Coconut Oil for Health and Beauty
Do you keep coconut oil in your kitchen, or how about in your makeup drawer? If you don’t use coconut oil yet, you should start now! In fact, put a jar in every room of your house. Just to make sure you always have this magical oil at your fingertips. (Ok, maybe not, but you should definitely have some handy!)
Coconut oil is a healthy fat that can actually help you lose weight. It’s delicious and healthy for both cooking and baking, and also has cosmetic uses.
So what makes coconut oil so healthy? It contains medium chain triglycerides, which are metabolized differently than other fats. In addition to helping you shed pounds, it can give you more energy, make you feel fuller for longer, and even help ward off the signs of aging. There are tons of studies being done on the health benefits of coconut oil that show that the oil may prevent health conditions ranging from infections to heart disease.
Extra virgin coconut oil is the purest form of the oil and is the best option for cooking and cosmetic uses. It has a mild coconut flavor and is solid at room temperature. It’s great as a cooking oil in stir fries since it contributes a bit of coconut taste to your cooking. Try it in place of olive oil or vegetable oil for sautéing veggies.
You can also use coconut oil in your baking. Try substituting it one for one for butter, vegetable oil, or shortening in your recipes. It makes great banana bread and zucchini bread. I’ve even used it in place of shortening for a healthier pie crust. It will definitely give your baked goods a hint of a coconut taste, so don’t use it recipes where coconut would clash. You can try refined coconut oil for those recipes, which has been processed to remove the taste and alter the texture.
Coconut oil’s usefulness doesn’t stop in the kitchen. It’s a great moisturizer for dry skin. Try using it as a lotion, or spread a little on chapped lips for relief from dryness plus a nice tropical scent. You can also use coconut oil as a deep conditioner for your hair. It even helps reduce dark circles under your eyes if you use it as a night cream.
What are you favorite ways to use coconut oil?
