You put the lime in the… avocado!

My dad never liked guacamole… until I started making it for him! Although, his previous experiences were quite sad since I don’t know why anyone would put mayonnaise in guacamole! I mean, what?!? Nooooo, bad bad bad. Yesterday he brought home a bunch of avocados so that I could make us some guac today and I’m excited since I could eat avocados every day!

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For guacamole I use 3-4 avocados depending on size and frankly, my mood, haha! I usually leave most of them chunky and mash one so it’s got beautiful pieces of avocado, but is still creamy and the ingredients meld. I toss in a chopped medium tomato, half a large onion, 1-2 chopped garlic cloves depending on size, juice from half a lime and some grating lime peel since I LOVE me some lime! I have been known to use half of one to make guac and just eat the other half. Pucker-licious! As for seasoning, I use this stuff I got in the canning section of the grocery store that keeps fruit/veggies looking fresh. I like to make guac a little in advance so all the flavors get a chance to sit and get yummy, and it keeps my beautiful creation from becoming a bowl of brown uck. Then I toss in a wee bit of salt, cumin and Mexican oregano. In a pinch, I’ve used the guacamole mixes from the store and it’s pretty good. When I do that, though, I can’t use the whole packet since my mom loves guac but doesn’t like a lot of heat. You can make guac really pretty if you use red onions and red and yellow tomatoes! So pretty, like confetti. Things you can add include hot peppers of your choice, any herbs and spices you like (a touch of smoky paprika is yummers) and I’ve even made guac with crab in it for a special occasion. The crab and avocado went really well together.

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The avocados that are not fated to be guacamole? Well, there are lots of things to do with them! Chunk ‘em up for an omelet (had to see that coming, ha!), slice them up for a salad, slice them up and put them on a sandwich, spread it on a sandwich instead of your usual mayo/miracle whip/whatever, use them in a homemade facial treatment (it’s natural healthy fats and things are great for skin!), make ice cream (smooth, silky texture is definitely a go!), or just split it open and eat it with a spoon. Can you tell I love avocados? YUP!

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If your not an avocado fan… *looks around suspiciously* have you ever… *whispers secretively* made your own…..

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SALSA?!?!!? Oh.My.Goodness. Fresh salsa is the best ever. It is so worth the trouble, and really, it’s hardly any trouble at all! You can even do it in a blender, just add your firmer fruits/veggies first leading into the softer things, like the tomato. Salsa ingredients include but are not limited to, tomatoes, onions, garlic, any pepper under the sun, mango, papaya, pineapple, tomatillos, cumin, black pepper, chili powder, oregano, cilantro, lemon juice, lime juice, cucumbers, hot sauce, MONKEYS! Wait, maybe not monkeys, but the point is, if you like it, you can put it into a salsa. Tomatoes and fruit (well, a tomato is a fruit anyway) really go together. My mom loves pineapple in her salsa. I love how cucumber adds a cool crispness. Salsa can be whatever you want it to be when you’re not limited to a jar selection. Oh yeah, and it’s FRESH and DELICIOUS and once you make fresh salsa, there’s no going back. Oh, I forgot about corn and black bean salsa! My dad’s a fan of that kind.

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I love making things fresh, so if you love these common treats the way they’re prepared at the store or restaurant, think of how amazing it could be when you’re in control! You want it spicier? Go for it! Like lots of garlic? Go crazy! Hate cilantro? Stop suffering through it and chuck it in the bin! Be free, people, FREE! I would love to try making my own tortilla chips, so I think that’s next on my list.

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Alright, I slept in a bit late today and blogged before I had a chance to have a complete breakfast. I’ve been snacking on a banana at the computer, so that kept me happy for a while, but all this talk of fresh food is making my tummy talk to me. LOL

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Thanks for sticking with me through my gloomy moment. Still working on it, but I’m feeling much better. I think being able to sleep in my bed again has helped with the positive influence on my mood! I’m not immobilized on the couch worrying about my bandages slipping around at night. Now I’ve got my fingers crossed that we have yummy omelet additives! I haven’t had one for a few days and it sounds really, really good right now.

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I hope everyone has a wonderful day! If you’re going shopping, pick up ingredients to make something fresh. FRESH! Check out the produce, what’s pretty? Can you see salsa? Or maybe there’s a yummy, comforting pot of soup lurking around. Salad? Fruit salad? See stuff for home made smoothies people have been raving about but haven’t tried yet? If you’re scared, don’t forget that the internet is, in one of its many facets, a giant cookbook! You can find a recipe for anything, and if you can’t, there is a library of cookbooks at my house and I’ll find it for ya.

Tags: avocado, cook, cooking recipes, diet, food, guacamole, healthy, life, recipe, recipees, salsa