I am super excited. I am going to host my very first sponsored giveaway! I get to help one of you win a wonderful quart of coconut goodness, and I couldn't be happier!
Here's how I use coconut oil in my home:
Cooking:
I have been using coconut oil in my cooking for about a year now, and love the slight coconut flavor it adds to a dish. Before we stopped eating wheat, my family used to love eating Lentil Stuffed Parathas, and this Indian dish tastes best when cooked in a little coconut oil. I am also going to make a carrot cake for the Baby's birthday next month that calls for coconut oil instead of vegetable oil, and I'll be sure to report if it turns out well!
Body:
A few months ago, I started using it on my face and body. The skin on my face troubled me the most: I had a few red, irritated, flaky patches that just would not go away! I tried every kind of lotion out there, but nothing really helped. On a whim, I tried some coconut oil on my face, and it actually made the redness and itchiness go away overnight! I now use it daily under any make-up I might wear, and at night after washing my face. It makes my skin feel so soft.
I also cover the Baby and Toddler in coconut oil after their warm winter baths. They are cute coconut-scented little people!
Whipped Coconut Body Butter
1/2 cup coconut oil
10-20 drops essential oil (I like ylang-ylang)
In a cool house (coconut oil begins to liquefy at 76 degrees), beat coconut oil with a stand or hand mixer until it turns a little more white and a little fluffy. Add essential oil and beat until it is incorporated. Spoon into a small mason jar or other container of your choice, and keep cool. (If it melts and re-hardens, just whip it again until it's fluffy.)
*Note: Be sure your choice of essential oil is safe for topical use.
And (please don't run away!) I use it in my deodorant. I have never been satisfied with store-bought deodorant. Most clear types of deodorant make my armpits itch (TMI?), and the other kinds leave white marks on my clothes, and seem to quit working a few hours into the day (specially with the fluctuating hormones of pregnancy and nursing!). And if you're like me, you sometimes forget to put on deodorant, and then apply some after you notice a slight stink, and then walk around all day with Va-va-va Vanilla scented BO. Gross. The baking soda in my deodorant gets rid of any stink that is already present, and the coconut and essential oils leave just a pleasant fragrance behind. I also don't worry if my squirmy Baby shoves an unruly fist into my armpit during a nursing session (seriously, nursing a Baby-who's-almost-a-Toddler can be quite a wrestling match!), because I know her hands won't be covered with any sketchy chemicals.
Whipped Coconut Deodorant
1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup cornstarch (or arrowroot powder)
3 Tablespoons coconut oil
20 drops of essential oil
In a cool house (coconut oil begins to liquefy at 76 degrees), combine baking soda, cornstarch, coconut oil, and your essential oil and beat with a stand or hand mixer until it is well combined and a little fluffy. Spoon into a container of your choice. (This method is best in warm environments.)
*Note: If you have an empty deodorant container instead of a small tub, instead of whipping the ingredients, melt and stir over a double boiler, and pour into an empty, clean deodorant container. Allow to solidify, and apply like a regular deodorant. (This method is best if you keep your house below 76 degrees.)
*(another) Note: Be sure your choice of essential oil is safe for topical use.
Next, I am going to use coconut oil as a hair mask. I seem to have some sort of dandruff on my scalp, and it hasn't responded to a few different dandruff shampoos. If I can find the time to soak my scalp in coconut oil before a shower, I'll let you know how it works. For now, showering AND drying my hair feels like a triumph!
I used to buy my coconut oil at Whole Foods. Then, I found it at Costco. THEN, I found it at Tropical Traditions. When Tropical Traditions has 2-for-1 sales, I snag a bunch, since it's the best price I've ever seen.
And now, here's the official info about the giveaway:
Win 1 quart of Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil!
Tropical Traditions is America’s source for coconut oil. Their Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil is hand crafted in small batches by family producers, and it is the highest quality coconut oil they offer. You can read more about how virgin coconut oil is different from other coconut oils on their website: What is Virgin Coconut Oil?
Tropical Traditions also carries other varieties of affordable high quality coconut oil. Visit their website to check on current sales, to learn about the many uses of coconut oil, and to read about all the advantages of buying coconut oil online. Since the FDA does not want us to discuss the health benefits of coconut oil on a page where it is being sold or given away, here is the best website to read about the health benefits of coconut oil.
