Miranda uses it. Giselle uses it. Even Gwyneth and Angelina use it. EVERYBODY is talking about it. If that’s not a sign of a must-have thing I don’t know what it is. All hail the latest ‘It’ beauty product, which doubles as food and about a zillion other things – Extra Virgin Coconut Oil.
You might be surprised to learn that coconut oil is considered the healthiest oil on earth. Strange, seeing as we’ve always been told to go easy on the laksas and other foods containing coconut milk. But in actual fact, coconut oil isn’t stored in the body as fat. As nature’s highest source of medium chained fatty acids, it is used up as energy instead of being absorbed into the lymphatic system. Coconut Oil is also extremely high in lauric acid, which the body converts into monolaurin. Monolaurin exhibits strong antiviral and antimicrobial properties, helping us to increase our immunity and fight off infections and viruses. All in all, this means that coconut oil, especially the unrefined stuff, works wonders for the body. Not just on the inside, but on the outside as well.
So if you want to make like the models and Hollywood starlets, here are some ways you can add coconut oil to your diet and lifestyle.
*Cook with it. Swap your regular cooking oil for the good stuff. Coconut doesn’t break down at high temperatures like other oils and it adds a subtle coconut flavor to food. Great for Asian dishes.
*Bake with it. Coconut oil is delicious in place of butter or oil when baking cakes, muffins, cookies, desserts etc.
*Add to coffee or tea. An easy way to get the health benefit of coconut oil is adding a teaspoon to your morning coffee or tea.
*Use as a moisturiser. The fatty acids in coconut oil will do wonders for your skin, and you can use it as a face and body moisturiser. Bonus is you’ll smell like an island paradise.
*Use as a hair conditioner. Smooth a tiny amount of coconut oil through the ends of your hair for added strength and shine. Especially good for taming frizzy, flyaway hair.
*Use as a makeup remover. Oil is the best kind of makeup remover and you shouldn’t be scared of putting it on your face. Coconut oil’s incredible antibacterial properties make it especially good.
*Use as a shaving gel. Guaranteed to give you silky smooth pins, with none of the added nasties of mainstream shaving gels.
*Use as a massage oil. A great all natural massage oil for adults and babies as well.
My fav brand is pictured above – Indah by Teisha Lowry. Not only is it certified organic, but also cruelty free and free from palm oil. In addition, Indah uses 100% post consumer recycled print stock and eco-friendly vegetable based inks. Love it.
Now what are you waiting for? Go get yourself some extra virgin coconut oil!
Lauren x
Image – here
Have you tried coconut oil? What do you use it for?
