Almond Coconut Pancakes Recipe

Posted on December 12, 2014 by gree8956

I took my very favorite pancakes and re-invented it into this delicious healthy almond coconut pancakes recipe. The results are scrumptious!

These are a great way to sneak nutritious ingredients into breakfast for picky kiddos. I now make the dry portion in bulk for my own super fast homemade baking mix for mornings when we are in a rush.

Ingredients for Almond Coconut Pancakes

3/4 cup coconut milk
2 tbsp organic champagne or white wine vinegar
1/2 cup organic spelt flour or whole wheat flour
1/2 cup ground almond meal
2 tbsp organic cane juice
1 tsp aluminum free baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp himalayan pink sea salt
1 egg
2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
coconut oil for the pan
oats – optional, for thickening
toasted coconut – optional, for sprinkling

Almond Coconut Pancakes Recipe Instructions

Combine milk with vinegar in a medium bowl and set aside for 5 minutes to “sour”.
Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
Whisk egg and melted coconut oil into “soured” milk with a fork. (TIP: if you whisk the egg and warm coconut oil together first and then slowly whisk in the soured milk, the coconut oil will not clump and your liquid mixture will be smooth.)
Pour the flour mixture into the wet ingredients and whisk until lumps are gone.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat, and coat with coconut oil. Pour 1/4 cupfuls of batter onto the skillet. Sprinkle oats on top of the batter side of the pancake for extra thick and fluffy pancakes. (This REALLY works! It’s kind of amazing!)
Cook until bubbles appear on the surface. Flip with a spatula, and cook until browned on the other side.
Serve with organic maple syrup or with plain yogurt and fresh berries. Or both if it suits your fancy. Sprinkle toasted coconut on the top. Yum! 🙂

I learned the trick of adding dry oats to the bottom of pancakes from my great aunt when I was a kid. It never fails to make your pancakes EXTRA fluffy!

#10 – Coconut Oil Health Supplement {10 Easy Ways to Use Coconut Oil}

Posted on August 8, 2014 by gree8956

You may not believe this, but a coconut oil health supplement is a powerhouse of nutrition! The benefits of coconut oil are so plentiful that it’s worth incorporating this wonderful nutrition boost into your diet.

Benefits of A Coconut Oil Health Supplement

Coconut oil is a medium chain fatty acid and provides your body with the healthy and beneficial kind of fat that you need. This kind of fat turns to energy quickly and doesn’t settle in your body as stored fat. A coconut oil health supplement helps aid the body with important functions such as digestion, weight loss, and also helps to really beef up the immune system. The lauric acid found in coconut oil helps to increase the body’s immunity agains viral and bacterial infections. It also helps fight damage from free radicals and gives you a natural energy boost.

How To Use a Coconut Oil Health Supplement

The great news is, taking a coconut oil health supplement is super easy on your wallet and on your palette! A jar of high quality cold-pressed, extra virgin coconut oil should run you between $6-10. There are several ways to add a coconut oil health supplement to your diet. The first is to buy pills filled with coconut oil. If you go this route, make sure to get one that is pure and unadulterated, with no fillers. I will say, however, that it’s cheaper to make your own at home with empty gelatin capsules, such as this GMO-free brand.

Another quick and convenient option is to just take about 1tsp-1tbsp per day by spoon. I do this with my kids and they love it! If you can handle this, you can also add 1 tbsp chia seed to the coconut oil for all day long energy.

However, if a spoonful of coconut oil just isn’t your cup of tea (or oil) ;), then you can drizzle it over salads, quiches, spread it on toast or sandwich bread, or melt it in a bowl of soup. Or my personal favorite…a teaspoon in your morning coffee. You’d be amazed at how good this tastes considering the fact that it sounds abhorrent! It’s actually quite delicious and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how good it tastes and by the bump in energy you experience on days that you ingest it early in the day.

Learn More about Coconut Oil Health Supplements

If you’re fascinated, as I am, about all of the many benefits of coconut oil as a health supplement, then I highly recommend you pick up a copy of this terrific book, “The Coconut Oil Miracle“, by Bruce Fife. I’ll be reviewing it in detail on here at a later date, but it’s worth owning a copy. The health benefits I’ve highlighted in this blog post are merely the tip of the iceberg on reasons why a coconut oil health supplement is so beneficial.

#7 – Coconut Oil Lotion {10 Easy Ways to Use Coconut Oil}

Posted on July 26, 2014 by gree8956

Sometimes the simplest things in life are the most effective, such as using coconut oil lotion for intense skin benefits. Did you know that coconut oil makes a really lovely stand in for regular lotion and in fact has WAY more benefits?

