Articles archived for April 2009
First, I’d love to take a moment to thank TropicalTraditions.com–and Dawn Campbell, Marketing Manager–for sponsoring this contest and for being so gracious as to send a jumbo size (32 ounces!) jar of Certified Organic Virgin Coconut Oil–and a book all about it! We appreciate it!
Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil = Heaven on Earth!
I’m serious! Y’all, I am soooooooooo excited to be hosting this contest and have the opportunity to review such an amazing product as Tropical Traditions Certified Organic Virgin Coconut Oil. It’s divine. Not only is the review/contest about the coconut oil itself, but I’ll be reviewing (and the lucky winner of this contest will be getting) a book about it as well! How awesome is that?!
So…. you’ll get to read and learn all about how magnificent coconut oil really is while reaping the benefits (both inside and out)! Fantabulous!!
Take a look at that jar of coconut oil–it’s a whopping 32 ounces!
That’s GINORMOUS!!
[See my face? That isn't make-up. Nope, it's the glow that comes with applying this coconut oil! Eeek!]
Review of Tropical Traditions Certified Organic Virgin Coconut Oil
I honestly cannot think of ONE thing I dislike about this coconut oil. It’s delicious and when I apply it to my skin, it isn’t greasy–just luxurious! That’s right… I use it both internally and externally for all sorts of reasons. I’m eating 98-100% raw right now so I’ll share how I’m using it and then I’ll add a few more ideas for those of you who aren’t a Raw Foodist. 
Internally for a Raw Foodist:
- drizzled over salad (or any veggies) with a squeeze of lime juice (from a real lime) as a “dressing”
- stirred in raw oats
- eaten straight from the spoon
- added into raw smoothies
- added to hot tea
- added to raw soup
- smeared on raw crackers/breads
- used in various other raw recipes
Internally for Non-Raw Foodists:
- drizzled over an omelet
- added to soups
- added to breads/biscuits/baking recipes
- smeared on toast
- stirred into oats
- stirred into quinoa
- used in meat recipes
- and more
Externally for all of us:
- on your face (to help prevent wrinkles and moisturize)
- on your arms/hands
- on your feet/legs
- anywhere
- add a dollop to your bath water
- make an oil treatment for your hair
- use to moisten dry lips
- apply to prevent sunburn and protect against harmful UV rays
- apply to sunburn, itches, rashes, etc.
See, the possibilities are endless!!
Worried it isn’t raw (for you Raw Foodists)?
See, I thought of everything–that’s why I checked their site (TropicalTraditions.com) and found the following information!
Excerpt from Tropical Traditions:
Characteristics of Our Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil
This Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil is a truly
unrefined coconut oil. This coconut oil is made on Mt. Banahaw and
surrounding areas from organic coconuts. Coconuts are used fresh
(within 24-48 hours of harvest) from small family farms on Mt. Banahaw
and other rural places in Quezon Province, the coconut capital of the
Philippines. Only the highest quality coconuts are hand-picked from
each harvest. The volcanic soil of Mt. Banahaw makes these organic
coconuts some of the most nutritionally rich coconuts in the world!
Testing done in independent laboratories reveals higher levels of
phenolic antioxidants than other coconut oils. The fresh coconut meat
is shredded (wet milled), and then cold-pressed using the water from
inside the coconuts to make coconut milk. The milk is then allowed to
sit for about half a day, while the oil naturally separates from the
heavier water. The oil is then filtered from the curds (coconut
solids). No chemical or high-heat treatment is used, and this oil
contains no trans fatty acids. We do NOT mass produce this oil. It is
made by families who are coconut farmers using old-fashioned
traditional methods that have been used in the Philippines for
hundreds of years. Our coconut trees and family producers are
certified organic according to strict USDA standards. The families who
produce the oil are also trained according to GMP (Good Manufacturing
Practice) standards and re-certified each year. This high-grade Virgin
Coconut Oil has a long shelf life due to the high antioxidant
properties. The Gold Label standard is our highest standard for Virgin
Coconut Oil. Read more.
Book Review:
As someone who could spend her every waking hour writing and reading, I was elated to receive this book. Not only is it a great gift to receive along with the coconut oil so you can learn fascinating facts about the oil but it has already become one of my go-to reference books. Yes, since I write so often about health, I have been using this very book as a reference in some of my articles!
