Avocados: The Secret Indulgence That’s Good for Your Mood, Mind, and Me-Time

What does indulgence mean to you?
To us, it’s that little luxury that turns the ordinary into the extraordinary – that first spoonful of something so rich and velvety, it transforms a grey day into a green dream.

And no, we’re not talking about chocolate. We’re talking about avocados – South Africa’s homegrown treasure and the ultimate foodie indulgence.

The Science of Self-Care (with Avo on Top)

Indulging in life’s little pleasures isn’t just a guilty pleasure – it’s a healthy one. Research shows that small, daily spoils can boost your mood, reduce stress and even elevate your self-esteem.

Self-care indulgences – whether that’s a long bubble bath or a bubbly glass of something special – help us recharge, prioritise well-being, and build more sustainable healthy habits.

For us, nothing hits that indulgent-meets-nourishing sweet spot quite like an avo. Creamy, dreamy, and packed with nutritional gold, avocados deliver deliciousness and mental wellness in every bite.

Avos: The Original Mood Food

Each medium avocado contains around 13g of monounsaturated “good” fats. These fats don’t just support heart health – they’re vital for cognitive function, hormone production and reducing cortisol (the stress hormone).

That means every spoonful of avo could be helping you process thoughts better, handle stress more calmly, and feel a whole lot happier.

Better yet, avos contain fibre, lutein, vitamin K and biotin – all linked to improved brain health and overall wellbeing.

Indulgence That Supports Your Goals

Think indulgence has to derail your health kick? Think again. Avocados are low in sugar, sodium-free, and cholesterol-free – and their healthy fats help keep you feeling fuller for longer. That’s a win for anyone following an energy-controlled or weight-conscious eating plan.

Better still, studies suggest rewarding yourself with nutritious treats (like avo on toast after a workout) can help reinforce good habits and make healthy living more enjoyable.

Pure Pleasure, No Prep Required

The beauty of avo indulgence? It’s instant. Just slice, sprinkle with lemon juice, and spoon straight from the skin. Or dress it up – stuff it, smash it, dip it, top it, or freeze it into creamy desserts. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner, there’s no wrong time to savour the smooth satisfaction of avo.

Self-Worth on a Spoon

When you treat yourself with intention, you’re telling your brain – and your body – that you matter. Taking time to indulge (especially with a food that loves you back) can lift your confidence and boost your emotional wellbeing. Avos are the edible version of “I deserve this.”

So Go On – Indulge Generously

Set the table with your best crockery. Choose your finest table linen. And serve up life’s sweetest pleasures – with a rich, green avo at the heart of it all.

BRUFFIN (BRIOCHE MUFFIN) WITH AVO BUTTER

Image & recipe by the South African avocado growers’ association.

Makes 6

Preparation time: 35 minutes + rising

Cooking time: 35 minutes

INGREDIENT

For the dough

• 390ml bread flour
• 125ml lukewarm milk + extra
• ½ x 10g packet instant yeast
• 15ml sugar
• 2.5ml salt + extra
• 1 egg
• 30ml soft butter + extra

For the filling

• ½ avocado, diced
• 200g crispy diced bacon
• 80ml feta, crumbled
• 45ml sundried tomatoes in vinaigrette, drained and chopped

For the butter

• 100g soft butter
• ½ avocado, chopped

METHOD

1. For the dough, heat 15ml of the flour and 45ml of the milk on medium in a small saucepan for about 3 minutes, while whisking, until a smooth paste forms.
2. Combine the yeast, remaining 375ml flour, sugar and salt. Make a well in the centre. Add the remaining 80ml milk and egg, mix until just incorporated.
3. Mix through the cooked flour paste and small knobs of the butter. Stir with a wooden spoon or in a kitchen mixer fitted with the dough hook for about 8 minutes or until smooth. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside for about 2 hours or until double in volume.
4. For the filling, roll the dough out into a 1cm thick rectangle. Evenly scatter over the filling. Roll up into a long log. Cut with a serrated knife into 6 pieces. Place, cut side up, in a greased jumbo muffin pan. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and rise for about 1 hour or until puffed.
5. Preheat oven to 180°C. Brush the bruffin tops with extra milk. Bake for about 25 minutes or until golden and cooked.
6. For the butter, blitz the avocado until smooth. Beat in the butter and season with extra salt. Serve with the warm bruffins.

Optional:

For extra shine, brush the bruffins with avocado or olive oil when they come out of the oven. Serve with extra avo.

Read more: Tomato and feta shots