Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil Review / Giveaway


One of the great things about reviewing and giving away products here at Frugal Follies is that I get the chance to try things that I might not otherwise!  For instance, I've heard great things about coconut oil (not to mention the health benefits), but I had never gotten around to giving it a try.

So I was really excited when Tropical Traditions offered to let me try their Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil.  Here's a video that explains more about coconut oil:








Still unsure what coconut oil is?  Check out this post on What Is Virgin Coconut Oil? to learn more.  If you'd like to learn more about the health benefits of coconut oil, check coconutoil.com.

I wasn't sure what to make with the coconut oil.  Luckily, I was able to find lots of great recipes using coconut oil by doing a search.  Here's what I ended up making!

CHOCOLATE EGG GRANOLA BARS
Based on a recipe from Heavenly Homemakers

1 tbsp butter
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup coconut oil
1 cup old-fashioned oats
1 cup Reese's Chocolate Easter Eggs (about 6), chopped finely

Line an 8x8 baking pan with wax paper.  Spread the butter on the top of the wax paper.

In a medium saucepan, combine the peanut butter, honey, and coconut oil.  Cook over medium-low heat until melted and well combined.  Remove from heat.  Add the oats and mix until the oats are covered.  Allow to cool for 2 minutes, then add the chocolate eggs.

Using a spatula, spread the mixture into the 8x8 pan.  Place in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours or until solid.  Remove wax paper and cut into squares.

Makes 16 granola bar squares.
They were delicious!  I loved how the coconut oil gave the granola bars a faint coconut taste without having to add coconut itself.

The Tropical Traditions website also has information on how to use coconut oil.  There are lots of great ideas there - not only can it be used for baking and frying, but it can also be used to make your own mayonnaise, salad dressings, and even ketchup!  I will definitely be trying these recipes soon.

If you'd rather watch videos (I love to watch cooking videos!), check out this video on how to use coconut oil from the Tropical Traditions YouTube channel.

Are you interested in trying Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil?  Before purchasing, you might want to learn more about buying coconut oil.  If you choose to purchase from Tropical Traditions, you can order 1 pint (16 oz) of Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil or 1 quart (32 oz) of Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil from their website. 

Or would you like to try it for free?

Frugal Follies is sponsoring a giveaway for 1 quart of Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil!

To enter, use the Rafflecopter below!  The giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents aged 18 and older. This giveaway will end on Friday, July 13th, at 12:01 am Eastern time.  If you are the winner, I will contact you shortly thereafter, and you will have 72 hours to respond.  If you do not respond within that time, your entry will be  declared invalid and a new winner will be chosen.  This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook. If you are a Canadian resident, Tropical Traditions is not responsible for customs or duties that Canada may charge for your prize.



a Rafflecopter giveaway


(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. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.)

103 comments:

  1. i want to try an alternative to regualr oils

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  2. I would like to win so I can use it in some Chinese/Thai cooking
    meiklesurvey@gmail.com

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  3. I use this instead of oil in cooking eggs. val vsbelley@gmail.com

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  4. great review! i love coconut oil...i like to make frosting out of it! haha

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  5. I enjoy cooking and this would DEFINATELY come in handy.

    Love3570@aol.com

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  6. This sounds like such a great and versatile product!

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  7. I love coconut oil, and I'd like to try this brand.

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  8. I'm finding how good (and easy) it is to use coconut oil in my baking and cooking, and I'd love to have some of the TT Virgin Coconut Oil to use as well as the cheaper stuff I have now.

    Thanks for the giveaway!
    pennies.points.prizes at gmail dot com

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  9. Would really like to try this- would be delicious, I'm sure.

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  10. I love to use it for making brownies

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  11. I have been wanting to try some recipes using coconut oil. julierupert@gmail.com

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  12. I would love to try this in some of my recipes. Thanks.

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  13. I saw on Dr. Oz that Coconut Oil has anti fungal properties and I need it, but don't want to say what for! :o)

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  14. love coconut oil--replaces butter in my recipes, when i can afford it!

