Easy recipes, fun reviews, and silly chatter from three
gluten-free, additive-free, and wholesome eating kids!








Sunday, March 27, 2011

*OVER* Review & Giveaway: Tropical Traditions!



So many readers were interested in learning more about Tropical Traditions Organic Palm Shortening that I decided to host a review & giveaway of the product!  

What is Palm Shortening? "Palm shortening is derived from palm oil.. In its natural state, palm oil is a mixture of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, with most of the unsaturated fat being monounsaturated fat. Palm shortening is palm oil that has some of its unsaturated fats removed, giving it a very firm texture, and high melting point. The melting point of our Organic Palm Shortening is 97 degrees F., making it very shelf stable. It is NOT hydrogenised, and contains NO trans fats! It is great for deep-fat frying and baking, and is not prone to rancidity. Since it has been separated from some of the unsaturated portion of the oil, it is colorless and odorless, and will not affect the taste of foods like Virgin Palm Oil does."


When the shortening arrived I had no idea what to do with it...because I had never, not once, used shortening before! I had always thought of it as such an unhealthy oil that I had never tried it. My mind was having trouble understanding that this shortening was a healthy option!  So, I tried to think of what I could use it for for and some memories popped into my head of when I was a child and my mother would bake. I remember greasing the pans for her with shortening. I got excited because I have been trying to find a more natural replacement for Pam.

I opened the container while we were making dinner and it looked just like shortening, very white and no odor to it. I smeared it all over the griddle and was satisfied with how well it worked, nothing stuck and the oil did not affect the flavor of the food. I am happy I can use it to grease all my pans now!

I had just cut up some potatoes for Jojos as was about to pop them in the oven when I thought "Hmmm, "real" Jojos are deep fried not baked, which I don't want to do, but I wonder how they would turn out if I coated them in a little of this shortening?" So I did. I melted about 1/4 of oil, added herbs and spices, and tossed that with the potatoes. When they came out of the oven they looked amazing! Normally our baked Jojos are a little dry but these were fluffy, crispy, and moist! The kids went nuts over them and begged me to make them like that every time.


Want your own Organic Palm Shortening?

Win it!
Tropical Traditions is giving one Junior *Gluten-Free* Chefs reader a gallon of Organic Palm Shortening!

Mandatory: Go to Tropical Traditions catalog of recipes, find one that looks good, and leave a comment telling us why that recipe looks the most interesting to you.  Your comment will be entered into the contest.  

Giveaway ends on 4/11/2011. I will use random.org to choose a wining comment. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to their winning notification before another winner is chosen. Open to US and Canadian residents. 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.


Optional bonus entries
May be completed after the mandatory entry. Leave a comment for each task completed.

*Follow Junior GF Chefs on Google Friend Connect (1 entry)
*"Like" Junior GF Chefs on Facebook (1 entry)
*Follow @TropTraditions on Twitter (1 entry)
*Follow @JuniorGFChefs on Twitter(1 entry)
*Tweet this contest   (1 entry per day)
*Subscribe to Junior GF Chefs via reader. (1 entry)
*Blog this giveaway (5 comments and leave link)
*Post this giveaway on your facebook (5 comments and leave link)
*Posy this giveaway on any giveaway site ( 5 comments and leave link)
Good Luck!!

ALSO: if you ever decide to place an order at Tropical Traditions you can receive a free copy of their Virgin Coconut Oil book! When you checkout and choose “Referred by a Friend” and enter our
User ID: 6683520 on your first online order, the book will be automatically added to your order!
(When you fill in your account information, there is a place to choose "How did you hear of us?" In the drop down menu, you will choose "Referred by a friend." Underneath this will be a place that says: "Referred by (User ID):" with a place to type in our Tropical Traditions user ID, which is: 6683520)

Disclaimer: Tropical Traditions provided us with free samples of these products 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.

58 comments:

  1. http://www.freecoconutrecipes.com/index.cfm/2011/3/21/no-bake-coconut-cocoa-chewy-bites

    I would make these because I can't have regular no bake cookies right now and these seem similiar. I can't wait to try them!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I like tropical traditions on facebook

    ReplyDelete
  3. I like Jr Gf Chefs on facebook

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  4. I would make the No Bake Coconut Cocoa Chew Bites (boy is that hard to say without twisting my tongue!) because they look really good, are gluten free naturally and easy to make, and don't require baking! And best of all, they're chocolate!

