All posts tagged coconut oil

October 29, 2014 · Blog

Bulletproof Coffee

From the time I was a little girl, really little (like 3 or 4 years old), I remember begging my mother for a little of her coffee poured into my milk.  Maybe it was the delicious aroma I smelled every day as my mom perked a pot of coffee in the morning, or how special it seemed to the adults around me.   My Mom called it my coffee, as in  “I can’t function until I have my coffee.”  That’s important stuff!  So it’s not surprising that I love coffee.

As I got older, and I was finally allowed to drink coffee, I realized I didn’t feel so good when I had it.  I became all shaky and felt weird from the caffeine.  So I had decaf coffee.  Later on in my late twenties, as I was getting more and more into healthy eating and lifestyle, I gave up drinking coffee.  I learned how it was acidifying, and that it was like drinking pesticide juice because of how the beans are commercially grown and processed.

I discovered grain coffee, a coffee-like drink made from barley and chicory.  It was okay, but nowhere near the taste and smell of real coffee. If you are a real coffee lover, it’s not gonna bring it home for you.   Twenty-five years I settled for walking into Starbucks, getting an unsweetened iced tea and watching my husband drink his delicious latte.  At least I got to smell it!

Then a great thing happened. I started reading about something called Bulletproof coffee.  All over the Paleo community, people were talking about it.  Healthy coffee? I couldn’t believe it.  I heard it from all the experts.  Mark Sisson was drinking it, but it was hard for me to believe because even the best organic coffee gave me terrible headaches and stomach aches.  Then I went on the Bulletproof website, Upgradedself.com, and I heard the greatest pitch ever from Dave Asprey, the Bulletproof executive.  He claimed that the micotoxins, mold, and pesticides found in commercial coffee are responsible for making people sick from coffee and not the coffee itself.  If you tell me there is a possibility that I can drink coffee, well you know I am going to try!  So I ordered the purest, best Bulletproof Upgraded Coffee and put it to the test.

I am having my freshly ground and perked coffee most mornings, bulletproof style, blended with 1 tbsp. grass-fed butter and 1 tbsp. MCT oil (concentrated coconut oil).  So delicious!  Full of antioxidants and good nutrition.  Yum, and I didn’t get the least bit sick!  No headaches, no stomach aches.  They claim that the good fats mixed together with the coffee slow down the absorption of the caffeine, as well.

Of course, my family caught on to this amazing coffee and two of my kids claim that I ruined any other coffee for them.  Since they’ve been drinking Bulletproof coffee, they actually taste the pesticides in all other coffees and they can’t drink it.  This makes me so happy!

I always say I am a human science project; I test everything on myself first.  Let me know if you try it and what your experience is. It is one thing you can change that will make your life a whole lot healthier.  I love to start my day with coffee; there is something nostalgic and cozy about it, my coffee.

 

 

October 1, 2014 · Blog

Preparation is Gratification

I had an enjoyable conversation with a beautiful young mother today.  She wanted to hear what I eat so she could determine what would be a good way for her to eat.

She caught me on a good day.  If this were last week, I would have told her ‘I am barely eating enough’.  I was recently very off in the timing of my meals.  I was just too busy.  That happens sometimes. If it continues too long it will effect blood sugar levels, cravings and energy levels.

A good friend listened to me complain about my weight going up a few pounds and we looked at what I was eating.  It was not enough, which was throwing off my whole metabolism.   This week I got my priorities in order and each day prepared my meals so that I got to eat at the proper times.

I am simple with what I eat.  For breakfast lunch and dinner I eat raw greens like baby arugala, spinach and mesculin.   I like to add a few other colorful raw or cooked veggies.  I prefer plain salad these days with no dressing.   I am enjoying tasting the vegetables. I have been having my fat as a couple of slices of avocado or a few olives. I may also cook my eggs with a bit of grass fed butter. I always like to have some fermented vegetables with each meal, like sauerkraut or fermented carrots or a naturally fermented organic pickle.  Variety is truly the spice of my life.  Last but not least I add a serving of a good quality protein.  Eggs prepared in a variety of ways, chicken, wild fish, beef or lamb.  I have a snack, which is usually my PaleoZip protein powder in some type of shake   with berries and almond milk.  These days as the weather is getting cooler, I love having hot water with lemon throughout the day.

