Last Friday, I hopped in the "matatu" (Swahili for "rickety van w/ no air conditioning") with my group and headed over to the Coast Coconut Farms factory to see just how extra virgin coconut oil is made. I'm a holistic kind of a gal and I'm really into essential oils and the best kinds of cooking oils, so I was excited to see just how they extract it.
We met the sweet people that work there (did I mention this is a company with CEOs who don't take any payment? The factory is there solely to provide jobs for the people. All profits go back into the company and into the hands of the Kenyans who work there. Pretty sweet.).
When the coconuts are harvested, the workers slice them open by hand with their machetes. The milk is de-lish!
The coconuts are dried in an enormous oven to take out the water and make it easier to extract the oil.
After the meat is cut out of the coconut, they shred it and press it into 100% organic, extra virgin coconut oil. The oil is sold to the health food industry or put right into Basa Body skin products.
I tell you what, I'll give a package of some Basa Body products away including hand-crafted soap, a moisturizing coconut oil stick, Raspberry-Coconut lotion, and delicious peppermint lip butter. All you have to do is leave me a comment telling me that you found Basa Body on Facebook and "liked" them (and if you're extra cool, you'll tell me a positive factoid about coconut oil - just because I want to learn more). The giveaway ends Sunday night. I'll announce the winner on Monday, May 2nd!
![](http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll208/lyndsayjohnson/finalmindysig.png)
I am so jealous of the photo of you drinking fresh coconut milk!
ReplyDeleteAnd I liked Basa Body on Facebook - I'd love to dry them out on this dry ol' skin of mine.
Coconut Oil has lauric acid....which can help with AIDS, diabetes, high blood pressure,cancer, dental care and bone health!
ReplyDeleteFound and liked on FB...thanks for the opportunity....
I found Basa Body on Facebook and I liked it!
ReplyDeleteI hope I win! Even if I dont I want you to know...Since discovering you I have listened to your CD every day, bought your sheet music. I love that your Ancho album makes me feel HAPPY!
I am glad you having a BLAST in Africa!
Here is a factoid!
These benefits of coconut oil can be attributed to the presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, and its properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, soothing, etc.
The human body converts lauric acid into monolaurin which is claimed to help in dealing with viruses and bacteria causing diseases such as herpes, influenza, cytomegalovirus, and even HIV.
I "LIKED" Basa Body on FB, thank you so much for sharing!! Coconut Oil is good for Healing: When applied on infections, it forms a chemical layer which protects the infected body part from external dust, air, fungi, bacteria and virus. Coconut oil is most effective on bruises as it speeds up the healing process by repairing damaged tissues. It is also strengthens your immune system as well as fights harmful bacteria:)
ReplyDeleteI found them on FB and liked them!
ReplyDeleteI love learning about new companies that are earth friendly + people friendly!
Wow. I just read that it can help with weight loss: It contains short and medium-chain fatty acids that help in taking off excessive weight.
I'm going to out buy some more! :)
I "Liked" Basa Body on FB:)
ReplyDeleteHere is something that I read online that I thought was pretty amazing about coconut oil...
"So whether you are recovering from a long-term illness, in a comatose state, a person in a nursing home, Alzheimer's, or Parkinson's disease, or just simply want more beautiful skin, the cells simply need that coconut oil so they can get the energy they require for more beautiful skin. What it does to the skin, it will do the same for the brain cells and all the organs inside the body, because all cells need fuel so they can properly function!"
Also, while living in Hawaii I had friends who used it for sunscreen. Granted they were not the whitey that I am:)
Love your Music!!!
I liked them on FB - I would love to try their products!
ReplyDeleteMy great grandmother used coconut oil to cure lice - also excellent for the health of your scalp.
I liked Basa Body on Facebook. Factoid: Coconut Oil can help in dissolving kidney stones. Wish I knew that 2 years and 2 kidney stones ago!
ReplyDeleteAhhh darn....yet another reason I need to get a facebook account.
ReplyDelete~But I follow you on Twitter! That should count for something(I can always RT).
Alicia
Coconut Oil is also good for dogs, helps skin and coat.
ReplyDeleteAlicia
I LOVE coconut oil! I use it in my cooking, and I've been dying to try it in other products--it's supposed to be fantastic for your hair and skin.
ReplyDeleteI totally liked Basa Body on facebook, Thanks Mindy!
Basa - Like - Check.
ReplyDeleteNo factoid - just love coconut anything - Check.
