6 Friday, July 6, 2018 brooklintowncrier.com A favourite fruit of mine is the avocado. It's not sweet like other fruits but could be considered a super food because of its many health benefits. It's higher in protein than most fruits and lower in sugar and carbs, having only about two net carbs in a small avocado. It's also linked to heart health as the avocado is full of heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids and is high in fiber. In the old days of low-fat diets, they were a big no-no. But newer research has demonstrated there are healthy fats. In fact, according to an article in Harvard Health Publishing, good fats from the avocado's, seeds and nuts are a major source of energy and help you absorb some vitamins and minerals. Fat is needed to build cell membranes, the vital exterior of each cell, and the sheaths surrounding nerves. It is also essential for blood clotting, muscle movement, and inflammation. And grilled, too The most common usage for avocados is in guacamole, but I also use them in sandwiches, in place of mayo on a vegetable burger and in smoothies. Last week, while in a trendy little restaurant in Tofino, BC, one of the toppings I could order for my veggie bowl was grilled avocado. The day after I returned, I looked up "grilled avocado" recipes on Google and found the one below. You can use the grilled avocados in guacamole, on toast, tossed in a salad or on a grilled vegetable platter. Grilling enhances their flavour and leaves attractive grill marks on the sections. A ripe avocado is neither too hard nor too soft. If you're buying them in bulk, store some in the refrigerator to slow down the ripening process. They tend to go from ripe to over-ripe quite quickly. If you need them to ripen sooner, store them with your bananas since bananas release a gaseous plant hormone known as ethylene, which ripens other fruit. Plant-Based Eating by Sheree Nicholson The wonder of avocados For grilled avocados: 1. Heat up your BBQ or grill-pan to medium-high heat and spray with a non-stick spray. 2. Cut avocados in half and remove pits. 3. Brush inside half of each avocado lightly with olive oil. 4. Place face down on BBQ or grill-pan for about 5 minutes (BBQ temps vary). Press down occasionally to ensure grill marks are created and heat penetrates. 5. Using tongs remove from grill and set aside until ready to eat. (https://www.thehealthymaven. com/2015/07/how-to-grill-avocados. html) Sheree's hack: Never waste overripe avocados again. Peel, de-seed and press your overripe avocados into ice cube trays. Once frozen, transfer them to a plastic freezer bag or dish. Add the avocado cubes to smoothies and protein shakes for a creamy texture. The Town of Whitby would like to advise residents that the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) will be replacing the Brock Street bridge over Highway 401. The project is expected to be completed by late 2020. The bridge replacement is a key component of the Highway 401 improvements being made by the MTO, from west of Harwood Avenue to west of Stevenson Road, which include: Replacement of the Brock Street bridge and reconfiguration of the Brock Street Interchange ramps; Widening Highway 401 to include an auxiliary lane in each direction between Highway 412 and Brock Street; Adjustments to the local road network and extension of the local multi-use path system to and on the Brock Street bridge; and, Safety and operational improvements including Highway 401 pave- ment rehabilitation, improvements to shoulder and lane widths, replacement and extension of the noise wall west of Brock Street, extension of Highway 401 High Mast illumination. The existing number of lanes on Brock Street will be maintained during peak periods. Peak periods for Brock Street are defined as: Weekday: 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. (morning) and 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. (evening) Weekend: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Two full closures (Saturday night to Sunday morning) of Highway 401 will be required to demolish the old Brock Street bridge in stages. The MTO will publish Notice of Demolition and Detour Routes in advance of the Highway 401 closures. The MTO Commuter Parking Lot, northeast of the Whitby GO Station, will remain closed throughout the project. This will result in approximately 250 fewer parking spaces. The GO Transit commuter parking lots will remain open. At least one sidewalk will be maintained on the Brock Street bridge for the majority of the project. Access to the Whitby GO Station will be maintained. For more information, contact Hasan Khan, P.Eng., Contract Administrator, GHD Limited, at 905.752.4359 or 2017-2038@ghd.com. Brock Street Bridge Replacement Underway The Town of Whitby would like to remind residents and local businesses that Rossland Road West, between Lake Ridge Road and McQuay Boulevard, is fully closed. The road closure is expected to end in November 2018. Local traffic will be permitted east of Cochrane Street to McQuay Boulevard to access the Whitby Iroquois Soccer Club, Donald A. Wilson Secondary School, All Saints Catholic Secondary School and local neighbourhoods. Drivers will be directed to use Brock Street or Lake Ridge Road and Taunton Road as the detour route. The detour route is clearly marked and a map of the route is attached. Construction signs have also been placed in the nearby community to provide up to date information. The closure aligns work being done by the Town, Region of Durham and Ministry of Transportation. A large portion of the work is being done over the summer months to help minimize the impact on drivers, due to lower summer traffic volumes, and bus access to surrounding schools. For more information, visit whitby. ca/construction, email internetpwcons@whitby.ca or call 905.430.4327. Rossland Road Closed Until November