I'm Going Coconuts!

In the past, I've been hesitant to add much coconut to my diet, all that saturated fat scares me a bit.  I've used it here and there in the blog, but I've not fully embraced adding it to my diet yet.  That being said, a lot of articles and reports talk about the benefits of including it in your diet.  Hmm.  Well, I've decided on a compromise...I'll include it, but in moderation.  These are some of the products I've added to my pantry and fridge.  I've always loved the taste of coconut, and these products do have some of that classic coconut flavor, but it's not overpowering in the 'frozen pina colada'  sort of way.

To me, the Coconut Palm Sugar has a light, brown sugar/molasses type of flavor and is a bit less sweet than regular sugar.  It tastes nice in tea and coffee, and it's supposed to be low on the glycemic index.  It has no saturated fat, so this one is off the hook for that issue.  :)   I've not baked with it yet, but it looks promising.

The Vanilla Coconut Milk Beverage, from Trader Joe's, is good.  It adds a really nice 'richness' to my smoothies.  I don't really like it that much in my tea or coffee, I have to use too much of it to get my beverage just the way I like it.  Go figure ~ great in a frosty smoothie or in a glass by itself...meh, in my hot beverages.

The Califia Farms ~ Coconut/AlmondMilk Blend, Toasted Coconut flavor ~ is a trip.  It's nice added to my morning coffee, giving it a similar/almost hazelnut flavored quality.  I really like the not-too-strong 'toasted coconut' flavor, and the 2 carbs/50 calories per cup is great...of course, almost all of those calories comes from fat.  (this is  my inner moderator voice talking now)   Yippee! It's only 50 calories a cup!  ~ Yes, but it's mostly fat calories. ~ Yeah, but it's ONLY 50 calories a cup! ~ Yes, BUT.... You can see my dilemma here, right?  :)

The Olivio Coconut Spread is a nice change from my regular margarine.  I like it as a splurge, usually when I happen to want a piece of toast or an English muffin.  A little, sorta/kinda, coconut-ish, taste treat.

I've been a huge fan of Coconut Water for some time now.  It's refreshing, low in calories and has nutrients and electrolytes.  The only thing I have to watch out for is hidden sugar, some of the coconut waters I've seen have it added.  It's 100% coconut water or no-go-to-my-home.  I enjoy it chilled, straight from the can, over ice, maybe with some rum, or mixed into a fruit smoothie.  I'm new to using Coconut Milk in my kitchen/cooking, and I'm looking forward to seeing what mischief I can get into with this lite version.  :)

Now that I'm letting more coconut into my life, I just  have to remember my new coconut motto ~ Everything Coconut, just in moderation. 

Wheatgrass-Coconut Superfood Green Protein Smoothie

I've always wanted to try a freshly squeezed shot of wheatgrass...but, I'm a chicken.  Ever since I saw the face Samantha & her man-of-the hour (in an episode on the classic show, Sex & the City) made when she/he tried one, I've been hesitant, to say the least.  I mean, drinking grass juice?  You've got to be kidding, right?  Even if it is supposed to be healthy for you...you are supposed to mow it, not drink it.

Well, I finally stood up to my fear, and decided to give it a try...but, not the traditional kind.  I found a powdered version that looked and sounded less threatening ~ it came in a little packet that you mixed-up into whatever cold beverage you wanted to add it to.  I controlled the amount of green wheatgrass flavor by adding the right amount of water for  me ~ it turns out that 8 ounces of water is just perfect for my tastes.  I was pleasantly surprised when I found the reconstituted wheatgrass drink to be almost sweet, with a very subtle 'green taste'...and it's not yucky at all!  I actually even liked it.  So much so, that I'm going to add it to my daily diet.  Now, that was an unexpected surprise.  Not only is it just fine mixed with water or fruit juice, it's also really at home in a smoothie, and gives it a light hint of green.  Such an easy way to have a superfood green smoothie.  Cool.

My cute, little, single-serving packet of organic wheatgrass powder, from Amazing Grass, only cost about $1.50 at Whole Foods. (after a bit of sleuthing, it looks like some wheatgrass powders are made from dried wheatgrasss juice & others from the entire dried blade of wheatgrass ~ from what I've been able to decipher, Amazing Grass is the latter kind...I think...I'm such a wheatgrass newbie!) The best thing about it, was that it let me see if I liked it before buying a whole container. Sample sizes are so handy, for trying out a product or for an easy, single-serving, take-along size. Now that I know I like it, I'm going to buy a container of it.  I found a really good price over on Amazon, so I'm going to order mine from there.  Maybe someone should tell Samantha there IS a way to actually enjoy drinking a shot of wheatgrass.  Nah, I'd rather just watch her make that face.  heehee   :)

Wheatgrass-Coconut Superfood Green Protein Smoothie

serves 1

Ingredients

• 1 cup coconut milk beverage, like the vanilla one from Trader Joe's (or your favorite kind of juice/nut milk/milk)
• 1 cup cold water
• 1 single serving packet wheatgrass powder (or single serving scoop)
• 1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder
• 1/2 banana
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• couple drops of stevia extract (or sweetener of choice ~ optional)
• 4-6 ice cubes

Directions

Place all ingredients in blender & whirl away until smooth & frosty.