Wish my husband had known about coconuts for kidney stones - better than drinking straight lemon juice - Check.
I need to read all the posts and learn more about the holistic properties of coconuts - Check.
Choose me - I can use some coconut love! - Check!
I came, I saw, I "liked" Basa Body on FB.
ReplyDeleteI love that I can sub coconut oil for butter in baking. It's super healthy and less expensive and makes my sweets sweeter, a win win win!
I liked Basa Body on facebook!
ReplyDeleteLiked Basa on FB. Adore coconut & the smell...oh, divine. The husband lived in Brazil & said fresh coconuts/milk is to die for, especially after a hot afternoon. That is an experience I'd like to try someday. :)
ReplyDeleteliked to the max!
ReplyDeletei straight up adore all things coconut.
fun fact: the medium chain fatty acids in coconut oil increase the rate of your metabolism! :)
I found Basa Body and liked them on facebook. And sadly i know nothing of coconut oil...so maybe i NEED this to help me out a little! HAHA
ReplyDeletetiffanyjoy83 at hotmail dot com
Mindy,
ReplyDeleteYou are too adorable for your own good. Loving the great pictures above.
Coconut milk is so yummy you lucky duck getting to drink it right from a coconut.
I have to be honest and say I have never tried Basa Products but I do use straight up coconut oil for my skin, for cooking and for massages. Would love the opportunity to try it for free. he he
I must say you are one of the few singers who make me cry, love your voice and it comes from the heart. Hugs, Bobbi Jo
I liked them on FaceBook! Also saw that they are in the same city as I am!!! COOL! nlee82804 (at)gmail (dot)com
ReplyDeleteThis is great! I definitely Liked it on Facebook! :D
ReplyDeleteI liked them on FB too. I found it interesting that coconut oil reduces protein loss when used in hair.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodnes...I just lost my whole post! Darnit! K so I am really excited to go to Basa Body's website and check them out. I just clicked on their like button on their Facebook page! Thank you for sharing about a product that you love! I love finding new natural products. So a quick little tidbit about coconut oil. I actually use coconut oil in a fractionated state. Part of the oil is taken out making it thinner, and a more stable product(which makes it last longer). I use it as a carrier oil with my DoTerra Essential Oils that I use and absolutely love and use all the time.
ReplyDeleteAnd I must also tell you that I am so very pumped that you are coming to Rexburg to sing this next weekend! My sister and I are going to be there and we are so so so excited to see you live! Can't wait!
Hi Mindy! I liked Basa Body on facebook and for a whole page full of interesting coconut oil benefits, check this out:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.organicfacts.net/organic-oils/organic-coconut-oil/health-benefits-of-coconut-oil.html
(:
I liked Basa Body on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteHey Mindy! How cool you're in Kenya, wow! I liked Basa Body on facebook. You prob already know this, but I was excited to find out that coconut oil helps heal acne scars...makes me want to try it for that. Thanks for letting us know about Basa. Very cool!
ReplyDeleteI "Liked" Basa Body on Facebook!! Coconut butter helps in kidney and gall bladder diseases. It also helps dissolve Kidney Stones. (Don't know about you but my cousin gets kidney stones when she's pregnant.... food for thought.)
ReplyDeleteI liked them, because I have the worst skin ever and seriously need this!
ReplyDeleteI found them on facebook!
ReplyDeletebsobanski@yahoo.com
Like a billion times!!
ReplyDeleteCoconut oil is very soothing and hence it helps in removing stress. Applying coconut oil to the head followed with a gentle massage helps in removing mental fatigue.
I could use some soothing coconut oil right about now...finals, they get me every time!!
Whitney Ebert
I ♥ coconut. The taste, smell, versatility. I had heard conflicting information that it was BAD for your heart and that it was good for your heart. So I consulted Oprah on the matter and here's what her experts say:
ReplyDelete"Coconut oil is mostly saturated fat, and that's why it's gotten a bad rap. But recently, saturated fats have been getting a second look because it turns out they're not all the same. The saturated fatty acids—palmitic acid and myristic acid—that are abundant in butter, cream, and some meats have been linked to a higher risk of heart disease. However, coconut oil contains lauric acid and stearic acid (also found in dark chocolate), and these seem to behave differently in the body; early research suggests they don't raise heart disease risk.
But I have yet to see any convincing evidence that coconut oil can decrease your heart disease risk (or that it can boost your immune system or help you lose weight—two other common claims). Ongoing research may prove otherwise, but until the results are in, don't make it a point to consume coconut oil. And I wouldn't substitute it for oils we know are beneficial, such as olive oil and canola oil.
