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Friday Favorite: Tropical Traditions + giveaway

February 11th, 2011

A few years ago, as we were transitioning to Real Food, I read Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats. We’d been using some coconut oil on occasion before this, but we started using more after reading this book. Once you start reading up on the health benefits of coconut oil it seems like a wonder food, it does everything from boosting your immune system to lowering your bad cholesterol. I won’t go into all the details and health benefits of coconut oil here, I’ll add some links to the bottom of this post if you’re interested. I have to say, since we nixed other oils in our diets for coconut oil and butter several years ago we haven’t had to deal with colds or the flu, now I’m a big believer in the immune boosting properties of butter and coconut oil.

We use coconut oil as one of our main cooking fats, along with local pastured butter and organic olive oil. Coconut oil has a higher smoking point than olive oil and butter, so it’s very useful in high heat cooking. It makes the best popcorn when mixed with ghee and you can’t beat potatoes fried in coconut oil. I’ve tried many different brands of coconut oil, and a few different varieties before finding Tropical Traditions and falling in love with their products. I have many of their products in my pantry: Gold Label Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Expeller Pressed Coconut Oil, Coconut Cream, Shredded Coconut and I also get my tuna from them and I love them all – if you’re looking for great quality coconut products look no further.

I use the various Tropical Traditions products for different things. The Gold Label Extra Virgin is a fragrant coconut oil, meaning that is smells of coconut and infuses food with a slight coconut flavor. If you’ve ever tried using it for cooking mushrooms or something you quickly realize that it works in some applications and not others. I do not like the virgin oil when it comes to frying potatoes, mushrooms, onions or other savory type applications. It does however work beautifully in baked goods where a hint of coconut enhances the flavor. I use the Virgin Coconut oil in my healthy carrot oatmeal bites. It also makes basmati rice taste exotic and tropical. Simple add one Tablespoon for each cup of rice and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how delicious the rice is.

If you want to cook savory items, like mushrooms, that you don’t want to have that coconut taste, you’ll want to use expeller pressed coconut oil. This imparts no coconut flavor whatsoever. If you’re averted to coconut in any way, this is the coconut oil for you. You can still enjoy the health benefits without the coconut flavor. I also love their coconut cream, which is simply ground coconut. It has the most wonderful coconut flavor. I eat it by the spoonful and slather it on my toast. I hear you can also use it to make coconut milk, but since I have a bunch of coconut oil in my pantry I haven’t tried this yet.

Another benefit of coconut oil is that you can use it as a skin lotion. Coconut oil is supposed to help in treating various skin problems including psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and other skin infections. It works wonders for my skin, keeping me from getting the dry flakiness that I used to get in the winter. I’ve also read that your skin absorbs some of the health benefits of the oil when you use it topically – bonus. I use coconut oil on my hair, it keeps it shiny and soft. You have to play around a little to find what amount works for you. I often put it on before going to bed at night and wash it out in the morning, I also use a tiny amount after washing for a conditioner and shine enhancer.

Coconut oil also comes in very handy for seasoning cutting boards and wooden spoons. Melt some coconut oil in a small cast iron skillet, add a thin layer to spoons and boards, then put them in the oven on low (170) for 30 minutes. They will absorb the oil, if they’re really dry you can repeat this process several times until they quit soaking it up. I do this at least once a month to keep my wooden cooking utensils in tip top shape.

I love it when I can use one product for so many different things. When you live in a small house, being able to use the same product for hand cream, hair conditioner, wooden utensil seasoning and cooking is a big bonus. Not to mention it’s a very inexpensive non-toxic option for all these uses! I am also experimenting with using coconut oil as a wood furniture polish and a few other applications, I’ll let you know when I come across another great use.

Now on to the good stuff. Tropical Traditions is giving away one 32 oz jar of Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil to one lucky reader. Comment below for your chance to win.**winner chosen** They’re always having great sales as well, I usually watch for their sale e-mails and follow them on Twitter and buy a year’s worth when they have a good sale. You can sign up for their sale e-mails and follow them on Twitter for the latest info. Disclaimer: Tropical Traditions did give me a jar of their coconut oil, but I’ve been purchasing their oil for several years now. I wouldn’t lead you astray and tell you to buy something I’m not willing to spend my own hard earned money on.

**The Captain’s Wife has won a jar Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil. Her comment was so great, I love the story. Head on over to her blog to read more about her life as a Navy Captain’s Wife.

Are you a coconut oil convert? What kind of cooking fat is used most often in your kitchen?

