Hey guys!

Wow. Thank you sooo much for making my “cheer up my blog” giveaway! a sucess! Please don’t hesitate to enter if you don not have a blog! Just email me jocelyneatsfresh@gmail and let me know you would like entered!

Now onto two product reviews!

Alot of this info I got from http://www.coconut-info.com/ But alot of websites and health books I have, have the same info as this!. Basically…coconut oil is a wonder drug! Despite everyone being so scared of the “fats”.

Here is the product I bought (instead of the artisana coconut butter I just finished) I got this from a local health food store.

About Bali’Sun

Saturated with goodness!

Taste the silky smooth flavor unique to Bali sun

• 100% pure,unrefined virgin coconut oil
• Crystal clear liquid free of contammants
• maximum concentration of medium chain fatty acids
• Highest concentration of antioxidants
• Improves digestion and nutrient absorption
• Promote loss of excess weight
• Antibacterial,antiviral,antifungal
• Guaranteed long shelf life
• Heat resistant-the best oil for cooking

(I could not find a website for this stuff!)

MMM I used this good stuff to cook some peppers tonight for dinner…

It was pure deliciousness.

Why are so many people afraid of coconut oil!?

It has sooo many benefits…here are just a few!

Remember I just got this info from an article. Most of what I have read on line, I have also read in a few health textbooks I have. Take it for what you will! I know I am no longer afraid to have 3 spoonfuls of coconut oil/butter per day in hopes of reving up my thyroid naturally!

The purpose of this site is to provide information on the health benefits of coconut products, particularly coconut oil. Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, which is known for being anti-viral, antibacterial and anti-fungal. Coconut oil is also being used by thyroid sufferers to increase body metabolism, and to lose weight. Virgin coconut oil is also used for making natural soaps and other health products, as it is one of the healthiest things one can put on their skin.

At one time coconut oil received negative press in the US because of its high level of saturated fat. However, modern research has shown that not all saturated fats are alike and that the fatty acids in coconut oil, the medium chain triglycerides, do not raise serum cholesterol or contribute to heart disease, but are in fact very healthy. Also, some negative studies done on coconut oil in the past was done on hydrogenated coconut oil, which has been altered from its original form. Other studies have clearly shown that traditional Asian cultures that eat significant amounts of coconut in their diet do not suffer from modern diseases seen in western cultures that promote a low-fat diet.

Much research on the nutritional and medicinal benefits on coconut oil has surfaced in recent years. Much of that research has been done by Dr. Mary Enig. Dr. Enig has classified coconuts as a “functional food,” which provides health benefits over and beyond the basic nutrients. She has specifically identified lauric acid as a key ingredient in coconut products:

“Approximately 50% of the fatty acids in coconut fat are lauric acid. Lauric acid is a medium chain fatty acid, which has the additional beneficial function of being formed into monolaurin in the human or animal body. Monolaurin is the anti-viral, antibacterial, and antiprotozoal monoglyceride used by the human or animal to destroy lipid coated viruses such as HIV, herpes, cytomegalovirus, influenza, various pathogenic bacteria including listeria monocytogenes and heliobacter pylori, and protozoa such as giardia lamblia. Some studies have also shown some antimicrobial effects of the free lauric acid.”

As a “functional food,” coconut oil is now being recognized by the medical community as a powerful tool against immune diseases. Several studies have been done on its effectiveness, and much research is currently being done on the incredible nutritional value of pure coconut oil.

And since I am a sufferer of a sluggish thyroid…I am going to zoom into that issue.

Many Americans suffer from symptoms such as cold hands and feet, low body temperature, sensitivity to cold, a feeling of always being chilled, headaches, insomnia, dry skin, puffy eyes, hair loss, brittle nails, joint aches, constipation, mental dullness, fatigue, frequent infections, hoarse voice, ringing in the ears, dizziness, loss of libido, and weight gain, which is sometimes uncontrollable. Approximately 65 percent of the U. S. population is overweight; 30 percent is clinically obese. Research is pointing to the fact that an under active thyroid might be the number one cause of weight problems, especially among women, in the US today.

The Truth About Fats and Oils

Many dietary oils can negatively affect thyroid health. We cook with them almost every day and they are plentiful in commercially prepared foods. Expeller-pressed or solvent-extracted oils only became a major part of the American diet in the last century.  It is possible they are among the worst offenders when it comes to the thyroid.  They are known as vegetable oils or polyunsaturated oils. The most common source of these oils used in commercially prepared foods is the soybean.

Large-scale cultivation of soybeans in the United States began after World War II and quickly increased to 140 billion pounds per year.  Most of the crops are produced for animal feed and soy oil for hydrogenated fats such as margarine and shortening. Today, it is nearly impossible to eat at restaurants or buy packaged foods that don’t have soy oil in the ingredients.  Often labels simply state “vegetable oil.”

