Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Tropical Traditions Coconut Flakes - Review & Giveaway!

***This giveaway is closed.***
Winner: Jennifer

I hope you like coconut! Tropical Traditions was kind enough to send me a GIANT bucket of their Organic Coconut Flakes to try out. I'm talking about 2 lbs of fluffy flaked coconut here!The coconut is dessicated, so 2 lbs is a lot! I can't wait to use it in lots of things from curries to cookies and bars. It comes in a 1 gallon pail that I admit I had a little trouble opening. It has a break-off tab, and you peel off a strip, and then bend back the tabs to open. But the tab that you pull the strip with broke off completely... Thanks to sharp scissors and determination, I did get it open. To close it I had to kneel on it! That tells you just how strong the seal is! I am sure that with more openings and closings it will become easier to do. Sometimes you just have to put your back into baking!

This arrived with perfect timing for that last minute holiday baking. But I've done a lot of that - I decided to make Oatmeal Energy Bars. I got the recipe from my Canadian Living Baking Book(which I recommend - lots of great recipes), but you can also find it here, at the Canadian Living website. (Of course, there are loads of recipes on the Tropical Traditions blog too - just search for "coconut flakes"!) And although I was planning for these to be lunch treats for my husband to take to work, they are so pretty and tasty that they're going in the holiday tins, too, cut small into bite-size pieces.Check out that big bucket of gorgeous coconut! I also used Tropical Traditions Organic Thick Rolled Oats in this recipe (you can read my previous review of those here). The coconut smelled wonderful as soon as I got that lid off. It's crispy and fresh-smelling. I like flakes better than shredded, because to me shredded coconut has a sawdusty texture. I'm weird, I know.I didn't have apricots for the recipe, so I substituted raisins. I would have used dates, only someone (okay, it's my husband) doesn't like them. Bah. And slivered almonds? I only had whole. So I whizzed them in my mini food processor to chop them up. You could really substitute anything for the dried fruits and nuts in this bar. I love dried cranberries, so those go in for sure! But you could go for variety by adding anything from desserty options like chocolate chips and mini marshmallows to pepitas and goji berries.

And here's what you do when the recipe calls for a 9x13" pan, but your 9x13" pan is in the fridge, full of a cashew and eggplant casserole - line a bigger pan with parchment paper, fold up an edge to approximate a 9x13"-ish size, and fill the rest of the pan with your pie weights (we use beans). Looks funny, works great.
Look how they turned out! Yum! If you wanted to get fancy, you could drizzle them with melted white chocolate or that "yogurt" coating stuff (aka partially hydrogenated palm kernel oil, whey powder, yogurt powder and sugar... not healthy at all).

Tropical Traditions has generously offered one of my readers the chance to try the Organic Coconut Flakes for free!

The giveaway:
A 2 lb pail of Tropical Traditions Organic Coconut Flakes!


How to enter: Head over to Tropical Traditions and let me know one other thing you'd like to try, OR one thing that you learned there. Make sure I've got a way to contact you if you're the winner!

Extra entries (please leave an extra comment for each):
  • Subscribe via email to the Tropical Traditions newsletter
  • Follow @troptraditions on Twitter (leave your Twitter name!)
  • Follow me on Twitter (leave your Twitter name!)
  • Tweet about this giveaway for ONE entry, this is not a daily! You can use this if you like:
    Win ~Organic Coconut Flakes~ from @TropTraditions at Emily's Latest @emilyisland US/CAN http://bit.ly/fCuvqU (Ends 1/6)
  • Follow my blog (publicly) – 2 entries, leave 2 comments
  • Add my blog button to your blog– 2 entries, leave 2 comments (please leave a link to your blog)
  • Blog about this giveaway, linking back to this post and to Tropical Traditions – 2 entries, leave 2 comments and please include a link to your post
  • Let me know what you'll be making first with these if you win!
I will be verifying comments so please actually do the things you say you do ☺ If you already do any of these things, it still counts for entries!

