Coconut Oil and Me

Photo credit: Tropical Traditions

I just recently found coconut oil from Hybrid Rasta Mama's blog. There was a giveaway, and I could not wait to see if I would win, I ordered some right away. It has been a month now since we have been using it, and love it.

Ever since we moved from West Tennessee to Louisiana my energy level has not been the same, my daughter complained about this same thing the short time she lived here. During the short time I have been taking a spoonful a day I have noticed an increase in my energy levels, yeah me!! However, I must confess I am not a big fan of the slimy texture, but at least it tastes good. Hybrid Rasta Mama recently tried coconut oil in a softgel, and gave it her stamp of approval. However, by using it as butter on toast, in smoothies, sports drinks, or use in coffee instead of cream you can still receive the same benefits.

We do a lot of cooking with it which is another great way to get the benefits. Coconut oil does not transform into trans fats like other oils do making it a healthier choice. I bought some butterfly shrimp which became coconut shrimp after drizzling some coconut oil on it, yum. My husband cooked some chicken in it yesterday, oh was it good, juicy, tasty with just a hint of coconut. We have also cooked fish with it, I add garlic and other seasoning to my fish, reaping the benefits of the coconut oil, but not tasting it. We also cook eggs with it, I have to say that the access egg does not stick to the bottom of the pan like other oils. It does, but once you put some water in the pan and let it soak, it comes right out. However, note that we like our eggs easy over.

The funny thing is that I can not recall any mention of coconut oil and energy, I did some research on coconut and energy specifically, and here is what I found. Coconut oil contains a saturated fat, medium-chain triglycerides, or MCT which provides a source of energy to the body instead of storing it as fat. As a fitness freak I was happy to find out coconut oil may boost fat burning. While I currently do not have a weight issue I have noticed access weight gathering in my lower abs. Considering I am 47, I realize that at this point and time in my life it is to be expected. At the same time I am not the type to sit ideally by, and have all my years of hard work washed away due to a hormonal change. I have notice a reduction since taking the coconut oil and regular lower ab work. Yes, I was doing lower ab work before, it is my weak area, but now it is different.

One of the scary issues for me and coconut oil is that it is a saturated fat containing 117 calories per tablespoon, which is all fat. Saturated fats have gotten a bad rap for years, and I had to find out why coconut oil is so good for you if it is a saturated fat. It turns out that saturated fats like those found in coconut oil were consumed for years until the mid 1900s. It is interesting to learn that it was after this when margarine, vegetable oils, and the like came along that societies saw an increase in heart disease. I want to share more of my findings about saturated fats, but feel blogs should be short and sweet, this one is way too long already.

I will continue to research saturated fats, and share with you what I have already learned, and continue to learn. My personal motto, never stop learning.

Modifications For Exercising

Photo credit: It's Your Life

Just because you do not have a piece of equipment needed for an exercise does not mean you have to skip it. I have learned through out the years how to use what I have and modify. For instance one DVD I have uses a resistance band, well I have two different types and either one was it. While I had to play with the one I thought I could use I finally got it to work, and still use it for this DVD.

When I first started working out with my "Fat Blaster Cardo," DVD by Billy Blanks, I substituted weights for the resistance bands. At the time I just started working with them, and they are a challenge. Once I learned the movements using the weights I went to the resistance bands, which I purchased from the Tae Bo web site. I looked to see if they still have them, and they do not, glad I purchased them when I did.

As an advanced exerciser I also modify to achieve a more effective work out. For instance if I already have done the work out, and know that they will be a movement for beginners first, and than for the more advanced, I do the advanced the whole time. Another thing I have done to challenge my body and get a more effective work out is add ankle weights. I do this with a few of my work outs where I know I can, It is mostly when using some of the step work outs I do, I would never add them to do Tae Bo.

Just as I did the advanced movement the whole time you can do the beginner move. However, remember your body needs to get that shock in order for you to reap the benefits. What I suggest is pushing your body a little bit harder, and attempt the advanced moves, you can always go back to the beginner move. You could also take a short break to recoup, this does not mean going off somewhere, it means walking around the room, or stretching the muscle, and than returning to the work out.

 I mentioned Cathe's Circuit Blaster, and how tough it is. When I first started I had to take a break, I would walk around until I caught my breath, get a sip of water, and return to the work out. There was also a time as a beginner I could make it through the whole work out, yes I would stop, but I never gave up using that work out. I would do it again on another day and get a little further, I set goals for how much more I would do pushing my self to go further.

