When are avocados in season? In Mexico, always. Avocados From Mexico are available 365 days a year. It’s one of the reasons we’re #AlwaysGood. In fact, Mexico is one of the only places in the world where avocados can grow year-round.

Avocado Season in Mexico

Mexico’s climate, which ranges from tropical to temperate, and its geographic diversity provide ideal environments for growing various fruits and vegetables. While some produce may thrive throughout the country, some locations are more favorable than others when it comes to growing avocados.

There’s no better place for avocados to grow than the Mexican state of Michoacán, home to more than 40,000 avocado orchards. Michoacán is basically magic for avocados; it has the perfect balance of sunshine and rainfall that avocados love, plus rich volcanic soil in the ground that gives avocado trees all the yummy nutrients they need to produce the produce you love.

But the real magic of Michoacán is its mountainous terrain. The orchards are planted up and down the mountainside at varying elevations, from 2,000 to 10,000 feet high. That’s a big difference in elevation, so each orchard has its own microclimate, and the temperatures vary throughout the year. The result is four unique avocado seasons in Mexico, or what we call “blooms.”

When Do Avocados Bloom?

The orchards rhythmically bloom from higher to lower elevations and then back again. The four blooms have distinct characteristics from one another, meaning there’s a continual, uninterrupted avocado harvest throughout the year. Although the blooms overlap, there’s plenty of time for harvesting: Depending on the elevation’s specific climate, avocados that are ready to be picked can survive on a tree for up to six months.

Let’s take a look at the four bloom cycles and learn what makes each one unique.

1. The Loca (“Full”) Bloom

When: June-September

Where: Below 6,560 feet in June; everywhere in July-September.

The avocado season opens with a four-month avocado bloom cycle, starting in June at altitudes below 6,560 feet. During the loca bloom, things get loco: By July, nearly all the avocado trees in orchards everywhere are bursting with delicious, round avocados.

Celebrate summer with these avocado recipes:

• 😜 Crazy Corn Guacamole: Go loco during loca bloom with this crazy corn guac from chef Pati Jinich, complete with queso fresco, Mexican crema, and a dash of pequin chile powder.
• 🌴 Easy Summer Dinner Recipes: Ain’t nobody got time for complicated dinners when summer’s in full swing. Get 30-minute-or-less recipes perfect for heat-beating, including goodies like Thai avocado shrimp bowls and baja fish tacos.

2. The Aventajada (“Advantaged”) Bloom

When: September-November

Where: <5,250 feet September-October; 5,250-6,890 feet October-November; >6,890 feet in November.

The aventajada (“advantaged) bloom keeps avocados in season for the autumn months. Aventajada avocados have a longer, more pear-shaped body — one you’re familiar with if you enjoy avocados for Thanksgiving dinner.

Add avocados to your autumnal gatherings with these festive dishes:

• 🍂 Easy Fall Dinner Recipes: Convenient 30-minute dinners are “aventajada” dinners. Enjoy an avocado autumn with all kinds of easy recipes, from a turkey burrito with an avocado pico de gallo to a harvest bowl salad with an avocado balsamic vinaigrette.
• 🦃 Thanksgiving Appetizers: Give thanks for family, friends, and aventajada avocados by whipping up these Turkey Day apps: pumpkin-cranberry-avocado muffins to start, turkey sliders with feta guac to end.

3. The Normal Bloom

When: September-February

Where: 3,600-5,250 feet in September; <6,890 feet in October; everywhere in November-February.

It’s always a good time when avocados are in season, and the normal bloom is one of our favorite seasons. Stretching over a six-month period from September aaaaall the way to Big Game season in February, this is when the majority of avocados are produced.

Enjoy these wintry recipes:

• 🥗 5 Winter Salads With Avocado: Keep the good vibes going throughout the cold months by tossing these winter avocado salads. Despite the name of this bloom, these green-packed recipes are anything but normal.
• 🏈 Big Game Snack Time: The Big Game is synonymous with a super-duper bowl of guac, but you can satisfy watch-party guests with avocado-stuffed potato skins, cheeseburger bacon bites with avocado, and so much more.

4. The Marzena (“March”) Bloom

When: March-June

Where: <6,200 feet in March; 5,250-6,560 feet in April; 6,560-7,550 feet in May; 7,550-8,200 feet in June.

This cycle briefly overlaps with the loca bloom and has a very specific timeline for avocado harvesting. It’s a bit complicated, but leave that to our professional avocado farmers. They know what they’re doing — they’re making sure we can enjoy avocados all spring long (especially for Cinco de Mayo parties).

Brighten up springtime with these avocado recipes:

• 🇲🇽 Cinco de Mayo Recipes: Chef Pati Jinich shares 30+ recipes for Cinco, from guacamole and tacos to burgers and margaritas. Thanks for making us say CincOMG, Pati.
• 🧺 Guacamole Picnic: Perfect weather calls for perfect picnics, and you can’t spell perfect without avocado. Head to a park, beach, or the backyard and celebrate the marzena bloom with these avocado recipes.

The Mexican Avocado Season

The next time someone asks, “Are avocados in season right now?” you can reassure them Avocados From Mexico are always in season. It’s almost too good to be true, but thanks to the unique growing conditions in Michoacán, you can enjoy Avocados From Mexico whenever you like.

Dig into our recipe archive to discover avo inspo 365 days a year — ’cause that’s when avocados are in season, baby!

The post When Are Avocados in Season? appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Avocados are loved endlessly around the world. So, it’s a good thing there are lots of them!

There are more than 500 types of avocados in the world. The exact number of types of avocados is impossible to nail down, as new variations are constantly being created through selective breeding and natural genetic variation. All avocados, however, do fall into one of three groups: Mexican (our personal favorite), Guatemalan, and Indian.

15 Most Common Types of Avocados Around the World

We don’t believe in popularity contests, but there is no doubting the numbers that prove the Hass avocado is the most widely distributed type of avocado on the market.

Here’s a quick primer on 15 of the most common types of avocados, for when you encounter them in the wild (or the grocery aisle).

• Bacon: Light brown skin and lighter taste.
• Brogden: Dark purple hybrid, resistant to cold, and hard to peel.
• Choquette: Smooth, glossy skin with watery flesh.
• Cleopatra: Small dwarf avocado.
• Ettinger: Bright green skin, large seed, and mild flavor.
• Fuerte: Pear-shaped and oily texture similar to that of a hazelnut.
• Gwen: Similar to Hass but has a thick, dark green skin.
• Hass: The most popular type, available year-round.
• Lula: Peaks in summertime and is resistant to cold but susceptible to fungi.
• Maluma: Dark purple avocado discovered in South Africa.
• Monroe: Firmer and can weigh over 2 pounds.
• Pinkerton: Oblong shape with rough skin that is easy to peel.
• Reed: Only available in summer, and skin remains green.
• Sharwil: Rough, green peel, yellow flesh, and very oily.
• Zutano: Lighter, yellow-green skin and mild, more buttery taste.

Fun Fact: Hass Is Tops

Each type of avocado has its own unique characteristics in terms of texture, flavor, and nutritional content. However, no such variety has quite taken the world by storm—and stood the test of time—like the Hass avocado.

While there are many types of avocados (too many to count!) Hass reigns supreme. Most of the avocados in the U.S. are Hass, so the next time you dive into a brilliant green bowl of guacamole, you have Rudolph Hass, part-time postal worker and amateur botanist, to thank.

So, how did Hass become the leader of all the types of avocados? Let’s take a stroll through history to find out.

Avocados Before Hass

Avocados predate humans. That’s right: Before football, or Cinco de Mayo, or the very concept of brunch, avocados grew wild in the nutrient-rich soil found in subtropical and tropical areas of the Americas. And the ancestors of the avocados we know and love today looked a little different than what we’re used to smashing on our avocado toast. It’s a pity, but ancient avocados were mostly pit.

Because ancient avocados were so large and, therefore, hard to swallow, the creatures that noshed on them were also outsized. Enter: giant ground sloths. These gentle giants swallowed avocados whole and then traveled many miles throughout their day, leaving undigested seeds in their droppings along the way. This is how avocados spread across the Americas. Slow clap for sloths!

Fast forward (but not too far) to 500 B.C., when early humans cultivated avocados in Central America and Mexico. Most of these types of avocados were smooth and green but blemished more easily than the Hass avocados we know and love today. The Spanish took avocados around the world, popularizing them on a global level. But the world had to wait until after the 1920s for the first Hass avocado tree to blossom into a worldwide sensation.

The Story of Hass

The Hass avocado’s humble story begins in La Habra Heights, California, close to Los Angeles. A postal worker named Rudolph Hass bought a variety of avocado seeds, which were of unknown origin, from a local nursery. He plunked them in the ground on his property, which already had a few mature Fuerte avocado trees.

The seeds grew into immature trees, which Hass then grafted onto his Fuerte trees. This technique fused the mystery avocado variety with the Fuerte avocado tree and later produced the world’s first Hass avocados.

With one bite, Hass and his family knew they had a winner on their hands. Hass avocados were slightly nutty, luxuriously creamy, and clearly superior to any avocado they’d eaten before. Even better, Hass avocados grew in clusters, and the trees offered a better yield than other types of avocados.

The trouble was they needed to get the good news about Hass avocados out to the public, who was generally thrown off by the dark purple color and bumpy texture of the Hass avocado’s skin.

Over time, though, growers and distributors began stocking more and more Hass avocados. The sturdy skin of the Hass avocado helped keep the fruit in good shape during shipping, and the black color hid mild blemishes. And once shoppers took a bite of the Hass avocado, they were hooked!

Why You Gotta Hass It

Today, 80% of avocados consumed around the world and 95% of avocados eaten in the U.S. are Hass. Its rich taste and buttery consistency are unlike those of any other type of avocado, making them the clear choice for guacamole, salads, smoothies, and sandwiches.

Another reason for the popularity of Hass avocados is their nutritional value. Hass avocados are higher in fat than other types—providing a buttery taste. This good fat does a world of good for our bodies. Need more proof? Hass avocados:

• Contain 5g of monounsaturated fat in one serving (one-third of a medium avocado), which can help reduce bad cholesterol in your blood, lowering your risk of heart disease and stroke.
• Are sodium-, sugar-, and cholesterol-free.
• Contribute nearly 20 nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, and phytonutrients.

Find mouth-watering recipes using Hass avocados in our recipe archives.

The post How Many Types of Avocados Are There? appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Avocados have become an everyday staple for many people. We nosh on avocado toast for breakfast and blend avocado smoothie bowls at snack time … but have you ever stopped to wonder where avocados come from? Do they grow on trees? Or do the perfect orbs of green goodness drop straight from the heavens for us to enjoy?

Find out the answer to this and all your existential avo questions here.

Do Avocados Grow on Trees?

Luckily, the answer is yes!  Avocados grow on trees around the world, but not every location is as blessed as we are. Mexico, specifically the state of Michoacán, is one of the only places in the world where avocado trees produce fruit 365 days a year.

So, the next time someone chastises you for eating all the avocados as if they grow on trees, you can say, “But avocados do grow on trees!” Avocado trees are native to Central America and Mexico, where they’ve been cultivated for, oh, say, thousands of years. It’s true! Early humans grew avocado trees as far back as 500 B.C.