Please be sure to include your email address if it’s not public in your blogger profile! Anonymous comments without a way to contact you will be rejected. Canadian or US mailing addresses only, please. Giveaway ends January 6th at 11:59 EST. A winner will be drawn the next day, announced here, in a separate post and emailed!

Prize will be shipped by sponsor. Note for Canadian entrants: Tropical Traditions is not responsible for customs or duties that Canada may charge if you decide to participate in this Tropical Traditions sponsored blog giveaway. (FYI - it's unlikely to have a charge, being well under the $60 that incurs duty charges. There was no extra charge on my shipment, which came to Canada quickly and packaged well.)

I received the product to review, but was not otherwise compensated for this review.

139 comments:

  1. would love to try their organic lip moisturizers....
    btw I LOVE coconut.

    reneesuz82(at)msn.com

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  2. I follow your blog publicly

    reneesuz82(at)msn.com

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  3. I follow your blog publicly #2

    reneesuz82(at)msn.com

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  4. I"ll probably make Magic Cookie bars


    reneesuz82(at)msn.com

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  5. I would love to try their Powdered Laundry Detergent.

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  6. I follow GFC publicly (and my email is public) #1

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  7. I follow GFC publicly (and my email is public) #2

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  8. I'll either make some Nanaimo bars... or my FIL's chocolate macaroon drop cookies.

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  9. I would love to try the Rapunzel Organic Bittersweet Dark Swiss Chocolate! Thanks so much!
    bridgestranslation at yahoo dot com

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  10. I follow you on GFC as bridgestranslation entry #1
    bridgestranslation at yahoo dot com

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  11. I follow you on GFC as bridgestranslation entry #2
    bridgestranslation at yahoo dot com

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  12. I would love to try the Organic Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil
    nclaudia25 at yahoo dot com

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  13. I Follow @troptraditions on Twitter (@dealsfan32)
    nclaudia25 at yahoo dot com

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  14. I Follow you on Google Friend Connect (claudia n)
    nclaudia25 at yahoo dot com

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  15. I Subscribed via email to the Tropical Traditions newsletter
    nclaudia25 at yahoo dot com

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  16. I'd also love to try the natural deodorants.
    girl23rocks@hotmail.com

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  17. email subscriber to tropical traditions newsletter
    girl23rocks@hotmail.com

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  18. following tropical traditions on twitter (Alliegal101)
    girl23rocks@hotmail.com

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  19. following you on twitter (Alliegal101)
    girl23rocks@hotmail.com

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  20. tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/Alliegal101/status/18035937594318848
    girl23rocks@hotmail.com

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  21. GFC follower (girl23rocks)
    girl23rocks@hotmail.com
    (1)

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  22. GFC follower (girl23rocks)
    girl23rocks@hotmail.com
    (2)

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  23. I'm visiting from PriceNetwork.ca!
    girl23rocks@hotmail.com

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  24. I'd love to try their massage oils!

    marija.majerle at gmail dot com

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  25. following troptraditions on twitter @mrsclutterbuck

    marija.majerle at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  26. following you on twitter @mrsclutterbuck

    marija.majerle at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  27. #1 following your blog via GFC

    marija.majerle at gmail dot com

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  28. #2 following your blog via GFC

    marija.majerle at gmail dot com

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  29. I'd love to try some yummy curry with these!

    marija.majerle at gmail dot com

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  30. I'd love to try their Tea Tree Liquid Soap!
    Thanks for a chance to win this great giveaway!
    Best wishes,
    Chanticlear1atmaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
  31. I subscribe to the Tropical Traditions Newsletter!
    Thanks for a chance to win this great giveaway!
    Best wishes,
    Chanticlear1atmaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
  32. I follow in GFC! 1
    Thanks for a chance to win this great giveaway!
    Best wishes,
    Chanticlear1atmaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
  33. I follow in GFC! 2
    Thanks for a chance to win this great giveaway!
    Best wishes,
    Chanticlear1atmaildotcom

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  34. First thing I'd make is classic Coconut Macaroons!
    Thanks for a chance to win this great giveaway!
    Best wishes,
    Chanticlear1atmaildotcom

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  35. I'd love to try the Organic Sun dried Tomatoes.
    cjwallace43 at gmail dot com

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  36. Subscribe to TT newletter
    cjwallace43 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  37. Follow @troptraditions on Twitter @cjwallace43

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  38. Follow you on Twitter @cjwallace43

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  39. Tweet: http://twitter.com/cjwallace43/status/18280364808077313

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  40. Following blog (publicly) via GFC

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  41. I think I'd make the Black and White Toasted Coconut Fudge first.

