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Fun Facts

The coconut is not really a nut at all! It's both a seed and a fruit, which is kinda confusing, so let's just call it a drupe. Some even call it the Swiss army knife of fruit! That's because it's more than just food and water. Coconut husk can be made into rope, charcoal, furniture, carpet, utensils and bowls, and its dried meat (or copra) becomes oil, soap and lots more. In Thailand and Malaysia, trained macaques harvest the coconuts -- farmers find the fastest monkeys during annual competitions!

Star Power

The coconut is food and drink all rolled into one! The meat is full of fatty lauric acid, which increases good HDL cholesterol. Essential B-complex vitamins such as folate, riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, and pyridoxine replace what the body can't make, and minerals like potassium, copper and iron keep blood, heart and cell metabolism on track. Coconut water is packed with electrolytes, minerals and enzymes that help with digestion and disease prevention. Did you know that coconut water was substituted for blood plasma in IVs during World War ll?

Quick Preps

PREPARE: Buy raw, unsweetened shredded coconut or coconut flakes, coconut milk, coconut oil or coconut water.

• Raw, unsweetened, shredded coconut flakes:
• Add to salad, oatmeal, granola, yogurt and trail mix.
• Blend into smoothies.
• Stir into quinoa.
• Coconut oil:
• Use for all high heat cooking, baking, and sautéing.
• Use as a healthy replacement for vegetable oil; just melt before adding to your recipe.
• Put a scoop of coconut oil in your smoothies and oatmeal for longer lasting energy.
• Spread coconut oil on your skin as a healthy lotion replacement.
• Coconut Milk:
• Use coconut milk as you would cow's milk, in cereal, smoothies, oatmeal, baking, etc.
• Make coconut cream. Place a can of full fat coconut milk in your fridge for a couple of hours. Scoop out the firm top half into a bowl and whisk with a little maple syrup for a healthy whip cream replacement.
• Top fruit with a scoop of coconut cream and chia seeds for dessert.
• Mix with raw cacao powder to make chocolate coconut cream.