I'M IN LOVE WITH THE COCO

WE LOVE COCONUT OIL.

This glorious package was sent to us from Carrington Farms! They have such great products and the best coconut oil out there.

In case you aren't obsessed with this stuff already, we think it's a gal's best secret weapon to looking and feeling great!

We use coconut oil everyday for lots of different reasons and benefits - hair masks, face wash (especially if your skin is dry or irritated), shaving, teeth whitening, skin moisturizer, and cooking.  Coconut oil contains vitamin E, fiber and fatty acids that are great for overall nutritional health.

(this one has lasted several months already & I use it daily!)

The Carrington Farms 'health benefits' tab has tons of facts and information about the advantages of using coconut oil.  Here are a few of our faves from the page:

1. To help you feel full – mix 2 teaspoons of coconut oil with water and drink 20 -30 minutes before a meal. 
2. (You will eat less at the meal because you will already feel full!)
3. Eat a spoonful for an energy boost
4. Super hair conditioner
5. Replace butter, shortening and other fats
6. Use instead of shaving cream
7. Makeup remover
8. Use to treat athlete’s foot or other fungal infections
9. Add to smoothies for extra nutrition
10. Mix in your hot coffee or tea
11. Mix with oil of oregano and use at the first sign of a cold sore
12. Mix with sugar for a body scrub
13. Rub onto lips as a natural chap stick
14. Rub into the inside of your nose to help alleviate allergy symptoms
15. Mix with chia for a double energy booster!
16. Use it to on mosquito bites, poison ivy etc. to reduce itching

Pretty great, huh?

They also sent us their organic flax hemp & chia blends, organic milled flax seeds, travel coconut oil paks, and recipes! I'm most excited to try this recipe for Flax Hemp Mozzarella Sticks - YUM.

Have you become loco for coconut oil? Share with us your favorite ways to use this amazing stuff! 

FREEDOM BARS

If you need some patriotic food inspiration for this weekend, we've got you covered! We're super excited to share with you the first recipe post from our guest blogger and friend, Haylea Nguyen. Her blog "Bowl of Happiness" is precious and full of delicious recipe ideas for even the amateur cooks like ourselves.  Let us know your favorite red, white, and blue treat to make or if you give these sweets a try.   

P.S. For those of you trying to watch your lady figure - there's fruit in them so they can't be all bad for you, right? 

Bon Appétit!

My recipe choice was inspired by a cake that is a family favorite at Thanksgiving and 

Christmas. Easy recipes are always a winner and this one just so happens to also be a 

show stopper. During the holidays I usually make this cake with fresh cranberries but 

because of lack of cranberries in the summer…and the fact that cherries are in season, 

I decided to use cherries and blueberries! Now this cake is perfect for your Fourth of

 July pool party or picnic.

Don’t be fooled – these bars are super duper rich and full of sugar. That’s why they’re

 cut into small pieces right? Eat them as a perfect, buttery, sweet dessert or have a 

piece with your morning coffee!

RED, WHITE & BLUE FREEDOM BARS

PRINT

PREP TIME

15 mins

COOK TIME

50 mins

TOTAL TIME

1 hour 5 mins

Author: Bowl of Happiness

Serves: 15-20

INGREDIENTS

• 3 eggs
• 2 cups sugar
• ¾ cup butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups flour
• 12 oz (total weight) seeded cherries and blueberries

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9x13 baking dish.
2. In a stand mixer, beat the eggs with the sugar until light in color and double in size, about 7 minutes. (Do not skip this step!)
3. Add the softened butter and vanilla, beat for 2 more minutes.
4. Add flour in small batches until just combined. Do not over mix.
5. Add the blueberries and fold into the mixture with a spatula.
6. Pour the cake batter into your buttered baking dish and place the cherries all over the top, pressing them slightly into the batter.
7. Bake for 40-50 minutes until light golden brown on the top.
8. Let the cake cool completely before cutting into small squares. Enjoy!