I just can't get enough!!

I am finding more and more info on Coconut oil.  I'm replacing all of my oils with Coconut oil and Olive oil (although, I'm favoring the coconut oil).  Found this on Nutiva's website :


Coconut oil is about 50 percent lauric acid, a rare medium-chain fatty acid found in mother's milk that supports healthy metabolism and is now being studied for its anti-fungal, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial health-protecting properties. Overall, coconut oil contains 92% saturated fats, and only 1% Omega-6, the fat Americans get way too much of.


Now, why wouldn't I use this stuff?!


My favorite info on coconut oil...


In the 1940s, farmers tried dishing up coconut oil to fatten their animals but instead discovered that it made them lean and more active. Those who use coconut oil consistently for several weeks often report an increase in energy, better sleep patterns, an improved sense of well-being, and weight loss a low-carb diet is important to follow, but adding coconut oil has made the difference in the weight coming off and staying off.

Why Is Coconut Oil Effective? Simply explained, most oils from animal and vegetable sources are composed primarily of long chain fatty acids (LCFAs), whereas coconut oil contains medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs). This means that the fatty acids in coconut oil are not packaged into lipoproteins and do not circulate in the bloodstream like other fats, but instead are sent directly to the liver where they are immediately burned up and converted into energy. It¹s like adding kindling to a fire, rather than a big, damp log.

Coconut oil yields fewer calories than any other oil because of the MCFAs, unlike the LCFAs in vegetable oils, which tend to get stored as fat. MCFAs actually speed up metabolism so we can more efficiently burn the calories we eat.

Coconut oil is also shown to enhance thyroid function. This in turn stimulates the conversion of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol into the anti-aging hormones pregneonolone, progesterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). These valuable hormones not only aid in weight management, but also in preventing heart disease, senility, and other degenerative diseases. It is believed that coconut oil helps convert thyroid hormone T3 to T4, a big bonus for the thousands of people who have sluggish thyroid function that causes weight gain and inhibits weight loss.

More on Magnesium

This is from http://www.ctds.info/magdiet.html...


While too much fat in the diet can be unhealthy, eating at least some fat along with your meals may help improve nutrient absorption. In a 2004 study published in theAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers reported that, "Essentially no absorption of carotenoids was observed when salads with fat-free salad dressing were consumed. A substantially greater absorption of carotenoids was observed when salads were consumed with full-fat than with reduced-fat salad dressing."¹ If you are trying to lose weight but are low in magnesium, you may be better off cutting down on calories and especially high glycemic, empty calorie foods like white bread, cake and cookies rather than fat. I developed many of my major Mg deficiency symptoms (twitches, fibromyalgia, muscle cramps, etc.) as an adult when went on a low fat diet to lose weight, though at the time I didn't realize that a lack of fat may have been a factor.


Check it out, you'll be impressed with all that magnesium does for our bodies!! I am finding more and more benefits of beans in my diet the more I study nutrition!!

Craving Chocolate??

Try Magnesium!  From what I understand, thus far, my chocolate cravings may be an indication of a magnesium deficiency.  Who knew?! I crave chocolate when I'm tired, or when I'm coming up on my cycle, or just because.


So magnesium capsules are better than the tablets (seems to be the case with most vitamins); but you can also get more magnesium in your diet from the foods you eat.  Foods containing the highest levels of magnesium are dark green, leafy vegetables such as spinach and even broccoli. Some more good sources are:

* Fruits or vegetables (such as bananas, dried apricots, and avocados)

* Nuts (such as almonds and cashews)
* Peas and beans (legumes), seeds

* Soy products (such as soy flour and tofu)

* Whole grains (such as brown rice and millet)

This info comes from the website http://magnesiumrichfoods.com/. They break down the exact amounts found in each food, as stated by the USDA, on their website.  

Increasing magnesium can help with muscle twitching and pain, constipation, and tiredness.  Magnesium is also required for the body to digest calcium.   I've found that magnesium also helps me rest better and fall asleep better at night.  Try it, see if it works for you!

Stuffed up?

I love my neti pot! It sounds gross at first, but it feels so good! I have been getting chronic stuffiness, lately and I was using nasal sprays and sudafed daily and needed something better. A friend recommended this and then I saw it on Oprah. It literally rinses out your nose and sinuses.

I mix up a solution of 1/4 teaspoon salt (not iodized), about 1/8 teaspoon baking soda, and 8oz warm water in my neti pot; and pour it into one nostril until the water runs clear out of the other nostril. Repeat on the other side. For my baby, I mix up the solution and use a bulb syringe (in the bath works best) and gently squeeze the saline solution up one nostril until it runs clear out of the other nostril. I then repeat for the other side. He is able to get better faster since we rinse out the mucus and junk that makes him ill. It washes out histamines also!! Try it. I bought this model pictured below for myself at Walmart. It came with packets of the salt and baking soda mixture. Mix the packet with warm water. Use WARM not cold water!

NasaFlo® Neti Pot helps alleviate … • Nasal Allergies & Dryness • Sinusitis, Rhinitis • Allergic Asthma • Post Nasal Drip • Sinus Pressure & Nasal Stuffiness • Nasal Symptoms from Flu & Cold • Nasal Irritation from Occupational Dust, Fumes, Animal Dander, Grass, Pollen, Smoke, & House Dust • Nasal Congestion

FYI: Keep a little container of the salt and baking soda mixture in your bathroom. This makes it easy to mix it up. Also, doing this in the shower makes it less messy. :)

Training for a Half-Marathon

I don't know which one, but I'm training for a half-marathon! I am going to walk it, I have no desire to run it. I love to walk and I know I can do this! It may not seem like much, but I walked 2.02 miles on Saturday and then 4.4 miles yesterday! It's a slow start, but I'm on my way!!

I LOVE RECIPES!!

I absolutely love trying new recipes, especially ones that people have perfected! I just downloaded these ebooks and can't wait to try them out!! Click here Recipe Lion. Let me know what you think, and which ones are your favorites!