Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil Review/Giveaway

I have been so excited to be able to review Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil. About five years ago, my family and I made the switch from unhealthy oils to coconut oil. We love the health benefits and the taste of coconut oil. Tropical Traditions is very careful about making only quality coconut oil. Their coconut oil has been found to have very high antioxidant levels.

There are many ways to use coconut oil in your kitchen.

Nourishing Protein Bars made with Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil


The following are a few of my favorite ways to use coconut oil:

-Melted and Drizzled over homemade popcorn
-Greasing the pan for making omelettes (Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil left no coconut aftertaste to my eggs.)
- In Baking treats, as a replacement for other oils. (Olive oil is a healthy oil, but should not be heated. Use it instead for cold dishes, such as pasta salad, as heating it causes it to go rancid and to create free radicals in your body.Coconut oil, on the other hand, has a high heat point, and does well at higher temperatures.)
- Healthy, no-bake treats, such as Nourishing Protein Bars .
- In the winter, we like to put coconut oil on dry skin. Coconut oil is an amazing moisturizer.


Other uses for coconut oil, which I would like to try:
- To treat diaper rash

- Homemade Deodorant

Quality coconut oil may be an initial cost investment, but once you see the multitude of ways you can use it, it may actually save you money. Tropical Traditions generally has an  sale/special, on their coconut oil.


Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil Quart Jar Giveaway:

Tropical Traditions is graciously giving away one quart size jar of coconut oil to one reader of Lily of the Valley.

Mandatory Requirement:
Subscribe to Tropical Traditions newsletter.(leave a comment in the comments section, letting me know)


Additional, Optional Entries: (leave a separate comment for each entry)
1. Tell me your favorite use for coconut oil.
2. Like Tropical Traditions on pinterest.
3. Like Tropical Traditions and Lily of the Valley on facebook.
4. Follow my blog on Google Friend Connect.
5. Follow Tropical Traditions on twitter.
6.Tweet, blog, facebook about this giveaway.

This giveaway ends on April 16th at 12 pm EST, and is open to US residents only.

Disclaimer: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it 

Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.

Children Are A Blessing Review and Giveaway!

In honor of my recent announcement, the lovely Moore family allowed me the privilege of reviewing their documentary, Children Are a Blessing. They also graciously agreed to giveaway a copy of their dvd to one of my blog readers.

Children Are a Blessing is a beautiful celebration of the gift of life, and it is a joy to watch the Moore family, as they welcome their tenth child into this world.I rejoiced to see the way the Moore children delighted in the arrival of their newest sibling. I loved the 60 minutes of bonus features included on this dvd. One of my favorite bonus features is when the  eldest  five Moore children share their perspective, as the oldest of ten children. I really appreciated hearing their insight, as it is a desire of my heart that my children will have a biblical vision of the blessing of children.The Moore children shared how having little siblings is a perfect opportunity to learn to deny oneself, and to serve others. I was encouraged by hearing the testimonies of the Moore children!

Another favorite portion of this dvd, was when Shane and Edee Moore candidly share their answers to questions commonly posed to large families. Shane and Edee share their answers to questions, such as: "Are you having any more children?", "What is the purpose of having children?", "Do you have a big house?", "Isn't it hard having all of those children?" and so much more! I loved their answer regarding those who inquire if they have a large home. They shared that they have a large home now,  but that they lived in a simple 3 bedroom, 2 bath ranch when they had five children.This was an encouragement to me, as I live in a 1250 sq. foot home, and am expecting baby #5. The Moores mentioned that they have five bedrooms now, but only use three of them,as their children all want to be close together. I can totally relate, as my children love to camp out in one room at night, whenever possible.

Raising a large family, in these modern times, is not a very popular choice. I have heard much negativity about my family size, from society, ever since I was expecting baby # 3.Two weeks ago, I was pushing my grocery cart, with two children in it, and two walking beside me. I had hardly gotten into the grocery store, when a man said, "Look at all of those kids. Good gracious!", in a very condescending tone. I smiled at him, and he scowled. I don't understand those kinds of remarks, and can get very discouraged at times.  This dvd is a much needed dose of hearty encouragement for those of us seeking to rejoice in the children God sends! I am grateful that the Moore family had a vision to encourage others by creating a film documenting the blessing of children.




