Coconut Oil... How Do I Love Thee....

Let me count the ways!
Yes.
It's true.
I have fallen in love coconut oil.
I have read so many different things about it form so many different sites and blogs online that I can't keep track of them all!
I can tell you all some of the wonderful ways I have used coconut oil though.

It all began a few weeks ago...

I had been reading online all of the wonderful properties of coconut oil, and I really wanted to try it. My husband found a jar of it at Winco (one of our favorite grocery stores... they have a HUGE bulk section with a ton of yummy .... ok wait... that's another post). Back to the coconut oil. My husband bought a jar of it, and I have used it in a few different ways.

• To condition my hair- I have read a couple of different ways to use coconut oil as a hair conditioner. One was to wash your hair, apply a small amount of coconut oil, comb it through, and let it air dry. I tried this and it left my hair really oily the first day. The next day, after just shampooing, it was much nicer. I love the way it de-tangles and how soft and shiny it leaves my hair. The second way was to apply the coconut oil in your hair before washing, then wash with shampoo. I really like this way too. It is better if you will be going out in public that day, as it doesn't leave your hair looking greasy. I have decided to use it the first way once a week, then after a few days, as it washes out more, I will "touch it up" by using the second method.
• To treat cradle cap - My toddler occasionally gets cradle cap. I washed her hair, then rubbed a tiny amount of coconut oil on her head (and in her hair), then I combed through it with her baby comb. It cleared it right up. I was amazed!
• Natural, subtle highlights- One thing we stumbled upon while using coconut oil as a hair conditioner is that it brought out the natural highlights in out hair. OK... I will be honest with you all. At first, I thought it was just changing the color of my dark brown hair dye. There. I said it. I dye my hair. You forced it out of me. Anyway... after using the coconut oil on my 5 year old and 7 year old's hair, we noticed how the highlights in their hair really stood out as well.
• Shaving- Honestly, I wouldn't recommend this one. I read it. I tried it. I didn't like it. It gums up the razor and it's kind of an icky mess. I prefer to shave, then apply coconut oil after. Much better!
• To moisturize your skin- I don't like lotions. I really like how soft coconut oil leaves my skin. However, coconut oil alone is just missing something for me. I plan to get some 100% cocoa butter and melt the two down together, let it return to a more solid state, then whipping it up together. As it is, I love cocoa butter. I think the two just might be the right marriage.
• Cinnamon toast- I read online that it makes for a great piece of cinnamon toast. Yes. Yes it does!
• Popcorn- OMGosh!!!! So, here's what you do... take a TB of coconut oil and melt it. Add 1/4 cup popcorn kernels, put them in a paper bag (fold up the end of the bag, bla, bla, bla) and nuke it in the microwave for 2-2 1/2 minutes (use your judgement... when the popping slows waaaay down, stop it before the popcorn burns), season the popcorn with salt and a mixture of butter (or Smart Balance) and coconut oil and drizzle away. YUM!!! Seriously... do it.
  Do it.
• General cooking- I like to use coconut oil when cooking, too. I haven't used it for baking  yet, but I will. 
• Oil Pulling- What the heck is that??? Yeah. That was my first reaction, too. You take a TB of oil and swish it around in your mouth for 20 minutes. It is weird. I won't lie. Very weird. But I tried it a few times, and I kinda liked the results. My mouth felt sooo clean after. I don't know if I've done it enough to experience the other claimed benefits, but for the week that I did do it, I liked it! Read about oil pulling here. Oh, and I didn't do it on an empty stomach as recommended. I was fine. 

So, that's what I've got so far.
I would LOVE to hear the different ways that you use coconut oil! Please leave me a comment... go ahead and include links to your coconut oil blog posts, too. I think I'm addicted to this stuff!