Laurel of Leaves

getting back to my roots: my journey in true health and natural living

True Health

Coconut Oil 101: This is Some Amazing Stuff

Coconut OIlIf I had to pick my #1, can’t-live-without-it natural product, coconut oil would absolutely top the list. (Or at least tie with honey and apple cider vinegar)! I use coconut oil every single day. Without fail.  And it’s one of the best things you can possibly put in or on your body! Score!

Don’t Believe the Lies

You might have heard that coconut oil falls into the category of unhealthy, calorie-laden, fattening foods and you should avoid it at all costs. It’s a lie, people! Don’t believe it! While coconut oil is indeed comprised of over 90% saturated fat, this is good since over 60% of your brain and nervous system are made of fat. Your body requires these (very healthy) saturated fats to function properly (balanced hormones, anyone?). It’s also a fallacy that eating fat will make you fat. On the contrary, eating these healthy saturated fats found in coconut oil will actually help train your body to be a fat-burner instead of a sugar-burner. You can check out the book Eat Fat, Lose Fat by Sally Fallon of the Weston A. Price Foundation for even more great information on how eating fat (like the kind found in coconut oil) can help you lose weight and more. And you can read more research from the Weston A. Price Foundation on saturated fats here.

Want to Know More?

Click through to read the rest of this post at Modern Alternative Kitchen (where I’m a contributor) and learn more about why coconut oil is so amazing!

  1. AdeOla

    November 7, 2012 at 2:09 pm

    I just found your blog and I love it.
    I am absolutely in love with coconut oil. I use it on my hair, and I recently started using it as a facial moisturizer and OMG…I can tell the difference in using it and store brand moisturizer.

    I am about to run out of facial cleanser and I will be trying honey as a cleanser soon. I am on 1000 miles journey in my life…health is one of them and this has been a wonderful journey with great results.

    Love your blog.

  2. Sharon

    November 7, 2012 at 3:22 pm

    I love coconut oil too! There are sooo many things you can use it for. One of my favs is for these: http://livingforlife.me/2012/09/06/coconut-energisers/

  3. Sharon

    November 9, 2012 at 4:37 pm

    I’m in love with it too. I buy it in the 5 gallon bucket and divide with a friend. I’ve thrown away all my store bought moisturizers and only use coconut oil. It’s really feels wonderful when you mix 2T organic virgin coconut oil with 1T olive oil. Next time I’m trying almond oil with the coconut oil. I even use a teansy bit and run it through my hair. Makes it very managable and shiny. Love this stuff!!

  4. Amanda

    November 13, 2012 at 6:56 pm

    I love coconut oil! I use it as a hair mask and it works better than any other store bought deep conditioner I have tried in the past.

  5. Robin

    December 3, 2012 at 1:44 pm

    I believe healthy oils are unsaturated fats. That is the kind in olive oil.

    1. Lori Winter

      December 26, 2012 at 3:01 pm

      Olive oil is great for you, but your body actually requires healthy saturated fats like those found in coconut oil. 60% of your brain and nervous system are made of fat and require it to function properly. It also aids in balancing your hormones, reducing inflammation, and helping you lose weight.

  6. Tina

    December 21, 2012 at 5:47 pm

    i just want to say that i tried coconut oil as a daily moisturizer and once again, my acne worsened. however, i tried using it at night with some tea tree oil and peppermint oil and must say, i am seeing improvement, but i still struggle to find something to help with my acne during the day (this is typically when i break out now).

    but thanks for the coconut oil suggestion. it has almost cleared my back and is helping my face! :D

      1. Tina

        December 26, 2012 at 4:58 pm

        yes, i actually do a honey mask 2-3 times a week and it does help. i started this after seeing it on your site. thanks for the help! :D

  7. Vanessa

    February 2, 2013 at 2:24 pm

    Hi, I must say that I just found your site and I love the looks of it. I kind of intend almost living off of it. I really want to live by what I perceive is right :)

  8. Sigrid

    February 13, 2013 at 6:42 pm

    I just found your blog, and I already used coconut oil and honey for the first time this evening – thrilled with the results! Going to buy apple cider vinegar tomorrow.
    However, the link to the rest of the article on Modern Alternative Kitchen is not working for me. Could you maybe provide a different link?
    Thank you!

  9. Emmy

    February 16, 2013 at 5:38 pm

    Hi Lori… I’ve only just discovered your blog and I’m amazed and converted!! So far I’ve had a good look at my lifestyle and after only a week of using honey as a face mask and coconut oil as an all-round moisturizer my newly developed acne (which came on after I quit smoking) is almost disappeared! I’ve made other small changes, mostly in how I think about my body and I can’t believe how great I feel. And judging by what my friends are saying – I look pretty good too! I never usually comment on blogs but I have to say a huge thank you for making me take a look at the lifestyle I was living and how it affected my poor body. Thank you so much and best wishes!

  10. Andy

    March 4, 2013 at 11:38 pm

    Nah, pure lard from happy, healthy pigs all the way! Such a great fat to cook with. But it’s probably less appealing as a skin care product….

  11. Nicole Nelson

    March 23, 2013 at 3:11 pm

    Lori, your blog is fantastic! I really appreciate all of your tips, hints, and ideas. I have been making the transitions to lead a healthier, happier, more wholesome life after years of damage done by chemical ridden foods and “health” products and it is feeling great! Thanks again for helping a lady to make this transition even easier, you’re great!

  12. Jess

    June 20, 2013 at 10:59 am

    What do you use coconut oil for, do you put it on your skin, or can you give examples of how you use it in cooking? The only way to eat it that I know would be coconut rice, which uses the milk rather than just the oil. I could see using it in baking for deserts like cookies and cakes, but I don’t really eat those much.

  13. cheryl greig

    November 10, 2013 at 7:01 pm

    I do not have website can u email about coconut oil how to use it

    Thanks

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