Tropical Traditions GIVEAWAY

This giveaway has ended. Thanks to all that entered! Congrats to Erin N.!! 

There is nothing like homemade potato chips, fried zucchini, fried ravioli, and fried chicken. We very rarely eat fried foods, but I usually get a craving once a week. We were using a "smart oil" but then I realized it wasn't organic and contained canola- which means it could be made with GM canola. I switched to olive oil, but not only is it expensive, it leaves the food with a weird taste. I've heard a lot about coconut oil over the past several months, so I finally decided to see what all of the hype is about.

I have several foodie friends who are pretty incredible people. They eat very strict diets and I look up to them for the choices they make. I asked them what was the best coconut oil and they told me to try Tropical Traditions. They also told me to buy by the gallon because it's worth it and saves money in the long run. But since I had never truly tasted coconut oil, I asked Tropical Traditions if they'd like a review.

I was sent the Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil to review and I'm now hooked for life!

32-oz. - Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil - 1 quart

When I opened the bottle, I was intrigued by the texture of the oil. It is firm until you warm it. You can sit the jar in warm water or you can scoop a spoonful out and heat on the stove to get a liquid. I have fried, steamed, baked, made fruit drinks, and even ice pops with the coconut oil! I now use it at least once or twice a day. I LOVE the flavor the oil gives the food!! And the health benefits are amazing! I've read that coconut oil can boost your metabolism, can provide energy which can help promote weight loss, raise body temperatures, and has other healthy benefits. Coconut oil is also rich in lauric acid which is also found in mother's milk! Lauric acid supports the body's immune system, so some people think if you eat 2-4 tbs of coconut oil a day you can help fight/prevent colds.

You want to cook the oil at a lower temperature when frying. I mixed a little bit of organic soy when I was steaming the coconut oil with chicken. Here are some of the yummy dishes I've created using the Tropical Traditions Gold Label Extra Virgin Coconut Oil:

Chicken, pineapple, coconut oil, soy, red pepper, spinach, cheese, in a whole wheat tort

 Tomato sauce, tomato paste, italian seasoning, garlic, 1 tbs coconut oil. Ravioli, rolled in coconut flour & panko fried in coconut oil. 

 Pumpkin cookies with coconut oil

Fried chicken in coconut oil

The possibilities are truly endless! And Tropical Traditions has a webpage with TONS of coconut oil recipes. This is from the Tropical Traditions website about the Gold Label: 

"This Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil is a truly unrefined coconut oil. This coconut oil is made on Mt. Banahaw and surrounding areas from organic coconuts. Coconuts are used fresh (within 24-48 hours of harvest) from small family farms on Mt. Banahaw and other rural places in Quezon Province, the coconut capital of the Philippines. Only the highest quality coconuts are hand-picked from each harvest. The volcanic soil of Mt. Banahaw makes these organic coconuts some of the most nutritionally rich coconuts in the world! Testing done in independent laboratories reveals higher levels of phenolic antioxidants than other coconut oils. The fresh coconut meat is shredded (wet milled), and then cold-pressed using the water from inside the coconuts to make coconut milk. The milk is then allowed to sit for about half a day, while the oil naturally separates from the heavier water. The oil is then filtered from the curds (coconut solids). No chemical or high-heat treatment is used, and this oil contains notrans fatty acids. We do NOT mass produce this oil. It is made by families who are coconut farmers using old-fashioned traditional methods that have been used in the Philippines for hundreds of years. Our coconut trees and family producers are certified organic according to strict USDA standards. The families who produce the oil are also trained according to GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) standards and re-certified each year. This high-grade Virgin Coconut Oil has a long shelf life due to the high antioxidant properties. The Gold Label Standard is our highest standard for Virgin Coconut Oil."

As E would say, "try it, you'll like it!" I highly recommend trying Tropical Traditions Gold Label Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. I can't wait to try some of their other products! Tropical Traditions has organic foods, skin care items, supplements, household items, pet products, and tons more! Tropical Traditions also has amazing weekly deals so you can get great discounts and sometimes even free shipping! 

GIVEAWAY: Tropical Traditions would like to give 1 lucky reader: 

32-oz. - Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil - 1 quart

Rules: You have until 11:59 p.m. EST November 6, 2011 to enter. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced after they respond to the winning email. The winner has 48 hours to respond to the winning email, or a new winner will be chosen. You must leave your email address! This contest is open to the US and Canada


How to Enter:  Tell me a coconut oil recipe you want to try! Go Click on "Comments" to leave your post. Make sure to leave your email address!! I cannot contact the winner without it!

EXTRA entries:  You must complete the "How To Enter" before making any extra entries. Make sure you leave a comment for each extra entry and tell me which one.

2. Become a fan of Mkokopelli on FB, Follow Mkokopelli on Twitter, Follow my blog on GFC, Follow on tumblr, Follow me on Networked Blogs (1 entry for each one)

3. Subscribe to my blog by email (on the right sidebar) You must verify and be active at the time of the giveaway- those who are unverified will become disqualified (3 entries)

4. Blog, Tweet, or send a message on FB and leave a link here (1 entry per day)

5. Follow Tropical Traditions on Twitter

6. Like Tropical Traditions on Facebook

7. Subscribe to the Tropical Traditions newsletter (3 entries)

8. Tell me another Tropical Traditions product you'd like to try

*Disclaimer: I was sent the item reviewed free of charge. This in no way alters my opinion. These are all my thoughts, results, findings, and opinions.