the stomach hasn't felt very good recently, so i really haven't eaten meals - just snacked my face off all day long. therefore, no good pictures!
however, i did get my Tropical Traditions Coconut Cream Concentrate in the mail yesterday!
i won it in miss Stephanie's giveaway a while back... girl, you rock!
i absolutely cannot wait to try it! does anyone have any good recommendations on how to use it?
i am really new to coconut so i need your suggestions!!!
from what i understand, it's different from coconut butter because coconut butter is part ground coconut meat, part added coconut fat/oil. the cream concentrate is just pure, straight-up coconut meat. it cannot be used as a cooking oil. it has no additives - no water, no oil, no salt, no nothing!
the website suggests using it as a spread (almond butter and coconut sammie anyone?) or to make your own coconut milk! awesome! it will be so nice to not have to buy a carton of Turtle Mountian So Delicious Unsweetened every week at whole paycheck.
i'll do a post as soon as i use it! i predict a coco-nutty day tomorrow :) and with the weather being almost 90 freakin' degrees, it fits!!!
in other breaking news, i think i figured out my stomach issues!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
it had been pretty good the last few days - no major upsets, as i had been laying off the nuts, dairy, and wheat (just try that for long with my appetite! ....yikes).
this morning, i ate some yogurt, and INSTANTLY it was cramping and hurting, so i took a lactase pill. my little brother is severly lactose intolerant, and has had to take a lactase pill anytime he eats dairy almost all his life. we already had them on the kitchen table, so i thought "why not?" it was just a shot in the dark, but magically - the cramps went away probably 2 or 3 minutes later! i'm so excited! i can't wait to get frozen yogurt.
and finally - i'm headed out to dinner tonight with the boy at probably my favorite restaurant of all time - ipanema cafe. ipanema is a vegetarian restaurant in downtown richmond that i first went to last year for my birthday dinner. their menu is awesome, seasonal, and mostly local produce. "i'm not anti-meat, i'm pro-veg!" that's their motto. awesome. i'll try to actually remember to take pictures tonight! t
he boy is so supportive of me eating meat-free... it's really incredible. he pretty much always caters to what and where i want to eat. i'm lucky!
help me out with what to use this coconut in, ladies!
katie? jess? kate? any of my other coconut experts?
-r
Oooh, what an awesome win! I honestly haven't even heard of coconut cream - but now you've definitely piqued my interest and I'm seeing it in the not-so-distant future, for sure :)
ReplyDeleteWish I could help you out with suggestions! I know I'd plop it in a bowl of oats or spread on some fresh bread right off the bat...but I don't think that'd be so hot for your stomach based on your recent "findings"! Glad to hear you've narrowed down the problem, though. And can't wait to hear about the coconut cream.
Hope you have a great night out tonight! The cafe sounds awesome - I love that motto!
I can't imagine trying to eat around all those sensitivities! You rock for persevering through all that.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of that coconut cream concentrate. I'm new to the coconut products, too.
The cafe looks good! I've never been to a completely vegetarian restaurant, but I'm young and dependent! haha... someday. No rush.
hey! thanks for the comment on my blog.
ReplyDeleteI want to go to a vegetarian/vegan restaurant one day. There not much in Saskatchewan, thats for sure, its unfortunate.
I can't believe you have fibromyalgia; my dad acutally has it, so i completely understand what you go thro, even though i dont exactly know what it is like. But i've had MY share of problems, so i can definitely relate!
stay strong!
thanks girls!
ReplyDeleteas far as the sensitivities go, i think wheat is safe! wahoo! nuts still kinda iffy on, and the lactase pill works so far for the dairy. :) thank you so much for the encouragement!
allison - i am so sorry to hear about your dad! it's so rare for a man to have it, i'm sure it's really tough on him... has he had it long? and i'm sorry about your issues too! the challenges are what grow us, right?
Hey girlie! I'm a coconut lover :D I have some coconut cream as well, but haven't used it yet! Oh maaan Ipanema! Love that place, and they have the best pies!
ReplyDeletep.s. thanks for stopping by! I got so excited to see there was another Richmond blogger :) Do you go to VCU?
I would try using a tbsp. of the coconut in oatmeal or in a smoothie. It will add a nice flavor and some healthy fat!
ReplyDeleteImpanema is down in my neck of the woods and I love it! The place is super cute and the food is amazing. I hope you and boy have a lovely dinner.
Stephanie mentioned that you're going to be at Whole Food's for the cooking demo this week. I can't wait to meet you!!