I had never tried coconut oil prior to receiving a jar from Tropical Traditions. I had heard some really good things about it, however.
My mother, on the other hand, was totally convinced that it was completely unhealthy. How did she come about this assumption, I wonder.
Along with the coconut oil, I was sent a copy of the book Virgin Coconut Oil, how it has changed people’s lives and how it can change yours, by Brian and Marianita Shilhavy.
I have really liked reading about the VCNO (virgin coconut oil), how it is produced, and the positive effects it can have in your life.
My favorite thing about this oil, is the way it is produced – the same way Marianita’s family has been making it in the Philippines for hundreds of years (at least). Tropical Traditions’ virgin coconut oil is not made in a factory with chemicals, but separated from the coconut water the natural way, by small family farms in the Philippines.
Because it is unrefined and unprocessed, the VCNO still retains a slight flavor and scent of coconut. I tried it out in many ways to see how it fared.
Oatmeal cookies came out excellent using the coconut oil. I never tasted coconuts in it at all.
Sauteing vegetables works the same as with olive oil. When the veggies are cooked, I could barely make out hint of coconut flavor. It was not unpleasant, and when I added the veggies into other foods (fajitas, pizza, etc) I could not taste the coconut at all.
Hashbrowns, however, was a bit of a disaster for me. I’m not sure if it is because I added more coconut oil toward the end of it’s cooking time, but there was a definite flavor of coconuts (though not really strong) present in my hashbrowns. It did not taste good to me (and adding ketchup made it worse).
Fried pierogies – now that was good stuff. I tried using a little layer of coconut oil to crisp up the pasta parts of some Conte’s gf potato and onion pierogies (that I had begun warmed a bit in the microwave first). They were great, and they didn’t taste at all like coconut, but the flavor was a little more complicated (in a good way).
Whenever I was finished spooning out some oil to cook or bake with, I would wipe the remaining coconut oil onto Carter’s arms and legs. He loved it!
Back to the book… There is some interesting information in the book about a smear campaign by the makers of hydrogenated oils to make coconut oil appear to be awful for your health. This sounded familiar to me, so I pulled out my Ice Dream Cookbook, and sure enough, some of this same information is also in that cookbook. I’m willing to bet that this campaign is where my mom learned about coconut oil.
So, would you like to try a quart of Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil? Tropical Traditions is offering a free quart of Virgin Coconut Oil to one lucky winner.
To enter, just head over to Tropical Traditions and tell me one thing you’ve learned about one of their products.
Bonus entries (leave a separate comment for each one):
- Subscribe to the Tropical Traditions e-newsletter
- Follow me on Twitter and RT (retweet) the following (or something akin to it):
Tropical Traditions Giveaway @delightfullygf @troptraditions https://delightfullyglutenfree.com
The contest will end at 9:00 pm central on Friday, September 25, 2009.
If you are interested in purchasing some VCNO or other products from Tropical Traditions, please read the following (thanks! and you can get a free copy of the book this way):
Tropical Traditions also has a Referral Program, so if you place an order with them as a first-time customer, please select “Referred by a friend†and in the box that says “How did you hear of us?†enter my sponsor ID number… 5399543. By telling Tropical Traditions that I referred you, you will receive a complimentary copy of the book Virgin Coconut Oil: How it has changed people’s lives and how it can change yours! by Brian and Marianita Shilhavy with your first order! This book is filled with testimonies and research showing how healthy coconut oil is, and it also includes over 85 recipes showing how one can incorporate coconut into their diet.
Here are some easy to use directions for your referrals:
1. Add the items you would like to purchase from the order form linked to Tropical Traditions. Visit www.healthybuyersclub.com/orderform.cfm
2. You’ll be directed to the Order Form at the Tropical Traditions/Healthy Buyers Club website. You do not have to be a member or purchase a membership to buy from Tropical Traditions. Membership in the Healthy Buyers Club allows you to purchase in bulk amount at club member discounts if you choose to join. If you choose not to purchase a membership to the Healthy Buyers Club please order under the heading “Retail Sale Itemsâ€. This will enable you to purchase less than case amounts of any of the individual items without a membership.
