Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil Giveaway

Have you heard of coconut oil?  I searched the other day on health benefits of coconut oil and was surprised at what I found.  I wanted to learn more so I contacted Tropical Traditions, America's #1 source for Coconut Oil and Virgin Coconut Oil.

Tropical Traditions was founded by Brian and Marianita Shilhavy and their story is quite interesting.

Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil is their highest quality coconut oil.  This premium Virgin Coconut Oil is handcrafted by family producers in the Philippines using traditional methods passed down from previous generations.  They were the first ones to export Virgin Coconut Oil from the Philippines to the United States back in 2001. 

I was sent a quart of Certified Organic Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil to review.  I don't really use a lot of oil in my cooking, but after looking at the health benefits, I was ready to try it out.  Their site has hundreds of recipes listed so there are plenty to choose from, but I wanted to see how I could incorporate it into my already planned out week.

Most research I have read states that consuming at least 2-3 tablespoons is beneficial.  Coconut oil can be used in any recipe that calls for oil or butter.  It's also easy to pour a little on popcorn, which is what I did the other night.  I never use butter or even oil when cooking my popcorn {we just add a cup of kernels to a paper bag and microwave} so it added a nice flavor. 

Find Out More:  Right now Tropical Traditions is having a sale and selling their Certified Organic Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil for $19.95 for 1 pint or $29.95 for 1 quart.  

Tropical Traditions also carries other varieties of affordable high quality coconut oil.  Visit their website to check on current sales, to learn about the many uses of coconut oil, and to read about all the advantages of buying coconut oil online.  Since the FDA does not want us to discuss the health benefits of coconut oil on a page where it is being sold or given away, here is the best website to read about the health benefits of coconut oil.

And they are so convinced that you will love this oil, that they offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on their 16oz trial size.  If for any reason you are not 100% satisfied with your trial size in the first 30 days, you can get a full refund - no questions asked!  

You can learn more by watching this video.

If you order by clicking on any of my links and have never ordered from Tropical Traditions in the past, you will receive a free book on Virgin Coconut Oil, and I will receive a discount coupon for referring you.

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GIVEAWAY!!

So, here's how to enter to win one (1) jar of Certified Organic Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil!!  For each comment, you will get one (1) entry.

1. Subscribe to the Tropical Traditions Newsletter. 

2. Leave a comment telling me why you would like to win.

3. Like Our Homeschool Reviews on Facebook

4. Like Tropical Traditions on Facebook

5. Follow my blog using Google Friend Connect

6. Follow me on Twitter @OurHSReviews

7. Follow Tropical Traditions on Twitter

**Remember to please leave a separate comment for each entry**

Contest ends on Monday, November 26, 2012 at 11:59 EST.  The winner will be chosen by Random.org.  This contest is open to U.S. residents who are 18 or older.  If I am unable to reach the winner by email within 48 hours, an alternate winner will be selected.  Your entry is only valid if you include a way for me to contact you (either an email address in your comment or on your profile).  The winner's name will be obtained and publicly announced.  The number of eligible entries determines the odds of winning.  No purchase is necessary to win and this contest is void where prohibited by law. 

Disclosure:  This product was given to Our Homeschool Reviews for free for review purposes, and I do not have to return the products to the vendor.  I have received no compensation from it and all opinions and experiences within this review are my own.

What's in the Bible? Sale!

We love What's in the Bible and I'm planning to get a couple more DVDs this Christmas for Funny Bunny.  Right now you can get 20% off What's in the Bible?

Wordless Wednesday: Organic

This week we decided to try out a local organic fruit and veggie co-op.  This is what I picked up Monday night!  We can't wait to try it all!

Bible Detective Book Review

Bible Detective is a puzzle search book which includes 17 illustrated scenes of Biblical events.  Each page lists a Bible verse, time period, and a summary.

Children read facts and search for people, objects, and animals from ancient times.

The book starts with Noah and continues through the Bible to Acts.

My Thoughts:  I have enjoyed reading this book with Funny Bunny.  It has been fun to try to locate all the items together and read the stories.  I think this would make a great Christmas present. She enjoyed it too and made up different games to try and find each item. 

Although we have enjoyed looking through the pictures of this book, I do not understand why the author uses BCE/CE rather than BC/AD.   Also, there are several statements like "According to the Bible" and "Three days later, however, they 'claimed' they had seen him alive, and that he had told them to spread the message."  The author's choice of words in combination with the terms BCE/CE, makes me feel like the he is trying to be neutral or sensitive to non-Christians, which I feel is odd since the book is called Bible Detective.

