Healthy Eating - Coconut

When we think of coconut we probably first think of the desiccated coconut we use in cooking or coconut oil, which is often used in Sunscreen lotions or tanning oils. The humble little coconut actually has a very versatile list uses which help give it its popularity.

The coconut is botanically recognised as Cocos nucifera and belongs to the plant family Arecaceae or the Palm Family.  It can grow into quiet a large tree reaching up to 30 metres tall. The palm fronds can reach up to 6 metres in length on mature trees.

Coconut

The name Coconut can refer to either the tree, the seed or the fruit but is usually followed by the part in question - Coconut Tree, Coconut seed etc, or preceded with a word such as desiccated coconut.

Healthy Eating - Coconut

Any picture of a tropical island will usually include a coconut tree. This is typically depictive of the natural habitat of the coconut. Generally the coconut will grow well within several thousand kilometres north and south of the equator.

Health and Coconut

• Coconut flesh is high in dietary fibre making it an ideal addition to the diet for those suffering constipation. It can be found in Muesli products and in health food bars and slices.
• Coconut Milk is thought to be beneficial to sufferers of Stomach Ulcers. Some research indicates drinking a glass of coconut milk prior to eating a meal may help relieve the symptoms associated with it.
• Coconut milk and coconut oil is known for its beneficial effects on the skin.
• Coconut is an ideal food for those wanting to build muscle mass or to recover body strength after long term illness.
• Coconut milk (Coconut water) may benefit clearing the digestive tract and maintaining regular bowel movements.

Coconut oil

• The oil is used in Skincare products and lotions
• Saponified Coconut oil is used in soap products requiring
• Coconut oil is used in Sodium Lauryl Sulphate. Common synthetic foaming cleansers found in many industrial products and, [cough] in personal care products.
• Coconut oil has a structure suitable for use in deep fryers and is used by many commercial snack manufacturers for cooking and as an additive.

Desiccated coconut and coconut milk (Food)

• The desiccated variety is derived after the oil and water has been expressed from the coconut meat. Desiccated coconut is used in many dishes, main courses and deserts as well as health food products.
• Coconut milk is typically sold in cans in the supermarket and can be consumed on its own or used in cooking.

Coco Peat

• Coco peat is the hairy fibre on the outside of the coconut shell. It is a common ingredient in commercial potting and seed raising mixes. It is also used as a growing media in Hydroponic systems
• Coco peat is used in pellets for propagating individual seeds for transplanting.
• Coco peat mulches are available and are often sold in blocks needing to be soaked in water for an hour or so before using.

Healthy Eating - Coconut

Eric J. Smith describes himself as being "Passionate about Organics". He is committed to Educating people on the importance reducing the chemical load on our bodies and the Environment. Eric is Married and has 2 Children. Eric and his wife Narelle represent Miessence Certified Organic Skin Care, Cosmetics, Home & Nutritional Products. www.buy-organic-products.com.

My 5 Minute Healthy Chocolate Fudge Recipe - Yes It's Healthy

As a Certified Nutrition Specialist, I like to find ways to prepare delicious foods that most people can't believe are actually healthy for you. If you have a sweet tooth like me, I'm sure you've tried to find ways to still enjoy sweet treats, but also try to make them healthier than typical junk food desserts.

The major problem with most so-called "healthy" desserts is that most companies attempt to make them healthier by reducing the fat content and thereby increasing the sugar content or artificial sweeteners... there's nothing healthy about either of those!

\"coconut Milk\"

Below is my famous healthy chocolate-peanut-butter fudge recipe that takes only 5 minutes to make and is really simple. The great thing is that I use no added sugars, no artificial sweeteners, and all healthy fat sources. You'll see why below.

