Coconut Oil

     You may have noticed that in the few recipes that I've put up so far I have Coconut as my oil of choice.  I use it for pretty much everything.  We fry our eggs, potatoes and other veggies in it, and I substitute it for butter, shortening, or oil in most recipes for cakes, cookies and breads.  We also rub it into our dry skin, cuts, abrasions, and more.  I do occasionally choose a 1/2 butter 1/2 coconut oil mix for some recipes just to get some of that butter flavor and consistency.
      Because of its many uses and the fact that it is not affected by heat, it is also my oil of choice for long term storage.  Coconut oil is basically a solid at any temperature from 75º F and below. Above that temperature it melts and becomes liquid.  It is much like shortening in consistency at the mid temperatures, and hardens the cooler it becomes.   I keep mine in a 1 qt crock near the stove so that in the winter, I can warm and melt the oil before using it in recipes.  To fry an egg, I simply spoon the hardened oil into the hot pan and it melts quickly.
     Coconut oil is a highly saturated fat.  But it is a healthy fat, similar to that of an Avocado.  The health benefits of coconut oil range from hair care, skin care, boosting the immune system, assisting proper digestion, increases metabolism and more.  Many of the benefits are attributed to the high Lauric acid content of the oil which properties include antimicrobial, antioxidants, anti-fungal and antibacterial.
     Coconut oil is also helpful when trying to lose weight. It contains short and medium-chain fatty acids that help in reducing excessive weight.  It is also easy to digest and helps increase healthy functioning of the thyroid and enzymes systems. Further, it increases the body metabolism by removing stress on the pancrease, and burning more calories.  --When I was on the HCG diet a few years ago, I read about a special "treat" that diet participants could use to boost weight loss.   You simply mix 1C. powdered cocoa, 1 C. Coconut Oil, melted, 8 packages Stevia or some Agave Nectar (P3 Only) and combine until well blended, then you can have 1-2 T. of it per day.  And it actually increased the weight loss because it was giving the body a tool for increasing metabolism as well as giving needed nutrients.

     Coconut oil has been said to help dissolve kidney stones, support the liver, kidneys and gallbladder, and even treat Pancreatitis.  Coconut Oil is a natural anti-inflammatory and can help heal and soothe a sunburn.  Coconut oil helps in controlling blood sugar, and improves the secretion of insulin. It also helps in effective utilization of blood glucose, thereby preventing and treating diabetes.

   I have very dry skin, and I have found that if I  rub Coconut oil into my dry scalp at night before bed, and then wear a cloth cap or wrap my head in a towel, it relieves the dryness and itching.  In the morning I wash it out and enjoy the soothing effects for hours.   I have even used fractionated coconut oil as a base for several essential oils in creating a natural Lice Killer for a child who came home from school with head lice.  We used it once, and it worked amazingly.   It didn't spread to anyone else in the house, and we didn't have ongoing battles with it as many people do.   And I avoided using the harsh, dangerous chemicals available in the drugstore for battling head lice.

     Coconut Oil is also preferred by athletes and body builders and by those who are dieting. The reason behind this being that coconut oil contains lesser calories than other oils, its fat content is easily converted into energy and it does not lead to accumulation of fat in the heart and arteries. Coconut oil helps in boosting energy and endurance, and enhances the performance of athletes.

   I'm sure the list goes on and on, but those are some of the most common uses.   I order it by the 5 Gallon pail from a very natural, organic, non GMO source --Tropical Traditions.  I order the flavorless coconut oil that has been steam distilled (Expeller pressed) because I believe it has all of the same benefits without affecting the flavor of my foods.  Also it is much less expensive even though it is produced in the same place and essentially the same way as their other products so I am confident I am getting a healthy clean oil.

Tropical Traditions Weekly Sales

And while I'm on the coconut bandwagon, I love to use Coconut flour in all my recipes as well.   I usually ad about 1/2 c. to most average size recipes as it increases the protein content by leaps and bounds.  It also ads a sweet subtle addition to the flavor of cookies and sweet breads.

If you order by clicking on any of my links, and have never ordered from Tropical Traditions in the past, you will receive a free book on Virgin Coconut Oil, and I will receive a discount coupon for referring you.

Now just to cover my @$&  I need to say that these statements have not be evaulated by the FDA and that this information is not intended to be used as medical advice as the author is not a physician.  Elderberry has not been proven to treat, diagnose, prevent, or cure any diseases or the above mentioned ailments.  Blah blah blah, yadda yadda... :-)

Elderberry.... Snake oil, or Cure all?