Find Out More:  You can find out more online at Kregal Publications.  Bible Detective is a hardcover, 48-page book for just $14.99.

Disclosure:  This product was given to Our Homeschool Reviews for free for review purposes, and I do not have to return the products to the vendor.  I have received no compensation from it and all opinions and experiences within this review are my own.

Menu Plan Monday - November 12

Last weekend we went to Disney again and this time EPCOT's Food and Wine Festival pulled me in.  Needless to say, hubby and I had to try some, and fell off my plant-based diet wagon.  I've had a week off and feel pretty blahh, so I'm ready to get started again.

Here are my meals for the week:

Spaghetti
Vegan White Chili {From the Publix Grape Magazine}
Susan's Dirty Little Secret Soup
Pumpkin Black Bean Soup {minus the 1/4 cup butter}
Vegetable Pizza

And I'm going to need plenty of healthy snacks since I'm coming from an off week so I'll be making these:

Chocolate Chip Blondies
Apple Crisp Muffins

Oh, and I almost forgot!  We decided to look into an organic fruit and vegetable co-op and we are going to try it out this week.  I pick up my bag later this afternoon.  I'm so excited and will take pics and let you know how we like it.

If you have any easy plant-based recipes I would love to hear them!

The Imagination Station Books Review

I review by Funny Bunny {my 9-year old daughter}: 

I received two Adventures in Odyssey: The Imagination Station books.

Book 8, Battle for Cannibal Island, is about cousins Patrick and Beth.  Patrick is bummed out about having to go to his Grandma’s birthday party.  So he secretly plans an adventure in the Imagination Station – without Whit’s permission.  Beth thinks it’s a bad idea, but it’s all hands on deck for Patrick and Beth!  When they land on a ship, they think they’re with pirates.  But when Patrick and Beth get separated, pirates are the least of their worries.  Will a special friend that they meet named James Calvert get his wish and preach to the cannibals?  Can the rescue party, including Calvert and Beth, find Patrick?  Or will the cannibals find him first?  

Book 9, Escape to the Hiding Place, is also about cousins Patrick and Beth.  Patrick and Beth aren’t very happy when they enter Whit’s End, and after feeding them ice cream and soda, Whit decides to give them an Imagination Station adventure.  They end up in World War II.  They meet a man named Bernard, and have a narrow escape from German Nazis.  Then they are sent on an even more dangerous mission – they must deliver a Jewish baby to its mother.  But when a German soldier burns up Beth’s card, they need to find a way to get to the hiding place undetected.  How will they get into the shop which houses the hiding place?  Or is there even one?

I liked The Imagination Station books because they are adventurous and easy to read.  I can’t choose a favorite out of these two, but this is a really good book series and I’d love to get more! 

Find Out More:  You can find out more online at Tyndale House Publishers.  Battle for Cannibal Island and Escape to the Hiding Place are both just $4.99.  If you are interested in more in The Imagination Station series, you can see them all here.

Disclaimer:  This product was given to Our Homeschool Reviews for free by Tyndale House Publishers for review purposes, and I do not have to return the product to the vendor.  I have received no compensation from it and all opinions and experiences within this review are my own.

 

Wordless Wednesday: Early Morning EPCOT

And the Purex Plus Oxi Winners Are...

Comment #250 - Anne D. said...https://twitter.com/wowtotweet/status/265525849141436416 tweet link.

Comment #53 - Helen T said...tweeted 10/31 -https://twitter.com/iDisneyGirl/status/263537467649585152

I used Random.org to pick the winners and I have already notified them via email.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Purex Plus Oxi Giveaway via Our Homeschool Reviews!   

Cooking for the Holidays...and Recipes

As of yesterday, 25+ members of the Schoolhouse Review Crew started blazing the way into the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays with a 5 Days of Preparing for the Holidays Blog Hop, and we would love for YOU to come and join us! 

Everyone is welcome to link up with this Blog Hop. We would love to have you!   

Today's topic is Cooking for the Holidays, which is something I enjoy and dread all at the same time!  ;)

Thanksgiving is held at our home each year and both sets of grandparents come over to eat and relax.  I do all the cooking for dinner and everyone brings a dessert.  I wish I could find more pictures of our spread, but I can't, so here is our turkey from last year.   ;)

My favorite dessert to make in November is a Pumpkin Nut Dessert!  It is soooo yummy and very easy to make!!!  I wish I had a picture of it, but you'll just have to make it and see for yourself.  EVERY SINGLE PERSON I have made this for has asked for the recipe!

