I'll Meet You at the Top of the Coconut Tree

Coconut Oil

Over the past few years I have worked toward steering my family in the direction of healthier eating using wholesome ingredients and minimizing as much processed food in our diets as possible.  A while back my husband introduced me to coconut oil and it has now become a staple in our pantry.  I use it almost every day to cook scrambled eggs, as a substitute for butter in cookies and other baked goods, to brown meat and much more.  It has a mild flavor that isn't overly "coconut-y", my kids love it!

The benefits of coconut oil are still being researched by the FDA and other sources.  Some claim the following potential benefits:

- prevent, or possibly even reverse, the signs of Alzheimer's

- promote weight loss

- maintain healthy cholesterol levels

- improve hair and skin texture

- increase immunity

- improve digestion and metabolism

In addition to those listed above, there are a number of other speculated benefits to a diet which includes coconut oil.  I can't speak to the validity of these claims but I know for my family I would much rather use coconut oil than margarine, butter, vegetable, canola or corn oils. I still, being of Greek descent, use olive oil as well of course :)

One note, if you do introduce coconut oil into your diet make sure it is virgin and unrefined.  We purchase ours from either Amazon.com or Vitacost.com (using www.eBates.com for cash back and www.retailmenot.com coupon codes for the latter website!).