Thursday, June 4, 2009

Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil Giveaway- closed



If you grew up in the 80's and 90's like me you might have the opinion that coconut oil is terrible for you, as I did. We were told it is a saturated fat and therefore would clog our arteries and stop our heart. Coconut oil was promptly pulled from baked goods and I always had a twinge of guilt eating any coconut treat.


Like so much of what we hear about our health that information was at best misleading, at worst it was outright coconut slander. The poor abused coconut, however, has made a comeback in recent years. People have recently been proclaiming the glory of the coconut and its miraculous ability to cure a world of ills. I roll my eyes when I hear wild health claims, so I have skipped over all the coconut raving.


Then I was given the chance from a company called Tropical Traditions, to actually try coconut oil and read some literature on it. I figured it couldn't hurt to look into it.


Here is some of the research backed information I found-



  • A study of 40 women concluded that coconut oil does not result in more fats in the blood and seems to promote a reduction in abdominal obesity ( Lipids. 2009 May 13. [Epub ahead of print]). This study affirms what previous studies have stated- consumption of coconut oil does not cause high cholesterol or heart disease.
  • Virgin coconut oil has been shown to have antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties that are useful in the treatment of dermatitis (Dermatitis. 2008 Nov-Dec;19(6):308-15)and acne (Dermatol.2009 Apr 23 [Epub ahead of print]).
  • Animal studies indicate that consumption of coconut oil may actually lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood (Clin Biochem. 2004 Sep; 37(9):830-5).
  • Human research shows that consuming oils such as coconut oil can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (Metabolism. 2003 Jun; 52(6):771-7).
  • A wide variety of peer-reviewed research on the chemical components of coconut oil have hinted that coconut oil may help in reducing weight, slowing tumor growth, preventing obesity and combating a host of other human ailments.

I have actually read the research I am quoting. I never believe what I read (especially on the internet) unless I see the data myself. I spent a few too many years the pharmaceutical and scientific research industries to believe anything 2nd hand. I have included links to the research so you can read for yourself if that is your thing.


All this reading about coconut oil has convinced me it is something I should have in my diet more often. A 1998 article in the Journal of the Indian Medical Association sums up what we now know about consuming only oils we were told were 'healthier' like sunflower oil or safflower oil, stating,



there are numerous research data now available to indicate that the sole use or excess intake of these newer vegetable oils are actually detrimental to health and switching to a combination of different types of fats including the traditional cooking fats like ghee, coconut oil and mustard oil would actually reduce the risk of dyslipidaemias, AHD and Type-2 DM [diabetes] (J Indian Med Assoc. 1998 Oct; 96(10):304-7).


More and more the evidence seems to show that cutting out natural foods completely from our diet does more harm than good. I have come to the conclusion that diversity in diet is the answer, with all things in moderation. I never did understand how plant based oil could be so 'bad', just like I never thought avocados or almonds were 'bad' even though they are high in fat. Well lookie-there, research is now showing that items we were told to avoid are actually beneficial.


While research is amazing and fantastic and gives me warm fuzzies it often fails to take into consideration real life situations such as how people consume foods, how the food is prepared etc, so I never make a big change and eliminate any whole food based on some rat study. Nature knows best, I believe, so if it grows in the ground, tastes good and people have been eating it for thousands of years then it is good enough for me.


I won't be switching to using only coconut oil I have found that it is a great oil to cook with- clean tasting (no coconut taste at all), versatile and easy to measure. Plus Tropical Traditions coconut oil is certified as USDA organic, which gives it an advantage over 98% of oils on the shelf in stores.


Interested in trying coconut oil for yourself? Or perhaps you are already a fan of coconut oil and have a thing or two to teach me. In either case you will want to enter this giveaway for a quart of Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil. Also, if you are interested in reading more about the potential benefits of coconut oil be sure to check out this book, chocked full of great information, personal stories and a bit of history on the coconut oil revolution.


How to Enter


Visit the Tropical Traditions website and tell me what product you are most interested in trying. Or if you already have tried coconut oil tell me a little about your experience with the product. This entry must be completed in order to gain any extra entries.


