Pure Ella

healthy recipes - nutrition information - gluten free recipes - gluten free living - vegan recipes - egg free recipes - dairy free recipes - wheat free recipes - healthy diet - weightloss - healing through food - inspiration

crafting to a caribbean beat

by

There’s something about this groggy weather that’s making us (or maybe just me) in need of a little pick me up. A lovely trip down south to a Caribbean destination would just do the trick – I know it. (any Sandals reps looking for candidates? I’m right here waiting – in the bitter cold ;)  Well… so maybe the tropics aren’t coming to us – but wait, we can have our own little shakin’ to the rumba beat with our very own Maracas!

We had a lot of fun putting this craft together with simple ingredients. The main one is a coconut – that’s where this craft was inspired from actually. We got the coconut first because I love the milk – (it’ s really  healthy), and we use the meat for cookies – (that post also to come).  And since I don’t like to throw anything away, and this coconut shell seemed such a waste – the Coconut Maracas DIY Craft was born.

First thing’s first. How do you open a coconut – – easily?
Here is a quick photo tutorial on that:

Don’t forget to drink the coconut milk, which is actually coconut water. It’s very good for you, read the health benefits here. So don’t forget to let the juices drip to a glass and enjoy!Now, you need to take out the coconut meat:Now let’s move on to the fun part to make the Maracas.

The supplies needed are: coconut (preferably one with a hole already in it – if not you will need to add a step to drill in a hole), dried beans or lentils, stick, hot glue gun, string/twine + other decorative things.

And you’re done! It is really truly the easiest craft job I’ve ever done. My daughter had fun filling up the shell and just watching the process. And later, of course, there was lots of dancing…

So it may be a stay-cation for us this winter – but at least we’ve brought a little fun and excitement with a little maracas and some dancing to these awesome tunes:  my favourite and Gabriella’s favourite ;)

I hope you liked this coconut craft. Stay tuned for the cookie recipe we made from the delicious fresh coconut meat inside….

So, are you vacationing or stay-cationing and crafting this winter?

PS. Did you know a coconut is not even a nut but a seed. And the name’s origin is from the word coco in Spanish and Portuguese, which means “spectre, goblin” or “grinning face” – which you can see by looking at the three dimples on the top. We love seeing the faces they make ;)

Comments

  1. oh ella… another interesting craft idea. i just love how you use all parts of the coconut! you could also make a coconut shell bikini, but i like your idea better hehe ;)

    • Ha! You’re hilarious ;P I will kick it up a notch next time with a Valentine’s Day special ;)
      Promise ;D

  2. What a great idea! Any kid would love this, even grown ups :) I know I could use a little of the tropics out here, I just can’t seem to warm up lately!

    P.S. I’m having a giveaway on my blog :) Come check it out!

    • Chelsey, you won’t believe – or maybe you will – but I have a stash of them already dried up – and the thinking cap is on. The thing is that they break into two so I can’t just use them as little round pieces. See, I’m all excited now ;P
      lol

  6. How adorable!! The are tons of coconuts drinks in Vietnam- they shave the coconut and put a straw in it and you drink it just like that… Love your idea!

  10. Thanks everyone for your sweet comments.

    Note to self for next coconut project:

    – make Pina Coladas out of the coconut water
    – make coconut shell bikini from the two shell pieces
    – make craft out of avocado pits instead

    : D