Ray Peat Ph.D., a physiologist who has worked with progesterone and related hormones since 1968, says that the sudden surge of polyunsaturated oils into the food chain post World War II has caused many changes in hormones. He writes:

Their [polyunsaturated oils] best understood effect is their interference with the function of the thyroid gland.  Unsaturated oils block thyroid hormone secretion, its movement in the circulatory system, and the response of tissues to the hormone.  When the thyroid hormone is deficient, the body is generally exposed to increased levels of estrogen.  The thyroid hormone is essential for making the ‘protective hormones’ progesterone and pregnenolone, so these hormones are lowered when anything interferes with the function of the thyroid.  The thyroid hormone is required for using and eliminating cholesterol, so cholesterol is likely to be raised by anything which blocks the thyroid function.⁴

There is a growing body of research concerning soy’s detrimental affect on the thyroid gland. Much of this research centers on the phytoestrogens (“phyto” means plant) that are found in soy.  In the 1960s when soy was introduced into infant formulas, it was shown that soy was goitrogenic and caused goiters in babies. When iodine was supplemented, the incidence of goiter reduced dramatically. However, a retrospective epidemiological study by Fort, et al. showed that teenaged children with a diagnosis of autoimmune thyroid disease were significantly more likely to have received soy formula as infants (18 out of 59 children; 31 percent) when compared to healthy siblings (nine out of 76, 12 percent) or control group children (seven out of 54; 13 percent).⁵

When healthy individuals without any previous thyroid disease were fed 30 grams of pickled soybeans per day for one month, Ishizuki, et al. reported goiter and elevated individual thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels (although still within the normal range) in thirty-seven healthy, iodine-sufficient adults.  One month after stopping soybean consumption, individual TSH values decreased to the original levels and goiters were reduced in size.⁶

Traditionally, polyunsaturated oils such as soybean oil have been used for livestock feed because they cause the animals to gain weight.  These oils are made up of what is known as long chain fatty acids—the kind of fatty acids that promote weight gain. In the North Carolina State University’s Extension Swine Husbandry 1998-2000 Departmental report, for example, was a study entitled “EFFECT OF DIETARY FAT SOURCE, LEVEL, AND FEEDING INTERVAL ON PORK FATTY ACID COMPOSITION” by M.T. See and J. Odle. Ironically, since the market in its low-fat dogma of recent years is demanding leaner meats, this study showed that one could produce leaner meat and reduce the weight on swine by reducing their intake of soy oil and substituting it with saturated animal fat!⁷

According to Dr. Ray Peat, the fattening effect of polyunsaturated oils (primarily soy and corn) is due to the presence of Linoleic and linolenic acids, long-chain fatty acids, which have an anti-thyroid effect. Peat says:

Linoleic and linolenic acids, the “essential fatty acids,” and other polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are now fed to pigs to fatten them, in the form of corn and soy beans, cause the animals’ fat to be chemically equivalent to vegetable oil.  In the late 1940s, chemical toxins were used to suppress the thyroid function of pigs, to make them get fatter while consuming less food.  When that was found to be carcinogenic, it was then found that corn and soy beans had the same antithyroid effect, causing the animals to be fattened at low cost.  The animals’ fat becomes chemically similar to the fats in their food, causing it to be equally toxic, and equally fattening.⁸

Of course in the 1940s the fat from pigs (lard) was highly desirable, as were most saturated fats. Today, saturated fats are fed to pigs to keep them lean, while most people buy polyunsaturated soy and corn oils in the grocery stores as their primary cooking oil! So we have a population now characterized by lean pigs and obese people…

Coconut Oil: A-Healthy Choice for the Thyroid

Coconut oil, on the other hand, is a saturated fat made up primarily of medium chain fatty acids. Also known as medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), medium chain fatty acids are known to increase metabolism and promote weight loss.  Coconut oil can also raise basal body temperatures while increasing metabolism. This is good news for people who suffer with low thyroid function. We have seen many testimonies to this effect.

The “proof is in the pudding”. Try it yourself and then you be the judge. All these people certainly can’t “be wrong”. Everyone will experience different benefits, some more than others, but definitely something. In my own personal experience, I was suffering with hypothyroidism that even prescription medications couldn’t help. After a few short weeks of taking Virgin Coconut Oil, my reading was normal for the first time in a year. I use it on my skin after a shower and no longer struggle with the incredibly dry skin that often goes along with hypothyroidism, and I have used it on my hair as a conditioner. All I can say that the phrase “The world’s perfect food” is quite accurate. Try it and see for yourself. Warmly, Melanie (Coconut Diet Forums)

