My avocado obsession first started with my Uncle’s guacamole. It is amazing. Fresh, buttery avocados mashed to a perfect consistency. This crowd favorite makes it to most of our family get-togethers. Thank goodness.

I remember reading that avocados are an excellent first food for babies because the healthy unsaturated fats found in avocados are similar to those found in breast milk. Babies need fat in their diets.  Fat and fatty acids are essential for brain development.  Avocados contain monounsaturated fats which are said to lower “bad” cholesterol and also aid in maintaining a healthy heart.  Already an avocado fan, this was all the information I needed to hear.

When it came time to introduce solids, I mixed avocados with everything. Avocado and banana. Avocado and mango. Avocado and sweet potato. Avocado and green peas. It worked well as a puree and it also worked well as a first finger food. It was so easy to transport, and I didn’t have to worry about temperature control. I was the avocado mom.

It became a running joke with my girlfriends when we would get-together with the babies. They knew, if we were having a picnic or a play date of some sort, I’d be bringing avocados.

And now today, I can’t get my kids to even come close to eating anything avocado! That’s what I thought until this weekend!

We need fat for energy, for vitamin absorption, for healthy skin and hair, and for fueling our metabolism, among other essential functions. Determined to get some heart healthy fat into my boys’ diet, here is the latest avocado mom creation: Chocolate Pudding.

Toddler approved, adult approved, chocoholic approved.  Please enjoy guilt free and know you are fueling your sweet tooth with heart healthy “good” fats!

Chocolate Pudding Recipe below.

Have a great week,
Meryl

Featured Recipe

Chocolate Pudding

Ingredients:

6 large pitted dates
1 cup of unsweetened almond milk
2 Tbsp cocoa powder
1 ripe avocado

Cover the dates with almond milk and let soak for 10-15 minutes.  Add the cocoa powder and avocado and blend everything together to a smooth consistency. You want to make sure and really blend well so there are no green chunks in your pudding! If it is too thick, you can slowly add more almond milk until you get the consistency desired.