This week we'll explore avocados and recipes to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. We'll also delve into a great book series about self-discovery and some thoughts about whether we subconsciously remember (and miss) our wildness.

Eat Colorfully

Seasonal Ingredient Spotlight: AVOCADOS

In honor of Cinco de Mayo this week, I'm excited to celebrate avocados and in particular guacamole. Although you can of course make traditional guac for your celebration, it's also fun to change up your routine with some exciting and different (albeit highly non-traditional) flavors.

Avocados are a blank canvas for all your guacamole dreams. They go beautifully with a wide variety of ingredients including various types of citrus, other fruits, and savory add-ins like caramelized onions. You could even make a few different types of guac if you're having a get-together.

I have numerous different guacamole recipes on the blog to get your creative juices flowing. Two of my favorite recipes for parties are this Grilled Corn Guacamole and this Caramelized Onion Guacamole. If you're aiming for a summer vibe, this Hawaiian Pineapple Guacamole is bright and vibrant. Or, if you want to go in more of a salsa direction, there are plenty of avocado salsa examples in my fruit salsa guide.

Try This Week: CINCO DE MAYO RECIPES

In addition to guacamole (obviously!), what other Cinco de Mayo appetizers and finger foods could you make for a party? The options are endless! Mexican-inspired appetizers are fun, full of flavor, and loved by all. So whether you're hosting a party, heading to a friend's house, or just having a low-key evening at home, Cinco de Mayo is the perfect opportunity to make some delicious snacks.

Here are some of my personal favorites:

Unique Spring& Summer Tequila Cocktails

• ​Blackberry Coconut Margarita​
• ​​Spiced Orange Margarita​
• ​Blueberry Ginger Paloma​
• ​Coconut Paloma​​
• ​Blackberry Tequila Mule​

Show-Stealing Dips

• All the guacamole variations listed above!
• ​Vegan Pineapple Seven Layer Dip​
• ​Loaded Vegan Black Bean Dip​

Colorful, Cold Nibbles

• ​Healthy Mexican Street Corn Stuffed Peppers​
• ​Rainbow Mexican Black Bean Salad​
• ​Vegan Watermelon Nachos with Avocado Sauce​

Hearty, Hot Nibbles

• ​Margarita-Inspired Mexican Cauliflower​
• ​Orange Jalapeño Brussels Sprouts​​
• ​Nacho Cabbage​

Live Colorfully

A Book Series to Explore: THE LOST BRIDE TRILOGY

If you enjoy fantasy novels, then I have a fun series for you to check out. I just finished Nora Roberts' "The Seven Rings", which is the final book in the Lost Bride Trilogy. I had been on our library's hold list for it for ages, and was excited to finally get the audiobook last week. I flew through it.

This series is a story about a woman who inherits a (haunted) manor and uproots her life to move to rural Maine. During that time, she forges relationships, becomes part of the community, and ultimately finds where she belongs. It's a fun read that manages to be both entertaining and thoughtful.

If you want to check out The Lost Bride Trilogy, make sure to read them in order: first "The Inheritance", then "The Mirror", and then "The Seven Rings". They're fantasy-leaning, but not pure fantasy; accordingly, if you want to dip a toe into that genre, this series would be a great place to start.

Like many fantasy series, this one explores light versus dark, good versus evil. But unlike most other fantasy books, these really celebrate the light. Nora Roberts gives life to the good things (family, friends, community, love, belonging) in order to show why we fight for them. These are definitely "feel good" books.

As always, you can browse my list of favorite books if you're looking for more ideas.

Self-Care Pick: SUBCONSCIOUS MEMORIES OF OUR INNER WILDNESS

Recently, I read a thoughtful Instagram post from one of my favorite plant-based food creators, Damian Gardynik. He posed the idea that we all carry a subconscious memory of Eden, and hence many people feel as if they're missing something in their lives but they don't know what.

Although I'm personally not religious, this idea spoke to me. Instead of Eden, it made me wonder: do we all carry a deep memory of how humans used to live, thousands of years ago, before the developed world? Do we remember, at least on a subconscious level, living outdoors and existing in alignment with nature? Now that many people are completely isolated from the natural world, is this deep, subconscious loss responsible for modern society's ailments?

Simply put, we used to be wild and now we're not. But do we remember and miss that inner wildness?

I wanted to pose these questions to you all and see what you thought. Do you ever feel like something is lacking, but you're not sure what? Is it possible your body and mind are actually craving less, rather than more? Could you fulfill those deep, diffuse desires by getting back to a simpler way of being?

Thanks for joining me for this issue of Eat Colorfully, Live Colorfully! I'd love to hear from you, so please feel free to reply with questions, thoughts, or requests. If you missed a previous issue, you can view all my newsletters here. Have a great week!