A seed floats for hundreds of miles and finally germinates and grows when it reaches dry land, often in nutrient-poor sands and soils. The coconut has been a source of sustenance and raw materials for many cultures around the globe. It is a plant that I connect with on many levels. Not only was I called a "coconut" in school, because of my Caribbean heritage, but the coconut is also a staple ingredient for several dishes that are commonly consumed in my home today. I remember my instructions on picking out a good coconut from my mother: "To pick out a good coconut, look at the eyes, make sure they are dry. Shake the coconut; it should sound hollow yet juicy." Whenever I travel and have to pick out a good coconut, I recall these instructions and I seem to always manage to get the perfect nut.