There is one positive outcome from the renewed scrutiny of coconut oil: It will almost certainly prove to be healthier than trans fat, which has led some food manufacturers to begin using it as a replacement."
Mindy, I Pinned Basa Body's website on my Pintrest site, and tweeted it. Would that coung in lieu of Facebook for those who don't like on Facebook? I never win stuff, so it's a mute point either way, but I wanted to plug them and the wonderful work they are doing regardless. Why not, I mean?
Looking forward to more Mindy posts about your latest adventures. Thanks!
I "liked" it and that coconut milk looks absolutely refreshing! I hope that one day I can travel like you have. Hope you are your family is healthy and well!
ReplyDelete-Lacy Cox
Woot!! I liked Basa Body and hope I win some wonderful lotion ;)
ReplyDeleteliked 'em! google lauric acid! good stuff, good stuff! p.s. I ate TONS of chocolate coconut cream bars at girls night tonight....they were PRETTY YUMMY!!
ReplyDeleteMindy,
ReplyDeleteI "Liked" basa body! How could I not! Coconut is the BEST smell in the world and coconut meat is the BEST! Coconut cream pie is my favorite!
FACT:
Stress Relief: Coconut oil is very soothing and hence it helps in removing stress. Applying coconut oil to the head followed with a gentle massage helps in removing mental fatigue.
I liked them! I found a page with all kinds of health benefits!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.organicfacts.net/organic-oils/organic-coconut-oil/health-benefits-of-coconut-oil.html
Also I'm super excited for the concert in Rexburg!!
awesome!! i liked basa body! i love coconut oil! check out my blog to see what i use it for!
ReplyDeletehttp://livinonsunnyside.blogspot.com/2011/02/lets-shake-things-up.html
Hey Mindy!
ReplyDeleteI LIKED Basa Body on FB. :)
Coconut oil, according to recent reports, is the latest food cure-all. Claims abound that coconut oil is a health food that can cure everything from poor immune function, thyroid disease, and heart disease, to obesity, cancer, and HIV.
Here's another cool site:
http://www.campbali.com/coconutfacts.htm
I liked it on Facebook, and to be honest I don't know much about coconut oil. But I really want to try it out!!!
ReplyDeleteP.S. I love your music. It is pretty much awesome!
I liked Basa Body on facebook. Coolest fact I found on wikipedia (especially considering current trends in gas prices):
ReplyDeleteThe Philippines, Vanuatu, Samoa, and several other tropical island countries are using coconut oil as an alternative fuel source to run automobiles, trucks, and buses, and to power generators. Coconut oil is currently used as a fuel for transport in the Philippines. Further research into the oil's potential as a fuel for electricity generation is being carried out in the islands of the Pacific.
And I'd much rather have coconut oil smell on my hands than gasoline :)
I like Basa Body on facebook! Thanks for sharing your adventures! I love reading about it/
ReplyDeleteHi Mindy--I found and liked Basa Body on Facebook. And I am very interested in Basa's coconut oil, as I use coconut oil in my own hand-made soaps. It helps me get a good hard bar and makes for a wonderful lather.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lucky girl you are to go on this grand adventure. I liked Basa and would love a little coconut smell in my all male house :)
ReplyDeleteI liked Basa on facebook. I've never had coconut milk, but it looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteI liked Basa Body on Facebook. I wonder if you've ever heard of this use of coconut oil...it's called an oil pull. You put a couple tablespoons in your mouth and swish it around for 15 minutes, then spit it out. It's supposed to draw toxins from your body and help with all kinds of problems. My mother-in-law swears by it.
ReplyDeleteI love that my holistic friend Mindy got to go to Kenya and have this fabulous experience!
ReplyDeletemega-adventure of a lifetime going on in kenya there, lady! this is, i'm thinking, added icing on the adventure-cake. :)
ReplyDeleteliked basa body on facebook.
coconut factoid that i love? well i just learned from my celiac aunt that coconut is quite helpful with some of the added challenges that piggyback with celiac such as rosacea & psoriasis. HUGE news for me since i've suffered with psoriasis for most of my life, and am just now showing some mild rosacea. i LOVE that i don't need an RX to get relief for these troublesome health glitches! :) now if coconut could just cure celiac & gluten sensitivities altogether, then i'd HAVE to move somewhere where i can raise my own personal coconut grove.
keep traveling safe, sugarfoot!
