Ok, so I admit it. I am totally, fanatically, obsessively, in love with ANYTHING coco-nutty. I think my love affair with this fantastic fruit began when I was a kid and found a lotion in Hawaii that smelled fantastic. But now, as an adult, I use coconuts in my beauty regime as well as in the kitchen. And to even give more of a boost to this tasty food, coconuts are comprised of medium chain fatty acids that are immediately absorbed by the body. Aka, they contain saturated fats that are, yes…good for you!
In cooking, I use unrefined Coconut oil in all of my stir-frying and baking, and even sometimes on toast with a pinch of cinnamon. Yummy! Unlike olive oil, which is fantastic for tossing with salads but losses its health benefits at a high smoke point, coconut oil maintains its integrity when used for pan frying, and high heat cooking.
Coconut milk and Coconut Water are also delicious and easy ways to add this fruit into your diet. After physical activity, Coconut water is refreshing as well as cooling. And Coconut Milk is a great alternative to cow’s milk or soy milk and can be easily mixed with protein powder or had all on its own for a satisfying treat.
So, do your health and your taste buds a favor by getting absolutely coco-nutty and incorporating this wonder food into your diet. My advice: always shop around and experiment. You might come across coconut flakes in your pantry that you usually save for holiday cookies…and instead try sprinkling them on oatmeal or adding them to a mango salad. Being open and adventurous with your nutritional choices is the key to staying fit, being healthy, and feelin’ fantastic!
Namaste,
Alexis Galvez
NEXT Ambassador
Alexis, a California native, teaches Vinyasa Yoga and the Pure Barre dance technique in Orange County. She is also a Holistic Nutritional Consultant and a Loyola Marymount certified Yoga Therapist. Follow one of Swimspot.com's newest NEXT Ambassadors on twitter at yogalexis, or get in touch with her via email at yogalexis@gmail.com.
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