Children Are a Blessing Trailer  To Enter the Giveaway:  Mandatory EntryVisit Moore Family Films and leave me a comment here, telling me which of their movies that you would most like to see.
Additional Optional Entries: (leave a separate comment for each)1.Become a fan on my Facebook page.
  2.Tweet, blog, Facebook, etc. this giveaway (comment once for each). 3. Subscribe to the Moore Family Films newsletter . Leave me a comment letting me know that you did so.
This giveaway ends 12 pm, April 2, 2012, EST and is open to US residents only.
Disclosure: Moore Family Films provided me with the review and giveaway copies, in exchange for an honest review.

Big News!

I am thrilled to announce that I am expecting baby #5, and am due in the beginning of October. God has blessed me with my easiest pregnancy so far. This has been the only time that I have only had a very mild case of nausea. With my other four pregnancies, I have had strong nausea. When I was expecting each of my daughters, I had fifteen weeks of nausea and vomiting. I have been very fatigued, and am hoping for a second trimester dose of energy! I am so very grateful for this precious gift from God! We were able to hear baby's heartbeat, last week, which was such a joy to hear! Blessings, friends!

Hands on Learning

Yesterday, we had the best time going to the consignment sale and the local homeschool shop. We were so excited to find an owl pellet at the homeschool store. We have enjoyed watching Mel and Sydney, a pair of barn owls, and their babies, via webcam on this site. I had wanted to order an owl pellet for the children, for a while, but they can be pricey when you pay for shipping and the kit. We found one at the homeschool shop for only $4. It came with the bone sorting charts, food web charts, the pellet, and tweezers.
 We couldn't wait to get home to dissect the owl pellet.

Stephen and Lily excited to do their science project

After Lily and Stephen removed the bones from the pellet, they sorted them according to types of bones. One owl pellet can contain parts from 3-6 animals! Owls eat rodents, shrews, moles, and birds. Our owl pellet contained at least one bone from the four types of animals that owls eat. It was such a neat learning experience. Owl pellet dissection is such a fun, hands-on learning activity. Though, if you don't want your littles to get their hands dirty, maybe they can try their hands at this virtual owl pellet dissection.

New Kitchen Nook Set

I am very thankful that one of my husband's co-workers gave us a kitchen table set,for free, a few years ago. It worked well in the small space and it was great to have something, especially since we didn't have to pay anything for it.It wasn't pretty, but it was useful. Over time, the table had a few issues and one of the chairs broke. We had used our beloved Gorilla Glue over and over,and yet the chair kept breaking. A couple months ago, I decided it would be a good idea to start saving some money towards a new kitchen table set. My style is cottage country, and so I was hoping to find a cute (and affordable) table set for my breakfast nook. I was elated to find our new Better Homes and Gardens set for $259. I saved my money from Christmas, birthdays, and the consignment sale to buy this set and I absolutely love it. Here's hoping it stays white, with four kids! ;) (You would think I would learn by now, after finding out that cream colored carpet doesn't work with little ones, but I guess I like to live on the edge.) I think buying a tablecloth will be in our immediate future!

March Happenings

I am so sorry that I have been so negligent in blogging. We were sick during the end of January and most of February with a plethora of illnesses including stomach bugs, pinkeye, sinus infections, etc.. I am so very grateful that we are over all of that and are in good health.

March is a very busy birthday month for us. My eldest, Lily, turned nine, on the ninth. She is an amazing sister to her three younger siblings.

Today, my Olivia is two years old!

Olivia is such a joy to my heart. She is a busy, squirmy, fun, little gal. It seems like these past two years have absolutely flown by. Some people say to me that "having all these children must age you". I disagree. I think they keep you young. There is no sitting around and getting flabby with a toddler on the loose. You simply have to go, go, go. It can be tiring at times, but very rewarding. Their energy and joy for life is contagious.

This Saturday marks my 31st birthday. Seriously, I feel like I just accepted the fact that I am 30. Those twenties go by in a heartbeat.

We are planning a big March birthday party on the last weekend in March. We will be celebrating six people in the family who have March birthdays.

I hope you are doing well!

