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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:

1. In cooking as a great oil with a high smoke point. Great for baking, stir-frys or as a dairy free replacement to butter.
2. Taken as a supplement for daily energy
3. As a coffee creamer when emulsified into coffee or just stirred in
4. On the skin as a basic lotion
5. In homemade lotion bars for soft, smooth skin
6. In homemade deodorant or deodorant bars
7. As an eye-makeup remover
8. As a cloth diaper safe diaper cream (just rub on baby’s bottom)
9. To your own Toothpaste mixed w/baking soda & stevia
10. To lighten age spots when rubbed directly on the skin
11. To prevent stretch marks during pregnancy
12. To support healthy thyroid function
13. In homemade Mayo without the high PUFA vegetable oils
14. To help increase sun tolerance and avoid burning
15. As a naturally SPF 4 sunscreen
16. In homemade lotion recipes
17. 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
18. Topically to kill yeast or yeast infections
19. As a delicious tropical massage oil
20. It’s high Lauric acid and MCFA content helps boost metabolism
21. A tiny dab rubbed on your hands and then through hair will help get rid of friz
22. As an intensive nighttime facial moisturizer
23. Mixed with equal parts sugar for a smoothing body scrub (use in the shower)
24. Rubbed on lips as a natural chap stick
25. Topically, can help skin heal faster after injury or infection
26. Directly on the perineum to help heal after birth
27. As an incredibly intensive natural conditioner- Rub into dry hair, put a shower cap on and leave for several hours
28. On feet to fight athlete’s foot or fungus
29. In place of Lanolin cream on nursing nipples to sooth irritation (also great for baby!)
30. Can help sooth psoriasis or eczema
31. There is some evidence that regular ingestion of coconut oil can help prevent or reverse Alzheimer’s
32. With apple cider vinegar as a natural treatment for lice that actually works
33. In natural homemade sunscreen mixed with beeswax & zinc oxide
34. In healthy brain boosting snack for kids like Coconut Clusters
35. In your protein or green shake
36. Rub coconut oil inside your nose to alleviate allergy symptoms & prevent bloody noses
37. Nursing moms can take 3-4 tablespoons a day (and Vitamin D) to increase milk supply and nutrients
38. There is some evidence that coconut oil helps digestion and may even kill intestinal parasites or yeast
39. Mix a tablespoon with a tablespoon of chia seeds for an all-day energy boost (do NOT take this at night!)
40. Can help improve insulin levels
41. Oil pulling with coconut oil and a drop of oregano oil helps improve gum health
42. Can help improve cholesterol ratios
43. Blend a tablespoon into hot tea to help speed recovery from cold or flu
44. As a natural bug repellent
45. As a replacement for vegetable oils in any recipe
46. Better for high-temperature cooking than olive or vegetable oils
47. Can help reduce appearance of varicose veins
48. After initial heat is gone, can help speed healing of sunburn
49. Is an immediate source of energy when eaten and isn’t stored as fat
50. As a natural personal lubricant that won’t disturb vaginal flora
51. As a naturally antibacterial skin cream
52. As a natural diaper cream
53. As a natural shave cream and after shave lotion
54. When used consistently on skin it can help get rid of cellulite
55. To season cast iron skillets
56. It’s anti-inflammatory properties can help lessen arthritis
57. Can reduce the itch of mosquito bites
58. Can help resolve acne when used regularly
59. Can be rubbed into scalp daily to stimulate hair growth
60. I’ve seen it used in kids ears to help speed ear infection healing
61. On split ends to de-frizz
62. A small amount can be rubbed into real leather to soften and condition (shiny leather only… test a small area first)
63. By itself as a great tanning oil
64. Mixed with salt to remove dry skin on feet
65. Can help speed weight loss when consumed daily
66. Can help improve sleep when taken daily
67. Can be used to speed healing of fungal infections when taken internally and used externally
68. A tablespoon melted into a cup of warm tea can help sooth a sore throat
69. To help sooth the itch of chicken pox or poison ivy
70. It has been shown to increase absorption of calcium and magnesium
71. Internally as part of the protocol to help remineralize teeth
72. Some evidence shows that the beneficial fats in coconut oil can help with depression and anxiety
73. By itself as a natural deodorant
74. By itself or with baking soda as a naturally whitening toothpaste
75. For pets struggling with skin issues when used externally
76. Some evidence suggests that the beneficial fats in coconut oil are helpful for those with Autism
77. In homemade vapor rub mixed with beeswax & peppermint/eucalyptus oil
78. As a safe cooking oil for deep frying
79. A tablespoon taken before each meal can help improve digestion
80. Can be taken in warm ginger tea to sooth heartburn or nausea
81. As a completely natural baby lotion
82. On hands after doing dishes to avoid dry skin
83. Mixed with catnip, rosemary, or mint essential oils as a natural bug repellent
84. Can be used on mom’s nipple and baby’s mouth to help treat thrush
85. Many use it as an anti-aging facial moisturizer
86. Mixed into oatmeal for a brain boosting breakfast
87. Can be used internally and externally to speed recovery from UTIs
88. When taken regularly, it can help fight candida
89. When taken regularly, it can boost hormone production
90. Can relieve the pain of hemorrhoids when used topically
91. Can boost circulation and help those who often feel cold
92. On cuticles to help nails grow
93. Rub into elbows daily to help alleviate dry, flaky elbows
94. Add to smoothies to give them a nutritional boost
95. Internally during pregnancy to help provide baby necessary fats for development (especially when taken with Fermented Cod Liver Oil)
96. In any recipes where vegetable oils are used
97. Whipped with shea butter for a soothing body balm
98. Use coconut oil to treat yeast infection
99. Naturally clears up cold sores
100. Ingesting coconut oil daily can help with allergy symptoms
101. 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!

