Call me cray, but I’ve developed a serious addiction to coconuts lately…and I mean SERIOUS! I literally use coconut products several times a day now and the thought of not having access to it gives me heart palpitations. Over the last year or so, celebrities started the craze over coconut water (thanks to Rihanna and Madonna who endorse Vita Coco) after learning about it’s nutritional and weight loss benefits – and its great taste is just an added bonus. This phenomenon then trickled down to us “common folk” and I swear a week does not go by without me buying several cartons at my local grocery store. It is hands down the healthiest bevy to consume and is dubbed the “Natural Isotonic Beverage”. Coconut water is low in carbs and sugars, more nutritious than whole milk, and is a potent anti-bacterial and anti-fungal which acts as a great cleanser for our guts. Additional benefits of this holy water:

• High composition of necessary minerals such as; Iron, Calcium, Manganese, Magnesium and Zinc
• Amazing source of B-Complex vitamins, which are essential as the body requires them to replenish
• Contains a good amount of Electrolytes and Potassium
• The bio-active enzymes in it help aid in digestion and metabolism

Coco Libre is my go-to for coconut water. O.N.E and Vita Coco are my 2nd and 3rd runner ups.

Now for you followers that have Caribbean heritage, your parents, like my Father, may laugh at our generation’s newly adapted fascination with coconut water. My Dad recently schooled me on many other uses of coconuts and how it played an integral role in his grooming and health while growing up St. Vincent & the Grenadines. I was left gob-smacked when he explained he used the oil of coconuts in his hair and as a skin moisturizer. During a session with my trusted Naturopathic Doc, she concurred with my Dad in regards to the health and beauty benefits of coconuts and suggested I substitute E.V.O.O. (extra virgin olive oil) for organic coconut oil when cooking and baking – and let me tell you, I have NOT looked back since! My meals have never been tastier and the aroma of the coconut oil while cooking is beyond sublime. If you are going to attempt cooking with coconut oil, I urge you to buy an organic, non-processed version, similar to the one below. *You should get a whiff of the coconut scent when you open the jar if it’s in fact organic. The scent is removed during the processing in non-organic formats. Do not be alarmed when you notice the oil is in a solid form. This is just the oil in its “resting” state. It will soften at just above room temperature and melt immediately when placed on a warm/hot pan.

Nutiva’s Organic Coconut Oil – can be found at Whole Foods, Loblaws, Fortino’s, Trader Joe’s (US only) and most health food stores

But of course I’ve  also found ways to incorporate coconut oil into my beauty routine. Once a week I have been using approximately 1 1/2 TBSP’s of the oil to coat my locks prior to washing for intense hydration. I apply the oil to dry hair, apparently it binds better to the hair when it’s not wet, and cover with a plastic cap for a few hours. Then I shampoo and condition as normal and my hair has never been shinier or softer.

DIY…Coconut Lime Sugar Scrub

And with the assistance of “every girl’s best friend” aka Pinterest, I stumbled on a DIY coconut lime sugar scrub about a month ago and I’ve been using it when shaving my legs. The results…INCREDIBLE!

Coconut Sugar Lime Scrub

1/2 cup of organic coconut oil

1 1/4 cup of sugar

3 TBSP lime or lemon juice (fresh is always best!)

Combine in a jar and stir *I like to keep mine refrigerated*

What the smoothest legs ever? Grab your newly made scrub, your trusted razor and a jar of coconut oil and do the following steps…

1. Shave 1st leg using straight coconut oil (while in the shower or bath)
2. Take a palm full of your homemade scrub and scrub that leg, then rinse
3. Shave leg again (I know, I know…but trust me)
4. Repeat with your other leg
5. After you shower, dry off and apply a small amount of straight coconut oil on your legs instead of lotion.

During the first shave, you will remove the unwanted hair. After applying the scrub, which loosens dead skin cells, the second shave removes all that gunk. Make sure to rinse your razor frequently, you will see why. I couldn’t believe what came off my legs!

Do you have any other uses for coconut oil? Have you used it in your beauty routine or while cooking/baking? If so, I would love to hear your comments.

XO,

S