You're Already Amazing Book Review

You're Already Amazing
Embracing Who You Are,
Becoming All God Created You to Be
By: Holley Gerth

Far too often, in my Christian walk, I have compared myself to other women. If only I were are outgoing as "so and so" or if only I was as eloquent or "quick on my feet" as her. The comparison game is discouraging and keeps us from focusing on who God created us to be. Holley Gerth's new book, You're Already Amazing, encouraged me to stop the comparison game and to delight in who God uniquely created me to be. It is no accident that I thrive in one-on-one conversations and feel nervous when speaking to a crowd.  As Holley shares in You're Already Amazing,

"We often try to force ourselves to be like others or to simply do whatever we're asked. Then we wonder why we feel ineffective and exhausted. Of course, sometimes, we'll need to step outside of those for a special need or season. But knowing how we connect lets us serve in the center of the way God made us."
(emphasis mine)


You're Already Amazing inspires women to find their God-given gifts and strengths to become the woman God created them to be.In this book, Holley shares as a friend and sister-in-Christ. You're Already Amazing is a blessing and an encouragement on the journey.

I am excited that the Bloom Book Club has chosen You're Already Amazing to read as a community. For more details about joining in this book study, visit here.


Disclosure: I received this book for free in return for an honest book review.

Nesco Snack Master FD-60 Review

Owning a food dehydrator has been on my wish list, for a few years. On occasion, I have borrowed my in-law's Excalibur dehydrator, to do some major food dehydrating. I found that I would like to dry snacks for my kids once or twice a week, so owning my own was my ideal. I was delighted when the folks at Nesco sent me a FD-60 Nesco Snackmaster Express Food Dehydrator to review.

One reason to own a  food dehydrator is because many store-bought, dried fruits contain harmful ingredients. Many dried fruits, especially store-bought banana chips, are fried in oil, and some dried fruits are gassed to preserve color and for preservation purposes. I enjoy knowing exactly what goes into my children's snacks. A dehydrator can be a great way to stretch out your budget. I am planning on utilizing my dehydrator, extensively, this summer, to aid in preserving some of our garden bounty. It will be a great tool for drying some of our typical vast tomato harvest, as well as a way to preserve herbs.


FD-60 Nesco Snackmaster Express Food Dehydrator

Nesco claims that the air flow system of the FD-60 Nesco Snackmaster Express Food Dehydrator prevents flavors of the items you are drying from mixing. I decided to put that claim to the test by drying apples, bananas, and kale at the same time. The kale crisps were marinated in a wet mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic, so they were quite wet. I placed them on the bottom two trays, so they wouldn't leak onto the fruit. I was so impressed when I tasted the dried bananas, which didn't have a single hint of garlic and kale. I was very impressed, to say the least.

Kale Crisps

Bananas, prior to dehydration



What I love about the Nesco Snackmaster:

Price:
I love that the price of this model is about $50-$65. This is much more affordable than the dehydrators which retail for $150- $200.

Adjustable Thermostat:
One of the great benefits of drying your own food is that you can set the temperature. I love being able to make raw snacks with the Nesco Snackmaster. Heating snacks at low temperatures preserves enzymes and nutrients in foods. It is rare to find an adjustable thermostat on a food dehydrator, at this low of a price.


Noise:
Noise levels of the Nesco Snackmaster  were fairly quiet, which I greatly appreciated.

Fruit Leather made from a jar of applesauce

Fruit Leather Tray:
 My children love fruit leathers, but they are either really expensive, or full of unhealthy ingredients. I love that the Nesco Snackmaster comes with a fruit leather tray. Just puree some fresh fruit, or spread a jar of unsweetened applesauce on the fruit leather tray and dry. Homemade fruit rolls are so much tastier than anything you can find in the store!

Applesauce Fruit Rolls

Tray Size/Expandability:
I was impressed by how much food I could place on each dehydrator tray. The Nesco Snackmaster comes with four trays, but is expandable to 12 trays, with the affordable Add a Trays.

Three of my little ones, enjoying fruit leathers


Taste:
We loved the  crispy kale crisps, chewy banana/apple chips,  and scrumptious fruit leathers that we have made in the Nesco Snackmaster. It is so exciting to think of new treats to make in our dehydrator.

If you are looking for a quality, affordable food dehydrator, I doubt that you will be disappointed with the Nesco Snackmaster.

Do you dehydrate? If so I would love to hear what your family's favorite treats to make are.



Disclosure: I received a Nesco Snackmaster Dehydrator in exchange for an honest review.