Last summer one of my very best girlfriends told me about a homemade deodorant she’d been having good luck with, made with coconut oil and some essential oils.  SIX MONTHS LATER (read: February of this year) I finally got around to trying it out.

I have no idea what took me so long, it just seemed so… involved.  You mean I have get four ingredients out of the cupboard and then put them in a bowl and stir them together?  I don’t know girl, that just sounds really complicated.

Ingredients for Natural Homemade Deodorant

Potluck Lentils

January 20th, 2014 | Posted by Alison Spath in Party Time - (6 Comments)

I’ve blogged about this recipe before (it’s one of my favorites!) but today we’re going to talk about the cost break down of this giant pot of Coconut Curried Red Lentil Chili.

I made this yesterday to take to a winter (indoor!) picnic with a bunch of our homeschooling friends.  This is one of my go-to potluck meals because it’s inexpensive, it’s “something different” while also being delicious and healthy.  All of my favorite adjectives in one big pot!  Another reason I like this chili for a potluck is because it’s a good option for people with dietary restrictions – it’s gluten free, nut free and made without any animal products for our vegetarian and vegan friends.

At the beginning of the year I wrote about one my favorite snacks, Chocolate Crunchy Coconut Cups. Today I’m here to tell you that not only are we still loving these, but I’ve perfected my technique to make them in less time with less effort and less mess.

Chocolate Coconut Crunch Squares

Thanks in part to this silicone mold,

Wilton Silicon Square Mold

and in other part to my realizing that I should be mixing the ingredients right in a pour-able, heat safe vessel.

Melted Chocolate Coconut Oil Mix

(As opposed to combining everything into a mixing bowl and then ladling out into tippy, paper cupcake wrappers.)

Oven Roasted Coconut Lime Cod

October 27th, 2013 | Posted by Alison Spath in Dinner Time - (7 Comments)

This dinner was so unexpectedly delicious, I’m not sure how to best relay just how much we loved this coconut lime crusted cod.  Here goes nothing.

Baked Coconut Lime Cod

Zak and I both had the same thought while eating this: this doesn’t taste like fish, it tastes like a cookie!  A warm, coconutty, limey fish cookie!

(If seafood and coconut are your thing, you’ll love this fish cookie, I promise.)

This recipe came about because I was in the mood to do something a little more interesting than my usual approach to baking fish – i.e., sprinkling with salt and pepper.  I like cod, but it’s kind of a boring fish.  And I like my fish like I like my relationships: interesting, but not complicated.

Warning: Feet Picture Ahead

Coconut Oil for Athlete's Foot

A little story about a natural remedy for foot fungus.  Love, love, love coconut oil!  (Love these guys too.)

Zak says:

I wish I had taken a “before” picture of my feet. I’ve had serious athletes feet for about three years. They were very itchy, peeling, painful, occasionally bloody; an all around hot mess.  Then one day Alison mentions to me that coconut oil has anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties, so I started rubbing some on my feet every day after a shower. I’d rub in the oil and put socks on and just leave socks on until the next shower. After only three weeks my feet are looking pretty normal and the pain/itchy is completely gone!

Oh Parsnip Fries!  Where have you been all my life?

Parsnip Fries for Lunch

No, seriously. Why have I never eaten a parsnip?

Parsnips

I have no idea, but I stumbled upon these guys (not literally) while looking for vegetables that are higher in carbohydrates to help fuel me through my floor-sweeping, baby-chasing, laundry-toting days.  Me and my orange hands need something besides carrots and sweet potatoes to eat.  Parsnips and their lack of beta carotene fit the bill, so let’s do this!

(To the paleo/primal curious and my gluten-free friends, it took me a while to figure out that I feel crummy if I go too low with carbohydrates.)

Good news!  I’ve got an awesomely healthy delicious snack to share with you.

Bad news.  I’m not actually sharing this with you.  I’m only sharing the recipe.  If you want some you’ll have to make it yourself.

Good news: Zak is still on his juice fast.

Bad news: You can’t juice an avocado.

Good news: I am not on a juice fast.  I can eat all the chocolate avocado pudding I want.

Chocolate Avocado Pudding

Coconut Oil Coffee

April 7th, 2013 | Posted by Alison Spath in Fitness - (43 Comments)

Coffee pot, blender, coconut oil, cream… what are we making today?

How to Make Coconut Oil Coffee

We’re making coconut oil coffee!

No, I have not lost my mind. Yes, I realize coconut oil in coffee might sound crazy, but it’s good!  You won’t believe it until you try it.  I sure didn’t.

I’d heard (read) about people putting coconut oil in coffee when I started reading about Intermittent Fasting a couple years ago.  I’ve been in love with coconut oil and all of its benefits for quite some time now, but the idea of putting coconut oil in coffee seemed a little extreme and frankly, sort of gross.

The Greener March Challenge, Day 4!

Today’s green round up started with an avocado (and spinach) smoothie that was so awesome I was forced to share.

Avocado Green Smoothie

I eventually had to get out a bib and strap him into his seat because this “sharing” of my smoothie was getting out hand.

Sharing My Avocado Smoothie

(We’re going to revisit this smoothie more closely tomorrow because it deserves its very own post.)

Some red leaf and green leaf lettuce was seen on top of a turkey burger in the afternoon, plus the last of the roasted Brussels sprouts from yesterday, topped with a little a garlic powder.

Crunchy Coconut Cups

February 11th, 2013 | Posted by Alison Spath in Short or Sweet - (10 Comments)

Yesterday marked 11 weeks until the Flower City Half Marathon at the end of April.  Since we’re going to chat about running on Monday’s from now until then, this week I want to tell you about my current favorite pre-run snack – originally inspired by Lisa’s Coconut Oil Chocolate PB cups.

I make these all the time, people.

Coconut Oil Almond Butter Cups

ALL THE TIME.  (yes, that required shouting.)  These are easy and delicious, and even good for you too.