Coo-Coo for Coconuts

There are so many amazing facts about coconuts (oil)! Some of the benefits of coconuts (oil) include hair care, skin care, stress relief, maintaining cholesterol levels, weight loss, increased immunity, proper digestion and metabolism, relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV and cancer, dental care, and bone strength. These benefits of coconut oil can be attributed to the presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, and its properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-fungal, antibacterial, soothing, etc. http://www.organicfacts.net/organic-oils/organic-coconut-oil/health-benefits-of-coconut-oil.html
To see how lauric acid works in you body click HERE. 
So I thought I'd go into some more detail about what and how coconut oil benefits your body. 

Heart Diseases:                                                                                                       There is a misconception spread among many people that coconut oil is not good for the heart. This is because it contains a large quantity of saturated fats. However, coconut oil is beneficial for the heart. It contains about 50% lauric acid, which helps in preventing various heart problems including high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. The saturated fats present in coconut oil are not harmful as it happens in case of other vegetables oils. It does not lead to increase in LDL levels. It also reduces the incidence of injury in arteries and therefore helps in preventing atherosclerosis. 

Weight Loss

Coconut oil is very useful in reducing weight. It contains short and medium-chain fatty acids that help in taking off excessive weight. It is also easy to digest and it helps in healthy functioning of the thyroid and enzymes systems. Further, it increases the body metabolism by removing stress on pancreases, thereby burning out more energy and helping obese and overweight people reduce their weight. Hence, people living in tropical coastal areas, who eat coconut oil daily as their primary cooking oil, are normally not fat, obese or overweight.

Healing and Infections

When applied on infections, it forms a chemical layer which protects the infected body part from external dust, air, fungi, bacteria and virus. Coconut oil is most effective on bruises as it speeds up the healing process by repairing damaged tissues.
Infections: Coconut oil is very effective against a variety of infections due to its anti-fungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. According to the Coconut Research Center, coconut oil kills viruses that cause influenza, measles, etc. It also kills bacteria that cause ulcers, throat infections, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and gonorrhea, etc. Coconut oil is also effective on fungi and yeast that cause candidiasis, ringworm, athlete's foot, thrush, diaper rash, etc.

Stress Relief: Coconut oil is very soothing and hence it helps in removing stress. Applying coconut oil to the head followed with a gentle massage helps in removing mental fatigue.
Diabetes: Coconut oil helps in controlling blood sugar, and improves the secretion of insulin. It also helps in effective utilization of blood glucose, thereby preventing and treating diabetes
Dental Care: Calcium is an important element present in teeth. Since coconut oil facilitates absorption of calcium by the body, it helps in getting strong teeth. Coconut oil also stops tooth decay.
Liver: The presence of medium chain triglycerides and fatty acids helps in preventing liver diseases as they substances are easily converted into energy when they reach the liver, thus reducing work load on the liver and also preventing accumulation of fat.
Kidney: Coconut oil helps in preventing kidney and gall bladder diseases. It also helps in dissolving kidney stones.

Hair Care:

Coconut oil is one of the best natural nutrition for hair. It helps in healthy growth of hair providing them a shiny complexion. Regular massage of the head with coconut oil ensures that your scalp is free of dandruff, lice, and lice eggs, even if your scalp is dry. Coconut oil is extensively used in the Indian sub-continent for hair care. Most of the people in these countries apply coconut oil on their hair daily after bath. It is an excellent conditioner and helps in the re-growth of damaged hair. It also provides the essential proteins required for nourishing damaged hair. It is therefore used as hair care oil and used in manufacturing various conditioners, and dandruff relief creams. Coconut oil is normally applied topically for hair care.