In order to enter, please comment below and tell me how you will use your coconut oil, and then subscribe to Tropical Traditions emailed Sales Newsletter here. If you are selected as a winner, I will need to give your name, telephone number, email address, and shipping address to Tropical Traditions so they can send you your coconut oil directly. The giveaway starts now, and will close on Thursday, February 7th, 2013 at 12am.
If you don't end up winning (or don't want to wait for the contest to be over!), you can go directly to Tropical Tradition's website and order your own coconut oil. They have many different options to choose from, as well as other products you might be interested in - I'm looking into the Grass Fed section myself!
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| Click on the picture to go straight to the site! |
Disclaimer: 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.
If you order by clicking on any of my links and have never ordered from Tropical Traditions in the past, you will receive a free book on Virgin Coconut Oil, and I will receive a discount coupon for referring you.
If you order by clicking on any of my links and have never ordered from Tropical Traditions in the past, you will receive a free book on Virgin Coconut Oil, and I will receive a discount coupon for referring you.
Thank you for the generous giveaway. I would use the oil as a base for vanilla coconut fudge. It's my absolute favorite!
ReplyDeleteSubscribed to TT newsletter as tariqsaleemrana@yahoo.com
Oh my, that fudge sounds divine!
DeleteIf you post about the fudge on your blog, will you create a link and post it below so we can find it?
DeleteI use coconut oil in baking and cooking and the results are so healthy and yummy! I also add it to smoothies if I have not had enough fat intake for the day. I may have to look for the vanilla coconut fudge recipe!
ReplyDeleteI subscribe to their newsletter as lightlovebeing@gmail.com
DeleteWonderful! I'll be looking for that fudge, too!
DeleteI subscribe to the Tropical Traditions newsletter! I want to use coconut as a healthy replacement in my recipes for vegetable oil as well as use it for diaper rash for my baby (heard it works well!). Thanks for the giveaway!!! jennysr624 @ yahoo.com (no spaces) ;)
ReplyDeleteOoo, I may just have to try some on my kiddo's tush!
DeleteTHANK YOU FOR THE GOOD OPPORTUNITY!HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND.
ReplyDeleteI subscribe. I use coconut oil in baking and cooking. My favorites are granola, muffins, pancakes, popcorn and kale chips.
ReplyDeletekristen_yeh at yahoo dot com
I love kale chips. I've made them before, but they have never turned out strong enough to use for dip. Have you ever tried to serve yours with dip?
DeleteWhat a fun giveaway! I subscribed and I've never used coconut oil but would love the opportunity to play with it. I love experimental cooking!! Thanks again for the opportunity!
ReplyDeleteSubscribed!
ReplyDeleteI subscribed to the newsletter. I make my own deodorant too and love it. I also use coconut oil for cooking and baking and making granola.
ReplyDeleteslrdowney at hotmail dot com
The deodorant is probably my favorite use. :)
DeleteI'd use the coconut oil for baking/cooking and then all my personal supplies.
ReplyDeleteI love putting a little in my coffee in the morning!:) I also use it in cooking, hair conditioner and after my shower. My lab/sherpe mix loves it on her food!! I am going to try some in brownies today! I have subscribed to T.T. with my google acount anmluvr69@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI use coconut oil in place of vegetable oil - I fry foods in it and bake with it. I love coconut oil and eat it by the spoonful, but when I'm not in a hurry I eat it mixed with cocoa, baking chocolate, coconut shreds, cinnamon, almonds, etc. (For coconut bark, I melt the oil and then stir in the baking chocolate and coconut shreds; place in molds in freezer/fridge)
ReplyDeleteI use the green label (and Tropical Tradition's less expensive coconut oil) as a moisturizer for my face.
Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
Oh, I almost forgot to add that I am an email subscriber to Tropical Traditions!
I love toasted coconut shreds. :)
DeleteI use coconut oil to condition my hair-I am very interested in all of the other ways it could benefit my health and even the health of my beloved dogs.
ReplyDeleteThanks
I don't know if coconut oil will do the same thing, but when I was a child, our family dog would eat tons of avocados from our tree (I certainly wasn't living in MN yet!), and she had the most gorgeous coat.
DeleteI'm wanting to start using coconut oil, but haven't found it locally anywhere! Would love to try their mayo recipe with it and then try it as a hair mask as well (pretty much the same ingredients for both!)
