Olive Oil

Why doesn’t Olive Oil have wrinkles even though it’s over 6,000 years old? Why is Olive Oil so skinny if it contains so much fat? Why is Olive Oil considered an extra virgin if it has so many partners? Lastly, why should you rub Olive Oil on your baby’s butt?

Olive Oil has origins dating back to 5000 BC. The whopping majority comes from the Mediterranean Region, where olive tree cultivation has been happening for about 6 centuries.  Spain is the top producer of Olive Oil, and Greece devotes 60% of it’s cultivated land to olive growing. Olives are harvested from a tree, and oil is produced by pressing olives into a paste then grinding or crushing them to release the oils which are trapped inside. Olive Oil avoids wrinkles by providing skin moisture that is akin to the most expensive manufactured creams. It can be directly applied to skin in a thin layer as a day/night moisturizer, and as a makeup remover. To avoid a greasy feeling, mix it with a few drops of fresh lemon (as a bonus, lemon’s vitamin C will rejuvenate skin) in the palm of your hand and apply evenly to wet skin. Store it in a spray bottle to cut down on the messiness factor. 

Olive Oil is considered a good source of fat, and is a much healthier choice than other more processed oils. If fat makes you fat, and is bad for you, than why choose a good source of it? Because your body needs dietary fat for basic functions, like cellular energy, vitamin absorption, and nutrient transport. Olive Oil is a monounsaturated fat, which is known for it’s cholesterol lowering benefits and decreasing your risk of heart disease. Use olive oil instead of other fats , not in addition to them. Here’s the breakdown on cholesterol: there are two types, LDL (low-density lipoproteins and HDL (high-density lipoproteins). The liver processes all cholesterol and excess LDL not used by the body gets deposited in your arteries and builds up, manifesting itself as a condition called atherosclerosis. HDL transports excess cholesterol, that is the cholesterol the body doesn't need for basic function, from the bloodstream, including LDL. HDL transports the excess back to the liver, where it is processed for disposal. Therefore, the higher the HDL, the lower the LDL! Easy...wow! They are like the Superhero and Villain of cholesterol! 

There are many kinds of Olive Oil, and many good pairings that compliment the Oil. Perhaps one of the easiest, and best, is a dip concocted of olive oil, fresh garlic, dried herbs, grated cheese, and a splash of balsamic vinegar with a loaf of fresh bread to slather it on...even better than breads’ immortal companion, butter! With all of those partners, olive oil can’t turn around without someone questioning its virginity! The virginity of olive oil refers to its processing. Extra virgin is made from the first pressing of high quality under ripe olives pressed soon after harvesting. Virgin olive oil can be considered low-grade extra virgin olive oil and is made from riper olives. Refined olive oil is obtained by using charcoal and other chemicals to produce an edible product from poor quality olives. Finally, regular olive oil is a blend of virgin and refined oils. What grade you choose should be based on what cooking method is being executed. 

A baby’s bottom certainly doesn’t need any more recognition for its softness, and we’re certainly not going to cook it, or dip bread in it! So why is a baby’s butt in the same publication as facts about olive oil? For the treatment and prevention of diaper rash, of course! Apply a thin layer to help with the irritation and as a preventative measure. 

A few Olive Oil Facts:

• It is made only from green olives.
• using olive oil in place of saturated fats as the main fat in your diet may actually help reduce cholesterol levels.
• It is a fruit, thus it’s oil is considered a fruit juice.
• Hippocrates called olive oil "the great therapeutic."
• In Ancient Greece, women applied olive oil to their skin and hair after bathing as protection from the elements and to maintain a pleasant fragrance.
• olive trees can live up to 600 years or more.
• olive oil is the most easily absorbed edible fat.
• you can bake with olive oil. Just substitute the same amount for the fat called for in the recipe. The result is moist, even textured cake with a tender crumb.
• you can fry with olive oil. When used in frying, olive oil coats food instead of being absorbed. It also contains high amounts of antioxidants and can be reused 4-5 times before being discarded. Other fats and oils can only be used twice.