Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Aztecs&Avocadoes


There was once a tree, wilted in all ways, growing in the Aztec Empire. Despite how hideous it was, the Nahuti people were told by their supreme gods that this tree was to be worshipped, nourished, and given love in all ways. They were told this tree would bring love and fertility, and would need such in return. For months, the Nahuti people tended, watered, danced around, and praised this wilted tree. Despite all their worship, there was no improvement. 

The mesoamericans began to grow worried that the gods would be angered and destroy their lands; Quetzacoatl was hard to please. How were the they supposed to explain to the feathered serpent that their duties were not bringing results? 

Ahucati, a common civilian of Mesoamerica, was grown up with the trade that of a gardener. He decided to step up to the plate and confront the ferocious gods himself and explain the troubles of the all-foresaken bearing tree of the alligator pears.

When Quetzecoatl was informed, he went to his trusty god Tlaloc- god of fertility, water, and earth. Thus, the gods were humbled by Ahucati's bravery and concern for the tree. As a result, Tlaloc told Ahucati the importance of the tree- that just like the tree symbolizes love & fertility does it, too, need both to survive as well as thrive. So Ahucati granted another tree of such worship to be planted adjacent to the tree, and the civilians, children, mothers, and wives would all nourish, tend, and love both trees equally. Ahucati's wish was granted by Tlaloc, and Tlaloc gave them another tree.

Finally, months after the plantation, the Nehuti people kept their promise and found themselves not one, but two trees bearing the most beautiful pears they've ever seen. And so, the nehutians were nourished, rich, and happier than ever before, all thanks to the brave Ahucati and the help of the gods. The gods named the precious fruits after Ahucati, also named avocadoes. The mesoamericans lived happily for months on end!

Alright, back to the nutrition end of this! As a nutrition enthusiast and crazy love for all aspects of nature, the fruit Avocado does not get enough credit for all it actually does. As a matter of fact, avocadoes get a bad reputation for its high fat content in the internet world. This tidbit of facts frustrates me so much!
Currently, i'm counseling a close friend of mine and trying to incorporate a high potassium diet with increased fiber. Of course, when one hears potassium, the first thing that comes to mind is bananas. But how about an avocado?

FUN FACT TIME:
  • 1. An avocado has 2x the amount of pottasium as a banana! It has a woppiing 975mg potassium vs. 487mg in a babnana.
  • 2. It is highly fibrous in insoluble fiber, which helps BULK up the BAD cholesterol and throw it out!


but wait!  cholesterol? doesn't fat INCREASE cholesterol ? does does this fatass avocado REDUCE it?

  • 3. It's a MUFA aka monounsaturated fatty acid, which is ah-may-zing...the better fat that you WANT in your diet (as opposed to saturated fats and trans fats).


In perspective, for vegetarians, avocadoes can be used like a butter or mayonnaise substitute...deadass people! Fraky, but smear some on toast and your taste buds will be dancing for joy. Notonly that but your heart and tummy will <3 you in the long run! Why? Because compared to butter, 
ONE avocado harvests 
     50 calories
     20 essentials vitamins and minerals
     4.4 grams MUFAS
2 TABLESPOONS of salty butter has....
     204 calories
     23g FAT (not the MUFAs eiter, people!)
     and is CRANKED in sodium!

I bet your heart skipped a beat on that #funfact!?

     

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