While it is good to push through, you have to listen to your body, if you get a cramp either modify, or stop. Some exercises do bring some pain, but you need to know the difference between the pain that says no you can not do this, and the other pain that says, yeah your working now. Also if you are just starting out take some exercises slowly to learn how far you can go, such as a Russian twist which consists of moving your torso from one side to the other, if you are not careful, and do not know how far you can go you will hurt your self. As time goes by your body will allow you to go further making the exerciser more beneficial.

Okay my beautiful friends I have to leave you now. We are going on vacation in a week, and I can stand coming home to a messy or dirty house, so this week is big time cleaning week. You can bet though I will still be working out.

Coconut Oil & Recipe Ebook Giveaway

Photo credit: Hybrid Rasta Mama & It's Your Life

Thank you Joyce for not only hosting a guest post from me but also for hosting a giveaway of my new Ebook: Coconut Oil For Your Skin- Nourishing Your Body From The Outside In!  I am so excited to be here and hope that your readers gain a little insight into the wonders of coconut oil.

Thank you Jennifer for sharing your knowledge about coconut oil, and allowing me to both review and giveaway a copy of your ebook. I asked you to guest blog because the blog I wrote on stretch marks is at this time the most popular here. So, my beautiful friends be prepared to learn a whole lot about coconut oil today, and read the end of the blog to find out how you can win both Jennifer's ebook of amazing recipes and a one quart jar of coconut oil complainants of Tropical Traditions.

If you were to visit my blog and do a search for coconut oil, you would quickly discover that I live and breathe by it.  It honestly is magical.  Ok – maybe not magical but darn close.

You see, coconut oil is nature’s perfect healer.  It works inside the body and it works outside the body.  It has hundreds of uses.  (I even wrote about 160 Uses For Coconut Oil).

Offering a myriad of health benefits, coconut oil is affordable, readily available and completely natural.  I use it for EVERYTHING.  Literally.  I buy it in 5 gallon increments and keep it all over my house.  I even have some in the car.  So here is a little information to inspire you to check out this amazing oil!

Coconut Oil Is:

·         Anti-bacterial (kills bacteria that cause ulcers, throat infections, urinary tract infections, gum diseases, and other bacterial infections)

·         Anti-carcinogenic (coconut oil has antimicrobial properties so it effectively prevents the spread of cancer cells and enhances the immune system)
Anti-fungal (kills fungi and yeast that lead to infection)

·         Anti-inflammatory (appears to have a direct effect in suppressing inflammation and repairing tissue, and it may also contribute by inhibiting harmful intestinal microorganisms that cause chronic inflammation.)

·         Anti-microbial/Infection Fighting (the medium-chain fatty acids and monoglycerides found in coconut oil are the same as those in human mother's milk, and they have extraordinary antimicrobial properties. By disrupting the lipid structures of microbes, they inactivate them. About half of coconut oil consists of lauric acid. Lauric acid, its metabolite monolaurin and other fatty acids in coconut oil are known to protect against infection from bacteria, viruses, yeast, fungi and parasites. While not having any negative effect on beneficial gut bacteria, coconut oil inactivates undesirable microbes.)

·         An Antioxidant (protects against free-radical formation and damage)

·         Anti-parasitic (fights to rid the body of tapeworms, lice and other parasites)

·         Anti-protozoa (kills giardia, a common protozoan infection of the gut)

·         Anti-retroviral (kills HIV and HLTV-1)

·         Anti-viral (kills viruses that cause influenza, herpes, measles, hepatitis C, SARS, AIDS, and other viruses)

·         Infection fighting

·         Has no harmful for discomforting side effects

·         Known to improve nutrient absorption (easily digestible; makes vitamins and minerals more available to the body)

·         Nontoxic to humans and animals

I have been dabbling in the fine art of making personal care products (aka toiletries) for over 10 years.  I have made everything from shampoo to body wash to lotions and exfoliating scrubs.  I never seemed to find the right blend of butters and oils and it was incredibly frustrating.  Then, I discovered the amazing healing powers of coconut oil a couple of years ago.

Coconut oil is the most nourishing oil you can put onto your skin and into your body.  Pure virgin (unrefined) coconut oil is the best natural ingredient for skin lotion.  It prevents destructive free-radical formation and provides protection against them.  It can help to keep the skin from developing liver spots, and other blemishes caused by aging and over exposure to sunlight.  It helps to keep connective tissues strong and supple so that the skin doesn't sag and wrinkle.

The small molecular structure of coconut oil allows for easy absorption through the skin and into the cell structure of the connective tissues.  This means that it has the ability to actually restore damaged or diseased skin.  Coconut oil will also have lasting benefits, unlike most lotions.  It can help bring back a youthful appearance. The coconut oil will aid in removing the outer layer of dead skin cells, making the skin smoother. The skin will become more evenly textured with a healthy "shine". While doing this the coconut oil will penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin and strengthen the underlying tissues.

