Avocados are packed with health-promoting, anti-inflammatory whole body nutrients, which makes them great for those of us who keep our bodies active (click this link to a comprehensive avocado nutrition article from Medical News Today and this link to the World’s Healthiest Foods detailed description of avocado nutrition and preparation tips). I’m planning to have a good shot of avocado when I get back from a training ride around lunchtime. (19 days until the Bicycles Battling Cancer ride and still plenty of time to contribute to its very worthy cause by clicking this link.)

Regarding avocado prep, you might’ve seen some recent headlines like those shown above. The problem: people cutting avocados in their hand. Bottom line: slippery foods, sharp knives and interacting with them in the palm of our hands makes for a dangerous proposition.

Here are a couple series of photos showing first how to ripen avocados, which usually come to market under-ripe and too firm to eat, and then…

…how to remove an avocado seed safely, probably the trickiest, most dangerous step when cutting avocados.

Click any picture on this page for complete step-by-step picture book directions showing how to ripen and cut avocados safely.