I think it was a combination of the copious amounts of water I was losing due to the heat and also the bikram yoga, but I literally became addicted to coconuts. I was cranky until I got my coconut fix; Mum was about to send me to the Thai Association of Coconut Rehab (may not actually exist) - but it was getting that bad! ha!
In all seriousness - my coconut obsession has inspired me to pop up from a bit of a blake (blog-break) and dedicate a post to the super fruit of the coconut palm! In Sanskrit, the coconut palm is known as kapla vriksha, meaning "tree which gives all that is necessary for living", since nearly all parts of the tree can be used in some manner or another. The coconut itself has many food uses, including milk, coconut water, meat, sugar, and oil as well as functioning as its own dish and cup. Coconut water is incredibly healthy and one of the best drinks to hydrate the body. Besides helping to remove toxins from the body and aiding digestion, coconuts have amazing anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties that help cure disease. In addition drinking coconut water has many benefits:
- Low in carbs
- 99% fat free
- Low in sugars
- Helps keep the body cool & at the proper temperature
- Re-hydrates the body as a natural isotonic beverage
- Carries nutrients and oxygen to cells
- Naturally replenishes your body's fluids after exercise
- Raises metabolism
- Promotes weight loss
- Boosts the immune system
- Dextoxifies and fights virus
- Cleanses the digestive tract
- Controls diabetes
- Balances PH levels
- Boosts poor circulation
The list goes on... in addition the meat and the oil of the coconut also have great benefits especially using the oil for cooking, as it doesn't oxidise. Also coconut oil is quite possibly it is the BEST hair and skin treatment on the 'market'! Due to the presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid.
So...coming up to summer...get stuck into these beauties ! You can buy them from your local grocer and of course most health food grocers and juice bars. Tip: when buying unopened ensure you have a hammer or axe on hand to chop them open. This is an art in itself!