Extra Entries

  • Follow Tropical Traditions on twitter (1 entry, leave your user id)
  • Fav my blog on technorati ( Link to the right, please leave your user ID)

  • Follow me on blogger, subscribe via rss reader or subscribe via email (links to the left, 1 entry for each )
  • Follow me on twitter and tweet this giveaway (1 tweet per day, link to your tweet please)
  • Blog about this giveaway and leave a link to your post (2 entries)

The giveaway is open to both U.S. and Canadian residents. Entries will be accepted until June 13th 11:59 PM CST when a winner will be selected randomly. Winner will be notified via e-mail.


132 comments:

VickieB said...

I'd like to try the unscented moisturizing lotion

VickieB said...

tweet http://twitter.com/vlbsweeps/status/2041486783

Unknown said...

Well, I feel dumb..I know nothing about coconut oil! I know Peanut Oil, Safflower and Crisco..thats it! LOL I'd like to try the All-Purpose Non-toxic Household Cleaner
though. I'm trying to get away from so many chemicals. I have COPD (lung disease) and the chemicals make breathing difficult. Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

I follow on twitter and tweeted
http://twitter.com/hondaray6/status/2042476884

Unknown said...

I follow your blog

~Thought's By Dena~/ JDs Gift Shack said...

ohhh any of the skin care products Id love to try!!!!!!

~Thought's By Dena~/ JDs Gift Shack said...

Im already a follower!!

Stephanie said...

I would like to try the bug arrest

Stephanie said...

blogged 1
http://youngandfreedc.blogspot.com/2009/06/blog-giveaways-of-day-6-05-2009.html

Stephanie said...

http://youngandfreedc.blogspot.com/2009/06/blog-giveaways-of-day-6-05-2009.html

blogged 2

Stephanie said...

Follower too!

Sue said...

I think I need a bucket of Coconut Chips. Thanks for sharing~

throuthehaze said...

i'd like to try the Organic Liquid Soaps

throuthehaze said...

I Follow Tropical Traditions on twitter
throuthehaze

throuthehaze said...

Faved your blog on technorati
throuthehaze

Tammigirl said...

I like the Fleur de la Terre cheese!!

Tammigirl said...

I am following TT on twitter as tammigirl

Tammigirl said...

I have faved you on techno as tammigirl

Tammigirl said...

I follow you on blogger

Tammigirl said...

I subscribe to your emails

Tammigirl said...

I subscribe to your RSS feeds

Tammigirl said...

http://twitter.com/tammigirl/status/2048523309

follow you on twitter and tweeted that

janetfaye said...

I would like to try Natural Bar Soaps - Scented.

janetfaye (at( gmail (dot) com

janetfaye said...

I follow Tropical Traditions on twitter - Janetfaye

janetfaye (at( gmail (dot) com

janetfaye said...

I follow your blog.

janetfaye (at( gmail (dot) com

janetfaye said...

Subscribed.

janetfaye (at( gmail (dot) com

janetfaye said...

1. Blogged:
http://grammyjanetsplace.blogspot.com/2009/05/june-giveaway-list.html

janetfaye (at( gmail (dot) com

Lois S said...

I would like to try the Coconut Cream Concentrate

Lois S said...

I follow on Twitter and I tweeted
https://twitter.com/ljshores/status/2050348716

valerie2350 said...

i love their coconut oil - have used it for a lot of things, but really like it for making popcorn

valerie2350 said...

following tropical trad on twitter
valerie2350

valerie2350 said...

technorati
valerie2350

valerie2350 said...

follower

valerie2350 said...

email subscriber

valerie2350 said...

feed subscriber

valerie2350 said...

http://twitter.com/valerie2350/status/2051659163

valerie2350 said...

1
http://sweeps4bloggers.blogspot.com/2009/06/ilike-tropical-traditions-giveaway.html

valerie2350 said...

2
http://sweeps4bloggers.blogspot.com/2009/06/ilike-tropical-traditions-giveaway.html

Anonymous said...

Lavender Skin Exfoliator : )

savethemasses@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I'm following them on Twitter (id- fashionablegal).

savethemasses@hotmail.com

♥ LLL with Leslie ♥ said...

I would like to try the coconut flour =)

always_317537(at)yahoo(dot)com

♥ LLL with Leslie ♥ said...