It is written by Brian (who has a B.A. and M.A.) and Marianita Jader Shilhavy (who is a CND: Certified Nutritionist/Dietitian). Not only will you get to read each of their personal stories, you’ll learn all about coconut oil, how it’s produced, and how it can improve your recipes and your health. You’ll also get to read about population studies, research, and be inspired by testimonials.
Different chapters and pages target numerous illnesses and how coconut oil improves them (such as HIV/AIDS, diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, digestive disorders, thyroid, cholesterol, candida, and more. This book also shares reasons that coconut oil aids in weight loss efforts, why it’s great for your skin, and even how you can use it in your pet’s health care!
And… there’s a whole section in the back of the book dedicated to coconut recipes! They sound delish! At 236 pages, I just know you’ll love what you find in them. I know I’ll keep my copy forever–it’ll always have a cherished place on my bookshelf!
The Contest!!
You’re allowed FOUR entries for this contest:
- Leave a comment sharing why you’d benefit from owning a copy of the Virgin Coconut Oil book and the 32 ounce jar of certified organic coconut oil. (DO NOT just say “thanks for the contest” or something like that–I do not publish those type of comments because they seem like spam and aren’t fair to the other contestants who leave a thoughtful, genuine answer.)
- Do you Twitter? Tweet about this contest and then leave a comment with your Twitter name.
- Share this contest on your blog, linking back to this post. (The pingback will be counted as your third entry.) If you don’t see your pingback, just email me at healingwithjuices@gmail.com and let me know. It may have gone to spam for some reason.
- Add Healing with Juices to your favorites on Technoratori. Comment the fourth–and last–time to let me know, with a link to your technoratori profile to show you added us.
NOTE: ANYONE can enter this contest. You DO NOT have to be in the United States. Oh, and I’ll be using Random.org to choose the winner….
Contest ends Monday, May 4th, at 9 p.m. (Central Time) so you have an ENTIRE WEEK to get all your entries in. Have fun trying to win!!
What, can’t wait to see if you win? Visit Tropical Traditions now: they’re having a big sale on their coconut oil. Check it out!
Referral Option
If you’d like to join the Tropical Traditions Healthy Buyer’s Club, visit www.healthybuyersclub.com/orderform.cfm
And enter Raw Juice Girl’s User ID number: 4845073
By following these steps, you will receive a complimentary copy of the book Virgin Coconut Oil: How it has changed people’s lives and how it can change yours! by Brian and Marianita Shilhavy.
Your sponsor (that’d be me! 
) will receive a coupon for a complimentary gift to redeem on their next order.
You may view the current complimentary gift being offered here: http://www.tropicaltraditions.com//referral_program.htm
Further instructions can be found here.
Thanks again to www.tropicaltraditions.com!
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.
After this contest ends, you’ll be competing for raw nuts, goji berries, raw nut butters, and more–so don’t miss out on upcoming posts!
This contest is closed.
Be sure to subscribe to Healing with Juices’ Feed for free updates. You can get free updates to your email as well (sign up here). You’ll also receive inspiration, juice and smoothie recipes, and juice fasting tips and encouragement to help keep you motivated toward your ultimate health–and more personal posts about stuff that’s going on in my life. 
Yes, you read that title correctly.
After all, not all of Healing with (Raw) Juices’ readers are Raw Foodists and this is a wonderful meal for any of you who are wanting healthier meal options, or if you’re wanting to phase meat out of your diet.
Anyway, here’s the deal: before I decided to go back to 100% raw foods, I had agreed to review Buitoni’s new Wild Mushroom Agnolotti pasta. I’ve been eating 98-100% raw and what happens? I get a package compliments of FoodBuzz and Buitoni with this pasta to sample and review. What’s an honest gal to do? A gal who is no longer eating cooked foods? She (um, that’d be me!) calls in the troops!
That’s right, folks.
I called in some trustworthy, honest people I know and they tasted it for me! So, here’s the low-down on Buitoni’s Wild Mushroom Agnolotti pasta….
The next dilemma:
How to serve this new pasta!
I let the official taste testers choose how they’d like to gobble up the wild mushroom pasta and here’s what they decided on: a veggie stir fry combo of broccoli, peas, green beans, onions, and mushrooms, a veggie burger, a piece of bread, and the pasta itself with simple tomato sauce.
The pasta only takes 4-6 minutes to be done!!
Toss your choice of veggies in to a skillet and stir fry ‘em right up!
