27 April 2009
by 
40 CommentsFirst, 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. 
Oh WOW! I have been looking at coconut oil lately and trying to learn about all of the many health benefits it can give. I actually picked a jar up in the health food store and tried to determine how it could help me, but I haven’t taken the leap quite yet. I would love to win a jar of this and a book about it! I have heard that it is good for you and can help in weight loss, but I didn’t know it could help with fibromyalgia. I am very interested in learning more about it for this purpose as well as the weight loss.
Brenda Emmetts last blog post..Vines and Groundcovers
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Trying coconut oil has long been on my to-do list, but I’ve yet to try it. Just reading your post here, makes me want to run out and buy some. I think we would use it in every area you listed.
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Wow, this would be such a blessing to win! I didn’t know it could help FM, too! I try to get coconut oil as often as possible, but it’s basically a gourmet luxury item for me, & then, when I do buy some, I’m often dissapointed in the taste, or something else…so I would LOVE to be able to sample a good raw order, & if I like it as much as I think I would, from your reveiw, I’ll budget & save to order some!
Thanks so much for this contest, what a treat it’ll be for whoever wins!
~Anastazia~
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I’m a swimmer and coconut oil is great for my skin and hair to repair and protect against the damage from chlorine. Also as a raw foodist, it is a great supplement to my kitchen. One of those luxuries I cannot always afford. I would love to be able to try this brand of oil and share it with my whole family!
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I’ve been looking at coconut oil as a substitute for butter in baking for a friend who just confirmed a dairy allergy, so she and I would both benefit from the recipes and from being able to try some high-quality coconut oil. It looks like I could also use it to heal the cracked skin on my hands.
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I love coconut oil! I use it every day in my green smoothie. It’s one of the things I do to help in my battle with candida. It’s also wonderful as a spread (like butter), for making popcorn (for those of you not 100% raw) and just as a general oil to use in any other way you would use oil. I also use it in my hair to help with flyaways and to give a little moisture to the ends when they need it. In India I hear they massage it into the scalp to help prevent hair loss although I haven’t had occasion to try it. I would feel like I’d died and gone to heaven with a 32 oz. jar of coconut oil in my pantry!
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Michele,
This Alaskan boy dreams of darn near anything tropical at the end of a harsh Alaskan winter. Mmmmm coconut, mmmm.
I’d use it as a soothing after shave balm for me head and face. I also like the idea of salad dressing with a squeeze of lime!
Cheers!
George
Tumblemooses last blog post..Tumblemoose Times – A writer’s newsletter
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I am a coconut oil novice so I would benefit from reading about it and and trying it out! I would never have thought to use if for personal uses beyond using it as a gourmet oil.
Lori, Green Gigss last blog post..Michele L. Tune – Freelance Writer and Blogger
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I would love to try to coconut oil in my smoothies! Also, my skin needs a lot of healing, and the weight loss aspects of it are very interesting! Plus, I just LOVE coconut!
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Im allergic to traditional makeup and beauty products. its very frustrating, and im always in the lookout for products that moisturize, and i found out that vco does that. my mom once made me a batch, but she’s busy now, so i have no idea where i can get this. ergo, i can really use this. =)
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Wow! Although I don’t like eating coconut, I’d love to try it out on my skin. I have combination skin, and it either dries out or gets too oily. I wonder what effect this oil would have? Does it help with breakouts too? This is exciting Michele, thanks so much!
~Kimberlee
Kimberlee Ferrells last blog post..I Didn’t Write For 3 Years
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Also, you’re on my favorites on technorati:
http://technorati.com/people/technorati/kimferrell
~Kimberlee
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I am out of coconut oil, which is why I would benefit from receiving it. Haha!
Seriously, though, I cook almost all of my son’s food with coconut oil in the pan, and he eats his toast with coconut oil + sea salt in place of butter. For myself, I make raw chocolate & other raw treats with coconut oil. I also put it on my skin to help with a fungal condition. I have been trying to figure out how to afford to buy more coconut oil this month. A free jar would help out a lot!
Angies last blog post..Happy Pizza (I mean Earth) Day!
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I would benefit from winning this contest because I do not have a source thru the local stores of a GOOD coconut oil. Because I have a chronic skin condition continuous use of coconut oil internally and externally have given me great results in healing. The book will be so helpful as a cherished reference on my shelf of well thumbed health and nutrition books. But I need to know how to incorporate coconut oil on a consistent integral level in diet and hygiene. Sincerely Tiffany
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Why I’d benefit from owning a copy of the Virgin Coconut Oil book and the 32 ounce jar of certified organic coconut oil…I would love, love, love to learn more about this amazing, healthy product and have some to put to good use! If it is something we can use as a family on our hair, skin, and on food, then it is a win-win situation!!! Knowing a lot of people that need natural alternatives because of health ailments, this would be an awesome product to learn more about and spread the good news
This is exciting! Thanks a bunch 
Stacy
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Being that I too am suffering from the economy, bills, etc. I do not get to buy extra treats for myself. I have read a few blogs about the benefits of Coconut Oil and would love to incorporate this into my newly raw lifestyle. The book would educate me and hopefully give me ideas and recipes to make instead of the SAD diet lifestyle that I have been accustomed to. I need help with weightloss, overall health, new sources for tasty treats and dressings. I am sure the coconut oil and book would be a great treasure for me. I have never won anything before, but I am sure, that whomever wins will enjoy.