What Does an Avocado Tree Look Like?

Avocado trees are evergreens belonging to the Lauraceae family, which includes other trees like cinnamon and bay laurel. Despite their classification as evergreens, they don’t look like a typical Christmas tree. They’re big and bushy, growing up to 60 feet tall and 35 feet wide! Avocado trees have a spreading, open canopy with large, leathery leaves that are dark green in color. These leaves can grow up to a foot long. Avocado trees first produce clusters of small, yellow-green flowers that, once pollinated, are followed by the fruit. Each avocado can weigh anywhere from a few ounces to several pounds, depending on the variety. (It’s not recommended to read a book sitting beneath an avocado tree!)

What Makes Hass Avocado Trees Different?

Do Hass avocados grow on trees, too? Yes! Hass avocados have high yields compared to other varieties of avocado trees. A mature Hass avocado tree can produce over a million blooms and typically lives for hundreds of years. Hass avocados have a bumpy skin that gradually deepens from a brilliant green to a deep purple, which is helpful for clueing you in when the avocado is ready to eat! (However, the best indicator is to give it a little squeeze.)

Hass avocado trees were first created by Rudolph Hass in 1926 in California. Rudolph grafted two different types of avocado trees together to create the Hass avocado tree — a tree that was sturdier and provided more fruit than Fuerte avocado trees, which were the most popular variety at the time in the Americas. Today, there are an estimated 10 million Hass avocado trees worldwide, all descendants of Rudolph Hass’s first grafted avocado tree!

How Do Avocado Trees Grow?

Avocado trees are native to tropical and sub-tropical areas and require ample sunshine, water, and well-draining soil to survive. (They are susceptible to root rot if the soil is too wet.) You can grow avocado trees outdoors in warm, tropical climates or indoors in a planter by a window that allows for lots of sunlight.

But there’s one thing you should know: Avocado trees are not self-pollinating. This means that they need another avocado tree nearby and the help of some friendly pollinators (bees, birds, or humans good with Q-tips) in order to produce fruit. Avocado trees have both male and female flowers, but they typically do not bloom at the same time. So, if you want your avocado tree to bear fruit, your avocado tree will need a friend. (Resulting in two avocado trees’ worth of avocados! Hooray!)

It is true that all good things come with time. Avocado trees take a few years to start producing fruit — but once they do, you’ll have a bounty of creamy, delicious avocados for decades. The amount of fruit produced by a single tree can vary widely depending on a variety of factors, including the age of the tree, the climate, and the quality of care it receives. So, keep your avocado tree nice and toasty (between 60 and 85°F), well-watered, and near plenty of sunshine.

When Do You Pick Avocados from Avocado Trees?

Avocados do not ripen on the tree. You must pick them off the tree by hand when they are firm to allow them to ripen. Have a fiesta on the books? Ripen your avocado faster by putting it inside a paper bag with a banana!

Once your avocado is ripe, you can pause the process by placing it in the refrigerator.

Thank Goodness for Avocado Trees

So, there you have it. Next time someone asks, “Do avocados grow on trees?” you can happily inform them that avocados do, indeed, grow on trees. And thank goodness they do! Avocado trees are an important part of Mexico’s agriculture industry, and they provide a delicious and nutritious fruit that is beloved by many around the world. With sunshine, water, and a little love, you can grow a whole new reason to love your favorite fruit even more!

Get some more food for thought. Explore other bits of zany avocado trivia here.

The post Do Avocados Grow on Trees? appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

You’ve just dipped into a beautiful bowl of guacamole. As soon as you bite into the smooth, green glob of guac, your world goes into slow motion. “How are avocados THIS good?” you wonder, munching meditatively. “Do they grow in heaven? If not, where do avocados grow on Earth? Is such goodness even possible here?”

While we’ve got you in slow motion, let us avo-splain where avocados grow. You’ve got time, and we love talking about all things avocados.

Where Do Avocados Grow?

Avocados probably grow in heaven, but thankfully they grow on Earth, too. Avocado trees thrive in humid, subtropical climates — you’ll find bustling orchards in places like Mexico, South America, and California. But there’s one place where avocados grow especially well that, y’know, it may as well be heaven after all.

That place is the Mexican state of Michoacán, where there are 42,000 avocado orchards. It’s the country’s central hub of avocado production, harvest, and exportation to the U.S. — in fact, more than 80% of the avocados in the U.S. come from Michoacán. Ohhh… THAT’s where we get our name.

There are three magic keys to Michoacán that make it an avocado paradise.

🌋 Yummy, rich volcanic soil. The avocado groves in Michoacán grow in the heart of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, a ring of more than 100 volcanoes. The ash from these volcanoes gives the area’s soil all kinds of precious nutrients, which avocado trees looooove.

🌧️ A whole lotta rainfall. Most avocado orchards in Michoacán are located near the city of Uruapan, which receives around 64 inches of precipitation every year. That rain feeds the rivers and lakes that allow avocado farmers to naturally irrigate their orchards. In fact, 61% of avocado orchards in Michoacán rely on rainfall as their primary source of irrigation.

🌎 Always blooming. Avocado trees only bear fruit in the right conditions — in most places, the avocado season only lasts for a few months every year. But here in Michoacán, our orchards are always blooming. It’s one of only two places in the world where avocados can bloom 365 days out of the year.

The avocado trees in Michoacán are planted at different elevations (ranging from 2,000 to 10,000 feet) among the mountains. The various elevations create four distinct seasons (we call them “blooms”) among the orchards. The orchards rhythmically bloom from higher to lower elevations and then back again. Plus, avocados can survive on the tree for up to six months after they’re ready to be picked. The result is a continual, uninterrupted avocado harvest — meaning Avocados From Mexico are always good and always available.

Avocados 🤝 Mexico

Where avocados grow best has always been Mexico. Archaeologists have even discovered avocado remnants in Mexico that are more than 10,000 years old. It’s no wonder, then, why the fruit has always been such a fixed part of Mexican culture and cuisine. To give you a taste of the cuisine where avocados grow, here are some of our favorite Mexican avocado recipes for you to try at home (with Avocados From Mexico, of course).

1. Snack Time: When it comes to snacking with avocados, nothing beats making Classic Mexican Guac the way it was intended: mashed avocado, salt, lime juice, and white onion. Perfecto.

2. Breakfast: Huevos Rancheros is a staple way to start the day in Mexico and much of the Southwest U.S. It’s a simple concept: corn tortilla, fried eggs, Monterey Jack cheese, and slices of avocado.

3. Lunch: We’ve got a recipe for cold Mexican soup, or Gazpacho, that adds blended avocado to create a creamy texture to a Mexican classic. It’s got a peppery kick to it, making it an #AlwaysGood choice for summer lunches.

4. Dinner: Our recipe for Tostadas de Tinga Poblano calls for Mexican-style sauteed pork, fried chorizo, and black beans, all loaded onto a crispy corn tortilla and topped with sliced avocado. Now we’re cookin’.

5. Dessert: Avocados are creamy and mild, meaning they’re an excellent base for sweet treats like this Orange and Avocado Natilla, a Mexican custard pudding. It takes less than 30 minutes to make and can chill in the fridge while you’re gobbling up dinner (or breakfast… no judgment).

The best part is these recipes are just scratching the surface of all the delicious dishes you can make with Avocados From Mexico. Dig into our recipe archive to discover endless avo inspo.

The post Where Do Avocados Grow? appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

With so many tricky tools in your kitchen, letting kids help with meal prep can feel like a daunting supervisory task. Your youngsters may not be able to run the mixer or slice up produce, but they can easily mash avocados and mix in supporting ingredients to make these fresh and easy guacamole recipes.

Avocados are versatile, so there are plenty of ways to get creative in your additions — kids will have even more fun if they can munch on their favorite foods as they mix.

Related: Discover which nutrients avocados can bring to your family’s table.

Mix these easy guacamole recipes below into your menu for some culinary family fun.

5 Easy Guacamole Recipes to Make with Your Kids

Bacon Guacamole

Who doesn’t love snacking on bacon? Place chopped tomatoes, onions, and cilantro in separated bowls to help your kids create this dish.

Bacon Cotija Guacamole

Teach your kids about traditional Mexican flavors with the cotija cheese in this recipe. Prepare the bacon and let them mix in the cheese, cilantro, lime, salt, and pepper.

Cucumber Green Apple Guacamole

Let the kids mix and mash up the guacamole base while you slice and dice apple, white onion, English cucumber, and cilantro.

Grandma Guacamole

Show your kids a different take on guacamole with this easy-to-make mixture. As you mix, introduce them to ingredients they might not be used to, like bouillon powder and jicama.

Dark Chocolate Raspberry Dessert Guac

Kids can mix all of these ingredients together for a post-dinner sweet treat. Let them cover their creation in as much sauce as they like.

Don’t forget to teach your young sous-chefs how to know when avocados are ripe so that they can identify the perfect moments to whip up a batch of guac.

No matter which easy guacamole recipe you choose to tackle with your kids, talk to their doctor about their nutritional needs before changing their diet. Once you receive a doctor’s approval, stop by the grocery store on your way home to pick up the ingredients you will need. Then, get in the kitchen and guac!

Visit our avocado recipes page for more kid-friendly recipes.

The post Stealthy Avocado Options for Picky Eaters appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Avocado Lunch Ideas for Kids

Over the past few years, children’s self-assembly lunches have achieved great popularity — and for good reason. Kids love to build their own lunch. To them, “some assembly required” is a selling point. But when prepare these lunches at home, Mom and Dad can rest assured that nutritious foods are packed inside — like avocados!

We call the following four recipes “AvocaDoables,” since they are easy, fun, and doable avocado lunches for kids to put together by themselves. They all add something yummy and green to their plate at lunchtime!

Related: Learn how to save half an avocado in the fridge for the next day’s lunch.

Kids’ Avocado Taco

What to pack:

• Avocado slices
• Miniature flour tortillas
• Pico de gallo
• Shredded Mexican cheese
• Cooked chicken slices or ground beef

Kids’ Avocado Pizza

What to pack:

For the base:

• Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Marinara sauce
• Bread thins or mini bagel slices

For the toppings (pick and choose):

• Diced avocado
• Pineapple chunks
• Green bell pepper slices
• Sliced black olives
• Mini pepperoni slices

Kids’ Avocado Lunch Wrap

What to pack:

• Thin avocado slices
• Slice of preferred cheese
• Slices of preferred deli meat (chicken, turkey, or ham)
• Tomato slices
• Spinach leaves or chopped romaine lettuce
• Medium flour tortilla

Kids’ Avocado & Cracker Stacks

What to pack:

• Avocado slices or cubes
• Cheddar cheese slices
• Rolled, thin-cut slices of ham or turkey
• Cucumber slices
• Whole wheat crackers

Pro Tip: Keep the avocado slices fresh in transit by spritzing them with a little lemon juice, lime juice, or olive oil spray. This prevents the air from reaching the surface, which oxidizes avocados and turns them brown.

If you find yourself with leftover slices after you pack your kids’ avocado lunches, don’t let it go to waste! Leftover avocado can be used as a kids’ side salad with tomato and feta cheese or in a fresh fruit salad with strawberries and pineapple. And if their lunchbox is full, go ahead and blend the avocado into a breakfast smoothie for yourself.