 

I prepare any food I need to take with me, grab a kombucha tea and I’m off.

As we talked I realized preparation is key to a healthy diet.  It is an expression of self-love, really.  When we eat well we feel good.  All of us should practice extreme self-care and self-love.  Preparing and taking time to sit down and eat is gratifying. We are worth it.

Check out this blog post for more tips about preparation……..http://www.joyharari.com/the-zen-of-cooking-healthy-meals/ 

 

January 22, 2014 · Recipes

Creamy Cauliflower Soup

1 head of cauliflower, cut into florettes

1 onion, chopped

2 stalks of celery, chopped

1 tablespoon of coconut oil

4 cups of water

himalayan salt and black pepper to taste

-sautee onion and celery in coconut oil until wilted

-add cauliflower, salt and pepper, and water

-Bring to a boil and then simmer for approx 20 minutes or until vegetables are soft

– puree the soup

– Enjoy!

*You can substitute bone broth for the water for an even hardier, healthier soup 😉

December 11, 2013 · Blog

The Real Truth About Workout Food

 

What’s wrong with the fuel most people are using?  I call them Frankenfuels. From Gatorade to power bars to those creepy gel packs with the chemicals they contain and synthetic “nutrients”, I really don’t know how we got so far from real food.

 

Those Frankenfuels have very high sugar content. Gatorade was recently forced to take out the brominated vegetable oil, BVO.  Another ingredient in many sport drinks is TBHQ it is a preservative also an anticorrosive agent found in diesel oil!

 

Many of the protein powders people use have artificial sweeteners and chemicals that lead to brain fog during a workout.

 

The truth is that we should be putting as natural a food source as possible into our bodies especially during and after strenuous physical activity. To understand why we need to understand carbohydrate delivery and the maximum rate of fluid absorption; Osmolality.

Most sports drinks have 6-8% concentrated solution.  Bars. Energy packets and gels have 10-30% concentration of carbs. When you consume them absorption is not ideal unless you drink tons of water with them.  Many labels suggest drinking at least 8 oz. of water with it and most people don’t follow directions.  Anything above a 4% concentrated solution will result in GI distress and fluid emptying.

 

Another thing that’s been hyped up to sell sports drinks is electrolytes.  The body can maintain plasma levels of electrolytes and salts several days without running out. The body maintains this via the kidneys as it slows down the rate of sodium excretion. Sports drinks actually speed up the loss of electrolytes through the sweat.

 

Why don’t people just eat real food? Well you can’t patent and make money off raw almonds.  Real food takes time to plan and prepare. It is so much easier to grab a power bar at the gym.  People have been led to believe they need to train with the fuel they will use during competitions. At the time of an iron man competition it is not very aero dynamic to carry bags of food along.

 

However, here are some good ideas of things you can prepare and take along;

-Chia seeds 3-4 tbsp  Soak in water add lemon and stevia and make a slurry. Its clean burning food.

-Pemmican (rendered fat) or jerky

-Rice balls using pressure-cooked white rice, you can add eggs and meats or coconut, blueberries, raw honey and dates. Put in the food processor and make balls.

**Skip the rice if you are low carb and want your body to use fat to burn fuel.

-Raw seeds and nuts with a little dried fruit.

-Nut butters mixed with coconut oil and raw honey.

-Grain free granola

-Hydrolyzed Collagen Protein like PaleoZip by Joy Harari

Real food alternatives require less water than bars and gels. Bars and Gels contain fermentable carbs like fructose and maltodextrin, which causes gas and bloating and indigestion afterwards.

