Coconut Oil

[Pailani]

I just noticed in a smoothie thread that some people add this to smoothies - I bought a jar (organic cold-pressed) a year ago and it was white and looked disgusting, like lard. I just couldn't bring myself to use it. And I've never had any kind of processed coconut that didn't have a plastic taste, and I keep expecting this to have that taste - it sure looks plasticy. But then I saw that thread and someone said it makes her skin less dry if she even adds a tablespoon to smoothies, so I'm rethinking and I even took my jar of coconut oil out of the pantry and opened it, and, with the heat this summer, it's not white and lard-ish, it's actually oil.

So, is this stuff actually helpful and healthy? What kind of benefits might I expect if I start adding a tablespoon to a smoothie every day?

How much coconut oil is in a young coconut?

And, what's the difference between flax seeds and coconut oil - is one better than the other? What does one have that the other doesn't?

[Dimond]

When it gets hard it could look like lard. I like Garden Of Life & the kind Alissa sells is good too.

[Boz]

I purchased my coconut oil in April and it was white, like butter (don't call it lard, that sounds so gross :( )

As of about 1 month ago, it has turned to oil. I don't use it on a regular basis. I did make chocolate out of it that turned out great. I also made a body scrub that turned out great as well. I don't know about using it on a daily basis :confused:

[Lay-Lay]

I sometimes condition my hair with coconut.Oh that is soooo fine!

[Graciebeliever]

I splash it in Brownies, A Tbls in a tropical smoothie, Rub it into my tummy after my shower to lessen stretch marks, comb it through the ends of my hair and I dab it on my face on my cheeks and it makes my skin glow :)

[Pailani]

So, it looks like it's used more often as a body moisturizer than internally? Is there any benefit from adding it to food that you don't get from flax seeds?

[Biff]

I use coconut oil in my green smoothies every day, along with Udo's Oil. It is true that the it goes back from being coconut butter under 72 degrees and turns to oil above that temperature. It adds the necessary fats and makes the smoothie a complete meal for me with the greens, fruits/veggies, and fats.

The type of Coconut oil that I have been using is "Virgin Oil De Coco-Creme Coconut Butter" and absolutely love the taste. I read somewhere that it can help lower your cholesterol, and my wife is living proof of that. My wife has also thrown out all of her expensive moisterizers and uses the Coconut oil on her face. (I do too sometimes because I love the smell of it!) I haven't tried the kind that Alissa sells yet, but I will soon.

It is also great for backrubs, and some people don't like to put anything onto their skin that they wouldn't eat.

There is also a book called "The Coconut Oil Miracle'' by Bruce Fife, but I haven't read it yet...if you do, let me know if it is good!

[veganman]

Pailani -

flax has omega 3s, whereas coconut has more saturated fat. However, the body needs some saturated fat and there is lots of positive info out there on coconut oil. I haven't tried it myself, but plan to make a coconut cream pie/cheesecake (depending on how it turns out :rolleyes: ) tonight and will be adding some.