So I spent some time on the internet looking for support, and I started reading about virgin cold-pressed coconut oil, thanks to a thread on Mothering.com. Apparently, coconut oil, so long as it's not hydrogenated, is like a miracle substance. Not only does it improve your skin and hair, increase energy and improve moods, it also regulates blood sugar levels and decreases hunger and cravings.
I had actually been searching for coconut oil for the past several months so I could make an energy bar recipe I found. It seemed hard to get, from what I heard from other people.. Trader Joe's doesn't carry it, and our Whole Foods is a ways away. Well, amazingly enough, I found it at my local (and very mainstream) grocery store. This is what I made with it:
2 cups almonds
1/4 cup flax seeds (chia or pumpkin seeds work as well)
1/2 cup dried cranberries (or prunes, raisins, or dates)
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup unsalted peanut butter
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup coconut oil
1 tbs honey
3 tsp vanilla
chocolate chips
Put almonds, flax, cranberries, coconut, peanut butter, and salt in a food processor and chop up (or if you use a blender, like me, you might want to divide up the ingredients into smaller amounts so you don't overwhelm the blender). Heat coconut oil - or if you're making this during a heatwave and your coconut oil is already liquid, you can skip the heating. Add the coconut, honey, and vanilla to the food processor and grind away until you have a coarse paste. Press the mixture into an 8x8 dish (if you double the recipe, you can use a 9x13 pan). Chill in the refrigerator for an hour. Then Melt the chocolate on the stovetop or in the microwave and spread over the top. Once the chocolate has had the chance to harden in the fridge, you can cut it into bars.
So, so good.
This sounds great! I will be interested to know if it works, I have some PDX that I will try as well. I am also nursing, and its hard with the CRAVINGS!
ReplyDeleteEsp when one gets tired and wants CARBS,
Keep up the good work, its all process.
What's PDX? I heard something about apple cider vinegar, too, but haven't had the time to look into that yet..
ReplyDeleteI usually substitute agave nectar for sugar I want to try this :)
ReplyDeleteTropical Traditions makes the best Virgin Coconut Oil, you can order it from their website: http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/virgin_coconut_oil.htm
ReplyDeleteAmazon.com and Vitacost both have great prices on Extra Virgin cold pressed coconut oil.
ReplyDeleteI am struggling with similar issues in my weight right now (I only have 1 kid, but whiel I only gained 12 lbs with the pregnancym, I packed on 30 lbs in the 1st 8 months of her life.....not counting gaining back the 20 I lost the first month- so yup, you read that right, since my darling girl was born I have actually gained a total of 50 or more lbs:o( So, I am reading through your post to see how you are doing now!