Tropical Traditions Review and Giveaway

CLOSED

Congratulations! Winner  #47  Reeva

 

Several weeks ago while searching the web I came across a review for Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil which lead me to do some more research. I found out that not only has coconut oil been a staple in cooking for thousands of years in many countries with tropical climates but it is one of the best cooking oils you can use. According to Tropical Traditions website research has shown  "that the medium chain fatty acids found in coconut oil boosts the body’s metabolism, raises body temperatures, and helps provide greater energy which can lead to weight loss." In addition "Virgin Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, a nutrient that supports the body’s immune system. Lauric acid is also found in human mother’s milk." 

Tropical Traditions Gold Label Standard Virgin Coconut Oil is an unrefined coconut oil made from organic coconuts. The coconuts are harvested in small family farms in the Philippines by traditional methods with strict USDA standards, insuring the highest quality Virgin Coconut Oil.

I love to cook and I love trying new ingredients so I was very eager to find out how this oil would compare to more widely used oils in the kitchen. Immediately upon opening the jar I was pleasantly surprised. This stuff smells amazing! Like a tropical oasis of fresh coconuts. It did not smell of oil at all so I was curious what it would taste like right out of the jar. That's right! I stuck a spoon inside and scooped up a small amount of this solid oil to taste. It tastes almost exactly like it smells! Coconut oil can be used frozen, in drinks and in cooking and I immediately wanted to make something with it and find out the outcome. You can find many tried and tasted recipes using this coconut oil here but I decided to just use it in my everyday cooking. I have since started using this oil instead of my usual stuff in practically all of my cooking. It really works great in both sweet and savory foods. Their is a slight coco-nutty taste but it just brings another element to your dish that is really good. My favorite thing to make with this oil thus far has been fried coconut shrimp. YUM! It also makes delicious and healthy smoothies. Just melt a tablespoon or two to your usual smoothie recipe and blend. Oh and FYI it is crucial that you melt it before putting it in a cold beverage otherwise it will clump up and not be as appetizing.

Check out Tropical Traditions FAQ page to find out a ton of more information on this healthy oil alternative. You can purchase your jar of Tropical Traditions Gold Label Standard Virgin Coconut Oil online. Make sure you choose “Referred by a Friend” at checkout and enter the code 6935274 on your first order to receive a complimentary copy of Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil book.

Would you like the chance to win a quart of Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil?

To Enter: Just leave a comment saying you would like to win and subscribe to Tropical Traditions newsletter. You can also get extra entries for following us through GFC, Subscribing via email, liking us on Facebook and following via Twitter.

This giveaway will end on February 27, 2011. I will choose the winner using Random.org. Please leave a valid email address if it is not visible in your profile. US and Canada entries only.

***Monica***

Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose.  Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.

Photo Freebie!

Today only! You can get a FREE Classic Photo Book via Walgreens.com if you use the code FAVORITEBOOK2 at checkout. All you pay is shipping. I love these photo freebies and this one would make a great Mothers Day gift!

***Monica***

Super Quick Eco-Frugal Tip

Start growing those veggie seedlings indoors.

Shabby Apple Giveaway Winner

After a huge turnout for the Shabby Apple dress of choice giveaway, the day has arrived to announce the winner.

Drum roll, please....

Lisa @ Simplified Saving who said:
I follow you publicly on GFC

Congrats to Lisa!

Lisa--You have been emailed and need to respond to the email within 48 hours to claim your prize before another winner will have to be chosen!

It seems that Lisa failed to respond to my congradulatory email within the allotted 48 hours, so I have drawn another winner to take advantage of this awesome prize!

How about...

Aubre said...
I'm following you on Twitter!

Congrats to Aubre! I will send out the email to award it to her now. I hope she replies!


Side Note: Lisa nor Aubre were actually not the first name selected. The first comment chosen could not be declared the winner because they did not follow the rules of the giveaway. Make sure you read and follow the rules to be eligible to win!

