Mad for Coconut

Good afternoon, blog-land! Today I have a special treat for all of you. Emilia (aka Namaste Gurl) has kindly offered to share her extensive coconut know-how with you. Read below for a complete tutorial on this magical fruit!

Hello, Broccoli Hut readers!  Emilia here from Namaste Gurl and I will be talking about none other than COCONUT. 

Caroline and I share quite a bit in common– nutrition, clothing, shows, stores and one main one being our love for the furry tree nut, coconut.

Source

Coconut is loaded with many nutritional benefits such  fiber, magnesium, iron, lauric acid and electrolytes which reduce cholesterol, boost immune system, increase metabolism, improve energy and skin, to name a few.

Scared about the high amount of saturated fat coconut contains?   Well, my friends, I’m happy to report that the saturated fat is in the form of medium- chain fatty acids which in turn do the above health benefits!

Sounds good to me, as a coconut lover that I am.  I can now have my coconut and eat it, too!

Favorite form of coconut?

Coconut Butter, that is!

Coconut butter is the whole coconut flesh and meat.

There’s also shredded coconut, coconut water, coconut oil, coconut milk and the list goes on.

Being a all coconut- product crazed person that I am, I’ve definitely created quite a bit of yummy concoctions with it.

My Moroccan- Pumpkin Coconut Soup.

Pumpkin- Coconut Curry

Or something more sweet, with my carrot- coconut fries…..

Carrot- Cinnamon Coconut “Fries”

Or what about breakfast…..

With my Carrot- Coconut Protein Porridge.

Or, how about some coconut pancakes….

My Gingerbread- Spice Coconut Pancakes, that is.

Or some tropical- banana oats, smeared with none other than coconut butter.

There’s also refreshing and hydrating coconut water….

Perfect after a draining physical activities or anytime!

As you can see, coconut is one big part of my regular eats and I hope after this post, it is for you as well.  Don’t be afraid of this nutritional powerhouse tree fruit, give it a try in one of the many forms it comes in and I’m sure you’ll too be wild about it.

Here’s to many coconut- filled meals,

*Namaste Gurl.

Thanks, Emilia!

Now it’s your turn. What are some of your favorite uses for coconut?

Filed under: Guest Post

15 Responses to “Mad for Coconut”

1. Evan Thomas, on January 17th, 2011 at 1:53 pm Said:

   Great guest post! I really love coconut butter, too. I was skeptical at first, because I don’t love unsweetened coconut flakes, but when it’s creamed it becomes so much sweeter.

2. Matt @ The Kitchen of a Runner, on January 17th, 2011 at 2:01 pm Said:

   Just bookmarked a few of those recipes

3. Erika @ FoodFitnessFun, on January 17th, 2011 at 2:03 pm Said:

   I am mad for coconut too! I love coconut butter – I put it on everything.

4. VeggieGirl, on January 17th, 2011 at 2:27 pm Said:

   Coconut nectar! It’s a replacement for agave nectar.

5. Carrie (Moves 'N Munchies), on January 17th, 2011 at 2:30 pm Said:

   ahhh i rarely get coconut over here!! i so want those pancakes though and carrot fries?? freaking awesome!

6. janetha @ meals and moves, on January 17th, 2011 at 2:35 pm Said:

   you are cuckoo for coconut!

7. julie, on January 17th, 2011 at 4:55 pm Said:

   yum! i’ve always wanted to try coconut butter but it’s SO expensive! i think some day i’ll have to give it a whirl or i juuust might have to make my own!

8. Nicole, on January 17th, 2011 at 5:05 pm Said:

   I’ve already mentioned this a few places but I’m absolutely obsessed with fresh coconut water STRAIGHT from a chilled coconut. ABSOLUTELY obsessed.

   I have yet to try coconut butter… But it sounds like a delightful thing, if the millions of addicted bloggers are any indication

9. Little Bookworm, on January 17th, 2011 at 5:08 pm Said:

   Fantastic guest post! I like using coconut milk in porridge sometimes.

10. Felicia ( A taste of health with balance), on January 17th, 2011 at 5:16 pm Said:

    great post Emilia I love you and your coconut obsession! Favorite is melted on top of oatmeal, topped with fresh raspberries. Shredded coconut is the best in HEAB’s maple nut oaties. Loveeee it!

11. rebecca lustig, on January 17th, 2011 at 10:15 pm Said:

    i’m so intimidated by coconut and have yet to ‘work’ with it! you all make it look so easy! maybe i’m just over htinking it ha

12. Krista, on January 18th, 2011 at 3:58 pm Said:

    Question on coconut butter…I have the Artisana coconut butter and seeing as it’s winter and cold, it has become hard. I’ve tried melting it in the microwave to make it “spreadable” to no avail. Any tips/suggetions??? Thanks!

13. veggietestkitchen, on January 18th, 2011 at 4:01 pm Said:

    I love making coconut macaroons. I usually stick to what I can make with shredded coconut. Getting the flesh out of a whole coconut kind of scares me. And they aren’t really that cheap here in the US.

    Thanks for sharing. I never knew the coconut fat wasn’t actually bad fats. Good to know!

14. Felice, on January 18th, 2011 at 5:24 pm Said:

    We love out coconut here in Hawaii too. Coconut water has become very popular with the athletes in the Islands because it has a high potassium and mineral content. One cup of coconut water contains more electrolytes than most sports drinks and more potassium than a banana, making it a perfect post exercise drink. Coconut crusted mahimahi is one of my favorites.

15. Carrot Meets Coconut., on January 31st, 2011 at 1:51 pm Said:

    [...] and meal posts.  I’ve done numerous posts on my love for the furry tree nut, as well as guest posts, too. AS much I love coconut by itself, I also love to combine with with other spices, fruits and such. [...]

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