Okay, nectar of the gods might be a bit much, but it IS at the tip top of my list of anything I put in and on my body. I constantly get loads of questions about how we use it, and it is no exaggeration when I tell you it's good for everything. From makeup remover to cooking to insect repellent, coconut oil is magical.
Rather than re-inventing the wheel I'll give you a short list of articles for your perusal in a moment that cover some of the endless uses, but I think you're more interested in how we personally use it, so let's get to it:
- I feed it to Everyn constantly. Particularly the first couple of years, healthy fats are crucial for brain development in babies. You can mix it in food or drink, but mostly I feed it straight from the jar. She loves it. It was one of the very first foods I introduced. There's no chance of choking because it melts almost on contact, and it also aids in digestion, another excellent reason to feed it to babies, as their sensitive little digestive systems are still developing.
- for cooking. I use coconut oil as my primary cooking oil, occasionally switching it for olive when appropriate flavor-wise. It's high heat tolerance makes if perfect for frying and sautéing. I keep a huge jar directly by my stove, refilling it every week or two.
- for baking. Substitute it for butter (or cooking oil) in breads and cookies. You won't be disappointed. Coconut oil makes everything taste richer. So delish. Not to mention it's far healthier than butter and other oils.
- for seasoning cast iron skillets. We're huge fans of cast iron cookware for a whole host of reasons from affordability to durability to nostalgia. (my Moma has used it all my life) But nothing is worse than a skillet that sticks. Easy fix? Season it well with coconut oil. Again thanks to it's high heat capabilities, it's the perfect choice.
- greasing muffin tins and cookie sheets for baking. Starts a solid, melts into liquid as you rub, keeps everything from sticking!
- in coffee and hot tea. Because it's fantastic for killing off candida, supporting metabolic rate and thyroid function (hello weight loss!), and gives a little boost of energy, I'm always looking for new ways to sneak it in. A teaspoon in hot tea is perfect. Not to mention it helps control cravings and greatly enriches the nursing mother's milk supply.
- face and body moisturizer. It's a great lip balm and aftershave, and I also use it in place of facial moisturizer on occasion. It takes a bit longer to soak in, but it's perfectly hydrating. I also use it from time to time as a hair conditioner.
- for rashes, cuts, and insect bites. Not only antibacterial and antifungal, it's also very soothing and speeds up the healing process.
- in smoothies. It's the perfect supplement for all the aforementioned reasons.
- for our dogs. It's just as wonderful for animals as humans. Feed it to them, rub it directly on their skin, etc.
Those are are a few of our favorites! But I'm constantly coming up with new uses. Because it's been growing in popularity the last several years it's become available most everywhere. Of course I'm about quality above all else, so we purchase from an amazing company called Tropical Traditions. I buy their 5 gallon bucket of Gold Label when it runs half off, which it does frequently. I also try to order on the days they offer free shipping for additional savings. It will seem expensive at first glance, but once you compare quality and cost per ounce I find it hard to beat. Of course you don't have to buy quite that much. (Clearly we use a LOT!) Maybe start with a 32 oz jar.
I'll be sharing some of our favorite fun recipes with you soon, too! Until then, check out the Tropical Traditions Recipe Blog. (scroll to the bottom for an exhaustive list by category) That should keep you busy for, oh, ever.
For more uses breeze thru some of these great articles:
What are some of your favorite uses? Anything I should try?
