Coconut Lovin!

Toasty Coconut Goodness

At this point in my life I have come to the conclusion...there are two distinct types of people.  Those who love and adore coconut and those whom I sadly call....Coconut Haters!

 

I have been a Coconut Lover my entire life.  Quite simply, I love it.  When we were little, (I'm embarrassed to share this...as hard as that is to believe!) my sister and I used to eat coconut by the bowl-full.  Now this is the embarrassing part...we called it hair!  There we were, two little girls sitting side-by-side enjoying what we called a bowl of glorious hair!  Dear lord!

 

I used to be married to a Coconut Hater.  Ex-husband #2.  Because of our conflicting love-hate coconut relationship, over time I guess you could say he became somewhat paranoid of my culinary creations.  Before putting food into his mouth, he would raise his eyebrows and say, "Is there coconut in this??"    "Why no honey", I would reply.  Knowing what I now know, I shoulda said..."No coconut dear...just a sprinkle or two of rat poison."  lol  Being a Coconut Hater was the red-flag I guess I missed.  Love me; love my coconut!

I'm heading to visit my parents tomorrow.  Over the years, they have come to expect me to bring them some sort of cookie creation for them to enjoy. Here's what I will share with my dear fellow Coconut Lovers tomorrow.

Toasted Coconut Almond Yummies
3 cups unsweetened shredded coconut (one 5 oz. bag)
1 cup sliced almonds
1/8 tsp. sea salt
2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp. vanilla
2 large egg whites; slightly beaten

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1. Spread coconut on a parchment lined baking sheet; toast in oven for approx 6 minutes.
2. Cool.
3. Spread almonds on same cookie sheet and toast for approx 8 minutes.
4. Cool.
5. When almonds have cooled, put them in plastic bag and crush them into a coarse powder.
6. Combine toasted coconut,almonds and salt in a large mixing bowl.
7. In a small bowl, mix together: egg whites, condensed milk and vanilla; then gently stir into the coconut mixture.
8. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
9. Make cookies with a scoop and place on parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for approximately 14 minutes or until toasty and golden brown.

 

It has been with great joy that I have learned the many health benefits that coconut has to offer.  Coconut oil now sits proudly in my cupboard and has replaced the hydrogenated veggie oils that I was taught to use years ago.
   

Conventional thought used to consider fats like coconut oil to be unhealthy and contribute to heart disease. We now know that this isn’t true. In fact, coconut oil is actually a heart healthy food that can keep your body running smoother in many different ways.

Look at this crazy long list of information that I found on coconutresearchcenter.org!!  An even better reason for my coconut lovin!

Pacific Islanders consider coconut oil to be the cure for all illness. The coconut palm is so highly valued by them as both a source of food and medicine that it is called "The Tree of Life." Only recently has modern medical science unlocked the secrets to coconut's amazing healing powers. Modern medical science is now confirming the use of coconut in treating many of the above conditions. Published studies in medical journals show that coconut, in one form or another, may provide a wide range of health benefits. Some of these are summarized below:
 

• Kills viruses that cause influenza, herpes, measles, hepatitis C, SARS, AIDS, and other illnesses.
• Kills bacteria that cause ulcers, throat infections, urinary tract infections, gum disease and cavities, pneumonia and gonorrhea.
• Kills fungi and yeasts that cause candidiasis, ringworm, athlete's foot, thrush, diaper rash, and other infections.
• Expels or kills tapeworms, lice, giardia, and other parasites.
• Provides a nutritional source of quick energy.
• Boosts energy and endurance, enhancing physical and athletic performance.
• Improves digestion and absorption of other nutrients including vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
• Improves insulin secretion and utilization of blood glucose.
• Relieves stress on pancreas and enzyme systems of the body.
• Reduces symptoms associated with pancreatitis.
• Helps relieve symptoms and reduce health risks associated with diabetes.
• Reduces problems associated with malabsorption syndrome and cystic fibrosis.
• Improves calcium and magnesium absorption and supports the development of strong bones and teeth.
• Helps protect against osteoporosis.
• Helps relieve symptoms associated with gallbladder disease.
• Relieves symptoms associated with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and stomach ulcers.
• Improves digestion and bowel function.
• Relieves pain and irritation caused by hemorrhoids.
• Reduces inflammation.
• Supports tissue healing and repair.
• Supports and aids immune system function.
• Helps protect the body from breast, colon, and other cancers.
• Is heart healthy; improves cholesterol ratio reducing risk of heart disease.
• Protects arteries from injury that causes atherosclerosis and thus protects against heart disease.
• Helps prevent periodontal disease and tooth decay.
• Functions as a protective antioxidant.
• Helps to protect the body from harmful free radicals that promote premature aging and degenerative disease.
• Does not deplete the body's antioxidant reserves like other oils do.
• Improves utilization of essential fatty acids and protects them from oxidation.
• Helps relieve symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome.
• Relieves symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (prostate enlargement).
• Reduces epileptic seizures.
• Helps protect against kidney disease and bladder infections.
• Dissolves kidney stones.
• Helps prevent liver disease.
• Is lower in calories than all other fats.
• Supports thyroid function.
• Promotes loss of excess weight by increasing metabolic rate.
• Is utilized by the body to produce energy in preference to being stored as body fat like other dietary fats.
• Helps prevent obesity and overweight problems.
• Applied topically helps to form a chemical barrier on the skin to ward off infection.
• Reduces symptoms associated with psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis.
• Supports the natural chemical balance of the skin.
• Softens skin and helps relieve dryness and flaking.
• Prevents wrinkles, sagging skin, and age spots.
• Promotes healthy looking hair and complexion.
• Provides protection from damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
• Helps control dandruff.
• Does not form harmful by-products when heated to normal cooking temperature like other vegetable oils do.
• Has no harmful or discomforting side effects.
• Is completely non-toxic to humans.

Come on Coconut Haters...you wouldn't want to leave all of these wonderful benefits to us Coconut Lovers would you??