Experimenting

I have been toying with the idea of purchasing coconut oil for its myriad of uses for awhile but due its expense have been gun shy. This last week Sprouts had a BOGO free deal so I went ahead and pulled the trigger.

My number one use of interest was oil pulling. So, I used just a small amount last night and pulled for about 5 -10 minutes before brushing my teeth and then did it again this morning with a larger amount for 20 min. I should took a start picture to see if there is any difference. On one hand my mouth did feel cleaner this morning, but my sensitive teeth feel a bit like they are on alert though they don't hurt.

I have also read it makes a great facial cleanser so I put some on my face yesterday and today. I think that regiment needs tweaked but my face does feel softer.

I have been meaning to start doing my green smoothies again and I had a small bunch of spinach leftover from a recipe so I decided to go ahead and make one yesterday as a mid-morning snack. I dropped a tablespoon of coconut oil in it. There was just a hint of coconut flavor and it was pretty good. I really enjoy the flavor of my green smoothies and my body said Ahhh as I drank it.

Supposedly two of the benefits of coconut oil is increased energy and weight loss (keeps you full longer and has good fat). I am not sure that the coconut oil itself made a difference, but this morning I woke up at 5 to feed Peter and go to the bathroom. After changing his diaper I found myself feeling quite alert. I laid in bed debating getting up for the morning and exercising. After about 45 minutes I decided to get up. I made Matthew's lunch while I swished the coconut oil and debated whether I really wanted to start my day with CardioX or something a little more tame since I am just starting back into things. I chose Cardio X. And survived.

I modified where I needed to because I didn't want to go all out and then be so sore I wouldn't do it again or be able to function. For the most part it went well, but I really felt my muscles when I finished the Steam Engine which is at the end of the program. It is basically standing crunches. Youch! Peter woke up the last little bit but I was close enough to the cool down that I didn't stop. Now that it is the end of the day I'm feeling a lot more than just my hamstrings. Everything is going to be so sore tomorrow. I did a lot of sitting today with Peter so I wasn't able to keep my muscles warm and limber. Oh well....

I feel like I've been in much better control of my eating today and wasn't as hungry or bottomless pit as I have been. Maybe it is the exercise, maybe it is the coconut oil, maybe it is the smoothie, or maybe it is a combination. I did eat some things I shouldn't have but I didn't do it with a feeling of lack of control, if that makes sense.