{"id":1722,"date":"2011-12-16T12:51:39","date_gmt":"2011-12-16T19:51:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.colourfulpalate.com\/?p=1722"},"modified":"2012-09-05T15:59:41","modified_gmt":"2012-09-05T21:59:41","slug":"why-i-love-coconut-oil-eggnog-protein-shake","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.colourfulpalate.com\/?p=1722","title":{"rendered":"Why I Love Coconut Oil {& Eggnog Protein Shake}"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Holiday<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve decided to start a new feature here on Colourful Palate. It’s called \u201cFresh Focus Friday\u201d where I focus on a healthy food, why it\u2019s so great for us, and then a recipe to go with it!<\/p>\n

So today\u2019s feature is about coconut oil\u2026and when Tropical Traditions <\/a>contacted me about doing a review about it, I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to say why I\u2019m so in love with coconut oil<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Coconut<\/p>\n

I feel like I\u2019m learning so much about healthy fats right now. As mentioned in a previous post<\/a>, I went to a Natropath (natural doctor) a couple weeks ago and I was informed that I don\u2019t eat enough healthy fats. She said that if I ate a high-fat, protein filled, and low-carb diet comprised of healthy foods that my body\/hormones would be more balanced. The part about low-carbs and protein didn\u2019t surprise me\u2026my body feels best on that kind of diet\u2026and that\u2019s generally what I try to do. However, the high-fat thing surprised me. She gave me \u201cpermission\u201d to eat limitless healthy fats like extra virgin olive oil, avocado, butter, cream, and coconut oil (all preferably organic). Really?<\/p>\n

SO ever since I got back from her office, I\u2019ve been trying the high-fat thing and reading a lot about high-fat (healthy) diets. I\u2019m becoming a convert. Why? I feel really, really good. I\u2019m not as ravenous as usual; yet I\u2019m not snacking as often. I seem to have more energy. I\u2019m also pretty sure I haven\u2019t gained any weight.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a couple books I really recommend for learning more about the benefits of fat! I\u2019m reading them both right now\u2026and enjoying them immensely.<\/p>\n

\"Picnik<\/p>\n

Nourishing Traditions<\/a><\/p>\n

Eat Fat Look Thin <\/a><\/p>\n

Now onto the coconut oil thing\u2026.<\/p>\n

Why I\u2019m crazy about coconut oil!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Weight Loss <\/strong>\u2013 Coconut oil actually stimulates the thyroid which promotes weight loss! Also, it increases your body’s metabolism by removing stress on the pancreases, which burns more energy (calories!). I\u2019m all for that!<\/p>\n

High Smoke Point<\/strong> \u2013 Coconut oil is a very stable oil. Heating a lot of healthy fats on the stove will actually turn those healthy fats into trans fats, but coconut oil can withstand a lot more heat! At our house, we try to just use coconut oil or butter on the stove.<\/p>\n

Energy<\/strong> \u2013 The special thing about coconut oil is the medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) which are actually a form of saturated fat. However, our body processes these MCTs much better than from fat that doesn\u2019t have these MCTs. Within moments of these MCTs being eaten, they are converted by the liver to energy. The digestion of coconut oil is effortless. This makes it a perfect mid-workout energy gel (mixed with some natural sweetener, a pinch of salt, and maybe some lemon juice!) Coconut oil is great for athletes!<\/p>\n

Immunity<\/strong> \u2013 Coconut oil actually strengthens our immune system. A tablespoon of this tropical oil is a great idea when you\u2019re feeling a flu coming on! Who knew? I\u2019m planning on taking a tablespoon daily just for illness prevention, especially since it’s flu\/cold season right now!<\/p>\n

\"Cocount<\/p>\n

A spoonful of coconut oil keeps the doctor away!<\/p>\n

Healing Powers<\/strong> \u2013 Ages ago, I broke out with a strange, red, raised rash. It covered a large area and I had no idea how I got it! But I smothered the rash with coconut oil that night and the next day it was literally gone\u2026without a trace that there had even been a rash! It was crazy. I now use it as lotion for body and my face.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s so much more about coconut oil that I love, but at least there\u2019s a taste of some of the great things it can do for us!<\/p>\n

(Note: These are health claims…they may or may not be true. Check with your own natural health professional to see what works best for you.)<\/em><\/p>\n

