Coconut Oil - Anita??

Seeing Anita's use of coconut oil in the Accountability thread got me thinking about giving it a try to see if it helps my metabolism.  Totally forgot that I have an unopened jar of the stuff in the back of the cupboard that is probably 2 years old.  Think it is any good....can coconut oil go rancid like other oils & nuts?   Or should I just go out and buy some new stuff instead?

Open the jar and smell it....It should smell like fresh raw coconut...It doesn't go rancid near as fast as other oils but it does if you don't use it ! If it has a nice pleasant smell...try it!  I haven't had to use thyroid meds in two years!  If it smells rancid ...try a new jar.   I use a jar a year!   Have you read up on it at all?  It does what it promises...at least it does for me!  Makes a GREAT rub for dry feet or hands too ...If you add an essential oil (that is good for skin) like lavender it smells amazing as a lotion for problem areas.  It gets absorbed really nicely!  (A little greasy at first then it gets absorbed!) I'm really hoping it's helping me absorb my iron and vitamins. Time will tell!  It leaves a little tickle in my throat sometimes...but I love chewing my vitamins with a 1/2 tsp...makes it creamy.  I love making whole grain pancakes with it as a frying oil...gives it a nice (secret ingredient taste) Then you need no butter on top.  I used it this weekend to make the most amazing banana nut muffins for company!  (replaced regular oil for the coconut) They were quite a hit!  It doesn't taste good with italian food...You know like frying up garlic in coconut oil is just a weird flavor that I just don't like...But I made a ginger soy dish that the coconut was perfect as the stir-fry oil.   You have to experiment. It's a GOOD fat.  But remember it does still have calories...Even though the fat is burned really fast in your body....Calories are still calories!  I'm still trying to figure it all out myself!  LOL  All I know is that I have used the oil for 5 years...I have consumed 4-5 jars and have not gained weight from it and my thyroid shows in the mid normal range since I have been using it...where before I was taking levo-thyroxine for hypothyroidism!  I can't say it will work for everyone...but it sure makes a difference in me as far as I am concerned! I would never tell anyone to not take their meds. Please do not do that. I did this all by accident when I for my meds while on vacation.  When I got back, I had labs and they were low but in the normal range...so I when the doc didn't notice..she didn't renew my prescription.  6 months later... I was well into the normal range on only the oil and never went back to my meds...But I am also in trouble now for NOT taking my vitamins and supplements everyday too...so please don't do that. I just had to say that and be clear. No one should take risks unless supervised by a doctor. And that I am not!!!!!!  Lemme know what you think of the stuff! I love it.

Whoa, Mary Ellen you look awesome lady, it was definitely time to change the avator.

Thanks Dana!! The original avatar picture was taken when I was about 6 months postop....definitely needed to be updated!

Mary Ellen, I got to thinking about your post here..and i really need to specify something important...I use VIRGIN coconut oil...It is not processed in any way. It is pressed from dried coconut meat and is in it's purest form... Just like flour...there is a bad coconut oil and a good one. The one I use, I have been ordering online for years from Tropical Traditions...I use the Gold Label because it has the most benefits...It's a little pricy...but it lasts a long time and the benefits I seem to have gotten from it are awesome.  They send neat samples sometimes too. I've gotten coconut lip balm with tea tree oil...and coconut lotions with lavender...The oil is so delicious smelling and tasting. http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/virgin_coconut_oil.htm Here is another article when they ran an analysis on this specific brand of virgin coconut oil. It's very important to make sure it is virgin....or all you are getting is another potentially highsaturated fat with no really good benefits! If you have a refined or processed coconut oil...Use it as a lotion or hair treatment!  Seriously!  It's still good for those types of things! Just don't eat it! LOL http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/49145.php

Thanks Anita!!! Yes, what I have is the virgin coconut oil and it came from Tropical Traditions.  It smells okay so I tasted a little bit....seems fine, although I didn't have anything to compare the taste to.  I want to start taking 1/2 tsp everyday to see if it revs up my metabolism.  I was also interested in how well it will work to replace canola/vegetable oil or shortening in baking recipes.  I read somewhere (can't remember where) that someone posted it did really well replacing shortening in pie crust and it seemed to help preserve the baked goods a little bit longer.