My conversion to coconut crazy wasn't overnight; it happened over a number of years. This morning, I looked around the homestead (which is not in a tropical country, by the way, but in US Climate Zone 4!) and realized I was surrounded…by coconuts. 

There are so many benefits to including coconuts in your daily life, and also in your preps. I am going to share my personal favorites with you. 

In my youth, we rarely had coconut in the house, unless my mother was baking Nanaimo bars or some other sweet treat. So, I grew up with a sense that it was exotic and, well, not for me. 

It wasn't until I was far from home that I began to appreciate the value of this amazing fruit. From my travels abroad, I have fond memories of going to the "coconut guy" on the street for a thirst-quenching treat. For only a few cents, I could have him hack open a green coconut with his sword, keeping all that delicious water inside, add a straw and voila! A healthy drink with a fully biodegradable container!

Coconut for Health

Perhaps with the exception of when they DO appear in Nanaimo bars, the coconut is known to be one of the "healthiest fruits on the planet." Their health benefits come from the "healthy fats they contain (medium chain fatty acids), antioxidants, and important micronutrients."

Who cares about the fats they contain, anyhow? Well, it's a pretty big deal! Because they are medium-chain, they "are easier to digest (compared to long chain), provide immediate energy and aren't readily stored as fat" Ooooo! I really like that last bit, because I'm working on my weight loss as a prep.