The Why:  Sometimes, preparing fresh food is tough.  Getting the right quantities of all the fresh ingredients together at the right time could take lots of planning and time.  Wouldn’t it be great if it would all just show up in a box at your door? Well guess what? It can, thanks to these great kits.  (And nothing compliments a get-together with friends or a weekend quite like fresh, homemade guacamole and salsa, right?)  These kits can be picked up at the store or shipped right to your door. The ingredients are perfectly ripe, and just need to be chopped up and mixed together.  (Or thrown into the food processor, if you’re “that kind” of cook.) 

The Health Bonus: The avocadoes are nutrient-dense and packed with antioxidants, vitamins B6, C and E, as well as folate and potassium (60 percent more potassium per ounce than bananas). They're also a great source of monounsaturated fat, which studies have shown reduces serum cholesterol levels when used in place of saturated fats.  Tomatoes are a rich source of vitamin A, vitamin C, folate and potassium.

What We Liked Best: These kits are available year round, shipped right to your door (or you can look for them at a store near you), and you don’t have to track down a recipe. The un-prepared kits can be refrigerated up to 7 days or kept at room temperature for up to 3 days.

What We Liked Least: If you’re sensitive to spicy foods, be careful with the jalepeno pepper. Also, be wary of what you’re dipping in the dip.  Tortilla chips are high in calories and fat.  If you polish off a bowl of “guac” and a bag of chips, you’ll be in deep calorie trouble.  If you like the idea of scraping the bottom of the bowl, try measuring out serving sizes of baked or low-calorie chips and guacamole beforehand, so you can finish it all—and not blow your calorie budget. 

What It Replaces: Pre-packaged dips like nacho cheese, prepared guacomole or jarred salsa.

The Price: Via internet or phone order, the kits are available for $18.50 for three Salsa Kits or $24.50 for three Guacamole Kits.  They are also available in some grocery stores nationwide for $2.95 for the Salsa Kit or $3.95 for the Guacomole Kit.

Other Offerings: Their website has lots of great fruit and vegetable products.

Where to Buy: Available online or by calling the Melissa’s Hotline at 1-800-588-0151. Ther are also available in some grocery stores nationwide--click here for a store near you.

Nutritional Information:

Guacamole: Each Kit yields 2 cups.
Serving=2Tbs
40 Calories
5 gm fat
1 gm fiber
.8 gm protein
0 mg cholesterol

Salsa:Each Kit yields 2 cups.
Serving=2Tbs
10 Calories
.5 gm fat
1 gm fiber
0 gm protein
0 mg cholesterol

Ingredients:  **Note how easy it is to understand these!**

Guacomole Kit: 2 avocados, 1 roma tomato, 1 shallot, 2 garlic cloves, 1 lime and 1 jalapeno pepper.

Salsa Kit: 3 roma tomatoes, 1 shallot, 2 garlic cloves, 1 lime and 1 jalapeno pepper. 

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