101 Uses for Coconut Oil
In case you haven’t heard – I love coconut oil! To say it’s good for you is an understatement – just get go get some now! I usually buy Trader Joe’s virgin oil in a jar (it’s white) or Dr. Bronner’s/365 at Whole Foods.
Today, I’m sharing my top 101 (yes 101!!) uses for coconut oil:
- In cooking as a great oil with a high smoke point. Great for baking, stir-frys or as a dairy free replacement to butter.
- Taken as a supplement for daily energy
- As a coffee creamer when emulsified into coffee or just stirred in
- On the skin as a basic lotion
- In homemade lotion bars for soft, smooth skin
- In homemade deodorant or deodorant bars
- As an eye-makeup remover
- As a cloth diaper safe diaper cream (just rub on baby’s bottom)
- To your own Toothpaste mixed w/baking soda & stevia
- To lighten age spots when rubbed directly on the skin
- To prevent stretch marks during pregnancy
- To support healthy thyroid function
- In homemade Mayo without the high PUFA vegetable oils
- To help increase sun tolerance and avoid burning
- As a naturally SPF 4 sunscreen
- In homemade lotion recipes
- To get rid of cradle cap on baby- just massage in to head, leave on for a few minutes and gently rinse with a warm wash cloth
- Topically to kill yeast or yeast infections
- As a delicious tropical massage oil
- It’s high Lauric acid and MCFA content helps boost metabolism
- A tiny dab rubbed on your hands and then through hair will help get rid of friz
- As an intensive nighttime facial moisturizer
- Mixed with equal parts sugar for a smoothing body scrub (use in the shower)
- Rubbed on lips as a natural chap stick
- Topically, can help skin heal faster after injury or infection
- Directly on the perineum to help heal after birth
- As an incredibly intensive natural conditioner- Rub into dry hair, put a shower cap on and leave for several hours
- On feet to fight athlete’s foot or fungus
- In place of Lanolin cream on nursing nipples to sooth irritation (also great for baby!)
- Can help sooth psoriasis or eczema
- There is some evidence that regular ingestion of coconut oil can help prevent or reverse Alzheimer’s
- With apple cider vinegar as a natural treatment for lice that actually works
- In natural homemade sunscreen mixed with beeswax & zinc oxide
- In healthy brain boosting snack for kids like Coconut Clusters
- In your protein or green shake
- Rub coconut oil inside your nose to alleviate allergy symptoms & prevent bloody noses
- Nursing moms can take 3-4 tablespoons a day (and Vitamin D) to increase milk supply and nutrients
- There is some evidence that coconut oil helps digestion and may even kill intestinal parasites or yeast
- Mix a tablespoon with a tablespoon of chia seeds for an all-day energy boost (do NOT take this at night!)
- Can help improve insulin levels
- Oil pulling with coconut oil and a drop of oregano oil helps improve gum health
- Can help improve cholesterol ratios
- Blend a tablespoon into hot tea to help speed recovery from cold or flu
- As a natural bug repellent
- As a replacement for vegetable oils in any recipe
- Better for high-temperature cooking than olive or vegetable oils
- Can help reduce appearance of varicose veins
- After initial heat is gone, can help speed healing of sunburn
- Is an immediate source of energy when eaten and isn’t stored as fat
- As a natural personal lubricant that won’t disturb vaginal flora
- As a naturally antibacterial skin cream
- As a natural diaper cream
- As a natural shave cream and after shave lotion
- When used consistently on skin it can help get rid of cellulite
- To season cast iron skillets
- It’s anti-inflammatory properties can help lessen arthritis
- Can reduce the itch of mosquito bites
- Can help resolve acne when used regularly
- Can be rubbed into scalp daily to stimulate hair growth
- I’ve seen it used in kids ears to help speed ear infection healing
- On split ends to de-frizz
- A small amount can be rubbed into real leather to soften and condition (shiny leather only… test a small area first)
- By itself as a great tanning oil
- Mixed with salt to remove dry skin on feet
- Can help speed weight loss when consumed daily
- Can help improve sleep when taken daily
- Can be used to speed healing of fungal infections when taken internally and used externally
- A tablespoon melted into a cup of warm tea can help sooth a sore throat
- To help sooth the itch of chicken pox or poison ivy
