Do you have a favorite topping that seems to just be delicious with anything? We have discovered ours at our home, it is the avocado. Have you ever tried that amazing fruit as a salad dressing, topped off your chili with it, made it into guac for your chips or veggies dip, blended it into a smoothie or used it to replace an ingredient in a dish? Well, if you have not then you need to repent and go do so. We have discovered countless ways to incorporate this healthy and delectable food into our meals and we don't regret it. Sometimes, when you are trying to eat a little bit healthier your food can get a bit, well, blah. But an avocado already sounds exotic with its name and looks exotic as you cut into it. I have never really done much with avocados in my cooking history but am remedying that mistake. It is our new favorite salad dressing and is so much healthier and flavorful than a lot of options out there. I have also discovered that if you have enough pizazz in a sauce or topping you can go light or replace some of the things you normally would have piled onto your dish. There are so many fruits and veggies that really pack in the nutrition and give a big punch to your meals.

So, let's get the facts straight, avocados have major benefits to your health! Here is a list of some of the great things you'll benefit from eating more avocado in your life:

1. They contain more potassium than bananas

2. Avocados are loaded with heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids

3. They are loaded with lots of fiber

4. Eating avocados can lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels

5. People who eat avocados tend to be healthier

6. The Fat in them can help you absorb nutrients from plant foods

7. Avocados are loaded with powerful antioxidants that can protect the eyes

8. And they are just delicious, so there!

Also, there are SOOOOOOO many great recipes out there that use avocados. Many have it as a topping or you create it into a guacamole, but there are some that make it into a sauce and it becomes the main flavor of the meal. I have been exploring for you to find some great ideas and here were the top two I discovered. We are BIG on mac and cheese since we've got a little two year old and that is a go to. Have you ever thought of replacing the cheese with an avocado instead? Mmmmm! Avocados are already naturally creamy and delicious so it makes the perfect sauce to drizzle over noodles and enjoy!

The next is a classic but with a crunchy twist. Putting guacamole on your burger may not be a foreign concept to you. Oftentimes it is put on a burger as a sauce or slices of an avocado may adorn it as well. However, have you ever added a crunchy nut or seed into the mix? This great crunchy guacamole is simple, I mean really simple, and has the fun twist of adding a pumpkin seed into it. Try mixing some up today and lathering your next burger with it or just enjoy dipping your favorite chips into it. A good guacamole makes you feel sinful because it's so delicious, but you can take pride in knowing it's healthy for you. What a delectable pleasure.

The Crunchy Guac

2 avocados

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

2 tablespoons of your favorite salsa or pico de gallo

2 tablespoon raw pepitas (shelled pumpkin seeds)

Assembling the crunchy guacamole is simply combining all the ingredients you see above and mashing them together (or less mashing if you like your guacamole chunky!). You also can reserve the seeds out until it is all mashed up and then gently mix them in if you want them more whole.

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I hope you enjoy trying more avocados in your menu. They really are an incredible addition to almost any meal you make. Share some great ideas you have of using this great green fruit or comments on trying out this yummy and simple guac!