy (when fully plant–based) and well–balanced meal, especially because it is homemade and not takeout.
Alternatively, you can use avocado in lieu of fish for a vegan sushi roll, or, if you do eat fish, it pairs well with salmon and in ceviche. When doing something simple like eating fresh, sliced avocados, I find just adding a splash of oil, salt, and pepper is all you really need, the fruit is rich and very flavorful.
Make a Face Mask from Avocado
I love finding natural alternatives to store–bought mass–manufactured skincare; I make my own sugar scrubs, use fractionated MCT coconut oil to remove my makeup and I even tried making my own concealer once—I ended up with red under eyes! So, when my skin is in need of brightening up, especially during times of high stress of lack of sleep, I use an avocado face mask.
Simply mash up ½ of a large avocado or 1 whole medium avocado and add some honey. You’ll get your skin’s natural glow back in no time at all. If you have some leftover, you can use it on your hands as a post–manicure moisturizer, you’ll be the talk of all your friends.
Feel beautiful, healthy and happy through at–home spa–like experiences with our other skin care posts and hair care posts. Stay informed of new posts in this and other series by subscribing to our newsletter. Is there something interesting you use avocados for? Let us know in the comments below!