I follow tropical traditions on twitter =)

laughwithleslie

♥ LLL with Leslie ♥ said...

I follow your blog =)

♥ LLL with Leslie ♥ said...

I am an email subscriber =)

always_317537(at)yahoo(dot)com

♥ LLL with Leslie ♥ said...

I am a rss feed subscriber too =)

♥ LLL with Leslie ♥ said...

I follow you on twitter (laughwithleslie) and I tweeted =)

http://twitter.com/laughwithleslie/status/2053263821

VickieB said...

6/6 http://twitter.com/vlbsweeps/status/2053617174

Tammigirl said...

http://twitter.com/tammigirl/status/2054275305

Julie said...

i like to try the teeth cleansers-
in mint

aunteegem@yahoo.com

Julie said...

I subsrbive via email


aunteegem@yahoo.com

Julie said...

i am a blog follower

aunteegem@yahoo.com

Lois S said...

I tweeted https://twitter.com/ljshores/status/2058600264

Unknown said...

I'm following Tropical Traditions (@frugalfritzie)
frugalfritzie(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I'd like to try the Organic Coconut Flour, I'm very curious about that one!
frugalfritzie(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I subscribe via Google Reader
frugalfritzie(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

Follow! Tweet!
frugalfritzie(at)gmail(dot)com

http://twitter.com/frugalfritzie/status/2058894197

CMC said...

I'd love to try the Organic Insect Repellent!

spitfyr323 at hotmail dot com

janetfaye said...

6/6 Tweet:
http://twitter.com/Janetfaye/status/2061351238

janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

Tammigirl said...

http://twitter.com/tammigirl/status/2063522491

Tweet for today

VickieB said...

6/7 http://twitter.com/vlbsweeps/status/2063833434

DawnS said...

I would also like to try the all natural insect repellent.

valerie2350 said...

http://twitter.com/valerie2350/status/2064792731

janetfaye said...

6/7 Tweet:
http://twitter.com/Janetfaye/status/2064807683

janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

valerie2350 said...

http://twitter.com/valerie2350/status/2064792731

VickieB said...

blogged 2
http://vickieb52.blogspot.com/2009/06/bloggy-giveaways.html

Emily N. said...

All-Purpose Non-toxic Household Cleaner.
email in profile

Emily N. said...

I follow Tropical Traditions on twitter. My id is gotfire55.

Anonymous said...

I love the peanut butter (eventhough it's not a nut;)

janetfaye said...

6/8 Tweet:
http://twitter.com/Janetfaye/status/2074862717

janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

missy said...

tweeted

VickieB said...

6/8 http://twitter.com/vlbsweeps/status/2075494337

valerie2350 said...

http://twitter.com/valerie2350/status/2077015982

Halifax @ Sparkled Beauty said...

I'd like to try the Citrus-Mint Skin Exfoliator

Halifax @ Sparkled Beauty said...

Followed and tweeted
http://twitter.com/juan_hurrican/status/2078808959

TopHat said...

I'd like to try their dish liquid. I'm looking for a new one!

TopHat said...

I follow on Twitter as TopHat8855

TopHat said...

I follow with blogger!

TopHat said...

And subscribe with google reader

Lois S said...

I tweeted https://twitter.com/ljshores/status/2082356110

Lois S said...

1 I blogged
http://ljsin2win.blogspot.com/2009/06/enter-to-win-tropical-traditions_08.html

Lois S said...

2 I blogged
http://ljsin2win.blogspot.com/2009/06/enter-to-win-tropical-traditions_08.html

Courtney said...

I'd love to try the Lavender
Organic Deodorant Roll-on. Thanks for the giveaway!

annasmama0702@gmail.com

Courtney said...

I'm following troptraditions on twitter (annasmama0702)

annasmama0702@gmail.com

Courtney said...

I follow you on blogger

annasmama0702@gmail.com

Courtney said...

I subscribe via email

annasmama0702@gmail.com

Courtney said...

I favorited you on technorati (annasmama0702)

annasmama0702@gmail.com

Courtney said...

I follow you on twitter and tweeted:

http://twitter.com/annasmama0702/status/2083332517

annasmama0702@gmail.com

Cori Westphal said...