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  42. I would like to try the organic palm oil

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  43. I subscribe to Tropical Traditions newsletter and I love it! Thanks for this giveaway!

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  44. I follow @troptraditions on twitter @lyndzz

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  45. Now following you on twitter @lyndzz

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  46. I tweeted about your giveaway! @lyndzz

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  47. I think I would make the Thai coconut curry recipe if i won the coconut! Or maybe the coconut shrimp, or the coconutty granola, or the coconut pancakes....so many recipes so little time! ;D

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  48. I subscribe to their newsletter under harleydiven(at)gmail(dot)com

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  49. I would love to make Banana Coconut Cake Recipe.

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  50. I'd like to try their peanut butter. Thanks!!
    aleksa91 hotmail com

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  51. busyworkingmama follows tropical on twitter

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  52. gfc follower already #1 :) Happy holidays!!

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  53. Hmm...if I won I'd like to try to make coconut macaroons - my hubby's favorites!

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  54. I learned that most of the chickens out there are fed soy, but Tropical Traditions offers healthy soy free eggs!

    mmgmcg@gmail.com

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  55. I subscribed to the Tropical Traditions newsletter.

    mmgmcg@gmail.com

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  56. I would love to try coconut cream concentrate. It sounds tasty!

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  57. I am subscribed to tropical traditions newsletter

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  58. I follow tropical traditions on twitter. I'm bash147

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  59. oh and I follow you on twitter.(still bash147)

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  60. If I win these I am going to make some cookies with big old coconut chips in it.

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  61. I'd like to try their Organic Chocolate!

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  62. I subscribe to the Tropical Traditions newsletter.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  63. #1
    I follow via GFC: allibrary.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  64. #2

    I follow via GFC: allibrary.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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  65. If I won this, I'd first make macaroons!

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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  66. I'd love to try the Himalayan Pink Salt

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  67. "I'm visiting from PriceNetwork.ca!"

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  68. I'd probably be digging out an old recipe for a coconut cake that my mom made when we were kids & making it first!

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  69. one other thing I would love to try would be the organic moisturizing creams.

    illeztmami14@gmail.com

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  70. I subscribed to Tropical Traditions News Letter

    illeztmami14@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  71. I followed you on twitter

    miarose914

    illeztmami14@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  72. I followed Tropical Tradition on twitter

    Miarose914

    illeztmami14@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  73. I tweeted the giveaway

    http://twitter.com/#!/MiaRose914

    illeztmami14@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  74. I followed your blog

    illeztmami14@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  75. I followed your blog (miarose914)

    illeztmami14@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  76. I will be making Coquito which is a puerto rican eggnog like alcohol drink

    illeztmami14@gmail.com

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  77. We love to try out different maple syrups so I'd love to try their Organic Maple Syrup!

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  78. I follow you on twitter (corgiopants)

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  79. I follow tropical traditions on twitter (corgipants)

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  80. I would like to try the unscented moisturizing cream.

    ReplyDelete
  81. I would like to try their coconut peanut butter.
    slrdowney at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  82. I subscribed to the Tropical traditions newsletter.
    slrdowney at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  83. I would try the chocolate coconut smoothie recipe first.
    slrdowney at hotmail dot com

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  84. I've heard the organic palm shortening makes good piecrust!

