Delicious Coconut Vanilla Granola & A Giveaway! CLOSED

by Gina on January 11, 2011

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Tropical Traditions has quickly become one of my favorite online retailers for wholesome ingredients, like their famous Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil. Virgin coconut oil is one of the healthiest (and tastiest) oils you can cook with. In fact, many claim that this oil can boost the body’s immunity, speed up your metabolism, and provide you with more energy. I would encourage you to watch this brief video about Tropical Traditions, if you haven’t already. I have a whole new appreciation for their products and how their business is run.

One of the missions I am on this year and beyond is to move towards more wholesome foods; foods that aren’t processed to death and made with natural ingredients. The best way to know what you’re eating, obviously, is to cook from scratch! When Tropical Traditions sent me a jar of coconut oil to play around with, I immediately ran to their website to check out all of the great recipes that they had to choose from. Sure, you can use coconut oil in place of oil or butter in pretty much any recipe, but I wanted to try something different.

As I was scrolling through the recipes, I stumbled upon something that I had to try!

Coconut Vanilla Granola

So here we go!

First, you need 1 1/2 cups of chopped nuts (I used a mixture of almonds and pecans). Also, preheat the oven to 250 F.

Then, mix the chopped nuts with 6 cups of rolled oats, and 1 1/2 cups of shredded coconut. Set aside.

In a saucepan combine 1 C. honey, 1/4 C. water and 1/2 t. Heat, stirring frequently, to thin the honey.

Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 C. coconut oil and 1 T. vanilla. Coconut is solid at room temperature, as you can see, but it will quickly turn into a liquid state when heated. Make sure you heat the mixture again until the oil has dissolved.

Pour over the oat mixture and stir well. Then, spread the granola onto 2 large, greased cookie sheets.

Cook the granola for 1 hour, but toss gently every 20 minutes. The smell was heavenly as this was baking! I could not wait for it to finish cooking. Once, the granola has cooked for the full hour, you can remove the pans from the oven and let the cereal cool; the granola also crisps up as it cools down. Then, store in an airtight container!

I have been topping my yogurt at breakfast with this granola every morning. I can’t tell you how tasty it is! This recipe has a permanent place in my recipe file because it tastes sooo much better than store-bought AND I know what’s in it!

Would you like to win your very own quart of Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil?

Please complete the mandatory entry and then complete as many bonus entries as you would like.

Mandatory:
You must follow me on Google Friend Connect first. Then, visit Tropical Traditions and tell me which recipe you would love to try!

Bonus Entries:

Sign up for the Tropical Traditions Newsletter (3 entries)
Follow Tropical Traditions on Twitter (1 entry)
Follow Tropical Traditions Facebook (1 entry)
Make a purchase from Tropical Traditions and use my “referred by a friend” code: 6714647. This will score you a free Virgin Coconut Oil book with purchase! (15 entries)
Tweet the following message (1 entry – once per day):

#Win 32oz of @Troptraditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil! @thecravetosave http://tinyurl.com/4fodbl8 Ends 2/9 #organic #giveaway

SEE THIS PAGE for complete list of bonus entries!

This giveaway will end on February 9, 2011 at 11:59pm. US /18+ only. Winner chosen by Random.org and notified via e-mail. Please see this page for official rules.

Disclosure: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.

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{ 123 comments }

1 BeckyW January 11, 2011 at 8:01 pm: Just stopping by (Becky from the 2011 Dream Team) Love your post-it sure does look yummy! Have a great Tuesday!
2 Cory January 11, 2011 at 10:33 pm: oooh i would love to try the egg drop soup with coconut oil. sounds delicious. i follow you through GFC
mychancetowin at gmail dot com
3 Brandi Elam January 13, 2011 at 3:45 am: I would like to try the Apple Coconut Carrot Bran muffins. They look healthy and I love muffins!

brandielam3 at gmail dot com
4 Brandi Elam January 13, 2011 at 3:46 am: Signed up for the Tropical Traditions newsletter
brandielam3 at gmail dot com
5 Brandi Elam January 13, 2011 at 3:47 am: Signed up for the newsletter 2
brandielam3 at gmail dot com
6 Brandi Elam January 13, 2011 at 3:47 am: Signed up for the newsletter 3
brandielam3 at gmail dot com
7 Brandi Elam January 13, 2011 at 3:50 am: Follow Tropical Traditions on Twitter (@shakymommy)
brandielam3 at gmail dot com
8 Raven In A Blue Room January 14, 2011 at 5:23 am: Google Friends Connect – following your blog publicly as Louis

