Very often the promise of losing weight, better skin- the Fountain of Youth!, are all waiting in a bottle of the hottest super food. I'm not sure it started with green tea, or acai...but between now and then we have a population that is starting to recognize the importance of health and wellness, even if it's because initially they think it'll be a quick fix.
Over the past few years doctors began to realize that not all fats are created equal. Begin the re-introduction of healthy good fats! Between olive oil being used since the beginning of time, to avocados and nuts - fat is more accepted than ever.
Fat will improve brain function, skin, hair, nails- it seems that eating fat will help keep you smart and beautiful! Look at a walnut! Walnuts are packed full of Omega 3's which help with brain function and they LOOK LIKE A BRAIN!
I've spent a great deal of time walking natural food stores- and oils are always welcome. While in sales there was never a buyer who said "no, we don't sell ____ oil well". Most recently I managed a store and we had 6+ different kinds of coconut oil, then pumpkin seed oil, avocado oil, macadamia nut oil. Olive oils from every corner of the globe...Fat is no longer the foe that it had once been.
And this brings me to coconut oil.
Initially coconut oil was villainized due to being one of the highest sources of saturated fat. As it turns out due to the medium chain fatty acids in coconut oil, your liver is the first to process them and your body can then convert the oil into quick energy via ketosis.
Coconut oil is also anti-microbial. This is due to the content of lauric acid which becomes monolaurin in your body and monolaurin kills bad bacteria and viruses. Amazing right?
I will quickly mention before I talk about my favorite ways of using coconut oil that it also balances good/bad cholesterol and helps with weight loss (fat is more satisfying, plus its abdominal fat that tends to be lost!).
So ok, a jar of coconut oil (16oz) lasts me about a month, and I buy two at a time. One for my kitchen and one for my bathroom/bedroom to use topically. Seriously it's the best moisturizer I've used- ever! You'd initially think "oil? wont that clog pores?" The answer is a resounding NO! Your thirsty skin drinks it up after a few minutes (wait- just don't use too much!). It will help with blemishes, dry patches...and nourish you from the outside in! I also use coconut oil for deep conditioning (often with my other favorite fat, avocado!) my scalp and hair. Just rinse it off well...if you have naturally oily hair this might not be a treatment for you.
When it comes to culinary applications the options are limitless! I use coconut the same way you'd use butter. Or any oil really. While there is sometimes a faint coconut flavor, it's subtle and pairs nicely with everything.
When buying coconut oil it's important to get organic, virgin, cold-pressed and hexane free. Hexane is a solvent used to extract oils from seeds and nuts. It's made from crude oil and is toxic.
Do you love coconut oil too? Whats your favorite way to integrate it into your life?
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Today I wrote this blog between sipping on lemon water, and songs during my dance party with my son. His favorite song was 'Limbo Rock' by Chubby Checker!
Keep reading guys! I'm interviewing some interesting people over the next few weeks!
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