Saturday, October 22, 2011

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!
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: 
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 tumblrFollow 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)
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. 

117 comments:

  1. I would like to try the Strawberry Lemon Coconut Smoothie and the Coconut Fried Zucchini..yum!

    cyclona66 at aol dot com

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  2. email subscriber

    cyclona66 at aol dot com

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  3. email subscriber 2

    cyclona66 at aol dot com

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  4. email subscriber 3

    cyclona66 at aol dot com

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  5. GFC blog follower(Ginger)

    cyclona66 at aol dot com

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  6. Tropical Traditions newsletter subscriber

    cyclona66 at aol dot com

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  7. Tropical Traditions newsletter subscriber 2

    cyclona66 at aol dot com

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  8. Tropical Traditions newsletter subscriber 3

    cyclona66 at aol dot com

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  9. I also like Tropical Traditions Pet Shampoo

    cyclona66 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'd like to try to make the Coconut Pumpkin Pie Smoothie. Sounds good!

    Lmarston AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I like you on FB. (Laureen M.)

    Lmarston AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I follow you on Twitter. (MamandeEDS)

    Lmarston AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I follow your blog on GFC. (Laureen M.)

    Lmarston AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I subscribe to your blog by email.

    Lmarston AT yahoo DOT com

    Entry 1

    ReplyDelete
  15. I subscribe to your blog by email.

    Lmarston AT yahoo DOT com

    Entry 2

    ReplyDelete
  16. I subscribe to your blog by email.

    Lmarston AT yahoo DOT com

    Entry 3

    ReplyDelete
  17. I follow Tropical Traditions on Twitter. (MamandeEDS)

    Lmarston AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  18. I like Tropical Traditions on Facebook. (Laureen M.)

    Lmarston AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I subscribe to the Tropical Traditions newsletter.

    Lmarston AT yahoo DOT com

    Entry 1

    ReplyDelete
  20. I subscribe to the Tropical Traditions newsletter.

    Lmarston AT yahoo DOT com

    Entry 2

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  21. I subscribe to the Tropical Traditions newsletter.

    Lmarston AT yahoo DOT com

    Entry 3

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  22. I'd like to try the PLANT ENZYMES with GR8CF-77
    DIGESTIVE SUPPORT*

    Lmarston AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I like the coconut lemon strawberry smoothie
    lexigurl_17 (at) hotmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  24. I subscribe via email
    lexigurl_17 (at) hotmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I subscribe via email 2
    lexigurl_17 (at) hotmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  26. I subscribe via email 2
    lexigurl_17 (at) hotmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  27. I want to try their vanilla macaroon recipe. And coconut oil would be great for making a curry. Yum!

    lovelydomesticdiva (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  28. I follow on gfc

    lovelydomesticdiva (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  29. I subscribe to tt newsletter
    1
    lovelydomesticdiva (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I subscribe to tt newsletter
    2

    lovelydomesticdiva (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I subscribe to tt newsletter
    3

    lovelydomesticdiva (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  32. having trouble with bloogger but i think it was a coconut pumpkin smoothie recipe
    debbie jackson
    djackson1958 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  33. emailsub
    debbie jackson
    djackson1958 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  34. emailsub2
    debbie jackson
    djackson1958 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  35. emailsub3
    debbie jackson
    djackson1958 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  36. ttnewsletter
    debbie jackson
    djackson1958 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  37. ttnews2
    debbie jackson
    djackson1958 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  38. ttnews3
    debbie jackson
    djackson1958 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  39. like to try their oxygenbleach
    debbie jackson
    djackson1958 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  40. fblikethem as
    debbie jackson
    djackson1958 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  41. tw them as jacksondeb
    debbie jackson
    djackson1958 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  42. gfc debijackson
    debbie jackson
    djackson1958 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  43. fblikeu as
    debbie jackson
    djackson1958 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  44. twu as jacksondeb
    debbie jackson
    djackson1958 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  45. nwb
    debbie jackson
    djackson1958 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  46. I would like to try the Chicken Broccoli Braid, is looks and sounds yummy.
    gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  47. I would like to try their Coconut.
    gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  48. 1. email subscriber to Mkokopelli
    gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  49. 2. email subscriber to Mkokopelli
    gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  50. 3. email subscriber to Mkokopelli
    gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  51. 1. I follow Tropical Traditions newsletter.
    gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  52. 2. follow TT's newsletter
    gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  53. 3. follow TT's newsletter
    gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  54. I tweeted this giveaway:
    https://twitter.com/#!/MamandeEDS/status/128683719551746051

    Lmarston AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  55. the coconut pumpkin pie smoothie!!

