Coo coo for coconuts

Pure, unrefined and organic coconut oil is my oil and/or weapon of choice :)

Don't get me wrong. I definitely keep and use a good bottle of organic fruity extra virgin olive oil in my kitchen. But more often than not, and especially when I'm cooking or baking, I reach for my coconut oil. Not only do I bake, saute, and blend coconut oil into my smoothies, but I also apply it topically to my face and rub into my nails and the ends of my hair (to my husband's dismay).

The war against coconuts

Before you get all huffy and puffy about how bad and high in saturated fat coconuts are, let me backtrack and explain how coconuts got such an unfair bad rep. Coconuts and coconut oil have virtually been demonized by the vegetable oil and soybean oil industry not to mention the media over the last 3 decades. Yes, it is true. 90% of the fat in coconut oil is saturated. And we're all freaked out about saturated fat because the media and many health experts have been telling us that saturated fat is EVIL. But what is now being brought to light is the fact that there are actually different types of saturated fats, just like there are different types of fats that are good for you.

A comeback for coconuts

50-60% of the saturated fat in coconuts is in the form of a medium-chain fatty acid called lauric acid, which is more effectively metabolized by the body than other kinds of fats. You can read more about how coconut oil has been mistakenly labeled unhealthy and lumped into the anti-saturated fat campaign here and here.

Coconut water: the "golden child" of the coconut fam

Coconut water, on the other hand, has gotten great press recently and has even been toted "nature's sports drink." And rightfully so. Just one cup of coconut water contains 600 milligrams of potassium (more than a banana), as well as calcium, magnesium, sodium, and natural sugar. The coolest thing about coconut water is that "it has the same electrolyte balance as blood. Dubbed the 'fluid of life,' it was used as a substitute for intravenous plasma during WWII" (Fitsugar, 3/28/08 post).

But what about coconut oil?

Coconut oil has equally healthful properties. Because coconut oil has a relatively high melting/smoke point at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, it makes it extremely stable to use for cooking and baking. On the contrary, extra virgin olive oil's chemical structure makes it very susceptible to oxidative damage. When you heat olive oil to a point hotter than 200-250 degrees, you kill all the nutrients and create toxic fumes. Think about when you pour extra virgin olive oil into a pan. It's that nice, vibrant bright green color from all the nutrients and antioxidants. Well once you heat it up, you literally burn all the antioxidants and vitamins out of then pan and the oil will turn to a very pale yellow color. Vegetable oils, or polyunsaturated fats, like corn and soy oil are the worst oils to cook with because they are even more susceptible to heat damage. So stick with an oil that can take the heat like coconut oil, avocado oil or safflower oil.

This video demonstrates it all... please watch.

Storing coconut oil

At temperature above 76 degrees F, coconut oil remains in a liquid form. So, if you store your coconut oil in the fridge, it will turn into a butter-like consistency you'll have to scoop out. But at room temperature, it will be a nice liquid oil.

So toss my the olive oil?

No! Olive oil is still really wonderful for you. Just don't heat it. I still drizzle it on just about everything, salads, vegetables, and cooked grains. It's like adding a handful of nutrients and vitamins to every dish!

To recap. Just a few of coconut oil's health:

• improves thyroid function
• promotes heart health
• improves metabolic rate
• supports immune system health
• provides immediate energy
• reduces inflammation
• helps protect the body from breast, colon and other cancers
• improves digestion and bowel function
• helps to protect the body from harmful free radicals that promote premature aging
• does not deplete the body's antioxidant reserves like other oils do
• does not form harmful by-products when heated to normal cooking temp like oils listed above
• when applied topically, promotes healthy looking complexion and hair (high in Vitamin E)

A KIND snack product review

One of my favorite holistic grab-and-go snacks are sweet and hearty KIND Bars. They're really delicious and minimally processed, so they give you a wholesome and long lasting energy boost. Each bar is made with ingredients you keep in your pantry and/or a 3rd grader can pronounce (a la Michael Pollan's Food Rules).

Fun yummy things like dates, walnuts, sesame seeds, mango, peanuts, coconut, almonds and honey are mushed together into one delectable and portable treat. And because they're nut-based, you get plenty of heart healthy (good) fat in every bite. "A recent Yale study suggests eating 2 KIND bars a day promotes weight loss, and fruit and nuts are known to lower the risk of heart disease and cancer." Smart little snack food.

just in from the beach eating my snack of choice!

My friend Becky said it the best, "the bars look like what they are." Isn't that refreshing? Especially in an age when most things we see in the grocery store are "strawberry flavored," for example, and look nothing a real strawberry.

My personal favs flavors include: Fruit & Nut Delight, Walnut & Date, Sesame & Peanut with Chocolate. Almond & Coconut is a little too dry for my taste and I'm nuts about (pun intended) the Fruits & Nuts in Yogurt or Almond & Apricot. Just one ladie's opinion. There are over a dozen different varieties to try and I've even seen them recently at Starbuck's in NYC. So they're easy to get your hungry little hands on. Pick one up for a snack when you're on the go. After all, you deserve to Be KIND to your tummy :)

Start your engine everyday with lemon water!