Check out more kid-friendly recipes that are perfect for school lunches, sleepovers, and birthday parties.

The post AvocaDoables: Avocado Lunches Built by Kids appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Although avocados are delicious to eat, many people undervalue the pit and the peel of the fruit, disposing of them without a second thought. But why not give the scraps a second life as avocado arts and crafts projects?

For any of these projects, make sure you start with a ripe avocado. After you enjoy the delicious, creamy insides (for which we have plenty of guacamole recipes), save the peel and the pit and check out the imaginative craft ideas below to get started.

Related: Get your creative juices flowing early in the day by trying one of these breakfast guacamole recipes.

Avocado Pit Arts and Crafts

An avocado pit may look like nothing special at first, but it can be a treasure at the craft table. Dry off your avocado pit with a toweland let it sit until the outer skin begins to flake off.

Reindeer Ornament

You’ll need:

• A large avocado pit, halved
• Hot glue
• Googly eyes
• Small red pompom
• Brown pipe cleaners
• Ribbon

How to make it:

1. Slice the pit down its natural divide.
2. Using a hot glue gun (with adult supervision!), secure a loop of ribbon to the inside of one half.
3. Shape two pipe cleaners into reindeer antlers and glue on either side of the ribbon.
4. Glue the two halves of the pit back together and let dry.
5. Finally, glue two googly eyes on the face and add a red pompom for a nose. Give your reindeer a proper name (we recommend Rudolph Hass) and hang it from your Christmas tree.

Avocado Garland

You’ll need:

• Avocado pits — the more the better!
• Hot glue
• Sturdy string or ribbon
• Decorative elements like beads, Christmas lights, or faux flora

How to make it:

1. Save up your avocado pits and let them dry out.
2. Split your dried pits in half along their natural divide.
3. Glue a string or ribbon to the center each halved pit, gluing the other half back over the ribbon. The string should run right through the pit.
4. Repeat these steps using the rest of the pits while stringing beads, fake flowers or leaves, Christmas lights, or other decorative elements between the pits.

This garland will look great draped over a windowsill, as a centerpiece for your table, or as a Christmas tree decoration.

Avocado Peel Arts and Crafts

Peeling creative? When creating a work of avocado art out of peels, make sure you have thoroughly washed your avocado. Once you’ve scooped all the avocado meat out, let the peels dry completely so they maintain their natural shape.

Avocado Sailboat

You’ll need:

• Half of an avocado peel, cleaned and dried
• Toothpick or mini popsicle stick
• Craft clay
• Colored construction paper

How to make it:

1. Prop up your toothpick or popsicle stick in the center of the avocado peel by pressing it into a small wad of craft clay. Be sure to not cause any holes in the peel!
2. Cut a small triangle out of colored construction paper to make a sail and tape it to the mast.

You can even add a toy sailor to captain your avo-sailboat across the bathtub. Bon voyage!

Avocado Puppets

You’ll need:

• Avocado peels
• Colored paints
• Construction paper
• Popsicle sticks

How to make it:

1. Using colored paints, draw a face on your avocado peel to create a funny character.
2. Tape a firm piece of construction paper to the back of the peel (where the meat and pit once were), then tape a popsicle stick to the rear.

Create as many avocado characters as you need to put on a show!

All of these fun projects begin with delicious Avocados From Mexico, but the possibilities go as far as your imagination will take them. Just don’t forget to fuel up on kid-friendly avocado recipes while you’re working. Happy crafting!

The post Avocado Arts & Crafts for All Ages appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

With so many tricky tools in your kitchen, letting kids help with meal prep can feel like a daunting supervisory task. Your youngsters may not be able to run the mixer or slice up produce, but they can easily mash avocados and mix in supporting ingredients to make these fresh and easy guacamole recipes.

Avocados are versatile, so there are plenty of ways to get creative in your additions — kids will have even more fun if they can munch on their favorite foods as they mix.

Related: Discover which nutrients avocados can bring to your family’s table.

Mix these easy guacamole recipes below into your menu for some culinary family fun.

5 Easy Guacamole Recipes to Make with Your Kids

Bacon Guacamole

Who doesn’t love snacking on bacon? Place chopped tomatoes, onions, and cilantro in separated bowls to help your kids create this dish.

Bacon Cotija Guacamole

Teach your kids about traditional Mexican flavors with the cotija cheese in this recipe. Prepare the bacon and let them mix in the cheese, cilantro, lime, salt, and pepper.

Cucumber Green Apple Guacamole

Let the kids mix and mash up the guacamole base while you slice and dice apple, white onion, English cucumber, and cilantro.

Grandma Guacamole

Show your kids a different take on guacamole with this easy-to-make mixture. As you mix, introduce them to ingredients they might not be used to, like bouillon powder and jicama.

Dark Chocolate Raspberry Dessert Guac

Kids can mix all of these ingredients together for a post-dinner sweet treat. Let them cover their creation in as much sauce as they like.

Don’t forget to teach your young sous-chefs how to know when avocados are ripe so that they can identify the perfect moments to whip up a batch of guac.

No matter which easy guacamole recipe you choose to tackle with your kids, talk to their doctor about their nutritional needs before changing their diet. Once you receive a doctor’s approval, stop by the grocery store on your way home to pick up the ingredients you will need. Then, get in the kitchen and guac!

Visit our avocado recipes page for more kid-friendly recipes.

The post Mix and Mash — 5 Easy Guacamole Recipes to Make with Your Kids appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

When you’re a busy parent, multitasking is a must — and mealtime is no exception. Bringing the kids into the kitchen to help you prep keeps them busy alongside you and helps ensure it’ll be a meal that everyone enjoys.

As a versatile super food, avocados can provide nutritious fit for the whole crew. Read the six kid-friendly avocado recipes below to bring everyone together over avocados.

Related: Find out more about which nutrients avocados can bring to your child’s diet.

6 Kid-Friendly Avocado Recipes That Young Ones Can Help Prepare

Avocado Sandwich

• If your kids love a simple sandwich, opt for this avocado sandwich on whole wheat bread. Kids can mash their own avocado-and-sour-cream mixture, then help spread it on the bread.

Turkey Pizza

• Add some fun for your cheese-pizza fanatic with this avocado turkey pizza. Grate mozzarella and let kids sprinkle it over their individual piece.

Caprese Skewers

• If your kids like to work with their hands, try avocado caprese skewers with balsamic dipping sauce. Slice your avocado carefully before handing it over to the kids, then work together to create the perfect combination of cheese, avocado, and tomato.

Mexican Sushi

• Adventurous eaters can give Mexican sushi a go. Teach the kids how to roll and fill their own tortilla wraps.

Avocado Pasta

• Creamy avocado pasta makes for a hearty, fast favorite. Prepare the ingredients, then let your kids blend avocados, garlic, basil, and lemon juice into a sauce and drizzle it over their pasta of choice.

Avocado Ice Cream

• If dinner is already done, finish with tropical avocado ice cream. Show kids how to blend chunks of frozen pineapple and banana, coconut milk, avocado, lime juice, and honey, then place this treat in the freezer to enjoy the next day.

By incorporating these recipes into your menu, you’re more able to focus on what matters most during meal prep: your family.

Before changing your child’s eating habits, talk to their doctor about these recipes and how you can incorporate avocados into a balanced diet. Once you’ve created a doctor-approved meal plan, visit our avocado recipes page for more kid-friendly avocado recipes you can make with your youngsters.

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No one wants their student to be distracted by hunger or overloaded with energy while they study. Avocados can provide a versatile and sugar-free way to keep kids feeling full throughout the school week. Avocados are a good source of fiber, a substance that can help your child feel satiated faster, and with zero grams of sugar per 50g serving of avocado, there is no need to worry about sugar highs and crashes. A serving of avocado also has nearly 20 vitamins and minerals.

With so many nutritional benefits, avocados could be the perfect addition to your student’s snack repertoire, and we have some recipe ideas to help get your family started. These avocado snacks are minimally messy, making them an excellent choice for snack breaks during the school week. Make sure you are fully equipped with ripe avocados and a knowledge of how to store avocado leftovers, as the ingredients for these snacks can be worked into multiple family meals.

Avocados are a sugar-free food, but some of these recipes may contain sugar. Before altering your student’s diet, talk to their doctor. They may include avocados in a list of healthy foods you can incorporate into your student’s diet. Be sure to mention these recipes during your discussion to ensure that they are the proper fit for your student’s dietary needs.

Salmon Cracker Sandwiches

If your student loves texture and crunch, these avocado and smoked salmon cracker sandwiches will fit the bill. Layer avocado spread onto a crispy cracker and top with smoked salmon for a savory seafood crunch. While the recipe pictures these seafood-and-avocado bites as open-faced sandwiches, we recommend closing the sandwich with an additional cracker for leak-free lunchbox loading.

Ham and Cheese Avocado Roll-ups

If soft snacks are the way to your student's heart, our ham and cheese avocado roll-ups are a simple and portable option.

Combine one mashed avocado with mayonnaise, mustard, and chipotle chiles in adobo sauce to create an avocado spread. Roll out each piece of sandwich bread with a rolling pin until completely flat, then layer on the avocado spread. Leave an inch around the sides of the bread bare. Top with slices of ham and cheese and roll up the sandwich. You can easily make them vegetarian by replacing the ham with sautéed spinach or veggies.

Avocado Fries

Dredge thick slices of Avocados From Mexico in chile-lime flour, egg, and panko breadcrumbs and bake them into avocado fries. The crisp coating mingles perfectly with the creamy, warm avocado innards for a health-conscious indulgence.

Cut 2 whole avocados into wedges and preheat your broiler to 500°F. Warm a baking sheet in the oven. Prepare 3 mixing bowls. Mix flour and chili-lime salt in the first bowl, beat 1 egg in the second bowl, and place panko bread crumbs and any remaining chili salt in the third bowl to create an avocado-fry assembly line. Place an avocado wedge in the first bowl to coat it in flour, then use a fork to coat it in egg. Finally, coat it in the panko breadcrumbs. Repeat for each of the avocado wedges.

Coat your baking pan in oil and fan the avocado wedges across it. Place them under the broiler for 5 minutes, flip them over, then return them to the broiler for an additional 2 minutes. Let them cool, then pack into sandwich bags for your student to enjoy.

Visit our blog for other avocado recipe ideas.

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Día de los Muertos is a widely celebrated holiday, not just in Latin America, but also in the U.S. The holiday demands preparation of all kinds, from cuisine and costumes, to decorations and dancing tunes, to prayers and parties. The season tends to bring out traditional harvest foods, like maize, pumpkins, and colorful beans dried on the vine, but have you ever thought of including avocado carving in your holiday crafts?

Yes, you read that right, avocado carving! You only need a few simple tools and ingredients and you can use this ancient Mexican fruit to make your very own Day of the Dead-themed skull carvings.

What you need:

• Avocados From Mexico (one per skull) and a lemon
• an X-Acto knife or other small blade
• a marker or food-safe pen
• a wooden skewer or toothpick

The pattern is simple and the results are stunning. If you use all food-safe ingredients, you can even turn your carving into guac later and get all that wonderful avocado nutrition as well.