I\u2019m so grateful that Tropical Traditions sent me a jar! Literally, I have never tried such great coconut oil! It is the most natural coconut oil brand I\u2019ve found and I am a big fan for life. They process their oils as naturally as possible, producing a top-notch \u201cGold Standard\u201d product. I love the light coconut taste (don\u2019t worry; it\u2019s not noticeable if you use it in your chocolate chip cookie recipe!).<\/p>\n

I also really admire the company as well! They are not stingy! I mean, look at how they package it! They filled the coconut oil right to the brim! I\u2019ve noticed a lot of health companies fill their jars\/boxes three-quarters or even half full\u2026and it always makes me feel like I\u2019ve paid too much\u2026Tropical Traditions<\/a> treats their customers right with great ethics!<\/p>\n

\"Coconut<\/p>\n

I love that they use a glass jar. I don\u2019t like the idea of a lot of our health foods being stored in plastic\u2026there\u2019s a million reasons it’s bad for us health-wise! I say, the less plastic the better!<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been using this oil for cooking, baking, and my raw smoothies & treats. But I also love to use this product for my body\/face lotion and my eye makeup remover. I\u2019ve even tried washing my face with it! (I just learned that coconut oil is a good toothpaste because it\u2019s antimicrobial, so that\u2019s up next to try!)<\/p>\n

All in all, I love Tropical Tradition\u2019s coconut oil<\/a>. It’s the best coconut oil I have ever tried and I will keep on using it! (We even have big bucket of this stuff stocked in the pantry!)<\/p>\n

Whew! That was a big post\u2026now for the important part! The coconut oil recipe\u2026<\/p>\n

\"Holiday<\/p>\n

Holiday Eggnog Protein Shake<\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. \u00bd cup coconut milk<\/li>\n
  2. \u00bd cup almond milk, unsweetened<\/li>\n
  3. 1 tray ice<\/li>\n
  4. 1 tbsp. raw coconut oil<\/li>\n
  5. 2 packets Nustevia<\/li>\n
  6. 1 tsp. nutmeg<\/li>\n
  7. \u00bd tsp. cinnamon<\/li>\n
  8. \u00bd tsp. guar gum<\/li>\n
  9. 1 tsp. vanilla<\/li>\n
  10. 2 scoops vanilla protein powder<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Blend this all up! Garnish each serving with a sprinkle of nutmeg! Serves 2.<\/p>\n

    \"Holiday<\/p>\n

    I love using NuStevia<\/a> so much! Calorie free and sugar-free…<\/p>\n

    \"Holiday<\/p>\n

    I had this as my lunch the other day and this is seriously the creamiest shake I\u2019ve ever had in my life! It was kind of epic. Enjoy this low sugar, low carb, and high-healthy fat shake guilt free<\/strong>!<\/p>\n

    Nutritional Info (per serving, without protein powder)*:<\/span><\/strong> Cals: 350, Fat: 36g, Sodium: 19mg, Carbs: 8g, Fiber: 4g, Sugars: 4.5g, Protein: 3g<\/p>\n

    *Take note that calories\/fat will differ depending what kind of coconut oil you use.<\/p>\n

    Hope you enjoyed this first feature of Fresh Focus Friday! I had fun getting it together!<\/p>\n

    Here’s a couple links if you’re interested in learning more about coconut oil:<\/p>\n

    Health Benefits of Coconut Oil<\/a><\/p>\n

    Why Coconut Oil is Good for You<\/a><\/p>\n

    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.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    I\u2019ve decided to start a new feature here on Colourful Palate. It’s called \u201cFresh Focus Friday\u201d where I focus on a healthy food, why it\u2019s so great for us, and then a recipe to go with it! So today\u2019s feature is about coconut oil\u2026and when<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1723,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[23,232,473,40,290,8,57,4,15],"tags":[315,476,479,478,477,480,481,1308,1307,474,443,475],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.colourfulpalate.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1722"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.colourfulpalate.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.colourfulpalate.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.colourfulpalate.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.colourfulpalate.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1722"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.colourfulpalate.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1722\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1735,"href":"https:\/\/www.colourfulpalate.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1722\/revisions\/1735"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.colourfulpalate.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1723"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.colourfulpalate.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1722"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.colourfulpalate.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1722"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.colourfulpalate.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1722"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}