When choosing the life of a flight attendant you sign over all sense of time. In the beginning you are always trying to figure out what time zone you are in, what day it is, even what month it is. Eventually you just let it go. So when I was writing my post for yesterday, I was fully convinced that it was Saturday. It wasn't until I was half way to Hawaii that I realized it was only Friday. Needless to say, my postings are a little backwards this week. But in the end it works out. What better time to talk about coconut than while sitting in Hawaii sipping coffee and being surrounded by palm trees!
Growing up I believed coconut was something to be found in Mounds candies and I hated it. If there was one way to keep me out of my Halloween bag, it was to fill it with the chocolate coated coconut candy. Recently, I have discovered the health benefits of coconut, the different forms it can take, and just how yummy it can be.
Coconut can be found in the following forms (and probably more that I haven't even discovered yet):
Oil- Coconut oil is one of the healthiest oils in existence. Often mistaken otherwise due to it's large saturated fat content but as it turns out, that kind of saturated fat is actually good for you! Who knew? It's also quite versatile. You can use it in baking and cooking of course but it is also a great skin moisturizer, disinfectant, and helps keep spiders away! The best part of cooking with it? When it gets all over your hands, you can just rub it in, so you aren't only getting a delicious meal or snack, but soft, beautiful hands! Coconut oil is generally packaged in a clear, glass jar and can be found in the natural food section at your local grocery store. It is hard at room temperature but heat it for a few seconds and it becomes fluid.
Milk- My favorite form of coconut milk can be found in the Asian isle at any grocery store. Coconut milk is packed full of nutrition and is a wonderful substitute for cream in recipes. I used this in my pumpkin pie and it worked just as well as half n' half. I haven't tried whipping it but I have a feeling it won't work. You can also buy coconut milk in a box by the almond and soy milk. This form has a consistency closer to 1% milk and is great in coffee, cereal or as a milk substitute in various recipes.
Ice Cream- The makers of this ice cream are my favorite people in the world. They created a tasty, dairy free, low glycemic ice cream and I could kiss them for it! I have yet to come across anything like it. The rich coconut is sweetened with agave nectar making it my favorite chilly treat. I have found 2 different brands, SODO and Coconut Bliss. I prefer Coconut Bliss because it has more flavors, is creamier and sweeter. SODO does produce more options such as bars and sandwiches but read the label before biting into one. Some of them are not made with Agave and I'm not sure if they are gluten free. SODO is also more available, finding it at places such as WalMart, Fred Meyer and Target. Coconut Bliss can also be found at Fred Meyer but with less flavor options. I purchase it at PCC or my local health food market.
Sugar- Recently I was at Whole Foods in New York City for lunch. While wandering the isles, I came across this little gem. Coconut sugar is very similar to raw or brown sugar. It is lower on the glycemic index (35) than Agave Nectar (42) and Honey (55). It can be used 1:1 in cooking and baking and has a delicious, carmel after note. This is, by far, one of my best finds. Look for it at Whole Foods, and PCC or order it online through Amazon.
Flour- My most recent find while at PCC in Seattle was coconut flour. It is gluten free and loaded with fiber at 6 grams per serving. It's light, powdery body has a soft hint of sweetness to it. It can't be used alone in all recipes but works great for coatings and baked goods that don't get especially firm, such as brownies. You can also use it along with your favorite gluten free flour. I'm still experimenting with this wonder flour but keep your eyes on my recipes, I'm sure it will end up in many of them.
Coconut is not just something to be found in a little candy wrapper or in a tropical adult beverage in Hawaii. It is loaded with nutrition, has many health benefits, is versatile and down right delicious! For more information, check out my links to coconut health information and coconut sugar.
As Always,
Here's to Life, Love, Health and Happiness! Cheers!
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