For this project, you'll want relatively firm avocados. If you're buying your avocados ahead of time, here are some tips you need to know about how to keep your avocado fresh and ready to carve. Just pop it in the fridge and it will keep well for up to 5 days, and longer if it is extra-firm when you bring it home.

Now, here's how to make those skulls!

1. Draw two very large eyes, an upside down heart for a nose, and a long rectangle for the mouth. The eyes should take up the entire half of the largest end of the avocado.
2. Using the X-Acto knife, cut out all the marked areas of skin.
3. Now, cut out the eyes, on an angle inward, all the way down to the pit, so the inner part of the eye holes where the pit shows through is smaller than the opening. Remove the chunks of avocado from the holes.
4. Cut out the nose straight down, without an angle, again all the way to the pit.
5. Now, cut only the skin off the mouth area, peeling it away to reveal the avocado beneath. Then, use the skewer or toothpick to draw the teeth inside.
6. Finally, squeeze the juice of a lemon (or any other acid like vinegar) to keep the avocado flesh green. This technique works well not just for crafts, but for all kinds of avocado dishes! For other options, check out this video with tips for keeping your guacamole green.

When you have your finished skull, don't hesitate to decorate it! Add some lace trim around its neck, or put a fancy hat on top. If you don't intend to eat it, you could even paint it for more color and flare.

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Experts say it constantly, and you know it's true: Reading to and with your children is one of the most important habits you can establish as a family. Not only does it help them develop early literacy skills; it also fosters empathy, a wider awareness of the world, imagination, and problem-solving skills. Plus, snuggling up with a book and a baby deepens family ties. In non-expert language? Reading together feels fantastic.

Here at Avocados From Mexico, we love to read, and it probably won't surprise you to learn that our favorite books are about — what else?! — the great green fruit. What might surprise you? To learn that there are so many children's books about avocados! Below are a few that are worth adding to your kids' bookshelf and ones you'd no doubt love to read to your kids while eating this delicious green fruit.

In fact, the next time you're at the grocery store, try teaching your child how to choose ripe avocados. Simply look for avos with dark green or even black skins that are a little bumpy. Give a little squeeze, and if they 'give' slightly when you apply gentle pressure, they're ready.

Now, on to the books!*

Avocado Baby

written and illustrated by John Burningham

If you've got a picky eater on your hands, this book might be an especially good bedtime read. The scrawny, not-so-healthy Hargraves have two children and are expecting a third, one they hope won't be as weak as the other family members. And they're in luck: Their picky infant has decided he loves avocados, and because he's so well-fed, he becomes capable of incredible feats.

While avocados won't help a little tyke push a car or move a piano, they are delicious and a source of nearly 20 vitamins and minerals, so they're a good addition to a baby's diet when they start on solids.

Silly Goose and the Avocado Moose: A Wonderful Adventure

written by David Shimones and illustrated by Talena Streeter

The title of this book hints at just how playful it is; populated with funny characters. In addition to the Avocado Moose (who, yes, has an avocado-shaped body), your kids will meet Watermelon Toad, Banana Billy Goat, Pineapple Parrot, and Apple Pie Cat, who are all part of a grand adventure that makes for great read-aloud fun.

Something really heartwarming about this book: The author, David Shimones, says it was inspired by his young daughter. Once, while driving to the grocery store, he looked at her in the rearview mirror and saw her making funny faces at him. He called her a silly goose and she piped back, "Hey, you avocado moose!" Dad had to cut the shopping trip short so he could hurry home and write the book.

Pancho Bandito and the Avocado Desperadoes

written by Mike Sundy and illustrated by David Sundy

Mexican mythology, avocados, guacamole, and incredibly colorful, whimsical illustrations? We'll take a heaping serving, please. Avocado farmers are after hungry bandits who steal their crops. (If only they knew that Avocados From Mexico are available year-round at their local grocery store!) Your young ones will have fun with this "old Western"-style story. And hey, if you want to make some guacamole to go along with it, check out our go-to trick for keeping guac green (hint: You'll need some plastic wrap and milk).

* Please note that Avocados From Mexico is in no way affiliated with nor endorses the authors or publishers of the books listed in this blog. We are simply great fans of their work!

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It's tough being a new parent. Aside from your lack of sleep, you worry whether your little one is getting enough rest and whether they're healthy and happy. And then there's that other big concern: Are they eating enough nutrient-rich food?

Remember: It’s important that you consult your pediatrician before starting your baby on a new diet, and find out whether they are ready to start eating solid foods. Your pediatrician knows best!

Here’s our tips to helping your baby include some nutrient-dense, yummy baby food that you can whip up from the comfort of your home.

Avocado: The great green fruit

Why are avocados so good for you and your wee one? There are lots of reasons! First, avocados have good fats and are nutrient dense — but wait, there’s more. Avocados are fruits that are naturally free of sugar and sodium. They’re soft and creamy, making for an excellent transitionary food for babies practicing with solid foods.

The proof is in the pudding

In general, most pediatricians suggest you start out by offering babies single servings of fruits or vegetables. And we bet it won't be a problem to get your little person to eat up a buttery, creamy avocado mash. Simply purée or mash one pitted and peeled Avocado From Mexico with a little bit of baby formula or breast milk to yield almost a cup of purée.

If your baby is interested in exploring new flavors, try mashing some ripe banana into the avocado to sweeten the deal. If you need to refrigerate any leftovers, pour a thin layer of milk or water over your purée, cover, and store. You can watch this video to ensure you're doing it right! When you're ready to feed it to baby, dump the liquid and enjoy! (Psst! The same storage tip applies to guacamole!)

To select a ripe avocado for making your baby's avo purée, look for skin that's dark green to nearly black, bumpy in texture, and yields to pressure when you give it a gentle squeeze — without feeling mushy. If you’re more of a visual learner, you can click this link to watch the video! And just like that, you're set for whenever baby's mealtime hits, with something that ticks all the boxes for fast, easy, delicious, and nutritious!

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If we're going to label any fruit a mystery, avocados surely have apples and oranges beat in spades. The avocado is a fruit on a different level and of a different age.

The Cenozoic Era, which began about 65 million years ago, marked a time of “megafauna" — a term that describes any animal weighing over 100 pounds. The Cenozoic's megafauna tended to be extra-large versions of animals that are familiar to us today: giant sloths, armadillos, birds, and snakes, all of which were able to eat these ancient avocados whole, spreading the seeds far and wide as they continued to travel on their way.

Over the past 50,000 years, however, the world's largest creatures experienced several waves of extinction. As land animals tended to become smaller than humans, they stopped eating avocado in this manner. So one question remains: How did the avocado seed spread? What or who was indulging in this delicious fruit?

(By the way, you may not be able to eat avocado seeds whole, but you can do lots of other things with them, including making guacamole, everyone's favorite dip! Check out this video to learn how to keep your guac fresh and green by adding a little lime juice, covering it with plastic wrap and putting it in the refrigerator.)

We know that humans have been engaged in some form of agriculture for at least 10,000 years, particularly in Mesoamerica, where several ancient varieties of avocado originated. The avocado's resilience during megafauna extinction suggests that perhaps we've been responsible for plants for much longer.

Avocados are unique among fruits. Unlike most fruit, which have more sugar and less fat and which will get soft and fall off the tree if they aren't picked, mature avocados can stay fresh and ready to ripen on the tree for a year or longer! Maybe early humans didn't know that they were spreading the plant, but avocados are definitely the perfect portable food! And here's a tip: There are plenty of ways to get avocados from freshly-picked to soft and creamy. Here are three of our favorite ways to ripen avocados quickly, the simplest one being placing the avocado where it can get direct sunlight like a window sill in your home.

Nomadic tribes could have picked handfuls of avos to carry, waiting for them to become soft enough to enjoy and dropping the seeds along their path when they were done. It wouldn't take many generations of walking the same trails between the ancient caves and the valley gathering sites in the Oaxaca Valley, for example, to realize that new groups of avocado trees would sprout up and eventually produce fruit in the same place where seeds had been left behind.

It seems like early humans were as in love with avocados as we are today, and who can blame them? We have their hard work and resilience, over the course of tens of thousands of years, to thank for the abundance of fruits and vegetables we enjoy today.

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There's little sense in keeping your love of avocados close to the chest. Instead, you can proudly display your love for avocados while getting into the holiday spirit by making some avocado-shaped felt ornaments for your tree. These adorable ornaments are great conversation starters and definitely add personality and style to your holiday decorations. Turn on some Christmas music and make some fast and easy snacks to keep hunger at bay while you get the family together to create these special DIY ornaments.

Snack attack!

Turn your crafting session into a party by serving Christmas-tree shaped avocado toastwith pomegranate arils as the decorations. Guacamole bites are another perfect snack to accompany this fun family activity. Avocados From Mexico are always in season and guacamole represents Christmas colors perfectly!

When you're selecting avocados for your holiday recipes, it's easy to know when they're ready to eat. Just give each avocado a gentle squeeze. If it doesn't yield to pressure, you can quicken up ripening by putting it in a paper bag with a banana for a day or two. You can also slow down ripening if you're not ready to eat it just yet by keeping it in the refrigerator. These simple tips will ensure you always serve your avocados at their creamy, smooth best.

Now, get crafting!

Now, it's time to get out your crafting kit. This should include needles and thread, stuffing, glue, ribbon, and felt. Be sure to have plenty of green and brown felt on hand. To make your ornaments, cut two avocado shapes, one in light green for the front, and one in dark green or black for the back. Cut a brown circle for the avocado pit. Stitch the pit onto the light green avocado felt and then stitch the avocado front to the back with dark green thread. Leave a small opening if you wish to add stuffing, add a ribbon loop for hanging, then stitch closed.

If you would like to put a face on your avocado, you can make stitches for the eyes and mouth, or the kids might like to glue on scraps of felt or other materials, such as googly eyes and yarn.

This craft is easy to adapt for children of different ages and abilities. For the smallest ones, you can cut the felt beforehand and instead of stitching, just let them glue the pieces together. Older kids can use a model to trace the shapes on the felt and cut them out. Sewing is a great way to work on those fine motor skills.

There's no better way to get into the holiday spirit than by doing some crafts together as a family, and you'll create a memory that you can savor every year when you hang your ornaments on your tree. If you have enough materials, make a few extra! These ornaments are great Christmas gifts for family and friends who love avocados!

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There's a good reason we leave Santa cookies on Christmas Eve: delivering gifts to every kid in the world in one night is a logistical nightmare. Santa deserves a break, and if cookies are his weakness, who are we to hold it against the guy?

But there's a way to give Santa (and your family) a treat without the bulk, and the secret is hidden inside your favorite fruit: avocado. By swapping out the butter in this recipe with avocado, you can reduce the amount of calories, saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium Santa eats with his treats. And by pairing avocados with rich cocoa powder and a few treats (chocolate chips or crushed peppermint candies, for example), he won't miss a thing.

There are two tricks to this recipe. The first is to pick a perfectly ripe avocado, one that yields to gentle pressure, but isn't too soft. Check out this short video to learn more. Depending on the size of the avocado you buy, you may have some leftover after making this recipe. A quick sprinkle of lemon or lime juice plus plastic wrap will help preserve it in the fridge until your next salad or snack (this video shows you how).