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  85. I'd use it to make coconut cream pie!
    Thanks,Jess jdjmcc@aol.com
    Sorry,the above comment is mine; I forgot to leave my email address:(

    ReplyDelete
  86. I would also like to try the teeth cleaner
    kmogilevski at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  87. Subscribe to TT email with kmogilevski at HOTMAIL
    kmogilevski at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  88. Follow TT on Twitter (kmogilevski)
    kmogilevski at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  89. Tweeted (http://twitter.com/#!/kmogilevski/status/21643598994866176)
    kmogilevski at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  90. Your button is on my blog, right column (cookingisme.blogspot.com) - 1
    kmogilevski at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  91. Your button is on my blog, right column (cookingisme.blogspot.com) - 2
    kmogilevski at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  92. I want to make some macaroons :)
    kmogilevski at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  93. I would also like to try the Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil!
    kerriekg@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  94. I Follow @troptraditions on Twitter @36momma
    kerriekg@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  95. I Follow you on Twitter @36momma
    kerriekg@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  96. I follow your blog through Goggle Friend Connect
    kerriekg@yahoo.com
    entry 1

    ReplyDelete
  97. I follow your blog through Goggle Friend Connect
    kerriekg@yahoo.com
    entry 2

    ReplyDelete
  98. If I win I plan on making a coconut cake!
    kerriekg@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  99. I'd like to try the Coconut Flour.

    ReplyDelete
  100. Follow TT on twitter as BBirdie2

    ReplyDelete
  101. Follow you on twitter as BBirdie2

    ReplyDelete
  102. Tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/BBirdie2/status/22457002147971072

    ReplyDelete
  103. Button
    http://beachbird2.blogspot.com
    1

    ReplyDelete
  104. Button
    http://beachbird2.blogspot.com
    2

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  105. I would make a coconut cream pie.

    ReplyDelete
  106. I would love to try the Liquid Dish Soap.

    hafner611{AT}gmail{DOT}com

    ReplyDelete
  107. Tropical Traditions newsletter subscriber
    hafner611{AT}gmail{DOT}com

    ReplyDelete
  108. Tropical Traditions Twitter follower- ksh123

    hafner611{AT}gmail{DOT}com

    ReplyDelete
  109. Tweet- http://twitter.com/ksh123/status/22529990054645761

    hafner611{AT}gmail{DOT}com

    ReplyDelete
  110. GFC follower #1
    hafner611{AT}gmail{DOT}com

    ReplyDelete
  111. GFC follower #2
    hafner611{AT}gmail{DOT}com

    ReplyDelete
  112. I would make a candy called Church Windows.

    hafner611{AT}gmail{DOT}com

    ReplyDelete
  113. I have been wanting to get some of their organic flours - my resolution is to do more bread baking this year.
    auntietina21 AT hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  114. I already get the Tropical Traditions newsletter
    auntietina21 AT hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  115. Follower on Google Friend Connect
    auntietina21 AT hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  116. I would love to make a coconut layer cake, but think your Energy Bars look pretty good too.
    And big thanks for the tip re: the wrong size pan. GENIUS!
    auntietina21 AT hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  117. I would love to try the Organic honey suelee1998 @ gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  118. At Tropical Traditions, I'd like to try the cinnamon teeth cleaner.
    Jennifer, jennem22 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  119. TT newsletter subscriber.
    Jennifer, jennem22 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  120. emilyisland Twitter follower as jennem1.
    http://twitter.com/jennem1
    Jennifer, jennem22 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  121. I'd love to try the shampoo bar

    matt4melis at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  122. Subscribe via email to the Tropical Traditions newsletter

    matt4melis at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  123. Follow @troptraditions on Twitter @matt4melis

    matt4melis at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  124. http://twitter.com/matt4melis/status/23235746810822656

    matt4melis at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  125. Follow your blog (publicly)-1

    matt4melis at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  126. Follow your blog (publicly)-2

    matt4melis at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  127. I'd love to make this: http://www.freecoconutrecipes.com/index.cfm/2011/1/3/coconut-almond-cups

    matt4melis at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete

Hey, why not leave a comment? I'd love to hear what you think. If you're entering a giveaway, be sure to leave your email address if it's not set to public in your profile!