For post workouts, the ideal scenario is to eat a real meal. Don’t worry about protein carb fat ratio the experts say it is not necessary. Just eat your regularly scheduled highly nutritive meal.

 

So lets all commit to a more natural source of healthy energy to fuel our workouts.  It will keep you healthier and younger looking in the long run.

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 13, 2013 · Recipes

Healthy Toll House Pies

2 cups fine ground blanched almond flour

1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup coconut oil, or ghee, softened or liquid
1/4 cup raw honey
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 tablespoon canned full fat coconut milk
1/4 cup chocolate chips

Directions: 

In a large bowl, combine the almond flour, baking soda and salt until well blended.
In a separate smaller bowl, combine the liquid ingredients. Blend well.

Add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing till just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.

Fill small ramekins 3/4 way up with batter
Bake on 350 until tops are golden, approximately 20 min.

serve warm

Recipe By Yvonne J Harari

Thanks Yvonne!

October 23, 2013 · Recipes

pumpkin Smoothie

Ingredients for Smoothie:

  •        ½ cup pure organic pumpkin
  •        1 cup unsweetened almond milk
  •        ½ frozen banana
  •        ½ tablespoons maple syrup (or Raw honey)
  •        ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  •        ¼ teaspoon cinnamon (+ more to sprinkle on top)
  •        1/8 teaspoon ginger
  •        1/8 teaspoon nutme
  •        1/8 teaspoon allspice
  •        1/2 cup  of ice more or less depending on thickness you like.

 

Put all ingredients into the blender and blend on high speed until smooth.

*you can add 2 tbsp of Paleo Zip protein powder to add to nutrition and insulin balance.

 

October 23, 2013 · Recipes

pumpkin granola

 Ingredients
  • ½ cup sliced almonds
  • ½ cup pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
  • ½ cup pecans, chopped
  • 8-10 dried dates, pits removed, then chopped
  • ½ cup pumpkin puree
  • ⅓ cup coconut oil, melted
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
  • ⅓ cup maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon nutmeg
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground ginger
  • pinch of salt

 

Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, add your pumpkin puree, coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and all spices. Mix well.
  3. Then add your nuts, seeds, and dates and mix well with your wet ingredients.
  4. Place parchment paper on a large baking sheet and pour your granola mixture on top. Use a spoon to spread out the mixture evenly so everything will cook at the same time.
  5. Place in oven and cook for 30-40 minutes, moving the granola around half way through to be sure it doesn’t burn.
  6. Let cool. Letting the granola cool will help it harden.
  7. Eat all by itself or top it off with coconut milk, almond milk, or even dairy milk (if you do that).
  8. Enjoy ! Yum!

 

 

 

 

July 31, 2013 · Recipes

Peanut Butter Pie

For the crust:

2 cups almond flour

¼ cup coconut flour

1 tsp Paleozip pure collagen protein

¼ tsp Himalayan salt

2 tbsp. raw honey

½ cup coconut oil, softened or melted

 

Place almond flour, coconut flour, Paleozip, and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse a few times to combine.  Add honey and coconut oil to flour mixture and process until the dough is well mixed.  Press the dough on the bottom an up the sides of a tart-pan. Bake on 350 until golden brown.

 

Filling:

1 cup creamy peanut butter

3 medium bananas

2 tsp. vanilla

1/8 tsp. Himalayan salt

¼ cup coconut oil

stevia to taste

 

Mix in a food processor or Vitamix blender.

Fill the baked crust with the filling.

 

Chocolate topping:

½ cup unsweetened almond milk

¾ cup good quality chocolate chips

 

Bring almond milk to a boil over a med flame.

Close the fire.

Drop in the chocolate chips and let sit for a minute or so.

When chips are melted stir until well combined.

Spread the chocolate ganache in a thin layer over the peanut butter filling.

 

Refrigerate or freeze the pie.

Serve cold or room temperature.

 

June 26, 2013 · Blog

Want to Detox? Try Oil Pulling!