The other secret to this recipe is to serve it cold. Once the cookies cool, pop them in the freezer for at least a few hours (or store them in a freezer bag until you or Santa are ready to eat). It changes from a soft cookie into a brownie/cookie hybrid, super fudgey and rich.

The recipe is written using Dutch-process cocoa powder, which is treated with an alkali to neutralize the acidity and give the cocoa a smoother flavor. You can also use a natural cocoa powder if you prefer your chocolate more bitter, but swap out the baking powder for half the amount of baking soda.

Chocolate Avo Cookies

Yield: 8 cookies

¾-cup Avocado From Mexico flesh

½-cup sugar (can easily be swapped with coconut sugar)

1 egg

½-cup Dutch-process cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon kosher salt (plus more for sprinkling after baking)

60 grams of mix-ins (chocolate chips or crushed peppermint candies work well)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and line a 9x13 baking sheet with parchment paper. Put the first six ingredients in a blender and process until smooth (this can also be done with a bowl and a hand mixer). Stir in the mix-ins by hand, then scoop dough out in 1 ½-tablespoon increments until there are eight cookies. The cookies won't spread much while baking, so use a spoon to spread them out a bit on the sheet pan.

Bake the cookies for 15 minutes, then check to see if they can be gently lifted off of the pan. If not, put them back in for a few minutes and repeat until they hold together. The time is less important than the appearance of the cookie: you want it to be baked enough that it doesn't stick to the pan or crumble when you lift it with a spatula. As soon as the cookies are finished, sprinkle them with a little bit of salt and gently press the salt into the tops. Once the cookies cool to room temperature, transfer them into a freezer bag and freeze until ready to eat.

Santa will thank you.

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It's science fair time! Whether you're scrambling to figure out how to work with the ingredients in your kitchen, or you just want to avoid the clichéd baking-soda-and-vinegar volcano and its requisite papier-mâché mess, Avocados From Mexico has you covered.

Here are three unique science projects for kids aged five to nine.

Kindergarten and Up - Holy Guacamole!

Get your kids to do an experiment that will help you in the kitchen, too! With this project, you and your little one will learn why guacamole turns brown and how to stop it — or at least slow it down.

There is a common belief that the avocado pit has some kind of special attribute that helps prevent mashed avocado from browning. You can do an experiment to find out whether this is true! Research what causes browning and how it can be prevented, in just a few easy steps.

Have your little scientist compare a regular bowl of guac to one with a pit in it. Compare these to a second experiment using a light bulb in place of the pit, and a fourth exploring the effects of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) on the discoloration process.

(And here's a quick kitchen tip: If you want to make sure your guac stays green and fresh, just pour a thin layer of milk or water over the spread. Check out this and other how-to videos from Avocados From Mexico.

Grade One - The Avocado Tree and Me

Learn how a seed becomes a tree — or at least see the first few stages in action — with this experiment to germinate an avocado pit.

Under the right conditions, an avocado tree can make a lovely houseplant, and the germinating seeds can make an exciting science experiment. Just use a few toothpicks to suspend the pit, narrow end up, in a glass of water, and wait for the root to sprout. With a little time to mature, it can be potted and will slowly grow into a sturdy tree. And you can use it in the kitchen even if it never bears fruit: avocado leaf is a common herb used in making black beans, especially in bean tamales.

Grade Two - How to Get Avocados Perfectly Ripe

This experiment tests various avocado ripening methods to figure out which one works best and uncovers the chemical reaction behind fruit maturation.

Using a bag of rock-hard avocados, compare the length of time they take to ripen under different conditions: in the fridge, on the counter, in a paper bag, and in a bag with various other pieces of fruit, like a banana. Explore what it is about each set of conditions that impacts the ripening speed.

And if you want one more idea for ripening your avocados for meals, there are even more strategies! Watch our video about ripening with rice, or this one on using heat.

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There are 180 days in an average school year. That's almost half a year of getting up early.

Help make lunchtime exciting with these tasty and creative quick lunch ideas, all featuring avocado.

But first, you might want to know how to pick out avocados to eat throughout the week. Nothing is worse than realizing your avocado has gone bad before you can use it! Check out this video, which shows you how to pick out avocados in several different stages of ripeness. Brown or blackish skin that yields to gentle pressure is ready to eat now, while brown and green speckled skin means it will be ready in a few days, and hard, green skin means three to four days until it is ready. And if an avocado is ripe before you're ready to eat it, check out this video, which shows you that you can keep a ripe avocado fresh by storing it in the fridge for a week.

Now that you're armed with the proper avocado knowledge, on to the recipes! Some of the best recipes are those that require little time and you can make ahead, which means you do the work for a week's worth of lunches in one single day. These turkey albondigas stuffed with avocado are a great make-ahead dish, especially when sent to school with a little salsa or guacamole. This bean, avocado and pineapple salad is a creamy and sweet source of protein, and a recipe you can make ahead. Just mix everything but the avocado on a Sunday, and stir in fresh avo chunks the morning you plan to send the salad with your kid to school.

No time to cook ahead? These salami avocado skewers with honey mustard dipping sauce are fun to eat and go together in 10 minutes. Or try this tortilla roll-up with apples, avocados, and peanut butter, which only takes five minutes to make. If your child's school has nut restrictions, you can make the same recipe with a little cream cheese that has been sweetened with honey in place of the peanut butter.

The best part of any lunch are the snacks, so don't skimp here! If you have fond memories of eating pudding cups at school, recreate that with this berry and chocolate avocado mousse recipe. The avocado replaces the dairy with its smooth and sweet texture. If the school doesn't have nut restrictions, this chocolate avocado energy bar is another great snack, filled with sunflower seeds and dates (but they'll never know, promise!). For nut-free, try making this banana avocado muffin recipe without the nuts. And always be sure to make extra and store them in the freezer.

School lunches never have to get old. With avocados, your kids can have fun meals that get them excited for the lunch bell to ring.

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Parents the world over worry whether their kids are getting the recommended amount of vitamins and minerals in their diets. But they also know that telling a child to eat something because “it's good for you" often has the opposite effect. Sound familiar? If so, you're probably already doing your best to introduce fruits and vegetables into your kids' food in creative ways. These fun avocado recipes will have your kids asking for more, simply because they're so delicious.

Rock the Guac!

One third of a medium avocado (50 g) provides 11% of the daily value recommended for fiber, as well as 10% each of recommended daily value for folate and Vitamin K. Plus, there's no sugar or sodium in the great green fruit, so obviously, you want to put avocado into regular rotation in your kids' diet. One of the easiest ways to work avocado in is through guacamole. Kids love it because it's creamy and easy to eat, plus, they get to dip (fun!) and crunch (is there anything more satisfying that biting into a crispy, crunch tortilla chip or veggies like baby carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower?).

To make your own award-winning guac, skin and deseed 3 avocados like an expert by following these easy-to-follow video tips. All you need to do is cut the avos in half and then scoop out the pit with a spoon. Then, use the same spoon to scoop the avo flesh into a bowl, add the juice of one lime, some chopped cilantro, onion and garlic, and a dash of salt, and mash the ingredients all up. Some people like to add diced tomatoes, too.

It's as tasty as it is simple! Serve with crunchy tortilla chips or use the guac instead of mayo on a sandwich. Or have fun and use the shell of half an avocado as your "dish," stick a bread stick as your "ship's" mast, and two tortilla chips as the sail, and watch your snack disappear.

If you've made your guacamole in advance and want to keep it looking green and fresh, simply cover it with a thin layer of water or milk and then drain it before serving. Another great tip for those of us who are just as keen on meal presentation as we are on taste!

Pass the Pasta

If your little ones aren't sold on the idea of eating chunks of avocado, then a little bit of “pasta disguise" is in order. While your pasta is cooking, simply blitz some fresh herbs or greens such as basil, parsley, or spinach in your food processor or blender. Add a clove or two of garlic, some freshly squeezed lemon juice, a dash of sea salt and pepper, a glug of olive oil, one diced avocado, a little water, and blend again.

Once your pasta is cooked, drain it and add the sauce to the warm pasta, at which point your sauce and pasta become one delicious creamy dish. Top off with some good, grated cheese and presto — avo pasta!

Choc-ful of Goodness!

When it comes to kids, there's no greater resistance-melter than chocolate. These chocolatey cupcakes give a sweet finish to any meal, making your kid eager to be part of the Clean Plate Club, while still packing in the nutritional goodness of their secret ingredient: avocado! And they're not the only dessert that feature avocado. Check out more sweet treat ideas here.

Get more kid-friendly snack ideas in this special recipe section just for them!

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If you ask us, there's really no better way to spend a summer afternoon than making homemade ice cream. With all of the ice cream machines on the market, whipping up a batch of this sweet treat is as easy as putting a few ingredients together, hitting "Mix", and — the hardest part — waiting for the machine to do the hard work!

But what flavor to make?! That's always tough to decide. Vanilla and chocolate are obvious options, perhaps, and seem fail-proof if you follow instructions, but the great thing about ice cream is that it allows for all sorts of variations and experiments when it comes to flavor.

If you want to surprise and delight your family with homemade ice cream, why not try a flavor that's likely to be totally new to them? Avocado ice cream may sound unusual, but think about it: the smooth, creamy texture of Avocados from Mexico lends itself perfectly to ice cream — you have to try it at least once!

If you're game, here's what you'll need:

Ingredients

1½ cups low-fat milk (you can substitute almond milk, if you'd like)

2 ripe, fresh Hass avocados, peeled, and pitted

½ cup white sugar

1 tablespoon lemon or lime juice

1 cup low-fat coconut milk

1 sprig of mint, chopped

1 vanilla bean, halved and deseed, chopped (optional)

Directions

1. Place the low-fat milk, avocados, sugar, and lemon/lime juice in a blender and purée.
2. Add the remaining ingredients and blend until smooth.
3. Pour into your ice cream machine's bowl, following manufacturer's instructions to turn into ice cream.
4. Serve and enjoy!

Need more ideas for avo-inspired desserts? Check out our recipes here!

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It's dinnertime! The whole family is gathered around the table. The baby, sitting in its highchair, is excited and expectant, fist pumping while clenching a spoon in one of its adorable chubby hands. You've just introduced your little one to solids and mealtimes are now full of surprises: Will the baby love peas and carrots? Will it enjoy more textured vegetables, like broccoli and Brussels sprouts? Each day you learn a bit more about what the baby likes, and you can't wait for it to try new fruits and vegetables.

This is where avocados come in! The fruit you love so much is easy for your baby — and for food prep! The creamy flesh of the avocado is delicious, of course, and its smooth, creamy texture makes it one of the easiest foods for a baby to eat. And the fact that a lot can be done with just little to no prep work means that this fruit can be your reliable go-to in the solid food repertoire. Bonus: Avocados from Mexico are available year-round!

Here are a few ideas about how to incorporate avocado into delightful dishes for your baby:

Simple Avocado Mash

When you're having one of those "What should we have for dinner tonight?" kinds of days and your baby's getting restless, showing signs it wants to eat sooner rather than later, a simple avocado mash is the ultimate "Rescue us!" dish. Peel and pit the avocado, scoop it out of the skin, and mash it with a fork or other tool (Check out our avo-mashing tips and tricks here!). Voilá! That's really all it takes, but if you have a little extra time, mix in some puréed pear or a melon like cantaloupe or honeydew.

