Tag: coconut oil

7 ways to use coconut oil in your beauty routine!

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I’ve written about the wonders of coconut before, and I’ve been using coconut oil even more in my day-to-day beauty routines since then.  I love that I’m using something that I have in my kitchen and is all natural.  It’s full of amazing fatty acids and other goodness that our skin and hair love!

Here are a few of my favorite ways to use coconut oil:

  1. Lip balm   ||    This is one of my favorites (and the easiest!).   The fatty acids in the coconut oil help lock in moisture, so when using it on your lips you’re creating an oil barrier that holds the moisture in.  If you don’t love the smell or taste of coconut, this might not be the best one for you!
  2. Oil-pulling   ||    You’ve probably heard about this one before and even might have wondered what that could possibly mean.  Take a scoop of coconut oil and swish it around your mouth like a rinse.  Make sure to spit it into the trash (not your sink!) to avoid clogs.  Your gums and teeth will feel cleaner than ever.  And some studies have shown coconut oil also helps with whitening teeth
  3. Skin Moisturizer   ||    Just like on your lips, coconut oil is great to use on your skin.  It helps to lock in the moisture and keep you nice and soft.  I especially love to use it on my feet (put comfy socks on after so you don’t slide around!), knees, elbows, and face.
  4. Massage Oil   ||    Smooth and isn’t absorbed immediately.   Perfect massage oil.  Need I say more?  Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to give it a lovely sent as well!
  5. Hair Conditioner    ||    Take a little bit of coconut oil and apply to you hair roots to ends.  If your hair is particularly thin, use a little less and don’t go to the roots.  Do a quick wash out in the shower and feel your silky-smooth locks!
  6. Nail & Cuticle Conditioner   ||    Coconut oil is a great moisturizer for your cuticles and can also help strengthen your nails.  An added benefit:  coconut oil is anti-fungal so it’s perfect to help keep those icky feet issues away.
  7. Make-up Remover   ||    Coconut oil is amazingly good at removing make-up, especially the often-difficult mascara!  An added bonus is the moisturizer the coconut oil will also provide around your eyes.  That skin is some of the most thin and sensitive you have, so you must take good care of it!  (And as a note, be careful as you use the oil to remove the make-up:  don’t push too hard on your skin!)

I also love to use coconut oil in natural deodorant and soap recipes.  I’ll share those later down the line!

Do you use coconut oil in any of these ways?  What are your favorite ways to use coconut oil in your beauty routines?

the perfect ingredient: coconut oil.

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In most of my stove top cooking (and baking sometimes, too) I now default to coconut oil.  This is a recent switch in the last 2 years or so, but I really love the added boost of flavor and the amazing benefits that coconut oil has to offer.  It’s also my go-to ingredient in many of my skin care routines and home-made products.

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Let’s Learn More.

Coconut oil is actually almost 92% saturated fat.  Because of the fat content, it turns to a solid at room temperature.

Please don’t let the fat content deter you!  This fat offers many health benefits including the following:

  • improves mineral absorption (which can improve the condition of your scalp, hair, & skin)
  • protects the liver against toxins
  • helps prevent kidney & gall bladder dieases
  • improves blood sugar levels (& can help manage diabetes)
  • contains antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties

 Why It’s Important to Choose Organic:

Let’s talk a little about the manufacturing of coconut oil.  It’s a fairly lengthy process, but to summarize for you, coconuts are collected and broken open.  The flesh inside is then allowed to dry.  After the flesh has dried, it is heated at low temperatures to evaporate any additional moisture.  This leaves the manufacturer with oil residue.

Now, to expedite the process, many manufacturers use additional chemicals and additives to expedite drying and heating to extract the oils.  If you purchase organic coconut oil, no chemicals  were used during the process AND the coconut was also grown in an organic manner.

I’m not one of those people that believes organic everything is a must, but I do try to go organic when I can or when chemical absorption would be very high, like in a case like this.

Remember that we vote with our purchases.  Purchase wisely!

Why you Should Choose Virgin.

I know, who knew this could be so complicated.  Just like olive oil, coconut oil has different grades of oil.

Virgin coconut oil is oil that is made from fresh coconut while refined coconut oil is made from the dried meat of the coconut.  The refined coconut oil is typically what you see in stores.  In this process, the oil needs to be refined, deodorized, and filtered through bleached clays to remove impurities.  I try to stay away from the refined stuff, although it typically has a less ‘coconut-y’ smell if you’re not really into that.

If you see extra virgin coconut oil, note that there really isn’t a process that makes the virgin coconut oil any more virgin, so this is just marketing at its finest.

Okay, This Sounds Great.  What Do I really Do with it?

Here are a few of my favorite ways to use coconut oil in the kitchen:

  • In a stir fry or quick sauté (coconut oil is less sensitive to heat than other oils, so it’s perfect for this!)
  • As butter substitute in baking
  • To make your own raw chocolate bars
  • In a supercharged smoothie
  • In bulletproof coffee
  • Spread on toast

I’ll be posting a delicious cauliflower recipe that uses coconut oil tomorrow – make sure to check back!

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You may have noticed from the photos boldly declaring ‘THRIVE,’ but I’m also very excited to announce that we have partnered with Thrive Market (mentioned here in our Cacao Banana Shake recipe), as they are truly a company that has values that match ours.  Even better, Thrive is now offering our followers and readers a free 30 day trial membership + a free 15-oz jar of Nutiva Coconut Oil + 15% off your next purchase!  Just click here to see more details!

For Free, you say?

Yes, that’s what I said!  Just click here to sign up.  For new Thrive members, you will receive the free coconut oil to try out and see if you like it.  If you’re an existing member, you will still receive 10% off your order!

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What do you use coconut oil for?  I’d love to hear more below!