Avocados are my lifeline. No, I am not being dramatic; I am simply just stating a fact. I get excited when I think about the possibility of enjoying a thick slice of bread coated in avocado and topped with a poached egg.

I consider myself to be very conscious of my health, and avocados are basically nature’s superfood. They are an excellent source of potassium for people who loathe bananas (me), and they actually ripen faster if a banana or apple is stored in a paper bag along with the avocado. They also have a high amount of protein compared to other fruits and are great to eat if you don’t eat protein-rich foods like beans.

I use avocados for a wide range of things in my daily routine, aside from eating. I have frequently used avocado oil for scalp massages in order to help my hair grow. Although the oil can be pricey, a little can go a long way. I’ve also used half of an avocado as an extra addition to a hair mask. Avocados are excellent for hair because they help add shine, according to Allure. I have thick, curly hair, and I find that avocado makes it suddenly feel stronger and seem less prone to breakage.

Before I go any further, let me clear something up about avocados. They are a fruit. Point blank, period. They contain a seed, and anything that has a seed is without a doubt a fruit. If we are really getting technical, avocados are actually considered “single-seeded berries,” according to The Huffington Post.

Below I have listed some delicious and healthy ways avocado can be used so you can fully utilize this superfruit.

####Avocado toast
Half a ripe avocado

Onion powder

Garlic powder

1 slice whole-wheat bread

1 egg

1 teaspoon olive oil

1 tomato

Sriracha sauce

Chia seeds (optional)

Directions: Slice the avocado in half and then scoop the avocado out of the half that doesn’t have the seed in it. Smash the avocado in a bowl and then add onion and garlic powder to taste. Set aside. Lightly fry the egg in olive oil, but do not let the yolk overcook. Toast the whole-wheat bread and then add mashed avocado on top along with a few slices of tomato. Place the egg on top of the tomato and then drizzle some Sriracha on top. Add chia seeds for an optional healthy addition.

####Avocado hair mask

Half a ripe avocado

1 cup greek yogurt

1 egg

2 tablespoons coconut oil or olive oil

1 cup hair conditioner

Blender

Add all ingredients to the blender and blend until smooth. After shampooing hair, evenly distribute the mixture throughout wet hair. Make sure to detangle your hair to ensure that each strand is evenly coated. Start from the ends and work your way up to your scalp. Wash the mixture out of your hair after at least 20 minutes and you will find your hair to be shiny and frizz free.

####Avocado pesto

Recipe courtesy of: [Eating Well](http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/251078/avocado-pesto)

1 large bunch fresh basil

2 ripe avocados

1/2 cup walnuts or hemp seeds

2 tablespoons lemon juice

3 garlic cloves

1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Ground pepper to taste

Food processor

Strip basil leaves from the stems and add to a food processor along with avocados, walnuts (or hemp seeds), lemon juice, garlic and salt. Pulse until finely chopped. Add oil and process to form a thick paste. Season with pepper. This pesto tastes great on top of almost anything, but I personally enjoy it on a slice of toast with salmon or an egg.