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WHERE TO BUY organic virgin coconut oil.
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“COCONUT OIL IS THE HEALTHIEST OIL ON EARTH”
Coconut oil is a healthy fat that can help to kick-start your metabolism and assist you in weight loss – it is very different from other fats because it turns into instant energy and isn’t stored in fat cells. (Remember not all fats and calories are alike!) It is a lot like butter, cod liver oil and olive oil when you’re thinking of traditional fats and oils that have been used for thousands of years. Compare them to newer fats and oils like margarine, soy, canola, safflower, corn, sunflower and any of the others that you’ve only heard of in the past few decades, and think of how heart disease, diabetes and other issues are on the increase; whereas people have consumed coconut oil in many parts of the world for centuries. You may not have heard what a healthy fat coconut oil is due to it’s high saturated fat content, but coconut oil contains medium-chain fatty acids and does not have a negative effect on cholesterol, it actually can help protect your heart. Coconut oil is also rich in lauric acid. Read more at this “new look at coconut oil” link about the benefits of coconut oil and lauric acid and also find out about the latest studies on coconut oil.
photo by Koshyk
This post would go on forever if I tried to cover each topic at length, so here’s what I suggest: Google it! Whatever your issue is, type that in along with “coconut oil” and you’ll find all sorts of research and help. (If you need my help, leave a comment below.)
HOW TO GET MORE COCONUT INTO YOUR DIET
If you’re like me and don’t like the flavor of coconut (unless it’s in smoothies or in my popcorn), it’s trickier getting it into your diet, but usually you can find some recipes you like it in. Just Google “coconut recipes” and you’ll find a ton. If you find one you like, PLEASE leave a comment below and share it with us!
Also, if I’m making a recipe that I know I don’t want the flavor of coconut in, then I’ll use the unflavored, but that’s refined. From what I’ve been able to figure out, this coconut oil is no where near as beneficial as the unrefined virgin coconut oil that I’m talking about in this post, but it’s still better than none at all. See this post for info on where to get that at the best price.
WHERE TO GET THE BEST PRICE AND OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
- More info from Carrie about eczema!
- First, if you’re wondering about whether or not I make any money if you end up buying the below products, read #3 at my FAQ post and I’ll answer that question.
- Click here for the BEST PRICE on a good brand of organic virgin coconut oil
- Ways to get more coconut into your diet – ideas from YOU
- I highly recommend this book, Eat Fat, Lose Fat: The Healthy Alternative to Trans Fats
, for more information on the benefits of coconut oil, especially as it relates to weight loss, along with some recipes to help you find ways to get more into your diet – and don’t forget to check out my popcorn recipe! Also, see the link below for more on coconut oil and weight loss.
- If you suffer from eczema, read the comment section at my cod liver oil post (scroll to the bottom) for more detailed information on that topic.
- You can also get the benefits of coconut oil through your skin when applied topically. Unless I’m going right to bed, I like the coconut oil cream on my skin because it soaks in better than the oil. It works well to help heal cuts or painfully dry skin, and is great on my hands after a day of changing diapers and washing a lot – they always heal quicker with this cream. Here’s what I use:
Tropical Traditions Organic Virgin Coconut Oil Moisturizing Cream – Unscented – 4-oz. I also get this for dry lips:
Tropical Traditions Organic Virgin Coconut Oil Lip Moisturizer – Unscented. And I really like their coconut oil/tea tree oil soap, which I tried based on Nina Planck’s recommendation. (I love her book, Real Food: What to Eat and Why.)Just do a search at the same link as above (for the cream or lip moisturizer) for “Tropical Traditions soap” and it will come up.
- For more interesting reading, especially for you skeptics out there, be sure to scroll down and check out the RELATED LINKS below!
Related Links/Posts:
- Think this is all a bunch of bunk? Check out this page full of coconut research links
- The fat that makes you thin
- Here’s a good overview on coconut oil benefits, and even though this site sells it (makes my radar go up), everything you read here is information found in many other places, this site just happens to explain it the best
- Some typical questions and misconceptions on fats and oils
- How coconut oil can help your heart!
- More here on coconut oil and weight loss
- Do diet foods make you fat?
- Healthy milk
- More info on coconut oil & dieting, along with the recipe that is mentioned in the comments below
- Coconut oil lowers cholesterol and improves thyroid function!
