Coconut Oil: What to do with it?
The healthy and holistic lifestyle has become a hot topic of conversation. Log into Facebook or Instagram and there will be pictures of your friend’s delicious and healthy meal.
Using coconut oil is one change people are making in their everyday diet. The vitamins and minerals found in coconut help speed up metabolism, reduce cravings, and promote good cholesterol. The most basic way to incorporate coconut oil into your diet is to simply substitute it for olive oil in your cooking, but there are other ways to use coconut oil beyond the kitchen.
- Coffee or tea.
OK, this is technically still in the kitchen, but it’s not the first place you may think of to add coconut oil. It seems weird at first, but after one cup, it will be your immediate go-to in the morning. Adding a teaspoon of coconut oil to your coffee serves as a delicious creamer, and it’s also a simple way to jumpstart your metabolism for the day. The medium chain triglycerides found in coconut oil are rapidly absorbed by the body, quickly being metabolized for fuel instead of being stored as fat.
- Moisturizer
Instead of purchasing expensive lotions to help with stretch marks or scars, you can use coconut oil. Scoop it straight from the jar and you have instant hydration for your skin, along with the vitamins and minerals needed to battle wrinkles, sun spots, stretch marks, scars, cellulite, and skin tone.
- Hair mask
Coconut oil helps to strengthen hair, and it provides a soft, shiny look once washed out. Using the coconut oil straight from the jar, start at the roots and work toward the ends of the hair. Let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes before washing out.
- Oil pulling
This one is a bit strange at first. Oil pulling is the practice of simply swishing coconut oil, like you would mouthwash, for 10 minutes every morning. Coconut oil is a natural antimicrobial (it naturally kills bacteria), and bacteria cause dental issues like plaque, gingivitis, and bad breath. Practicing oil pulling every morning helps to battle these problems.
- Cuticle oil
Give yourself a manicure with coconut oil. Simply massage oil into the cuticles to soften them and prevent any splitting.
- Body scrub
Mixing coconut oil and sugar makes for an amazing DIY body scrub.
- Lip balm
Chapped lips? Yes, coconut oil can fix that. Apply directly to lips and bask in the relief.
- Eye cream
The skin around the eyes is very thin and delicate, which is why it’s prone to lines, puffiness, and dark circles. But, of course, a pinch of coconut oil will do the trick. Just rub it between your fingers to warm it up before patting the oil underneath the eye.
- Makeup remover
A small teaspoon can take off a day’s worth of makeup. To make your own coconut oil remover wipes, melt one teaspoon of coconut oil per cotton pad in a microwave-safe container, then lay the cotton pads in an even layer and let them soak overnight.
- Shaving cream
Using coconut oil as shaving cream allows for a super close shave and immediate hydration for your legs. A helpful tip: shave outside the shower. The oil is slippery and could make things rather difficult (maybe dangerous) while trying to maneuver in the shower.