Saturday, April 7, 2012

Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil Review & Giveaway


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I have been invited to do a review...and this time as a bonus a giveaway for Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil. In the beginning I really wasn't familiar with coconut oil, Tropical Traditions, or what "Gold Label" meant. I'm really glad I got to learn because I really enjoyed trying out this amazing oil. For starter it came to me in a 32FL. oz jar. Had the appearance much like Crisco or your basic vegetable oil. It smelled wonderful when I opened the jar to get a look at the contents. Smelled like a fresh coconut right off a tree. The smell alone almost made me want to get a spoon and try some, like if it had been a jar of peanut butter. Needless to say, I resisted the urge. Some of the things that really drew me in immediately looking at the jar was it only had one ingredient. 100% Organic Virgin Coconut oil was the first one. I love seeing that it was pure and that what it said was in it was...nothing else. Second was the USDA Organic Logo with Certified Organic by Organic Certifiers. Seeing this really ensure that this product had to be special because everyone knows that Organic is so much better for the ecosystem and our bodies because all the harmful chemicals are left out. I learned that the "Gold Label" brand meant they hand selected the highest quality of organic coconuts for this oil. Learning all this information, made me hungry to get cooking and using it to see if I really noticed a difference.

For my first cooking test with the Coconut Oil I made Chicken Cordon Bleu. I first noticed that the oil in the pan melted fast.

Really with a moderate heat it liquified. The aroma was intoxifing, smelling up my whole house with a coconut smell and really drew in a crowd, meaning my family, to see what I was making for dinner. Using the oil was so easy. It cooked up the chicken just like any other oil would and made the crust really golden and I had no problem using it being that I was unfamiliar with it to begin with. The taste you ask...after cooking, was delicious.

It was not greasy like I had fried them and added a subtle hint of coconut which complemented the swiss and ham perfectly in the chicken. I have to say for a first run, I was liking what I was tasting. Another thing I have to mention that I noticed was it did not take a lot of the coconut oil to cook with I only used for 6 good size chicken cordon bleu's, maybe 1/6th the jar.



Making my test food with the coconut oil was really exciting. I could not wait to try it again. The next night I decided to go for a more basic recipe and something that I make a lot more frequent. I decided on pork chops!

My mouth is watering as I write this because I can still remember the taste of the sweet pork cooked in this amazing oil that gave it a sweetness that was like no other. Pork is really a great meat to use with the Virgin Coconut Oil because it really took well to the flavor and made the juices coming out of every bite sumptuous. Using this to fry with a second time I noticed that I had no heartburn from using it, which I tend to get when using typical vegetable oil if I eat fried food a lot.

Once again didn't have to use much because it didn't cook up like other oils and therefore didn't use as much. I love that. Really allows me to see why the switch could be possible and easy. Not only for all the benefits but it last a long time.
Virgin Coconut Oil: America's First Traditional Handcrafted Virgin Cocon...


Want to learn more about what exactly is Virgin Coconut Oil. Click the link and find out first hand why you should be using it!
o What is Virgin Coconut Oil?
Cooking is one way I tried the Gold Label Virgin Coconut oil but there are lots of other ways. If you would love to know more uses here is a link to learn more!
o How to Use Coconut Oil: There are hundreds of uses!
Interested in trying Coconut Oil, you should it was so suprisingly easy to use and good, it was well worth it. Click on the link to learn where you can buy Coconut Oil at.
o Where to Buy Coconut Oil?


Here are some videos that you can watch on recipes, uses and all about Virgin Coconut Oil, check them out!

Virgin Coconut Oil: America's First Traditional Handcrafted Virgin Coconut
Oil


How to Use Coconut oil: There are hundreds of uses for coconut oil!


Tropical Traditions also have several very popular recipe videos on their Youtube channel that
you are free to use:



Now for the exciting part!!! Tropical Traditions has allowed me to hold a giveaway on a free quart of Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil. So what's better than reading a review with pictures of yummy food that makes your mouth water...entering to win your own to make some food your family will crowd around your kitchen for.

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Getting Dolled Up In Old Navy Dresses!

I was given the privilege of being able to do an Old Navy Sample Share with Crowdtap. Old Navy/Crowdtap has these frequently. This one is one of my favorite because it's one of my favorite things to wear...DRESSES! The Party Kit came with a Welcome Letter and 1 sheet of coupons, which consisted of 2 coupons for a Free Dress, one for me and one for a friend. I ended up taking my teenage daughter, Melina, a fashionista as well and lover of Old Navy too! Oh she has learned well from her Mom! We made a whole day out of this event. Went to the local Mall and had lunch then proceeded to Old Navy to pick out our new fabulous dresses.



The selection wasn't as vast as I was expecting. Talking to the staff they said they have been selling the dress as soon as they got them in. Totally understandable! None the less we still had a good amount to choose from.


I am the kind of person who will browse first. I won't even touch a dress. Just look through and see if anything just draws out and speaks to me. My daughter on the other hand is a start from the front of the store and work her way back rummaging through every single dress. She picks up all the ones she loves and keeps them in her hand before heading back to the fitting room.

After finding my few..or even one which was this case I look for my size and pick it up. I also take a back up dress. One I think is pretty but may not choose because I think the color might not look good on my tone or a cut I worry might not be to flattering. I pick up the Asparagus colored Maxi Dress that I thought was stunning. You know how when you just see an article of clothing and you can't stop looking at it. That's how this was and they had my size which was awesome! We take our dresses back and I tried them on... I was right, and that is what the dress hunt is all about! My daughter after trying on I think every dress in the store ended up with the Floral-Chiffon Keyhole Dress in Blue Oracle. Really a beautiful dress that made her look so tan.



In the end we had such a good time bonding and really having that girl time in a place we love. Thanks to Crowdtap we walked out with some killer dresses to begin our spring in style. Old Navy has a wonderful selection online too! If you can't make it out to the store to have a fun filled day of shopping you can go to http://oldnavy.gap.com and pick out some dresses. They have a special 15%off for April Fools and its April Fools only use code ONFOOL. Even if you don't get a chance to shop on April first they always have great deals and coupon codes. Did I mention any order $50 or more ships FREE! That's my favorite word..work putting in all CAPS!

To experience what it's like to be a CrowdTapper you can easily join and possibly be in on the next Sample Share.


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