Liquid Armor Coffee

The time has come for me to post the much anticipated (at least I’d like to think so) recipe for my delicious, and relatively nutritious, Liquid Armor Coffee!!  As I mentioned previously, this is my modified take on the over-hyped BulletProof ® coffee that has Paleo enthusiasts, cross fitters, and even just us regular folks who love a tasty cup of joe, going crazy and jumping on the buttered/oiled coffee bandwagon.

So, in case you haven’t come across the heavily promoted (and in my opinion, overpriced) recipe for this coffee that will, metaphorically, protect you from being pumped full of encapsulated explosives…here’s the scoop. Basically, you need to buy the coffee that that the BulletProof® head honcho endorses. It’s around $20 for a 12 oz bag because it’s organic and low in mytotoxins, which supposedly will make you feel better than any coffee you’ve ever had. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about paying extra for healthy foods if it’s going to make a significant difference, but to be honest, the coffee I buy for $6 to $8 at Trader Joe’s tastes great and makes me feel pretty darn good, and who’s to say what level of mytotoxins is in your average cup of coffee, particularly if you buy organic. That said, I will at least give credit to the Bulletproof site for mentioning tips to finding the highest performance coffee in your city if you don’t want to pay for the stuff they market on their site.

Can you tell I love this place? haha

Anyway, the special, pricey beans are part of the deal…another ingredient you “need” is a special MCT oil (Medium Chain Triglycerides…just scientific jargon for healthy fats) that is supposedly 6x stronger than coconut oil.  Well, at $30 for a 32 oz bottle, it’s also about 6 times more expensive than the organic, deliciously flavorful coconut oil I get at old reliable Trader Joe’s. Coconut oil is loaded with health benefits all on its own, …so I personally don’t think it’s worth the upgrade.

And lastly, the original recipe calls for 1-2 tablespoons grass-fed, unsalted butter or ghee. I’ve tried my Liquid Armor using both options (unsalted butter & ghee) and I didn’t care for it. I prefer mine with straight up coconut oil, but you’re welcome to experiment and find what you like.

Now for the big reveal…my Liquid Armor Coffee Recipe!

What you’ll need:

1-2 Tablespoons organic coconut oil (can use 1 Tbsp coconut oil & 1 Tbsp unsalted butter or ghee, but I prefer just coconut oil)
8 oz freshly brewed coffee (use filtered water and, ideally a French Press, but I usually just use a regular drip coffee pot and mine tastes delicious)
Blender (I use NutriBullet)

I always use this coconut oil, and this is one of my favorites of Trader Joe’s coffee.

The instructions are very simple:

1. Brew coffee and add to blender (yes, while hot)
2. Plop in coconut oil (and, if you would like to try it, unsalted butter or ghee)*

Steps 1 + 2…. I know what you’re thinking…Oil? In my coffee??? But what about my milk? creamer? How will I get it the right caramel-y color??

3. Blend 20-30 seconds until frothy.
Just a tip that with the NutriBullet, sometimes the cap feels stuck after you turn it over. I think it’s a combo of heat and pressure buildup while blending. I find that turning the blender over (lid facing up) and letting it set for 30    seconds or so before opening usually does the trick!

It will turn a lovely, creamy caramel color…and check out that foam!! 🙂 ❤

4. Pour into your favorite mug/to-go cup and enjoy an awesome tasting cup of coffee with latte-like foam that will make you feel satisfied, focused, and energized 🙂

And there you have it!

Trust me, I was skeptical myself…but now that I’ve made it, I’m hooked. It’s so delicious, natural, and satisfying, but you’ll never know unless you try it. Don’t worry, you can always go back to using the Almond Milk Creamer you just made from my recipe, but this offers a decadent and healthy variation 😉  *You can also add in some cinnamon, nutmeg, and/or sugar (I like brown or coconut sugar), but try it first as is because it’s so yummy, you probably won’t even want to mess with it.

So what are you waiting for? Grab your blender, give it a whirl, and let me know what you think!

Ciao for now,

-E

Temperature Update!

Well, today will be partly cloudy in NY with a high of 41 degrees F…

Just kidding!! Actually, sadly, I’m not…spring has not sprung here apparently, but this post is not about the weather. I owe you guys an update about my coconut oil experiment!

I’ll be honest, I dragged my feet on this one because I was hoping to report glorious rising temperatures in the 98 degree range…unfortunately, I haven’t broken my 97.9 degree record and have been averaging about 97.3. I’ve still been going grain/gluten free, and the only other change that I can say I had since I started the coconut experiment is that I cut back on weight training (and the gym in general) after a head cold and daylight savings kicked my butt. So of course, less activity could have affected the body temperature, but I’m still a little bummed that I don’t have more exciting news on the temperature front.

