Practicing what I preach

I have to say that on the whole I do practice what I preach.  I have been food combining correctly for the past 5 and a half years and it is working really well for me.  As I said in my post 2 weeks ago, I lost 10k in the first 2 month of doing the F.I.T Method and I have never regained it - thanks to food combining.

However, there have been other things I have recommended in my posts on here and books I have read about different things like juicing which I have not put into practice or have only dabbled in.

One of those things I have recommended in the past has been playing on my mind ever since I wrote about it, but I had never actually decided to put it into practice until last Friday.  A while back I wrote a post about how good coconut oil is for us and it's many many uses.  One of those uses was as a deodorant.  Yes!  Coconut oil can be used as a deodorant, if you haven't read the post then I strongly suggest you do as you might very well be surprised at just how beneficial coconut oil is for you.

Just to remind you...

The general health benefits of coconut oil are:

• Promoting Heart Health
• Supporting proper thyroid function
• Promoting healthy brain function
• Providing an excellent healthy fuel for the body which can also support a strong metabolism and aid in weight loss
• Strengthening the immune system
• Maintaining healthy and youthful looking skin

The deodorant aspect surprised me when I read about it, and I have been eager to try it ever since... I just didn't get round to mixing up a batch.  However, last Friday I finally decided that I had had enough of my brand of deodorant full of harmful chemicals and that I was going to mix up a batch of coconut oil deodorant.

Just to frighten you a bit; I used Dove Invisible Dry spray deodorant, here are some of the long list of ingredients:

Butane, Isobutane, Propane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Aluminium Chlorohydrate, PPG-14 Butyl Ether, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Parfum,...  and the list goes on and on....

There are many recipes on the Internet for coconut oil deodorant but they all seem to come down to a basic rule:

2 Tablespoons baking soda
2 Tablespoons arrow root
3 Tablespoons coconut oil
a few drops of your favourite essential oil - lavender for example but this is optional.

All you have to do is put all the ingredients into a jar with a proper lid and mix very well - I suggest using a fork as it can get lumpy.  If preferred you can gently heat the coconut oil, if solid, in a bowl over a saucepan of hot water before mixing with the arrow root and baking soda.  Then leave to cool and thicken.

Then just apply a small amount to each armpit after a shower.  One post on the Internet that I read stated that things can get smelly at first as your body begins to expel all that aluminum and other chemicals from your previous deodorant, so I have to admit I expected the worst.  However, I have been using this since Friday and I even went running and I have to say I was really amazed that I haven't had any problems - smelly or otherwise from the change from a commercial deodorant to the coconut oil deodorant.  The fact that I am no longer applying horrendous chemicals to sensitive areas of my body makes me feel very happy.

I have also started using coconut oil as a moisturiser.  I have very dry skin and constantly apply moisturiser especially to my legs.  Usually having to do this first of all after a shower so that the cream can be absorbed before getting dressed.  Or having the unpleasant consequence of sticky skin and clothes sticking to my legs.  Coconut oil is absorbed quickly, and contrary to what you might think does not leave an oily sensation on the skin, but just leaves the skin soft and hydrated.

Another "thing" I am dying to try and will be starting tomorrow is oil pulling with coconut oil.  What is oil pulling?  This is the strange practice of swishing coconut oil around your mouth as you would mouthwash for 20 minutes.  Most recommend doing this while you have your morning shower, but remember DO NOT SWALLOW any of the coconut oil and spit it out into the trash - not down the drain!

Here are the reported benefits of oil pulling with coconut oil:

• Whiter teeth
• Prevention of cavities and gingivitis
• Better breath
• Stronger teeth and gums
• Improvement in sleep problems and sinus problems
• Improvement of headaches, hangovers and skin problems (including acne, psoriasis and eczema)

Apparently it takes some getting used to.  It helps detoxify and gets rid of fungus and unwanted bacteria... this is the main reason why you can't swallow it and the reason why you have to spit it out into the trash is because it will solidify when you spit it down the drain and cause blockages.

I will keep you informed of how I get on, so far the coconut oil is winning against more expensive and harmful products such as commercial deodorant and moisturizers.

Let me know how you get on if you decide to try any of these - I'd like to know how it goes!

I'd just like to remind you just what the F.I.T Method can do for you:

• More energy
• Better quality of sleep
• INSTANT WEIGHT LOSS
• Better digestive function on all levels.
• Scientific method
• Immediate guaranteed results
• Improvement in general health
• Personalized method


I can help you improve your health.  If you would like to make an appointment with me either in person or via Skype, just send me an email to lucycarr@socialnutrition.com

Coconut Oil it's good for EVERYTHING

Coconut oil has had a lot of bad press for years as it is a saturated fat.  However, more recent investigations have managed to unlock all those healthy secrets coconut oil has been hiding.

In one of my very first posts I wrote about the beneficial effects that coconut oil has had on Alzheimer's sufferers.  You can read that article here: Pure Coconut Oil. A "cure" for Alzheimer's

So why is coconut oil so great?

