Coconut Water

I got turned on to this delicious treat after hearing about about the health benefits from a friend,  Packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, I incorporate several a week into my diet for a healthy, nutritious treat.  More on the benefits here, but a here's a quick fact:

"It's a natural isotonic beverage, with the same level of electrolytic balance as we have in our blood. It's the fluid of life, so to speak." In fact, during the Pacific War of 1941-45, both sides in the conflict regularly used coconut water - siphoned directly from the nut - to give emergency plasma trasfusions to wounded soldiers."

Young coconuts can be found at good grocery stores for around $3-4 a piece, but we pick up cases of 10 at our favorite Aisan market for a cool ten bucks, and keep them in the refrigerator for up to a few weeks.   Puncture the husk to drain out the water into a container, then split with a cleaver to open.  Once open the young coconut meat can be scraped out and eaten with a spoon.  It's like candy, and so good for you! 

You can find the coconut water in juice-box style containers and cans, but it's best from the source.  Well worth the trouble for the health benefits!