My healthy chocolate-peanut-butter fudge recipe (peanut butter can be omitted if you prefer plain chocolate):

• Extra dark chocolate bar (3-4 oz bar works well -- look for at least 70% cocoa content, between 70-85% -- this minimizes the sugar content)
• 4 or 5 Tbsp of your favorite organic nut butter (almond butter, cashew butter, peanut butter all work well)
• 2/3 to 3/4 cup of organic coconut milk (great source of healthy saturated fats from medium chain triglycerides - MCTs)
• 2 tbsp rice bran (additional healthy fiber source)
• 2 tbsp oat bran (more healthy fiber including soluble fiber)
• 1/2 cup raw pecans, almonds, or walnuts (yes, more healthy fats, antioxidants, and tons of vitamins/minerals)
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins (optional based on your tastes)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• a little stevia to lightly sweeten (stevia is a natural non-caloric sweetener as opposed to harmful artificial sweeteners)

Start with the coconut milk, nut butter, and chocolate bar in a medium saucepan and put it on the lowest heat possible. Continuously stir as the chocolate, coconut milk, and nut butter melts together. Once these melt together add in all of the other ingredients and stir together very well.

Once everything is mixed well together, spread the mixture onto some waxed paper laid out in a baking dish and throw it in the fridge to solidify.

Now you have some of the healthiest chocolate fudge ever known to man!

Keep in mind that you still need to keep your serving portions small because this is still a calorie-dense snack even though it is super-healthy. The good news is that it is lower in sugar and calories than typical fudge and has loads more nutrition than any typical fudge.

Enjoy! Tell your friends that Trainer Mike Geary gave you this recipe.

My 5 Minute Healthy Chocolate Fudge Recipe - Yes It's Healthy

Check out these 5 tips to Get a Flat Stomach faster with no bogus diet pills or useless "abdominizer" gadgets.

Good luck with your fitness goals!

Mike Geary,
Best Selling Author - The Truth about Six Pack Abs

Homemade Deep Conditioners For Soft, Shiny, Healthy Hair

Over the years I have tried several different deep conditioners, homemade as well as store bought. The store bought conditioners are generally less expensive, last longer and are less messy, but, the majority of them did not leave my hair as soft and manageable as I prefer; they also have a chemical smell to them.

Homemade deep conditioners are usually made of items you find in the grocery store. In my many experiments with using them, I have noticed a dramatic difference between outcome of store bought conditioners, such as softens, manageability, shine and overall healthy appearance. The concerns I have with the homemade conditioners are they are really expensive to make, can get really messy when applying, really only last for the one application, and sometimes even if you use the exact same ingredients, they outcome may be slightly different; I've also had people complain about feeling as if they wasted valuable food when using homemade deep conditioners.

\"coconut Milk\"

I would recommend experimenting with homemade deep conditioners, but personally, I would never make this my only form of conditioning my hair, because I am one of those people that would prefer to eat my food. Here are a few recipes to try. Feel free to tweak them to your liking.

1 small jar of real mayonnaise, 1/2 of an avocado ....

Mix with your hands or with a hand held mixer in a medium bowl. After applying to towel dried hair, place a shower cap on the hair. For a more deep conditioning apply a hot towel around the cap; let sit for 20 minutes then rinse. You can also do a deep conditioning with mayonnaise by itself. Just remember to use real mayonnaise and not salad dressing.

1 avocado
1 can coconut milk
Mash avocado and slowly add coconut milk until smooth and the consistency of hair conditioner. Work through hair to ends. Rinse after 15 minutes then shampoo....

1 teaspoon baby oil
1 egg yolk
1 cup water
Beat the egg yolk until it's frothy, add the oil then beat again. Add to the water. Massage into the scalp and throughout your hair. Rinse well

1/2 a banana,
1/4 avocado,
1/4 cantaloupe,
1 tablespoon wheat germ oil and
1 tablespoon plain yogurt
For extra conditioning, squeeze in the contents of a vitamin E capsule. Leave in hair for 15 minutes. Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and mix with hand held mixer. Continue until mix is slightly thicker than yogurt. Apply to towel dried hair. Rinse well.

Homemade Deep Conditioners For Soft, Shiny, Healthy Hair

For more hair care tip you can order my book by going to http://www.sweetnaturebyeddie.com

About The Author:

I am a healthy hair care specialist, creator of Sweet Nature by Eddie comprehensive healthy hair care system, author of Relaxed or Natural, You Can Have Beautiful, Healthy Hair, and the owner of http://www.fabulousblackwoman.com