Coconut oil has made a comeback.  It is actually a "good fat" with antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties.  It also contains lauric acid which helps increase the good HDL cholesterol in blood, is easily absorbed by the body, and used as a source of direct energy.  Coconut oil also has the antioxidant vitamin E, which is great for the skin.  I use coconut oil in the kitchen and in beauty routines.

The other day I had a "light bulb moment" and discovered an easy way to measure coconut oil.  Here's how I do it...

Here is a great idea for a quick DIY gluten-free s’mores kit.  My daughter just went with her school to an outdoor adventure camp in the California redwoods.  I was informed at the last minute that the kids were having s’mores on one of the nights, which meant I needed to provide a gluten-free and dairy-free option for her.

Now that we are a gluten-free and dairy-free household, I’m reinventing the way we eat.  Breakfast is one of the hardest changes to make.  Our standards of whole-wheat toast, oatmeal (we don’t eat oats either), cream of wheat, or cereal with milk have been replaced with other options like eggs, bacon, Paleo pancakes, and smoothies.  My daughter is the best recipe taste tester, and here are her comments on this turmeric and orange smoothie: "That's delicious!  I love the hint of spice!  Is there more?!!"  With relief, I now have another successful breakfast item to put on my evolving menu.