If you’ve ever tasted good guac, you know the power of a small green fruit (yes, it’s a fruit) called avocado. The Aztecs and the Mayans are thought to have started cultivating avocado trees some 10,000 years ago. Since then, it has been used in a variety of foods and has found its way onto plates across the world. Recently, a few enterprising individuals have found quite a few interesting ways to use the little fruit.
Facemask
Combine your trusty green with an egg, greek yogurt, baking soda and coconut oil. Once blended for 30 seconds, apply just as you would with a normal facemask. Because avocado is rich in fatty acids, it can rejuvenate and moisturize skin, leaving it softer than before. It also smells really good. Make sure not to leave it on for more than 10-15 minutes or to a full dry, otherwise, it can become difficult to take off.
Foot Scrub
Using the pit, avocado meat and the flesh, along with a few other key ingredients, you can produce an extremely effective foot scrub that can transform rough and calloused soles. By applying the scrub with the interior flesh of the avocado, skin becomes healthier and moisturized turning callouses into a thing of the past. You may have to deal with green feet for a few hours, but you can always tell people that they wouldn’t like you when you’re angry.
Hair Mask
You’ll need one over-ripe avocado, olive oil, lemon juice and about 20 minutes. Combine the ingredients. Spread them all over your hair. Throw your hands in the air and wave them like you just don’t care (optional). Wait about 20 minutes and then rinse. Hair will be shinier, healthier and stronger than before. Best of all, because of the natural oils, your hair will be easier to run a brush through.
Food
While you’ve probably tried avocado in a few things before (we’re looking at you sushi), there are quite a few exciting avocado related recipes that have popped up in recent years. Popsicles (guacsicles?). Truffles. Grilled. Stuffed. Ice cream. Guacamole hummus (huacamole?). Pesto. Frosting. Mashed potatoes. Avocados can be used in all types of things, what might be even more interesting, however, is what it can substitute. In a number of recipes geared at making delicious, high-fat foods more friendly to a waistline, our little green friend can replace milk, cream or butter.
Avocado has a ton of uses, and it’s popularity only seems to be growing. Whether you’re on a set meal plan, or just like to partake in a few yoga classes in Medford, NJ, consider picking one (or a few) up next time you’re grocery shopping.