Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil Hair Treatment {Review}

I have mentioned before that I love all natural hair treatments...So natural, in fact, that I use the no-poo method for cleaning my hair (which I love, btw)...I also use apple cider vinegar for a conditioning rinse and if needed I love a smidge of shea butter...and my new personal favorite...

I have reviewed Tropical Tradtions products in the past and was delighted to be able to try this product. It did not disappoint! My hair is happy!!

Tropical Traditions Gold Label Standard Virgin Coconut Oil Hair Treament is fabulous!!

This coconut oil was specifically created to be used as a hair treament, in fact, it has a good deal of protein in it and is super nice on the hair. I, for one, tend to have dry hair and this has been so helpful!

My favorite way to use this is to put a touch of it in the palms of my hands, rub my hands together and then apply it to my hair after I get out of the shower. It makes my hair so smooth, and helps tame my (by nature wild) mane.

I have noticed an increase in the amount of shine in my hair since using this product. Yay! That is something that is somewhat difficult for me to obtain, so I am thankful!

I also have reaped the benefits from smothering my hair in it, wrapping it up for about 30 minutes, and then washing it out. Lovely softness!

Plus, I love the coconutty smell...like a day at the beach. (Well, thankfully since we live at the beach for the next three months this happens often, but you know what I mean).

Oh...and another thing that I love about this product is that a little goes along way. Really, one bottle would last for quite awhile, which makes me smile!

So...I totally recommend this product! 

This is just one way that I incorporate natural products as a way of "beautifying" myself. I am so happy not to be smothering myself in chemicals..I've been there, done that..and I prefer it more natural. See this post I did not too long ago on just how many chemicals lurk in unsuspecting products..

Have you ever used coconut oil in your hair? What are your favorite ways to use it in your hair?

Have a fabulous, coconutty day!

Better get a move on...much to do and so little time to do it.

-kelly

Please note that Tropical Traditions provided me with this product to try and review, but I was under zero obligation to write a favorable review. The thoughts expressed within this review are my thoughts, and mine alone...naturally, I would have it no other way. 

Hello Spring!

Happy Springtime all!!

I hope you all are enjoying the beautiful weather! Spring just draws us outside..we love it! We just want to get outside and soak up the sun and the Springtime!! I love Springtime!! The kids do not like to sit around the house for too long...I don't blame them, neither do I.

Being outside of the house means...I have also fallen a bit behind on this blog and will be playing catch up little by little...lots of fun things to come, be assured! ;-)

Now...those who read my little blog know that I never claim to blog everyday...Even the thought or feeling like I "had" to everyday would honestly drive me crazy. I mean, I love blogging..but I could never be a professional blogger. ;-) Love the blog, but can't let it tie me down. I guess you could say I have issues with commitment. (Don't worry, sweet hubby...that's only with the blog). ;-)

I also blog over at my little itty bitty family blog, and for obvious reasons that takes top priority!

Oh, and you all probably would like to know who won the glass straw giveaway from Strawesome..my apologies for not getting that up sooner. 

The random number generator has randomly chose a winner.

And the winner is...

Comment #2 from Domestic Diva!! She has been notified via email and will will be receiving her new glass straw soon!

Congrats to her!!

More giveaways to come shortly!

Have a wonderful rest of the week!

-Kelly

Strawesome Glass Straw {Review & Giveaway}

CONTEST CLOSED! ;-)

Hello all!

I'm going to let you know a little secret about me...ready? 

I love straws. I do. Love them. Okay, secret is out. And no.. I never said it would be a juicy secret. ;-)

I love how fancier a beverage becomes when sipped through a straw. Ice tea in a handled mason jar becomes so much more classy when coupled with the right straw, come on...wouldn't you agree? ;-) 

Up until recently I have used only plastic straws. Yes, I said it...plastic. 

I was given the privilege of test "driving" okay...let's say test "sipping" on glass awesomeness from Strawesome! Yep, I have been wanting to wrap my lips around a glass straw for quite some time now, and finally I got to try one and I must say...it is awesome!!!

 Here are a few (well, okay..maybe a few more than a few) things that I discovered:

• they are so pretty (see for yourself) take a look-see.
• handmade in the U.S. by stay-at-home mom (pretty rad in my opinion)
• lifetime guarantee against breakage. If you break it, they will replace it. (Being a mama, this makes me happy. I mean, life happens, things break.)
• available in an vast assortment of colors, lengths, and widths. (who doesn't like choices?)
• the decorative version is ingenious! The decorative pieces on the straw not only help distinguish your straws from others, but it also keeps the glass straw from rolling around on flat surfaces. (pretty, yet functional is where it is at).
• made of borosilicate glass tubing (the strongest commercially available glass) 
• they do custom gift ideas (think:they can match colors to match a wedding party or maybe a baby shower, also...they can do personalized laser engraving with possible logos, names or designs/texts.) (the possibilities are pretty much endless).
• 100 % satisfaction guaranteed.

sorry for the poor picture. lighting wasn't great. ;-(
but, you get the drift...the straw is super cute. ;-)

{The Review}

I really do love this straw...it is pretty with the unique dots and swirls (come on, that's a huge plus). I've never sipped through a pretty straw before. (It's the simple things, you know).

Not only is it pretty to the eyes. but it is so much healthier than using plastic straws...who wants to expose themselves and their family to even more plastic toxins? Not me. I, for one, am trying to greatly reduce the amount of plastic I use...and, this straw helps me to make one more leap towards going plastic free. I say "yay" to that!

