Why Avocados?
Not that food is always the cause, but it is a major contributor! According to this article from Naturopathic Pediatrics.com refined sugar, especially fructose is a major contributor to behavior-related problems. Blood sugar instability between meals can cause a stress hormone cascade which makes controlling behavior, focus and attention very difficult.
Avocados offer more than blood sugar control!! Just 100g of this amazing fruit offers more than 20% of the recommended daily value of vitamin K, folate, vitamin B5, and vitamin B6! It’s also a pretty good source of potassium as well as magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and zinc.
Onto some simple recipe ideas!
Chocolate Avocado Chia Pudding
INGREDIENTS:
4 ripe avocados
2 Tbsp Chia seeds 1 Tbsp cinnamon 1/2 cup coconut milk 1 Tbsp vanilla 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 6 dates, soaked in warm water
PUTTING IT TOGETHER:
Drain the dates from the warm water and add them to your high-speed blender.
Add the coconut milk and blend until smooth
Add the cinnamon and Chia seeds and blend again
Add the avocado and vanilla and blend again, scraping the sides as needed
Finally, add the cocoa powder and blend completely, again scraping the sides to completely incorporate the cocoa powder.
* I added hemp seeds “sprinkles” and raspberries (thawed from frozen).
Here I used the pudding as a breakfast treat, alongside a super yummy green smoothie concoction. Both were subtly sweet. That is the key in the morning, don’t overdo the sweet! Think about it as focus power for the day!
Now take that same pudding recipe and turn it into…
Chocolate Avocado Chia Frosting
Use the same pudding recipe as above and turn it into a frosting! Here, I baked a sheet pan version of my Chocolate Avocado, Star Cake, and cut them into heart shapes using a cookie cutter. (I saved the trimmings to be used as “brownie bites”) Then add a couple of subtly flavored toppings:
Plain raw milk yogurt with cinnamon
Toasted coconut chips
Thawed strawberries
The goal was to use the plate as a cake decorating kit…
But, as you can see, Madelyn, my little Valentine had other ideas. She ate the cake first and then decorated her pudding.
Now use your leftover pudding and turn it into…
Chocolate Avocado Chia Pudding Popsicles
As you know from previous posts, I don’t throw anything out! I had a little bit of leftover pudding, so I slipped it into some flexible popsicles and they became pudding pops!
Or, keep the beautiful green color of the avocado, boost it with extra veggies and sweeten it with fruit…
Avocado Banana Swirl with kale and Chia
INGREDIENTS:
Frozen bananas A handful of chopped Dino kale Ripe avocados Chia seeds Cinnamon Coconut milk
PUTTING IT TOGETHER:
Blend the Chia seeds until they are a fine powder.
Add the coconut milk, kale, and cinnamon and blend until smooth.
Next, add the frozen bananas and avocado and blend until combined thoroughly.
I served this as an after-dinner treat for the girls. It was a hit!
I hope you enjoy these recipes as much as my family did! Please leave me a comment and check out more ideas on Instagram at #moms4healthusa!
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