The last time I talked nutrition I told you what not to do.  This is a bad way to coach people up, but in my defense gluten is something you just have to avoid.  If you haven’t started the process of getting it out of your diet get going.  The sooner you start, the sooner you will heal.  However, I should have given you some alternative sources of calories to sway you away from the whole grain disasters that lurk in every kitchen, grocery store, and restaurant.  Here is that amendment.  Here is a fantastic, natural, and very available dietary source of GREATNESS.  Ladies and gentleman, for your eating, culinary, healing (yes sir) and nutritional pleasure I offer you Cocos nucifera, the hairy nut.  The coconut is something each of us should get a little more of.  The meat, juice, milk and oil are all highly nutritious, rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.  Coconut oil also possesses many healing properties.  In fact, in Asian and Pacific Island populations the coconut palm is so highly valued it is called “The Tree of Life.”

 I already hear most of you, “But Joe, you IIIIIDiot!!! (think Ren and Stimpy) Coconut isn’t healthy; it’s high in saturated fat.”  Well, my quick to judge a book by its cover friend, wouldn’t you like to know that the healthiest oil on earth didn’t get that nickname because it was built like all other oils?  The truth is that the fat molecules found in coconut are different than the fat molecules found in meat, milk, eggs, and plants.  No need to worry about saturated, mono or polyunsaturated fats.  The significant difference is in size.  Why coconut fat is where it’s at, is because its composed almost entirely of medium chain triglycerides (MCT), not short or long chain fatty acids (SCFA and LCFA).  MCT’s are different from LCFA because they do not have a negative effect on cholesterol, do help to protect against heart disease, and also help to lower the risk of atherosclerosis.  All around the world coconut is used to treat a wide variety of health problems including: asthma, painful menstruation, lice, typhoid, and minor wounds.  Better yet, for the coconuts reputation is that there are very few good dietary sources of MCT’s.  Even better’er is that modern medicine is now confirming that the use of coconut can help kill viruses, bacteria, and fungi that cause a wide range of illness from AIDS to diaper rash.  Coconut can also relieve stress on the pancreas, reduce problems associated with malabsorbtion syndrome, and supports the development of strong bones and teeth.  Bottom line, and I don’t mean to curse, Coconut is the tits, the shit, a freaking super duper food.  If you want to read more about its ridiculous powers check out the link at the bottom of the post, you will be amazed.    

If you don’t live in Hawaii or some other beautiful island what are your options?  Simple, check out a quality grocery store (not whole foods if you can, it’s a long story but I hate those horses asses) and look for organic coconut butter, oil, flour, and milk.  In most stores you can also find the packaged shredded stuff.  Cook with the oil, drip the butter over some mac nuts (another winner) and raisins or simply eat it plain, it’s delicious.  On occasion Shitty-Britches and myself have also drank coconut oil straight.  When your short calories for the day you gotta get’em somewhere.  However you can get any form of natural and organic coconut, be sure to get it.  Coconut is a can’t miss.

If you’re looking for more info check out this sweet link http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/.  Shitty Britches sent it to me and I felt compelled to pass if forward.  It’s pretty much where I stole all the info above.  So get out there folks and bust a big hairy nut.