A Vegan's Favorite Multi-tasker
Introducing your new best friend… Coconut Oil!
From baking substitute to facial moisturizer and even”oil pulling” (don’t worry, we’ll explain later), Coconut Oil is sort of the modern holy grail of natural and healthy living.
We’re spotlighting this multi-tasking ingredient because it happens to also be one of our favorite pantry and toiletry cabinet staples, especially for the cold winter months.
FOOD USES:
1. BAKING: Coconut Oil can be used as a substitute for literally any fat in baking. It adds a nice mild flavor and healthy alternative to other products on the market.
Pro tip: use it as a non-stick product for baking and roasting to avoid all of the chemicals in non-stick sprays.
2. COOKING: Medium heat cooking like stir frying, sautéing, and more, get a healthy and tasty boost with Coconut Oil. Try our Sweet Potato Hash recipe which features Coconut Oil as the fat of choice.
3. TOPPING: From drizzling on popcorn with cinnamon and sugar, to spreading over toast, Coconut Oil is a delicious way to add flavor and moisture to your food while keeping it heart healthy.
4. FLAVORING: Yum! We love adding a scoop of Coconut Oil to our coffee, smoothies, chai or even hot chocolate to start the day off with a healthy boost and some much loved flavor!
BEAUTY USES:
1. HAIR: Ever had hair envy? Us, too. Winter can be especially tough on our hair, but Coconut Oil is the perfect DIY solution for fabulous locks. Check out Winter Remedies: For Yo’ Hair for coconut oil and other DIYs for getting your hair Spring ready.
2. BODY: Who needs expensive body scrubs and moisturizers when you’ve got Coconut Oil.? Grab some brown sugar and Coconut Oil to make a delicious body scrub, or just smooth on a dab of Coconut Oil to heal dry skin.
3. FACE: Face off the dry Winter weather with the help of Coconut Oil. Moisturize your face or make a DIY Lip Scrub.
4. MAKEUP REMOVER: Stop using petroleum or harsh stripping makeup removers on your face and start using Coconut Oil to remove your makeup naturally.
HEALING USES:
It’s not just vegans who are nuts for coconuts. Cultures around the world call the coconut tree the “tree of life” because of the many nourishment and health benefits that come from coconut oil.
Coconut Oil has tons of healing properties. It has been used for centuries by Pacific cultures in traditional medicine, treating everything from burns and wounds to upset stomachs.
The fatty acids in Coconut Oil are unique and super healthy, and can even potentially lower the risk of heart disease.
1. TEETH: If your smile is the first thing people notice, then we’re all about natural ways to get a better smile! Turns out, Coconut Oil is great for your teeth. Use it as a toothpaste with the addition of baking soda to clean your teeth, fight bacteria, whiten, and prevent plaque.
2. OIL PULLING: What the heck is “oil pulling” you say? We’ve got answers. The process involves rinsing your mouth of toxins by pulling oil around your mouth and teeth for 10 minutes daily before then discarding the oil. Using Coconut Oil for oil pulling is thought to reduce bacteria, plaque, improve breath, and have a cleaning effect on the body.
3. HEALING: Going back to its roots as the “tree of life”, Coconut Oil can be used to heal many ailments, especially those of the skin. From healing scars, soothing bug bites and even damaged skin, Coconut Oil might just be the best thing since sliced bread.
What are you waiting for? Get yourself a jar of magic, Coconut Oil.
