Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil Review & Give-Away!!! {Give-Away Ended}

I was recently sent a quart of  Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil from Tropical Traditions for review.  I have never before cooked or baked with coconut oil, but I was eager to try.

Characteristics of Our Gold Label^TM 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.

I decided to try making some Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies with the coconut oil.

I tweeked a recipe I found a bit and this is what I came up with:

• 1/2 cup virgin coconut oil
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup firmly-packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. sea salt
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

1. With an electric mixer, beat coconut oil, butter and sugars together until fluffy, 3-5 minutes. Beat in egg, egg yolk and vanilla.

2. In a small bowl, mix flours, baking powder and salt. Gradually add to the wet ingredients until a soft dough is formed. Don’t overmix the dough, or the chocolate chip cookies will be tough.

3. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts, if using.4. Refrigerate dough at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.7. Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, drop chocolate chip cookie dough onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 8-15 minutes, until cookies are golden brown around the edges, but still soft inside.

When my husband saw that I was using Coconut Oil he was skeptical, he does not like coconut.  When they were done I coud taste a hint of coconut but the cookies were soft, chewy and delicious.  The true test came when my husband tried them.  He did not mention any taste of coconut but did say they were absolutely delicious and helped himself to a few more.

I just cannot wait to try it in a lot of other recipes.  You can find great recipes HERE.  I have some good news, Tropical Traditions is sponsoring a give-away on Mommy Ramblings.  One lucky blog reader will win a quart of Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil.  Thank you Tropical Traditions for the review jar of coconut oil and for sponsoring this great give-away on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US Residents.

Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil Give-Away on Mommy Ramblings:

Mandatory Entry– Subscribe to Tropical Traditions Sale Newsletter.    Leave me a comment that you did that on this blog post.  (If this entry is not done, all others will be deleted.)

Extra Entries: (make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry or they will not count)

1. Like Mommy Ramblings on Facebook, and leave me a comment here that you did.

2. Like Tropical Traditions on Facebook, and leave me a comment here that you did.

3. Follow Mommy Ramblings on Twitter, and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name.

4. Follow Tropical Traditions on Twitter, and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name.

5.Follow Mommy Ramblings by email, and leave me a comment here that you did.

6. Vote for Mommy Ramblings on Picket Fence Blogs (Button is on the side of our blog, “We’re on the Fence) and leave me a comment here you did.  You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

7. Rate Mommy Ramblings on Top Mommy Blogs (button is on the side of our blog) and leave me a comment here that you did.  Can only be done once per give-away.

8. Write a review for Mommy Ramblings on Alexa.com (button is on our blog right under the We’re on the Fence button) and leave me a comment here that you did.  Can only be done once per give-away.

9. Tweet this give-away on Twitter and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name. You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

10. Like Blueberry Hill Photography on Facebook and leave me a comment here that you did.

Good Luck Everyone!!!  Give Away Ends November 3rd at 12am EST.   Winner will be selected by Random.org.