I love the Coconut Date Shake Recipe

Thank you for hosting this giveaway

Louis
schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com
9 Raven In A Blue Room January 14, 2011 at 5:23 am: I subscribed to Tropical Traditions newsletter (schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com)
10 Raven In A Blue Room January 14, 2011 at 5:23 am: 2
I subscribed to Tropical Traditions newsletter (schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com)
11 Raven In A Blue Room January 14, 2011 at 5:23 am: 3
I subscribed to Tropical Traditions newsletter (schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com)
12 Raven In A Blue Room January 14, 2011 at 5:24 am: following you on twitter @left_the_stars

schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com
13 Raven In A Blue Room January 14, 2011 at 5:24 am: I like Tropical Traditions on facebook (Louis Here)

schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com
14 Raven In A Blue Room January 14, 2011 at 5:24 am: following Tropical Traditions on twitter @left_the_stars

schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com
15 Raven In A Blue Room January 14, 2011 at 5:24 am: I like your blog on facebook (Louis Here)

schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com
16 Raven In A Blue Room January 14, 2011 at 5:24 am: following on networked blogs

schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com
17 Raven In A Blue Room January 14, 2011 at 5:25 am: I tweeted your giveaway

schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com
18 siren_sexy January 14, 2011 at 7:17 pm: following on twitter and google friend connect. i'd love to try the coconut smoothie! i love smoothies! and coconut!
19 Julie January 15, 2011 at 2:52 pm: I followyou via GFC and I would love to try the citrus fudge:)
hbgarden@aol.com
20 Julie January 15, 2011 at 2:53 pm: signed up for the tropical newsletter #1
hbgarden@aol.com
21 Julie January 15, 2011 at 2:54 pm: signed up for the Tropical newsletter #2
hbgarden@aol.com
22 Julie January 15, 2011 at 2:54 pm: signed up for the tropical newsletter #3
hbgarden@aol.com
23 Julie January 15, 2011 at 2:54 pm: Ilikeyou on facebook
hbgarden@aol.com
24 Julie January 15, 2011 at 2:55 pm: I get your emails
hbgarden@aol.com
25 Domestic Diva January 15, 2011 at 10:51 pm: The citrus coconut fudge sounds amazing. So does the hot chocolate.

I follow on gfc

lovelydomesticdiva (at) gmail (dot) com
26 Jaime January 17, 2011 at 2:58 am: GFC follower and I would like to try the Pumpkin-Coconut Squares Recipe
copperllama at yahoo dot com
27 Jaime January 17, 2011 at 2:59 am: signed up for the newsletter
copperllama at yahoo dot com
28 Jaime January 17, 2011 at 2:59 am: 2 signed up for the newsletter
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29 Jaime January 17, 2011 at 2:59 am: 3 signed up for the newsletter
copperllama at yahoo dot com
30 Jaime January 17, 2011 at 3:00 am: follow T.T. on twitter
@copperllama
copperllama at yahoo dot com
31 Jaime January 17, 2011 at 3:00 am: Like T.T. on facebook
Jaime P
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32 Jaime January 17, 2011 at 3:00 am: follow you on twitter
@copperllama
copperllama at yahoo dot com
33 Jaime January 17, 2011 at 3:01 am: like you on facebook
Jaime P
copperllama at yahoo dto com
34 Jaime January 17, 2011 at 3:01 am: email subscriber
copperllama at yahoo dot com
35 Jaime January 17, 2011 at 3:01 am: networked blogs follower
copperllama at yahoo dot com
36 Jaime January 17, 2011 at 3:02 am: have button
http://copperllamastudio.blogspot.com/
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37 Jaime January 17, 2011 at 3:03 am: 2 have button
http://copperllamastudio.blogspot.com/
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38 Claudia January 17, 2011 at 7:46 am: I follow your blog via GFC, and I would love to try the Thai Style Coconut Fish Soup
nclaudia 25 at yahoo dot com
39 Claudia January 17, 2011 at 7:47 am: I Signed up for the Tropical Traditions Newsletter
nclaudia 25 at yahoo dot com
40 Claudia January 17, 2011 at 7:47 am: I Signed up for the Tropical Traditions Newsletter
nclaudia 25 at yahoo dot com
#2
41 Claudia January 17, 2011 at 7:47 am: I Signed up for the Tropical Traditions Newsletter
nclaudia 25 at yahoo dot com
#3
42 Claudia January 17, 2011 at 7:48 am: I Follow Tropical Traditions on Twitter (@dealsfan32)
nclaudia 25 at yahoo dot com
43 Claudia January 17, 2011 at 7:48 am: I Follow Tropical Traditions Facebook ( claudia n)
nclaudia 25 at yahoo dot com
44 Claudia January 17, 2011 at 7:49 am: I Follow you on Twitter
(@dealsfan32)
nclaudia 25 at yahoo dot com
45 Claudia January 17, 2011 at 7:50 am: I Like you on Facebook ( claudia n)
nclaudia 25 at yahoo dot com
46 Claudia January 17, 2011 at 7:52 am: I subscribed to your blog via google reader
nclaudia 25 at yahoo dot com
47 SLS(atlmuzikfanzinc) January 29, 2011 at 2:03 am: http://twitter.com/atlmuzikfanzinc/status/31075296929124352
atlmuzikfanzinc at gmail dot com
48 Claudia N January 31, 2011 at 12:44 pm: daily tweet
http://api.twitter.com/#!/Dealsfan32/status/32056631705473024
49 Marla January 31, 2011 at 10:18 pm: I am following you on GFC (heaventaste) and I would like to try the “Rhubarb Coconut Loaf” recipe on the Tropical Traditions website!

