Coconut Ginger Smoothie

I have a confession to make, I’m addicted to coconut shreds.

Those sweetened little flakes of goodness don’t last long in my kitchen. It seems every smoothie I make is a perfect candidate for their inclusion, and not just a tablespoon or two, but a good half cup. They add a little gritty, chewy, sweetness that I’ve come to love.

Coconut products are a staple in my smoothies, and diet. In case you aren’t aware of their myriad health benefits, or just need a quick refresher, allow me to highlight this superfood with the following bullet points:

• Monounsaturated fats found in coconut don’t readily store as body fat, but rather burn up quickly for energy
• Aids weight loss (how may fat native tropical islanders do you know?)
• Excellent for skin and hair
• Antibacterial, anti-fungal, antiviral
• Supports a healthy heart
• Boosts the immune system
• Improves digestion and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and amino acids
• Good source of antioxidants
• Boosts absorption of calcium and magnesium

Besides consuming copious amounts of coconut products, I also use coconut oil liberally on my skin, hair, and as an aftershave. Here’s a quick recipe for you.

Combine 3 parts coconut oil with 1 part cacao butter using a double boiler with low heat. This makes for a great hair gel and aftershave. This concoction can also be used as a lotion, although it can be a bit oily, so you’ll want to rub off after 20 minutes or so. Experiencing a little sun burn? Apply this mixture, or another of my favorite superfoods, aloe vera.

Fortunately, my local food co-op is usually stocked with organic coconut shreds and they’re rather inexpensive. I prefer the thin shreds over the thicker flakes.

This smoothie is pretty basic (the ginger does add a nice zing); so I encourage you to incorporate a few of the suggested add-ons and/or anything you have on hand. I ended up adding coconut oil, maca, cacao powder, and protein powder to my smoothie. The result, a big party in my mouth :)

Now get your coconut on and enjoy this smoothie!

Coconut Ginger Smoothie Recipe

The Ingredients

• 1 cup young Thai coconut water or regular coconut water
• 1/2 avocado
• 1/4 cup coconut shreds or flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger spice or fresh ginger, peeled and grated
• A little honey, maple syrup, or stevia to sweeten (optional)

The Add-ons

• 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1/2 tablespoon cacao powder
• Meat from a young Thai coconut
• 1 serving of your preferred protein powder
• 1/2 cup frozen blueberries

Show Time

Place the ingredients into your high speed blender and blend for around 30-45 seconds or until your desired consistency is reached.

Nutrition Information

• Calories: 347
• Fat: 28g
• Protein: 5g
• Carbohydrates: 24g
• Fiber: 13g
• Sugar: 9g
• Vitamin A: 0% RDA
• Vitamin C: 28% RDA
• Calcium: 8% RDA
• Iron: 11% RDA

Please leave a comment below if you try this delicious coconut ginger smoothie. Happy Blending!