Coconuts and Avocados – what do they have in common?

Coconuts contain an ingredient called lauric acid which is anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial, and the coconut water is loaded with electrolytes that help balance and rehydrate the body and in some cases has been used intravenously to help hydrate critically ill patients! So it’s quite similiar in nature to human blood plasma.

It’s also high in medium chain fatty acids, which the body will use as energy and not get stored as fat. Unlike processed fats which have to go to the liver for processing (and ultimately get stored as fat as the body doesn’t know what to do with it because it’s so nasty) coconut oil is easily recognised by the body and goes straight into the system to be utlised, in fact even enhancing metabolism.

It also has more potassium than 2 banana’s, keeps the skin supple, increases energy, helps keep you slim, lowers bad cholesterol and is great for IBS and other digestive disorders.

So its a great idea to start incorporating coconuts into your diet, whether that be cooking with coconut oil (always raw, extra-virgin, unrefined, cold pressed) or making yummy smoothies, juices or desserts from the coconut flesh or water! They are becoming quite common to see in the supermarkets now and relatively cheap (about $2.80 a coconut), the young coconuts are the white ones with a cone like shape (they have had the outer green shell removed and the outside has been bleached – however tests have shown none of the bleach gets into the nut itself) and the more easily recognised, brown furry round coconut. (This is simply the more mature version of the coconut and will have little to no water inside).

Coconut oil also makes a wonderful moisturiser and you will smell delish! Coconut oil will solidify under 25°C, if you need it in its liquid form simply heat in a jug of warm water. Coconut oil is also very stable, has a high smoke point, and has a shelf life of up to two years. Pretty impressive stuff!

Avocados:

Avocados are a great source of good fats such as monounsaturated fats like EFA’s (Essential Fatty Acids – Omega 3, Omega 6). These fats are required by our body for optimal heart, kidney, joint mobility, digestion and brain function. They help lower our bad cholesterol. Our body does not make these EFA’s so it’s important to obtain them from a good food source.

Avocados are also high in B, C, E, A, magnesium, iron, potassium, calcium and many other trace elements and vitamins. They are high in protein, help boost your metabolism, plus they have an anti-oxidant called glutathione (sometimes called the master detoxifier), it helps our bodies fight free-radicals and helps slow down the aging process.

There is also another magical ingredient in avocados called lutein, which has been shown to help prevent the growth of certain tumors.

What’s not to love about these two magical foods? Except to add them together with some cacao and turn it into a super pudding such as the Raw Chocolate Pudding! So I have put together an easy to make video recipe of the Raw Chocolate Pudding for you. It includes only healthy beneficial ingredients such as the coconut, cacao and avocado and it tastes good too!

Recipe also available in my “Easy Raw Food Recipes to get you Started” eBook on Page 33.