Coconut oil is a powerful destroyer of all kinds of microbes, from viruses to bacteria to protozoa, many of which can be dangerous.  It also provides your body with high-quality fat that is essential for optimal health.

About 50% of the fat in coconut oil is lauric acid which is difficult to find naturally.  In fact, coconut oil contains the most amount of lauric acid of any substance found in nature.

The body converts lauric acid into monolaurin, a monoglyceride that can actually destroy lipid-coated viruses such as HIV and herpes, flu, measles, gram-negative bacteria, and protozoa such as giardia lamblia.  Coconut oil is made up of medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) that are easily digested and easily cross cell membranes.  MCFAs are converted immediately by the liver into energy rather than being stored as fat.  Coconut oil is also easy on the digestive system and does not produce an insulin spike in your bloodstream, so it is great for a quick energy boost when needed.

The general health benefits of coconut oil are:

• Promoting Heart Health
• Supporting proper thyroid function
• Promoting healthy brain function
• Providing an excellent healthy fuel for the body which can also support a strong metabolism and aid in weight loss
• Strengthening the immune system
• Maintaining healthy and youthful looking skin

Yes, you heard it right!  Coconut oil is an amazing BEAUTY product.  Lots of the creams, shampoos and conditioners we use on a daily basis are full of toxic ingredients.  Coconut oil can replace all of them.  Here's an idea of what coconut oil can do for you:

• Makeup remover:  Put some on a moist cotton ball and swipe over your face, then remove with a
  
  clean cotton ball or a wet face cloth.
• Facial cleanser:  Massage a small amount of coconut oil into your face and neck, wash off with a warm wet face cloth and pat dry.
• Facial Scrub:  Mix coconut oil with baking soda, or oatmeal with a dash of cinnamon and gently apply to the face and then rinse.
• Body Scrub:  Mix equal parts of coconut oil and cane sugar in a glass jar.  Apply to the skin before your shower.
• Shaving lotion:  Lots of men find that shaving irritates the skin, just apply a thin layer of coconut oil before shaving and then shave as normal.  This also works for shaving legs and underarms or your bikini line.
• Eye cream:  Apply a small amount and pat gently around the eye area to soften wrinkles and counteract thinning, sagging skin.
• Face and body moisturizer:  You can use as is or mix with your favorite essential oil... just make sure it is apt for topical use.  Apply small amounts to your skin and massage in.
• Cuticle Cream:  Simply rub a small amount of coconut oil around your cuticles to soften dry areas.
• Bath soak:  add a little coconut oil to your bath, it will help moisturize dry itchy skin.  Just be careful and clean the bath afterwards, otherwise the next person to use it may slip!
• Deodorant:  Apply a small amount of coconut oil directly onto your underarms can help keep odors away.  Or you can mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda, 2 tablespoons of arrow root (for thickening) and 3 tablespoons of coconut oil, you can also add an essential oil if you choose for aroma.  Mix thoroughly and leave to thicken.  Then just apply a small amount to your underarms.
• Insect repellent:  Mix coconut oil with high-quality essential oils such as peppermint, lemon balm, rosemary, tea tree oil, citronella, etc., may help keep insects at bay when applied to exposed skin.
• Hair Conditioner:  apply to dry hair, and massage into the scalp.  Leave on for as long as possible, I cover my head with a shower cap, and then wash and condition as usual.  You may
  
  need to wash your hair twice!

Other uses for coconut oil:

As coconut oil has brilliant antimicrobial and anti-viral properties it may help in the treatment of:

• Bug bites and bee stings
• Hemorrhoids
• Skin rashes and irritations, including chicken pox and shingles.
• Ear infections: Place a couple of drops into each ear canal.  
• Fungal and/or yeast infections such as athlete's foot and ringworm.  For fungal infections you can mix in a small amount of oregano oil or tea tree oil.
• Thrush
• Head lice:  The European Journal of Pediatrics found that a combination of coconut oil and anise was nearly twice as effective a the usual lotions.

You can also use coconut oil for maintenance around the house:

• Clean, condition and sanitize your wooden cutting board in the kitchen.
• Metal polish.
• Moisturize and soften leather goods as you would using leather conditioners.
• Maintain your cast iron pots and pans.
• Lubricate squeaky hinges and sticky mechanisms with coconut oil instead of WD-40.
• Clean and condition wooden furniture - I recommend you test a small area first.
• Remove chewing gum from virtually any area, including carpets and hair.

The list goes on and on... it really is a true gift from Mother Nature.  So if you have a use for coconut oil not mentioned in this post, please let me know.

Social Nutrition:

You can make an appointment to improve your health with Social Nutrition either in person (Madrid) or online (Skype).  Just send an email to lucycarr@socialnutrition.com

Pure Coconut Oil. A "cure" for Alzheimer's?

