The Beauty and Health Benefits of Coconut Oil
A new book dedicated to all of coconut’s amazing uses. (Photo: Meredith Baird)
You’ve heard pretty much everyone from makeup artists to top chefs extoll the benefits of coconut. It’s full of vitamins plus its oil is ultra-moisturizing and anti-bacterial — and that’s just the beginning. But, between coconut water, coconut oil, coconut vinegar, et al, it can be confusing to figure out the best way to get your daily dose of the super ingredient.
Luckily, there’s now an entire book dedicated to just that. Filled with recipes for everything from coconut ceviche to coconut eye cream, Meredith Baird’s Coconut Kitchen is a holistic guide to using coconut in all parts of your life. “The coconut is such an amazing ingredient,” says Baird. “I view it as a bit of natural magic because it’s got so many health benefits, but it tastes amazing too. You really can use it for everything.”
Skincare
Though Coconut Kitchen is primarily a cookbook, Baird dedicated a section to her favorite ingredient’s topical benefits. “One of my favorite ways to use coconut oil is as a makeup remover,” says Baird. “I used to use face wash, toner and moisturizer, but now I can just wash my face with coconut oil and it removes eye makeup and everything.” Some days, she uses a Clarisonic with her oil for an extra deep clean. “My skin feels so soft afterwards,” she says. Got oily or acne-prone skin? Baird says that because of its strong anti-bacterial properties, coconut oil is actually perfect for acne-prevention. “It removes the bacteria and dirt that clogs pores. And it evens your skin tone too,” she adds.
Her book features DIY recipes for everything from coconut shampoo to coconut foot balm. Now, inspired by her creations, she’s got a line of coconut-based skincare products in the works.
A recipe for coconut ceviche. (Photo: Meredith Baird)
Food
Trained as a raw chef, Baird says that consuming coconut is just as important for glowing skin as slathering it on, which is why most of her book is dedicated to creative recipes for serving up the beauty super food. “I think some of the most powerful things in the book are the fermented recipes, like the kefir and the yogurt,” says Baird. “You get all the benefits of coconut as a healthy fat, plus the probiotics from fermentation. It’s amazing for the entire body.”
Another way she likes to work coconut into her daily diet is to add a spoonful of coconut oil and a dash of coconut milk to her morning coffee. As she explains it, the added fat and nutrients help to dilute the adrenal-exhausting side effects of coffee and make it taste better too.
And though it may seem counter-intuitive, adding all this calorie-rich, high-fat coconut to your diet may actually be the key to helping you stay slim and healthy. “It boosts your metabolism and tones down your cravings,” explains Baird. “Plus, it regulates your hormones and keeps you feeling full and satisfied for longer.” If you’re not a coffee drinker, she recommends starting your day with some coconut oil on sliced apples of sprouted grain toast. She swears it tastes just like butter.
All this super fruit talk got you craving a coconut fix? Read on for a few of Baird’s favorite recipes:
Mango Lassi with Turmeric, Rose and Cardamom
½ cup coconut yogurt
2 cups coconut water
½ diced mango, fresh or frozen
1 teaspoon turmeric powder or 1 tablespoon turmeric juice
Pinch of cardamom
Pinch of sea salt
1 tablespoon raw honey or coconut nectar (optional)
1 tablespoon Royal Sense Bulgarian Rose Water (optional)
Combine all ingredients in a blender until smooth and creamy. Makes 1-2 servings.
Coconut Ceviche with Tomatillo, Lime and Cilantro
2 cups young coconut meat, or 1 bag Exotic Superfoods young coconut meat, thinly sliced in 2-inch long strips
½ cucumber, deseeded and diced
1 cup quartered tomatillos, or 1 cup quartered cherry tomatoes
½ cup town cilantro leaves
½ jalapeno, deseeded and diced (use more or less depending on your heat tolerance)
Juice of 2 limes
½ cup coconut water
1 tablespoon olive oil
Sea salt to taste
1 avocado, diced (optional)
Stir together all ingredients. Allow mixture to marinate for at least 30 minutes and then serve.
Makes 2-4 servings.
Coconut and Honey Body Scrub
1 cup coconut sugar
½ cup coconut oil
2 tablespoons honey
A few drops of the essential oil of your choice (Rose is an excellent choice here because it compliments the moisturizing and anti-aging effects of the sugar.)
Mix all ingredients together. Use only a few tablespoons at a time. Make sure to keep the mixture away from water or the sugar will dissolve before it can be used. Use this three to four times a week or as often as preferred. Makes enough for approximately two weeks of use.
Related:
10 Life-Changing New Ways to Use Coconut Oil