Want to learn how to shop for avocados so you can make sure you always have a ripe one at the ready? Watch this video to learn everything you need to know!

Sweet Potato and Avocado Swirl

Sweet potato and avocado both share the property of being smooth and creamy, especially when mashed, so their pairing in this recipe is a winning match. You'll want to plan to start cooking before baby starts crying; the potato needs to be baked in the oven for about 45 minutes, or pierced all over with a knife and baked in the microwave (time depends upon your particular microwave). You can also slice the raw sweet potato into thin rounds and cook them more quickly in a steamer basket placed atop a boiling pot of water. Once ready, simply mash the potato and avocado and serve!

Avocado and Pea Purée

Want to make sure baby gets a double punch of greens? Combine a fruit (avocado) and vegetable (peas), and pulse them in the blender or food processor for a quick, sweet, and nutritious combination! Note that a serving of avocado is 1/3 of a medium-sized fruit. What do you do with the rest? Well, you could eat it right away, of course, but if you want to save it, here's a pro-tip about doing so in the fridge.

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It’s 6 p.m. You put in a full workday, carted your school-age kids to and fro, and now everyone is calling out for dinner.

You’re tired, you’re hungry, and your fingers can barely summon the strength to turn on the oven and start dicing veggies.

Fear not! With these time-saving tips to add to your kitchen arsenal, you’ll never again be left wondering, “What’s for dinner?”

Let the grocer do it.

Grab a store-bought rotisserie chicken, a bag of prewashed salad greens, and avocados on nights when you’re too tired or busy to cook. With these ingredients, it only takes a few minutes to put together an enjoyable meal.

Locate your recipe.

Don’t waste precious time searching for a recipe before you can start cooking. Save recipes you’d like to try in a dedicated cooking organization app for your tablet or smartphone, or print them out and tuck them into a folder.

Save time with gadgets.

Try an egg slicer for recipes that call for sliced fruit. It slices everything from strawberries to bananas to avocados in one swift motion. Of course, it’s also great for eggs.

Work in advance.

When you cook, prepare enough for two or three meals at once. For instance, buy twice the hamburger meat you need and brown it with sautéed onions, peppers, and spices. Toss the extra in the freezer. This will save you time when you need to make something fast — like tacos or chili. Items such as cooked hamburger and casseroles can be frozen for up to three months; chicken and turkey can be frozen for even longer.

Dust off your slow cooker.

Add chicken breast, pork chops, or thick cuts of beef to a slow cooker along with roughly chopped root vegetables and some broth or water before you head off to work in the morning. When you return in the evening, you’ll have a warm, hearty meal that’s ready to serve.

Pay for convenience.

Many recipes call for chopped onions, peppers, or celery. Buy a bag or two of these basics, either frozen or fresh, and keep them on hand in your kitchen. It’s a definite pre-chopped time-saver.

Master these quick and easy shortcuts for weeknight home cooking and you’ll be a household hero.

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Any foodie worth his or her Himalayan pink sea salt will quickly proclaim the kitchen to be the best room in the house. But did you know it is also the go-to spot for friends and family members to connect while cooking, snacking, or eating dinner? Fifty-three percent of adults with children under age 18 eat together at home six or seven nights a week, according to a 2013 Gallup poll.

While it’s great for family unity, the truth is all this cooking, eating, and snacking can add up to a hefty grocery bill. Fortunately, there are shopping and cooking strategies that can help ease the financial burden. Use these tips to save money in the kitchen all while making delicious, gourmet-style food your family will love to eat.

Honor your taste buds.

Plan your meals around foods you and your family like to eat. Resist the temptation to buy something just because the price is discounted or you feel it’s the type of food you should be eating.

Check sale items.

If your store is offering a promotional price for an item on your shopping list, such as cucumbers, apples, or avocados — grab a few extra. This lets you add a dessert, salad, or appetizer to your meal. Think yummy baked apples, avocado salad with cucumber, or guacamole.

Be realistic.

Everyone loves a bargain, but don’t pay more for a bulk item unless you’re certain you will use it all. While it may be less expensive per ounce, it’s not really a better value if much of it goes to waste.

Save unused portions.

Ever made a recipe that called for one tablespoon of tomato paste and all you had was an 8-ounce can? What about taking a cup of chicken broth from a 1-quart container? If you can’t buy the exact portion you need for a dish, save the remainder in a labeled plastic bag, freeze, and reuse it later.

Choose recipes wisely.

You found the tastiest-looking recipe — now stop and check how many servings it yields. Only select recipes that make the correct number of portions for your family. If the serving size is too large, consider halving the quantities before making your shopping list.

Get creative with leftovers.

Before heading to the store, first check your pantry and fridge to see what ingredients you already have. Yesterday’s roast chicken can easily become a salad, soup, or casserole. And Tuesday’s hamburger patties can be transformed into tasty tacos. Top it off with fresh fruit and veggies, such as sliced avocados and chopped scallions, and voilà! You’ve got another delicious meal.

Go low and slow.

Chuck roast, brisket, pork shoulder, and other similar cuts of meat are often less expensive because they are generally tougher and contain more fat. But these cuts are delicious when slow cooked at a low temperature for a long period of time. Try making one in a slow cooker for a tender, delicious main course.

With a little planning and creativity, you and your family can spend quality time together surrounded by great food, and at the same time feel good about that bottom line on your grocery receipt.

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Pssssst! OK, stay cool, but you’re about to learn a classified secret: Even the pickiest of eaters will eat more nutritiously if you add avocados to their favorite foods. It’s true: toddler meltdowns (and, let’s be real, adult tantrums) over eating fresh produce or just anything green, really, can be prevented with a little ninja-ing in the kitchen.

Avocados are a powerhouse of nutrition, housing nearly 20 vitamins and minerals beneath their bumpy skin. They’re also a good source of fiber and have healthy fats — all good stuff for growing kids! And, importantly to parents everywhere, they’re squishable and mild enough to seamlessly blend into just about any picky eater’s existing (four or five) favorite foods.

Building good dietary habits in kids is imperative to supporting their growing bodies and brains. One way to ensure they’re getting what they need is to put good-tasting, good-for-you, nutrient-dense foods on the table — like avocado! So, secret-agent moms and dads — here are five sneaky avocado recipes for picky eaters.

1. Covert Quesadillas

Most fussy eaters will happily put away a mountain of warm cheddar. Cover the tracks of your secret avo operation with melty cheese inside a covert quesadilla! Spread thin slices of avocado on a flour tortilla, sprinkle shredded cheese on top, and fold in half. Microwave for about half a minute, or until the cheese melts into a gooey blanket to hug the avocados tight and — ding! Dinner’s done. Easy cheesy. To pump up the protein, add diced chicken or turkey.

Part of your secret-agent training is knowing how to slice an avocado like a pro. Here’s how:

2. Classified Refried Beans

Time to spill the beans. Avocado and refried beans are a fiber-filled pair perfect for keeping bellies full and satisfied. Simply mash an avocado into precooked refried pinto or black beans. The result is an even creamier, delicious mouthful none can resist. Kick it up a notch with the addition of a low-fat cheese or roll into a multigrain tortilla.

3. Hidden Ranch

Usually, even choosey chompers will gladly top (or smother) any food in ranch dressing. And the creamy texture of avocado blends right in with the buttermilk flavor profile and texture of ranch. Try substituting mashed avocado for sour cream or mayo in your own recipe — or simply throw some premade lite ranch dressing into the blender with avocado — and voila! Your ranch is magically infused with your favorite fruit.

4. Mysterious Milkshake

Milkshakes elevate snack occasion to a treat and wholesome avocado takes things to the next level. This quick avocado recipe is a great after-school snack for growing kids growing impatient for dinnertime. Use plant-based milks, like cashew, oat, or almond milk for lactose-sensitive tummies.

Avocado Chocolate Milkshake

Makes two smoothies

Blend together:

• 1 ripe avocado
• 1 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa
• 1 c. nonfat milk
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 1 tbsp. honey
• 1 c. frozen strawberries
• 1 banana

Find more recipes for chocolate treats and smoothies that will satisfy your little one’s sweet tooth while covertly delivering the nutritional benefits of avocado.

5. Top Secret Lasagna

Even a glimpse of chunky fruits and vegetables can send picky diners running from the table. You can avoid that by blending tomatoes, avocados, carrots, and zucchini together to make a creamy lasagna sauce. Assemble the rest of the dish using ingredients that won’t make your fussy eater fuss. Meanwhile, the secret is in the sauce. Wink, wink.

Finding avocado recipes for picky eaters (or simply getting them to try new things) can be tough. Explaining why they should eat fruits and veggies can feel like an impossible assignment. We can help — or, at least the cool kids from our Mini Chefs video series can! These young avo-enthusiasts will show your little one how to cook basic avocado snacks, like avocado and scrambled eggs and avocado berry toast.

Get all kinds of other avocado recipes here.

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Do you have trouble imagining avocados anyplace other than poolside, seated next to their dear friends: beer and tortilla chips? Don’t underestimate these creamy, decadent fruits. They are just as ripe, delicious, and infinitely useful in the winter as they are in the summer months. When cold weather hurries you indoors, you can still rely on avocados to amp up homemade meals. Serve them atop warming soups and stick-to-your-ribs stews, or get a much-needed dose of the color green by blending them into a luscious soup.

Now that you get the picture, try these warming wintertime recipes featuring avocados.

Vegetarian Chili

Add a twist to the old-fashioned winter stew with a vegetarian version: Caramelize onions and carrots, then add black beans, pinto beans, stewed tomatoes, and spices like cumin, chili powder, and bay leaf. Let this simmer into a steamy, inviting concoction. For extra texture, crumble nutty tempeh and add it to the mix. When you’re ready to serve the chili, spoon sliced avocado on top. The creaminess of the avocado blends with the other ingredients, creating a decadent meal.

Creamy Avocado Soup

Avocados star in this Colombian-inspired soup. Blend avocados with cream, chicken stock, fresh cilantro, cumin, and salt and pepper, then warm on the stove. Meanwhile, make a salsa out of black beans, diced tomatoes, diced red onion, diced bell peppers, and corn to top the soup. Or, if you’re craving more protein, top the soup with shredded chicken and cheese. Just like that, you’ll have a hearty, wintertime supper just in time for dinner.

Mexican Chicken Soup

You’ve heard of tortilla soup, but what about caldo de pollo? Kind of like Mom’s traditional chicken soup but with a Mexican twist, this soup will warm you right up. Use your favorite chicken soup recipe, but add sautéed zucchini, carrots, potatoes, fresh cilantro, and cumin to the mix. At the last minute, add halved avocados to the soup, wait for them to warm, and then ladle into bowls. The warm avocado will add a delightful depth of flavor.

Now that you’ve got a warm bowl of soup, pair it with one of these salad recipes featuring creamy avocado dressing.

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Tempted to skip lunch to keep plugging away at a pressing project? Don’t! Lunch is your power hour — a chance to reenergize with essential nutrients and vitamins. Plus, not eating lunch can lead to snacking and overeating later in the day.

