Wednesday, November 28, 2012

INEBRIATED THEN COCONUT WATER???


Can coconut water remedy a hangover
Got Drunk, Now What, Coconut Water?
 
I have 2 rules about drinking alcohol:  Don’t get drunk and don’t get a hangover.  That said, I’ve heard the rumors that say coconut water alleviates hangovers. Cocofina, a coconut water manufacturer, claims that it’s not a rumor and states that coconut water does indeed remedy hangovers. 

In fact, the company has put this information on their website:  Coconut Water Cocofina Hangover Remedy. 

Hmmm…


ALCHOLIC DEHYDRATION

It’s true that any alcoholic drink will cause dehydration. But the type of dehydration that’s caused by drinking alcohol occurs at the cellular level. Fluid passes-out of individual cells throughout the brain and the rest of the body.  This is one part of the hangover syndrome (only part).
 Billions of human cells must be rehydrated for a serious drinker to be fully hydrated again, IF EVER. That takes time, lots of time, so much so that even intravenously administering fluids can’t “beat a hangover”.


MAKE COCONUT WATER YOUR DRINK

I try to enjoy  holiday libations responsibly and then  substitute coconut water when I reach my limit.  That’s the best way to beat a hangover.
Pat Thomas for THE COCONUT LOVERS MOJO until next time…

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

NEW DRIVE STYLE - 2013 CHEVY SPARK


CHEVY SPARK NOW ELECTRIC FOR 2013
CHEVY SPARK ON THE STREET


Chevy Spark invokes an immediate  "What is that Car?!" comment.  It looks like a spunky Italian Fiat or a ride designed for living in tropical latitudes.  And now  It's Electric for 2013! It's fast-0 to 60 mph in 8 seconds!  It saves gas! And it comes in 8 shades!  Chevy Spark is a great way to update your style. Here's the link to Chevy:  GM Chevy Spark


Pat Thomas for THE COCONUT LOVERS MOJO until next time...

Monday, November 26, 2012

CHIA SEEDS, REAL FOOD ENERGY SHOT

Put dried coconut and chia seeds in your disaster survival pack
The New York Times reported last Saturday that teeny tiny Chia seeds have gone mainstream:  30 Years After Chia Pets, Seeds Hit Food Aisles  Like coconut products, chia seed cultural cuisine was  fairly limited to  semi-tropical, albeit desert-like locales.
Making a Chia Smoothie is easy, but better tasting once the multi-colored seeds have expanded in liquid, even plain water, overnight.

Chia ENERGY SHOT SMOOTHIE

Prepare the night before going to bed
  • Add 1 teaspoon to a glass of your choice of juice.
  • Or add  to pureed fruit (like apple sauce).
  • Let the seeds soak in the juice or puree overnight.
In the morning
  • Stir the juice and the expanded seeds
  • Drink the juice and seeds

CHIA'S REAL STORY

I first read about the real story of Chia seeds in the bestseller “Born to Run” by Chris McDougall.  Had it not been for all those years of quirky TV commercials for  Chia Pets, I would not have given McDougall’s research on Chia seeds a second thought-It just seemed like too much hype.

But Chia Seeds were once an important Native Peoples food commodity throughout the Western Hemisphere. In fact, I think that the seeds were so much a part of the Native Peoples consciousness, that Chia Pets almost seemed to have been divinely designed to keep them at the forefront of all of humanity’s consciousness.  That’s just my theory!

THE 411 ON CHIA NUTRITION

Chia seeds are chock full of protein and essential fatty acids. One tablespoon provides 20% of the daily requirement for carbohydrates.
Also, Chia seeds can be used to prepare baked goods. There are a tremendous number of Chia seed recipes online all over the internet.
 Here is the link to the USDA Report on Chia Seed

IN THE EVENT OF A DISASTER

Chia seeds also make a good long-term storage food product for your disaster survival pack. The small seeds are easily packed.  Dried coconut flakes and Chia seeds are part of my own disaster survival pack.
Pat Thomas for THE COCONUT LOVERS MOJO until next time…

Monday, November 19, 2012

GET IN A THANKFUL MOOD WITH COCONUT


Coconut scented tea lights for food warmers
COCONUT SCENT  FOR DINING
 
I like to enhance the mood of graditude during Holiday meals with the warm scent of tea lights for food warmers or table settings. Coconut scented tea lights and candles are widely available. 

 A coconut scented room makes a delicious change of pace from tried and true subtle vanilla or spicy pumpkin pie scented candles. Then again,  I think I will try a combination of all three aromas.

Pat Thomas for THE COCONUT LOVERS MOJO until next time…

COCONUT FLAVOR OOMPH! FOR YOUR FOOD

 
Onions Fried in Coconut Oil
SUMPTUOUS-TASTING  ONIONS SAUTEED IN COCONUT OIL


 
What exactly does coconut flavor really taste like?  To me it tastes like a subtle combination of rain, wood and the sea, very slightly sweetened. Brazil nuts are the only other food I’ve eaten that remotely taste like coconut.

How can you get more of it in your main dishes and desserts?  Here how--

TOP WAYS TO GET REAL COCONUT TASTE

  1. Use extra virgin organic coconut oil.
  2. Make coconut whipped cream from canned coconut milk (don’t use low-fat).
  3. Grate coconut flakes from younger seeds that contain lots of water.
  4. Use coconut gel from green coconuts.
  5. Use artificial coconut flavorings (buyer beware).
Brazilian coconut flavor seems smoother than bolder-tasting Thai coconut .The strength of the aroma definitely depends on the coconut’s age and the country it was grown in.

Depending on your dish or dessert, you would still want to use your own preferred flavorings like vanilla or spices like saffron along with the coconut.