heaventaste @ hotmail dot com
50 Marla January 31, 2011 at 10:19 pm: 1. I signed up for the Tropical Traditions newsletter!

heaventaste @ hotmail dot com
51 Marla January 31, 2011 at 10:19 pm: 2. I signed up for the Tropical Traditions newsletter!

heaventaste @ hotmail dot com
52 Marla January 31, 2011 at 10:19 pm: 3. I signed up for the Tropical Traditions newsletter!

heaventaste @ hotmail dot com
53 Marla January 31, 2011 at 10:20 pm: I follow Tropical Traditions on Twitter!

@Marseepan

heaventaste @ hotmail dot com
54 Marla January 31, 2011 at 10:21 pm: I follow Tropical Traditions on Facebook!

FB ID: Marla Ross-Schad

heaventaste @ hotmail dot com
55 Marla January 31, 2011 at 10:22 pm: Tweet! Tweet!
@Marseepan

http://twitter.com/#!/Marseepan/status/32201988242411520

heaventaste @ hotmail dot com
56 Marla January 31, 2011 at 10:25 pm: I am following @TheCraveToSave on Twitter!

@Marseepan

heaventaste @ hotmail dot com
57 Marla January 31, 2011 at 10:26 pm: I like the Crave to $ave on Facebook!
FB ID: Marla Ross-Schad

heaventaste @ hotmail dot com
58 Marla January 31, 2011 at 10:31 pm: I am following your blog via e-mail!

heaventaste @ hotmail dot com
59 Marla January 31, 2011 at 10:32 pm: Following you via NetworkedBlogs! (heaventaste)

heaventaste @ hotmail dot com
60 Marla January 31, 2011 at 10:58 pm: I joined your BlogFrog community! (heaventaste)

heaventaste @ hotmail dot com
61 SLS(atlmuzikfanzinc) January 31, 2011 at 11:40 pm: http://twitter.com/atlmuzikfanzinc/status/32147416576688128
atlmuzikfanzinc at gmail dot com
62 Toni Marie Caravello February 1, 2011 at 11:15 am: tweet 1/31

http://twitter.com/#!/tonic67/status/32288914429448192
63 Shar February 1, 2011 at 6:37 pm: tweet – http://twitter.com/#!/hjkllkjh/status/32507787783184384
64 SLS(atlmuzikfanzinc) February 1, 2011 at 10:31 pm: http://twitter.com/atlmuzikfanzinc/status/32517306642862080
atlmuzikfanzinc atg mail dot com
65 Toni Marie Caravello February 2, 2011 at 12:46 am: http://twitter.com/#!/tonic67/status/32598331335118848

tweet 2/1
66 Shar February 2, 2011 at 6:03 pm: tweetin’ – http://twitter.com/#!/hjkllkjh/status/32853180932956162
67 SLS(atlmuzikfanzinc) February 2, 2011 at 10:59 pm: http://twitter.com/atlmuzikfanzinc/status/32872168387776514
atlmuzikfanzinc at gmail dot com
68 Marla February 3, 2011 at 6:14 am: Tweet! Tweet!

