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.

Enjoying a delicious coconut grown in my parents backyard (Dominican Republic May'15)

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.

Fall in love with the coco...