I chose to try the bent straw...and I like it since I seem to gravitate towards bent straws for some odd reason. But, I do believe that my next straw won't be bent...my excuse to get another glass straw ;-).

I also love that I can take, even a small part, in helping the environment. I mean, seriously, there is too much waste as it is in the world...I love to be taking a step towards less waste and trash. Sounds like a plan, to me.

I love how there is zero plastic taste (well, being that it is glass, this is a given) but this makes me happy. I like how there is no taste other than what I am sipping through the straws. The taste of iced yerba mate teas, sweetened with some liquid stevia, or a delicious green smoothies are all I taste through the straw (just to name a couple drinks I have put the glass goodness straw to use on...plain and simple. I like that.

It washes clean. They even make little straw cleaners, that I think would be good to have around (they are quite inexpensive to boot).

 I have yet to put it in the dishwasher, but will be trying that soon. I, generally, just hand wash dishes since we only brought a limited amount with us to Gulf Shores. But, I would feel like it would be completely strong enough to withstand the dishwasher as the glass is annealed (slowly cooled to make them stronger and less brittle). I love how it is a practical, for everyday life kind of straw.

So, to sum things up..I really like this straw. No, I take it back..I LOVE this straw! I want more, honestly. I want to order at least three more. One for the Hubster, and one each for the offspring. My kids, especially, have been gawking over my straw. The Hubster is digging it, too...it's just he's so much more reserved about expressing his desires to make certain items his own. (I do believe that he wants this straw, though as I can see it in his eyes) ;-) So, there you have it.. I can't keep this kind of goody to just myself for long..I will have to buy them their own special glass straw soon.

Oh, and I also believe having an extra one kept in my purse would be rad, too..they make little cases for easy carry. I like to drink through straws on the go, too..and now that I have converted over to glass straws... this would be perfect!

{The Giveaway}


Strawesome is being so awesome in offering to send one lucky winner a *surprise* decorative "artist's choice" glass drinking straw. So...here is your chance to win one.

Mandatory entry:
Visit Strawesome and let me know (by leaving me a comment) which style straw you like best and what drink you would put the straw in.

Extra entries:  *please leave a separate comment for each one completed, please make sure I have your email address to contact you if you won)*
-Publicly follow 'Kisses from a Coconut' blog (just click the 'follow' button next to this post)
-Follow me on Twitter.
-Tweet this giveaway. Please include @coconutkelly in your tweet with a link back to this post.
-Blog about this giveaway, if you have a blog. (please include a link back to this post).

*Open to US and Canada residents only please*
*Contest ends Friday, March 18th at 11:59 p.m..(CST)*
*Winner will be randomly selected and notified via email*


So here's to healthy awesome sipping...

Have a wonderful weekend!

~kelly~

Please note that Strawesome did supply me with the glass drinking straw to review, but I was under no obligation to post a favorable review for them. The thoughts expressed here are mine and mine alone, I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Beauty can Bite

I came across this earlier today and thought it was important to share...

I, for one, never use to spend much time thinking about what I put on my skin. I thought, "hey, it's got to be safe, otherwise the makers of the make-up, lotions, etc couldn't sell it." WRONG! This couldn't be further from the truth. 

One day, can't remember the exact day...sorry. ;-) I learned about the dangers lurking in those "harmless products." 

When I discovered a toxic ingredient in a product and then proceeded to research more on that particular ingredient I was shocked..uh, gross!! This was the case for any toxin I just happened to come across..each one was eye opening.

Oh, how I wish I had been educated on this sooner. But, alas...since I can't go back and I can only look forward and choose to make better choices.. that is what I will do.

The skin is the body's largest organ, did you know that? I didn't know that for the longest time. Makes sense that what we put on our skin should be just as important as what we eat, as what we put on the outside will eventually be absorbed into our bodies through our pores and into our bloodstream and cells...

Oh...just the thought of all of the sunless tanner I used to cover my fair and freckly skin with turns my stomach. (not even mentioning the make-up,etc) Live and learn...I have learned.

source

I am learning day by day new things...things I did not know about years ago. It is interesting to see how much I have changed as the years go by.  I am trying to rid my system of toxins that I have bombarded my system with throughout the years...in doing so I have done some changing of my ways when it comes to make-up and  products I use on my skin. 

My rule is pretty simple..and I try to live by this as much as I can (though I am not perfect): don't put it on my skin unless I'd want to eat it, too.

Here is a site I have found to be pretty helpful in taking a closer look at cosmetics and such: cosmetics database

So...what do I currently use?

Here are somethings I like to use on my skin and hair...

Make-up: Currently in the process of switching from Bare Minerals (as it isn't as healthy as I once thought). So, I'm still in research mode for the mineral make-up scene. Anyone use any mineral make-up that they love and would be interested in recommending to me? 

Now...granted I wouldn't want to "eat" mineral make-up, but I think you get my drift. ;-)

Lotions: raw, unrefined shea butter as well, as yep you guessed it...extra virgin coconut oil. 

Shampoo/conditioning rinse: Baking Soda and Apple Cider Vinegar (I love the no-poo method). It works beautifully and my hair is very clean...and talk about inexpensive!!

Leave- in hair conditioners: (used when needed) raw unrefined shea butter, extra virgin coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil.

Facial Masks: something I am currently experimenting with. Will update this when I find something I really like.

Anyone else have any natural body care products you like? Any homemade natural body care recipes you'd like to share? I'd be so thankful. ;-)

Have a naturally beautiful day everyone!

-kelly

P.S. Stay tuned...I have some fun giveaways in store for you all. ;-)