HOWEVER, I will say that I’ve noticed lots of other positives:

• Clearer and more radiant complexion (a few people told me I was glowing!)
• Better digestion and, ahem, regularity
• Less cravings, particularly for sugary snacks
• More energy during workouts
• Faster recovery from strenuous weight lifting…particularly leg day

So, it’s safe to say that I’ve noticed enough benefits to keep making coconut oil a part of my daily diet…especially now that I’m hooked on Liquid Armor Coffee (my own version of the Bulletproof® Coffee that’s been getting so much hype). I named mine Liquid Armor because evidently the company demands that you use a ® symbol when speaking about “Bulletproof® Coffee” because it’s a specific recipe using specific (and overpriced/over-hyped IMO) beans. Anyyyyywayyyy, this is just a lil teaser of a future recipe for my own Liquid Armor Coffee that will be delightful to both your tummies and wallets 🙂 Stay tuned!

Ciao for now!

-E

Hot, Or Not?

Alright! Well, time to update you guys on my progress now that I’m on day 10 of my coconut oil experiment…If you read my last post, you’ll remember that I mentioned suspecting that I have a sluggish metabolism/under-active thyroid, and that I’ve noticde my body temperature is consistently a bit low (no higher than 97.1).

So, for the past week and a half, I’ve added 1-2 tablespoons of organic, virgin coconut oil to my diet. Specifically, I’ve been using Trader Joe’s brand:

Photo Credit

Now, let me start by telling you, as a reformed restrictive dieter, I never imagined I’d be downing tablespoons of high-fat, high calorie OIL. But, as I touched upon in last week’s post, all oils are not created equal, and organic, unrefined coconut oil is supposed to have many, many benefits. That being said, I’ve been eating this stuff every which way for the past 10 days: stirred into my coffee, for cooking, spread onto fruit, and even straight up on a spoon (don’t knock it ’til you try it…it’s actually really yummy!).  As a side note, I didn’t eat the coconut oil at any specific times, just whenever I could incorporate it into my day.

Before I tell you about changes I’ve noticed, I’ll also mention that since starting my coconut oil study, I’ve also been very strict with staying gluten-free. I know I have a sensitivity to gluten, but I’ve been kind of lax in sticking to a gluten-free diet. I just wanted to mention this, as I’m sure it contributed to some of the positive changes you’re about to read…

Photo Credit

Okay, enough with the teasers…I know you’re probably anxious to read some results!

Here goes:

• Less food cravings overall, especially sweets and between-meal snacks
• Improved digestion (less bloating/flatter stomach, and much more…regular)
• Noticeably clearer skin (I was getting breakouts on my upper back and chest that virtually disappeared)
• AND I took my temperature this morning, and it was 97.9 (still not 98.6, but up significantly from 97.1)

All in all, I must say, I feel pretty great!  And definitely great enough to continue with the coconut oil and sticking to a gluten-free diet. I’m curious about what another week will do for the body temperature, so I’m going to go ahead and monitor results for another update next week. Stay tuned!

Ciao for now,

-E

Time to Heat Things Up!

So I’ve noticed for a while now that I’m consistently not reaching a high enough body temperature (I’m usually at about 97.1), and noticing symptoms like cold hands and feet, sluggishness, and joint aches. The low body temp especially surprises me because I eat plenty of protein and have gained a fair amount of muscle mass over the past few months, but still, that body temp won’t budge. Though I’ve been tested in the past and been told I’m within normal limits, I’m quite certain that an under-active thyroid is the culprit.

Source

I have heard a lot of buzz about eating Coconut Oil to help boost metabolism and body temperature and came across some information by Ray Peat, a biologist specializing in metabolic function and repairing hypothyroidism. In addition to some other suggestions, Peat recommends eating coconut oil (at least a tablespoon a day) to help boost overall metabolism.

This makes sense because, as referenced in an article on Natural News:

• Coconut oil slows down the digestion of food, which helps you feel fuller after a meal. Many people notice that after adding coconut oil to their diet, they are less prone to snacking.

• Because it slows digestion, coconut oil also helps prevent blood sugar fluctuations after a meal by slowing the rate carbohydrates are broken down into blood glucose.

• The medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil destroy candida, a condition of yeast overgrowth in the body which triggers symptoms of weight gain, carbohydrate cravings, fatigue and many others. Eliminating candida is an important part of achieving permanent weight loss.

• Coconut oil is excellent for detoxification. It cleanses the body of many infirmities, balances the digestive tract and nourishes all cells in the body. These benefits restore your health and pave the way for natural weight loss.

The article goes on to mention that:

One study examined the effect of medium-chain fatty acids on metabolism. Participants’ metabolism was evaluated before and after a meal rich in these fats. On average, metabolism increased by 48 percent. In obese individuals, the increase was as high as an astounding 65 percent. Studies have shown this thermogenic effect can last for 24 hours.

And a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported that medium-chain fatty acids were three times more effective at raising the metabolism than long-chain fatty acids. Researchers concluded that replacing long-chain fatty acids with medium-chain fatty acids was an effective method for weight loss. Another study from the same journal showed that eating medium-chain fatty acids increases metabolism and also helps burn off stored fat.

And today, stumbled on a little gem by Miss Butter Believer who shared that was able to raise her body temperature by a full degree in less than a week by adding coconut oil to her daily diet!

Source

With all of this information, I’m willing to give this a try to see what happens. Starting today, I will consume 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil per day and see what happens. I love a good self-experiment!!

Check back for an update in next week’s post!

Ciao for now,

-E