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  15. i would like to win because there are so many uses for pure coconut oil
    glori johnson
    gloria4869@yahoo.com

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  16. I'd like to win because I love coconut oil.

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  17. I want to try an alternative to other oils and butter. hwb277@hotmail.com

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  18. i would love to try this, heath_david_w@yahoo.com

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  19. It's neat to have a product that's good for both cooking and beauty!

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  20. I keep hearing about this oil but haven't tried it yet. this giveaway would give me a chance to try it before I buy it.

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  21. I've never had coconut oil before.

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  22. I'd like to win because I've been looking for healthier alternatives to frying with oil, and I think this is just what I've been looking for.

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  23. I would love to try this coconut oil as I have heard that it is very healthy and aids in weight loss.cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  24. I'd love to win because i'm an avid coconut oil user!

    hun423 at hotmail.com

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  25. I would love to try coconut oil!

    Alexis K.

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  26. i would love to win because i have never tried cooking with coconut oil before
    pkeintz@gmail.com

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  27. for cooking,and I never used it

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  28. I would like to win b/c they say it is healthy for you.

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  29. I'd like to win because I make all natural soap and detergent products, and coconut oil makes luxurious bar soap!

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  30. We use coconut oil for pretty much all of our cooking, so this would be great for us!

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  31. I want to try coconut oil because I have been hearing all sorts of good things about it!


    Christine

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  32. Ttrockwood@yahoo.comJune 19, 2012 at 10:45 PM

    I love how much flavor this oil has and how natural and unprocessed it is!

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  33. I have been trying to switch my family over to using more coconut oil, because it is healthier to use when cooking at high temperatures. So, i would love to win some to get us started.

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  34. I want to win because there is this pumpkin coconut muffin recipe that calls for this and i want to make them.

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  35. I want to win because I have heard how healthy and beneficial coconut oil is.

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  36. I love cooking with coconut oil - healthy with a light flavor
    Thank you for hosting this giveaway

    Louis
    pumuckler {at} gmail {dot} com

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  37. because i have the dryest, most sensitive skin on the planet

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  38. I would like to win because I love using good quality coconut oil because it is healthier. But I can not afford to get it on my food stamps

    lpninpain at gmail dot com

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  39. I love to try coconut oil

    tiggerperrine at gmail dot com

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  40. I would really like to win this so I can try it out! I keep seeing giveaways for this product,and really want to try it!
    mindomatter76@gmail.com

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  41. I love using coconut oil.

    stephanie_adkins@yahoo.com

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  42. Christina - xristya@rock.com - I'd like to win because I've never used this and would love to give it a try!

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  43. I would like to win because coconut oil is the only oil I feel comfortable cooking with and I am quickly running out!

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  44. I want to win because I've never tried coconut oil but I want to!
    Marianna

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  45. I've heard great things about Tropical Traditions' coconut oil and I'd love to give it a try. I'm especially hoping for the breastfeeding benefits.
    millybry at gmail dot com

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  46. I have just started learning how to use coconut oil and would love to have more to experiment with.
    slrdowney at hotmail dot com

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  47. My family is working on switching to coconut oil from vegetable and canola oil since it so much better for you! Thank you for a lovely giveaway! Kylie Carlson

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  48. I love using coconut oil. Since it's summer, I like to cook the diced chicken breast in the coconut oil for salads. It gives the chicken a yummy flavor that is great in salads.

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  49. I love cooking with coconut oil!

    Michelle M

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  50. Just used this to sooth my skin after a sunburn! Love itt!!! brogers1026/at/hotmail.com

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  51. I'd like to win because I use coconut oil to condition my hair!

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  52. I understand its a nutritious oil...would like to try it.

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  53. I'd love to win because I LOVE coconut oil! I use it in my skin, hair, stir fries, cookies! EVERYTHING! I am heading to college and coconut oil is on my "must bring" list!

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  54. i would love to use it on my hair

    klr89@cornell.edu

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  55. I'd like to win because coconut oil has so many healthy uses!

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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  56. I would like to win because I Love TT and their Coconut Oil!

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  57. Forgot my name & email on my last comment.

