HARVESTING SUNLIGHT IN CHICAGO



Always thinking about coconut



Sunshine, not corn, is the most valuable commodity in Illinois. From September through May, or 9 months of the year, Chicago is usually shrouded in a thick layer of clouds blocking the sun. This is why I always have semi-tropical latitudes,  palm trees and coconuts on my brain.

WHY I (AND YOU) NEED FULL SUNSHINE

Of course, we get light through the cloud layer but for weeks on end, we never get full sunshine.  Sometimes, when the sun occasionally breaks through the clouds, the sunshine momentarily hurts my eyes.

It’s becoming torturous to live in Chicago in more than a few ways. If I don’t take Vitamin D capsules or cod liver oil, my vitamin D level laboratory test results are low.

Full sunshine for several hours a day is the best way to acquire adequate levels of Vitamin D for optimal health.

FIND-OUT ULTRAVIOLET LEVELS

I actually bought an app from itunes that measures the amount of ultraviolet light that is available on a daily basis.  When the morning level is high, I know to get outside right away before the cloud cover comes over the city.

 I had to buy the app because weather reports and weather maps inaccurately portray the actual annual amount of sunshine.  An hour or so of sunny weather at noon does not constitute a sunny day in my opinion.

What's really scary is that I don't remember Chicago always being like this, it seems that the lack of winter sunshine is a recent problem.

SUNSHINE ON WEATHER MAPS

Luckily there is an aeronautical expert in our family, whose degree courses included meteorology classes. So, I asked the expert “how come the Weather Channel’s maps never show all the clouds over the city”.  His answer was that Weather Channel’s maps measure precipitation, from either rain or snow producing clouds.  If the clouds aren’t producing precipitation, the area over the city will look clear of clouds on the maps.

Of course the entire state has been in varying degrees of drought conditions for a few years now. There’s no full sunshine and no snow.

Cloudy winter days with no snow on the ground are particularly dreary.

And, because it’s icy cold outside from September to May, I spend a lot of time inside (more than I’d like to admit).  The concepts “icy” cold vs. “regular” cold will be discussed in a separate blog post.

ONE WAY TO HARVEST SUNLIGHT

Until I move, I have now decided to tackle this problem frontally. I’m going to get started on using a Scandinavian décor tactic of adding some bright white surfaces to reflect more light throughout the house.  I won’t add too much white though, because I love color.

Otherwise I will have to move to a tropical latitude soon and hang-out under a palm tree.

5 STOCKING STUFFERS FOR COCONUT LOVERS



SIMPLE GIFTS TO HANG NEAR THE TREE (PALM)



These simple gifts plus PEACE are all  this Coconut Lover wants for Christmas:

1. Fannie Mae, TRINIDADS…it’s  great-tasting coconut candy.
2. Pacifica, SOLID PERFUMES… these are light, true scents.  All flavors are formulated with coconut oil, they are almost eatable. Strike that--read “almost”, they’re not actually eatable, meaning uneatable.
3. Tropical Traditions, LIP MOISTURIZER... it's unscented, the best for overnight treatment and includes palm oil in the formulation.
4. Walgreens Details Bath & Body, COCONUT COAST MOISTURIZING BODY MIST… this is an amazingly simple and cheap spritz with the pure smell of  coconut aroma (contains benzophenone-4).
5. Adrienne Arpel, COCONUT MELTDOWN…it’s been around for decades and this make-up remover works without drying.

Pat Thomas for THE COCONUT LOVERS MOJO

EMERGENCY CARE OF WINTER SCALP ITCH



QUICKLY TREAT WINTER SCALP ITCH AT HOME



Uh-oh, pain and irritation from winter scalp itch has reached critical levels causing  you to scratch like a mad dog. That opens the door to potential hair loss from scalp trauma.  Coconut oil can really help, but there's an even quicker solution.

Either you got caught outside hatless during icy weather, sat beneath a heating vent in a van or wore a colorful but scratchy 100% virgin wool hat.  Whatever the cause, you have been scratching hard.

Emergency Scalp Treatment:  Extra Virgin Organic (EVO) Olive Oil

• Massage your scalp with a teeny amount about 1/2 teaspoon and let it sit for at least 1/2 a day.
• Turns-out, that oil contains ingredients that provides almost immediate scalp relief from inflammation because it contains anti-inflammatory substances.
• Here’s a link to the research study results that confirm that EVO Olive Oil contains 2 anti-inflammatory ingredients that act like ibuprofen:  Monell Center Olive Oil Study Results. 
• The olive oil you use has to be top quality.

 Monthly Ritual to Avoid Winter Scalp Itch

• Massage 2 dabs of EVO Coconut Oil into your scalp before shampooing with a sulfate-free cleanser. 
• Afterwards massage in another tiny dab before drying your hair.
• Finally, avoid petroleum jelly which keeps your hair and scalp on the dry side in winter, just the opposite of coconut oil’s true moisturizing benefits. Lastly, wear a winter hat that friendly to your scalp and hair.

