Why You Should Start Using Coconut Oil

The current research is showing that coconut oil is pretty amazing. I love how versatile it is and how many different beneficial properties are in this stuff.

I find myself reaching for it several times a day, and have multiple containers throughout my house and car. Because of this, I am cutting way back on personal care products, eliminating unnecessary and harmful chemicals from entering my body, and spending less money as well.

Please research it for yourself. You can click here for an article about the Top 10 Evidence-based Health Benefits of Coconut Oil, to get you started.

I currently use it in these ways:

Personal care/beauty:
As eye makeup remover
As face moisturizer
As body moisturizer (however in the winter, I still use a natural lotion since my skin can get so dry, but this is all my kids need most of the time)
As lip balm (I put it in squeezable containers and stick in my purse)
As deodorant (since it is an antibacterial- I use this and only this and it works great! Note: If you are using a commercial brand of deodorant, and switch to coconut oil, your body will go through a detox period of about 1-2 weeks where you will have pretty bad body odor since your body is releasing toxins that have been built up from your antipersperant. Just remember, "this too shall pass"! And when it does, it feels great to be free of all those chemicals and using something totally natural that actually works. )

Food:
Use to make coconut oil candies
Use instead of butter: On toast (I like to add cinnamon, jam, or a little honey), on brown rice, quinoa or other cooked grains (adding other spices too for a yummy pilaf), etc
Use as cooking oil: To saute vegetables, to grill pancakes, etc
Use in baked goods: Such as in muffins or quick breads (such as pumpkin)

Home remedies:
If I get a cut, a canker sore, or anything like that, I will frequently apply coconut oil. When I have done this, I seem to heal quickly.

What's your favorite way to use coconut oil?

Healthy Holiday Candy (made with coconut oil)

If you are one of those people who associate the holidays with candy and stock up as soon as the Christmas candy goes on sale, I invite you to resist the urge to buy all those tempting, beautiful packages, and make your own candy instead! It tastes just as good (better in my opinion) and is made from real ingredients (no nasty artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, etc) and no refined sugar! It's amazing how simple it is too. Just heat up your coconut oil and have several recipes going on at the same time in different bowls. Then you can make an assortment plate for your friends and family!

Reese's Peanut butter (or Sunbutter) Cups
Found this recipe at: http://www.teacheatlove.com/2013/05/unjunked-peanut-butter-cups-and.html 

Chocolate:
1/2 cup coconut oil, melted*
1/2 cup cocoa or carob powder
2 tsp vanilla (alcohol-free)
1/2 cup pure maple syrup (or raw honey)

 Filling:
1/2 cup peanut butter, other nut butter (I used Trader Joe's Sunflower Seed Butter)
1 tsp coconut oil, melted

1. Mix the chocolate ingredients together.
2. Mix the sunbutter or peanut butter filling in a separate bowl.

*Hint: To warm your coconut oil, you can scoop it into a 2 cup glass measuring cup and then place it in a bigger pan that already has a couple inches of hot water. Stirring makes it melt faster. Once it has turned to liquid, I added the other chocolate ingredients directly into the measuring cup. I also warmed my sunflower seed butter mixture this way. Don't microwave it, or it will destroy the amazing nutrients in the oil!)

2. Drop a teaspoon of the chocolate mixture into mini muffin cups. Put in the freezer for 5 minutes to set.

3. Drop a half teaspoon of the nut butter filling in the center of each chocolate. Freeze for 5 minutes to set.

4. Cover with another teaspoon of the chocolate mixture, adding a little more to completely cover the filling.

5. Freeze for at least an hour.

Store in the freezer and take out just before serving.

(Warning: These are so good! You won't be able to stop eating them!)


Coconut Macaroons
Found this recipe here: http://www.rebootwithjoe.com/smart-sweet-raw-macaroons/ 

Mix together:
3/4 cup coconut oil (warmed)
2 cups shredded coconut (unsweetened)
1/2 cup pure maple syrup, honey, or agave
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
(1/2 tsp almond extract, optional)

Drop spoonfuls onto cookie sheet lined with wax paper, and freeze until set.
Take out just before serving. (You can also drizzle chocolate over the top before freezing. See the chocolate recipe above.)

Chocolate Macaroons with almonds

Make coconut macaroons using the above recipe.
Add 1/4 cup chocolate or carob powder.
Add chopped nuts if desired.

(My husband and I loved these better than the regular macaroons- we used chocolate powder and loved raw almonds in them!)


Almond Chocolate Bar
From a recipe here: http://www.rebootwithjoe.com/smart-sweet-raw-macaroons/ 

2 cups coconut oil
1 cup cocoa or carob powder*
1/3 cup Maple syrup or honey
1 1/2 cups nuts, roughly chopped.

*Carob did not work for me in this recipe- I would stick with cocoa

Whip oil in bowl until fluffy (2-3 mins) or vitamix.
Add chocolate (or carob) powder and maple syrup and whip (1 min).
Stir in nuts.
Pour into a 9x9 baking pan and chill for 1 hour. Then break into pieces and enjoy!

Chewy Chocolate Candy:
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup raw honey (thick)
1/2 cup cocoa or carob powder
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt

Combine ingredients (this was a little challenging with the thick honey- I would suggest warming the honey a little to make it easier to mix in). Drop teaspoons onto wax paper lined cookie sheet to form small discs. Freeze until firm (keep stored in the freezer).

Molasses candy:
Taken from: http://www.hybridrastamama.com/2012/03/how-to-consume-coconut-oil-reader-questions-answered-plus-coconut-oil-candy-recipes.html 
(I wouldn't make this for other people, but personally I love them and they are so good for you with the blackstrap molasses- a great source of calcium and iron!)

2 Tbsp. Blackstrap molasses
2 Tbsp. coconut oil
2 Tbsp. nut butter (I used sunflower seed butter)

Mix ingredients and pour into silicone candy mold (or mini muffin pan with liners). Freeze until firm. Enjoy your healthy candy treat!

Chewy Fudge or Vegan Frosting- (previously labeled as Classic Chocolate Candy)

1/2 cup coconut oil (warmed)
1/2 cup honey or maple syrup (I used maple syrup when making this to use as frosting)
1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp carob or cocoa powder
2 Tbsp almond butter (or other nut butter)

Whisk oil and honey. Slowly whisk in powder. Whisk in almond butter (or use a Vita Mix blender and blend until well combined- you will have to use your tamper, as it will be pretty thick). If making fudge, pour into a loaf pan and freeze for 15 minutes. Then cut into squares and enjoy. :) If making frosting, spread over your cupcakes or vegan cake (or make a pan full of these homemade bars to use as your "cake" like I just did!). Keep chilled until ready to eat. If you want the frosting to be softer, take out about an hour before serving.