Good Morning Everyone!

 

I’ve received some requests to distribute information about specific foods and how they benefit us.  So, I thought it would be fun to go through the alphabet and choose 1-2 different foods that start with each letter.  This brilliant idea came from Eddie Godin who is a McKinley maintenance supervisor over at Evergreen in Ypsilanti, Michigan.  He had fun doing this with his daughter a few years ago to encourage her to try different foods.  Every time she tried a food that started with a different letter from the alphabet, she wrote it in her notebook – so cool!!!!  Our notebook will be the McKinley Grapevine .  Thanks for sharing Eddie!!!

 

A-

Avocados:

These amazing fruits are an excellent source of energy.  They contain healthy fats and fiber which will keep you feeling fuller, longer.  These healthy fats are great for brain function and decreasing cholesterol levels by lowering your LDL’s.  The nutrition facts below are based on 1 cup of sliced avocado.  Depending on your caloric needs, ½ cup – 1 cup would be an appropriate daily serving.

 

To learn more about the benefits of the avocado, click the link below:

http://authoritynutrition.com/12-proven-benefits-of-avocado/

 

 

Nutrition Facts – Wikipedia

1 cup, sliced (146 g)

Calories = 234

Total Fat	21g
Saturated Fat	3.1g
Polyunsaturated Fat	2.7g
Monounsaturated Fat	14g
Cholesterol	0g
Sodium	10mg
Potassium	708mg
Total Carbohydrates	12g
Dietary Fiber	10g
Sugar	1g
Protein	2.9g
Vitamin A	4% RDA
Vitamin C	24% RDA
Iron	4% RDA
Vitamin B-5	21% RDA
Vitamin B-6	20% RDA
Vitamin K	30% RDA
Folate	25% RDA
Vitamin E	15% RDA
Magnesium	10% RDA

Recipes:

Grilled Avocado – This is my favorite way to eat an avocado right now and it’s so simple to do!  Heat your grill up to 500 degrees.  Slice the avocado into ¼ – ½ thick wedges and put them on the grill for 2-3min on each side.  They’ll be crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, YUMMY!

 

Mango Avocado Salsa – http://www.holistichealthherbalist.com/mango-avocado-salsa/

 

Banana Cacao Avocado Acai Bowl – http://www.hummusapien.com/banana-cacao-avocado-acai-bowl/

 

 

 

Almonds:

Aside from being a great source of protein, fat and carbohydrates, these tree nuts also contain powerful antioxidants that can protect our bodies from oxidative stress. Be sure to eat the skin because that’s where most of the antioxidants are found.  Almonds are a fantastic healthy convenience food – no cooking or refrigeration required.  You can take them anywhere with you to keep you fueled throughout the day!

 

Click the link below to learn more about the health benefits of almonds:

http://authoritynutrition.com/9-proven-benefits-of-almonds/

 

 

Nutrition Facts – Wikipedia

Amount Per 1 oz (23 whole kernels)

Total Calories = 163

Total Fat	14g
Saturated Fat	1.1g
Polyunsaturated Fat	3.4g
Monounsaturated Fat	9g
Cholesterol	0mg
Sodium	0mg
Potassium	200mg
Total Carbohydrates	6g
Dietary Fiber	3.5g
Sugar	1.1g
Protein	6g
Calcium	7% RDA
Iron	5% RDA
Magnesium	20% RDA
Manganese	32% RDA
Vitamin E	37% RDA

Recipes:

Roasted Tomato & Almond Pesto – http://www.eatingwell.com/print/15148

 

Cherry-Almond Farro Salad – http://www.eatingwell.com/print/282694