A Quickie on Coconut Oil

I know the benefits of coconut oil are all the rage and have been buzzing for some time now, but I wanted to share a few of my own personal favorite uses as a frugal-freak.

Let me set the scene here with a little story at story time.  I took my girls to a library story time about two months ago and kept meeting eyes with this one mother...you know how it goes.  During the bubble blowing time at the end, she came up to me and started chatting.  I told her her daughter was adorable, and we started talking about our work situations--mine being that I don't work and hers... well, she had me watch a video on her iphone.  It turns out she, like many other mothers desiring to stay home with their children, works as a representative for a multi-level marketing company.  Hers sells beauty products.  Once I figured out the scheme of the scene, I was able to tell her, "Sorry, I just use coconut oil". And just like that she was shut down.  It was amazing and true.  I don't like to be sold things; and I don't think I would be very good at selling any of these multi-level marketing products, because I myself would not spend the money on any one of them (not that they are not fine for those interested and willing to spend money).  I have friends selling Isagenix, Nerium, Jamberry, Rodan+Fields, DO-Terra essential oils,  Juice Plus, and a slimming body wrap thingy.  It is a way to make extra income, and while I considered it and wish I could bring myself to do it... Nope.  I will figure another way (more posts to come on this!).

That being said, let's get back to the point, and that is that I am coo-coo for coconut oil.  I buy the two pack at Costco.  It is not cheap, but it lasts--I have been working on one of these jars since Christmas.  At first, I just baked with it (I know it is good for cooking other things, but I don't like coconut fragranced meat, personally).  Then I expanded my coconut tree-lined horizons.  

First I tried it on my hair.  I have curly hair and I like to use products like:
Curls Rock  and Shine Spray 

However, I can rarely bring myself to buy these good smelling awesome products.  Thus!  Coconut oil! I wash my hair, towel dry, add less than a tablespoon of coconut oil, and scrunchy scrunchy, air dry, good to go!  It's amazing on my curls, and so cheap, considering how long the jug lasts.

Next, I tried it to take off my makeup.  I put it in a cute little mason jar and just cotton pad the make- up off in seconds.  Works amazingly well and gently too!  Then I started just putting it all over my face, which felt weird like I'd be clogging some pores, but no.  It's awesome, and my skin looks and feels great.  Especially since I'm at that thirty something marker when one realizes "Sh#@ when I pull my face I look younger!"  

Now I use it on my lips, nails, hair, as a sugar scrub, a lotion, a moisturizer, and the best curl cream money can buy.  I bake (especially pancakes and banana bread...more on that later), make granola, and will be trying it for my daughters' next diaper rash and for my next yeast infection as well (TMI!).  

I am a true believer! 

So there you have it.  Just a little promotion of something I value, that is an excellent value for you fugal freaks out there.  Have at it...go COCO-NUTS!