They say that the coconut tree provides us with all of what we need to survive. The wood from the tree itself offers raw material for housing structures. The leaves offer shelter from a tropical storm. The shell of the nut is used for bowls and can be carved into spoons and other tools. The actual coconut, with its proteins, fats and electrolyte rich nectar, is perhaps the most complete food on the planet. One of my favorite things about being in Hawaii this spring was the fresh wild coconuts that I would eat and drink everyday. Coconuts are embedded into the culture of Hawaii, into the lifestyle of everyone living there. I even heard legends of people who ate nothing but coconuts, and enjoyed amazing health and strength as a result. Now that I’m back at home in Oregon, I miss the coconuts. I bought a mature coconut from Mexico the other day, but it is still sitting on my counter looking gloomy, all brown and dried up, totally lacking the juiciness and life force of a wild Hawaiian coconut. I had to find a solution to this depressing problem. Somehow, I had to get the wonder of coconuts back into my life. I was determined to find the best coconut oil on the market, something that really smelled and tasted like the real thing, because it WAS the real thing. And then suddenly, as if by magic, in walked a jar of Living Tree Coconut Oil…Holy Coconuts! Where oh where have you been all my life??
Now, since I am a true islander (hehe), I can truly say, with experience to back it up, that Living Tree’s Coconut Oil is THE REAL THING. Open up a jar and you will be instantly transported to a sunny tropical island somewhere. You will feel the warm waves lap over your toes as you gaze into the crystal clear ocean. Read the ingredients and realize what you’ve been missing (or what you have been eating in other brands that SHOULD have been missing). Raw organic coconut...that’s the only ingredient. Pure and simple, short and sweet. This coconut oil is more like a coconut cream because of its richness and flowery fragrance. One of the simplest and most delicious raw recipes using coconut oil is my Oasis Pudding consisting of young coconut meat (or avocado), fruit (such as berries, oranges, papaya, mango, pears, etc), perhaps a little tahini or cashew butter, vanilla bean and last but not least (it totally makes the pudding) coconut oil. This pudding will cause taste buds to sing. In fact I can’t help but smile and giggle when I make this pudding, it’s just so good!
Living Tree’s Coconut Oil never reaches temperatures above 78.8 degrees F, which is room temperature, and is why this coconut oil is especially special. It is raw and unadulterated, meaning all of the vitamins, minerals, and essential fats* found in a fresh coconut are also found in this coconut oil. Many coconut oils on the market (even those labeled "raw") are in fact heated in order to give them a more neutral taste. Why, you ask? Beats me! That fresh coconut taste is exactly why I love truly raw coconut oil like Living Tree’s.
You may also want to try using this coconut oil as a skin moisturizer or lip balm. It absorbs right into the skin and leaves no residue. It’s like your skin drinks it up! It’s also great to use on lips and hands because of their direct exposure to the food we prepare and eat. You don’t want to put anything on your hands or lips that you wouldn’t want in your food! It’s also great for the face because it absorbs so nicely, giving the skin a rosy glow. Coconut oil is one of the best oils to use for sun protection, so butter up before heading out for a day of gardening or an afternoon at the beach.
If a product as great as this exists, and is sold by a company as wonderful as Living Tree Community Foods, why settle for less? I knew that this coconut oil would be the best before I even tried it. My instincts were correct. It’s not quite as wonderful as a fresh coconut on a white sand beach, but I do believe that it’s the next best thing. = ) Now…what should I do about my fresh mango and papaya withdrawals??
*For more info on this topic check out the essential fatty acid article on the vegetarianbaby.com website.
Please check out www.livingtreecommunity.com for coconut oil and much more!
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