Giveaway - Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil

**This contest is now closed.**

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?

You can also watch the video they produced about Gold Label 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.

Are you a big fan of coconut oil? Maybe you've tried it before but weren't too impressed. Maybe you just needed to try a better brand.

I was eager to try Tropical Traditions again, as I originally tried it in my homemade cold pressed soap. It did a wonderful job and I was happy to be  using something organic for a skin product. This time, however, I wanted to try the virgin coconut oil in food - and I did just that.

The first thing I noticed is the brilliant white color of the oil. The cheaper stuff at the grocery store is not organic nor is it virgin oil - and it's color is an off white that is nearly yellow. I'm not sure if that means anything or not, but the organic, virgin coconut oil is purer looking just because of the whiteness. Also, Tropical Traditions has a sweet coconut smell that makes you want to take a spoon and eat it out of the jar. I did not do that, however.
 

I made a delicious vegan and gluten-free dessert which I have named Blackberry Surprise Pie. Here's what I did:

Take 1 1/2 cups pitted dates and soak them in water for about an hour. Take another 1/2 cup pitted dates and soak them in a separate bowl, in water, for that same hour.

After the dates have soaked, put the 1 1/2 cups dates, 1/4 cup carob powder, 3 Tablespoons Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil (melted), 1 cup shredded, unsweetened coconut, and 1/4 cup walnuts in a food processor. With the S blade, process until the mixture is very smooth. You might need to stop the processor and stir with a spoon every now and then.

Press the mixture into a 10 inch pie pan, pressing it up the sides. Set aside while you make the filling. Don't bother washing or rinsing the food processor bowl. Put in it:

2 ripe, peeled and pitted avocados and the 1/2 cup soaked dates. Process until smooth and creamy. Place into a large bowl. Stir in 2 teaspoons Stevia powder and 4 cups fresh or frozen blackberries. Fill the date/coconut crust with the blackberry mixture. Sprinkle with a little more shredded coconut. Refrigerate until ready to serve. 

This is the best "pie" I've had in a long time. The filling color will have a green color to it but it does not taste like avocados in the least. It tastes like a chocolate/fruit pie with lots of coconut chewiness and flavor bursting through. And the best part is there is NO refined sugar.

If you would like to "experiment" in your own kitchen with some Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil too, this is your chance to do so with a free jar! Here's how to enter:

Mandatory entry: Subscribe to Tropical Traditions' newsletter here. Then come back here and tell me you did so. Be sure to leave your e-mail address so I can contact you should you win.

Bonus entry: Tell me how you would use virgin coconut oil in a comment.

This contest is open to residents of the United States and Canada only. Contest ends February 28. Winner will be chosen shortly thereafter and will receive a quart jar of Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut oil, shipped by the company.

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.