Monday, July 30, 2012

Cuckoo for Coconutz

You might call it a cultural craze, since the coconut has been exploding on the scene lately.  In fact, the two largest soda brandz on the planet have both recently acquired coconut water brands. 

Additionally, you can find coconut related products in health food stores and in mainstream retail.  Itz everywhere and I AM CrAzY for Coconutz.  I've been cooking with it, using it as a hot oil treatment on my hair and slathering it all over my face and body for several years.  So letz take a closer look at this fascinating phenomenon called the coconut.


This information comes from an article called The Scoop On The Drupe.....

"Even though the word NUT is in coconut, itz not a not or wholly even a fruit for that matter.  Itz technically called a drupe; itz a fruit with an outer husk or skin, a usually succulent middle layer, and a hard and woody inner shell typically enclosing a single seed.

  Other examples of drupes include: stone fruits such as plums, cherries, dates, mangoes and apricots as well as raspberries and blackberries, which are made up of clustered tiny drupe lets surrounding a central stem.

While coconutz may fit neatly under the "drupe" umbrella, there are important differences within the coconut world to consider.  While itz true that coconutz are super foods packed with vitamins minerals and fiber, there's a difference, for instance, between young coconutz versus mature coconutz, as well as coconut water versus coconut milk.  For example, young coconutz have more water and soft, gel-like coconut meat, while mature coconutz have less water and firmer coconut meat.

  Both young and mature coconutz are good for you, however, the mature coconut may have a lightly higher healthy fatty acid content, while young coconut may have a bit of an advantage water-wise.  Here's why: young coconut water is high in B vitamins, minerals (especially calcium, magnesium and potassium) and contains high levels of electrolytes.

   Speaking of coconut water, letz just clarify that coconut water is the liquid inside the coconut.  Coconut milk, however, is made from the expressed juice of grated mature coconut meat and water.  Going a step further ... coconut cream is made in a similar way as coconut milk, but contains a higher ratio of coconut to water, thereby making it thicker.  You can even buy or make coconut kefir from coconut water or coconut milk.  You'll not only get the health benefits of coconut, but, since coconut kefir is a lacto-fermented beverage, you'll also get probiotics and enzymes, which support digestion.

  While we're at it, letz not forget about coconut oil ~ known as the world's healthiest oil ~ from the coconut meat that contains untra-healthy medium chain fatty acids like lauric acid, myristic acid, caprylic acid, palmitc acid and more.
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  Don't use just any coconut oil, either, because coconut oils on the market vary dramatically quality-wise.  Low-quality coconut oils are processed by chemical extraction, using solvents, or are hydrogenated, bleached and deodorized,  A high-quality virgin organic coconut oil derived from fresh coconutz with NO GMO ingredients, bleaching, deodorizing, refining or hydrogenation is what you want to look for and use. 

  Two other coconut products gaining in popularity with the health trendsetter crowd are RAW COCONUT CREAM and RAW COCONUT KEFIR. 

Here is what you need to know about these cutting-edge drupe derivatives:


  Raw coconut cream is created by pressing or "juicing" the meat of the mature coconut.  This creates a food loaded with Medium-chain fatty acids that are easily absorbed by the body-providing a yummy source of quick energy.  An added bonus is that raw coconut cream has the consistency of cream cheese and has a smooth texture - making it an ideal healthy snack or ingredient in a raw dessert or smoothie.  Whatz more, raw coconut cream is perfect for those on a raw, vegan diet.

  Raw coconut kefir is made from raw coconut water that is naturally fermented with probiotics, but itz dairy-free, suitable for vegans and packed with enzymes.  Raw coconut kefir also promotes a healthy intestinal environment supporting your body's immune and digestive systems.

  Likewise, raw coconut kefir supports proper hydration since it is a highly organized, ionized water source.  (Note:  I recently read an article about success stories of Autism & ADHD using Raw Coconut Kefir.  Here is the link:  http://healingautismandadhd.wordpress.com/2011/04/20/cucko-for-coconut-kefir/_ )

  With such great taste and a variety of health benefits, itz no wonder there's a cultural coconut craze,  So, if you're going cuckoo for coconutz, now you have the scoop on this amazing drupe."





 I found the below video on the Benefits of Coconut Oil.  According to Dr. Bruce Fife,"Coconut Oil is the worlds only low calorie fat.  When you eat coconut oil, the body uses it to produce energy and in the process your metabolism is kicked up a notch so you burn off calories at an accelerated rate.  Studies show that adding coconut oil to your diet increases metabolism by 48% and in obese individuals it increases metabolism by 65%."  He also talks about many other benefits of eating coconut oil.

My dog, Ochee, has actually been trying to tell me this for months.  Every time I cook with Coconut oil he begs me for a teaspoonful.. He loves it and has lost 18 lbs in just over a year.




Remember... You are What You EAT..... Namaste,  Beci

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