ReplyDeleteGreat! You can use any of the links above to get to Tropical Traditions website.
DeleteI want to try it for weight loss. I already use it for all frying and baking.
ReplyDeleteI subscribe to Tropical Traditions newsletter. Thank you for the giveaway and good luck to everyone.
ReplyDeleteI love the coconut oil fudge! I'm subscribed to Tropical Traditions. juanitamae123@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI would use this for baking and cooking in place of vegetable oils. I subscribe to the newsletter
ReplyDeletevickismail77 at yahoo.com
I will use it for cooking
ReplyDeleteI subscibe by email to newsletter.mlblessed@msn.com
ReplyDeleteI love using coconut oil on my skin in the dry, dry winter :)
ReplyDeleteIt makes the skin on my face so so smooth!
DeleteTHANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY, I APPRECIATE IT!
ReplyDeleteGreat story! The oil is superfantastic!! Scott wsmcginn@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI would like to incorporate it into my cooking
ReplyDeleteI would use it on my hair and skin, and on my son's skin. His skin is especially dry (as my hair can be) and this would benefit both of us!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletei use the coconut oil to make my daily smoothie. I also use it to make my body and hair creams. I put it in my shampoo, conditioner and body wash. At night I put this oil on my face and neck (argan, coconut, apricot, grapeseed, advocado and almond oil.)
ReplyDeleteeasy smoothie 1 banana 1orange 1slice or 1spoon or a couple of chunks of pineapple, 1/4cup of water; more or less depending on how thick you want it. coconut oil (2tablespoons, more or less depending on your tolerance) you can also use silk or blue diamond almond coconut milk if you have it. most of the time i use water. i don't count calories but don't need to add if i don't have to. i also peel fruits then freeze to eliminate ice. tastes like a tropical pina colada yummy. i only use 1/2 of fruits because i'm el cheapo and need them to last. if you have an Aldi's store, most of the time you can get a 4lb bag of oranges for $1.49 if you don't have an Aldi's, pull the store paper off the internet and take to walmart. they accept competitors newspaper ads. i also put a 1/2 tsp of cinnamon in my smoothie to avoid the insulin spike from sugar(sugar is sugar natural or not)my mom and brother have diabetes so i try to avoid it like the plague with preventatives. i even cook with cinnamon. google the great things about cinnamon
We avoid sugar over here, too, and only eat fruits occasionally. I have tried a mole sauce for chicken or pork with a touch of cinnamon, and it was spectacular!
Deletei use the coconut oil to make my daily smoothie. I also use it to make my body and hair creams. I put it in my shampoo, conditioner and body wash. At night I put this oil on my face and neck (argan, coconut, apricot, grapeseed, advocado and almond oil.)
ReplyDeleteeasy smoothie 1 banana 1orange 1slice or 1spoon or a couple of chunks of pineapple, 1/4cup of water; more or less depending on how thick you want it. coconut oil (2tablespoons, more or less depending on your tolerance) you can also use silk or blue diamond almond coconut milk if you have it. most of the time i use water. i don't count calories but don't need to add if i don't have to. i also cut fruits then freeze to eliminate ice. tastes like a tropical pina colada yummy. i only use 1/2 of fruits because i'm el cheapo and need them to last. if you have an Aldi's store, most of the time you can get a 4lb bag of oranges for $1.49 if you don't have an Aldi's, pull the store paper off the internet and take to walmart. they accept competitors newspaper ads. i also put a 1/2 tsp of cinnamon in my smoothie to avoid the insulin spike from sugar(sugar is sugar natural or not)my mom and brother have diabetes so i try to avoid it like the plague with preventatives. i even cook with cinnamon. google the great things about cinnamon
I use it as a skin and hair conditioner mostly, but am intrigued by using it as cooking oil. If I win this high quality oil, I am going to have to try it in recipes!
ReplyDeleteI am subscribed to the Tropical Traditions Newsletter currently. My family has made the complete switch from using the non-healthy oils to using coconut oil in our everyday baking, cooking and also some of the homemade personal items that we make. I love coconut oil and Tropical Traditions seems to have the best quality that I have used so far. Thanks for a great giveaway and the opportunity! Love your blog!!! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! :)
DeleteI have heard so much of coconut oil lately for cooking to placing on your hands and skin. I would love to try it for both- especially the cooking part of it.
