Foods impact on the body is huge – inside and out. Food is energy. Just as a car needs fuel, we need to put food in to the body to power the body. What we choose as fuel determines the quality of power the body gives us. Quality fuel = quality power. It should come as no surprise then when I tell you quality food works miracles from the outside too. This week I am using avocado as my whole food for the whole body, this is why and how.

Who doesn’t love the humble avocado? It’s versatile, affordable and oh so good for you.

Nourish from within:

• Improve heart health with avocados healthy fats and abundance of vitamins.
• Support weight loss and help regulate blood sugar with their slow release of energy.
• Help prevent arthritis, osteoporosis and other inflammatory issues by benefiting from their anti-inflammatory properties.
• Reduce the signs of ageing with the antioxidants contained in avocados.

How to:

• Salad – Avocado makes for a welcome addition to any salad, it’s easy to incorporate and goes with just about any salad style. Winner!
• Smoothie – Not only does avocado add a thick, creamy texture to smoothies it also adds some serious nourishment. Yum!
• Spread – Avocado used in placed of other spreads is a tasty, healthier alternative.
• Dessert – Not the first thing that springs to mind when thinking of avocado, but trust me avocado makes a perfect base for chocolate mousse. To prove it’s true, try one of my all-time favourites. Here’s the recipe:

Cacao & Ginger Mousse

Serves 2

Ingredients:

• 2 avocados
• 1 inch of ginger, peeled
• 4 tbsp cacao powder
• 4 tbsp maple syrup (I use rice malt syrup)
• 1/8 tsp sea salt

Method: Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth, roughly 40 seconds. Add toppings of your choice and serve.

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Treating the outside:

Avocado contains nearly 20 essential nutrients, including fibre, potassium, Vitamin E, B-vitamins and folic acid. They also have anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties and a natural fatty rich texture, making it perfect for nourishing any skin type.

How to: Face-mask – kick back, relax and treat yourself with these homemade alternatives:

Ingredients:

• ½ a ripe avocado
• 1 tablespoon of natural yogurt
• 1 teaspoon of raw honey

Method:

Combine the avocado, yogurt and honey in a clean mixing bowl and mix well. Immediately apply the mixture to a cleansed face and neck. Relax for 15 minutes and rinse thoroughly, tone and moisturise to complete.

Hair Mask:

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe avocado
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 Cup olive oil

Method:

Mix the ingredients in a clean mixing bowl until they form a paste like consistency. Apply the mixture to damp hair and leave for 20 minutes. Shampoo and condition hair as usual to remove and reveal super glossy locks!