Over the next 5-10 minutes, I hope to teach you at least one new thing you never knew about coconuts.

For one – they are incredible not only for your health, but are also a well-kept beauty secret!!  It is a “super food” which means it goes beyond nutritional benefits and can actually prevent and treat a long list of ailments and diseases. Read on to learn a new recipe, beauty tricks, and ways to incorporate more coconuts into your life.

Health Benefits
Coconuts contain powerful antioxidants in the form of raw saturated fats and oils. In fact, coconuts are 90% raw saturated fat.

Don’t freak out.  Unlike the long-chain fatty acids found in animal fats (which in excess CAN make you gain weight), the saturated fats found in coconuts are medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) and are an important building block of every cell in the human body.

MCFA’s DO NOT have a negative effect on cholesterol, help protect against heart disease, and lower the risk of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).

Here are a few examples of the awesome ways that young coconut flesh, coconut cream, and coconut oil can be used to improve your health:

• They kill harmful viruses, bacteria, fungi and yeasts in the body and support a healthy immune system.
• Provide a nutritional source of quick energy, boost endurance, and enhance physical and athletic performance.
• Improve digestion and absorption of vitamins, minerals and amino acids.
• Improve the utilization of blood sugar and can help alleviate the symptoms of hypoglycemia.
• Regulate and support healthy hormone production.
• Protect against osteoporosis by improving calcium and magnesium absorption.
• Reduce inflammation and help to heal/repair tissues and muscles.
• Increase the speed and thyroid function, which allows the body to drop excess weight and unhealthy toxins. MCFA’s ingested from coconut are burned up immediately, boosting the metabolism.
• Contain no cholesterol, but in fact help normalize cholesterol levels in the body and support cardiovascular health.

Benefits of Coconut Water:
• Excellent for rehydration following strenuous exercise – AWESOME post-workout drink to replace lost electrolytes
• Has a cooling effect on the body
• Soothes the skin and can treat and prevent rashes, when applied topically
• Helps to treat and calm urinary tract infections
• Alleviates the pain of kidney and urethral stones

Using Coconuts for Hair and Skin Care

• Coconut oil promotes hair growth and makes hair super shiny and soft.
• Coconut oil can prevent and eliminate dandruff and dry scalp.

**To use as a hair treatment, warm 2 to 3 tablespoons in a bowl in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. Apply the warmed oil to hair and massage into the scalp. Once the oil is applied, cover your hair with a shower cap (or wrap some plastic wrap around your hair). The plastic will help to keep the oil warm and allow it to penetrate the hair shaft. Leave the oil on your hair for at least an hour or overnight. Wash and condition your hair like normal and enjoy super soft tresses!**

Coconut oil is also an effective moisturizer for the skin.

• Prevents and treats dry, flaky skin, especially on the knees, feet and elbows.
• Effective in treating psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema, and other skin conditions.
• Helps prevent signs of aging, such as wrinkles and sagging skin.
• Super effective at eliminating the annoying little bumps many people get on the backs of their arms, thighs and buttocks. These bumps are a condition called Keratosis Pilaris.

**To use coconut oil on the skin simply massage a few TB’s into the skin. It will absorb into your skin within 15 minutes with no oily residue left behind.**

Cooking with Coconuts

• Coconut oil can replace ALL other oils in your kitchen (I use it instead of olive oil).
• Great for stir-frying vegetables because it is highly stable at high temperatures (won’t burn under high heat).
• Replace vegetable, canola and olive oils in recipes while cooking and baking. Coconut oil can be substituted in a 1:1 ratio.

Here is a great recipe for energy bars which contain both shredded coconut and coconut oil.

Coconut Energy Bars

Ingredients:
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1/2 cup pecans
1/4 cup almond or sesame seed meal
1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1/4 cup almond butter
1/4 cup coconut oil (check your local health food store)
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp of raw honey
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 cup dried cranberries or blueberries

Method:
1. On a cookie sheet, toast nuts and shredded coconut until golden brown (you may need to shake the tray once or twice to make sure they cook evenly).
2. Once toasted, pour mixture into a food processor and pulse until nuts are chopped and the mixture becomes coarsely ground.
3. In a mixing bowl, melt coconut oil and almond butter (about 20 seconds). Remove from microwave and stir until smooth.
4. Add vanilla extract, honey and sea salt. Mix thoroughly.
5. Fold in nut mixture and almond (or sesame seed) meal until mixed thoroughly.
6. Fold in blueberries/cranberries.
7. Press mixture into an 8 by 4 loaf pan.
8. Refrigerate for 20 minutes or until firm.
9. Cut “loaf” width wise. Should make 6 good-sized bars.
10. Enjoy! (or, if you don’t plan to eat immediately, you can store the bars in the refrigerator, covered loosely with a paper towel and plastic wrap.
(http://crossfitzone.ca/paleo-recipe-energy-bars/)

Hope you learned at least one new thing you didn’t know about coconuts!  If you liked this post, please click “Like” and share with your friends. :)

 

Cauliflower is staple vegetable in our house and I make it at least 1 – 2 times per week to take advantage of its high nutritional content (plus I love the taste of this recipe).  Cauliflower is a non-starchy, cruciferous vegetable that is high in Vitamin C, Vitamin K, folate, fiber, and anti-oxidants.

Keep reading for the recipe I personally make every week below!

How to Select and Store Cauliflower: Look for a clean, creamy white, compact cauliflower and try to avoid brown spotted or dull colored cauliflower.  Choose one that has many thick green leaves.  I like to pick up cauliflower at the local farmer’s market.  Store in a paper or plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to one week and store with stem side down to prevent moisture.  If you purchased pre-cut florets, use within two days for best freshness.  After cooking, try to eat within two to three days.

My FAVORITE Cauliflower Recipe:

Steamed Cauliflower with garlic and red pepper flakes

1 Head cauliflower
¼ Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 Large cloves garlic, minced or through a garlic press
1 Tablespoon anchovy paste
¼ Teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 Tablespoon fresh chopped parsley

1. Rinse and cut cauliflower into florets. Steam cauliflower until fork tender.

2. In a saute pan, put in olive oil, garlic, anchovy paste, and red pepper flakes and cook over medium for 1 minute, careful not to burn the garlic.

3. Add the cauliflower to the pan and with a wooded spoon, break up the cauliflower into little pieces a little bigger than peas.

4. Cook for 2 minutes and add fresh parsley when finished.  Remove from heat and check for seasoning. Add a little sea salt (to taste) and enjoy!

Thank you to Eileen and Paleo Simplified for this recipe.  This is one my mom used to make for us growing up and I could eat the whole bowl!

Please let us know if you make it and comment below!

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