What's Going On In Jenn's Head?: June 2008

I've been discovering a lot of new stuff lately. Partly because of trying to be greener and partly because of becoming vegetarian. Two of my new faves are fruits. I'm almost convinced that they transport crack or something with them because I can't get enough!

1) Mangoes - If you told me a few months ago that I'd actually be craving mangoes, I'd have told you that you were crazy! I'd had mango flavored stuff before and never liked the taste at all. A few weeks ago, our grocery store had pre-cut mango on sale. So, I figured I'd try it, seeing that I had never had the actual fruit before and, if I didn't like it, Michael does. I was on the fence, but ate the whole thing (it was a snack size container) to give it a fair chance. Last week at the store, I saw a giant organic mango and decided it give it another try since I still wasn't sure. After dinner one night, I peeled it, cut it up and proceeded to eat the whole thing. I couldn't help myself! It was the most fantastic thing I had ever tasted! So, this past week, I bought two smaller mangoes. I just had one with lunch and it's all I can do to not eat the other one! I think I need to buy more the next time I go to the store!
2) Avocado - Again, if you told me a few months ago that I'd actually be craving avocado, I'd have said you were off your rocker! I can't even remember how it came to be that I tried avocado. I know it was in a salad I got at Don Pablo's but I'm not sure if it was listed on the menu and I decided to give it a try or if they didn't list it and it was a surprise that it was on there. In any event, it was on the salad, I tried it, I loved it. Last week, I knew I was making tacos for dinner one night so I decided to buy an avocado to have on taco night (incidentally, same night as "inhaling giant mango" night). I ended up putting the avocado right on my tacos and, oh my god....BEST tacos I ever made. If anyone's interested, here's what I used that night and what I'll use in the future:

Ortega Hardshell Taco Dinner Kit (no palm oil in this one! I don't remember seeing high fructose corn syrup either.)

LightLife Smart Ground (original --- it's also vegan)

organic canned black beans

sharp cheddar cheese

sour cream (low/no-fat has palmitate in it -- a.k.a. palm oil! use less of the regular instead!)

avocado (grow a houseplant with the seed! mine's sitting in water right now -- keep your fingers crossed that I did it right!)

homemade salsa (homemade by a local farm - not me)

shredded romaine lettuce

taco sauce (from taco dinner kit)

So, now I can't get enough mango or avocado. If you have any other ideas of what to cook with mangoes or avocados I'd love to hear them! Don't worry if it's not vegetarian --- I can always adapt it!