3. Select the items you would like to purchase.
4. When you are ready to check out please click on the “Continue” link which will take you to your shopping cart.
5. Review your order and then click on the “Check Out” button from your shopping cart.
6. Fill in your account information as directed. In the box: “How did you hear of us?” you must select: “Referred by a friend” on the drop down arrow. When you make this selection, a box for your sponsor’s User ID number should appear if you are a first time customer.
7. Enter your sponsor’s User ID number.
8. To complete your order click on “Save and Proceed to Checkout” at the bottom of this page and follow the instructions through the checkout process. You will receive an order number when you have successfully placed your order.
By following these steps, you will receive a complimentary copy of the book Virgin Coconut Oil: How it has changed people’s lives and how it can change yours! by Brian and Marianita Shilhavy. Your sponsor will receive a coupon for a complimentary gift to redeem on their next order. You may view the current complimentary gift being offered here: http://www.tropicaltraditions.com//referral_program.htm
Those with additional questions about taking advantage of the referral program when creating their new account may email us using this link: http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/customerservice.cfm
Comments
28 responses to “Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil and Giveaway”
Twittered! I really like VCO. This brand seems a bit steep in price but by the reviews, it might be worth it. I have a couple of favorite recipes that I use VCO in and would like to incorporate it more. There are actually a LOT of uses for VCO besides cooking/baking.
Subscribed to the newsletter too! 😉
I’ve heard about coconut oil, but never really knew what do use it in. I’m glad to know that it can be used in baking as a substitute for butter or oil. Awesome!
Following you on Twitter too @glutenfreebetsy
Thanks for the tip about the newletter! I went to their site straight away and signed up. I’m newly gluten free and investigating everything that can possibly be healthy for me and my baking. Can’t wait to try coconut oil.
And when I went to follow you on Twitter, I found that you were already on my list! lol You can how often I don’t go to Twitter these days.
When I visited the Tropical Traditions website, I see that they have coconut flour which is on my list of flours to try. I didn’t realize that coconut flour has so much protein: 19 gram in 3.5 ounces!
I visited the web site and the gold cococnut oil looks like it would do better in my coconut icecream that is GF dairy free egg free I tink I would get a bettercoconut flavor then the stuff I did use.
thanks for the link—I never have enough time in the day to get to twitter but still would love to win
I like their coconut flour.
Their organic whole sugar is harvested from sustainable family farms in Bolivia through the Hand in Hand, fair trade program.
Following you on twitter
katmagick
Tweet
http://twitter.com/katmagick/statuses/4173820300
I subscribe to the Tropical Traditions newsletter
I learned about sea vegetables on their website:
-good source of natural iodine
-offer one of the broadest range of minerals of any food
-contain virtually all the minerals found in the ocean which are found in human blood
-support healthy thyroid function
I subscribe to the Tropical Traditions newsletter.
I learned that coconut oil has healthy fats.
jennifer@makemoneyworkonline.com
I am subscribed to Tropical Tradidtions newsletter.
jennifer@makmemoneyworkonline.com
Hi! I just subscribed to Tropical Traditions newsletter. This is one entry. 🙂
I learned that part of the production of Tropical Traditions gold oil involves skimming — like skimming cream off of milk. Interesting!
Hi. Learned TT coconut flour has 19% non gluten protein – good for high protein drinks.
Am subscriber to TT newsletter.
I like the fact that coconut oil contains lots of healthy fats, and it can withstand high temperatures better than other fats. 🙂
I am a newsletter subscriber.
tbrown.avon at gmail dot com
Their oxygen bleach can be used with cloth diaper stains.
follow & tweeted
http://twitter.com/momof3dolls/status/4371088607
Subscribe to TT’s newsletter.
I learned from their website that coconut oil does not have the trans fats like other oils.
I subscribe to their newsletter
Love this stuff! Already subscribe to their newsletter and use the oil regularly…which is why I would really love to win this!!