What smells like an exotic vacation and will help you shrink your waist line?  Believe it or not... Coconut Oil.

After being deemed as a 'bad food' for so long; research finally allows healthy conscious people to enjoy coconuts, guilt-free.  Studies found that 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil will increase your metabolism and daily expenditure by 5% for 24 hours.  That means that if you're following a 1,800 calorie diet, you will lose an extra 90 calories by doing absolutely nothing.

Not only will it boost your metabolism but as I mentioned above, it was also help you lose the dreaded belly fat.  And seriously, who doesn't want a smaller waist line?!  A study of 30 men in the journal Pharmacology found that just 2 tablespoons a day reduced waist circumference by an average of 1.1 inches in 1 month.  This little miracle worker will also help reduce our sweet cravings and reduce our appetite.

After an intense booty-kicking workout, instead of reaching out for an energy drink loaded with sugars, grab a bottle of natural coconut water that will fill you up with minerals as well as making you feel full and satisfied because of its rich nature. 

If you've never cooked with coconut oil, you're in for a treat.  Just look for certified organic (can cook at any temperature) or virgin (stronger coconut flavor, best for low to medium heat cooking) and give these a try:

-use in place of butter or oil 

-spread over whole wheat toast

-use it as topping on popcorn

-lightly coat bottom of skillet to fry your eggs

-use as salad dressing

Have another cooking tip or must try recipe? Let me know below.