Coconut

I LOVE coconut.  The smell takes me back to my days of laying in the sun slathered with Hawaiian Tropic Dark Tanning Oil.

I could eat The Barefoot Contessa's Coconut Cupcakes for every meal....

My Mom just recently discovered this tea...and it is delicious!

Coconut Chai Black Tea...you can find it in the natural foods sections at the grocery store.

I also have been reading LOTS about the health benefits of coconut oil.

One of my favorite books, Gorgeously Green, talks about some of the health benefits being, "that it contains lauric acid which can destroy viruses; it is great for brain development and the nervous system; it can protect against cancer and heart disease....Coconut oil is even thought to aid in weight loss because the body doesn't store it as fat; rather, the liver converts it straight into energy"

Tosca Reno (Clean Eating Magazine & Oxygen Magazine) also raved about the benefits and the taste!  I do reccomend buying the "Virgin" Organic Coconut Oil...I was able to purchase this exact brand in the natural foods section at my grocery store.

So, last night I made a recipe from Oxygen magazine that Tosca Reno mentioned she loves:

Saute one bunch of Kale with a spoonfull of Coconut Oil, minced garlic, sea salt, and fresh ground pepper...it was delicious...there is just a hint of coconut, but it really just made the dish.  I am going to try adding it to my protein shakes and maybe a bit to my oatmeal too.

I am not a nutritionist, just love finding new healthy alternatives to add to mine and my family's diet.  Let me know if you give any of these a try!