- It has been shown to increase absorption of calcium and magnesium
- Internally as part of the protocol to help remineralize teeth
- Some evidence shows that the beneficial fats in coconut oil can help with depression and anxiety
- By itself as a natural deodorant
- By itself or with baking soda as a naturally whitening toothpaste
- For pets struggling with skin issues when used externally
- Some evidence suggests that the beneficial fats in coconut oil are helpful for those with Autism
- In homemade vapor rub mixed with beeswax & peppermint/eucalyptus oil
- As a safe cooking oil for deep frying
- A tablespoon taken before each meal can help improve digestion
- Can be taken in warm ginger tea to sooth heartburn or nausea
- As a completely natural baby lotion
- On hands after doing dishes to avoid dry skin
- Mixed with catnip, rosemary, or mint essential oils as a natural bug repellent
- Can be used on mom’s nipple and baby’s mouth to help treat thrush
- Many use it as an anti-aging facial moisturizer
- Mixed into oatmeal for a brain boosting breakfast
- Can be used internally and externally to speed recovery from UTIs
- When taken regularly, it can help fight candida
- When taken regularly, it can boost hormone production
- Can relieve the pain of hemorrhoids when used topically
- Can boost circulation and help those who often feel cold
- On cuticles to help nails grow
- Rub into elbows daily to help alleviate dry, flaky elbows
- Add to smoothies to give them a nutritional boost
- Internally during pregnancy to help provide baby necessary fats for development (especially when taken with Fermented Cod Liver Oil)
- In any recipes where vegetable oils are used
- Whipped with shea butter for a soothing body balm
- Use coconut oil to treat yeast infection
- Naturally clears up cold sores
- Ingesting coconut oil daily can help with allergy symptoms
- Ingesting coconut oil daily can increase mental alertness
For external uses, expeller pressed or other types of refined coconut oil will work, but for internal use, an unrefined virgin coconut oil is best.
How many of these uses for Coconut Oil have you tried? What did I miss? Share your favorite uses for coconut oil below!
Age ain’t nothin’ but a number!
Every year around this time I receive a visit from one of my favorite clients (you’re all my favorites), Anthony! He travels all the way from London just to box with me – ok his daughter lives here too – but we really do have a great time training every morning for the days he is in town. This year we kicked up the training a bit at my new gym in Thousand Oaks with some actual sparring… check out the video below!
Surprise…it’s your new Gym!
I finally did it, after years of hard work and months of planning, my wife and I have opened our own training center in Thousand Oaks!! “Hard Charger Training Center” is my dream Personal Training Studio and Boot Camp facility.
We were able to get an awesome retail space in a perfect location. My clients were floored, they had no idea – check out their reactions in this video…
The Dangers of Sugar
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the average American consumes 156 pounds of ADDED sugar per year. That’s five grocery store shelves loaded with 30 or so one pound bags of sugar each. If you find that hard to believe, that’s probably because sugar is so ubiquitous in our diets that most of us have no idea how much we’re consuming. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) puts the amount at 27.5 teaspoons of sugar a day per capita, which translates to 440 calories – nearly one quarter of a typical 2000 calorie a day diet.
Studies have focused on sugar’s role in over-eating. We intuitively know that sugar and obesity are linked, but the exact reason why hasn’t been well understood until recently. Research has shown that chronic consumption of added sugar dulls the brain’s mechanism for telling you to stop eating. It does so by reducing activity in the brain’s anorexigenic oxytocin system, which is responsible for throwing up the red “full” flag that prevents you from gorging.
Moral of the story: Be careful about consuming processed foods and "diet" foods which are often loaded with sugar. Going on a sugar detox is a great idea and keep your total daily intake of sugars as far below 40g as possible. (the sugar in food is listed in nutritional info or can be looked up online.)
