On Good Morning America Weekend Edition today, they talked about the new trend of coconut water. Coconut water is living water. It is very yummy stuff. Read on to learn more.

Coconut has been maligned for a long time. People often ask me about it in my cooking classes. Coconuts are a great source of electrolytes and potassium. Coconut water is great to drink after a workout, way better for you that those fake sports drinks such as Gatorade or Powerade. There are no chemicals or artificial ingredients. Just pure water that the palm tree filters up through its trunk and seals perfectly in that coconut. You can choose the prepackaged kind, or opt for a fresh young coconut that you chop open yourself.

During World War II, doctors figured out that coconut water could be used as a substitute for blood plasma! It is easily absorbed by the body, doesn't destroy red blood cells, and it is sterile. Who would have thunk it??

Coconut, like chocolate, often gets a bad rap for all of the other additives that are often in treats such as sugar, butter and sometimes even corn syrup! We are taught to believe that coconut is "high in fat" so we should avoid it. But, while coconuts are high in saturated fat it is from a vegetable origin. The fat in coconut consists of medium-chain triglycerides that not only help reduce your risk of coronary artery disease and promote healthy circulation, but they also support optimal neurological functioning.

Coconut is also loaded with Omega- 3 fatty acids, which protect against heart disease, cancerous activity, diabetes, arthritis, asthma, PMS, allergies, water retention, rough or dry skin, and dull hair. Omega 3's help improve brain function and have been known to ward off depression and improve ADHD in children.

Coconuts are now very easy to buy and can be purchased at many local health shops and at Whole Foods. While on appearance they may be intimidating to open, it is actually quite easy if done properly. I am talking about the fresh young coconuts that have the white covering on them, not the hard brown things you see in the grocery store. Place the flat end of the coconut on a cutting board, put one hand behind your back, and using a very heavy, sharp knife (such as a Santoku knife or cleaver) bring it down VERY hard (remember, keep that spare hand behind you!!) to make successive cuts, turning the coconut each cleave. Eventually, you will have a little cap that you can lift off, then either pour out the water into a glass, or pop a straw in and drink!

After you pour the water out, you are left with the meat. Scoop the meat out of the inside and it can be used in one of the following recipes such as the coconut milk, pudding, or smoothie. Or you can just eat it. It is quite yummy! Any remaining portion can be either placed in the refrigerator for future use (it will last approximately 3 days) or frozen. If you have a dehydrator, you can also cut it up and dehydrate it for a delicious snack.

1 cup unsweetened raw cacao powder
3 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
½-¾ cup agave nectar
2 tbsp coconut butter (coconut oil)
1 tsp vanilla extract
¼ tsp sea salt

Combine 1 cup of the cacao powder and 2 cups of the coconut in a mixing bowl then add the coconut butter, agave nectar, vanilla and sea salt and mix well. Scoop balls of the mixture out with your hands and roll into balls. Place shredded coconut on a plate and roll balls in it to cover. I like to put them in the dehydrator for a while (12-14 hours, if they make it that long!) to make them a bit chewier. That is up to you. These make a delicious and nutritious pick me up in the afternoon or an after-school treat for your children. If you do not like chocolate, these can also just be made plain by omitting the raw cacao powder.

If have any problems balling up your macaroons, you can add more agave nectar, or more coconut butter, or a bit of both. Sometimes, if your shredded coconut is really dry, it is best to let it sit for a while before you try to ball it up. That way, the coconut absorbs some of the liquid, making it easier to stick together.