I was left totally amazed yesterday... my caring uncle who sends me hundreds of emails a week (mostly jokes) sent me this little gem which really had me investigating further.

Dr. Mary T. Newport M.D. had to face the terrible news that her husband had advanced Alzheimer's Disease.  As a pediatrician she didn't know much about Alzheimer's so investigated as much as she could on the disease.  She likens it to a type of diabetes of the brain where insulin issues prevent the brain cells from obtaining the glucose that they need for fuel.  When deprived of glucose the brain cells eventually shrivel and die.

However there is an alternative fuel in the form of KETONES which are metabolized in the liver after you eat medium chain triglycerides.  One form of medium chain triglycerides is pure coconut oil.  Dr. Newport began to incorporate pure coconut oil into her husband's diet and the first signs of improvement were seen in just 2 weeks.  At his diagnosis they asked him to draw a clock - he was not able to, after 2 weeks of pure coconut oil, he was able to, another 2 weeks later his clock was perfect.  His speech had improved, his coordination had improved he even had more energy and a more positive attitude... absolutely amazing for such a short space of time.  Dr. Newport even documented her husband's progress in her book Alzheimer's Disease - What if there was a cure?

What is known is that Professor Kieran Clarke Ph.D of Oxford University (UK), and her team have created a Ketone Ester that is 10 times more powerful than pure coconut oil and could be a wonder remedy.  Sadly, it all comes back to money... they need millions of pounds to mass produce it and it wouldn't be a profitable business for the investors.  This is sad when you consider that by the year 2050 there will be 15.000.000 people in the United States alone with Alzheimer's Disease.  Maybe it's time to stop looking at profits and start thinking about reducing the burden on the State produced by 15.000.000 people suffering from Alzheimer's Disease.

You can watch the CBN News report here: http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=ZZOR-Qd3QSg it only takes 5 minutes and may change your life.

As far as Pure Coconut Oil is concerned here are some helpful tips:

Coconut oil can be substituted for any solid or liquid oil, lard, or butter in stove top cooking o baking.  It can be mixed directly into previously prepared dishes.  Some people like to take a spoonful straight up, but this can be disagreeable for some people so mixing it with something else is more palatable.

Coconut oil used to have a bad name as it was considered to raise cholesterol levels... that was before scientists discovered that there are two types of cholesterol; LDL or bad cholesterol and HDL which is the good cholesterol that protects the heart.  Coconut oil has been found to raise the HDL marker and therefore protects the heart.  Coconut oil has also been found to contain small amounts of phytosterols which are one of the components of "statins" used for lowering cholesterol.

It is important to use PURE coconut oil, you must make sure it is non-hydrogenated with no transfat.  Coconut oil that are hydrogenated or have been super heated because it changes the chemical structure of the fats.  You must look for products called "virgin", "organic" or "unrefined".

Coconut milk is a combination of the oil and the water from the coconut and most of the calories are from the oil. Coconut cream is mostly coconut milk and sometimes has sugar added.  Grated or flaked coconut can be purchased unsweetened or sweetened and is a good source of fiber and coconut oil and contains about 15 grams of oil and 3 grams of fiber per 1/4 cup.  However, canned or frozen coconut meat normally contains a lot of added sugar and not much oil per serving.  A fresh coconut can be cut up into pieces and eaten fresh.  A 2x2 inch piece has about 160 calories and contains 15 grams of oil and 4 grams of fiber.  Coconut water does not contain coconut oil usually, but does provide other health benefits.  Its electrolyte composition is similar to that of human plasma and is useful in the prevention or treatment of dehydration.

Incorporation of pure coconut oil into the diet is beneficial to those people who have a neurodegenerative disease that involves decreased glucose uptake in neurons such as Alzheimer's Disease and other Dementias, Parkinson's, ALS, Multiple Sclerosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, autism, Down's syndrome, and Huntington's chorea.

Ketones are also an alternative fuel for other cells in the body that are resistant to insulin or cannot transport glucose, they could also potentially lessen the effects of diabetes I and II on the brain and other organs.

Incorporating pure coconut oil into the diet should be done slowly, too much too soon could produce indigestion, cramping or diarrhea.  Start by taking 1 teaspoon of oil with food per meal, increasing gradually, as tolerated, over a week or longer to 4-6 tablespoons a day spread between 2-4 meals.

However, if you have a weight problem or you gain weight easily then you must be careful, as with any fat.  You can substitute your usual oils for pure coconut oil but if that isn't enough then you should cut back on the amount of carbohydrates you are consuming.  You can also cut back from full fat milk to skimmed milk inorder to balance out the amount of fats you are ingesting.

Remember most of the cells in the body are regenerated within 3-6 months so any damage you may have sustained from consuming trans fats in vegetable oils, could be improved and after that time you may notice an improvement in your skin and a decrease in certain problems such as yeast and fungal infections.

For more information go to: www.coconutketones.com