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{ 34 comments… read them below or add one }
I wanted to let you know that I tried using the virgin coconut oil for half of the oil called for in an organic cake mix today and it was great! Remember, I don’t normally like the taste in recipes, but this was subtle and really good. For the rest of the oil I used some butter and some of the no-taste coconut oil. I melted it all first, then continued with the recipe. Much healthier than using canola, safflower or another unhealthy oil.
Hello,
I use coconut oil to fry potatoes – either in the oven or on the stove and also to make popcorn in my Westbend StirCrazy popper. My friend who is a chef/owner at a lodge here in the Adirondack Mountains feeds her kids shoestring potatoes fried in coconut oil. They LOVE them, and she says that it cuts way down on their cravings for foods fried in junky fats when they go out. I’d surmise that this is because their little bodies are so starved for good, usable fatty acids even though she provides plentiful WAP food selections for them at home.
Lynn
Our favorite way to take coconut oil is through coconut bark. I just posted the recipe on my blog, but basically it is coconut oil, butter, a little peanut butter, vanilla and stevia all mixed together, frozen, then cut into squares.
Yum!
Jessica
http://www.practicalnourishment.com
Hi Jessica,
I was just at your site the other day, it looks great (I’m going to try the recipe!) and thanks for the link.
Kelly
Coconut oil is very common in my Country Suriname.We use it to cook,
as a medicine against fever for babies ,and even to clean certain metals on furniture.
To soften the strong coconut taste in food we heat up the oil until it smoking hot,then let it cool down again.Some foods like our famous”moks-alesi” need the strong taste of coconut oil to make it perfect.Suriname has a district called Coroni where coconut is something like the official fruit!
Hello Chantel,
I just saw the pics of your baby at your blog – she’s precious! Thank you for commenting, I’ll bet we could all learn a lot from you! I subscribed to your site via RSS and look forward to reading more.
Kelly p.s. Did you see the post I did on caring for your baby?
I heated a pan and put a couple of spoonfuls (1/4 C?) of coconut oil in the pan. I put 8 boneless skinless chicken breasts in the pan. I used up the last of some dried Italian seasoning then threw in some fresh herbs from my window sill (basil, thyme and rosemary) I splashed a little hot sauce on each one and sprinkled with sea salt. I covered the pan with a tight fitting lid and then let them cook until done, I think it was about 30 minutes. I planned to turn them and get them brown, but they looked so happy just simmering in the juice that I let them be. They were kind of white, but when everyone tasted them they quit questioning it.
The claim:
“Here’s just a short list of conditions that are helped by using coconut oil:” [one listed is diabetes]
I’m very interested in knowing how diabetes is helped by using coconut oil. I’ve been insulin-dependent since 1978, and fats are on the “lesser” list for consumption, considering their contribution to higher levels of bad lipids (as well as too much starch, or carbohydrates). How does it actually improve a diabetic’s condition?
Hi Kathleen,
Here are some testimonies: http://www.coconutoil.com/diabetes.htm, but if you do a Google search with the words “coconut oil diabetes”, you’ll find much more.
Don’t take my word for it, do some research and see what you find.
Be sure to let us know how it helps you!
Kelly
Been using coconut oil for 2 months now. I have been suffering from fungal infections and weight gain. Although I have more energy, I have been gaining weight instead of losing and still have the fungal infection. Any ideas?
Anne G
Chicago
Hi Anne,
I’m not a doctor, so don’t take my suggestions as your only source of information, just use it as a beginning of your research. I have 3 suggestions:
1. Read my post under the label (over to to the right in the blue section) “ringworm/fungal infections” – something in there might help. Especially note the part about needing to heal your immune system with probiotics before you can totally heal a fungal infection.
2. For weight gain, you probably need to watch the carbs – look under the label “dieting/weight loss” for help with that.
3. Lastly, you may want to find a good local natural doctor/naturopath to guide you with all this.
I’ll say a prayer that you are led to the answers that help you get completely healthy.
Kelly
Lisa at another post was asking about acne remedies and I have another idea for you, Lisa:
Thankfully, our teenager doesn’t have acne too bad (unless he’s eating a lot of refined carbs), but when he does have an outbreak, I have him alternate with applying these two with a cottonball before bed: virgin coconut oil one night, then colloidal silver the next night, and that clears it up.
