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Tropical Traditions and The Coconut Diet was started through the efforts of Brian and Marianita Shilhavy.
Marianita Jader Shilhavy, CND (Certified Nutritionist/Dietician in the Philippines) earned her bachelor of science degree in nutrition in Manila. Understanding the nutrition of Filipino foods, Marianita worked for over eight years as a hospital dietician and nutritional counselor in the Philippines, using her knowledge of Asian foods to help people recover from illness.
Brian W. Shilhavy, BA, MA
Brian earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible/Greek from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, and his Master of Arts degree in linguistics from Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago.
In 1998 Marianita and Brian returned to the Philippines with their three children and renovated the old family farmhouse.
By this time the coconut industry was severely depressed due to the negative U.S. campaigns against tropical oils in the 1980s and 1990s. Coconut farmers could no longer support their families on the income generated from harvesting coconuts.
MORE of Maranita and Brian's history **.
http://www.coconutdiet.com/about.htm
Peace with God link.
http://www.coconut-info.com/peace.htm
Markets coconut oil for health and anti-parasitic benefits.
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What happened next is truly the miracle in my life, and words cannot come close to describing the inner transformation that occurred in me that summer day in 1979. First of all, a joy and peace flooded my being, such that I had never known could even exist in this life. It was the ultimate high, and it was from the Holy Spirit. It was so wonderful, that I took all my paraphernalia that I used to smoke pot and threw it into the dumpster outside our building. What I had found was so much better than drugs, that I never had a desire to get high on drugs again.
Secondly, the words in the Bible now came alive.
It was as if God was speaking directly to me through them, and indeed He was.
The facts I had studied for years as a kid growing up in church now became part of a vibrant relationship with the living God, and with the Savior of the world Jesus Christ. Having never doubted the facts of Jesus life, death, and resurrection, they now came alive with fresh meaning. I read the entire Bible in about two weeks: I just couldn’t get enough of it. .....
I now knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that God had saved me, not just from a suicide attempt, but He had truly saved me from my sins, and that I was now going to be with Him in eternity: "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5
Since I had dedicated my life to God, I decided to go back to school and study for the ministry.
I did study the Bible for a number of years, and served God in full-time ministry in various parts of the world. But I have also learned that one does not have to be in full-time Christian ministry to be serving God, you can serve God wherever you are.
Today my business is helping people regain their health, and I seek to serve God in that task to the best of my ability.
The Bible says, and science now confirms, that a "joyful heart is good medicine." The Bible has much to say about good health, and not all of it is physical. Our spiritual and emotional state has more to do with our health than our modern rationalistic society and medical system would care to admit.
Cherie and Marianita have put together a wonderful diet plan on this website that really works, and helps people to lose weight. But stress is also a major factor in weight gain, and the best thing you can do to reduce stress in your life is make peace with God! Think about it: if God is on your side and you know He loves you no matter what, how can anything in this life bother us! He longs to have that kind of relationship with you!!
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Healthy Buyer's Club, 2006
http://www.healthybuyersclub.com/join.cfm
The Healthy Buyer's Club paid membership allows you to purchase hundreds of organic and healthy products in case or bulk sizes for significant discounts, and have them delivered to your door!
How much does a paid membership cost?
Not much! As an introductory offer, you can buy a one month membership that would normally cost $19.99 for only $9.99!
You will most likely make up the cost of membership from discounts in your first purchase. During that month, you can make as many purchases as you like. A one-year membership that would normally cost $99.99 is only $54.99 for a limited time! You can lock in for one whole year at only $54.99 and save HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS over the course of the year. We are continually adding new products, so the membership price will increase over time. Lock in now for one year and enjoy tremendous savings throughout the year with unlimited purchases!
What products can I purchase as a member?
There are hundreds of products, and we are adding more all the time.
We carry the ENTIRE INVENTORY of Tropical Traditions in bulk discount quantities*. ...
You will be able to purchase all retail size products, and see the great savings full members receive on bulk items. If you like what you see, come back here and purchase a full membership!
How much will I save?
Plenty! From ten to twenty percent on bulk purchases, and even more on select products such as Virgin Coconut Oil. ...
And ground shipping currently is capped off at $20.00**, which is the most you can pay even if you order many cases at one time! [Special shipping rates apply for Hawaii, Alaska, and International orders.]