Super Bowl Fun & Food
It’s Ray Lewis’ last chance for a Super Bowl ring with the Ravens, the 49ers are favored to win on Sunday by a 3.5 spread and Randy Moss claims he is the best wide receiver in the history of the game, this will be quite a showdown!
No matter which team you are rooting for the Super Bowl always entertains, Beyoncé will perform an epic half-time show & my client’s firm has several Super Bowl commercials featured this year – can’t wait to see them!
But no matter where you intend to enjoy the game you will likely be faced with a lot more junk food & alcohol than you know you should be having, am I right?! So here a few ways to make this weekend less of a weight gainer:
We are what we eat!
Considering that most food sold in our country is stripped down, processed, bleached, injected with salt, dipped in ammonia or coated with a variety of toxic chemicals to prevent bugs from eating it or mold from growing, I think it’s actually amazing that we don’t get sicker than we do from eating it. With the overwhelming increase in cancers, autism and strange diseases like irritable bowel syndrome and chronic fatigue – it seems to me our food chain may have something to do with it.
One of my favorite quotes…
“The doctor of the future will no longer treat the human frame with drugs, but rather will cure and prevent disease with nutrition.” ~ Thomas Edison
It is so true – we have become so focused on treatments we forget we have the power to prevent so much of what ails us! Consider adding a vegetable based meal for dinner once or twice a week. If you haven’t tried Miracle Noodles yet – you should, they are delicious…http://www.miraclenoodle.com. Oh and…
Marine Miguel’s Toy Drive 2012
One of my favorite time honored Marine Corps traditions is underway!
Don’t forget the little ones in need this week while you are out shopping! I’m starting my annual collection of Toys 4 Tots so please include a few unwrapped toys for the less fortunate on your list.
Check out this awesome video for motivation…
Please share this post with your friends!
Marine Miguel & the United States Marine Corps thank you for your support!
Why is Quinoa (Keen-Wah) So Amazing?
Prized as a sacred seed in the ancient Inca civilization, quinoa is still a nutritional treasure. This protein-packed food, with its nutty taste and chewy texture, is flavorful as well as filling. Quinoa is gluten free and is found at most grocery stores, it can be easily prepared and served in recipes where rice, wheat, corn or other grains are used. The benefits of quinoa are abundant and most people are not aware of the helpful role this super food can play in their health & fitness. Check it out…
1. Protein Powerhouse
Proteins are essential to the building and repair of the body’s tissues and to basic functions like growth, digestion and excretion. Quinoa has a higher protein content than wheat, barley or other major grains. One cup of quinoa has 9 grams, which trumps the protein-rich egg (6 grams). Quinoa, which contains all 8 of the essential amino acids, is a complete protein. It has become a favorite dish among vegans and vegetarians, but the benefits of it are available to anyone seeking an alternative to meat, eggs and dairy products as a protein source.
2. Dieter’s Dream
Quinoa is a satisfying, low-cholesterol source of complex carbohydrates. Rich in fiber, it’s digested slowly and has a low glycemic index, helping you steer clear of the blood-sugar roller coaster. With its chewy texture, quinoa can be eaten at a leisurely pace. Its heart-healthy polyunsaturated fats will leave you feeling full while providing more nutritional content than breads or cereals made of refined grains. Quinoa can be eaten as a breakfast food to provide long-lasting energy and help you breeze through your morning workout. A meal of vegetables and quinoa, or quinoa and beans, is a dieter’s dream: high in vitamins, minerals and protein, while low in fat and calories.
Mark’s Filthy 50th Birthday Workout!
This is how my awesome client Mark celebrated his 50th Birthday! I like to give all my clients the gift of health and longevity for their birthdays, what did you give yourself on your last birthday? Check out what Mark did in 50 Minutes:
I shot a video of his last set of 50 Burpees…Check it out –>>
2012 Camp Pendleton Mud Run – 10K
This year’s MARSOC World Famous Mud Run was outstanding! It was plenty muddy and highly motivating!
If you didn’t get a chance to make it, be sure to log on to active.com on January 1st to register for next year’s races since they usually sell out in one day.