ReplyDeleteI am subscribed to Tropical Traditions newsletter. I use coconut oil as a facial moisturizer & lip moisturizer. Also for oil pulling. Great product!
ReplyDeleteI am new to coconut oil and am so ready to try in with both baking, ccoking and for skin care. Such a versatile product.!!
ReplyDeleteI subscribed to the newsletter. I would use the coconut oil for baking and cooking. My son is allergic to dairy, and this would be a yummy option for him :)
ReplyDeleteI subscribe to their newsletter char.groups (at) gmail (dot) com.
ReplyDeleteI would love to try coconut oil for cooking with and also for my skin and hair.
My cat- Tony has sinus problems. I am trying out something new. Coconut oil has alot of healing qualities to it so.... beside my cats food dish I placed a saucer of coconut oil. I was very happy to see that he was licking it,he seemed to be enjoying it. So now I replenish the dish as it goes down. I live in the north so it stays soft but not liquid, I make sure it is broke up very fine for there is no chunks. Time will tell if it's helping. I pray it does I feel so sorry for him.
ReplyDeleteI would use it for cooking, and for my skin & hair. I just started using extra virgin coconut oil a few weeks ago, and I love it! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI want to make coconut shrimp. margmclaug at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteOoo, yum.
DeleteI love the versatility of this product! I have the dry irritated areas of skin as well (thank you Midwest weather) and love a little tropical flair in my cooking. I'm interested to try this!
ReplyDeleteI browned some meatballs in it for dinner tonight - just a hint of coconut was a nice twist!
DeleteI subscribe to the newsletter. I just eat it by the spoonful. Yum.
ReplyDeleteIt is my go to oil. Baking, snaking, and beauty. Have you seen the recipes on their site? Tons I still want to try. I use the virgin for protein bars or homemade mounds (coconut, coconut oil, dark choc. and stevia) and the expeller pressed for frying or anything I do not want a coconut taste.
ReplyDeleteI use coconut oil when cooking and making my vegetable smoothies everyday and have been ordering from Tropical Traditions for years now! Love their products. Thank you for this opportunity. :)
ReplyDeleteI started using coconut oil about 3 months ago because of an esophageal stricture caused by medication. I wasn't able to eat regular foods and found myself eating soft pudding, pies, cereals, soft fruits and steamed veggies. I was able to eat so little without pain, but read about nutritional value of coconut oil and began eating 2 tablespoons a day. I have to buy a store brand because that's all we have around my small town. I read more and more after noticing my blood pressure dropping, being able to walk without having my knee joint give out. So, I decided since it helped me, what could it do for my little boy with Downs. He has so many allergies and skin problems I started out a little at a time. He is off his Lasix for his heart because the fluid id not building up anymore. His little skin is healing from the inside out, but I am also using it on his skin. The doctor is so impressed he asked me what we were doing differently and I told him about coconut oil. He told me a week later my bad cholesterol had dropped 18 points. I was just at Tropical Traditions and would love to know if their coconut oil is all they say it is. If so Id be a customer for life. I have 8 brothers and sisters with high cholesterol and even diabetes. I have shared the website with them, but I am hoping to get to see for myself and then be able to tell them there is no comparison to store brands. So, that's my intention, to see if T.T. band is the best for my big family! thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteOn their website, they say that they do not process their coconuts with chemicals, and get the oil out by pressing it, the old fashioned way. I do know that we need fat and protein to survive and thrive, so a good source of whole fat (and not chemically altered) is a very good thing!
DeleteI use coconut oil for everything! Mostly food related right now - smoothies, tea, cooking oil, baking - but I do plan on using it in some body care recipes like those in your post. So far I only use it to moisturize my hands. I love it!!
ReplyDeleteI currently use coconut oil in cooking, baking, as a skin moisturizer, and as a deep conditioner on my hair.
ReplyDeleteI've subscribed to TT's newsletter
rollerbeth at gmail dot com
I subscribed and would love to use the oil for Gluten free baking!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE COCONUT OIL, THANKS!
ReplyDeleteI use coconut oil for everything including regular cooking
ReplyDeleteI use coconut oil in all my baking and cooking now... wanting to try some skin care recipes too... yours sound great.
ReplyDeleteI am subscribed to the newsletter as thewebbers2006@hotmail.com