Coconut The Tree of Life

COCONUT OIL! I swear it is the nectar of the gods. For anyone who knows me, you may know my PASSION for coconut anything. And what makes it TOTALLY AWESOME? It is incredibly good for your health!

Since being here in Costa Rica, I have had a difficult time obtaining coconut oil which is so funny to me… there are coconuts in my front yard, back yard, and everywhere I look, but NO coconut oil. Not here anyway. Apparently they use it ALL the time on the east coast so we will be checking that out soon!

Back to my lack of coconut oil. I have made due… I have been buying coconuts at the market and cracking them open. Just eating the meat out of them. I have added making coconut butter to my to-do list while I am here. That should be fun!

YAY! Coconut oil is healthy! Ok!! So you made a quick trip to the store and bought some Coconut Oil… Now what do you do with it?? How many servings per day?? Eat it and rub it on your skin… here are some tips…

First, I have to tell you that you would NOT find me rubbing this liquid gold onto my body with such a shortage at this time in my life. But, if I were you and could head to the nearest store to pick up a jar, you can bet that I would be mixing up a nice jar of organic and natural scrub:

How to Make Coconut Sugar Scrub

Ingredients:

Granulated sugar
Pure Unrefined Coconut Oil (I used Artesian – it is organic, unrefined, pure)

Use a 2:1 ratio of Sugar to Coconut Oil (I used 1/2 cup sugar and 1/4 cup coconut oil)
Mix the two together completely.
Store in a container for when you are ready to use it.
Just rub your hands and/or feet with the scrub, rinse and dry

Tips

Sugar scrubs are best for exfoliating hands and feet.
Pure coconut oil is solid at room temperature so just scoop it out and warm it up by rubbing your hands together.
Unrefined coconut oil smells amazing and will make you feel as if you are in a tropical paradise!
You can found the coconut oil in the organic foods aisle at the grocery store or order it online.

Some people spread it on toast (coconut oil on cinnamon-raisin Ezekiel toast is to die for), I cook eggs in it (sounds weird but its good!). I add 1 teaspoon to my night-time protein shake mixed with coconut milk, water, a little bit of unsweetened shredded coconut, 1 scoop chocolate protein powder, and ice and blend in my magic bullet and its delicious!!!!!

Cook with it…anything that would use butter or oil…this is what I use….tilapia is amazing in it!!! They also make coconut butter (plain and chocolate) and I put some of that in my shakes….or just eat a spoon of it…yummy. I also love it on sweet potato fries. Grill or put them in the oven. And did you see my recipe for coconut fried plantains and brussels sprouts??? Take a little and add it with your unsweetened Greek yogurt, I love Fage brand!!

Shoot for 1 -2 T per day. If you have protein sources that tend to be a little higher in fat like ground beef, stick with just 1T but if you have mostly fish, chicken, and egg whites, have 2T throughout the day. If 1T seems to be too much, 3tsp = 1T if you want to split it up throughout the day.

According to the Coconut Research Center, (http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/), coconut benefits us in the following ways:

Kills viruses that cause influenza, herpes, measles, hepatitis C, SARS, AIDS, and other illnesses.
Kills bacteria that cause ulcers, throat infections, urinary tract infections, gum disease and cavities, pneumonia, and gonorrhea, and other diseases.
Kills fungi and yeasts that cause candidiasis, ringworm, athlete’s foot, thrush, diaper rash, and other infections.
Expels or kills tapeworms, lice, giardia, and other parasites.
Provides a nutritional source of quick energy.
Boosts energy and endurance, enhancing physical and athletic performance.
Improves digestion and absorption of other nutrients including vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Improves insulin secretion and utilization of blood glucose.
Relieves stress on pancreas and enzyme systems of the body.
Reduces symptoms associated with pancreatitis.
Helps relieve symptoms and reduce health risks associated with diabetes.
Reduces problems associated with malabsorption syndrome and cystic fibrosis.
Improves calcium and magnesium absorption and supports the development of strong bones and teeth.
Helps protect against osteoporosis.
Helps relieve symptoms associated with gallbladder disease.
Relieves symptoms associated with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and stomach ulcers.
Improves digestion and bowel function.
Relieves pain and irritation caused by hemorrhoids.
Reduces inflammation.
Supports tissue healing and repair.
Supports and aids immune system function.
Helps protect the body from breast, colon, and other cancers.
Is heart healthy; improves cholesterol ratio reducing risk of heart disease.
Protects arteries from injury that causes atherosclerosis and thus protects against heart disease.
Helps prevent periodontal disease and tooth decay.
Functions as a protective antioxidant.
Helps to protect the body from harmful free radicals that promote premature aging and degenerative disease.
Does not deplete the body’s antioxidant reserves like other oils do.
Improves utilization of essential fatty acids and protects them from oxidation.
Helps relieve symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome.
Relieves symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (prostate enlargement).
Reduces epileptic seizures.
Helps protect against kidney disease and bladder infections.
Dissolves kidney stones.
Helps prevent liver disease.
Is lower in calories than all other fats.
Supports thyroid function.
Promotes loss of excess weight by increasing metabolic rate.
Is utilized by the body to produce energy in preference to being stored as body fat like other dietary fats.
Helps prevent obesity and overweight problems.
Applied topically helps to form a chemical barrier on the skin to ward of infection.
Reduces symptoms associated the psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis.
Supports the natural chemical balance of the skin.
Softens skin and helps relieve dryness and flaking.
Prevents wrinkles, sagging skin, and age spots.
Promotes healthy looking hair and complexion.
Provides protection from damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
Helps control dandruff.
Does not form harmful by-products when heated to normal cooking temperature like other vegetable oils do.
Has no harmful or discomforting side effects.
Is completely non-toxic to humans.