Just like Kosta’s humorous uses for Windex from “My Big, Fat Greek Wedding,” coconut oil has a long list of healthy applications for our daily lives. I decided to see what all the hype was about and try a few suggestions. The kids tease me quite a bit, “Hey Mom, I broke my ankle! Quick, grab the coconut oil!” All joking aside, Chad and the kids have been patient with the many labeled containers scattered around the house. Here are some uses I have incorporated in my life:

Morning coffee-I add a small spoonful of coconut oil and splash of almond milk to my coffee. The taste is pleasant and costs much less than store bought creamers.

Face and body lotion-I made a mix of coconut oil, EVOO, beeswax, and a few essential oils. I used this through the winter on my face, under eyes, and body. I didn’t have the dry winter skin issues.

Hair conditioner-This is fantastic for hair care! Once per week, I rubbed coconut oil in my scalp, let sit for 30 minutes, and then washed with regular shampoo.

Anti-Fungal-Coconut oil is an effective preventative to rub on feet once per week, no athlete’s foot or dry, cracked heels.

Rash treatment-I was really surprised to see how quickly it healed minor rashes, in some cases overnight. It also helped soothe sunburn.

Cooking-I substituted coconut oil in some dishes. No one complained (till I told them the next day).

Dog Food-I added a large scoop twice daily to the dogs’ food, reducing shedding and giving them a healthy coat.

Low blood sugar-I have issues with low blood sugar if I don’t have a small mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack. Since adding coconut oil to my diet, I can usually miss these snacks and retain healthy blood sugar levels.

Dessert-While extremely messy to prepare, I made coconut oil and dark chocolate truffles (The kids didn’t complain about those). Search online for several variations of this yummy treat.

Some new items I would like to try:

• Natural bug repellent using Coconut Oil, EVOO, and peppermint essential oil (While not as convenient as bug spray in a can, I figure if I’m working on the farm all day, spending five minutes applying this mix is healthier, and coconut oil naturally has an SPF 4.)
• Skin scrub made with coconut oil, salt, and lime or coconut oil, sugar, and lemon

One suggestion I’ll skip:
Oil pulling (yuck!)

A few tips for working with coconut oil:

• Coconut oil is much easier to apply when mixed with a small amount of olive oil. Whipping the mixture with a blender also helps create a workable consistency.
• A little bit goes a LONG way! Start with small amounts.
• I found an effective skin care routine by applying the product and letting sit for 15-20 minutes then wiping off any remaining oil.

I buy Kirkland Organic Coconut Oil, costing around 30 cents per ounce.

Consult a physician if you plan to add coconut oil to your diet.

Thanks for reading!