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…

Marine Miguel’s 31st Birthday Workout

I had the best time ever in Vegas celebrating my 31st Birthday last weekend!

It was so fun playing roulette with my Facebook friends too! If you aren’t one yet go here: www.Facebook.com/PersonalTrainingbyMiguel

Check out the view from our suite on the 31st floor (coincidence?) overlooking almost the entire strip:

     Phenomenal view…right?!

Of course you know I had to work out…so in honor of my 31st Birthday I came up with a special workout for you guys. Make sure you perform my awesome Dynamic Warm-Up before this (and every) workout that you do.

Print workout & watch the video below to see me demonstrate it for you…

Spartan Camp Training | Hercules Pull

One of the most difficult challenges in a race can be the Hercules Pull…I’ve seen people get really frustrated out on the course – arms are tired and shaky and frustration sets in. There is a super easy technique you can implement to bring this obstacle to it’s knees – check out my video…

"Like" —» www.Facebook.com/SpartanCamp

Spartan Camp Training | Vertical Rope Climb

The “Vertical Rope Climb” is always a real challenge for people in obstacle racing, however using the right technique makes it so much easier! Check out my video… AROO!

"Like" —» www.Facebook.com/SpartanCamp

Calling All Spartan Chicks!

Want to get in the best possible condition for the SoCal Super Spartan? I will be holding a Spartan Chick Boot Camp at my gym, filled with awesome tips and techniques you can use to dominate your obstacles – see below for details –>>

Miguel’s Spartan Camp | 31125 Via Colinas #901 | Westlake Village, CA 91362

Saturday, January 21st at 9:30am | $10 Donation for Wounded Warrior Project

Check out my client Candy – from couch potato to AMAZING Spartan Chick…

Toy for Tots 2011

Thank you all so much for your generous donations! I couldn’t fit all the hundreds of toys in the pic below as I collected the most toys ever this year.

You guys are AWESOME and the US Marine Corps thanks you!

As a side note I’m still collecting for next year so any new unwanted toys can always be dropped off with me at the gym.

Fruits, Veggies & Peacocks

Between the farm stand, the zoo, the tractor rides and field after field of produce for

the picking I can’t think of a much better outing for the family then Underwood Family

Farms in Moorpark! We had so much fun there last weekend I had to share. The produce

is healthy, the fresh air is awesome and strolling through the berry patch is fun and

relaxing!

Check me out with my produce wagon…

Oh, and you might see Jennifer Garner there with her kids!

http://www.underwoodfamilyfarms.com/

Special Shout-Out…

I’m proud of all my clients and their hard work….but today I must share with

you the work-out efforts of my awesome client Diane…

…who is turning 67 tomorrow!

Check out what she did in our work-out this morning:

67 Step-ups

67 Squats

67 Sit-ups

67 Push-ups

67 1-2 Combinations of boxing

Happy Birthday Diane – You Rock!

American Idol

Okay, so I am deviating slightly from the Health and Fitness theme of my Blog to tell you

about my AWESOME trip to American Idol on Wednesday – because it was so cool! =)

My father-in-law has been friends with Steve Tyler for years and when we heard he was

judging Idol (one of my favorite shows) we naturally asked if there was a chance to go

see it LIVE…