Turn over a new leaf in 2016 by packing your lunchbox with nutrient-dense foods, including avocados. Worried about preserving your avocado in make-ahead recipes? Don’t be. Start with these tips for preserving avocados for future deliciousness, then focus on energy-enhancing midday meals like these.

Stuffed Avocado

For the freshest desktop feast, prep the filling for these stuffed avocados at home and assemble at work. Mix together minced garlic, crumbled cheese, frozen edamame, diced bell pepper, tomatoes, and black olives. Take a cup of this mixture, an avo, and a lime with you to work. When it’s time for lunch, halve the avocado, drizzle with lime juice, and spoon the filling into the bowl and enjoy.

Avocado Wraps

Whole-grain tortillas provide fiber and an easy way to wrap up a nutritious lunch.
Mix together ripe avocado, plain Greek yogurt, lemon or lime juice and spread on each tortilla. Top this with your choice of raw spinach, shredded carrots, or turkey, roll ’em up, and pack them away for a lunchtime treat.

Avocado Pita

A great lunch is never too much trouble when you learn how to make this tasty treat. Spread hummus evenly inside each pita and fill with sliced avocado, cucumber, precooked shrimp, and alfalfa sprouts. Seal tightly with cling wrap for easy transport.

Avocado Kabob

This is a fun, easy lunch that looks difficult to make but isn’t. Skewer bite-size avocado, chicken, tomato, zucchini, and mozzarella pieces on two 6-inch wooden skewers. Prepare a dipping sauce using a combination of plain Greek yogurt mixed with chopped fresh mint. Keep the kabobs and sauce separate until lunchtime, then bon appétit.

If you are prone to the late-afternoon munchies, keep raspberries, kiwi, kale chips (with guacamole for dipping), or almonds on-hand for a convenient, nutritious snack.

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Like magic, you can turn last night’s leftovers into an entirely new meal. We know the feeling you get when cold remains stare at you from the inside your fridge, and you are dying for something different. So don’t reach for the takeout menu — pick up an avocado and dress up those cold remains.

Roasted Chicken Tacos

Give new life to leftover roasted chicken by shredding it and making tacos! Use a fork to shred the chicken, then put it in fresh corn or flour tortillas along with chopped tomatoes, lettuce, and onions. Make a fresh, chunky avocado salsa by blending tomatoes, onions, jalapeño, avocado, and cilantro. Then slather it on top of your tacos and dig in. Olé!

Steak Salad

Transform your T-bone from last night into a filling and scrumptious salad in minutes. Slice the steak and serve it over a bed of romaine, beefsteak tomatoes, crumbled queso fresco, and red onion. Make a creamy avocado salad dressing by blending olive oil, avocado, honey, garlic, and lime in a food processor.

Rich Pork Stew

Just a half-hour is all it takes to create this Mexican posole soup with leftover pork roast! Simply caramelize onions with jalapeños and garlic in a big stockpot, then add chicken broth, your leftover pork roast, hominy, and herbs and spices like cumin and cilantro. When it’s piping hot, serve it topped with slices of avocado, crispy tortilla strips, grated cheese, and lime juice.

Vegetable Frittata

Turn last night’s side dish into a main event by throwing leftover roasted or steamed vegetables and fresh, avocado into a frittata. This works many vegetables. Add a little cheese, too, to hold it all together, and you’re in business.

FACT-CHECKING:

https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/steak-salad-recipe

https://www.popsugar.com/food/Avocado-Dressing-Recipe-37273847

http://relish.com/recipes/quick-pork-posole/

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It's okay to admit it: Prepping school lunch seems to get harder as the week rolls on. But guess what? You don't have to be in charge with making sure the lunch box gets packed every day! Getting your kids involved in their own avocado meal planning and making helps kids find their food that much more exciting and delicious.

Besides the help, getting kids involved in lunch prep is also a tasty hands-on opportunity to empower them (cooking is a life skill, after all), as well as educate them about nutrition basics.

Need some ideas to get your kids started on their own avocado meal plans? Here are some of our favorite go-to lunches that kids can make independently or with just a little help from you.

Sandwiches

Sandwiches are the default school lunches, and that's because they are the ultimate, portable food. But they don't have to be boring, flavorless, or less nutritious. Start off with a whole grain crusty bread and cut the slices a little thicker so they can tolerate a bit of moisture. Let your kids pick a filling, but keep the options savory to cut down on sugar.

Opt for butter over margarine as your moisture-resistant layer (Tip: keep your butter in a butter bell so that you don't end up destroying the bread) or mash some avocado (what kid doesn't like mashing things?!) with a pinch of salt, pepper, and lemon juice (so it doesn't oxidize so quickly) and use that as your spread.

Finally, add some protein — you can go for a Swiss cheese or some turkey slices, which are now available without overly salty nitrates.

The final step is the one your kids will find the most fun! Let them cut their sandwiches into fun shapes using oversize cookie cutters. Keeping a variety of these in the kitchen ensures that lunch is always a little bit different and exciting!

Roll-ups

When you've exhausted your ideas for sandwiches, a good Plan B is the roll-up. Half the fun here is in the making of it, and if you make it tasty enough, the eating is going to be just as much of a treat!

Get all your fillings ready to go: grated cheddar cheese, baby spinach leaves, diced cucumbers, avocado slices, and cubed chicken breast are all fantastic choices. Just be sure to avoid diced tomatoes or anything that is overly juicy, or you'll end up with a soggy wrap.

Next, grab a whole wheat tortilla (they roll easier than corn) and spread a little bit of mayo and mustard along one side. Then, let the kids layer their own fillings, making sure they grab at least one vegetable along with their proteins. Once they're done, it's time to get rolling (just don't pile the fillings too high or they won't roll up easily). Cut each cylinder into handy 3" lengths and pack in reusable containers.

Sushi

Sushi is a fantastic and interactive way to get kids involved, and they'll also love the grown-up nature of their meal. In many cases, vegetarian sushi is the most approachable way to introduce kids to a lunch that will have them the star of their tables.

You'll need to invest in some sushi rolling mats, which can be bought online or at a Japanese kitchen supply shop, and do some of the prep work, including rinsing and cooking some Japanese sushi rice (the water-to-rice ratio is 1:1).

Let the rice cool a bit before working in a little mixture of sweetened rice vinegar.

Now, call in the kids! Have them lay the rice on the rolling mat and cover it with a sheet of nori (dried seaweed) before placing some crisp veggies (carrots and red pepper, cut into matchsticks) and avocado (for creaminess) in the center. Top with a touch of mayonnaise and roll it up- voila!

Guacamole

Guac is the ultimate party dipping food and is sure to please kids of all ages. Instead of settling for store-bought guacamole, turn it into a team exercise and you'll never look back. Chopping is minimal — in fact, only some diced red onion and cilantro require knife skills.

The remainder of the guac-making process is super kid-friendly. Halve two or three ripe avocados and remove their seeds. Then, scoop out the flesh and call in the troops. While someone is on mashing duty (a potato masher works wonders — just keep it chunky), have another volunteer squeeze in the juice of two limes. Add salt and the red onion and cilantro, then stir. Grab some good-quality tortilla chips and pack them separately so they don't get soggy before lunchtime.

Quick and easy kid-friendly food needn't be unhealthy or wrapped in plastic. When it's a team effort, everyone wants a piece of the prize — and that's a winning formula!

The post Kid Recipes That They Can Make appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

This is a really fun way to make sandwiches for kids. Not only do they enjoy getting involved in rolling out the bread, spreading the avocado mix, adding the layers and then rolling them up, but they love eating and sharing them as well. These sandwich rolls can be eaten without toasting after they have been assembled, which is the way my boys prefer for me to send them to school in their lunch boxes. However, if they eat them at home, they would much rather have them toasted: the cheese melts and there is the plus of a more welcoming and toasty smell in the kitchen, as they sit down to eat.

Tip: You can alternate the kinds of deli meats and cheeses, or make it only meat or only cheese. You can also play with other ingredients, such as crisp bacon or chopped tomato.

Makes 4 whole rolls, 8 halves

Ingredients

• 1 ripe avocado, halved, pitted, meat scooped out, diced and mashed in a bowl
• 1 teaspoon mayonnaise
• 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
• 1 teaspoon sauce from chipotles in adobo sauce, optional, or more to taste
• 4 sandwich bread slices, whole wheat or white
• 4 slices of black forest ham, thinly sliced (or the ham or turkey of your choice)
• 4 slices of Muenster or Monterrey Jack cheese

To Prepare

To make the avocado sandwich spread: In a bowl, mash the avocado and mix with the mayonnaise, mustard and the sauce from the chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, until completely smooth and combined.

To assemble the sandwich rolls: With a rolling pin, roll out each sandwich bread slice until completely flattened. Leaving at least 1 inch around the edges of the flattened bread, spread a generous tablespoon of the avocado sandwich spread, top with a slice of ham and cheese. Roll up the sandwich and pat to flatten a bit with your hand once you are done. With a sharp knife, cut the ends of the sandwich roll (less than ¼-inch) and cut the sandwich roll in half, diagonally.

If sending them to school, send as is and lay them on their side. If you are eating them at home, you can place them in the toaster oven for 2 to 3 minutes and stand them up on the cut flat side, making a couple of towers.

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Summer vacation is all about long days by the pool or hanging with your kids at the playground, taking it easy and having fun, but it comes to an end all too soon. Returning to school-time routines can be jarring for parents and kids alike. A few simple steps taken during the weeks leading up to the return to the classroom can go a long way toward making the transition smoother for the whole family.

Here are a few ways you can ease gradually into a more structured schedule so everyone can get back into the swing of things once school starts.

Have Fun Shopping (Really!)

Back-to-school shopping doesn't have to be a chore. You can get the task done in plenty of time and make it fun, getting the kids involved. Have each child look at the school supply list for their class and make an inventory of items they already have that are still in good condition. This will help reduce the number of new supplies you have to buy.

Let older kids who are Internet-savvy help research the best deals for the remaining supplies. Point them toward price comparison sites (here's one) where they can scout out the most competitive prices and let them help you find coupons to bring costs down even more. Help your kids sharpen their math and budgeting skills by sorting bills and coins that match the estimated cost for all the items on your list.

Then, pack them all up and head out to shop! Let the kids take turns being in charge of the shopping list (or give each kid their own list), and make the excursion fun by turning it into a game. You could, for example, use your smart phone to send each child on a timed mission to get five items or to find all the yellow objects on the list. Before you check out, allow kids to choose a few special items that reflect their personal tastes and interests.

Adjust Sleep Schedules

A regular sleep schedule with sufficient rest will make school day mornings easier on everyone, so getting the family's bedtime and wake-up routines back on track should be a top priority.

Put the kids to bed 10 to 15 minutes earlier each night and set an alarm to go off a bit earlier each day until going to bed at the optimal time becomes an established habit. Overtired parents don't function at their best, so be sure to prioritize your own sleep time as well.

Keep up the Learning

Kids' retention of what they learned during the school year can fade after long weeks spent out of the classroom. The best way to combat summer learning loss is to make reading and learning activities a part of vacation fun, which you've probably done.

But don't ease off in the final few weeks before school starts! In fact, if you've gotten lax about bedtime reading, be sure to incorporate this quality family and learning time back into your evening routine. Take a trip to the library or your local bookstore to stock up on some new titles that will get your kids excited to read before they go to sleep.

