My growing love for coconut ...

Coconut can be an acquired taste, but most of the time you either love it or you hate it.  I have to admit that my taste for coconut has matured along with me throughout the years.  From about three years old until middle school, I always associated the commercially reproduced smell of coconut with sunscreen ... that is, until I just stopped wearing sunscreen altogether (a poor decision that I truly regret).  Post middle school and sunscreen era, I would periodically buy a coconut scented body spray, use it for a few weeks, and then would inevitably toss it aside for a more multi-dimensional fragrance.  The common freezer item, shredded coconut, was just as easily tossed aside ... you could throw it into muffins, candy and cakes or you could skip it completely with no loss!  It wasn't until I was "of age" that coconut took on a new meaning for me in the form of the piña colada, but that ended when I learned that the fun, little cocktail was costing me almost 650 calories a pop ... which was more than half a day's calorie intake for me at that point.  All that time, I never realized was that the water was the good stuff!

Now nearing my thirtieth birthday, I am pumped when I see coconut water on sale at Target!  As a confession, I am just short of hoarding coconut water when I find a good sale ... and for good reason!  Coconut water is high in potassium, antioxidants and minerals.  According to Dr Oz, coconut water can help reduce high blood pressure and can be used to help combat inflammation.  Not to mention, coconut water contains cytokinin, a plant hormone that assists with cell growth and some believe to be an untapped fountain of youth.

Some of my favorite coconut water infused drinks are Zico, SoBe's Lifewater Pacific Coconut, and LaCroix Coconut Sparkling Water.  100% pure coconut water, Zico contains the most coconut water out of the three and is marketed as a sports drink.  SoBe is definitely a treat because it has the most flavor and contains 20 grams of sugar in each bottle.  LaCroix is more of a sipper.  Although it is low calorie, it can also be a little low on flavor ... but it puts some extra zing in a fruit smoothie.  Try my recipe out!  With added antioxidants from the cocoa powder and strawberries, the 60 calories, 12 carbs, 1 gram of fat and 2 grams of protein per serving make a really healthy snack or treat!

Strawberry Coconut Smoothie

8 oz LaCroix Natural Coconut Sparkling Water (about 3/4 a can)

1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries

3-4 tbsp Hershey's Cocoa Special Dark Powder (or to taste)

2 packets Purevia Stevia

6-8 ice cubes

Toss everything in a blender, blend it, add some ice, and blend a little bit more.  Should serve two with a little bit leftover.