Thanks,
Ann
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i would love to benefit glowing skin from coconut oil!
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I know coconut oil is good for beautiful skin, hair, nails, etc. great giveaway.
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thank you for hosting this giveaway. i’ve always wanted to try coconut oil! i heard that it’s really good for everything.
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i love your giveaways. they are always unique and awesome! i would love to try the oil for glowing hair.
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i’ve always loved raw vegan food! coconut oil will befabulous for my salad dressing. thanks!
junghwas last blog post..To-GO packed Fruits and Veggies
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I really miss coconut oil in my diet but I havent been able to afford it lately. I keep seeing it at the local health food grcoery store, but I just haven’t been able to yet. When I last used it, it really helped my weight loss and it made me feel so good. Best of luck on your decision, God Bless you!
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Twice this week at two dif grocery stores I attempted to buy coconut oil. Neither store carried it. I want it for my skin but after reading previous comments I would love to add to my smoothies.
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Hi Michele,
I tweeted this, too (from @tumblemoose)!
Tumblemooses last blog post..Tumblemoose Times – A writer’s newsletter
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I’m convinced unrefined coconut oil is one of Mother Nature’s amazing cure-alls. Seriously, that and raw honey, and we’d never have to worry about another ailment in our life.
I chuckled when I read “eaten straight from the spoon,” because I’ve been known to do that too (quite often!).
And, like you, I could be happy reading all day long. I’m sure I’d devour that book…and the oil!
earthmothers last blog post..Sprouted Quinoa: The Mother Grain
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Wow, talk about timing! I’ve been looking at adding coconut oil into my diet, especially for the yummy-sounding salad dressing you’ve mentioned before. I’d like to know more, but I did read about one use not mentioned here: mixed with vinegar, it makes a natural spider-repellent. So it’s good for your body, and your house!
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Hey, you read my mind!
I’ve been submerging myself in raw food recipes, ideas and exploration. I am new to raw foods and have become a true believer!
Coconut and coconut oils/butters seem to be a main staple in everything wonderful that I see.
I often think to myself “what purpose does the coconut oil have in this recipe?” or “I wonder what the benefit of coconut oil has in this scenario.”
I have yet to put it all together.
As a hair stylist with almost 20 yrs. experience I have seen the results first hand of coconut oil when used as a treatment for dry, brittle hair. For years I have prescribed it to my clients with sun damaged, chemically treated or natural curly hair.
Sitting here thinking about how dry my hands, elbows and hair are I’m beginning to think I may find a new best friend in Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil.
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What a wonderful giveaway! Here’s my favorite “outside” coconut oil recipe for those of you who want to try some right away! I cup of sugar, half a cup of virgin coconut oil, a bit of organic honey and a touch of vanilla (or your fav scent or flavoring-lemon, mint, orange, etc.).Sounds good enough to eat, and it probably is, but… Stir it together and put it in a container. When you wash your hands, scrub with a bit of this then wash and rinse…heavenly smooth skin!
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Michele! I love your hair!
I’d benefit from having the oil and book because… well, because I’m embarking on a new journey of caring –really, truly caring– for my Self. This includes my body temple. I have been using organic coconut oil as a moisturizer for a few months (I’m almost out!), but would like to know more about its internal uses and benefits (and that’s where winning the book would help me).
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I tweeted it. My twitter name is cynvela.
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Just added healingwithjuices to my technorati favorites.
Oh, I hope I win!!! 
(I’ll also be blogging about it tonight, for my final entry.)
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Wow! If raw coconut oil can make my skin look half as pretty as yours, I will be buying it! You are glowing for sure!
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Have been very into organic eating and overall health for the past few years. Would love to try this product on my skin it sounds like it works wonders
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Can this be my entry:
“I just really needs it so bad, so I can soak crinkly old husband in it, to soften him up. He is really driving me nuts and by all accounts this will do the trick.”
Cheers Stephanie
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I have never tried coconut oil, but am recently contemplating a switch to at least daylight hours raw, while I am recovering from back surgery. On top of that, I have incredibly dry skin and hair! Wow, don’t I sound like a barell of monkeys?
Sarah (lovINmytummy)s last blog post..I’m One + Thirty and My Back Still Hurty
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I have the most horrifically dry skin, I would use it externally for my skin and I would make something tasty with it. I may try “oil pulling” with it.
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I have Celiac disease and I’m currently eating a lot of raw vegetables and fruits. I would be so happy to give this a try!
Helens last blog post..Elizabeth Hasselbeck and Celiac Disease
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If this product works that well on your skin, I could only imagine how well it would work in promoting healing in Simon’s skin. He’s fighting the ill effects of glue tabs attached to his face to hold the cannula.
Mystis last blog post..Simon’s Journey
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