Limit Wardrobe Choices

Choosing what to wear in the morning can be a big time suck. It can also be a source of conflict when parents and kids don't see eye-to-eye on outfit choices. Diminish morning struggles by limiting each family member's wardrobe selection to a reasonable number of basic items they can mix and match with just a few special pieces that show off their individual personalities.

Get kids into the habit of selecting an outfit the night before, so when morning comes around, the difficult decision is already made. Don't let them forget to set out socks, shoes, and other accessories, too!

Plan Quick and Tasty Breakfasts

A vital part of starting the day right means eating a breakfast that gives kids and parents the energy they need to keep going through lunchtime and beyond. Serve breakfasts that offer protein, fiber, and “good" fats to keep hunger at bay and maintain energy levels throughout the day.

There are many quick and simple breakfast choices you can prepare before heading out the door. Add half an avocado to a fruit and yogurt smoothie for an easy breakfast that kids will love, mash avocado on a slice of toast and top with an egg, or make breakfast wraps that everyone can grab to go. Taking just a few minutes in the morning to start the day off on the right foot will help your family get back into the flow of school routines in no time.

The post Easy Like Sunday Morning: Easing into Back-to-School Routines appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

By: M. Elise Giller

You might not suspect it, but avocados translate perfectly into frozen treats. Why? Their natural creaminess works wonders in popsicles, smoothies, and milkshakes, creating rich, velvety drinks and desserts — most of them without even adding ice cream or milk. Plus, you get the added benefit of the fruit’s nearly 20 vitamins and minerals. Beat the heat with these easy recipes.

Popsicles

Keep it breezy and cool with avocado popsicles. For a 30-second, no-nonsense recipe, blend avocado, lime juice, agave nectar, and water, then freeze. For extra creaminess, try Greek yogurt with avocado, green tea, and honey. Freeze for six hours or overnight, and you’ll have a tasty goody for both you and your kids!

Smoothies

Start your day with a nutritious, fruit-filled smoothie, or make one as an afternoon pick-me-up. Avocado’s decadent texture is your secret weapon in smoothies. Blend it with frozen blueberries, banana, and coconut water for an nutrient dense drink. Want to amp it up? Add some spinach — you won’t even taste the greens!

Make your avo smoothie extra creamy by adding pear to the mix. Something about avocados and pears transforms the texture even further, making it like a dense milkshake without the added calories. Try avocado, whole pear, honey, vanilla extract, and almond milk for a luscious liquid treat.

Milkshakes

No one can resist the power of a good milkshake: the velvety mixture, the rich taste. And avocado only makes it better. Combine it with vanilla ice cream, milk, ice cubes, sugar, and a hint of lime juice. Or, if you’re a chocoholic, switch out the lime for cocoa powder to make a chocolate dream that will have you coming back for seconds — or even thirds!

Want a nutritious breakfast with your smoothie? Try some of these avo options.

The post Cool Down With These 3 Frozen Avocado Treats appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Avocados are delicious, nutritious fruits that make super science fair subjects, too! Use these projects to inspire young science students — and give them a reason to play with their food.

Experiment No. 1 — What Makes Avocados Ripen Faster?

For the experiment, you’ll need:

• 3 unripe avocados
• 2 paper lunch sacks
• 1 apple

1. Put one avocado in a lunch sack and close it tightly. In the other sack, place the second avocado and the apple together and close the sack tightly. Leave the last avocado out in the open.
2. State your hypothesis: Which avocado will ripen the quickest?
3. After two days, open the sacks and compare all three avocados. Gently squeeze the avocados to determine which one has ripened the most. (Remember, the softer the avocado, the riper it is.)
4. Draw conclusions. Ask yourself what happened and why. (Hint: Find the answer at the bottom of this post.)

Experiment No. 2 — Grow an Avocado Tree

For the experiment, you’ll need:

• 3 avocado pits, gently rinsed with water (no soap!)
• 12 toothpicks
• 3 jars or drinking glasses
• Water

1. Carefully push four toothpicks into an avocado pit, placing the toothpicks at even intervals around the middle. Repeat with two other pits. Place the three pits into individual jars, being sure to position them with the pointy sides up and keeping the pits suspended by resting the toothpicks on the rim of the jar. Fill each jar with water until it reaches the middle of the pit. Place the jars in three different locations: one with direct sunlight, another with only indirect sunlight, and one with no sunlight at all. Plan to refresh water weekly.
2. Using a knife, split open the fourth pit to observe what’s inside the pit and understand what happens.
3. State your hypothesis: Which location will produce the healthiest plant?
4. After seven weeks, observe and measure the plants that should have sprouted. Which one appears to be the healthiest? Why do you think this is?
5. Draw conclusions. Ask yourself what happened and why. (Hint: Find the answer at the bottom of this post.)

What Happened?

Experiment No. 1 — What Makes Avocados Ripen Faster?

Avocados, apples, and many other fruits emit ethylene gas, a substance that speeds up the ripening of fruit. The closed paper sacks in this experiment trapped the ethylene gas, resulting in ripe avocados. The sack containing the apple holds the ripest avocado because the apple added even more ethylene to the air inside the bag.

Experiment No. 2 — Grow an Avocado Tree

When you split open an avocado plant, you’ll discover a teeny-tiny embryo inside. The substance surrounding the embryo is called a cotyledon and is there to provide food for the growing plant. In addition to food, avocado embryos need water and light. Indirect sunlight is best, as naturally occurring avocado seedlings grow under the shade provided by their parents.

SOURCES:

Cotyledon:
Schaffer, B & Wolstenholme, B.N. (2013). The avocado: botany, production, and uses. CABI, Oxfordshire, UK.

Best sun:
http://ceventura.ucanr.edu/Gardening/Garden_Info/avocado_questions/

The post Be an Avo Scientist appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

In Mexican cooking, we like to say there are as many ways to make a dish as there are cooks! This is especially true for guacamoles and salsa, where you can experiment with including your family's favorite ingredients.

It's a toss up whether my family loves guacamole or pico de gallo more (so we make both!). I combined them in a Tart Pico de Guac, where I took the liberty of using ingredients my kids' love: Avocados From Mexico, green apple, and cucumber. You can serve it as a chunky salsa, a side salad, or tucked into a sandwich. I show you how in my video.

To see more of my tips and recipes, click and visit my corner.

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As a mom to three boys, I know three things: kids love assembling things, kids love skewers, and kids love dipping sauces. Three fun things that you can do with them in the kitchen while helping them to eat delicious and nutritious foods!

I sometimes have the cheese, tomato and avocado chunks ready to go for them to insert onto skewers, when they come back home from school. I make the dipping sauce ahead of time and have it in the fridge ready to be shaken up, so it is well mixed and emulsified for them to dip the skewers in. You may use or omit the chile de árbol, as it just adds a very light touch of smoky heat that my boys love. It is also a great appetite opener.

These skewers can also be beautiful appetizers for grown up dinners. Who says adults don’t like to have fun dipping their food too?

Tip: This dipping sauce can also be a fantastic vinaigrette, if you turn these skewers into a salad. Simply layer slices of tomato, mozzarella and avocado and drizzle the sauce on top.

Makes 16 small skewers

Ingredients

• ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• ½ teaspoon kosher or sea salt
• 1 chile de árbol, optional
• 1 ripe avocado, halved, pitted, meat scooped out, each halve cut into thirds, each third sliced horizontally into 5 or 6 slices
• ½ pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
• 8 oz baby mozzarella balls (bocconcini size), sliced into 3
• 16 6” bamboo skewers

To Prepare

To make the vinaigrette: In a small glass jar, or Mason jar, pour the vinegar and the oils, sprinkle in the salt. If using the chile de árbol, place a small skillet over medium heat, once it is hot, toast the chile for 30 seconds per side, until toasted but not burnt. Place the whole chile in the jar. Close the lid of the jar and shake it vigorously. Leave in the refrigerator, if it won’t be used within the hour. It may be kept there for a couple weeks. Shake well before using.

To assemble the skewers: With the help of your kids, insert the top of a mozzarella ball, followed by a slice of avocado, half of a tomato, an avocado slice, the other tomato half (upside down if they can!), followed by another slice of avocado, and a slice of mozzarella ball. Repeat with all skewers, and place all the completed skewers on a platter.

To Serve

Shake the vinaigrette and pour into a bowl. Serve along with the assembled skewers for everyone to dip as they please.

The post Avocado, Mozzarella and Tomato Skewers with Balsamic Dipping Sauce appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

School's back in session, and with it comes another year of packing lunches. But between buying school supplies and new clothes, figuring out after-school schedules, and helping kids find that missing shoe from last school year, they're lucky if you even remember to pack their lunch.

But when they start getting bored with the typical sandwiches and sides by the second week of school, how can you avoid falling into the rut of making the same old lunch? Kids love variety, and it doesn't take a fine dining chef to make it happen. It just takes a little creativity.

Check out these fun and easy recipes that will have your kids asking for more!

Sandwich sushi:

Sometimes, you don't need a new recipe, just a new way to serve it. Sandwich sushi takes your kids' favorite sandwiches and serves them in a fun, new way. They use the bread like sushi rice, flattening it and rolling it around different fillings. If you're feeling especially creative, add a pair of kids' chopsticks for them to eat with! The sky's the limit when it comes to fillings, but you can try making a BLAT (bacon, lettuce, avocado, and tomato); their favorite nut butter (be sure to check whether your kids' school is a nut-free zone!) with strawberries; or vegetables and cream cheese. Having something a little pasty, like mashed avocado, nut butter, or cream cheese will help glue the other ingredients to the sushi roll.

Breakfast for lunch:

If breakfast for dinner gets your kid excited, why not try breakfast for lunch?

These two ingredient banana pancakes are fast to throw together and freeze well. That means you can throw a frozen pancake in a lunch and have it completely defrosted by the time it's lunch. Serve it alongside your typical breakfast companions, like bacon, sausage, yogurt, fresh fruit, or hard boiled eggs for a complete meal they will love. And don't forget to include a little maple syrup or jam!

Corn dog muffins:

Three words: corn dog muffins. This genius recipe combines cornbread muffin mix with your favorite hot dog to make a lunch time protein any kid would love to munch on. You get to the pick the type of hot dog (all-beef, pork, chicken, or turkey), plus, it's not deep fried. This makes it a bit more nutritious than corn dogs from the carnival, and it offers a better ratio of cornbread to hot dog, which is really the best part.

Mini-taco hand pies:

These mini taco hand pies aren't just adorable; they are a snap to customize, too! Just make your kid's favorite taco filling (ground beef and black beans are the ingredients in this recipe), stuff it into rounds of pie dough with a little cheese, and bake! Be sure to pack it with some salsa, guacamole, and tortilla chips or maybe some sour cream, rice, and beans to make it a full meal. Or if they like a little chile, send them with a fruit salad sprinkled with a little of the Mexican fruit seasoning, Tajín. Mangoes taste amazing this way!

Once you introduce these new lunches, be sure to ask your child which one's their favorite. And ask them what ideas they have for new lunches. School lunches don't have to be hard . . . and can actually even be fun sometimes!

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