    ReplyDelete
  56. https://twitter.com/#!/cneiding/status/129047428006543360 tweet

    ReplyDelete
  57. facebook like tropical tracitions

    ReplyDelete
  58. get tropical tradition newsletter

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  59. get tropical tradition newsletter 2

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  60. get tropical tradition newsletter 3

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  61. i would love the coconut peanut butter

    ReplyDelete
  62. https://twitter.com/#!/cneiding/status/129384983650512896 tweet

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  63. https://twitter.com/#!/cneiding/status/129663528998141953 tweet

    ReplyDelete
  64. Oct 27 tweet:
    http://twitter.com/#!/MamandeEDS/status/129768912094109696

    Lmarston AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  65. Oct 28 tweet:

    http://twitter.com/#!/MamandeEDS/status/129774629421191168

    Lmarston AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  66. I'd like to try Thai Chicken Coconut Soup II.

    kristen_yeh at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  67. I'd like to try the organic coconut flakes.

    kristen_yeh at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  68. I like Tropical Traditions on FB.

    kristen_yeh at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  69. I subscribe to the TT newsletter.

    kristen_yeh at yahoo dot com

    #1

    ReplyDelete
  70. I subscribe to the TT newsletter.

    kristen_yeh at yahoo dot com

    #2

    ReplyDelete
  71. I subscribe to the TT newsletter.

    kristen_yeh at yahoo dot com

    #3

    ReplyDelete
  72. I want to try the pumpkin cookies, they look delicious!
    cgbooks@columbus.rr.com

    ReplyDelete
  73. I follow tropical traditions on facebook
    cgbooks@columbus.rr.com

    ReplyDelete
  74. i follow tropical traditions on twitter
    cgbooks@columbus.rr.com

    ReplyDelete
  75. i am subscribed to the tropical traditions newsletter (entry 1)
    cgbooks@columbus.rr.com

    ReplyDelete
  76. i am subscribed to the tropical traditions newsletter (entry 2)
    cgbooks@columbus.rr.com

    ReplyDelete
  77. i am subscribed to the tropical traditions newsletter (entry 3)
    cgbooks@columbus.rr.com

    ReplyDelete
  78. i would also like to try their Coconut Cream Concentrate

    cgbooks@columbus.rr.com

    ReplyDelete
  79. Thanks for hosting this giveaway! There are a LOT of recipes I would like to try, but the one that sounds good right now is the Coconut Cream Bliss Cookies. :)


    promiseofjoy@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  80. I already subscribe to the Tropical Traditions Newsletter. Entry #7 in the list above.



    promiseofjoy@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  81. I "LIKE" Tropical Traditions on Facebook. (Entry #6)



    promiseofjoy@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  82. I also would REALLY like to try the Coconut Cream Concentrate from Tropical Traditions! Entry #8.



    promiseofjoy@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  83. I am subscribed to the Tropical Traditions Newsletter (2)


    promiseofjoy@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  84. Tropical Traditions Newsletter Subscriber. (3)



    promiseofjoy@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  85. I would like to the try the Coconut Shrimp and Rice.
    slrdowney at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  86. I follow your blog with GFC.
    slrdowney at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  87. I subscribe to the Tropical Traditions newsletter #1.
    slrdowney at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  88. I subscribe to the Tropical Traditions newsletter #2.
    slrdowney at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  89. I subscribe to the Tropical Traditions newsletter #3.
    slrdowney at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  90. I'd also like to try their brown rice syrup.
    slrdowney at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  91. I'd like to try the coconut fried zucchini!
    worleystuff at bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  92. I liked your fb page.
    worleystuff at bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  93. I liked Tropical Traditions.
    worleystuff at bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  94. I subscribed to TT newsletter - 1
    worleystuff@bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  95. I subscribed to TT newsletter - 2
    worleystuff@bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  96. I subscribed to TT newsletter - 3
    worleystuff@bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  97. I'd also like to try the Coconut Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies. worleystuff@bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  98. https://twitter.com/#!/cneiding/status/131788093744365569 tweet

    ReplyDelete
  99. I'd love to try the Gluten-Free No-Bake Coconut Pecan Banana Bites recipe.

    emilynwins at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  100. I like Tropical Traditions on Facebook.

    ReplyDelete
  101. I subscribe to the Tropical Traditions newsletter. 1

    ReplyDelete
  102. I subscribe to the Tropical Traditions newsletter. 2

    ReplyDelete
  103. I subscribe to the Tropical Traditions newsletter. 3

    ReplyDelete
  104. I'd like to try their soy-free organic eggs.

    ReplyDelete
  105. tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/prizepuzzle/status/132648676668616707

    ReplyDelete
  106. I'm definitely a fried chicken kind of girl. I would love to try frying it with coconut oil! jphwork at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  107. FB fan (Jereka Hunt)
    jphwork at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  108. Definitely planning on trying frying my own plantains for chips in coconut oil one of these days! It's one of the most obvious recipes, but I haven't gotten around to doing it yet :) seawhitten at gmail

    ReplyDelete