Here are those veggie burgers….
That beautiful Wild Mushroom Agnalotti pasta all “plated up”!
And all together:
The verdict?
They all rated this Buitoni’s Wild Mushroom Agnolotti pasta 10 out of a possible 10!
Thanks so much to FoodBuzz and Buitoni for the opportunity to receive (and share) this pasta. I trust my family and friends’ opinions. We pretty much have the same tastes/opinions of foods so I’m confident and pleased with this review!
Keep watching for more contests: you’ll be competing for organic coconut oil, raw nuts, goji berries, raw nut butters, more books and DVDs, and more–so don’t miss out on upcoming posts!
Be sure to subscribe to Healing with Juices’ Feed for free updates. You can get free updates to your email as well (sign up here). You’ll also receive inspiration, juice and smoothie recipes, and juice fasting tips and encouragement to help keep you motivated toward your ultimate health–and more personal posts about stuff that’s going on in my life.
Hi, y’all!! Hope you’ve been enjoying this beautiful weather as much as I have!
We have lots to catch up on….
The other day Danica from Danica’s Daily posted that she received her free Moo MiniCards, compliments of FoodBuzz. I commented and she asked if I’d share when I got my cards, too. So, Danica, here they are! How exciting, huh?
I forgot to take a photo of the back of the package, but Moo chooses to leave a lighter footprint on our beautiful Earth by using recycled materials for the box the cards arrive in and they also print the cards on paper retrieved from sustainable forests!! Give ‘em a hand for being an eco-friendly company!
I love these little MiniCards. They’re small, convenient to carry, and on the back they have all the important info: my name, website URL, e-mail address, and that I’m a Featured FoodBuzz Publisher. Love them! Definitely check out the site. They’re a fun, creative company!!
Keep watching for more contests: you’ll be competing for organic coconut oil, raw nuts, goji berries, raw nut butters, more books and DVDs, and more–so don’t miss out on upcoming posts!
Be sure to subscribe to Healing with Juices’ Feed for free updates. You can get free updates to your email as well (sign up here). You’ll also receive inspiration, juice and smoothie recipes, and juice fasting tips and encouragement to help keep you motivated toward your ultimate health–and more personal posts about stuff that’s going on in my life.
The contest for Raw for Thirty and Raw for Life DVDs has ended and we have a winner!
First, I’d like to thank everyone who entered. I appreciated your heartfelt comments and positive attitudes.
On to the winner…
I used Random.org to generate a winner. It chose #5, and that would be Lisa. Here’s what she said:
- 5 Lisa { 04.15.09 at 8:41 pm }
-
Wow! This would be a very useful resource for my family. I’m particularly interested in the weight loss and detox sections.
Congratulations, Lisa! Please email me with your mailing address so I can send you your DVDs!
Next, be watching for a fun post followed by more contests: you’ll be competing for organic coconut oil, raw nuts, goji berries, raw nut butters, more books and DVDs, and more–so don’t miss out on upcoming posts!
Be sure to subscribe to Healing with Juices’ Feed for free updates. You can get free updates to your email as well (sign up here). You’ll also receive inspiration, juice and smoothie recipes, and juice fasting tips and encouragement to help keep you motivated toward your ultimate health–and more personal posts about stuff that’s going on in my life.
The time has arrived for another contest!! Everyone say yay!
I’d like to take the time to send out a very warm thank you to Alex Ortner, Executive Producer for the film Raw for Thirty, who was so kind as to sponsor this contest so you’ll have an opportunity to win and watch these DVDs and start down your own (raw) journey to better health!
What You’ll Be Getting
The winner of this contest will receive the following DVDs. There are 3 DVDs total. The first is Simply Raw and the others come in a 2 disc set as part of Raw for Life: The Ultimate Encyclopedia Of The Raw Food Lifestyle. This is such an amazing set of DVDs!
On to the review…
Simply Raw
First, let me tell you: The information in the DVDs you’ll be winning in this contest is unbelievable. Talk about inspiring, motivational, heartfelt, sincere, educational…. The list just goes on and on!
The DVD, Simply Raw, is about reversing diabetes in just 30 days. How? By eating only Raw for Thirty days. The theory is that by consuming 100% raw foods, your body will find a harmonious balance and then your blood sugar will stabilize itself–at minimum improving significantly.
