Topic: coconut oil

Doctors Slam Miranda Kerr’s Coconut Oil Habit

Doctors Slam Miranda Kerr's Coconut Oil Habit

We hope it goes without saying, but just to be sure: Taking health advice from celebrities is never a sure bet. They’re a) not experts, b) often telling you partial truths about their habits for the sake of good PR and c) frequently misquoted. As is the case with Miranda Kerr‘s latest coconut oil controversy: The new mom and supermodel was recently quoted by Australian Cosmopolitan as touting the benefits of coconut oil, saying that her daily diet includes four tablespoons of the stuff—an amount that many doctors say is risky for cholesterol levels. But Kerr says the magazine never interviewed her at all, and while she is a coconut oil devotee, she doesn’t consume nearly so much. Either way, we don’t think you should start dumping coconut oil in your cooking just yet. More »

Guilt-Free Summer Treat: Vegan Dark Chocolate Fudge Pop Recipe

Guilt-Free Summer Treat: Vegan Dark Chocolate Fudge Pop Recipe

Mmm, fudgesicles: The ultimate childhood summer sweet. And who’s to say you can’t enjoy them as an adult, too? Not Blisstree. But if you buy the packaged kind, you’re likely getting a mouthful of high fructose corn syrup, palm oil, aspartame and/or artificial flavoring (plus dairy, making them off-limits for vegans). You can make your own fudgesicles, though, with cacao powder, coconut oil, agave nectar and popsicle molds. Add a little sea salt and chili powder, and you’ve got a gourmet fudge-pop that’s both 100% raw and vegan and puts those packaged bars of yore to shame. More »

Good at Life: Coconut Oil Conditioner

Good at Life: Coconut Oil Conditioner

Coconut oil—the edible oil extracted from coconuts and often used in cooking—is also a good for untangling and conditioning dry, unruly hair. Because my thick, wavy hair dries out easily (especially in the summer), I’ve tried a plethora of leave-in or deep conditioning products in my life, along with natural, DIY hair conditioning remedies, and found coconut oil to work the best. It’s also inexpensive—a 14-oz jar of Spectrum Naturals Organic Coconut Oil, for instance, will run you about $7-$10; it smells good (like, you know, coconut); and unlike some natural hair remedies, it’s easy and not-too-messy to use. More »

Coconut Oil Is Healthy, Says New York Times

Coconut Oil Is Healthy, Says New York Times

Coconut oil tastes great in vegan baked goods and makes many a raw food recipe possible, but many doctors warn against the oil for its high (cholesterol-raising) saturated fat content, banishing the stuff to the back of the cupboards. Luckily for us Babycakes fans, the New York Times says those doctors weren’t all right: They say coconut oil is now a health food, thanks to scientists who’ve shown that the saturated fats in virgin coconut oil aren’t as bad for you as other saturated fats. More »

Healthy Baking: Better Banana Bread Recipe

Healthy Baking: Better Banana Bread Recipe

Whether you made a New Year’s resolution to clean up your diet or you’ve been avoiding refined sugars and fats since before 2011, baking doesn’t always jibe with healthy eating. And while there are all kinds of “healthy” baked goods in the cookie aisle at Whole Foods, I’d never advocate buying a fat-free biscuit instead of making your own: They’re still processed and full of preservatives, not to mention things like palm oil that allow for health labels like “trans-fat free” but aren’t necessarily good for you or the environment. Plus, call me crazy, but I think baking at home is fun. More »

Turn Your Kitchen Pantry Into Your Bathroom Vanity: 10 Kitchen Staples That Can Make You Beautiful

Turn Your Kitchen Pantry Into Your Bathroom Vanity: 10 Kitchen Staples That Can Make You Beautiful

Whether you live in a small space or just like to minimize clutter, finding products that multitask is never a bad thing. It saves space, time, and money, and it’s good eco-practice to keep fewer products and less packaging lying around the house. That’s why we like the idea of a kitchen that doubles as a day spa (and foods that double as beauty products). Here are 10 things (that you probably already have) in your kitchen that do double duty in your bathroom: More »