Organic Coconut Oil: What to Do with it?

Hopefully you read all about my post on the Health Benefits of Coconut Oil last week. And if you didn't, give it a gander before you read on. I want you to

Hopefully you read all about my post on the Health Benefits of Coconut Oil last week. And if you didn’t, give it a gander before you read on. I want you to be joyous when using this amazing food with incredible health benefits and I do find that being knowledgeable about what you are eating makes it all the more motivating to eat healthy food. Here are my fave uses for it:

Cooking, roasting, searing, sauteing anything you like! Coco oil is the perfect choice because it has a very high smoke point. In fact, I’ve never burned it. This is especially important because you don’t want to use oils such as olive or sunflower, as they turn rancid and create free radicals when used at a high temperature – this is damaging to your cells. If you are going to use these oils, then use at a VERY LOW temp. Personally, I only use those oils for salad dressing.

Body Moisturizer. Want to smell like a beach? I know I do, especially when it’s so cold in Toronto, Canada. I slather it on my legs after shaving and whenever I want an extra glow on my body. I don’t use it on my face, but many people do. Just use caution because it’s incredibly moisturizing and may be a bit too much for your beautiful face.

Coco up your smoothie. Some people may find it gets chunky, but if you put your smoothie on high power and the coco oil is soft like room temp butter, then it should combine well. Use about 1 heaping spoonful to get the benefits.

Love-Lube. I won’t get into details here 🙂 But I will tell you that the ingredients in most store-bought lubes are NOT something you want to be putting on your lady-parts or man-parts.

Luscious lockes. I loooooove using coco oil on the ends of my hair, especially in the winter when it gets dry – it keeps the frizzies away quite nicely. And it makes you smell very delicious. It is extremely nourishing for dry brittle hair and wonderful massaged into the scalp to prevent dryness. Many people have dry flaky scalp in the winter from taking long hot showers and it’s not dandruff, it’s simply that your scalp needs some moisture!

Spread it, slather it on toast or pancakes instead of butter. If you follow my tweets, then you know I often eat homemade pancakes and oh do I slather them with raw coco flesh. My fave brand for just this is by Artisana.

If you have another use for coconut oil, please do comment below and share!

Have a joyous day!

43 thoughts on “Organic Coconut Oil: What to Do with it?”

  1. Tweets that mention Organic Coconut Oil: What to Do with it? | joyoushealth.ca -- Topsy.com

    […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Lisa Borden, Joy McCarthy, moniqueboblin, hcgxtreme1, Douglas McNish and others. Douglas McNish said: RT @LisaBorden: It's the best multi-tasker around! RT @joyoushealth: 6 uses for coco oil from lube to luscious lockes: http://ow.ly/3PlzA […]

  2. Is it better to use extra virgin coconut oil, verses just virgin, or regular?
    And does it matter what type you use in different applications? (i.e. is it better to cook with extra virgin, but better to moisturize with regular coconut oil)

  3. Joy McCarthy

    There is no such thing as “extra-virgin” coconut oil, it’s not like the first pressing of olives where you get the virgin oil. One company labelled there coco oil as “extra-virgin” so then many companies felt they had to do the same thing as the EV seemed more premium. As for moisturizing, the oil is best… not the raw coco flesh (pictured in my blog).

  4. Marie-Sophie

    I like to use it in baking as well – actually when using your recipes, Joy 🙂 (chocolate chip cookies, healthy muffins…). And yes, I put it on my face at night, works wonders!

  5. Hi Joy,

    Where can I find Artisana coconut butter in Toronto?
    Do you recommend using coconut oil or coconut butter for hair?

    Thanks.

  6. I love coconut oil and use it for everything! I’ve used it for most of the things you mentioned (I do use it on my face and love it- it helps with eczema and break outs, and is so moisturizing…can only use it once a day though). I’ve also heard that people use it as a deodorant, although I’ve never tried this.

  7. I just bought coconut oil at a grocery store, and there is no coconut smell. In fact it doesn’t have any odour. I was looking forward to the smell of coconut. Is it ok to consume, use as a moisturizer…Should I return it

  8. Joy McCarthy

    Oh really? Well it smells lovely, but not sure that I would be putting it on my armpits ha! But if it works, let me know 🙂

  9. Joy McCarthy

    Any health food store will have it. Essence of Life, Noah’s, Whole Foods.

  10. Sweet Smoothie Recipe & 2 Fresh Juice Recipes | joyoushealth.ca

    […] you’ve read my last 2 posts, you may have noticed I’ve been having a bit of a writing love affair with coco oil. I do hope my posts have inspired you to pick up a jar of coco oil because there are so many ways to […]

  11. Thanks for your reply…The brand is Omega Nutrition (16oz black container), it expires Jan 2014.

    I’m sure it’s fine, but again I was hoping to enjoy the smell of coconut!