Onions sautéed in coconut oil are incredibly tasty and beyond yummy.  Coconut’s flavor will not overpower any of your Holiday food dishes or desserts even though “Coconutty” is a taste sensation in a class by itself.
Pat Thomas for THE COCONUT LOVERS MOJO until next time…

Saturday, November 17, 2012

GET CLEANER FLOORS WITH COCONUT


A REAL WELCOME TO MY HOME



It was like stepping into a Black Hole as I approached my front door. The big black rectangle laying there was not inviting or welcoming. I so hated looking at that recycled black plastic outdoor mat.  So I’m going back to an old-school coconut coir welcome mat to catch outdoor dirt before it gets inside.

 Coconut coir mats now have fresh, new colorful designs that are much more welcoming and more appealing.  And they still do the job of collecting outdoor dirt before it gets on the carpet.

Granted the recycled plastic mat was very functional …ice melting salt, ordinary dirt and leaf debris easily came off shoes and fell into the depths of the mat’s black hole. When it blew down the street during last year’s blizzard, I retrieved it but never put it back at the front door.

COCONUT WITH LIME WELCOME MAT
Newer coconut coir floor mats are now made with brighter colors that are more decorative.  Some are available with Christmas themes.  Basic mats still come with the “WELCOME” message.


So when guests come to visit this holiday season, my carpet will stay cleaner because of a coconut coir floor mat.
Pat Thomas for THE COCONUT LOVERS MOJO until next time…

Monday, November 12, 2012

REVERSE COCONUT WATER?!

CLEAN WATER FOR ALL OUR FUTURES
Get cleaner, purer regular water from your fridge thanks to coconut. A Canadian Company has invented a new water filtration material made with dried coconut shells to purify regular H20.  Swift Green Filters of Canada converts the shells into carbon replacement water filters for refrigerators and ice dispensers.
The company produces the coconut carbon filters for home and commercial use.
The company’s product joins the long list of recycled coconut by-products utilized by individuals throughout the tropical latitudes such as barbeque charcoal made from coconut shells.
Pat Thomas for THE COCONUT LOVERS MOJO until next time…

Thursday, November 8, 2012

RELAXXXING COCONUT SONG

Massage your scalp with coconut oil while listening to this spa music I found on You Tube.  After your massage,  cleanse-away all of your worries...




The tune is "The Coconut You Gave Me".  In some African cultures,  giving the gift of a coconut is symbolic of giving one's love.

Pat Thomas for THE COCONUT LOVERS MOJO until next time...

Monday, November 5, 2012

A NEW ASTI FOR HOLIDAY MEALS

A New Asti for Pouring
Drinking Moscato from Gallo Family Vineyards is like eating fruit. The family vineyard just keeps on pleasantly surprising me with their wine selections.
 I just tried their Moscato today.  It’s a great Asti-sweet, juicy and very boldly tart! It’s produced in Argentina but tastes very Italian. It might be a tad too sweet but  I think it will be excellent to serve with  my Holiday meals.
And at about $5 for a 4 pack of little bottles, this sparkling wine will make great stocking stuffers for Christmas.
But at the moment, all I can think about is how good summer Sangria will be next year made with Gallo’s Moscato. Hmmm…I’m wondering…maybe I can go ahead and make that Sangria now.

Pat Thomas for THE COCONUT LOVERS MOJO until next time…

HOW-TO CALM DOWN AFTER THE STORM

East Coast victims of Hurricane Sandy have all of my love and empathy.  I find that I'm feeling so unsafe and unsettled because of the  storm's shocking death and destruction. 

The aroma of coconut oil is extremely relaxing.  I did a hand massage with Extra Virgin Organic coconut oil and inhaled the relaxing fragrance to calm down somewhat.

You can also massage lavender, Turkish rose or chamomile essential oil drops into your hands for  quick relaxation.

Pat Thomas for THE COCONUT LOVERS MOJO...love until next time.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

READY…SET…HOLIDAY COOKING


Easy Coconut and Chocolate Holiday Dessert

Salt can’t be the only flavor in my food dishes this holiday season. So I’m starting my grocery list now to stockpile my favorite spices, flavorings and ingredients. 
I try to shop early so I won’t see an empty space where my  favorite spice was displayed before it sold out.
 Many ingredients are on sale now.
So I have to clip coupons and review sale papers for basic cooking needs soon.
I stockpile nonperishables like chocolate and coconut products.  Lots of spices and flavorings can be ordered online from grocery stores.  It’s worth it to avoid the frenzy in the baking aisles.
Pat Thomas for THE COCONUT LOVERS MOJO until next time…

5 NON-IRRITATING LIP GLOSSES


DON'T SETTLE FOR STINGING LIPS!


Just because it’s windy and cold outside doesn’t mean that I have to put up with burning or chapped lips.  When I don’t use plain coconut oil, I use a pretty lip gloss. One lip gloss I recently purchased irritated my lips badly.
It was the perfect shade of lip gloss.  I had been searching a long time for that shade.  I paid $34 and I bought 2.  My lips started burning an hour after I applied the gloss.  I will return the unused tube.
I put the opened tube in the back of a drawer and went back to my stash of the protective lip glosses I use in fall and winter.
Here are 5 lip glosses and moisturizers that I found won’t irritate my lips with stinging ingredients or strong scents. None need numerous reapplications.
  1. Burt’s Bee Tinted Lip Balm
  2. REVLON Super Lustrous Lip Gloss
  3. NIVEA A Kiss of Moisture SPF 4
  4. MARY KAY NouriShine Plus
  5. TROPICAL TRADITIONS lip moisturizer, coconut oil, unscented, no color

Pat Thomas for THE COCONUT LOVERS MOJO until next time.