    Love TT & their coconut oil.
    InezbyDesign
    designs345@gmail.com

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  58. Have been wanting to try this brand. Would love to win.
    Kathy

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  59. I would like to win because we've been using this as a moisturizer as well as for cooking, and it is nice to have extra around.

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  60. I use coconut oil in everything! Would love to win this to bake with :)

    jen.leach@gmail.com

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  61. we use coconut oil for so much! Love adding it to my oatmeal in the am.

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  62. I have tried this brand before and I love it!

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  63. My favorite way to use coconut oil is in skincare products such as cold process soaps and body butters, body melts so, I would like to win to make more!
    : )

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  64. I'd like to make my own baby wipes with coconut oil.

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  65. I'd like to win because coconut oil is healthier for me
    Damian Jarreau

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  66. I'd love to try it for the flavor and the health benefits. irene.cypher20@gmail.com

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  67. would use it for everything, cooking, beauty etc..

    truwinner@gmail.com

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  68. I'd love to win because I've always wanted to try Tropical Traditions products!

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  69. i'd like to win this coconut oil because not only is it great for cooking, it's also great for ur hair.

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  70. oops forgot my rafflecopter name and email

    Alexa Brown
    oyinayo@hotmail.com

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  71. I would really love to win this...I have heard great things about using coconut oil on your hair...anyone try it?

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  72. I'd like to win because I've never tried this product before.

    mlynnh5 at gmail dot com

    Missy Lynnh

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  73. i'd like to win this for my acne!

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  74. I use a lot of coconut oil in the sundries I make. It'd be great to use such a high quality oil in them.

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  75. i have heard that coconut oil is good for memory, will use this to cook my veggies
    susansmoaks at gmail dot com

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  76. I love it in my morning coffee

    samf36 (at) gmail.com

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  77. I would like to win because I do a lot of baking and would like to try it in place of vegetable oil. Plus, I would like to try it in my stir-fry veggies.

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  78. Tried cooking with coconut oil a few times with great results.

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  79. I would love to use this in recipes
    melissalucky43@yahoo.com

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  80. I have heard great things about it, and would love to try it.

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  81. I would like to win because we use so much coconut oil!

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  82. I LOVE coconut oil. I use it to cook all the time!

    scott _ amanda 11 at hotmail dot com

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  83. I have heard a lot about the benefits of coconut oil. I'm interested in trying it out. Adventures in dining!

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  84. I would love to win this to cook with and to use for beauty purposes.

    jessicabanks1721@yahoo.com

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  85. I want to win because I love coconut oil.
    lisa.blogs2 at gmail dot com

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  86. We love to use healthier alternatives when they are available.

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  87. I want to use it to loose weight. It's also good for cooking.

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  88. Hello, how are you? Thank you for this opportunity. I want to win because of the health benefits of coconut oil.
    gainessimmons@aol.com

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  89. I'd love to win so I could try stir-fry with this product.
    rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com

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  90. Coconut oil is a healthy alternative to frying with butter

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  91. I want to win because I want to try something new.

    Sasha Dang

    china769@hotmail.com

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  92. I would love to win this because there are so many uses for it!

    Trisha Ridinger McKee
    trishannemckee at gmail dot com
    tridingermckee at gmail dot com

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  93. Would love to try this healthy oil and it sounds so tasty, as I love coconut!
    spcale at yahoo dot com
    carol lewis

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  94. I would love to win this as I using cooking oil in so many of my recipes. Coconut Oil is so much healthier for you and it would be so much fun to see how all of my favorites taste using it.
    lauraemerson17 at yahoo dot com

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  95. I would like to win because I use this stuff all the time!! <3 brogers1026/at/hotmail.com

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  96. we love coconut oil to cook with and for diaper cream :) beatriz bry 2 @ aol dot com

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  97. I would like to win...a lot of benefits to using this oil.

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  98. I'd like to try this because I'm seeing it an awful lot online lately.

    Tim Moss, yupbucket@hotmail.com

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  99. I'm almost out of coconut oil!
    heather c

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