Simply Raw gives you a peek into the journey of six Americans who are battling diabetes. Some of them are also battling obesity. While staying at The Tree of Life in Arizona, under the supervision of Dr. Gabriel Cousens, the six individuals (with various diabetes levels and insulin problems) were carefully monitored and cared for.Looking into the lives of these people and watching their struggles, their honest attempts, and then more struggles as they tried to make it through the 30-day program just broke my heart. I’ve been obese morbidly obese. I know the pain. I know how discouraging it can be to wake up every morning with a heavy person weighing your life down and feeling like life is hopeless and like you can never, ever achieve the healthier, slimmer body you so desire.
I also used to be on diabetic medication because my blood sugar was atrocious. I related so much to the stories these people shared in this DVD. It was almost as if I were living my own morbid obesity and blood sugar problems all over again!
So, I absolutely believe in the power of raw foods and know from personal experience and my own journey that blood sugar can stabilize. I’ve lost over 100 pounds and am now eating 100% raw food–no more diabetic medication for me!
Let’s learn about the other 2 DVDs….
Raw for Life
Wow, let me just say that I’m so glad I had the opportunity to watch these two DVDs in the Raw for Life set. I love gleaning from the wisdom of anyone who has been on a path I’d like to travel. In these two DVDs, you’ll learn from 30 Experts including: David Wolfe, a Raw Food Expert, hear from Woody Harrelson (yes, actor Woody Harrelson!!) about his opinions of raw foods, and even Dr. Fred Bisci shares an incredible about of his wisdom and beliefs (he’s Matt Monarch’s inspiration, remember??).
There’s no way to cover everything in these 2 DVDs so I’ll just highlight some of what you’ll be watching below:
Disc 1:
- Starting Out on the Raw Food Diet
- Weight Loss
- Detox and Cleaning
- Raw for 30 trailer
- Wisdom of Eating Raw
- Photo Gallery
Disc 2:
- Nutrition
- Rejuvenation and Longevity
- Spiritual Aspects
- Recipes from Leading (Raw) Chefs (Not only do you get to see the recipes, you get to watch Raw Food Chefs prepare them!!)
- Photo Gallery
If you’ve been stuck in an unhealthy rut, whether it’s diabetes, obesity, blood pressure problems–or even if you’re thin but just want to feel healthier, be more fit, and have more energy you will probably never be the same after watching these 3 DVDs.
I also want to add that I simply ADORED the colorful graphics, photos, and music!
Contest Rules
You’re allowed FOUR entries for this contest:
- Leave a comment sharing why you’d benefit from owning a copy of this Simply Raw and Raw for Life. (DO NOT just say “thanks for the contest” or something like that–I do not publish those type of comments because they seem like spam and aren’t fair to the other contestants who leave a thoughtful, genuine answer.)
- Do you Twitter? Tweet about this contest and then leave a comment with your Twitter name.
- Share this contest on your blog, linking back to this post. (The pingback will be counted as your third entry.) If you don’t see your pingback, just email me at healingwithjuices@gmail.com and let me know. It may have gone to spam for some reason.
- Add Healing with Juices to your favorites on Technoratori. Comment the fourth–and last–time to let me know, with a link to your technoratori profile to show you added us.
Contest ends Sunday, April 19th, at 9 p.m. (Central Time) Get all your entries in and have fun trying to win!!
After this April 15th contest ends, you’ll be competing for raw nuts, goji berries, raw nut butters, and more–so don’t miss out on upcoming posts!
Be sure to subscribe to Healing with Juices’ Feed for free updates. You can get free updates to your email as well (sign up here). You’ll also receive inspiration, juice and smoothie recipes, and juice fasting tips and encouragement to help keep you motivated toward your ultimate health–and more personal posts about stuff that’s going on in my life.
Eeeek! We have a winner for the Raw Success contest!!!
There were 15 comments this time. I used Random.org to randomly select a winner. The winner? Janet, comment #2!!
Here’s the comment she left:
- 2 Janet { 04.08.09 at 12:17 pm }
-
Thanks Michele! I’d love to win a copy. Sounds like a good guide for going raw.
A big thank you to everyone who participated. I’m thrilled that more and more people are wanting to study raw foods and the lifestyle and improve their health. And congratulations to Janet! May you find much inspiration, peace, and information from your copy of Raw Success. (I know you will!!)