  
   Last year, i had a horrible case of Bronchitis, I was in bed for weeks, and ultimately sick for 6 months of the year with my Asthma, Allergies, and chronic bronchitis.  I was drinking green smoothies, and eating well as I always try to do, so I was frustrated and angry that I was so sick.

     One day a friend stopped by with a bottle of Sambucus (a blend made mostly of Elderberry and some raspberry and other things.)  I started taking it, and immediately I felt some improvements.  So I started dosing myself 5 times a day.  Within a few days I was well, so I quit taking it.   I got sick again within a week, so I started taking it again, and again I was well in about 3 days.  This time I was smart enough to realize what had helped and I continued taking low doses for several months afterwards.

     I had never had Asthma growing up, I did have allergies, but never to the point that I couldn't breathe.  They'd get pretty miserable in the spring for a couple weeks and then I was ok.  Since moving to the specific part of Utah that I now live in, I have had problem after problem, and was diagnosed about 4 years ago with allergy induced asthma.  It got so bad initially that I had to take steroids in order to breathe.  And as you get to know me, you will know that I was incredibly angry about having to be dependent on drugs.  I don't do drugs!  I have spent years researching and learning and teaching myself and others how to take care of normal everyday ailments without drugs.  I don't run my kids to the Dr. every time they have a sniffle.  In fact I rarely ever take them unless they break a bone or need stitches.  Pretty much everything else I can handle.   My youngest child has never been on an Antibiotic and is almost 10.
     Back to the story... I started researching Sambucus (which is actually the name of a variety of Elderberry, Sambucus Negra) and this is what I found out:
     Elderberry is a powerful antioxidant, it lowers cholesterol, improves vision, boosts the immune system, and improves heart health.  It is a fantastic remedy for Asthma, Allergies, Coughs, Colds, Flu, Bacterial and Viral infections and Tonsillitis because it specifically supports a healthy respiratory system.  It can alleviate chest congestion, and  also works to fight Strep Throat.  Elderberries have been used as an ancient remedy for centuries in North America, Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa
     Elderberry  has Bioflavonoids and other proteins in the juice that destroy the ability of cold and flu viruses to infect a cell.  People with the flu who took elderberry juice reported less severe symptoms and felt better much faster than those who did not.
     Elderberries contain organic pigments, tannin, amino acids, carotenoids, flavonoids, sugar, rutin, viburnic acid, vitaman A and B and a large amount of vitamin C. They are also mildly laxative, a diuretic, and diaphoretic. Flavonoids, including quercetin, are believed to account for the therapeutic actions of the elderberry flowers and berries. According to test tube studies2 these flavonoids include anthocyanins that are powerful antioxidants and protect cells against damage.
   Elderberries were listed in the CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs as early as 1985, and are listed in the 2000 Mosby's Nursing Drug reference for colds, flu, yeast infections, nasal and chest congestion, and hay fever.  (Above info gathered from herbwisdom.com/herb-elderberry.html)
     Also, for those who have Elderberry growing in your yard, keep in mind that most sites will tell you that Elderberries are only edible after cooking.  They have some traces of Cyanide in the berry that is realeased upon digestion or cooking.  So if you cook first, you only get the health benefits of the berry.  Here is an interesting resource for making Elderberry wine.

     Back to the story:  I took a prescription strength allergy pill for over 3 years straight just so I could keep my airways open.  But the goal all along was to get OFF the drugs.  It is now pre-spring here in the valley, and I have felt little bugs in my throat on occasion, or a shortness of breath indicating the possibility of an oncoming Asthma attack, but I just double up on my Elderberry, and it never progresses any further.  (No allergy pill in over 6 months!) This season will be the true test, but I am confident that if I actually remember to take it often, I will make it through the season with my lungs at full function.   Now obviously you have to be smart about your health.  When pollen is at the worst, I can't just go rubbing my face in the grass, and sleeping outside under the stars.  But I think I can do normal activities if I keep this stuff in me.  I'll report back in a few months!

And just for resource, I prefer to use the Elderberry from "Natural Sources" which I purchase online at Vitacost.com as they have the best price.  Click on the image to go there and view the current pricing details.

Click Here to purchase

 

Now just to cover my @$&  I need to say that these statements have not be evaulated by the FDA and that this information is not intended to be used as medical advice as the author is not a physician.  Elderberry has not been proven to treat, diagnose or cure any of the above mentioned ailments.  Blah blah blah, yadda yadda... :-)