I "Liked" basa body on FB. Is it any wonder that the best recipes have coconut milk? Thanks for sharing your journey.
ReplyDeleteI liked Basa Body on FB. I am a big fan of Basa Body and I am so happy you've had this chance to go there and see the company up close and personal.
ReplyDelete"found" and "liked".
ReplyDeleteJust found & liked Basa on Facebook. I am hopeful to see if it will help my little girls with their skin conditions. Thank-you for sharing your journey with us... what an amazing company :)
ReplyDeleteI too just found and liked Basa on Facebook. Would love to try the product. I love essential oils and natural items also.
ReplyDeleteYour music is wonderful! Love your voice and your messages.
Liked them on FB! (Fun fact: Coconut oil can increase protein when applied to hair).
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your pregnancy! How exciting!
ReplyDeleteI use coconut oil as my daily moisturizer on my face. I have super oily skin, but coconut oil is actually the perfect thing for that. Did you know that since using coconut oil, I no longer look oily and shiny? It's true! Coconut oil (among others) actually properly balances the natural oil production of our skin. So it's actually perfect for oily skin, ironically enough. It gives me the perfect satin finish. :)
ReplyDeleteI "liked" Basa on Facebook. I've always wanted to try their products! They look amazing.
Congratulations Mindy! Coconut oil save my tummy from stretch marks and the nagging itching through four pregnancies-GREAT STUFF! Would love to try BASA Body Products. I found them on FB and they are my new friend. Best wishes! You need a concert in New Egnland!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the baby boy! I liked Basa Body on facebook and really want to try some of this stuff. It sounds AMAZING!
ReplyDeleteI liked Basa Body on FB. It sounds like coconut oil is fabulous for my skin. I've read that coconut oil helps fix your thyroid, which helps you, loose weight. If only I could go on a pina colada diet and loose weight!
ReplyDeleteI love listening to your Anchor CD with my girls...Thanks
I like Basa Body on Facebook too!! I'm so excited to try these products. I love all things coconut. Coconut oil, coconut flour, coconut, coconut, coconut!!!
ReplyDeleteCoconut oil is great stuff! My dad's family is from India and they use it all the time for the hair. It helps strengthen it and make it shiny! You can also use it for your skin as a moisturizer. It works really well. Also (depends on the coconut oil) you can cook with it! I have cooked and baked with coconut oil in place of butter or vegetable oil. Its great in crusts! Not to mention that the water is super good for you too.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I love your music Mindy! =)
I liked basa body on FB! Thank you for the giveaway, and thanks for introducing me to the brand! I love supporting good companies. Sunday, May 2nd is my 1 year of marriage anniversary!
ReplyDeleteFun fact: coconut oil can diminish the appearance of stretch marks ( when pregnant or otherwise)
Also: I like this one :)
Promotes loss of excess weight by increasing metabolic rate. Is utilized by the body to produce energy in preference to being stored as body fat like other dietary fats. Helps prevent obesity and overweight problems.
YUMMY! The basa body products that I saw and "liked" on FB looked fabulous! I would love tor try some of these products - not only for the skin benefits, but also the yummy coconut smell!
ReplyDeletemmmm.....sigh. i have loved the smell of coconut for years - and like basa on facebook (and i just like them anyway!) - and have wanted to try to use natural products, but can't afford it......maybe today is my lucky day :)
ReplyDeleteI have really been wanting to try these products. I liked Basa on facebook.
ReplyDeleteI learned that this amazing oil can help with eczema. Two of my children struggle with eczema, in our dry climate. I have to try it!
Also I am expecting and would surely enjoy the benefits on my skin. I will be at one of your concerts next week and can't wait!!!
Thanks for offering this giveaway!
I had Basa Body ship me some lotion to England and I love it! It has enabled me to stop using steroid cream on my psoriasis and my skin is healing so well! I love to use it on my face too. (I like BB on facebook!). It would be great to try some more products.
ReplyDeleteWe use cocnut oil for cooking.. it is SO much better for you then vegtable and canola oil. My favorite is also just to put it directly on to dry spots on my skin.. brings back soft skin like none other! I liked Basa Body on facebook! I would LOVE to try thier products!
ReplyDeleteI found and liked Basa Body on facebook! I've never used them before, but it sounds awesome!
ReplyDeleteI'm headed to "like" them on Facebook and I'm getting into using coconut oil more too, in cooking and in beauty care. Love it!
ReplyDeleteWOWZA!!! this looks like such a great company and great products... i would just love to try them!!!!
