Review and Giveaway: Tropical Traditions Gold Label Organic Virgin Coconut Oil CLOSED

As I've mentioned before, I'm no Rachael Ray in the kitchen. When I do get motivated to cook, I rely on the same go-to meals with the same 'ole ingredients. You see, my husband is conservative and it's hard for him to deviate from the traditional and try something new.

So, when I received an opportunity to review Tropical Traditions' Gold Label Organic Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO), I wasn't sure how it would go over. Extra virgin olive oil is a staple in our kitchen and I knew it would be a struggle to convince my dear husband to experiment with a substitute.

To be frank, before this review, the only thing I knew about VCO was that it was derived from coconut and was therefore, edible. I had no idea what it really was or what to do with a quart of it. Thankfully, along with my VCO, I also received the book Virgin Coconut Oil: How it has changed people's lives, and how it can change yours! by Brian and Marianita Jader Shilhavy. The book explains in great detail how coconut oil is made, as well as its characteristics and health benefits. The public has been misled about coconut oil in general and the book really aims to educate and set the record straight. It includes more than 100 personal testimonies about how VCO has improved their health in addition to research discoveries.

The book also includes more than 85 recipes for a coconut diet, ranging from predictable desserts like coconut cream cheese squares or coconut smoothies to pleasant surprises like creamed corn and beef stroganoff. The Tropical Traditions website also has user-submitted recipes you can try out for yourself.

I had no idea that VCO was so versatile! Not only can you cook with and ingest it but you can apply it externally to condition your hair and scalp, protect your legs from shaving nicks or even out your facial skin tone. You can do virtually anything with it!

But what makes the Tropical Traditions brand so special? Tropical Traditions is a family-owned company that is committed to producing high-quality, organic products. They offer organic food, skin care products, household goods and even pet products. Their trademark product, however, is their Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil.

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.

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. 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.

If you have a few minutes, you should check out this fascinating video on the production process of the Gold Label VCO:



When I first opened my jar of VCO, I expected a strong coconut aroma but it was very light and reminiscent of coconut cream pie. Yum squared! Since the melting point of VCO is 76 degrees, it arrived as a solid, buttery consistency. It was no problem to scoop out and I just nuked it in the microwave for 30 seconds to melt it down to oil form.

I decided to first use my VCO to make some delicious body scrubs. A simple Internet search yielded tons of recipes so I could develop my own concoctions.

Vanilla Coconut Sugar Scrub

1/2 cup turbinado/raw sugar
1/4 cup virgin coconut oil
2 tbsp honey
drop of vanilla extract

I wanted a thicker, more exfoliant texture for this scrub to use on my poor, neglected tootsies. Of course, you can add more oil and less sugar and honey for a thinner consistency if you so desire.



Coconut Latte Sugar Scrub

1/3 cup ground coffee
1/3 cup turbinado/raw sugar
1/4 cup virgin coconut oil

I wanted a finer coffee-based body scrub to invigorate me in the morning. I think I added a bit too much coffee and will probably reduce next time but it still turned out okay. It's kind of hard to mess it up! Just be sure to rinse completely so the coffee doesn't stain.



Both scrubs left my body feeling amazingly soft. Not to mention they smelled (and tasted) fantastic. Yes, I snuck a taste - I couldn't resist! I could spend $30 or more on organic body scrubs at a boutique but now I can make them from the comfort of my own home! And what a wonderful gift idea just in time for the holidays! I used some glass canning jars but you could design a gift tag, attach with a pretty ribbon and voila! You can purchase some essential oils and make just about any flavor or scent under the sun. The possibilities are endless.

I also used my VCO as a base to our stir fry tonight and it turned out great! It added just a tiny hint of sweetness to the noodles but didn't really taste of coconut. It just brought out an excellent flavor in the dish.

Bottom line: I highly recommend Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil as a cooking aid or as an element to homemade beauty products. It's healthy and versatile, not to mention you support small business owners and farmers with your purchase.

BUY IT: You can purchase Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil directly from the Tropical Traditions website (ARV $37.50).

DELECTABLE DEAL: When you place your order, make sure you choose "referred by friend" from the "How did you hear about us?" drop-down box and reference ID 5429861 to 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 Jader Shilhavy!

WIN IT: Tropical Traditions has kindly offered one lucky reader their very own quart of Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Visit the Tropical Traditions website, take a look around, and let me know what other product besides the coconut oil interests you. Piece of cake. Be sure to leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile or if you are not a blogger!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count!

1.) Follow my blog or subscribe via reader or email. Comment telling me which method you chose. If you already follow or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry)

2.) Follow me and @troptraditions on Twitter and tweet about the contest. You can do this daily! Just leave me a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry per day max)

3.) Subscribe to the Tropical Traditions newsletter. (5 entries!)

4.) Add my button to your site and comment with a link where I can find it. (1 entry)

5.) Enter any of my other current giveaways and leave a comment telling me which one(s) you entered. (1 entry each)

Giveaway will end on September 25, 2009 at 11:59pm EST. Open to US only. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: As I mentioned, I was sent a quart of Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil and the aforementioned book from Tropical Traditions to facilitate my candid review. I was in no other way compensated for this post. I was under no obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.