OCTOBER 14, 2011 PERSEA AMERICANA

"The difficulties and struggles of today are but the price we must pay for the accomplishments and victories of tomorrow." William Boeckler

We all have struggles. Some are harder than others. Struggles make you a better person although it does not seem that way at the time. These struggles lead to the victories and accomplishments of tomorrow. I wholeheartedly agree with this quote. I could write a book about my struggles-- most of which have lead to my accomplishments. I do not consider an accomplishment a victory. It is life on life's terms.

Persea americana is a tree native to Central America. You might have eaten the fruit of this tree. It is the Avocado. It is a flowering plant in the family Lauracea. Cinnamon and bay laurel are also in this family. Each avocado forms around a single seed. Pear shaped Avocados are cultivated throughout the world. Today we get most of our avocados from California.

Do you like avocados? They are very nutritious. The word 'avocado' comes from Spanish but can be translated in different languages into 'testicles'. How odd! The Aztecs referred to avocados as the fertility fruit. I find the origin of herbs and flowers to be so interesting.

You can grow your own avocado tree. My mother showed my brother and I this when we were young. Fill a glass with water and use toothpicks to position an avocado pit so that two thirds of it can be covered with water. It will sprout and begin to grow! I must try it again.

Mexico still ranks the highest in production of avocados followed by Indonesia and then by the United States.

If you ever tasted guacamole, you have had avocados. Today avocados are widely used in sandwiches and cold salads. In certain parts of Mexico they are served with rice and beans. In some parts of the world a desert drink is made with sugar, milk, and pureed avocados.

The nutritional value for an avocado is excellent. Per 100 g (3.5 oz) it has about 8 grams of carbohydrates, less than .66 g of sugar. It is high in fiber (6.7 grams), and high in fat at 14.6 grams. Many do not eat avocados due to the fat content. However, only 2.1 g is saturated, with 9.8 g monounsaturated and 1.82 g polyunsaturated. There are 2 grams of protein in an avocado. Doesn't sound bad to me and does fill you up if used as a snack between meals. There are many nutrients in an avocado. Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and folic acid, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium and zinc. There is a minimal amount of vitamin C, too, along with some vitamin E and lutein.

Avocados have 60% more potassium than in Bananas.

Avocados have high fiber content.

Studies have shown that avocados can lower cholesterol. There are some anti-tumor effects as well. They have been used to support maintenance of blood sugar levels.

An Avocado Recipe: Avocado and Quinoa (a gluten free grain) Salad

Ingredients:

1. 2-3 organic avocados

2. 1 cup of red quinoa

3. 1 medium organic tomato

4. 1/4 cup diced red onions

5. Fresh basil, crushed

Bring two cups of water to a boil and add the fresh rinsed red quiona. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Cool and set aside.

Now you need to add a dressing. Avoid vinegar at all costs. Use 2 tablespoons of virgin olive oil or an oil of your choice. Mince 1 garlic clove and add 1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper. Squeeze 2 limes into your dressing; Add sea salt if desired. As soon as quiona is cool, add dressing and all other ingredients.

You will have a delicious dinner.

Until tomorrow....