Benefits of Using Coconut Oil Lotion…There are SO many, but here are a few:

Antiviral – Yes! Coconut oil eliminates or inhibits growth of viruses
Exfoliates – Coconut oil is a natural exfoliant for your skin. It works by removing dead skin cells.
Moisturizes – Coconut oil moisturizes skin by absorbing deeply into the skin. It provides healing moisture, not just a superficial coating.
Anti-aging – Again, you read that correctly! Coconut oil DOES help with wrinkles due to its vitamin E content. I am here to tell you that I’ve noticed a difference in my 30-something self after using coconut oil lotion over the past couple years.
Baby soft skin – Using coconut oil lotion results in baby soft skin. It’s awesome!
Sunscreen – Coconut oil has an SPF of 4 naturally and makes a great light layer of sunscreen for short outings. I’ve used it on myself and my kids all summer. We’ve used it anytime we’ve been outside (even swimming) for less than an hour and a half and we’ve had fantastic results. No burns, gorgeous tans all around!
Healing – Coconut oil heals the skin and is known for its many restorative properties.
Babies – This is a great alternative to baby lotion after a baby’s bath time and massages easily into the skin.

Here are My Two Favorite Brands of Coconut Oil for Lotion

As when using coconut oil for anything, you want to find one that you’d be willing to eat. Extra-virgin and organic is the way to go when shopping for coconut oil. Here are my 2 faves:

Using Coconut Oil for Radiant Skin

This is a really fun tip! Spread a thin layer of coconut oil on your legs, arms, and chest in the summertime and you’ll notice a very subtle, but beautiful glow on your skin. Make sure to give it a little time to absorb into your skin…10 minutes should do the trick and you’ll soon have radiant, healthy looking skin.

#6 – Coconut Oil Personal Lubricant {10 Easy Ways to Use Coconut Oil}

Posted on April 9, 2014 by gree8956

A coconut oil personal lubricant…are you rubbing your eyes and wondering if you read that right?

Yep, I said it…you can use coconut oil as a personal lubricant in place of all those (really gross and really synthetic) bottled options you normally find in the “family planning” section of your local pharmacy. Let’s just say, that the scent and the texture are both a whole lot more pleasant! Coconut oil also has a much reduced gross out factor than the conventional options we’ve always heard were bedroom necessities. I’m pleased to tell you folks…those old guys are a way of the past!

Enter coconut oil as a personal lube….it’s cheaper and it smells better. Plus…it’s not going to harm you, cause skin irritation, and it can double as a massage oil. It’s also not going to get all sticky and gooky on you either, but it does the job nicely.

Another benefit of using coconut oil as a non-toxic lubricant is that if you’re trying to get pregnant, it does not inhibit things from “happening” shall we say. Some conventional lubricants can inhibit conception by changing the PH balance in those essential “areas” and some can actually be toxic to the sperm or inhibit the travel of sperm to it’s goal. So if you’re in baby-making mode, toss out those old bottles and go au natural instead. (Side note: olive oil will also work, but coconut oil is easier to apply if it’s in a solid state.)

So yes…you can use coconut oil as a personal lubricant. I don’t really need to give you directions, right?

You can use scented or unscented, depending on your fancy.

Important Tip on Using Coconut Oil Personal Lubricant

Keep coconut oil designated for this “special” purpose in a separate container from the coconut oil you use for everything else! You really don’t want this to get mixed up with coconut oil you use as a lip balm (yuck) or night cream, do you? 🙂

You can repurpose old squeeze bottles if your coconut oil remains liquid at room temp in your climate. If not, a wide mouth glass jar is ideal to keep on hand for when you and your partner are feeling a bit randy!

#2 – Coconut Oil Deodorant…it Really Works! {10 Easy Ways to Use Coconut Oil}

Posted on April 2, 2014 by gree8956

Coconut oil deodorant?!? Yes, you did read it correctly…you can use coconut oil in place of deodorant! I’ve heard mixed results about this, but it’s been working for me for about 7 months now. Summer’s fast approaching, so I’ll update this at some point and let you know if I’m able to use my coconut oil deodorant during the summer with the same great results or not.

How to Use Coconut Oil Deodorant

For women, I recommend making sure armpits are clean and well-shaved.
Then apply a liberal, but thin layer of coconut oil, just as you would regular deodorant – but rub it in a little more. It absorbs into the skin quickly if rubbed in, but takes longer if you don’t rub it in. I find it easiest to apply when the coconut oil is at a solid state.
To be safe, give yourself time for those pits to dry before putting your shirt on to avoid an oil stain…maybe 5-10 minutes. (I tend to be impatient and usually wait 1-2 minutes and have not had a problem with staining.)

Tips on Natural Coconut Oil Deodorant

Please, please, please keep the coconut oil you designate for deodorant separate from the coconut oil you use for cooking! 🙂 Need I say more?
As with any product, never put something on your body that you wouldn’t eat. So opt for high quality, organic coconut oil, like Omega.
You can get great little glass jars like this one, on Amazon or repurpose an old glass jar of some sort for your deodorant. If you’re adding essential oils, make sure to use a dark colored glass jar to keep the integrity of the essential oils.
Add essential oils for extra odor protection or for a lovely smell. Lavender, tea tree (melaleuca), frankincense or roman chamomile are fantastic options. However, always use super high quality (therapeutic grade) essential oils. The coconut oil will need to be at room temp (liquid) in order to mix in the essential oils and you only need a few drops. Use a glass stirring rod, like the one below, or improvise with a stainless steel utensil or straw.