I began taking coconut oil to address a hypothyroid issue. Recently, especially over the last month, thyroid activity plunged and my temperatures would top out for the day somewhere between 97.2 and 97.8. Definitely hypothyroid territory. Now in just a couple of days the coconut oil has boosted my metabolism back toward the normal range (still subnormal but getting there) and my sleep has been incredible. From past experience with thyroid management, I know that–in my case–greatly improved sleep and feelings of rejuvenation after sleep are related to more normal thyroid activity. Whatever the precise mechanism, it’s a welcome development. Mike (Coconut Diet Forums)

Coconut Oil and Oxidative Stress

One of the reasons the long chain fatty acids in vegetable oils are so damaging to the thyroid is that they oxidize quickly and become rancid.  Food manufacturers know about this propensity towards rancidity and, therefore, highly refine their vegetable oils. Considerable research has shown that trans fatty acids, present when vegetable oils are highly refined (hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated), are especially damaging to cell tissue and can have a negative affect on the thyroid as well as health in general.  Because the longer chain fatty acids are deposited in cells more often as rancid and oxidizing fat, impairment of the conversion of thyroid hormone T4 to T3 occurs, which is symptomatic of hypothyroidism. To create the enzymes needed to convert fats to energy, T4 must be converted to T3.

Dr. Ray Peat says:

When the oils are stored in our tissues, they are much warmer, and more directly exposed to oxygen than they would be in the seeds, and so their tendency to oxidize is very great. These oxidative processes can damage enzymes and other parts of cells, and especially their ability to produce energy. The enzymes which break down proteins are inhibited by unsaturated fats; these enzymes are needed not only for digestion, but also for production of thyroid hormones, clot removal, immunity, and the general adaptability of cells. The risks of abnormal blood clotting, inflammation, immune deficiency, shock, aging, obesity, and cancer are increased. Thyroid [hormones] and progesterone are decreased.

Since the unsaturated oils block protein digestion in the stomach, we can be malnourished even while “eating well.” There are many changes in hormones caused by unsaturated fats. Their best understood effect is their interference with the function of the thyroid gland. Unsaturated oils block thyroid hormone secretion, its movement in the circulatory system, and the response of tissues to the hormone. Coconut oil is unique in its ability to prevent weight-gain or cure obesity, by stimulating metabolism. It is quickly metabolized, and functions in some ways as an antioxidant.⁹

Because coconut oil is saturated and very stable (unrefined coconut oil has a shelf life of about three to five years at room temperature), the body is not burdened with oxidative stress as it is with the vegetable oils. Coconut oil does not require the enzyme stress that vegetable oils do, preventing T4 to T3 hormone conversion, not only because it is a stable oil, but also because it is processed differently in the body and does not need to be broken down by enzyme dependent processes as do long chain fatty acids. Also, since the liver is the main place where damage occurs from oxidized and rancid oils that cause cell membrane damage, and since the liver is where much of the conversion of T4 to T3 takes place, eliminating long chain fatty acids from the diet and replacing them with medium chain fatty acids found in coconut oil can, in time, help in rebuilding cell membranes and increasing enzyme production that will assist in promoting the conversion of T4 to T3 hormones.

Pretty interesting eh?

I encourage you to do your own research on this topic! Coconut can be used for all sorts of stuff! Healthy baking, cooking, frying, and for your skin/hair/nails!

Don’t be afraid of coconuts and all they have to offer!

The bali sun coconut oil was good! It’s FAR less sweet then artisana’s though…anyone know why this would be? But it does have a subtle sweetness and is great for cooking with. My peppers tonight tasted just delightful! I think it would also taste like a dream in smoothies or baking I believe it was also cheaper for me to get the bali then order artisana online!

One more little review!

Zhena’s Gypsy Tea in coconut chai…

I also picked this up from a local health food store. The price tag is hefty…but for me, it’s a treat and well worth it!

A little about Zhena’s

(from the website)

You Can Taste the Difference

Welcome to the wondrous world of Zhena’s Gypsy Tea. We offer exquisite teas and herbal infusions of exceptional character and rich underlying attributes. Combining the ancient tea blending principles that began with the earliest monks and herbalists with the latest health research, Zhena’s Gypsy Tea produces hand-crafted, premium quality, all natural and organic healthy infusions to please the palate and delight the senses. We take pride in selling only teas that are 100% organic and 100% Fair Trade certified.

A Loyal Brand A Growing Brand

A commitment to social responsibility and the well-being of others has grown Zhena’s Gypsy Tea from a small humble band of loyal Gypsy Tea consumers to a growing successful brand and we are grateful. Our mission is to enrich the lives of people everywhere through our offerings of only the healthiest and freshest teas, herbs and botanicals available.

Cause and Affect Tea

Because our teas are not mass- grown, but are nurtured, cultivated and hand processed by tea artisans, it is possible for us to offer the finest grades of unique and special harvests that protect the body and pamper the senses. Zhena’s Gypsy Tea doesn’t just market products, it markets meaning, teas with a commitment to social responsibility, sustainability and the well-being of others. A community minded, pro-active company and one of the pioneer supporters of the Fair Trade Model, we work directly with small growers and out of the way tea gardens to affect change by providing these workers with healthcare, guaranteed maternity leave, childcare, literacy, better working conditions, and autonomy.

