The Best Guacamole Ever and the Goodness of Avocados

“Our health always seems much more valuable after we lose it.”
– Source Unknown

If you are just looking for the best way to mush some avocados into guacamole, here you are. If you want some of the health benefits of avocados, scroll down.

If this is just for you, you won’t need more than a of couple avocados. If inviting friends, go big and be a hero!
I like simple and serve.

Here is simple:

6 ripened avocados
1 teaspoon of sea salt
1 lime
2 diced medium-sized tomatoes
2 cloves of minced garlic
2 tablespoons of chopped cilantro

I’m not big on onions or lettuce in guac, but if you want to ruin it . . .
If you have all the ingredients, you’ve only got 3 minutes to guac-and-roll (if you hurry).
Set the timer . . . ready . . .
GO!
Grab a big bowl. Halve the avocados. Remove skin and cut into quarters (30-45 seconds). Put everything in bowl except the lime (15-30 seconds . . . hurry). Mix thoroughly with masher or crusher or just squeeze it all together with your hands (15-30 seconds). Cut lime in half and squeeze until the juice refuses to come out. Squeeze a little more (15 seconds). Mix again. Finished. But, please wash the goo off your hands. Grab some chips that won’t ruin the health benefits of the guacamole. Keep refrigerated and covered when not being enjoyed.

Also: If you like spicy, finely cut 1 jalapeno and throw into the mix.

Also, 2: In your hurry to beat the 3 minute-rule, you squeezed a lime seed into the mix. Your mother-in-law bit into the seed and upchucked it into the whole batch! Make sure not to seed the guac.

And now, for a few facts and nutritional value.
The avocado is a fruit from the tall evergreen tree, persea americana. The name is derived from the Aztec word ahuacatl (testicle). Hey, I didn’t make that up. This tree can reach a height of 69 feet. Over 53 million pounds of guacamole is downed due to the Super Bowl.

I suggest eating it more than once a year because:

• Avocados have been shown to inhibit the growth of prostate cancer.
• Research has shown that certain compounds in avocados are able to seek out pre-cancerous and cancerous oral cancer cells and destroy them without harming healthy cells.
• Avocado, like olive oil, is high in oleic acid, which has been shown to prevent breast cancer in numerous studies.
• Avocados have more of the carotenoid lutein than any other commonly consumed fruit. Lutein protects against macular degeneration and cataracts, two disabling age-related eye diseases.
• Avocados are high in beta-sitosterol, a compound that has been shown to lower cholesterol levels.
• One cup of avocado has 23% of the recommended daily value of folate. Studies show that people who eat diets rich in folate have a much lower incidence of heart disease than those who don’t. The vitamin E, monounsaturated fats, and glutathione in avocado are also great for your heart. The high levels of folate in avocado are also protective against strokes. People who eat diets rich in folate have a much lower risk of stroke than those who don’t.
• Avocados are an excellent source of glutathione, an important antioxidant researchers believe is important in preventing aging, cancer, and heart disease.
• The ability of avocado to help prevent unwanted inflammation is absolutely unquestionable in the world of health research.

The “nick and peel” method is the best way to peel the avocado (if you have more than 3 minutes). Lightly slice into the top and then use your thumb and index finger to grip an edge of the avocado skin and peel it away from the flesh. The final result will be a peeled avocado that contains most of that dark green outermost flesh that is richest in carotenoid antioxidants.

The stuff is good.  Let me know if you t-h-i-n-k you have a better guac than mine.

Remember, you are the only you, you have.

Now get out there and live it, and live it LOUD!