@Marseepan

http://twitter.com/#!/Marseepan/status/33045343511773185

heaventaste @ hotmail dot com
69 Shar February 3, 2011 at 2:44 pm: tweet – http://twitter.com/#!/hjkllkjh/status/33173918961377281
70 AB Smith February 3, 2011 at 5:38 pm: following on GFC

i would like to try their tea tree oil soap!
71 AB Smith February 3, 2011 at 5:39 pm: #Win 32oz of @Troptraditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil! @thecravetosave http://tinyurl.com/4fodbl8 Ends 2/9 #organic #giveaway
— AB Smith (@MojoandKarma) February 3, 2011
72 AB Smith February 3, 2011 at 5:40 pm: following TT on twitter – 2kidsblogger
73 AB Smith February 3, 2011 at 5:40 pm: following TT on FB – 2kidsblogger
74 AB Smith February 3, 2011 at 5:41 pm: signed up for newsletter
75 AB Smith February 3, 2011 at 5:41 pm: signed up for newsletter 2
76 AB Smith February 3, 2011 at 5:41 pm: signed up for newsletter 3
77 SLS(atlmuzikfanzinc) February 3, 2011 at 7:05 pm: http://twitter.com/atlmuzikfanzinc/status/33223305938870272
atlmuzikfanzinc at gmail dot com
78 Shar February 4, 2011 at 10:15 am: tweeeeeet-http://twitter.com/#!/hjkllkjh/status/33544132261707776
79 Toni Marie Caravello February 4, 2011 at 8:18 pm: tweet 2/2

http://twitter.com/#!/tonic67/status/32984475344437248
80 Toni Marie Caravello February 4, 2011 at 8:18 pm: tweet 2/3

http://twitter.com/#!/tonic67/status/33266893322190848
Toni Marie Caravello recently posted..Win a Wally Wonderbug Activity Center at Famiylicious
81 Toni Marie Caravello February 4, 2011 at 8:19 pm: tweet 2/4

http://twitter.com/#!/tonic67/status/33695700764073984
Toni Marie Caravello recently posted..Win a Wally Wonderbug Activity Center at Famiylicious
82 SLS(atlmuzikfanzinc) February 4, 2011 at 8:23 pm: http://twitter.com/atlmuzikfanzinc/status/33585920145891328
atlmuzikfanzinc at gmail dot com
SLS(atlmuzikfanzinc) recently posted..Creamy Guacamole
83 Becky February 5, 2011 at 12:20 am: Like on gfc-becky davis
I would like to try the Gluten Free Pumpkin Delight Muffins
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Becky recently posted..BOGO Free Plush Toys from Disney Store
84 Becky February 5, 2011 at 12:25 am: subscribed to Tropical Traditions newsletter
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85 Becky February 5, 2011 at 12:26 am: subscribed to Tropical Traditions newsletter
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86 Becky February 5, 2011 at 12:26 am: bdavisnc at gmail dot com
subscribed to Tropical Traditions newsletter
Becky recently posted..BOGO Free Plush Toys from Disney Store
87 Becky February 5, 2011 at 12:27 am: Following Tropical Traditions on FB-becky watts davis
dutchgirlsfavoritethings at gmail dot com
Becky recently posted..BOGO Free Plush Toys from Disney Store
88 Becky February 5, 2011 at 12:28 am: Following Tropical Traditions on twitter-bdavisnc88
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89 Becky February 5, 2011 at 12:28 am: http://twitter.com/#!/bdavisnc88/status/33757661036027905
dutchgirlsfavoritethings at gmail dot com
Becky recently posted..BOGO Free Plush Toys from Disney Store
90 Becky February 5, 2011 at 12:29 am: following on fb
dutchgirlsfavoritethings at gmail dot com
91 Becky February 5, 2011 at 12:29 am: following on twitter
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92 Becky February 5, 2011 at 12:32 am: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/becknc88/posts/127008984036661
dutchgirlsfavoritethings at gmail dot com
Becky recently posted..BOGO Free Plush Toys from Disney Store
93 Becky February 5, 2011 at 12:32 am: subscribe via rss feed
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Becky recently posted..BOGO Free Plush Toys from Disney Store
94 Becky February 5, 2011 at 12:33 am: follow on network blog-becky watts davis
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Becky recently posted..BOGO Free Plush Toys from Disney Store
95 Becky February 5, 2011 at 12:34 am: follow on blog frog-dutch girls favorite things
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96 Becky February 5, 2011 at 12:34 am: entered the Every Day MInerals Makeup giveaway
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97 Becky February 5, 2011 at 12:35 am: Entered the socks4life giveaway
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98 Becky February 5, 2011 at 12:35 am: entered the Kiki giveaway
dutchgirlsfavoritethings at gmail dot com
99 Becky February 5, 2011 at 12:36 am: entered the $50 Amazon giveaway
dutchgirlsfavoritethings at gmail dot com
100 Becky February 5, 2011 at 12:36 am: added button to blog
http://dutchgirlsfavoritethings.blogspot.com/p/blogs-i-love.html
dutchgirlsfavoritethings at gmail dot com
Becky recently posted..BOGO Free Plush Toys from Disney Store
101 Becky February 5, 2011 at 12:37 am: http://dutchgirlsfavoritethings.blogspot.com/p/blogs-i-love.html
added button to blog
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Becky recently posted..BOGO Free Plush Toys from Disney Store
102 Becky February 5, 2011 at 12:37 am: http://dutchgirlsfavoritethings.blogspot.com/p/blogs-i-love.html
dutchgirlsfavoritethings at gmail dot com
added button to blog
103 Becky February 5, 2011 at 12:38 am: wrote a review on alexia
becky davis
dutchgirlsfavoritethings at gmail dot com
Becky recently posted..BOGO Free Plush Toys from Disney Store
104 Becky February 5, 2011 at 12:38 am: wrote a review on alexia-becky davis