Pumpkin Nut Dessert

For Crust:

1 box yellow cake mix (reserve 1 C)

½ C margarine

1 egg

Reserve 1 cup of the dry cake mix.  Using remainder of cake mix, blend together with ½ cup margarine and 1 egg.  Pat mixture into bottom and up sides of ungreased 9x13 pan.

For Filling:

1 large can pumpkin

2 eggs

2/3 C milk

1 C sugar

2 tsp cinnamon

Mix filling ingredients together and pour over crust in pan.

For Topping:

Reserved cake mix (1 C)

¾ C sugar

¼ C margarine

1 C nuts (walnuts or pecans)

Mix topping ingredients and sprinkle on top of filling.  Bake for 50 min at 350 degrees. 

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Throughout December we always do a ton of baking leading up to Christmas!  Cookies, gingerbread men, bread, more cookies, desserts, etc.  Scroll down to see another yummy and easy cookie recipe.

Here is a very simple recipe for the Linzer Cookies.

Ingredients

1 package sugar cookie dough (14-16 oz) or make your own
3/4 cup raspberry jam, divided
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar

Instructions

1.  Bake cookies following package instructions.  Let stand 5-6 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool.

2.  Spread 1 tablespoon jam over bottom of 12 cookies; top each with a second cookie.  Sprinkle sugar over top and serve.

 

Grace & Truth Books Review

We were given the opportunity to read two books from Grace & Truth Books, a family run online Christian bookstore.

Grace and Truth Books isn’t a Christian bookstore that follows the latest trends. They know that the truth of our Lord Jesus Christ has nothing to do with fancy packaging or attempting to resemble secular literature or media. This online Christian book store is built on a different approach: what will glorify God, strengthen His people in their walk, and call all peoples to find joy in knowing His gospel and following Him. 

The two books we received are from their Character Building Collection, which contains the first books they ever sold, and still their most popular character building stories.

Funny Bunny wrote a review of both books, which you can read below.

I read two Grace & Truth books called The Reward of Childhood Truth and The Little Medicine Carrier.  They are both very good books. 

The Reward of Childhood Truth has two stories.  The first is about two boys, Charles and Harry Benson, who are accused of throwing a stick into Mr. Arnold’s flower garden and killing his favorite plant.  Mr. Arnold tells their father to interrogate them, and he gets an answer he didn’t expect.  The boys admit they threw it, but for a different reason.  

Charles and Harry then buy a flower that looks like the one that they accidentally destroyed with a note.  When Mr. Arnold rejects it, the Bensons move out, leaving room for multiple annoying neighbors.  When Mr. Arnold goes to the bank and hears that the Benson boys’ father has died, will Mr. Arnold accept the offer to become their father?  Or will he be stuck to his non-Christian ways and remember, as he calls it, the 'Prodigium Mundi'? 

The second story in The Reward of Childhood Truth is about a little girl named Mary and her brother Charles.  One day Charles decides to make a huge pile of hay to ‘show Mama and Papa what they could do’.  They at last added on as much as they could, but there was more hay to be piled, and they could not reach!  So, even though Papa forbids it, Charles gets the big pitchfork out and piles more hay on top.  While Mary stands in the back of the pile, Charles strikes her on the cheek with the pitchfork by accident.  When Papa comes out to see what happened, Mary, not wanting to get her brother in trouble, tells the falsehood that she struck her cheek against the latch of a chest.  Her arising guilt and the scar on her cheek hurt her conscience until she hears, ‘confess your faults to one another’.  Will she tell her parents her lie?  Or will she pretend that nothing happened and displease God?

The Little Medicine Carrier is about a boy named George Wayland who becomes the medicine deliverer for the doctor.  He faces many trials and temptations, yet he makes it through.  But some temptations are stronger than others.  

Will George resist those, too?  Or will he give in? He must be careful as he works, because as his Sunday school teacher rightly says, ‘when you work for someone, your time is no longer your own’…

They are all very good books.  It is a terribly hard decision, but if I had to pick a favorite, I would pick The Reward of Childhood Truth.  I would like to read more Grace &Truth books if possible.  

  
Find Out More:  You can find out more online at Grace & Truth Books.  Both The Reward of Childhood Truth and The Little Medicine Carrier sell for just $4.75, along with each book in the Character Building Collection.  You can also purchase all 11 books in the Children's Character Building Collection for $49.

My Crewmates are also talking about Grace & Truth Books, so you can check out what they think about it HERE.

Disclaimer:  This product was given to Our Homeschool Reviews for free for review purposes, and I do not have to return the product to the vendor.  I have received no compensation from it and all opinions and experiences within this review are my own.