SuperFoods: Avocados

 image by eblaser

Today I'm having a large salad with avocados and veggies for lunch. I love avocados, and adore guacamole. here are some quick facts on this amazing fruit (that's right, it's a fruit and not a vegetable).

Avocados  are fabulous on salads, desserts, pureed. They contain some protein and starch, plenty of potassium, and vitamins A,B,C, and E. Those of you avoiding fats in fear that you will gain weight, please educate yourself on the different types of fat. Avocados have heart-protective mono-saturated fat which is easy to digest, and perfect for children. They also have high content of oleic acid, which makes them a powerful antioxidant.

Avocados are ideal food for anyone recovering from illness or surgery. Women who are planning conception or are having fertility problems benefit from the Vitamin E in avocados. The vitamin B6  relieves PMS pains; women suffering from endometrioisis or heavy periods should consume avocados regularly ten days before their next period.

Superfoods: Bananas

 A Banana A Day.....

It seems that apples get all the credit. "An apple a day...." –  but I say that bananas deserve more recognition.

I like to start my day of with a banana or two. Not only does this fruit wake me up and get me going in the morning, but the potassium in it provides instant and slow-releasing energy, so you're full longer and retain more energy until lunch. Also, bananas are one of the fruits can can be paired with other food groups. I especially like bananas with a handful of nuts or dried fruit.

Bananas are a perfect snack after a workout because of it's cramp-preventing potassium. Potassium deficiency not only causes muscle cramps, but also exhaustion, depression, and insomnia. If you suffer from any of those, make sure to consume bananas regularly.

They also protect against high blood pressure, heart disease, and fluid retention.

Bananas should be eaten when the skin becomes speckled brown; that is when they are ripe and the starch turns to sugar.

What are some of your favorite banana recipes? 

Go Bananas.... 

image by Imapix