Revitalize With Coconut

The coconut fruit has many food uses for its milk, meat, sugar, and oil. It tastes great and this tropical fruit is great for you!

The main months to buy it fresh are October through December. Because it's so productive you can find it year round most places.

Most groceries will display it already removed from the outer husk.

You can find coconut dried, desiccated, grated, flaked or toasted in packages or cans. It is also sold frozen, and sweetened or unsweetened.

When it is shredded, it has less than three percent moisture content and sixty-eight percent oil.

It was previously thought this fruit's oil was high in saturated fat, but after studies were conducted that opinion was reversed. It is now considered heart healthy.

Health Benefits of Coconut

The oil is forty-eight percent lauric acid. This is a fatty acid that stirs up immunity. The body converts the lauric acid into a compound, monolaurin, which keeps viruses and bacteria from compromising healthy cells.

Its powerful antioxidants neutralize the free radicals that contribute to the buildup of LDL (bad cholesterol). Its healthy fats help the body produce HDL, (good cholesterol). This helps reduce heart disease.

It contains sterols, which mimic the action of progesterone, (the hormone for bone strength). The oil nourishes the pancreas, so the enzymes can absorb bone fortifying minerals like calcium.

It contains medium chain fatty acids, which is a unique fat that goes straight to the liver and is instantly used for fuel. This boosts the metabolic rate which speeds up weight loss and energy levels.

Healthy Recipes with Coconut

Tropical Shrimp

Ingredients and Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees
2. Mix together 1/2 cup miracle whip light, 2 Tbs. lime juice and 2 tsp. lemon juice. Add 1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, toss to coat it.
3. Put 3 cups shredded coconut, lightly toasted on a plate.
4. Coat each piece of shrimp lightly.
5. Put the shrimp on a non-stick cooking sheet.
6. Bake for 10 minutes.
7. In a bowl, stir together 1/2 cup duck sauce, 1 Tbs. lime juice and 1 tsp. lemon juice. Serve with the shrimp.

Makes 6 servings.

Salad Loaf

Ingredients:

• 1 can crushed pineapple (8 3/4 ounces)
• 1 can manderin oranges (11 ounces)
• 1 can maraschino cherries (16 ounces)
• 8 ounces of cream cheese
• 1 cup of sour cream
• 2 cups mini-marshmallows
• 1/4 cup of sugar
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 cup of shredded coconut

Instructions:
Drain the fruit. Let the cream cheese soften and then blend the cream cheese, sugar and sour cream until smooth. Fold into the fruit mixture. Top it off with the shredded coconut.

"Achieving A Healthy Lifestyle For Women's Health and Fitness"