A Little Miracle: The Avocado & a Fantastic Frosting Recipe

This fun fruit might be the perfect addition to the vegan baby diet. Avocado, also known as the alligator pear (cute, right?) is a powerhouse food. They help boost levels of HDL which are the "good fats" that our body needs. Avocados also helps fight free radicals and can even help lower LDL or "bad fats." 

Many people don't realize that avocados are a super source of protein too. In fact, they have all 18 essential amino acids necessary for the body to form a complete protein. Unlike protein found in red meats like steak (which is difficult for most people to digest), avocado protein is easily absorbed because they also contain fiber. Who knew?

When shopping for avocados, you should avoid overripe ones in order to maximize the nutritional value. They are easy to spot because they have dents and are overly soft when you touch or hold them. It is okay to buy very hard, unripe avocados and let them ripen at home before eating. A quick tip: need your avocados to ripen overnight?  Place them in a brown paper bag and roll closed around the fruit. Check them in the morning and voila: perfectly ripe avocados! Remember that the flesh closest to the skin is the most nutrient-dense so be sure to scrape out every last bit.

Lemon-Vanilla Avocado "Buttercream" Frosting

It's no secret that children with allergies as well as vegans have a difficult time at birthday parties - especially when cake is served. It breaks a parent's heart to keep their little hands away from that oh-so-yummy birthday cake. Fear no more! We have the perfect vegan icing to go on your allergen-free cupcakes that is also an excellent alternative to the cream filling in cookie sandwich recipes. Even our toughest critics were fooled. 

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe avocados
• 1 3/4 cups sifted powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (any citrus fruit juice will work)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation:

1. Peel avocado, remove seeds and place the flesh in a mixing bowl with the lemon juice. 
2. Beat with an electric mixer until thoroughly combined and smooth; approximately 3 minutes.
3. With the electric mixer on the lowest speed, slowly add the powdered sugar. Mixing until thoroughly combined.
4. Add the vanilla extract until blended.
5. Frosting time! This recipe will frost 12 cupcakes.

Bon appétit to you and your bébés!