  12. Joy McCarthy

    Oh yes, I know that one… I use it for sauteing sometimes if I don’t want my food to taste like coco. The fact it has less coco smells tells me it is more processed. But if your goal is to cook with a fat that doesn’t turn rancid when heated, then it’s a good choice. If however, you are looking for a more pure nutrient dense coco oil then I suggest the brands I have pictured in my posts – they both smell delicious!

  13. you should try Edro virgin coconut oil, its high quality food grade….
    Ive seen ppl talking about it on red flag deals

    found at
    ” No Frills @ Markham and steels.
    price chopper @ warden and finch
    Fresh CO @ Markham and Lawrence
    usually 4.99 – 5.99 in the ethnic section”

  14. Hi Joy, I love your blog – please keep writing! One question – is there a particular brand of coconut oil that you would suggest for hair moisturizing?

    Thanks!
    Juliana

  15. Raspberry Chocolate Smoothie Recipe | Blog 889 Yonge

    […] been having a bit of a writing and eating love affair with coco oil. I do hope my posts have inspired you to pick up a jar of coco oil because there are so many ways to […]

  16. I’ve been using the same brand as you, the oil, not the butter for a few months now and love it! I use it pretty much in any recipe where it calls for butter or shortening. I love it to saute squash, as it gives a really nice flavor and same for adding to rice. My favorite though is adding melted oil to popcorn – Yum!! I use it on toast all the time, especially kamut – nice combo!

  17. I’ve had coconut oil in my cupboards for a little while, but stopped using it in my baking because I found it solidified into chunks in the batter. How can I correct this? And i’m super excited to try using it in all these other ways!

  18. Hi Joy!

    I’m glad I came across your post as I have been recently discovering all the wonderful uses for coconut oil – and I plan to try using it on my hair this week. It is also great for oil-pulling.

  19. I use it on my legs for shaving cream! It works so well and my legs smell awesome. It’s also great if you need to do this on the go (it happens!) because you don’t have to use water, you won’t get cut. And it washes out of the razor no prob. That’s my little ocntribution — love this list! I was feeling self-conscious about how quickly my coconut oil disappears, but it’s just good for so many things. Awesome staple.

  20. Joy McCarthy

    What a great suggestion! Thanks so much Emily. I never thought about using it for shaving. I’m definitely going to try that out in the winter because my legs get very dry living in a high rise condo!

  21. Angel Mesquita

    I use coconut oil as a nose rub for a cold, especially for my kids. I also use it to rub onto the back for the same ailment-Very effective in opening-up blocked noses.
    Coconut oil is easily prepared in our homes since Goa(india) is best suited for coconut trees. We sun dry the coconuts & extract oil in our local mill.

  22. Joy McCarthy

    Meaning… “gone bad/off”. Is my English off? Please feel free to correct me 🙂

  23. I too love coconut oil. I put it in my oatmeal every day and use it on my face and for cooking. I have read that it is very good for dementia as well. So bring it on.

  24. Tracey fuller

    Hi Joy, I wondered if you do ‘Oil Pulling’. I’ve heard it’s very beneficial, especially with coconut oil. I’m trying to find a source of coconut oil at the moment.
    Trace
    ps I love your website and have found it a great source of information and inspiration, thank you.

  25. Joy McCarthy

    Hi Tracey! I don’t personally do it because it’s a texture thing for me… it grosses me out! However, that doesn’t mean I’m against it. You should try Skinny Coconut Oil. It’s super yummy. Thanks for visiting my site!

  26. Can you still use it as lube with condoms? I think I read somewhere not to use oil-based lubrication with condoms and if that’s the case, what kind of natural lube can you use?

  27. Hi Joy,
    Just wondering if there is anywhere to buy Skinny coconut oil in Ontario?
    Thanks!

  28. Hi Joy!

    Thanks so much for sharing all this great information on coconut oil! I have the Artisan coconut butter at home and I find its really hard to use as it’s very solid and hard to spread or scoop for recipes. Is that a normal texture for the coconut butter? Do you have any tips for ease of use? Thank you!!

  29. Kate McDonald Walker

    Hi Ann,

    I find that my coconut products are really affected by the temperature in my kitchen. In the colder months, I tend to keep coconut oil and coconut butter in the warmest part of the kitchen, which keeps it a little softer. I also sometimes put the jar in a pan of warm water to soften it up a bit.

    Kate – Joyous Health Team

  30. Kate McDonald Walker

    It’s one of our favourite oils to cook with!

    Kate – Joyous Health Team

  31. Using coconut oil for skin is an all-natural way to eliminate many of the toxic ingredients that are found on drugstore shelves. Here is how to use coconut oil naturally and what the health benefits of it. Read More.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Welcome to thoughtful, organic beauty

Hello Joyous is an organic, plant-based, sustainable beauty brand here to bring more joy to your day.