I live in MN and it's becoming mosquito season! I'd love to try their Organic Insect Repellent. Thanks!

Cori Westphal said...

I follow troptraditions on twitter: coriwestphal

Cori Westphal said...

You are in my Technorati faves: coriwestphal

Cori Westphal said...

I'm subscribed via google reader.

Cori Westphal said...

I'm an email subscriber.

Cori Westphal said...

I'm a follower.

Cori Westphal said...

Tweet: http://twitter.com/coriwestphal/statuses/2086000748

VickieB said...

6/9 http://twitter.com/vlbsweeps/status/2088317716

Halifax @ Sparkled Beauty said...

Daily tweet
http://twitter.com/juan_hurrican/status/2090059178

VickieB said...

follow TT on Twitter vlbsweeps

Cori Westphal said...

Tweet: http://twitter.com/coriwestphal/statuses/2097958579

Traumajunky said...

I really want to try the coconut oil but I'd also like to try the coconut flour.

janetfaye said...

6/10 Tweet:
http://twitter.com/Janetfaye/status/2101087987

janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

VickieB said...

6/10 http://twitter.com/vlbsweeps/status/2102185617

valerie2350 said...

http://twitter.com/valerie2350/status/2103361349

Halifax @ Sparkled Beauty said...

Daily tweet
http://twitter.com/juan_hurrican/status/2105184778

OBXPuparazzi said...

I'd like to try the Green Label coconut oil. I am following you on Twitter: @puparazzi

Claudia Olivos said...

I follow you on twitter...love Tropical Traditions- have even blogged about it and tweeted about it!
I am *soon* to begin my recipe book-with my paintings-- and will include loads of coconut oil as I use it on a daily basis.

I would try anything from Tropical Traditions but the gold label coconut oil is what I can not do without!

In summer I pour it on my daily salads and use it in smoothies, grilling, sauteeing and such..and in the winter in soups and for my outstanding healthy popcorn (cocunt oil, throw in kernels in pot--pop...then add sea salt..yummmy and healthy!)

Lois S said...

tweeted
https://twitter.com/ljshores/status/2110356887

Lois S said...

I follow

Lois S said...

I subscribe to email

Ellyn said...

I'd like to try the red palm oil for frying

Ellyn said...

I follow Tropical Traditions on Twitter

(I'm http://twitter.com/blackkitt)

VickieB said...

6/11 http://twitter.com/vlbsweeps/status/2115838037

valerie2350 said...

http://twitter.com/valerie2350/status/2117058953

Halifax @ Sparkled Beauty said...

Daily tweet
http://twitter.com/juan_hurrican/status/2119926824

Lois S said...

tweet https://twitter.com/ljshores/status/2123690036

Cori Westphal said...

Tweet: http://twitter.com/coriwestphal/statuses/2124649272

VickieB said...

6/12 http://twitter.com/vlbsweeps/status/2130863782

Betsy Knight said...

i'm always up for something that reduces abdominal fat! yeah, coconut oil!

valerie2350 said...

http://twitter.com/valerie2350/status/2133745999

johnna92 said...

Would like to try.
johnnavanbibber@gmail.com

janetfaye said...

6/12 Tweet:
http://twitter.com/Janetfaye/status/2134397833

janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

missy said...

Would love to try this
missycrace@yahoo.com

Lois S said...

tweeted https://twitter.com/ljshores/status/2137941510

Lois S said...

I follow Tropical Traditions on Twitter ljshores

Unknown said...

I'd like to try the Lavender
Organic Deodorant Roll-on.

Unknown said...

I follow Tropical Traditions on Twitter.

Unknown said...

Blog follower, sito50

Unknown said...

E-mail subscriber.

Unknown said...

Following you on Twitter & tweeted, http://twitter.com/sito50/status/2148016602

VickieB said...

6/13 http://twitter.com/vlbsweeps/status/2152685698

janetfaye said...

6/13 Tweet:
http://twitter.com/Janetfaye/status/2156441208

janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

Lois S said...

my last tweet https://twitter.com/ljshores/status/2158894561

Cori Westphal said...

Tweet: http://twitter.com/coriwestphal/statuses/2160128898