ReplyDeleteI liked Basa Body on facebook. :) I learned that coconut oil help with DIAPER RASH! This might come in handy with the little one on the way.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/
I liked basa body on facebook!
ReplyDeleteAnd you have convinced me that if I don't win, I need to buy some products!!! I really really want to try this stuff!
I liked basa body on facebook-I just know coconuts are delish.
ReplyDeleteI liked Basa Body on facebook, and can't wait to try it on my skin! I've read that coconut oil may have antioxidant properties, since the oil doesn't turn rancid and since it reduces our need for vitamin E, whereas unsaturated oils deplete vitamin E.
ReplyDeleteI liked Basa Body on facebook. I have been wanting to try their products for a long time.
ReplyDeleteHi Mindy. Congrats on your stretching belly! I love essential oils & no cannot wait to get some coconut oil to mix in! I now like Basa Body on facebook. I love the photos from Africa too..you're amazing.
ReplyDeleteI found Basa Body on Facebook and "liked" it!
ReplyDeleteNow to relish your brain =]
Interesting factoids I have come across...
Coconuts happen to be a way of life for people around the world, especially in tropical areas. Because of their consuming of the oils, they are traditionally free from most modern western diseases!!!
The coconut oil is considered to be the healthiest fat to man kind. (I've gotta buy some coconuts. I see why they're my mom's favorite: healthy and delicious!) So the coconut diet replaces these transfatty acids that come from vegetable oils which are considered major culprits to modern diseases and obesity =O. Many have resulted with excellent results like: weight loss, stress relief, increasing immunity, dental care, skin care, hair care, balancing cholesterol, even CANCER & HIV! hope I gave some good incite! I feel like having some coconuts now haha. Thanks for the info! You're so cool Mindy<3
I like Basa on facebook! I really need to get some my 7 year old and I both have really dry skin!
ReplyDeleteI liked Basa Body on facebook. I just recently heard about how good coconut oil is for cooking and that my grandma uses it a lot in cooking. I love the smell of coconut so I'm sure that their products smell really good!
ReplyDeleteLisa52290@aol.com
I've never tried anything with coconut oil in it and would love to try. I found and liked Basa on FB. thanks for the opportunity! maryw711@frontier.com
ReplyDeleteI found BASA BODY on facebook and I "liked" them! Also so excited you're coming to Idaho! Can't wait to see you in concert!
ReplyDeleteI liked them on Facebook !
ReplyDeleteWe use Coconut oil on hair and skin in France.
XOXO
isafrenchy@gmail.com
Liked Basa Body on Facebook. Have used coconut oil for years on my hands- Love, love, love it! Also for cooking. Thanks for the opportunity to try some new products with coconut!
ReplyDeleteI found Basa on Facebook and I like them!
ReplyDeleteCoconut oil is the ONLY low calorie natural oil! How awesome!!
L.Melby at me dot com
I liked them, and I like you and so there.
ReplyDeleteI found bass body on facebook!! Hope you felling well. Con grates on the new addition and all the new excitement in your life!
ReplyDeleteI'm on a facebook fast for a month, but as soon as I'm back on, I'll be liking them. =) Does that count? I hope so. I don't know much about coconut oil, but I do know I like it. I use it to fatten up my little baby that was born at 1 pound 10 oz and has a hard time gaining weight. =)
ReplyDeleteI liked them on fb! Also I read that coconut oil is good for stress. Take some and rub it on your head :)
ReplyDeleteI've "liked" basa body for a while now. Love their lotion and the moisturizing stick. I also use their face products. Awesome.
ReplyDeletelike! so this may be kind of scandalous, but you an also use coconut oil in the bedroom. totally safe. just sayin'.
ReplyDeleteMucho "Like" - but very much love it! My dry hands love Basa. It stays in my car where I usually realize I need it! Coconut oil is the best to cook with too. Have you heard of Tropical Traditions? I'm assuming you have, since you cook with it. Excellent stuff!! Hope I win!
ReplyDeleteWe are all in love with your music around these parts, it is awesome to have good music that the entire family can enjoy!
ReplyDeleteHere is to winning coconut wonderment and joy!
What part of Kenya are you in? I live in Kenya! My husband and I (and 4 kids) have been in Nairobi for almost a year now. Your music is fantastic.
ReplyDeleteHello fantastic website! Does running a blog similar to this require a massive amount work? I have no understanding of coding but I had been hoping to start my own blog soon.
ReplyDelete