Since this contest was sponsored 100% by Matt Monarch, he will be providing and shipping your copy to you, Janet. I’ll still be in touch with you to get your mailing address to relay to him.
Please check back, everyone. I’ll be publishing another contest on April 15th. This will be a gift combo and I have no doubt the prize will help inspire you to improve your health. After this April 15th contest, you’ll be competing for raw nuts, goji berries, raw nut butters, and more–so don’t miss out on upcoming posts!
Be sure to subscribe to Healing with Juices’ Feed for free updates. You can get free updates to your email as well (sign up here). You’ll also receive inspiration, juice and smoothie recipes, and juice fasting tips and encouragement to help keep you motivated toward your ultimate health–and more personal posts about stuff that’s going on in my life.
Happy Easter to everyone who celebrates!
Raw Success, By Matt Monarch
“I often dream about what it would be like to meet those Raw Pioneers who have passed on, for whom I have great admiration.”–Matt Monarch
The above quote is the first sentence Matt writes on the dedication page of Raw Success. When I first read that sentence, I immediately thought: what an honor to be able to glean from Matt’s Raw wisdom–while he’s still young and alive! (Matt dedicated Raw Success to Dr. Fred Bisci.)
Matt Monarch is so passionate about Raw Food and health. His enthusiasm is beyond infectious. I’m so blessed that he sent me a complimentary copy of his latest book, Raw Success–and even more blessed that he’s offered to sponsor a contest here at Healing with (Raw) Juices, so you’ll have an opportunity to win your very own copy!! How exciting is that?!
But more about Matt and this “Rawesome” book first….
Although Matt advises against going 100% Raw overnight, he did. He says he went “from burgers to celery” literally overnight. That’s a huge transformation of diet and lifestyle! Can you even imagine the roller coaster of emotional and physical change that brought on?
In Raw Success, Matt walks you through the Raw Food transition, inspiring you every step of the way. It’s such an encouragement to read the words of someone who is where you aspire to be, who has lived EIGHT years eating 100% raw foods only. That’s an amazing accomplishment!
Matt emphasizes living a balanced Raw Lifestyle and not relying heavily on any one fruit, veggie, nut, or seed. Getting colonics is something Matt highly recommends in this book. He says if you’re going to be embarking on a Raw Journey, then you need to continually cleanse your colon because your body will be releasing so many toxins from all those years of cooked and processed foods.
Matt also advises drinking fresh, raw juices every single day so your body will absolutely be getting all the nutrition it possibly can. As I’m always telling you: fresh, raw juices pack a powerful punch! And, get this: Matt’s favorite raw juice is carrot-spinach. Eeek! Mine is, too. I have something in common with Matt Monarch!
I was going to “pester” Matt to do an interview with us, but he’s been so kind and gracious, I decided to direct you to a recent interview he shared at Raw People: In-Depth Interview with Matt Monarch. Enjoy!
Now, on to the contest…
I love how Lori, over at Green Gigs, has chosen to run her current contest. (Go enter her contest!) She’s a great gal offering a great prize!
You’re allowed FOUR entries for this contest:
- Leave a comment sharing why you’d benefit from owning a copy of Raw Success.
- Visit Matt’s website and leave a second comment about something you read on his site that resonated with your soul. (Make it original. Don’t copy someone else’s thoughts.)
- Share this contest on your blog, linking back to this post. (The pingback will be counted as your third entry.) If you don’t see your pingback, just email me at healingwithjuices@gmail.com and let me know. It may have gone to spam for some reason.
- Add Healing with Juices to your favorites on Technoratori. Comment the fourth–and last–time to let me know, with a link to your technoratori profile to show you added us.
You have until Saturday, April 10th, at 12:00 Midnight (Central Time) to get all your entries in. I’ll be using Random.org once again to randomly select the winner. Nope, you don’t have to have a blog to enter. You can still enter three other ways. That’s it. Easy as pie–raw pie, that is! And… let the contest begin! Good luck!
Oh, and there’ll be LOTS more contests in the NEAR FUTURE!! Coming up next: awesome DVDs and healthy RAW FOODS (!!!)–so don’t miss out on upcoming posts! Be sure to subscribe to Healing with Juices’ Feed for free updates. You can get free updates to your email as well (sign up here). You’ll also receive inspiration, juice and smoothie recipes, and juice fasting tips and encouragement to help keep you motivated toward your ultimate health–and more personal posts about stuff that’s going on in my life.