Hi there Kelly,
Great blog! This is my family’s most absolute favourite way to get our daily coconut oil fix (plus all those extra healthy antioxidants) – CHOCOLATE!:
1/2 cup of Raw Organic Cacao Powder
1/4 cup of Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
1 tsp Vanilla Essence
Maple Syrup to taste (I usually use 1/8 – 1/4 cup)
Melt Coconut Oil over a a very low heat then remove. Gradually add Raw Cacao Powder, Vanilla Essence, and then Maple Syrup to your desired sweetness. Stir together until well mixed and smooth (and your mouth starts watering looking at all that yummy healthy melted chocolate!). Pour into molds (we usually use small ice cube trays), then place in freezer for approx 30-40 mins. Bang them out and and enjoy!
Freddo,
As you may have guessed, I love this idea! What’s “vanilla essence” though? Just vanilla extract?
Thanks!
Kelly
Hi Kelly,
Sorry – I’m from “Downunder”….”vanilla essence” is probably what you know as vanilla extract. Here we can get either imitation vanilla (which is obviously artificial flavour, in an alcohol base) or something more real which is the actual vanilla bean extract in a thicker syrup-type form (not sweetened).
One thing to know though, the chocolate ends up a bit like a truffle – it does not have the hardness of commercially made chocolate. This is because of the melting point of the coconut oil (just over standard room temp) and the lack of processing.
Cheers
Freddo
Thanks Freddo, and by the way, a truffle would work for me just fine!
I have these bumps on my legs that best I can tell are from wearing stretch jeans. If I go a few days wearing dress pants they tend to go away. They aren’t like pimples. Anyway I discovered last summer that if I put coconut oil on them after my shower, my legs stay smooth and bump free. It is also the best eye makeup remover ever.
Stacey, I love hearing more ways to use coconut oil! Thanks!
Please elaborate about coconut and getting rid of lice. Thank you.
Hi Leah, I started to respond to you, but it got long, so I I’m going to do a post on it soon! I’ll shoot for this week so I don’t make you wait. In the meantime you could google it.
Thanks, Kelly
Mom,
You had asked me why I use coconut oil and I couldn’t remember why, I just knew it was good for us.
This is the lady (Kelly) who told me so. There is a wealth of information on nutrition on her site! I get her emails every day and love her writing style (short and easy). I think you’ll like it too.
I love you,
Annie
How embaressing…I thought I was sending this to my Mom! (the last comment) It’s a good thing I didn’t write anything too personal.:) I couldn’t figure out how to delete the comment so I figured I should explain why it’s on here. I’m sure whoever has seen it was a bit confused. LOL.
Annie Lasater
Annie, this is SO cute! Thank you so much for telling others about my blog!!
If it were something bad, I’d delete it for you in a jiffy, but this is fun!
I have been experimenting with coconut oil in some of my standby recipes that used to call for (gasp!) shortening, and have had great results.
Check my blog at http://www.kitchenstewardship.wordpress.com for links on the Recipes tab to Whole Grain Cornbread, Homemade Biscuits and Homemade Tortillas. You can use either refined or unrefined coconut oil in any of them, and truly — the coconut taste doesn’t come through one bit. Here is my new FAVORITE pancake recipe that calls for coconut oil as well: http://www.thenourishinggourmet.com/2008/11/basic-whole-grain-pancakes-soaked.html. I don’t buy coconut milk, so I just subbed regular milk (assuming the vinegar would make the soaking acidic enough to be safe on the counter overnight) or a combination of buttermilk and yogurt. Seriously yummy, and they reheat great.
Katie’s last blog post..Food for Thought: America’s Food Waste
Hi – I was wondering in regards to head lice and coconut shampoo. Would I need Coconut Oil Shampoo or Coconut Milk Shampoo? Thanks
Hi Keeley,
I’d go with the coc. oil shampoo, but I’m not sure if it matters…?
Hi Kelly! I’ve been reading your site and it looks great. I’m trying to understand more about the health benefits of coconut. Is it only the Virgin Coconut Oil that is healthy for us, or would Coconut Milk also be good for us? I love coconut milk, but it is filled with saturated fat! Any information would be great! Thanks!
Hi Jennifer,
YES, coconut milk is great for you, too, and SO IS THE SATURATED FAT. I know, it sounds crazy, but do some more reading here and see what you think:
http://kellythekitchenkop.com/2008/08/healthy-fats-oils.html
Feel free to comment again with any questions!!
Kelly
Sorry to be a bug…but your reasoning for the fats is that it is natural, and that people used to eat everything with all the fats in it, and if that is the way the food is made, that it should be eaten that way. To counter this, the average lifespan of adults has more than doubled over the last 200 years, and even more important is that Americans have become much more sedentary. I can see a farm boy needing all the fat/calories he can get when he’s working 16 hour days and easily burning 5000 calories/day, whereas someone working a desk job would only need say 1400 cal/day. So to me, logically, I would want to avoid EXCESS fat, and saturated fats…yes?
