The Awesome Benefits of Avocados

Avocados have always been a favorite of mine.

The taste, the texture, and it's beautiful hue (green is my favorite color) are what stand out to me the most thus causing it to be a constant staple whenever I go grocery shopping. This awesome-epic super food has a plethora of benefits for our bodies internally and externally. But today's post is focused on "avocado facials". I'm sure you've come across it, but what's the deal? Well, I'm glad to share with you the rewards of wearing guacamole on your face. Now, from my own personal experience, it's refreshing and stimulating. Plus, why spend $12 and up on a mask in a jar from CVS when you can spend $2 on the natural gift from GOD available at your local farmer's market/grocery store!

But before we begin with the "aesthetics" of an avocado facial, facts first.

According to WebMD (https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/all-about-avocados), avocados are not just a "pear-shaped berry"(had no idea #learnsomethingneweveryday), but they also contain 20 vitamins and minerals; some of which help control blood pressure, are good for your eyes, and are crucial for cell repair during pregnancy (such as folate). Pertaining to wearing the super food on your face, well my friends, it gets even better. Dermreview (http://www.thedermreview.com/avocado-face-mask/) notes that an avocado face mask can battle dry skin and provides moisture because it contains vitamins A and E which help repair damaged skin. Avocados as a facial/mask also help with anti-aging and is a deep-down cleanser to boot! For more information on the benefits of avocados check out the links listed within this post.

Now that we have the facts, let's get to it! Making your own all-natural avocado facial will be a piece of cake (or a slice of avocado pie: see link below, lol).

STEP ONE-

Purchasing: When you are choosing an avocado it can't be too soft and it can't be too firm, but feel for that sweet spot in the middle. Plan on purchasing the avocado the day before if you want to do it in the morning or that day if you decide to do it at night. This is my personal recommendation (unless the grocery store only has firm avocados that haven't ripened yet then let it sit for a day or two) because you don't want the avocado to go bad and it's all brown and nasty. Trust, I've been there!

STEP TWO-

Preparation: Rinse off your avocado before you cut into it (and do the same with the knife you use to remove any impurities as well as the fork or spoon you will need to mash it soon after). You will only need to use half of an avocado to make your facial. When I am preparing mine, I cut into the skin of the avocado and remove it's contents by scraping it out. This is

how I peel an avocado, it's easy and effective. There are other ways, more professional ways (so to speak), so do what works for you. After I have the contents of the avocado in a plastic container (or bowl), I add a cap-size full of extra virgin olive oil. Some use an egg white (not the yolk) and lemon juice. I've tried it with the egg white (out of sheer curiosity and I only had 1 egg left) and olive oil; to me either way you do it you have an all-natural proactive mask. People implement the egg white and/or lemon juice for their added benefits. To discover why I choose olive oil, it's benefits, and what it does for your hair and skin lookout for Monday's post!

After you have rinsed, cut, and added olive oil to you avocado; take a fork or spoon and mash the contents together within the container you have chosen. I tend to keep mashing it until all the large lumps are broken down and then (preferably with a spoon) I whip it a couple of times. Next I use a face brush to apply the mask to my face. The brush doesn't have to be and shouldn't be an expensive one. I purchased an L.A. Colors face brush for $2 at my local Family Dollar(should also be available at Dollar Tree, Dollar General, Walmart, CVS, Duane Reade, etc.). Just like your avocado, knife, and spoon; rinse off your brush before dipping it into the avocado mix.

STEP THREE-

Application: There's no special way to apply the avocado to your face, but just try to keep any of the lumpy parts off of your face and cover the entirety of it. Then let the mask set on your face for no more than 7 minutes. I once wore it for 10 minutes (my first go-round) and it gets hard fast because it's exposed to the air. Just watch a container of guacamole go bad without the lid on it! And speaking of which, the remainder of avocado that you have left over from your mask, you can simply add salt and pepper to it and take some saltine crackers or chips and enjoy. I tend to do that while I'm waiting for the mask to set. Have your cake and eat it to if it's made available to you!

Alright, so your 7 minutes are up, now it's time to rinse off your mask thoroughly making sure you've removed every inch of avocado from your radiant face.

And that's that! Personally, I've implemented avocado facials into my "aesthetic" because you can literally feel it working while you're wearing it! I can feel the mask cleaning out my pores. I don't do it everyday or even every week, but I tend to map out my avocado facials to go with when I next wash my hair (sometimes I use the leftover avocado to condition my hair, I leave it in for the same amount of time I leave the mask on then I hop in the shower and rinse it out before washing my hair).

And that's that! I hope you enjoyed my first post on the rich rewards of one simple avocado! Below is a list of links to avocado recipes that you can enjoy and if you liked reading my content I hope you will subscribe to get updates sent directly to your inbox!

(Avocado toast)https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/avocado-toast

(Avocado pie)http://allrecipes.com/recipe/86394/avocado-pie/

(Avocado fries)http://www.bhg.com/recipe/avocado-fries/

(Avocado pasta)https://www.spendwithpennies.com/avocado-cold-pasta-salad/

Sante