Note on Using Coconut Oil Deodorant

Quick note about using coconut oil for as a natural deodorant. Coconut oil is not an anti-persperant, so it will not keep you from sweating. I recommend trying it on a colder month so you can get an idea if it works for you as a deodorant and see how you like using it. I first tried in on a rather strenuous and much too hot week in September…and I was surprisingly pleased with the results….not to mention that my pits were buttery soft and had less razor burn. It does however take some getting used to not using traditional deodorant with a built in antiperspirant.

To be honest I expected coconut oil deodorant to NOT work, but found that it has worked better than any natural option that I’ve tried. Even after a round at the gym, I smelled fine.

But do know, that coconut oil as deodorant may not work for everyone and it does take time to pull away and adjust to a lifetime of using conventional deodorants.

#1 – Coconut Oil Face Cream {10 Easy Ways to Use Coconut Oil}

Posted on April 1, 2014 by gree8956

Coconut oil face cream? Yup! Forget everything you’ve ever heard about oil clogging your pores and giving you zits…Not so with coconut oil as face cream. I liberally slather my coconut oil face cream on my face at night and wake up to a very noticeably softer, smoother, and more even toned complexion. This is my new favorite way to use coconut oil as a beauty product…you can buy it at the grocery store or online and coconut oil face cream is greener than just about any face moisturizer you can find!

Why I Started Using Coconut Oil Face Cream

I usually use the oil-cleansing method to clean my face (with great results), but had been on the run for a few weeks and had gotten lazy about keeping up with it. My diet had also been a reflection of my on-the-go schedule and I had consumed a lot more sugar than normal. As a result, I had some big, painful under the surface zits and a bunch of tiny bumps, both of which I do not normally have.

I was a little nervous to try coconut oil on my face like that, but thought that it couldn’t get much worse. I LITERALLY noticed a huge difference overnight after using coconut oil face cream…the tiny bumps all over my face had decreased by at least 50% and my face was much smoother, in only one night. The under surface zits also went down some. I was an instant believer in coconut oil for face cream and now apply it nightly with great results. I love how fresh my skin looks and feels when I wake up in the morning. The coconut oil makes it feel nourished and healthy as opposed to dry and old feeling.

Directions for Using Coconut Oil Face Cream:

Wash your face and hands first.
Then liberally apply pure, organic coconut oil all over your face and neck, including carefully applying around the eyes. (I lightly apply it right over my eyelids and under my eyes!) Unlike other night creams, it won’t burn if it gets in your eyes.
It’s a good idea to put on a head band of some kind so the coconut oil face cream doesn’t get in your hair. Just for a few minutes until the coconut oil absorbs into your skin.
Do this 30 minutes before going to bed so it has time to soak into your face before sleep.

Disclaimer: Omega Nutrition is the brand of coconut oil I usually use and it is unscented. I’ve also tried organic scented varieties with great results! Also, keep in mind that we are all unique individuals, so what might work on me might not work on you.

*Photo courtesy of “umstwit” on Flikr.

10 Easy Ways to Use Coconut Oil…Coming Up!

Posted on March 31, 2014 by gree8956

I sometimes play this little game with myself where I try to decide what 5 products I would pick if I could only have 5 products forever. I can never quite decide on my exact 5, but one thing is for sure…Coconut oil is on the list no matter what! There are so many easy ways to use coconut oil…and many do not revolve around cooking.

There Are Many Easy Ways to Use Coconut Oil

It’s just so incredibly versatile in so many areas of being a “greenie”, (as I’ve come to view myself over the years). Honestly, greenie or not, coconut oil is just darn good for just about anything!

Almost daily, I use coconut oil for something that someone in my life has never thought to use it for and I wanted to share some ideas on ways to use coconut oil with everyone. Coconut oil can be used from everything from cooking, to your beauty regime, to cleaning.

I just love having 1 product that serves so many purposes and it’s more than just an option for each of these purposes, it actually works really well!

Here’s the kind of coconut oil I use most often…it is especially good in baking because it is unscented. I love the 7 pound tub because it lasts a good long while and is much cheaper than buying a bunch of the little jars normally found at grocery stores. However, I also love the scented extra virgin organic varieties found at high end groceries stores. Both work equally well.

So for the next 10 posts, we’ll talk about 10 easy ways to use coconut oil…with a new use each and every post. Get excited to fall in love with coconut oil!

Note: I’m sorry for my extended absence. I haven’t abandoned my blog…just had an extraordinarily crazy few months where I had to put everything on a brief hiatus. Ok…now on to the fun stuff…coconut oil…get excited for tomorrow!

Question: What’s your favorite use for coconut oil? Leave a comment on the blog. Maybe it will make the list!