I've used this coconut oil ritual for my scalp for several years now after I moved to a new office which was heated from a ceiling vent.  My scalp itched like mad and then my hair started shedding severely. The coconut oil ritual was  the only real solution for an annual winter problem.

TOP 10 HASSLE-FREE WAYS TO USE COCONUT QUICK, EVERYDAY



Grate Your Own  Coconut or Buy Bagged Coconut

Here's how to get all the benefits of coconut, fast, in 10 different ways:

1. Dip coconut flakes from a bag and sprinkle over your hot or cold cereal as sweetener.
2. Use a coconut oil cooking spray instead of soy based cooking sprays for your dishes.
3. Quickly stir fry or sauté shrimp or vegetables in coconut oil with a dash of lime juice.
4. Cut calories by using coconut whipped cream from canned coconut milk .  Whip with a small hand blender and serve over yogurt, ice cream or desserts.
5. Gulp a shot glass or two of coconut water from a re-closable container.  Refrigerate the leftover to use later.
6. Do a warm coconut oil scalp massage before shampooing to eliminate winter itch and flaking scalp skin
7. Use coconut oil as a soap-less cleanser in the morning. Wipe the excess off with a warm, wet facial tissue.
8. Massage your body with coconut oil before bathing to prevent soap from over-drying  your skin. Save time and only massage areas prone to drying like arms and legs.
9. Use coconut oil as an overnight hand and lip moisturizer for round-the-clock smoothness throughout the next day.
10. Use a caprylic acid, coconut oil derivative, spray product to quickly eliminate dry skin on your  feet, elbows or knees year-round.

Pat Thomas for THE COCONUT LOVERS MOJO until next time…

INEBRIATED THEN COCONUT WATER???



Got Drunk, Now What, Coconut Water?

 

I have 2 rules about drinking alcohol:  Don’t get drunk and don’t get a hangover.  That said, I’ve heard the rumors that say coconut water alleviates hangovers. Cocofina, a coconut water manufacturer, claims that it’s not a rumor and states that coconut water does indeed remedy hangovers. 

In fact, the company has put this information on their website:  Coconut Water Cocofina Hangover Remedy. 

Hmmm…

ALCHOLIC DEHYDRATION

It’s true that any alcoholic drink will cause dehydration. But the type of dehydration that’s caused by drinking alcohol occurs at the cellular level. Fluid passes-out of individual cells throughout the brain and the rest of the body.  This is one part of the hangover syndrome (only part).

 Billions of human cells must be rehydrated for a serious drinker to be fully hydrated again, IF EVER. That takes time, lots of time, so much so that even intravenously administering fluids can’t “beat a hangover”.

MAKE COCONUT WATER YOUR DRINK

I try to enjoy  holiday libations responsibly and then  substitute coconut water when I reach my limit.  That’s the best way to beat a hangover.

Pat Thomas for THE COCONUT LOVERS MOJO until next time…

NEW DRIVE STYLE - 2013 CHEVY SPARK



CHEVY SPARK ON THE STREET



Chevy Spark invokes an immediate  "What is that Car?!" comment.  It looks like a spunky Italian Fiat or a ride designed for living in tropical latitudes.  And now  It's Electric for 2013! It's fast-0 to 60 mph in 8 seconds!  It saves gas! And it comes in 8 shades!  Chevy Spark is a great way to update your style. Here's the link to Chevy:  GM Chevy Spark


Pat Thomas for THE COCONUT LOVERS MOJO until next time...

CHIA SEEDS, REAL FOOD ENERGY SHOT

The New York Times reported last Saturday that teeny tiny Chia seeds have gone mainstream:  30 Years After Chia Pets, Seeds Hit Food Aisles  Like coconut products, chia seed cultural cuisine was  fairly limited to  semi-tropical, albeit desert-like locales.

Making a Chia Smoothie is easy, but better tasting once the multi-colored seeds have expanded in liquid, even plain water, overnight.

Chia ENERGY SHOT SMOOTHIE

Prepare the night before going to bed

• Add 1 teaspoon to a glass of your choice of juice.
• Or add  to pureed fruit (like apple sauce).
• Let the seeds soak in the juice or puree overnight.

In the morning

• Stir the juice and the expanded seeds
• Drink the juice and seeds

CHIA'S REAL STORY

I first read about the real story of Chia seeds in the bestseller “Born to Run” by Chris McDougall.  Had it not been for all those years of quirky TV commercials for  Chia Pets, I would not have given McDougall’s research on Chia seeds a second thought-It just seemed like too much hype.