There are many more facts to share, for more go here http://www.organicfacts.net/organic-oils/organic-coconut-oil/health-benefits-of-coconut-oil.html

How to use Coconut Oil.
If you are using coconut oil for topical purposes, especially hair care, just melt the oil (if it is solid) by keeping the bottle in the sun or warm water. You can also take some coconut oil out and put it in a small bowl and heat the bowl over a flame (do not use microwave). Then take the oil on your palm and apply it to your hair. If you want to use it for internal consumption, simply replace butter or vegetable oils with coconut oil in your recipes. Remember, you need not switch to coconut oil completely, as you will miss the benefits of other oils and dairy products.
Practical uses for Coconut Oil.
Most oil in baked goods can be replaced with coconut oil.
Coconut oil is grate as a vegetable shortening replacement! 
Some use coconut oil in homemade deodorant Click here for recipe .
We use it as moisturizers - Tropical Traditions has the best coconut cream! http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/organic_moisturizing_creams.htm

Where to get coconut oil?
THE ONLY PLACE TO GET IT IS Tropical Traditions !!!!!!
You can find oodles of really cool/yummy/creamy/feel good/amazing coconut products there!!!!!!

Bits and pieces of this article are written by Kiran Patil

Heaven!

Fresh Ground Wheat

Wheat nourishes more people than any other grain crop and has been the primary bread grain for thousands of years. Wheat is high in protein, carbohydrates and a number of other nutrients, and it can be stored as a whole grain for a long period of time. The benefits of freshly ground wheat include superior nutrition and flavor, especially if the wheat is locally stone-ground.

Nutrients

A kernel of whole wheat contains significant amounts of dietary fiber, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins B complex and E, traces of vitamins C and K, and a wealth of minerals and micro-nutrients, according to McGill University's Ecological Agricultural Projects. Fresh, stone-ground wheat maintains all the nutritional benefits of the fresh whole wheat kernel. High-speed commercial roller grinders heat the wheat as it is being ground, destroying the vitamin E content and other valuable enzymes. Milling to create white flour also greatly diminishes the wheat's nutritional content, since most of the vitamins and minerals are found in the fiber-rich wheat bran and germ. B vitamins, lipo-proteins and other nutrients in wheat are lost over time in storage, especially if the ground wheat is stored where light and air can reach it. Flour should be stored in an airtight container at temperatures less than 85 degrees Fahrenheit to maximize its nutrient preservation, according to the Virginia Cooperative Extension.

No Rancidity

Once exposed to light and air by grinding, whole-wheat flour rapidly goes rancid. White flour is only good for 6 to 12 months at room temperature, and whole-wheat flour for 1 to 3 months, according to the Washington State University Clark County Extension. When buying commercial ground flour at a supermarket, there is no assurance as to when it was milled and how long it spent in shipment and storage, so it may already be well on its way to spoilage. Rancid white flour may simply taste flat and be lacking in nutrients, but rancid whole-wheat flour will impart a bitter, unpleasant flavor to baked goods.

Flavor

Freshly ground wheat won't have the rancid, flat or bitter flavor of stale wheat flour. Freshly ground wheat has a lively, nutty flavor. Coarser stone-ground flour has bigger particles that provide texture to breads and pizza crusts and also retains more of the earthy taste of the whole kernel of wheat. Over time, as stored whole wheat or white flour loses its nutrient quality, it also loses flavor. However, some bakers prefer aged or bleached white flours, which remove the nutritional carotenoids that give fresh flour its golden-tan hue, as this gives breads a lighter texture and high rising volume, according to the Utah State University Cooperative Extension.

Local Foods

Freshly ground wheat is usually obtained from local mills or from small custom mills in other locations via mail order. Locally grown and processed foods are not only fresher and taste better, but purchasing local foods also boosts the local economy and minimizes the amount of petroleum expended to transport the food product from field to table, according to the Virginia Cooperative Extension. Consumers are increasingly interested in purchasing meat, produce and dairy products that are identified by their farm of origin, according to England's Farmers Weekly Interactive. Flour labeled with its origin allows you to better know how fresh the product is and assess its growing methods before you make your purchase.

If You Want More Info:
Facts about going Fresh 

It's so easy!

A must read from Harvard

Things Fresh Ground Wheat is good for:

Regulates your digestion, due to the high fiber content (1 cup. 14g)

Wheat is the most concentrated source of Vitamin E in nature.
Whole grains are known to lower cholesterol (Despite what Dr. may say) 
Help prevent Cardiovascular Disease
Help prevent Type 2 Diabetes
Help prevent Cancer

So before you buy another sack of this (below) consider trying something a little new; talk to someone local first (Like us : D) and taste the wonderful difference between rancid and fresh! :)
If you have question feel free to leave them in the comment box!