FoodFFIT Friday: A few words about coconut from our BFF athlete Cheri - our resident cocoNUT!

I love all things coconut. Coconut flakes, coconut butter/manna/concentrate (different words for the same thing), shredded coconut, coconut milk, even coconut flavored La Croix sparkling water...but most of all coconut oil. It is my holy grail. I am not kidding. There are ENDLESS possibilities with coconut oil. It is nutritious AND delicious. It is full of vitamins, minerals and fiber (you do not need “whole grains” for fiber…but that is a completely different post). Yes, it is saturated fat. Saturated fat is not the enemy the media once made it out to be. Trans fats and highly processed, man-made fats are the enemy. (That’s a different post as well.)

Coconut oil has been studied to show that the high lauric acid content of coconut oil is beneficial in attacking viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens. It has been shown to aid in weight loss. It has been known to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s and possibly prevent it. I know that for a friend of my grandmother’s, this proved to be true. There are several other health problems that it has been known to improve or cure.
For more detailed information on the above, check the following links:
http://coconutresearchcenter.org/
http://www.hybridrastamama.com/2012/01/160-uses-for-coconut-oil.html - this one has a whopping 160 uses for coconut listed!

There are tons of manufacturers of coconut oil. The best option is to get virgin, unrefined coconut oil. Regular markets do not always have unrefined options. Even the stores that do have it may still have refined, so read your labels.
Known stores that carry virgin, unrefined coconut oil:
Trader Joe’s
Whole Foods
Sprouts
and health food stores (there is one at Alma School and Elliot that has a pretty good selection)

My favorite brands that I’ve used personally are:
1) Tropical Traditions Organic Virgin Coconut Oil - Green Label (Gold Label is their “top” oil, but it can have a bit of a fermented smell/taste so I prefer the Green). Their site has free shipping specials often, plus they have recipes, a blog and a whole line of coconut products in addition to the oil. For the cocoNUTS, they have bulk options such as 1 gallon and 5 gallon buckets.
http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/virgin_coconut_oil2.htm

2) Garden of Life Virgin Coconut Oil – this is a quality coconut oil that I have used and like a lot.
http://gardenoflife.com/ProductsforLife/LIVINGFOODS/ExtraVirginCoconutOil/tabid/680/Default.aspx

3) Trader Joe’s Organic Virgin Coconut Oil – it’s not as awesome as the others, but at $5.99/jar, it’s a good option.

Nutiva, Dr. Bronner’s and Barlean’s also have good reputations.

Here are some of the many uses for coconut oil that I have had great success:
1) Replace unhealthy “vegetable” oils with coconut oil in all cooking and baking.
2) Add to smoothies
3) Add to coffee
4) Use it to heal burns, insect bites and cuts (first-hand experience for all!)
5) Use it as a sunscreen
6) Use it as a moisturizer – face and body
7) Use it as a cleanser / makeup remover
8) Use it in place of shaving cream and follow up as an after shave
9) Use it instead of eye cream
10) Coat the inside of your nostrils when it’s dry or if you have nosebleeds
11) Use it as a carrier oil for essential oils (to spread the oils further or if they are really strong and require dilution)
12) Use it as a deep conditioner for your hair
13) Use it to tame flyaway hair
14) Use it to moisturize leather
15) Use it to season cast iron pots and pans
16) Use it to pop popcorn (only non-GMO kernels, please!)
17) Use it as a nail oil instead of the over-priced tiny salon brand bottles
18) Whip it to make a coconut oil body butter http://www.livingthenourishedlife.com/2012/02/homemade-whipped-coconut-oil-body.html
19) Use it as an exfoliator (with baking soda)
20) Can be used as deodorant – I have tested it with baking soda and it does work…but it does not prevent perspiration
21) Use to remove ink pen marks from a toddler’s legs

There are probably more, but this is my main list. I know from a few friends that it did increase their milk supply while breastfeeding. As you can see, this is miraculous oil! I highly recommend adding coconut oil to your daily routine – both for cooking and skincare.