But Chia Seeds were once an important Native Peoples food commodity throughout the Western Hemisphere. In fact, I think that the seeds were so much a part of the Native Peoples consciousness, that Chia Pets almost seemed to have been divinely designed to keep them at the forefront of all of humanity’s consciousness.  That’s just my theory!

THE 411 ON CHIA NUTRITION

Chia seeds are chock full of protein and essential fatty acids. One tablespoon provides 20% of the daily requirement for carbohydrates.

Also, Chia seeds can be used to prepare baked goods. There are a tremendous number of Chia seed recipes online all over the internet.

 Here is the link to the USDA Report on Chia Seed

IN THE EVENT OF A DISASTER

Chia seeds also make a good long-term storage food product for your disaster survival pack. The small seeds are easily packed.  Dried coconut flakes and Chia seeds are part of my own disaster survival pack.

Pat Thomas for THE COCONUT LOVERS MOJO until next time…

GET IN A THANKFUL MOOD WITH COCONUT



COCONUT SCENT  FOR DINING

 
I like to enhance the mood of graditude during Holiday meals with the warm scent of tea lights for food warmers or table settings. Coconut scented tea lights and candles are widely available. 

 A coconut scented room makes a delicious change of pace from tried and true subtle vanilla or spicy pumpkin pie scented candles. Then again,  I think I will try a combination of all three aromas.

Pat Thomas for THE COCONUT LOVERS MOJO until next time…

COCONUT FLAVOR OOMPH! FOR YOUR FOOD

 

SUMPTUOUS-TASTING  ONIONS SAUTEED IN COCONUT OIL

 

What exactly does coconut flavor really taste like?  To me it tastes like a subtle combination of rain, wood and the sea, very slightly sweetened. Brazil nuts are the only other food I’ve eaten that remotely taste like coconut.

How can you get more of it in your main dishes and desserts?  Here how--

TOP WAYS TO GET REAL COCONUT TASTE

1. Use extra virgin organic coconut oil.
2. Make coconut whipped cream from canned coconut milk (don’t use low-fat).
3. Grate coconut flakes from younger seeds that contain lots of water.
4. Use coconut gel from green coconuts.
5. Use artificial coconut flavorings (buyer beware).

Brazilian coconut flavor seems smoother than bolder-tasting Thai coconut .The strength of the aroma definitely depends on the coconut’s age and the country it was grown in.

Depending on your dish or dessert, you would still want to use your own preferred flavorings like vanilla or spices like saffron along with the coconut.

Onions sautéed in coconut oil are incredibly tasty and beyond yummy.  Coconut’s flavor will not overpower any of your Holiday food dishes or desserts even though “Coconutty” is a taste sensation in a class by itself.

Pat Thomas for THE COCONUT LOVERS MOJO until next time…

GET CLEANER FLOORS WITH COCONUT



A REAL WELCOME TO MY HOME



It was like stepping into a Black Hole as I approached my front door. The big black rectangle laying there was not inviting or welcoming. I so hated looking at that recycled black plastic outdoor mat.  So I’m going back to an old-school coconut coir welcome mat to catch outdoor dirt before it gets inside.

 Coconut coir mats now have fresh, new colorful designs that are much more welcoming and more appealing.  And they still do the job of collecting outdoor dirt before it gets on the carpet.

Granted the recycled plastic mat was very functional …ice melting salt, ordinary dirt and leaf debris easily came off shoes and fell into the depths of the mat’s black hole. When it blew down the street during last year’s blizzard, I retrieved it but never put it back at the front door.

COCONUT WITH LIME WELCOME MAT

Newer coconut coir floor mats are now made with brighter colors that are more decorative.  Some are available with Christmas themes.  Basic mats still come with the “WELCOME” message.

So when guests come to visit this holiday season, my carpet will stay cleaner because of a coconut coir floor mat.

Pat Thomas for THE COCONUT LOVERS MOJO until next time…

REVERSE COCONUT WATER?!

CLEAN WATER FOR ALL OUR FUTURES

Get cleaner, purer regular water from your fridge thanks to coconut. A Canadian Company has invented a new water filtration material made with dried coconut shells to purify regular H²0.  Swift Green Filters of Canada converts the shells into carbon replacement water filters for refrigerators and ice dispensers.

The company produces the coconut carbon filters for home and commercial use.

The company’s product joins the long list of recycled coconut by-products utilized by individuals throughout the tropical latitudes such as barbeque charcoal made from coconut shells.

Pat Thomas for THE COCONUT LOVERS MOJO until next time…

RELAXXXING COCONUT SONG

Massage your scalp with coconut oil while listening to this spa music I found on You Tube.  After your massage,  cleanse-away all of your worries...

The tune is "The Coconut You Gave Me".  In some African cultures,  giving the gift of a coconut is symbolic of giving one's love.

Pat Thomas for THE COCONUT LOVERS MOJO until next time...