Many, many health resources recommend you consume room temperature lemon water first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. This is because lukewarm lemon water alkalizes your digestive enzymes and the gastric juices in your body, which prepares you to receive nutrients for the rest of the day. A cup of warm lemon water in the morning goes right through the bowels and cleans mucus out of you from the day before. After drinking your warm water, wait 30 minutes to an hour before consuming your breakfast. Repeat the same practice before bedtime in the evening too!

Tip: pour filtered water with the juice from half a lemon into a glass (never plastic) bottle at night. Place it next to your bed on a side table and allow it to reach room temperature as you sleep. Drink it first thing in the morning, before you shower or do anything else. Refill the bottle after use for your evening routine.

Beware: I want to strongly caution you from getting lemons in your water or herbal tea when out at a restaurant. When restaurants put lemon wedges directly into your water, they're basically spiking your drink with high levels of harmful bacteria and germs. "Two out of every three restaurant lemon wedges tested in a recent study were covered in disease-causing bacteria - including fecal bacteria. A total of 25 different, and potentially dangerous, microorganisms were discovered on the wedges" (Dr. Merocla). Learn more about the study here.

Nevertheless, drinking fresh lemon water is a really great practice to do regularly at home, especially if you're using organic lemons that you've thoroughly cleaned.

Benefits of lemon water:

• flushes out toxins in the body
• relieves many digestion problems
• revs your metabolism
• moves your bowels
• has an alkalizing effect on your body
• allows your body to run more efficiently
• decreases the amount of phlegm produced by your body
• gives you added Vitamin C content to your diet (which is great for your skin)

Improve your skin health

Why should you start skin brushing?

We've all heard that our skin "breathes." In fact it takes in everything we put on our skin everyday, from our lotions and perfumes to the air, dust and pollution we come into contact with in our day-to-day lives. Our skin is really like a mirror. It's a direct reflection of what's going on inside of our bodies and it shows us signs of our overall health. This is why taking care of our skin, the largest and more important eliminative organ in the body, is so critical to our overall health.

"Skin brushing will improve your skin's job of getting rid of internal garbage (over a pound of waste products are excreted through the skin every day)" Dr. Gillian McKeith. You can help with the elimination process by regularly body brushing. The gentle friction that is applied while dry brushing speeds up the rate at which toxins are expelled from the body, because it motivates blood cells and lymph tissue, two key physiological detoxification avenues. In short, skin brushing will not only renew and regenerate your epidermis, but it will also improve your circulatory system by encouraging your body's own discharge of metabolic waste from what you accumulate through the toxins we come into contact with. It will help bring blood to the skin's surface, unblock any blockages you may have, and it's excellent for stimulating the nervous system.

Skin brushing method:

To skin brush effectively, you need to buy a small, firm natural bristle brush (don't buy anything synthetic). I don't recommend loofahs or plastic sponge balls you see at the drug store or supermarket. These kinds of brushes will literally push toxins and dead skin cells back into your body.

You should know that skin brushing is not something you do in your bath or shower, but something you do when you're dry. Therefore, brushing is best undertaken just before you get into the bath or shower. Start by smoothly brushing the soles of your feet, working your way up your legs, then up the arms and down the back. All strokes should be long and brisk. Always brush upwards towards the chest or heart and avoid sensitive spots such as moles, warts, or broken veins. Never brush your face!

I recommend starting brushing once a week to get your lymph moving.

Benefits of dry skin brushing:

• Reduce the appearance of cellulite
• Cleanse the lymphatic system
• Strengthen the immune system
• Stimulates the hormone and oil-producing glands
• Tightens skin
• Stimulates circulation
• Improves the function of the nervous system
• Helps digestion
• Invigorates skin

Currently on my radar...

1. Now New Yorkers can eat healthier and even more delicious meals out on the town thanks to Clean Plates NYC guide book. Buy it here I recently met the authors at the Hungry Filmmakers Fresh Films documentary screening and they're two great guys.

2. Speaking of documentaries, I strongly encourage everyone to check out End of the Line (a film warning us about the global consequences of overfishing) and Fresh (a grassroots film featuring America's favorite farmer Joel Salatin and best selling author Michael Pollan).

3. And speaking of Michael Pollan, I recently picked up and quickly read his newest book, Food Rules. This short and sweet book reminds us of the simple fact that eating should not be so complicated. Follow his clearcut rules to help you navigate the treacherous landscape of modern food as well as the confusing science of nutrition.

4. Last but not least, head over to Cornucopia Institute's website where you can check out a national survey of organic dairy products. The Cornucopia Institute is a not-for-profit research group that highlights products from ethical family farm producers. Their website also exposes factory farm producers and brands that threaten to take over organic dairying. We all know how important it is to buy organic, antibiotic free dairy products. Find out what score your brand of yogurt gets!