Sister Rasela in the Belly kitchen today bringing you the tastiest show on radio. On the menu today we’ll start with 

‘ The Pleasures of the Flesh’  Rumours of the Aphrodisiac Powers of the Avocado…

The Avocado has a ‘seedy’ and somewhat unexpected history. While many of us enjoy this delicious fruit in sandwiches and salads, you may be unaware that it has in fact been considered an aphrodisiac for centuries.

This notion probably started way back with the Aztecs, who were the first documented avocado eaters and who called the avocado tree ‘Ahuacatl’ which means testicle tree… something to do with the way the pear shaped fruit sometimes ‘dangle’ from the tree in pairs or perhaps their visual resemblence… i’ll let you decide.

In the 1920’s California growers enhanced the avocados sexy image in an advertising campaign in which they strenuosly denied the avocado was an aphrodisiac. The reverse phychology worked so well that this fabulous fruit has gone on to forge a fantastic career.

At the start ofg the 21st century the California Avocado Commission ran a Valentines Day survey on the Avocado’s libido enhancing properties. Six out of 10 nutritionalists, scientists and psychologists surveyed said they knew of cases where the avocado had improved a persons love life (we’re not sure what they actually did with the avocados…). The survey outcome can, however, be attributed as much to the fact that the fruit is high in nutrients such as fibre, folic acid, potassium, vitamin E and some B vitamins and lecithin as to any alleged properties.

Facts to nibble on –

• Avocados are sodium  and cholesterol free
• They contain only monounsaturated fats
• Avocados were once a luxury food reserved for the tables of royalty, but thankfully we commoners are now able to share in their delights
• In one year, a single avocado tree can absorb as much carbon as is produced by a car driven 26,000 miles!
• Latin Americans wrap avocados up and give them as wedding gifts

… More to come about why you should  ‘Swerve from a BIG Serve’  while our waistlines and dinner plates are growing in size and temptation and the huge effects overeating has on your health. Relflux, Acid Indigestion and Heartburn are all things that could you live without if only you knew how. Explanations and Nutritional advice galore.

And finally… Do You Kakadu? Our lovely guest Anna Parker came in to talk about the ‘new’ 40,000 year old indigenous Bush Foods that are a part of the ingredients in this Super Food that is buzzing around town in the belly’s of the lucky ones.