HEALTH:
Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, which is known for being anti-viral, antibacterial and anti-fungal.
Coconut oil is also being used by thyroid sufferers to increase body metabolism, and to lose weight.
Virgin coconut oil is also used for making natural soaps and other health products, as it is one of the healthiest things one can put on their skin.
Much research on the nutritional and medicinal benefits on coconut oil has surfaced in recent years.
Much of that research has been done by Dr. Mary Enig. Dr. Enig has classified coconuts as a "functional food," which provides health benefits over and beyond the basic nutrients. She has specifically identified lauric acid as a key ingredient in coconut products:
"Approximately 50% of the fatty acids in coconut fat are lauric acid. Lauric acid is a medium chain fatty acid, which has the additional beneficial function of being formed into monolaurin in the human or animal body. Monolaurin is the anti-viral, antibacterial, and antiprotozoal monoglyceride used by the human or animal to destroy lipid coated viruses such as HIV, herpes, cytomegalovirus, influenza, various pathogenic bacteria including listeria monocytogenes and heliobacter pylori, and protozoa such as giardia lamblia. Some studies have also shown some antimicrobial effects of the free lauric acid."
As a "functional food," coconut oil is now being recognized by the medical community as a powerful tool against immune diseases.
What is Expeller-Pressed Coconut Oil?
http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/epco.htm
Tropical Traditions Expeller-Pressed Coconut Oil is a high quality refined coconut oil.
This oil is processed the “old” way by what is called “physical refining.” The modern way of processing coconut oil is by chemical extraction, using solvent extracts, which produces higher yields and is quicker and less expensive. Tropical Traditions Expeller-Pressed Coconut Oil DOES NOT use solvent extracts. It is made the “old” way by expeller-pressed mechanical extraction. This oil is also NOT hydrogenated, and contains NO trans fatty acids. It is a very good quality food-grade coconut oil.
Tropical Traditions Organic Expeller-Pressed Coconut Oil is made from certified organic coconuts that have NOT been treated with chemicals or fertilizers. It is certified organic according to European and USDA standards. Our Organic Expeller-Pressed Coconut Oil is high in the medium chain fatty acids, such as Lauric acid. Organic Expeller-Pressed Coconut Oil is less expensive than Virgin Coconut Oil, and because it goes through a steam deodorizing process the taste is very bland, unlike Virgin Coconut Oil which retains the odor and taste of fresh coconuts. Some people prefer a bland, tasteless oil. This coconut oil is solid below 76 degrees F. and liquid above that.
Tropical Traditions Expeller-Pressed Coconut Oil, non-certified, is made from high quality coconuts in the Philippines.
This is the “common” type oil that millions of people in Asia consume on a daily basis. It is less expensive than our certified organic Expeller-Pressed Coconut Oil because it does not include the cost of organic certification. We get our Expeller-Pressed Coconut Oil, non-certified, from unpolluted areas of the Philippines where pesticides and fertilizers for coconut palms are virtually unknown. The coconuts typically come from very rural areas in the Philippines, far away from major urban centers. It is also deodorized and processed the “old” way with “physical refining” that DOES NOT use solvent extracts. This is the most economical high-quality coconut oil we sell.
Characteristics of Our Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil
http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/virgin_coconut_oil.htm
This Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil is a truly unrefined coconut oil.
This coconut oil is made on Mt. Banahaw and surrounding areas from organic coconuts.
Coconuts are used fresh (within 24 hours of harvest) from small family farms on Mt. Banahaw and other rural places in Quezon Province, the coconut capital of the Philippines. Only the highest quality coconuts are hand-picked from each harvest.
The volcanic soil of Mt. Banahaw makes these organic coconuts some of the most nutritionally rich coconuts in the world!
Testing done in independent laboratories reveals higher levels of phenolic antioxidants than most other coconut oils. The fresh coconut meat is shredded (wet milled), and then cold-pressed using the water from inside the coconuts to make coconut milk. The milk is then allowed to sit for about 24 hours, while the oil naturally separates from the heavier water.
The oil is then filtered from the curds (coconut solids).
No chemical or high-heat treatment is used, and this oil contains no trans fatty acids.