Organic Facts: Health Benefits of Coconut Oil
Livestrong: What is Virgin Coconut Oil?
CoconutInfo.com

We have a winner for our Lemon Ladies Meyer Lemon gift bag, congrats to:

172 Comments to “Friday Favorite: Tropical Traditions + giveaway”
  1. Tommy on February 11, 2011 at 2:33 pm

    I’ve never used coconut oil, but would love to try it out!

    to Tommy's comment

  2. a captains wife on February 11, 2011 at 3:00 pm

    10 years ago I lived in the boonies in Papua New Guinea. We ate what we could hunt, gather and grow. That was it.
    Coconuts and coconut oil were a staple in every meal. I have never tasted a more ‘melt in your mouth’ meal than fresh tuna fried in coconut oil over a wood fire. After the men got back from fishing, we would eat and eat and eat, then smoke the rest for later.
    In my last week there, I had the opportunity to make coconut oil from scratch. We shredded about 100 coconuts (after having heaved them home), slowly and methodically squeezed out the cream, then let the oil and milk separate to be skimmed off the following day. Alot of work for 6 bottles of oil.
    In my 2 months there, I went from looking like ‘a white jellyfish’, pale and skinny, to having the strong stature of a village woman, tanned and muscular. I credit the wonderful diet, of which coconut oil was so prominent, for my remakable transformation.
    What a great experience!

    to a captains wife's comment

  3. bonnie on February 11, 2011 at 3:01 pm

    I haven’t tried it, but would like to. I like anything with coconut.

    to bonnie's comment

  4. Ashley W on February 11, 2011 at 3:18 pm

    I have just started using coconut oil, and I love it!

    to Ashley W's comment

  5. cynthia on February 11, 2011 at 3:40 pm

    I am so intrigued by the health benefits with the incredible homekeeping ideas that you gave. LOVE LOVE LOVE a truly ancient multi-purpose natural product that is good, tastes good and could cure many things that we might have. What’s not to LOVE?
    I love the idea of getting children on this path, and get rid of all the
    mystery fats and have two or three yummy ones in the pantry.
    Yeah for coconut, butter and olive!!
    Thanks for sharing.

    to cynthia's comment

  6. Lynn on February 11, 2011 at 3:59 pm

    Coconut products are something that have been in the back of my mind to try….and still never have. Thanks for the opportunity of this gift.

    to Lynn's comment

  7. Annette on February 11, 2011 at 4:05 pm

    I’ve not used coconut oil before, though after reading this entry, I want to give it a try!

    to Annette's comment

  8. Corrie on February 11, 2011 at 4:15 pm

    I just tried coconut oil for the first time at a friend’s house this week. Definitely want to learn to use it!

    to Corrie's comment

  9. Grant on February 11, 2011 at 4:32 pm

    Thats so cool. Just a few weeks ago I heard about the wonderful benefits of coconut oil on the Dr. Oz show! I would definitely love to try out a jar of the oil and see how it works for me.

    to Grant's comment

  10. melissa on February 11, 2011 at 4:40 pm

    I’ve never actually had coconut oil. My friend keeps telling me how great it is. Most often I use olive oil, but I also try to re-use fat from cooking meats, too (like last night I cooked up some guanciale and then cooked the shrimp in the same pan to get some of the flavor).

    And fries cooked in coconut oil can’t be better than duck fat fries but I am willing to take the challenge! :D

    to melissa's comment

  11. tara on February 11, 2011 at 4:41 pm

    i just got some of this recently. It’s great!

    to tara's comment

  12. Toña on February 11, 2011 at 5:20 pm

    We mostly use butter in our kitchen but have recently become more interested in transitioning towards a more vegan approach. The coconut oil I find at our local grocer is quite expensive which has kept me from purchasing it. Thank you for the useful information. I have bookmarked it for reference.

    to Toña's comment

  13. Peggy on February 11, 2011 at 5:27 pm

    I would love to try it! Thank you, Peggy

    to Peggy's comment

  14. Laura on February 11, 2011 at 6:00 pm

    I keep hearing about coconut oil but I haven’t gone out to get any yet. We’ve been slowing making the transition to real food at my house as well.

    to Laura's comment

  15. Pam on February 11, 2011 at 6:43 pm

    Thank you for all your tips. I have been reading about coconut oil for awhile now, and am anxious to try some of your suggestions now.

    to Pam's comment

  16. Gayle on February 11, 2011 at 7:07 pm

    I have the Nourishing Traditions book and totally enjoy and believe it. I have now “rendered” my own lard, have made chicken stock from organically raised chickens (and chicken feet…which I bought from an organic farm) and am slowly making my family healthier with this book. I have not yet tried coconut oil, but will be getting some asap. Thank you for your experience. Today I spent starting flats of heritage vegetable in my garage to try to get a head start on spring.

    to Gayle's comment

  17. Jane on February 11, 2011 at 7:25 pm

    We typically use olive oil or butter, but since my husband is from Sri Lanka we put coconut powder in just about everything. I am very excited to hear about an alternative that imparts the mild coconut flavor and fats without the random chemicals they add to the powder to keep it from caking!

    to Jane's comment

  18. Ginger on February 11, 2011 at 9:25 pm

    Sounds great…I’ll give it a try.

    to Ginger's comment

  19. stacy on February 11, 2011 at 9:43 pm

    I’ve just started using coconut oil in the past year and I really like it!

    to stacy's comment

  20. Tara on February 11, 2011 at 10:08 pm

    I’d like to try it!

    to Tara's comment

  21. Allison on February 11, 2011 at 10:58 pm

    Thank you so, so much for posting things like this. I love your recommendations, and your sources! It is really appreciated. I have one question. If you come across a recipe with canola oil, or vegetable oil, do you just substitute coconut oil instead? I’m just wondering how it works out…

    to Allison's comment

  22. Nebraska Dave on February 11, 2011 at 11:03 pm

    My goodness there are a lot of things that coconut oil can be used for. Quite frankly I didn’t think there was anything better than virgin olive oil but maybe I will have to re think that position. The health benefits sound too good to be true. I do like the unprocessed coconut and the milk that comes from the coconut so I’m sure that I would like the coconut oil.

    Have a great coconut oil day.

    to Nebraska Dave's comment

  23. Amber Jackson on February 11, 2011 at 11:09 pm

    I really enjoy coconut oil, I have used it in cooking quite a bit lately. I have also used it for different herbal applications like deodorant and lip balm and in the bath.

    to Amber Jackson's comment

  24. Marisa on February 11, 2011 at 11:23 pm

    I’m a big fan of coconut oil and have been slowly integrating it into more and more of my cooking. And I love the tip about gently heating the oiled utensils to help the oil absorb. That’s brilliant.

    to Marisa's comment

  25. amy on February 11, 2011 at 11:30 pm

    I love Tropical Traditions for many things….especially their coconut oil, oats and honey…I too use it for many things besides to cook and bake with…I use it on my hair, my skin, on my teeth and in oil pulling on occasion..although….I do use sesame most of the time for that….I feel it lives up to the hype on every occasion….Big big fan of TT:) Glad you love it too!

    to amy's comment

  26. Jenny on February 12, 2011 at 1:16 am

    I’ve never tried coconut oil either, but would like to!

    to Jenny's comment

  27. Sara on February 12, 2011 at 1:21 am

    I LOVE coconut oil but have not yet tried it from such a fantastic source. would love an opportunity to try out the Tropical Traditions products!

    to Sara's comment

  28. Becky on February 12, 2011 at 3:11 am

    I fell in love with coconut oil while studying thai cooking. I have loved using it, but would enjoy trying such a special version!

    to Becky's comment

  29. MAYBELLINE on February 12, 2011 at 3:43 am

    I use olive, peanut, and corn oils along with butter. Was coconut oil banned from theater popcorn for health concerns leaving us with expensive popcorn topped with oil flavored like butter? Gross.

    to MAYBELLINE's comment

  30. Kay on February 12, 2011 at 7:23 am

    I’ve been wanting to try coconut oil. Thanks for the give-a-way.

    to Kay's comment

  31. Tee Sims on February 12, 2011 at 8:31 am

    I too am a coconut oil convert as a result of Nourishing Traditions. I use it for everything including for my skin and hair and swear by it. I usually buy in bulk from amazon.com when I can get the Nutiva brand at a good price. Have seen this one on other blogs, but haven’t tried it for myself.

    to Tee Sims's comment

  32. Andrea on February 12, 2011 at 9:12 am

    You always make everything seem like a special treat :-)
    Coconut oil is on my “definitly try” list!

    to Andrea's comment

  33. Sophia on February 12, 2011 at 9:20 am

    I would LOVE to win that jar! I love coconut oil and use it topically and in cooking as much as possible. YUM.

    to Sophia's comment

  34. deedee on February 12, 2011 at 10:00 am

    i LOVE coconut oil! we’ve been using it for about a year or so. i just found a recipe for a skin cleanser using coconut oil, so it was funny that i just saw that you said the same thing. we use olive oil+lemon juice as a furniture polish… i will have to try the coconut oil instead to see what we come up with!

    to deedee's comment

  35. Lisa on February 12, 2011 at 10:07 am

    I would love to try coconut oil, have been researching the health benefits.

    to Lisa's comment

  36. andrea on February 12, 2011 at 10:23 am

    Wow – that coconut cream looks yummy! And love coconut oil on my skin. When I’m cooking with it, I always wipe the spoon off and rub it right into my hands. How many other ingredients can you do that with?!