I have been hearing an awful lot of that word “Detox” lately. It is loaded. So many complicated, expensive and even dangerous detoxification methods are around these days.

Oil pulling is so simple.  It is a practice taken from Ayurvedic traditions. It involves

Swishing unrefined oil in your mouth for several minutes (I do it for 20 minutes).  I use coconut oil. Some people use olive oil and some use sesame oil. So many people are reporting crazy results from this practice.  Some reported benefits include everything from curing gingivitis to aiding weight loss and major improvements in arthritis.

Other users note;

 

-whiter teeth

-healthy gums

-increased energy

-decreased migraine headaches

-clear sinuses

-less severe asthma

-decreased allergies

-improved PMS symptoms

-regulated menstrual cycles

-better sleep

-clear skin

Oil pulling is known as a powerful detoxification method.  Dr. Bruce Fife, author of  Oil Pulling Therapy says “Oil pulling is one of the most remarkable methods of detoxification and healing I have ever experienced in my career as a naturopathic physician.”

 

How do you do  Oil Pulling?

 

Traditionally unrefined sunflower or sesame oil was used for oil pulling, but unrefined olive oil or coconut oil come highly recommended as well.

-Ideally oil pulling is done first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.

-Use about one tablespoon of oil.

-Swish the oil slowly and methodically not vigorously.

-Try to reach every part of your mouth with the oil.

-BE CAREFUL NOT TO SWALLOW THE OIL!!

-Continue swishing for at least 10 minutes, preferably more like 20 minutes.

-Spit out the oil and rinse your mouth out well with pure water.

-Brush your teeth well afterwards.

Oil pulling can be done as often as you like. Daily oil pulling is recommended.

Here I am talking about amazing health benefits and my favorite results are  totally vain…Here it is; I am obsessed with clean teeth! It makes me feel better than when I go to the dentist for a cleaning.  My teeth never feel as clean or look as white as they do after oil pulling. Ahh…nice!! Of course I will take all the Health benefits too, happily!! 🙂

 

 

October 10, 2012 · Blog

Coconut Oil, the New Windex

 

I am so compelled to write about coconut oil because my clients are coming back to me with absolute miraculous results!

“ OMG, Joy! I can’t believe it worked when the steroid cream didn’t!”

“I have so much energy and I am losing weight!”

“My baby’s rash just disappeared!!”

“I am thinking so much clearer these days.”

 

Did you see “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”?  The father used Windex on everything! Sprayed it all over his body, hysterical.   Coconut oil is my Windex.

 

I will tell you what it is good for, but first  let me tell you why. Coconut oil is anti-bacterial, anti–viral, and anti-fungal. It is full of antioxidants and Lauric acid (a medium chain fatty acid, known to destroy lipid coated viruses like HIV, herpes, influenza and many more).

 

So what has coconut oil been known to help?

 

  • HIV-AIDS
  • Thyroid disease
  • Diabetes- type 1 and 2
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia
  • Crohn’s Disease
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  • Digestive Health and Intestinal Absorption
  • Weight loss and belly fat
  • Acne
  • Anti-aging
  • Dry skin
  • Hair (makes it gorgeous and silky, no more frizz)
  • Candida yeast infections
  • Alzheimer’s Disease (see video)
  • Common colds
  • Athletes foot
  • Diaper rash
  • Etc., etc., etc.,….

 

Okay, okay, you can close your mouth now, and go order some Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil.  I use the Gold Label topically, for skin, hair, and I take 1 tablespoon 3x per day (if you are trying to heal a specific ailment, like one of the above, that is the prescription).

 

They also have the white label Organic Expeller pressed, which I love, because it doesn’t have the coconut flavor and I can use it in all my cooking, which I do.

 

So let’s review: it helps so many diseases and ailments, it is much cheaper than hospital stays and pharmaceuticals, but it is expensive for oil.  Hmmmm, I think I will stick with the coconut oil :), wouldn’t you?

You can find the Tropical Traditions products in groceries Here.