What's the Deal with Virgin Coconut Oil?

Happy Sunday, all!  First, I apologize for no blog last week; technology attacked - 'nuf said.  But, without further delay, let's discuss the main differences between regular coconut oil & virgin coconut oil.

You see it in blogs, your friends tell you how great it is, & everybody's using it.  So you go to your local natural foods store to pick up some coconut oil for all of its touted uses.  But when you get there, you notice there is coconut oil and VIRGIN coconut oil, and why is it more expensive?  Okay, but what is the difference REALLY? Read on.

Regular coconut oil is refined, which means that the coconuts are broken into pieces and the coconut flesh is allowed to dry, Once dried, the flesh is hydraulically pressed at around 130 degrees to extract the coconut oil. The resulting oil is then passed through a filter press to produce the finished material, which then goes through a further process of refining, bleaching and deodorizing.

Virgin coconut oil is raw, virgin and unrefined.  To make virgin coconut oil, fresh, whole coconuts have the shell removed, then the flesh is milled to fine shreds and dried at a temperature not to exceed 100 degrees for about 2 1/2 hours. This helps in the evaporation of excess water which is prevalent in the flesh, but does not completely dry it out.  Once dried, the coconut is passed through a cold process oil press where the oil is separated from the coconut at a controlled temperature of less than 100 degrees.

The cold process extraction allows the oil to retain many of its benefits that are normally stripped from the oil during a standard refining process.  This is the most "true" form of coconut oil available.  While both oils have their applications, I normally opt to use for virgin coconut oil in my products, heating it only to the point of melting (coconut oil solidifies at room temperature). 

The great thing about this oil is you can use it straight, right out of the jar!  Virgin coconut oil has a light coconut scent, and can be very good for the hair, skin, and nails.  If you are like me & have fine, thin hair, you will likely find this oil a little heavy for your hair.  I love the smell, but with thin hair it's a little too much.  It makes a great treatment for hands & feet though.  This is an oil, so allow time for absorption before trying to walk around... no skating down the halls!  It is very mild, and thus, suitable for those with inflamed or sensitive skin.

You can buy virgin coconut oil at most health food stores, such as Whole Foods.  There are also many reputable online distributors, such as Mountain Rose Herbs.

I hope you have found this article useful.  Next week I'll be discussing the benefits of reservatrol for the skin.  Have a fabulous week, and be sure to let me know if there are subjects you would like to see me write an article about!

Natural Blessings,

Candace

RedSunflower Designs

The Pros & Cons of Small Business Ownership

I was recently asked what I like & dislike about being a business owner, and thought this would make an interesting post for anyone considering starting their own business.  

I guess you could say I come by the "entrepreneurial spirit" naturally.  Both of my parents have their own companies, and have been self-employed in some capacity for most of my life.  My mother told me from a young age that the only way you'd ever get to where you want to be in life is to work for yourself.  I guess you could say I took this to heart ;)!

Of course, I (like pretty much everybody else) have had the day job, both full- and part-time. And I've often found working for other people to be really frustrating, to be honest.  Now I'm not saying that owning your own business is a cake-walk -- far from it.  But for me, the benefits outweigh everything else.  So, how can you know if being an entrepreneur is for you?  Read on to my list of likes and dislikes for being a business owner.  

First, a dose of reality:

1. Business owners work on average 5-10 hours more per week than their "employed" counterparts.  (My average work day is 10-12 hours a day, at least 6 days a week.)
2. It's all on you.  It doesn't happen if you don't make it happen. 
3. There are no sick days. 
4. I have to work really hard to be able to finance my company.  I have a commitment to only use my own capital to build my business; I don't intend to work with other investors.  Even if you do, getting investing for a small start-up can be VERY difficult. 
5. Freedom -- you have complete freedom to succeed or really screw up. 
6. Personally, I don't have any employees, and at most will probably only ever have an assistant.  But for many business owners with a "brick & mortar" locale, they have to hire employees.  Turn over is usually high, there are tons of taxes that must be paid, and you have to carry insurance on every single employee, even if they just sit at a desk. 
7. On the subject of taxes, small business owners are taxed (and audited) more stringently than large corporations.
8. As a business owner, particularly of a small start-up, you are: CEO, CFO, COO, Public Relations, Human Resources, Marketing, Research & Development, Sales, Customer Service, Manufacturer (in my case), Accountant, and so much more. 

So, with all of this, why would anyone in their right mind do this??  For everything above, there are so many great things...

1. I can set my own hours.
2. I can roll out of bed, make coffee, and sit down to work in my PJs :)
3. I have complete control over how the business is run.
4. I get to spend my day being creative and innovative without only the limitations I give myself. 
5. I decide the impact my business will make on the world every day. 
6. It gives me an outlet to contribute to the charitable causes of my choice. 
7. No office politics. (This is BIG to me.)
8. Freedom (let's be honest...)
9. I have a much closer connection to my customers.
10. I have the opportunity to network with many amazing entrepreneurs.
    
11. I go to bed at the end of the day happy.

Basically, owning your own business can be really stressful, I won't lie.  The secret to being successful and making all the stress, time drain, etc worth it is finding what you're passionate about.  Because if you're not in a business you're passionate about and could talk about all day, you're going to be miserable.  Also, the rate of businesses still in existence 10 years after start-up is 30%.  Why?  Because the business owner didn't take the time to explore enough to find something about which they are passionate. 

I hope if any of you are considering starting your own business, this has given you something to think about.  Also, if you are a business owner, please comment and let us know anything I may have forgotten. 

Remember to enjoy the journey!

Candace

RedSunflower Designs

Welcome to RedSunflower Designs

Hello everyone, and welcome to my blog!

I made the decision to create a blog for my business a couple of weeks ago.  As a web-based business, I don't get to physically interact with my customers very often.  So, out of that came adding a page on Facebook, an account on Twitter, and YouTube videos.  But some things are just better conveyed in text.  Thus, a blog was born :)!  

I will be updating this blog once a week (on Sundays) to start.  Also, I'll be using this blog to share ideas, trends in the industry, and discuss the benefits of going natural & the importance of holistic living.  I hope everyone will join me in my journey, and post comments and suggestions along the way, as well as give me feedback on my products and customer service.  I aim to provide what my customers want, while maintaining the ideals I've built my business on.  I look forward to talking to everyone.  

Have a wonderful Easter if you celebrate, and a wonderful Sunday if you don't.  Until next week, Spring Blessings to all!!!