So many people have sensitive skin and skin allergies these days. It’s not a big surprise as most skin care products are filled with skin damaging ingredients.  There is nothing beneficial about a product that uses chemicals, additives, preservatives, and synthetic fragrances. Even the toughest skin will eventually be negatively impacted by all of the human-made ingredients. Our bodies simply were not designed to absorb the high levels of chemical concoctions present in almost everything sold on stores shelves.

Let me scare you for a second…  If you have an allergic reaction to a skin care product OR a skin condition characterized by dry, rough, scaly, and itchy skin, you basically now have a defect in skin barrier function. ANYTHING, yes ANYTHING can invade your body.  Dry skin, open sores, rough patches and the like are like an open door inviting bacteria to set up shop and do some damage. Do you REALLY want to take the chance of foreign invaders creeping in through your skin?  All because you HAD to have the heavily marketed “wonder cream” that would keep your skin healthy and youthful!

Coconut oil needs to be present in every product you put onto your skin! This will offer you as close to full protection as possible. This is also why I have worked so hard to create recipes for personal care products that incorporate coconut oil.

Why should you invest your precious time and resources into making your own skin care products? Easy – homemade products are free of added chemicals, dyes, synthetics, and other nasty stuff most commercial products have. They are also very cost effective. It might not seem like it at first but you will come to realize that a little product goes a long way and that your ingredients will really be able to stretch.

Why should you invest in MY Ebook? I’ll give you 3 reasons.

1.   The 40 recipes in this Ebook are all simple to make. I made sure of that. I know that I do not have the time to sit in the kitchen for 8 hours trying to concoct a 4 ounce jar of face wash.

2.   The ingredients in the recipes are all readily available at health food stores and online. I have no interest in sending anyone on a wild goose chase for elusive and exotic ingredients.

3.   Every single one of my products work and they work great! Scratch that – they are fantastic. Plus, they are all customizable. You can pretty much use any essential oils of your choice should you decide to do something different than what I suggest.

Just in case those reasons were not compelling enough, Coconut Oil For Your Skin also offers information on carrier oils, butters, and essential oils. I even included a pretty cool chart outlining both the physical and emotional benefits of the essential oils called for in the recipes. I also discuss storage of finished products as well as ingredients. Seriously – I did not leave anything out.

That all sounds great but I am sure you are wondering about the recipes themselves.  What can you expect to find in the Ebook?

·         8 recipes for the bath/shower;

·         6 recipes for body care products like lotions and creams including a cellulite cream and an eczema salve;

·         6 recipes dedicated to your face;

·         5 shampoo recipes;

·         4 recipes that serve as conditions and hair treatments;

·         5 lip balms and;

·         6 miscellaneous recipes such as insect repellant, deodorant, wart remover, “love potion,” toothpaste, and a PMS blend.

So what are you waiting for?  Go get yourself a copy of this wonderful collection of simple, gentle, and nourishing recipes that your entire body will love! It is priced super low for a limited time. Visit MY EBOOK STORE Page to purchase the Ebook using PayPal.

Good luck to all of you and thank you again to Joyce!

About Hybrid Rasta Mama

Jennifer, author of Hybrid Rasta Mama, is a former government recruiter turned stay-at-home mama to a precious daughter (“Tiny”) brought earthside in early 2009. She is passionate about conscious parenting, natural living, holistic health/wellness, real foods, and a Waldorf inspired approach to education. Jennifer is committed to breastfeeding (especially extended breastfeeding), bed-sharing, cloth diapering, green living, babywearing, peaceful parenting, playful parenting, and getting children outside. She is a hybrid parent, taking a little of this, throwing in a little of that, and blending it all together to create a parenting style that is centered on what her daughter needs in order to flourish as a human being. Jennifer also lives and breathes reggae music, the Rastafarian culture and way of life. Reggae music and its message touches her soul. 

Want to know where else to find Hybrid Rasta Mama? 
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To win simply leave a comment, it can be anything, and if you already follow Hybrid Rasta Mama and/or Tropical Traditions you can leave a comment concerning that as well. A winner will be determined using Random.org, ends midnight Saturday May 26, 2012

 Disclaimer: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose.  Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.

Looking For The Giveaway

Note a HUMAN ERROR has occurred we are working on this issue and hope to correct it quickly. The giveaway will happen, thank you for your understanding.

Giveaway Starts Tomorrow!

