CRAZY ABOUT COCONUT OIL!

With the demand for coconut oil really taking off in 2014, it looks like the trend is here to stay as we keep finding new ways to use it and discover even more of the benefits it has to us. Out of all the products coconuts provide us with, fruit, water, milk and cream, oil is the most versatile allowing us to use it in ways we could never have imagined. With it being extremely accessible, found in local supermarkets, drug stores and wholefood shops its appealing price means it’s just too good to miss out on. Here are a few of our favourite ways to use it:

Smooth Feet
If you’re on your feet a lot, chances are you’ll suffer from cracked heels and dry skin, so rub in a small amount of coconut oil (if it’s turned solid you can melt it in your hands) at the end of each day and leave them to air. Don’t put too much on or it can encourage fungal infection and don’t wear socks at they will just absorb the oil.

Hair Conditioner
It might not make your hair grow longer, but it will leave it looking lusciously shiny and healthy. With continued use, it also means you don’t have to feel guilty about going a little bit longer without seeing your hairdresser!

Cooking Agent
Replace your usual olive oil with coconut oil – it has a longer shelf life and doesn’t need to be refrigerated. Use it for stir fries, soups and as a substitute for butter! Coconut oil is also vegan and those on raw food diets can use it to get their essential fats.

Skin Care
Say goodbye to rough elbows, dry cuticles and flaky skin. Slather it all over any part of the body for silky smooth (and delicious-smelling) skin. Many people also credit coconut oil for being an amazing skin treatment for various problems such as eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis.

Make-up Remover
The oil in coconut helps to lift make-up off effectively, yet smoothly. Your skin won’t be left feeling greasy but instead will be soft and will smell gorgeous. A much better way to cleanse your face than using chemically enhanced facial wipes!

Energy Booster
When the mid-afternoon slump hits (or even the 10am slump), mix with some chia seeds for a super quick pick-me-up that will keep you going for hours. It’s so good that it’s been warned not to take in the evening – unless you’re going to that Saturday night party! Coconut water is also an amazing alternative to sports drinks as it’s great for restoring electrolyte balance during and after sport.

Health Benefits
Coconut oil is a natural antibiotic which is great for helping to combat winter bugs and colds. It’s also high in MCT’s (medium-chain triglycerides), which are healthy fats that can help lower the risk of heart disease and boost the metabolism, increasing the activity of fat burning cells. To get the best from coconut oil you should be using virgin coconut oil as it isn’t chemically refined, so it’s MCT’s remain intact.

Raw Bounty Chocolate Recipe
3/4 cup coconut oil
3/4 cup raw honey
1 cup raw cacao powder
1/3 tsp vanilla extract

Put all the ingredients into a blender or food processor. Once mixed together, spoon the blended mixture into silicone moulds (a design of your choice) and place in the fridge for around 4 hours or longer if needed. This recipe will make around 15-20 chocolates depending on the size of the moulds. They go perfectly with a glass of almond milk and are a great pre-workout energy boost! Yum!