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.