    Thanks for the giveaway.

    to andrea's comment

  37. Sarah H on February 12, 2011 at 10:31 am

    My sister and a good friend were both telling me about how they use coconut oil. I really want to give it a chance. Thanks for all the information. It sounds great in the rice.

    to Sarah H's comment

  38. Vivian on February 12, 2011 at 12:37 pm

    Sounds wonderful! I will definitely check into it. I use butter and extra virgin olive oil for most of my cooking. My wooden utensils definitely would love a coating of coconut oil since I have never given them anything. I have some beautiful hand made tools that I should give better care to.

    to Vivian's comment

  39. megan on February 12, 2011 at 12:43 pm

    I love coconut oil!
    I probably use olive oil and peanut oil more often, but coconut oil is perfect when you want to add some richness to veggies (it’s great with peppers). It’s also the ONLY thing we’ll use to make popcorn around here!

    to megan's comment

  40. trashmaster46 on February 12, 2011 at 12:51 pm

    I’ve only recently heard about coconut oil (especially as far as it being a healthier fat to use). I’m really curious to use it myself!

    to trashmaster46's comment

  41. Seren Dippity on February 12, 2011 at 1:35 pm

    As I transition over to Real food I’ve been adding coconut oil into more items. I love it. Unfortunately, my DH doesn’t! He doesn’t like the flavor of coconut and refuses to try it. I haven’t yet tried the expeller pressed; I was under the impression that processing it like that negated the benefits of using it and so didn’t bother to try it. Maybe I need to rethink that.

    I love using it in smoothies and have noticed that if I consume at least 2 – 3 tablespoons every couple of days I have much less inflammation. Less muscle pain and trouble with arthritis. That is definitely an incentive to continue using it. Because I’m trying to do less sweets though I’ve had difficulty working it in. Like you said, the flavored type doesn’t work so well with savory applications. I do wish it were not a solid though, that also makes it more difficult to use.

    I do need to try the Tropical Traditions brand. I’ve heard nothing but good stuff about them.

    to Seren Dippity's comment

  42. Melanie J. on February 12, 2011 at 5:37 pm

    I’ve been wanting to try coconut oil, but hadn’t yet. Thanks for the opportunity!

    to Melanie J.'s comment

  43. Sandra on February 12, 2011 at 11:14 pm

    I started using coconut oil about 4 months ago, and just realized, after reading your post that I have not been sick all season. I am a convert!

    to Sandra's comment

  44. Nancy DeVries on February 13, 2011 at 12:49 am

    I have used it in cooking when we used to have a coconut tree in our back yard when we lived in India. I miss the freshness of using them for rice dishes.

    to Nancy DeVries's comment

  45. Mija on February 13, 2011 at 11:33 am

    Thank you so much for this post! We’ve been transitioning to a more Nourishing Traditions way of life for about 6 months. My DH can’t even tolerate the smell of coconut in suntan lotion so when you shared about the differences I was thrilled to learn “Yes Viriginia, there is a coconut oil you can use!!!” Whoo hoo!

    to Mija's comment

  46. Carrie on February 13, 2011 at 8:34 pm

    I’ve never been a coconut lover, so I’d have to go with the one with NO flavor, but I have been wanting to try this for awhile! I never thought of using it on wooden utensils, what a great idea!

    to Carrie's comment

  47. Deborah on February 13, 2011 at 9:08 pm

    We use coconut oil to massage our baby, but we haven’t experimented with it in the kitchen, much. We always pop popcorn with it. We use butter, olive oil, and canola oil for our cooking needs.

    to Deborah's comment

  48. Sincerely, Emily on February 14, 2011 at 9:40 am

    Gosh – I know I already left a comment and I came back to see what other people have been saying about coconut oil, but my comment isn’t there. Thanks for all the great info on coconut oil. I use coconut oil a bit, but after reading about all the benefits you have pointed out I want to be using it more and more. It is nice to learn from what others have commented about too. Emily

    to Sincerely, Emily's comment

  49. Jennifer on February 14, 2011 at 12:59 pm

    I have never used it, but it sure sounds interesting. And useful!!

    to Jennifer's comment

  50. Eli on February 14, 2011 at 7:44 pm

    I’ve actually just been researching coconut oil as a chemical-free option to replace my conditioner and moisturizing!

    to Eli's comment

About

This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.

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