You Need Macadamia Nut Oil, Here's Why
We all have our favorite weight loss hacks. When you've spent years managing your weight, you learn a few tricks that work for you. When I became a nutritionist, the ante raised, snacks not only had to be satisfying and help reduce cravings, they had to be toxin-free and nutrient dense. I found that for me, the sweet, buttery taste--plus the crunch of macadamia nuts would take the place of a sugary, junky treat that I had no business indulging in. Macadamia nuts send a cupid's arrow of love straight to the satiety center of the brain. Snack on them throughout the day, or throw a handful in a bowl with some greek or coconut yogurt, some fresh organic berries, and a tiny drizzle of agave nectar and you have a rich and yummy powerhouse afternoon snack.
That's how I discovered macadamia nuts--but the real reason I'm talking about them today is because of what they do for your skin. They have magnesium, manganese, copper, thiamine, and iron while being low in linoleic acid--(the acid that ages you big time). Their real virtue is in the oil. Many oils are dangerous because of the harsh solvents and processes required to get to the oil, not macadamias. Crush one on a paper towel and see what you get; oil! Now try a kernel of corn...see what I mean? It's going to take some nasty chemicals and heat to get to the oil in a kernel of corn.
Each time you bite into a macadamia nut, you're sourcing that amazing oil as you chew--your mouth becomes the first press.
Macadamia nut oil can withstand oxidation better than sesame, almond, avocado, grapeseed, and rice bran oils. Keep it in the fridge in a dark bottle to get the most out of its shelf life. And here's the part I love; macadamia oils contain the naturally occurring antioxidant--squalene which is present in skin surface lipids and acts as a sun protectant. Your skin produces squalene naturally to keep skin hydrated and wrinkle-free. And since production slows down with aging, macadamia nuts become part of our arsenal of nutrients we use to keep skin glowing. Macadamia oil resembles your own sebum because of the palmitoleic acid and oleic acid, so it's a natural moisturizer you can use directly on the skin. Try shaving with it--you'll love how your skin feels when you dry off. The palmitoleic acid and oleic acid also help to strengthen keratin which like collagen, is a protein necessary for great-looking skin.
Add macadamia nuts to granola, pancakes, cookies, or brownies. It makes amazing homemade mayonnaise. Use them in salads, or take them as a snack for hiking. I keep them in an airtight container on my kitchen counter so I can grab them anytime. I use the oil for cooking, dressing, and marinades.
Here's my favorite salad dressing recipe that I make to keep on hand:
Loa's Herb & Macadamia Oil Salad dressing
INGREDIENTS:
- 6 tbsp macadamia oil
- 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 2 tsp agave nectar (sometimes I add an additional tsp. honey)
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Finely chopped herbs from my garden. My fave in this dressing; 5-6 sprigs of thyme and 1 or 2 leaves of sage. Make sure they're finely chopped. (you can use dried herbs; but use less--about 1/3 of the amount mentioned here).
INSTRUCTIONS: Place all the ingredients into a jar and place the lid on. Give the jar a good shake until well combined. Store in the fridge.
For lunch today I'm making a salad with living lettuce, chia, and flax seeds, some roasted veggies from the garden, and a boiled egg from my grandson's chickens. And I will not be shy when I drizzle this dressing on top.
ALSO: This dressing is wonderful to roasted vegetables in. Try it on potatoes and you won't believe how delicious they are! Just toss sliced veggies in the dressing before roasting. Yum.
Great skin is a lifestyle and sometimes it's delicious!
Love & health,
Loa
