IMPORTANT NOTE

Hello, and welcome.
I would like to inform you that I AM MOVING.
...well, sort of. I have started a new blog, Oui Crochet, that focuses just on crochet, crochet patterns, and crochet resources. I am in the process of building it up as a one stop shop for all things crochet, and I am very excited about it. I hope you will come over and check out my progress. :)
I will be moving my patterns from this site, to my new site. My idea is to leave this site active, so that you can still access other aspects of this site. I will also leave a modified "introduction" post where each pattern is on this site, as to keep all links active and make it so that you can easily locate the pattern's new home. As an added bonus, you will also find new printable/downloadable versions of my patterns.
I apologize for any inconvenience, but I assure you, this change is a positive one. I look forward to seeing you at Oui Crochet.
Happy Crocheting!


Thursday, August 2, 2012

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!

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20 comments:

  1. I have jumped on the coconut oil bandwagon too! I use it for cooking mostly right now. When I take some out for the pan I dab some on my elbows too :-)

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    1. Great idea putting it on your elbows! I love how soft it makes my skin feel. :-)

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  2. I love it too! My husband uses it on his feet and what a difference! I love it on my very dry face, especially around my eyes where allergies have dried the skin until I want to scream and claw them out.

    I'm looking for a good shea butter source to mix with the coconut oil for a moisturizer, but I do like it just "as is". It worked great last month on sunburns too one day when we accidentally forgot to sunscreen in a rush. They were gone by morning, even on my glow-in-the-dark self.

    I will definitely have to give it a shot as a conditioner. Thanks for the tip!

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    1. I think I need to look into shea butter. I have been hearing it a lot lately. I know I LOVE cocoa butter I am wondering if shae is something similar.
      And YES! I love using coconut oil on my face, too!!!!

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  3. Coconut oil is ah-mazing! Works great for diaper rash and for eczema too! Plus....bonus....smells awesome! I have made sweet potato fries in my actifry with coconut oil a couple times (yum) and my house smells soooooooo good!


    Tracie

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    1. Ooh! Tracie! That sounds awesome!!! I LOVE sweet potato fries!

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  4. I love coconut oil too! I use it all the time now! I am hooked! Thanks for linking up!!!

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  5. I love coconut oil! I use it for my hair and skin instead of conditioner and lotion. Thanks for linking up at What’s Cluckin! Hope to see you back tomorrow!

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  6. Susie, We love coconut oil at our house. We first started using it a couple years ago when we began making soap. Now we buy the organic and use it for some cooking. I pop popcorn on the stove and it's so good. We even put them in our Happy Cinos (non-coffee Starbucks wanna be). Love that coconut!

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    Replies
    1. Ooh! Happy Cinos? I think I need to learn more about this!
      I'll bet it is really great in the soap you make. I just love how it feels on my skin!

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  7. Wow! Who knew?! I have to get me some...my little one still gets cradle cap too. Nice to know this helps it! Thanks so much for linking up to our Pinteresting Party!

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    1. Yeah, it worked great! I just put a tiny bit in her hair & combed it through with the baby comb, then washed it out. So easy!

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  8. I adore coconut oil and use it to fry up most things! I've also used the cream of coconut that you get from Tropical Traditions...it's good on toast. I put it in smoothies too! It is an amazing antiviral, antibacterial, etc. etc. I hadn't heard of the oil pulling before, but I'm gonna try it!!

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    1. Wait! Stop the presses!!! Cream of Coconut??? I MUST try this!!!!

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  9. Love coconut oil too! I have used it to brush my teeth, my mouth always feels great afterward!

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    1. Ooh! Good one! I forgot to add that! I LOVE brushing my teeth with it! They feel so clean and smooth after!

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  10. These are great tips! I am featuring it this week on Dare to Share.

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  11. Wow Thanks! I definitely bought it for conditioner :) but now reading the comments i am definitely trying it on my eczema break out. I've tried devil's club on my eczema, we Alaskan's use it like coconut oil; sorta lol

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