Healthy and Delicious Strawberry Coconut Milk Smoothie

Some days you just feel like coconut strawberry hydration!  This is certainly a fruity, tropical combination designed to have your tastebuds spinning as you savor the flavors of both coconut and strawberry.  Not to mention, this drink is incredibly hydrating!  Have you heard about the health benefits of both coconut milk and coconut water?  Then, you combine those health benefits with the health benefits of strawberries and you have a powerhouse drink.  Coconut milk is made from the flesh of a ripe coconut and it's thickness or thinness depends on the process by which it is made.  Coconut milk is about 50% coconut flesh and 50% water while coconut water is 94% water.  Coconut milk is high in nutrients and has many healing benefits which is why I love to cook with coconut milk!  Coconut milk contains the following vitamins and minerals: 

• Calories: 552
• Fat: 57 grams
• Protein: 5 grams
• Carbs: 13 grams
• Fiber: 5 grams
• Vitamin C: 11% of the RDI
• Folate: 10% of the RDI
• Iron: 22% of the RDI
• Magnesium: 22% of the RDI
• Potassium: 18% of the RDI
• Copper: 32% of the RDI
• Manganese: 110% of the RDI
• Selenium: 21% of the RDI

Coconut milk is mostly composed of fat, specifically MCT, and there is some evidence that consuming MCT fats may help with weight loss, body composition and metabolism.  Coconut milk may also reduce inflammation, decrease stomach ulcer size and fight viruses and bacteria according to some studies!  So there are so many benefits to start cooking with coconut milk today!  Here is the recipe for this delicious Strawberry Coconut Milk Smoothie!!  Makes 4 (1-cup) servings!

Ingredients:

1 can Coconut Milk

16 oz frozen whole strawberries

1/4 cup maple syrup

1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract

Pour coconut milk into blender container.  Add remaining ingredients, cover and blend on high speed until smooth.  Serve immediately!  Enjoy!