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  5. And, I already follow @juniorGFChefs on twitter. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. I liked jrgf chefs and tropical traditions on facebook

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  7. I would try the Gluten Free Cinnamon Raisin Bread, because I'be loved Raisin Bread since I was a kid and I have never seen a Gluten Free version.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Coconut Citrus Fudge
    http://www.freecoconutrecipes.com/recipe_Coconut_Citrus_Fudge.htm
    I want to try this because it sound good and unusual.
    cjwallace43 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  9. "Like" Tropical Traditions on Facebook (Cathy Wallace)
    cjwallace43 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. "Like" Junior GF Chefs on Facebook (Cathy Wallace)
    cjwallace43 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Follow @TropTraditions on Twitter @cjwallace43
    cjwallace43 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Follow @JuniorGFChefs on Twitter @cjwallace43
    cjwallace43 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  13. http://twitter.com/cjwallace43/status/53770026272034817

    ReplyDelete
  14. I would like to try the Chocolate chip oatmeal cookies. These are my kids favorite and I would love a healthier version.
    usborneval at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Liked Tropical Traditions on Facebook
    usborneval at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I am going to try the double chocolate coconut chocolate chip cookie recipe because I have all the ingredients, am looking for a healthy chocolate chip cookie and my two littlest children have been asking to make them for a week!

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  17. Already liked Tropical Traditions prior to this contest, does this count?

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  18. I liked Junior GF Chefs on Facebook! I ordered some Palm Shortening just this week and can't wait to try it! Would love to win some. I've heard wonderful things about it.Also, Thanks for the tip on the roasted potatoes. My kids love roasted pototoes and every time they stick a little to the pan and will try this for dinner the night it comes.

    ReplyDelete
  19. The recipe for double coconut chocolate chip cookies looks good--I love coconut and chocolate.
    slrdowney at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  20. i'd like to try coconut peanutbutter meltaways

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  21. i like junior gf chefs on fb already re morgan

    ReplyDelete
  22. i follow tt on twitter @cabbie413

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  23. i follow you on twitter already - @cabbie413

    ReplyDelete
  24. I want to try the coconut waffles because they are grain-free and sound yummy.

    cu.at.x@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Like Tropical Traditions on Facebook

    cu.at.x@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Follow Tropical Traditions on Twitter @giacobone

    cu.at.x@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. I posted this on my Facebook-Gabriella Iacobone

    cu.at.x@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. I posted this on my Facebook-Gabriella Iacobone 2

    cu.at.x@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. I posted this on my Facebook-Gabriella Iacobone 3

    cu.at.x@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I posted this on my Facebook-Gabriella Iacobone 4

    cu.at.x@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I posted this on my Facebook-Gabriella Iacobone 5

    cu.at.x@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. I tweeted

    http://twitter.com/#!/giacobone/status/54833440205443072

    ReplyDelete
  33. I like you on Facebook

    cu.at.x@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. follow you on Twitter

    cu.at.x@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. Subscribe to RSS feed

    cu.at.x@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. that's easy...i opened up the recipe files and there was a recipe for gf chocolate chips. gf df chocolate chips are so expensive. i'll definitely be trying these.

    mamasimpson4 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  37. i follow you via rss feed

    mamasimpson4 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  38. MMM strawberry vanilla coconut smoothie!

    mommyminded at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  39. I follow them on twitter!
    mommymindedblog

    mommyminded at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  40. 4/5 tweet http://twitter.com/#!/giacobone/status/55505458529697792

    ReplyDelete
  41. http://twitter.com/cjwallace43/status/55532969263243264
    cjwallace43 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  42. Posted on FB
    http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=176471505736323&id=100000204187513
    cjwallace43 at gmail dot com
    #1

    ReplyDelete
  43. Posted on FB
    http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=176471505736323&id=100000204187513
    cjwallace43 at gmail dot com
    #2

    ReplyDelete
  44. Posted on FB
    http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=176471505736323&id=100000204187513
    cjwallace43 at gmail dot com
    #3

    ReplyDelete
  45. Posted on FB
    http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=176471505736323&id=100000204187513
    cjwallace43 at gmail dot com
    #4

    ReplyDelete
  46. Posted on FB
    http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=176471505736323&id=100000204187513
    cjwallace43 at gmail dot com
    #5

    ReplyDelete
  47. http://www.sweepstakestoday.com/cs/forums/p/17240/134948.aspx#134948

    cu.at.x@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  48. http://www.sweepstakestoday.com/cs/forums/p/17240/134948.aspx#134948 #2

    cu.at.x@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  49. http://www.sweepstakestoday.com/cs/forums/p/17240/134948.aspx#134948 #3

    ReplyDelete
  50. http://www.sweepstakestoday.com/cs/forums/p/17240/134948.aspx#134948 #4

    ReplyDelete
  51. http://www.sweepstakestoday.com/cs/forums/p/17240/134948.aspx#134948 #5

    ReplyDelete
  52. http://twitter.com/giacobone/status/56312978676527104

    ReplyDelete
  53. http://twitter.com/giacobone/status/56637968152145920

    ReplyDelete
  54. http://twitter.com/giacobone/status/57224748983267328

    ReplyDelete
  55. 4/10 tweet

    http://twitter.com/giacobone/status/57309210651795456

    ReplyDelete
  56. 4/11 tweet

    http://twitter.com/giacobone/status/57571185109635072

    ReplyDelete