“If you could count the stars, then you could count all the ways the coconut serves us.”
“He who plants a coconut tree, plants vessels and clothing, food and drink, a habitation for himself, and a heritage for his children.” (Phillipine Proverbs)
Fresh coconut water is one of my favorite beverages. I was very fortunate to attend a party in Barbados recently where there was a coconut man with lots of coconuts serving the guests coconut water. He slashed the top off the coconut very deftly with his cutlass and put a small hole in the top before he handed the coconut over. It is possible to drink the water directly from the coconut but most of the guests chose to drink the coconut water using a straw. Listening to a live pan player in the background and sipping coconut water with family and friends was the ultimate Barbados experience. Some people had rum and coconut water which is a specialty for some wherever fresh coconut water is available – especially in the Caribbean. Many of us had the coconut cut in half for us by the coconut man and ate the coconut “jelly” which is delicious on its own. A special treat!
All the photos in these collages were taken by me during my stay in Barbados. There was a real coconut man. As for the photo with the woman I call “The Coconut Woman,” this collage is my own idea. On my arrival, as we were driving from the airport, I was fascinated with this little cart and the lady and did this photo shoot from the car. She was selling from this interesting contraption. Hope you enjoy all the collages!
In many tropical areas of the world, from a long time ago, people used the coconut for drinking, cooking (coconut oil), for their hair (conditioner), and many poorer people used the palm fronds to make roofs for their houses, brooms to sweep their houses, and so forth. However, since different discoveries in medicine, particularly with regard to “cholesterol” were made, different seed oils were touted by different manufacturing companies and coconut oil and the coconut became “bad” for health reasons. Most people started to stay away from coconut products.
However, in recent years, the “humble” coconut is now being approved by the medical system and alternative health practioners in particular. Here is some interesting information on coconuts that I found that I didn’t know. While we are not as privileged as Barbadians or other tropical dwellers in having easy availability to coconut water and “jelly” as I had in Barbados, we can, at least, know the benefits of this wonderful nut.
“Plenty of populations around the world have thrived for multiple generations eating massive amounts of coconut.”
“Studies show that the fatty acids in coconut oil can increase blood levels of ketone bodies, supplying energy for the brain cells of Alzheimer’s patients and relieving symptoms.”
“Coconut oil contains a lot of medium chain triglycerides, which are metabolized differently and can have therapeutic effects on several brain disorders.”
“The medium chain triglycerides in coconut oil have been shown to increase 24 hour energy expenditure by as much as 5%, potentially leading to significant weight loss over the long term.”
“The fatty acids and breakdown products in coconut oil can kill harmful pathogens, potentially helping to prevent infections.”
“Studies in both humans and rats show that coconut oil improves important risk factors like total LDL and HDL cholesterol, which may translate to a reduced risk of heart disease.”
So much for health facts! There is a lovely song that I remember fondly about “The Coconut Woman” that inspired me to do these collages and this post and the lyrics are here for those of you who may remember it too. Harry Belafonte sang it. Enjoy!
Coconut Woman
Coconut woman is calling out And everyday you can hear her shout Coconut woman is calling out And everyday you can hear her shout Get your coconut water, four for five Man it’s good for your daughter, four for five Coco got a lotta iron, four for five Make you strong like a lion, four for five
A lady tell me the other day No one can take her sweet man away I ask her what was the mystery She say coconut water and rice curry You can cook it in a pot, four for five You can serve it very hot, four for five Coco got a lotta iron, four for five Make you strong like a lion, four for five
Coconut woman says you’ll agree coconut make very nice candy The thing that’s best if you’re feelin’ glum Is coconut water with a little rum It could make you very tipsy, four for five Make you feel like a gypsy, four for five Coco got a lotta iron, four for five Make you strong like a lion, four for five
Coconut
