Coconut Oil

[Guest guest]

I'm also a fan of coconutoil-online " Coconut Oil Supreme " coconut oil

and use it for all food uses. I also recommend Parachute brand from

India, widely available in Indian food stores and also widely used as

a cosmetic according to my Indian friends. The Parachute brand comes

in a " convenient " plastic dispenser. That is, convenient if you live

in the tropics! However, I like to place the container in the shower

or bath to melt a little of it so that when I'm done

showering/bathing I rub the melted oil on scars, cellulite, dab a

little inside my nose and ears, and dab a little on the ends of my

wet hair. The Parachute brand tends to be less expensive than other

brands and is convenient for me to buy locally since there are Indian

grocery stores all over the San Francisco Bay Area. I take it to the

gym both for the cosmetic uses and to " drink " a little after my

workout.

I'm sorry to be so lazy as to rely on plastic containers! I reuse

them for all sorts of purposes but don't heat them anymore than the

temperature of my hot tap water. Maybe someday U.S. agribusiness will

start putting all that crappy vegetable oil to good use again and

make plastics out of it instead of trying to pass it off as food.

Whereas Coconut Oil Supreme has a very " clean " taste, the Parachute

brand has a slightly toasted taste, much like Kokonut Pacific brand.

Both tastes are pleasant but the Coconut Oil Supreme claims to be

higher in vitamin E and antioxidants. Given the minimal processing,

that's probably true. The Coconut Oil Supreme flavor goes better with

more recipes as well, doesn't overwhelm fried eggs or sauteed

vegetables for example.

This link has a good comparison of the different manufacturing

methods and flavors. They also sell Coconut Oil Supreme and Kokonut

Pacific:

http://www.wildernessfamilynaturals.com/mall/indian_virgin_coconut_oil

..asp

I like to pour Coconut Oil Supreme into an ice cube tray, freeze it,

pop out the cubes, and keep them in a container at bedside in order

to take one first thing in the morning, or if I start sneezing at

night (calms mucous membranes).

Either brand, of course, is suitable for suppository uses and highly

effective.

For dandruff, mix liquid coconut oil with neem leaves (also available

in Indian stores), apply to scalp, leave on a half-hour and then wash

off.

Tropical Traditions does have some very nice lotion and cream that I

recommend. Whereas straight coconut oil does tend to clog pores of

some people, that isn't the case with their lavender/coconut oil

lotion. The company also does a tremendous service with their

discussion group and links--albeit the discussion group is somewhat

censored (About 30% of my posts just didn't make it on so I stopped

making the effort--an explanation would have been nice). I also wish

they would ferment their product a little less or consider a

different method. Considering that I'm a big fan of fermented

vegetables, beet kvass, and kombucha, I would like to be able to

enjoy fermented coconut oil but I don't. For all I know it has

special properties. Goodness knows deserves the business. It's

fine for most cooking in any case, particularly if you use a lot of

spices anyway.

in Berkeley