Nutrition Frenzy

Since it’s Friday, and since I know we’ve all got hot dates planned for this evening, I thought I’d tell you a little love story.

Once upon a time, I ate a spoonful of luscious Artisana Organic Raw Coconut Butter. I ate very happily ever after. As a beautiful princess of course.

Artisana, which also goes under the name Living Tree Community Foods, is a small company based in Berkeley CA, I highly recommend checking out their groovy website for a peek at their unique array of organic and absolutely delicious delicacies. Whole Foods (at least in California) also carries several items.

Here are just a few of my faves:

RAW ORGANIC COCONUT BUTTER (also called Coconut Dream on the website)

Why I love it:

Besides the out-of-this world taste, coconut is a powerful source of anti-viral lauric acid. Although it contains saturated fat, the fat in coconut is medium-chain, completely unlike the harmful saturated fat found in animal meat or vegetable oil. In fact, coconut oil has a similar fat profile to one of the healthiest substances people ever consume-human breast milk (I know this is kind of Grapes of Wrath”ish”, but it’s true!)

Coconut has been proven to prevent heart disease, stroke and hardened arteries, and its medium chain fatty acids actually BOOST metabolism, facilitating weight loss. If you’re interested in learning more about the health benefits of coconut check out Bruce Fife’s book, The Healing Properties of Coconut Oil.

Unlike most coconut products on the market, Artisana’s Coconut Butter is made from whole coconut flesh, not just the oil. This gives you a creamy, decadent taste, plus the benefits of a whole food rich in fiber, oil, protein, vitamins and minerals.

Some fun ways to use coconut butter:

Mix spoonfuls of Coconut Dream into bowls of warm oatmeal, add to smoothies or protein shakes, spread on warm bread with a layer of peanut or almond butter for a marshmallow-fluff-like concoction. No time to get creative? The basic lick-off-spoon technique works well too.

You can also use coconut butter for baking, sautéing or frying. Coconut butter/oil is the most stable oil you can cook with, meaning its properties don’t mutate and become carcinogenic at high heat like canola or olive oil.

Other Artisana Rockstars:

–RAW ORGANIC ALMOND BUTTER: The best I have ever tasted - by far. The roasted variety is fab too.

–RAW ORGANIC WALNUT BUTTER: A walnut butter and jelly sandwich provides a yummy dose of heart healthy Omega 3’s and a rich, complex taste. The raw cashew and pecan butters are also definite spoon-lickers.

–ORGANIC GOGI BERRIES. These anti-oxidant treasures are plumper than most of the dried out little Gogi turds you’ll find on the market.

–ORGANIC OLIVE OILS, RAW TAHINI AND EXOTIC SPICES and much, much more: Artisana has an incredible selection of delights that they deliver to your door. They also run monthly specials and often include little extras like plump organic raisins in your order.

So show yourself a little love-order a healthy, and delicious Artisana/Living Tree treat today!

Take it from me, it’s better than waiting for some stupid prince to show up.

Here’s to self-love and making your own happy endings!

xo,
Amanda

Organic, Living Tree Community Foods, weight loss, Coconut Butter, whole food, ALMOND BUTTER, WALNUT BUTTER, GOGI BERRIES