go nuts over coconuts!

(image from keetsa.com)

Coconut is definitely the 'in' food to try at the moment.  For the longest time people avoided eating this fruit for fear of high saturated fat content - but now the coconut oil is considered to be 'The Healthiest Oil on Earth' so why is it now cool to eat it, here are a few facts I have uncovered;

• Coconut oil is high in saturated fats, but not all saturated fats are alike and coconut oil in fact has a unique structural make-up making a it vital ingredient for a healthy body.
• This oil has antiviral, antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiprotozoal properties and, like all whole foods, contains nutrients for a healthy body.
• cooking with coconut oil creates a more favorable HDL/LDL ratio
• It has a high percentage of lauric acid the most important essential fatty acid which is essential for boosting and maintaining the body's immune system.
• I can attest to this that it is great for the skin, use as a moisturizer on face and hair, also being shown as a benefit to anti-aging.
• is great for the digestive system
• strange but true benefits of coconut water;   is an isotonic solution which replaces lost  fluids and minerals, can reduce urinary problems, can be used in blood transfusion and it is antibacterial.  Read more benefits here
• Apparently, Madonna loves coconut water investing $1.5 billion in the next trend to hit the streets.
• here is another great article on all the health benefits of coconuts.

I love the taste of coconuts and I often make this very simple lemon and coconut tart, the recipe is compliments of my son's school cookbook - see after jump for recipe.

Lemon Coconut Squares

topping:

1 cup sugar

1/2 tsp bakng powder

2 slightly beaten eggs

2 tbsp lemon juice

2 tsp grated lemon peel

1/2 cup flaked coconut

direction:

crust - 

1. mix flour and sugar

2. add butter

3. press mixture into 8"x8" greased baking pan and bake for 10 mins

4. pour rest of ingredients over warmed baked crust and bake for 25 mins

5. cut in squares when cool and sprinkle with icing sugar.

350 degrees

These are totally delicious and last for ages in the fridge (unless you eat them all first!!)