Jennifer,
You’re not a bug! To answer your question, you’re right in that you don’t need as many calories as someone burning them like crazy, but there are certain calories you should limit (carbs) and certain calories you NEED like healthy fats.
Calories are not all the same, that’s a big thing to remember. They are utilized and burned differently, depending on what kind of calories they are. Read Gary Taubes’ book “Good calories, bad calories” for more and then I’d love to hear what you think. Saturated fats are crucial to good health.
Did you see the videos in this post? http://kellythekitchenkop.com/2009/09/big-fat-lies-fat-head-movie-review-real-food-wednesday.html They explain a lot more about how the saturated fat myth took hold and how messed up they are.
Life spans: medicine has come a long way, plain and simple – especially when it comes to fixing people up after accidents or injuries. Also, our knowledge about the spread of communicable disease has saved many lives and increased life spans. But look at the obesity, diabetes, heart disease epidemics – I know people personally with these issues who eat low fat everything – it’s not working.
By the way, your question is a good one that I hear often. Maybe I should do a post on this.
Sorry this is kind of choppy, it’s time for bed!
Thanks for the information! The videos made logical sense to me. I’ve changed my diet around over the last year or two, but I think I have created an imbalance – too little fat and too much sugar (albeit usually natural sugars like fruits, or desserts with whole wheat and other healthy ingredients). It makes sense that fat free yogurt + jam would be worse for your body than simply light or full-fat yogurt. I have noticed some adverse health affects as well, which matter to me because I am an athlete. I will change my eating habits – less desserts! Sucks for my sweet tooth!
Kelly,
I am SO GLAD I found your blog! Only in the last two weeks have I been learning about coconut oil and it’s benefits to a healthy body. I stumbled across all this amazing info because I was looking into ingredients for homemade sugar scrubs. LOL!
This is all very important to me because I have Hashimoto’s disease, which is a type of hypothyroidism. Overweight for years, fatigued all the time, recurring yeast infections, hair loss, dry skin, on an on. The more I search, the more I’m learning; especially about the difference in long-chain fatty acids and medium-chain fatty acids and the way our bodies use them. Also, to finally understand why the yo-yo dieting has NEVER worked, and why I end up weighing more in the end than I did before I started a “new diet that really works.” Pft! If I had only know all this 15 years ago!!!
I first stumbled across virgin coconut oil on http://www.coconutoil.com, tons of info. And there is also a forum on http://www.coconutdiet.com where lots of people have posted about their successes and questions concerning coconut oil. I was amazed when I read how many different health conditions improved or disappeared altogether when coconut oil was introduced internally or topically. So COOL!
Thanks for this awesome blog, I will definitely be visiting here often!
Cassie
Hi Kelly! As always, I love your information and your honest ‘human’ approach to trying new things and eating healthier. I sometimes chuckle when you write about mishaps and failed recipes, but I love it and it keeps you real!
I was reading another of your articles on facebook, which lead me to another site through a link, which then somehow lead me to a search on cooking with olive oil, which then lead me to this site bashing coconut oil: http://www.healthcastle.com/coconut-saturated-heart.shtml
I am a bit confused now as to which oil to cook with or consume. I commonly use EVOO or canola when I want to crisp the foods, and real butter for sauteeing. (sp?) How do we as seekers of the truth to healthy eating, get past these road blocks that derail our efforts? Some fats really are healthy and some are not, but how in the world do we know/learn the REAL honest to goodness truth about it all?
Care to counter this: Study showed saturated fat in coconut oil impaired anti-inflammatory ability of HDL cholesterol.
I know some studies are forced and some are just downright false, but why would “they” pick on coconut oil? Is it another obstacle in the paths of people eating healthier and finding the secrets to longevity? Are “they” so against people being healthy, that they have to concoct phony studies to scare us into not eating the way God intended us to eat?
Who knew this whole food battle would be so challenging, controversial and exhausting! Your thoughts are always appreciated!
Annette
I forgot to mention – two of those sites do not recommend cooking with EVOO (low smoke point and it turns toxic under high heat) and I saw a video demonstrating this. I have noticed that my EVOO smells funny and not appetizing when trying to quick fry or brown something… that I will change. I am always up for making the right changes, I just don’t want to go from the frying pan into the fire with bad choices.
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