A Business Born of Courage

In 2000, Zhena was faced with the most difficult challenge of her life when her son, Sage, was born with a severe birth defect. Barely making ends meet, and with no health insurance to cover Sage’s mounting medical costs, Zhena was determined to earn the income necessary to support the needs of her son and finance the several surgeries to insure Sage’s survival.. With her degree in aromatherapy, love of tea and a small collection of money from friends and family, Zhena embraced her Ukrainian Gypsy ancestry and began peddling her teas out of a cart on California street corners. Believing that selling her tins of tea could alter fate, Zhena became a purveyor of hope and the founder of Gypsy Tea. Today Sage is a healthy, energetic boy and the company is an Award Winning Brand delighting consumers around the globe.

Where is Zhena’s Gypsy Tea Located?

Nestled in the picturesque Los Padres Mountains, inland from the Pacific coast, the city of Ojai, California is an easy 90 minute drive north of Los Angeles or a 45 minute drive south-west of Santa Barbara and has a total area of 4.4 square miles with a population of 8,000. Reflecting Southern California’s relaxed and friendly personality, Ojai is a low-key hideaway, widely known for being an active art community, spa retreat and spiritual sanctuary, attracting an eclectic mix of artists, spiritual gurus, health devotees, entrepreneurs, Hollywood actors and executives.

Are All the Ingredients in Zhena’s Gypsy Tea Natural?

We at Zhena’s Gypsy Tea offer only the purest, most natural teas. All of our hand-blended teas and infusions integrate only the finest, highest grade, natural essential oils of fruits and flowers. A masterful orchestration of botanical benefits, our products are made fresh with expertly blended organic leaves, herbs, fruits, healthful flowers, spices and essential oils that delivers the sipper a true and tasty steep that is full of flavor and character.. All the ingredients are certified GMO and allergen free, and are 100% natural and do not contain petrochemicals, dyes, artificial fragrances or preservatives. We are uncompromising in these principles and do not offer products unless they meet these rigorous standards.

Our Tea Leaves Aren’t The Only Thing That’s Green

Zhena’s Gypsy Tea realizes that the health of our environment is a reflection of the choices we make and the actions we take. We care so much about how we impact our environment that we’ve chosen to hold ourselves responsible and take action. By committing ourselves to green practices such as buying wind power through the purchase of green tags to offset our company’s carbon footprint (how much CO2 they produce through production and electricity costs), we hope to set an example for other companies and individuals to follow. Our environmental approach begins at the very source by focusing on the impact of how the ingredients in our products are grown and continues all the way through to the packaging that we use. Our use of minimal, eco-friendly materials for our packaging, represents a lesser impact on the environment. All of our teas are available in fully recyclable and reusable containers and paper wrap refills that protect the tea and keep it fresh. We encourage you to reuse the tins with refills of our delicious teas.

Awards & Accolades

Winner Socially Responsible Business for Corporate Ethics
Winner Enterprising Women of the Year
Winner Golden Addy for Packaging Design
Winner Natural Products Expo Best New Packaging
Winner Nutrition Business Growth Achievement

I can feel totally groovy drinking this

This really did enrich my senses. I told someone over twitter last night, that it was almost spicy (from the chai) but the coconut flavor left a subtle hint of sweetness. I bet this would taste great just as is or with milk/almond milk! You could also make it into a delicious naturally sweet iced tea! I’m looking forward to trying out more from Zhena’s.

This would be under the black tea category…

Black Tea leaves are plucked, withered, rolled, cured and then fired. The full curing produces a black, fully oxidized leaf that yields a rich amber brew, assertive and robust, characterized by woody astringency with subtle floral notes. Stimulating and empowering black tea is one of the most widely consumed teas and has a long history of use dating back to China approximately 5,000 years ago. Tea aficionados covet black tea for its various purifying qualities and rich, exquisite taste. For a unique experience, consider our Opus Garden Collection – rare black teas, from the finest organic and fair trade tea gardens in the world.

Tins contain single-serving sachets made from round, natural, environmentally kind, hemp paper.

Alright. Not much more to update you on! You can follow along with my fitness section and notice that I have been getting some great workouts in! Today I did an hour on the treadmill (speed walking) and walked around 40 minutes outside. It was literally a BLIZZARD out there today. We got sooo much snow!

2 questions before I go!

1. Do you enjoy coconut oil/butter? If so what brand do you use!?

2. What is your favorite kind of Gypsy tea!?

Hope you are keeping warm where you are!

Tagged as: coconut oil, fitness, Product review, tea, zhena's tea