dutchgirlsfavoritethings at gmail dot com
Becky recently posted..BOGO Free Plush Toys from Disney Store
105 Becky February 5, 2011 at 12:39 am: wrote a review on alexia

dutchgirlsfavoritethings at gmail dot com
becky davis
106 Becky February 5, 2011 at 12:42 am: http://www.themommy-files.com/2011/01/share-your-giveaway-sundays-65/
#69
dutchgirlsfavoritethings at gmail dot com
Becky recently posted..BOGO Free Plush Toys from Disney Store
107 Becky February 5, 2011 at 12:42 am: #69
http://www.themommy-files.com/2011/01/share-your-giveaway-sundays-65/
dutchgirlsfavoritethings at gmail dot com
Becky recently posted..BOGO Free Plush Toys from Disney Store
108 Becky February 5, 2011 at 12:43 am: http://www.themommy-files.com/2011/01/share-your-giveaway-sundays-65/ #69

dutchgirlsfavoritethings at gmail dot com
109 Toni Marie Caravello February 5, 2011 at 7:56 am: tweet 2/5

http://twitter.com/#!/tonic67/status/33863553358233600
110 Shar February 5, 2011 at 9:55 am: http://twitter.com/#!/hjkllkjh/status/33901417940918272
111 Marla February 5, 2011 at 5:10 pm: Tweet! Tweet!
@Marseepan

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

heaventaste @ hotmail dot com
112 SLS(atlmuzikfanzinc) February 5, 2011 at 11:03 pm: http://twitter.com/atlmuzikfanzinc/status/33948036166066176
atlmuzikfanzinc at gmail dot com
SLS(atlmuzikfanzinc) recently posted..Creamy Guacamole
113 Shar February 6, 2011 at 5:16 pm: tweet – http://twitter.com/#!/hjkllkjh/status/34374875736973312
114 SLS(atlmuzikfanzinc) February 6, 2011 at 8:11 pm: http://twitter.com/atlmuzikfanzinc/status/34310376694747136
atlmuzikfanzinc at gmail dot com
SLS(atlmuzikfanzinc) recently posted..Creamy Guacamole
115 Debbie C February 7, 2011 at 12:28 am: I would like to try the Organic Forbidden Rice from Tropical Traditions.

I follow you on Google Friend Connect. (Debbie C)

dchrisg3 @ gmail . com
116 Debbie C February 7, 2011 at 12:34 am: I subscribe to the Tropical Traditions Newsletter.

I follow you on Google Friend Connect. (Debbie C)
#1
117 Debbie C February 7, 2011 at 12:35 am: I subscribe to the Tropical Traditions Newsletter.

I follow you on Google Friend Connect. (Debbie C)
#2
118 Debbie C February 7, 2011 at 12:35 am: I subscribe to the Tropical Traditions Newsletter.

I follow you on Google Friend Connect. (Debbie C)
#3
119 Debbie C February 7, 2011 at 12:36 am: Tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/DchrisG3/status/34485556301799424

dchrisg3 @ gmail . com
120 Shar February 7, 2011 at 10:23 am: tweet – http://twitter.com/#!/hjkllkjh/status/34633183995625473
121 SLS(atlmuzikfanzinc) February 7, 2011 at 8:38 pm: http://twitter.com/atlmuzikfanzinc/status/34673132144955392
atlmuzikfanzinc at gmail dot com
SLS(atlmuzikfanzinc) recently posted..Creamy Guacamole
122 Toni Marie Caravello February 8, 2011 at 10:28 am: http://twitter.com/#!/tonic67/status/34996763337297920

tweet 2/8
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123 Shar February 8, 2011 at 11:56 am: tweet-http://twitter.com/#!/hjkllkjh/status/35019072773038080