Photo credit; Hybrid Rasta Mama

I am so excited, and hope all my beautiful friends will be as well. I recently discovered coconut oil and all of its great benefits. After posting my blog on stretch marks I asked a fellow blogger to do a guest blog. Remember how I mentioned certain foods to aid in skin elasticity? Well this is one of them, and my guest has spent ten years perfecting her recipes. The guest blogger for tomorrow is, drum roll please, Jennifer from Hybrid Rasta Mama. Jennifer blogs about natural living, holistic healing, parenting, real food, and Waldorf education/parenting.

Stop by Hybrid Rasta Mama and read about the ebook being given away, BUT!!! Do not sign up for anything until her blog posts tomorrow, because that is how you could win the ebook and 1 quart jar of coconut oil.

I have in front of me right now Jennifer's book, "Coconut Oil For Your Skin - Nourishing Your Body From The Outside In." The book contains various recipes using coconut oil, for beauty and more.  I feel blessed that Jennifer allowed me a copy to review before the giveaway.

There is a recipe in there for stretch marks, make up remover, skin scrubs, and so much more. She has even included a chart for the essential oils used in some of the recipes with both their physical and emotional healing properties. You will also learn how to properly store the recipes you create.

Jennifer also talks about carrier oils and butter, essential oils, and includes a section on ingredient notes. In the ingredient notes she gives more information on the different products being used to make the recipes, and what you should expect. The storing section is important for learning what to look for when purchases storage containers.

Now it is time for the good stuff, the recipes!!! There are 40 recipes in this little gem, and Jennifer has made sure that all the ingredients are easily accessible, and the process not so time consuming. Plus you can also customize them by using different essential oils for fragrance. Just think all natural products for beauty, and no checking those bottles to see what is in them.

Be sure to come back tomorrow for Jennifer's blog, and the give away. Tell your friends, to stop by too.

Do you use coconut oil?

Wordless Wednesday

This Friday May 11, 2012 I will be featuring both a guest blogger and a giveaway. After finding out about Gold Label Coconut Oil on her blog I knew I had to try some. While there was a giveaway going on, I went ahead and ordered mine anyway.

I have one, one quart jar of coconut oil to giveaway compliments of Tropical Traditions.

Included is Hybrid Rasta Mama's ebook full of recipes using the coconut oil.

Stayed tuned for my review on the recipe ebook tomorrow. Meanwhile you can take a look at the Tropical Traditions web site to learn more about coconut oil, and browse the food recipes.

Cathe Friedrich for Home Use

Click here to visit Cathe dot Com.

I love, love Cathe' Friedrich, she has an excellent personality, loves to laugh and joke, her cures are great, and she always gives tips for modifying. I must say I do have a problem with some of her step videos, but that is just me. I also love the fact that her DVDs are so vast from step to kick boxing, and everything in between. She keeps up with all the latest fitness moves, and always has something new coming out.

Photo credit: Cathe' Friedrich

Photo credit: Cathe'Friedrich

My favorite Cathe' work outs, that I have, are Ab Hits, and Circuit Blast. Ab Hits is a series of ab exercises which includes seven different work outs from seven of Cathe's other work outs. I usually do two in a row because I developed a love for planks, thanks to Cathe, and get to incorporate those as well. Numbers five and six are shorter, so I do the last three all together. I purchased Circuit Blast when I knew I needed to give my body that shock I blogged about. Well I tell what this was definitely a body shocker, there is still one move I struggle with, but that is good it gives me something to work for. Circuit Blast consists of six rounds, each round contains four parts, cardio, cardio/legs, compound exercise, and core work. There is a variety of equipment needed for this work out, step, 3 or 5 lb weights, a 15 lb weight is used as well, resistance band, and medicine ball.

Photo credit: Amazon

There are a variety of resistance bands available, which is for another blog, but the one that Cathe' uses in this DVD, along with others, The ones pictured here are the type of resistance band being used, it is important to have due to the fire walkers. Fire walkers, for those who do not know, are where you tie the band around your ankles leaving enough band to pull up, and walk to the side, and to the other side. You can really feel this in your inner thighs, at first it seems like a joke to do until you do a few.

What else I love about Cathe', her newsletter is awesome, always filled with interesting articles on various health topics, plus. Once or twice a year she visits a state and holds a work out program that you can attend. Her site is easy to navigate, with previews of all DVDs located right there, apps, forums, digital downloads,  work out manager, and more. There is so much more, but you can check out Cathe's site to see for your self.

Ab Hits can be used by any level of exerciser however it says intermediate/advanced, but Circuit Blast is by far for those who are advanced.Okay, so I go to Cathe's site and find that the Ab Hits DVD has twelve work outs. I have the video, so guess what I'm getting the DVD for $14.97, currently on sale, whoot!!

Do you do Cathe's work outs? Which one is your favorite?

 I could not resist coming back to post this video of Cathe' on her Chicago road trip, my home town and could not go, but I will.