Baby news!

After two miscarriages and three live births I was a nervous wreck these past couple weeks as I awaited my sonogram. My last miscarriage ended after my progesterone levels dropped (not a good sign). Well my progesterone dropped this pregnancy as well and I got on supplements much faster. I still wasn't sure what we'd find at our sonogram. Would we find a baby without a heartbeat? Would we find a live baby? With my tripling hCG would there be twins?!?!?!

To read about what happened at my Valentine's Day sonogram please go over to my personal blog When Does Daddy Come Home?!  I can't wait to see you over there! Also visit my post about Pregnancy, Babies and Births to share your own blog with me. My usual bloggy friends have been so quiet so I'm looking for fresh new blogs to follow. Leave some comment love on the posts so I know you visited and so I can get to know YOU too!!!


=+=*=+=*=+=*=+=*=+=*=+=*=+=*=+=*=+=*=+=*=
Joy is a stay-at-home-mom to three daughters. She is the wife of a worship leader & youth pastor. She runs her own Etsy shop selling handmade, hand-stamped sterling jewelry. Joy has taken courses in journalism, play writing, poetry, was in Honors English throughout school and has had small publications made of her work (mostly poetry).

Heart Recycled Paper Note Cards Review and Giveaway

*** Giveaway Now Closed***

Winner # 8 rubynreba

If you know me you know I love recycled products a lot, especially hand crafted recycled products. The Heart Recycled Paper Note Cards, from Etsy seller sparklytrash, are no exception. I've been inspired to craft more myself.


First impressions: The first thought that popped into my head when I opened up the envelope the cards came in was, Cute!  I received five cards, but the set actually only comes with 4.  So, I appreciate the extra gift. There are no envelopes included with the set, but they fit into a standard sized envelope and I don’t think they really need envelopes.


Inspired? I was inspired by the simplicity of these handmade cards. What a great eco-conscious craft! While looking at them and how they're made I realized how much my girls would love these cards. I thought about all their friends and how much they would like them too.

I thought the cards are perfect for handing out during a kid’s valentine school or girls scout party. They are perfect for a teacher or someone like a Girl Scout leader to place in a party goodie bag. I’d love to get  a card like this from my husband and children (with organic chocolates and a planted rose bush). I think they would also be a great product for a fundraiser. They could even be used as invitations. They are great for everyday use too. For example, I could grab a few of these cards; write a sweet, I love you. Have a great day at school, note on the inside of each card and then slip them into my kids’ lunchboxes or backpacks. I know they'd love and appreciate it. 


How eco-friendly are these cards? The cards are hand cut out of heavy weight brown paper grocery bags. In addition sparklytrash notes on her product description that, “This set features my hand printed hearts with each in a different shade of purple and pink. To make the prints I cut the design into recycled styrofoam trays and use only water-based block printing ink. This ensures that your cards are eco-conscious from start to finish!” (sparklytrash).   


To be honest though, I don’t know that I would pay the price for the cards. I think they are adorable and quite useful, but the price is a little steep for my frugal thinking. However, I would consider making a purchase if the set was a stack of 10 cards for $4. I would buy 4 sets, 2 for my daughters’ school valentine school parties and 2 sets would be for their Girls Scout Valentine parties.


The Giveaway: The giveaway: Sparklytrash is offering a set of her recycled pair of purple soda can earrings. Take a look at them here. The giveaway deadline is Feb. 28th, 2011. To win visit sparklytrash’s store. Then leave me a comment letting me know what product you are interested in. You can get extra entries for following us through GFC or Subscribing via email. Make sure to let me know in the comments. I will choose the winner using Random.org. Please make sure your email is on your profile or leave it in your comment. If you win and I cannot contact you then the prize goes to the next person. Please respond within 48 hours.

Disclosure: I received the Heart Recycled Paper Note Cards for free for review from sparklytrash. My opinions are my own.