I really like coconut, always have. When we visited Hawaii a while back, I remember eating one and how it tasted and smelled. It was paradise indeed! I never really thought to cook with coconut though. I always just associated coconuts with eating them raw and drinking their milk. Until I came across Tropical Traditions website. I was able to review a 32 oz. Jar of Coconut Oil.
K, to tell you the truth, when I received it, it just sat on my counter for a few days. I stared at it and read the label as did my husband, but that was about it. I will tell you why… I really had no clue what it was to be used for. I did not know if I was supposed to cook with
it or smear it on my legs, just did not know. The label to me, was not clear on this. So, of course I went to their website again, and digged deeper. What I found out amazed me, it really did. I found out that not only can you cook with this coconut oil, you can use it on your skin, on your lips and even in your hair! Yep, you heard me right. Think of the possibilities if this were true! So, I had to give it a whirl.
The first thing I made was brownies from a box. But, instead of using 1/2 cup of vegetable oil, I used the Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil. The batter to my brownies seemed more clumped and not so smooth, but I was going to do it! Next, I smeared a little coconut oil in my baking pan that I was going to be cooking my brownies in, instead of using butter. Poured the batter into the pan and stuck it in the oven. In about 10 minutes, I started to smell chocolate and coconut fill my kitchen! Oh, man, this just might be good I thought!
When it came out of the oven, the brownies were not fluffy, but well, more like brownies in my opinion and just they way I like them to look. When they cooled, I cut myself a piece and Oh. My. Goodness. Talk about a yummy new twist on chocolate brownies!! Coconut flavor filled my chocolate brownies and I could not just eat one. When my husband got home from work I watched him as he ate a brownie, not telling him what I did to them. He took a bite and looked at the brownie, and stuffed it into his mouth. He thought it was so good the way I made them! My kids could not get enough of them either. They are long gone by now, but now I have an extra special new way to make our brownies and everyone loves them!
Real quick, back to when I was making the brownies, my kids were staring at me, LOL, because I was using the left over coconut oil to rub onto my elbows as I was baking. I had to giggle to, I am sure they thought I was nuts dabbing “food” onto my skin. Haha. Love it!
So, it passed the food test. Does it pass the body test? I had to try it out after my bath. I took a little bit out of the jar and brought it with me to the bathroom. After my bath I used it all over my body. Oh gosh, I smelled like Hawaii, totally. Yes, it is greasy, but it is oil, so I expected this. That is why I used it at night after my bath. I put my clothes on and went to bed. In the morning I still smelled like coconuts and my skin was very soft. I just want to say I have never met a product that was able to do so many things, ever. This is really an amazing product. I am still learning what else I can use it for, as there are so many, but for now, those are the two ways that I tried this coconut oil, and it is wonderful!
Check out the Free Coconut Recipe website found here:
http://www.freecoconutrecipes..com/index.htm. At this website you will see the many different ways coconut can be used in cooking! Tons of yummy ways to introduce coconut oil into your meals!
“How We Discovered Virgin Coconut Oil – An Interview with Brian Shilhavy, CEO Tropical Traditions” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4h6eycjf29M
Buy It!
You can purchase the Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil, by visiting their website HERE! Also, if you do purchase something please use my User ID: 5991815 so that when you make your first online purchase & list me as the referer, you will automatically receive a free copy of their Virgin Coconut Oil Book!
Disclosure:
I was sent a 32 oz. Glass jar of the Virgin Coconut Oil to review and keep. These are my own honest opinions about this product, thanks!