Benefits of Coconut Oil

So, recently I have started using coconut oil, for myself and for my dogs. I have seen some articles that other people have posted and I have done a bit of research myself on the topic. I thought I would post a little about some of the benefits that I have seen and then add some links to other articles that I found helpful. Hopefully if I post them this way, in the blog, they can be tagged and people can find them more quickly. I originally bought Nutiva brand from The Vitamin Shoppe. I got the organic, extra virgin. I figured if I am trying to use it for "healthy" purposes, I should make sure I get the purest form. :-) It really does smell like coconut...I think it smells great! :-) You can get a kind that doesn't have the coconut flavor or something...I guess I would tend to use that more in cooking, since the hubby doesn't like coconut flavor. I got it to start giving my dogs, as they seem to have developed some skin problems and digestion problems, since then I have done more research and used it for the following; it has almost cleared up my one dog's chronic ear infection...I have only used it 3 times on her...will do it again in a day or two! I add it to their food (you have to add the amount slowly since it pulls toxins from their bodies and can give them diarrhea if you add too much at once), I use it on her itchy skin rash spots and it soothes them; I am using it on my belly in hopes of avoiding stretch marks, I use it on toast instead of butter. I tried (once) just eating a bit of it...not a fan of that, and I didn't think it tasted very coconutty like that...but if I add it to toast under my jam or peanut butter it adds a very nice little coconut flavor. I have bookmarked a recipe for homemade bath scrub using it and there are a few other things I want to try with it. It really seems to have a lot of health benefits! You should try it! :-) Have any of you all used it and what do find it helpful with?

The Healthy Benefits of Coconut Oil for Dogs

Healthy Dogs use Nutiva Coconut Oil

52 Uses for Coconut Oil

Coconut & Pregnancy

160 Uses for Coconut Oil

Health Benefits of Coconut Oil

Coconut - The Tree of Life

Homemade Vapor Rub

Simple Body Scrub

Why I started CHOICES

For several years I have noticed that women are empowered and “liberated” in many areas, yet in the area of healthcare, specifically women’s healthcare, there is lack of information. In my opinion this suppression of women is intolerable. Frequently, women are told to believe what the healthcare establishment tells them…and then they are only told part of the “story”. I am not totally disrespecting all health care providers, I personally am a healthcare provider, there are some good health care providers out there…but regardless of who the health care provider is and how “good” or “bad” they are…it is the INDIVIDUAL who is responsible for interpreting the information presented, researching the validity of the information, knowing if there are options and then choosing which option is best for them at that particular time!

It is because of these concerns that I have chosen to “organize” C.H.O.I.C.E.S. Each of the letters in this significant word stand for issues that I feel are VITAL to women today!

Choosing

Healthy

Options,

Informing women

Connecting women

Empowering women

Supporting women

Choosing: each woman has the right to choose and the responsibility to choose, she should not stand idly by, while someone else chooses for her. It is her choice alone!

Healthy: the dictionary defines this as “conducive to good health”, something we all should strive for, in multiple aspects of our lives; mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. What is “healthy” is not always the same for every person, nor the same thing in different situations for the same person. “Healthy” is as individual as the person.

Options: the fact is, there are usually several options for any of the situations we face, we must decide which is best for us at this particular time and we can only decide that if we are aware of the options.

Informing women: in order for people to choose, know what is healthy, and know their options; they must be informed.

Connecting women: women are emotional beings and need connection with others who have knowledge, have questions, have been there and understand.

Empowering women: for too long women have been intimidated into “submission” when it comes to their personal and family health. Through knowledge and the support of others we will empower women to be able to make choices.

Supporting women: This will be a place where women can find support, no matter what choice they choose. It is up to each woman to choose what is a healthy option for her at that time and it is up to the rest of us to support that woman in her right to choose.

Because I am particularly burdened about this as it applies to women’s health, that will be the main area I will focus on. However, nothing is off limits.

Because this is a public place and I have invited many people from different backgrounds I request that each person be polite and use their manners. It is fine to disagree with someone, please be polite about it. Please no name calling and no profanity.

For now this will be mostly an online connection, but perhaps in the future we will have some live meetings.