We do NOT mass produce this oil. It is made by families who are coconut farmers using old-fashioned traditional methods that have been used in the Philippines for hundreds of years.
Our coconut trees and family producers are certified organic according to strict USDA standards.
The families who produce the oil are also trained according to GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) standards and re-certified each year. This high-grade Virgin Coconut Oil has a long shelf life due to the high anti-oxidant properties. The Gold Label standard is our highest standard for Virgin Coconut Oil.
Tropical Traditions Green Label Virgin Coconut Oil is a high quality machine-made Virgin Coconut Oil.
Certified organic fresh coconuts are first dried and then the oil is cold-pressed out by machine.
As with other Virgin Coconut Oils, this oil retains the scent and taste of coconuts. Our Green Label Virgin Coconut Oil is made in a central location in the Philippines under strict quality control procedures to produce a consistent product that meets stringent USDA organic certification standards. This high quality Virgin Coconut Oil is NOT made from copra, but from certified organic fresh coconuts that are processed shortly after they are harvested. After the oil is cold-pressed out of the dried coconut meat, no further refining is needed.
Tropical Traditions Organic Raw Honey comes from the frontier areas of Canada, and is only harvested during a 6-week period in the summer. Tropical Traditions is the exclusive source of this premium organic honey in the U.S. Most commercial honeys available on the market today come from bee farms, where the bees are controlled within a certain area and get their pollen from usually only one kind of flower. Many of the plants that produce these flowers (clover, orange blossom, etc.) are grown with pesticides and fertilizers as well. In addition, almost all honeys on the market are pasteurized in high heat and filtered, removing many of the beneficial nutrients and enzymes.
Tropical Traditions Organic Raw Honey has not been subjected to the heat of processing, only warmed enough to flow (same temperatures the honey would see inside the hive). We select only premium honey that is pure, smooth and creamy, with the consistency of soft margarine. It contains live yeast and enzymes, because it has not been processed. It also contains pollen because it has not been filtered—merely screened.
Fine textured crystals are characteristic of totally pure, unheated, unprocessed, raw honey.
Properly crystallized honey has a fine, smooth texture. Crystallized honey preserves natural goodness and doesn’t drip. The more rapidly honey crystallizes the finer the texture will be.
In order for honey to be certified organic, the beehives must be placed in isolated areas miles from the dense population, industry, traffic congestion, and farm fields treated with chemicals and landfills. Second, a bee’s flying range is determined by their natural instinct which tells them to stay within their natural four mile range from the hive location. Finding area which can be certified organic is extremely difficult, which is why there are so few certified organic honeys on the market. Tropical Traditions sources its honey from hives in the wild frontier areas of Canada.
These regions are a rich source of wild vegetation that produce some of the finest honey in the world.
The USDA and Canadian Organic Certification implies a rigorous set of standards and conditions that must be adhered to by both the producer (beekeeper) and the packager. All aspects of the honey production including the source of the nectar, forage area of the bees, management of the bees, extracting process, transportation, “lot” management, processing temperature, integrity (no co-mingling with non-organic honey), screening, and, packaging materials, are taken into account in the certification process.
SPECIAL to Nov 18, 2007 --- $299 for 60 pound, 1 gal pail, reg $499
2007-11-19 E-mail Newsletter-Offer
NEW GOLD LABEL STANDARD VIRGIN COCONUT OIL!
Our Traditional Virgin Coconut Oil has a completely redesigned label, and is now called “Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil.”
Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil is the same Virgin Coconut Oil that Tropical Traditions has sold for the past 6+ years, and has now been enhanced to the point where we have developed even higher standards for the production of this premium Virgin Coconut Oil. It contains the highest levels of antioxidants.
in 2001, Tropical Traditions founders Brian and Marianita Shilhavy were the first ones to export “Virgin Coconut Oil” from the Philippines , defining the term “Virgin Coconut Oil” on their websites since there was no industry-wide standard or agreed upon definition for such a label. Their definition has subsequently been used by most manufacturers and distributors of Virgin Coconut Oil.
Some groups have tried to improve upon this definition by including a “no heat” condition for processing Virgin Coconut Oil. But in 2005 Professor Vermont P. Dia of the University of the Philippines conducted a study with some of his graduate students to analyze various Virgin Coconut Oils produced using different methods, with all of them using little or no heat in the processing. