Coconut Oil

Coconut Oil….. Yay or Nay?

Coconut Oil

 It is said that coconut oil is one of the healthiest and most versatile oils.

Pure Coconut Oil makes a natural source of food and body medicine. It is a true gift from Mother Nature that offers remarkable benefits, especially when taken daily, but not all coconut oils are created equal.

There are two basic types: refined and virgin. Virgin is very important as this means that it has not been refined, bleached or deodorized. Also look for coconut oil that is organic, raw and cold pressed. Refined coconut oil has been processed to remove flavor and odor. The virgin variety is the opposite, and retains a mild coconut taste.

Coconut oil has become a oil and butter substitute in cooking and baking, and even used as beauty treatments for moisturizing skin, hair and improving oral health.

Just a generation ago, coconut oil was touted as the worst of the worst, due to its high levels of heart-harming saturated fat?
Not all coconut oils are created equal. Today’s coconut oil is a very different type of coconut oil than the partially-hydrogenated fat found in junk food in the ’80s, which was a highly-processed version of the plant oil, containing trans fats and other dangerous, cholesterol-promoting compounds. This oil offers many health benefits, and it can be used in a variety of ways. Coconut oil is 92 percent saturated fat, and 2/3 of this saturated fat is in the form of medium chain fatty acids. This type of fatty acid is used quickly by the body as energy. A powerful component of coconut oil is lauric acid, which has strong anti-fungal and antimicrobial properties.
10 Ways to Use Coconut Oil

In an article by Jenni Madison 10 Reasons to Use Coconut Oil Everyday 

1. Great to use as a cooking oil

2. Boosts energy levels
3. Helps reduce food and sugar cravings
4. Good for digestion
5. Increases metabolism and supports healthy weight-loss
6. Strengthens immune function
7. Good for brain function and memory
8. Makes your skin look and feel beautiful
9. Supports thyroid function and hormone balance
10. Useful as a natural sunscreen 
How much should you take?

It’s important to keep in mind that everything in nutrition depends on consuming a healthy amount. Just because a little bit of something is healthy, it doesn’t mean that a whole lot of it is healthier, or even safe.

According to researchers, an adult should consume around 2-3 tbsp. of coconut oil daily. For those who are not used to it, it is best to start out with a lesser amount and see how the body reacts before following the recommended dosage.
I have replaced most cooking oils in my recipes with coconut oil and have been very pleased with the results. Below are two recipes I have recently tried.

Bulletproof Coffee

Bulletproof Coffee

Coffee is awesome.
Butter is awesome.
Bulletproof Coffee is awesome!!!

I must admit I was leery about this one……oily coffee YUCK!
 Bulletproof coffee, a frothy, energy-igniting beverage that has surged in recent years to become the toast of Silicon Valley. Its promises are multitude, at least according to its creator, cloud-computing pioneer and “Bulletproof Executive” Dave Asprey, who refined his recipe after trying a tea made with yak-butter in Nepal.

In an atricle from Dr. Weil – Should I drink bulletproof coffee

According to the article “A friend and colleague, Jeffrey Gladd, M.D., has been experimenting with coffee made according to Asprey’s recipe and reports good results. “It keeps hunger at bay and has enhanced my mental clarity and sharpness 20 to 25 percent,” he says. Jeff believes that a morning dose of almost pure fat may help stimulate the body’s fat-burning potential, leading to easier weight loss. He advises using organic coffee and butter from grass-fed cows for optimal results”.

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Bulletproof Coffee


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup freshly brewed organic coffee
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 1 teaspoon organic grass-fed unsalted butter, such as Kerrygold
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Add all the ingredients to a blender, and blend on high for 20 seconds, or until frothy. Pour into a mug, and enjoy immediately.

Notes

Add cinnamon for flavor and stevia for sweetness if desired.

 

Homemade Honey Almond Granola

Homemade Honey Granola

I found this recipe on  Lovely Little Kitchen
I did modify Julie’s recipe a bit as I like dried cranberries. The recipes uses coconut oil with brown sugar, honey and vanilla and almond extract. I love it! I just eat it plain as a snack, but you could top yogurt with it,or have it as a breakfast cereal.

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HOMEMADE COCONUT OIL HONEY ALMOND GRANOLA

  • Author: Lovely Little Kitchen

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup whole almonds
  • 1/2 cup slivered almonds
  • 3 cups old fashioned oats
  • 15oz. package 50% less sugar dried cranberries
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 3 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/8 teaspoon almond extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In a food processor or blender, pulse whole almonds until they are very finely chopped. Pour them into a large bowl. Add slivered almond to the bowl.
  3. Pour the oats, cranberries, salt, and brown sugar into the bowl with the almonds and stir to combine.
  4. In a small microwaveable bowl, combine honey and coconut oil, and heat for 40 seconds. Stir to dissolve the coconut oil, and add the vanilla and almond extract.
  5. Pour the honey mixture over the oats, and stir so that they are evenly coated.
  6. Pour the oats evenly onto a parchment lined baking sheet (helpful if it has sides).
  7. Bake the oats for 5 minutes, and then stir them around. Return to the oven for 5 more minutes.
  8. Pour the granola and onto a piece of parchment paper to cool. Spread it out into a thin layer.
  9. After it cools completely, break the granola into clusters and store in an airtight container.

As with all things keep in mind, that coconut oil isn’t some magical ingredient that you can pour on everything in unlimited quantities. Like any other oil, moderation is key. Harvard University’s Department of Nutrition suggests using coconut oil sparingly, so don’t ditch the vegetable and olive oils just yet.

But, say Yay to Coconut oil!

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional and all information in this article was found on the internet, and has links to those websites. Please consult you physician before you make any changes that will affect your health, to make sure it is right for you.

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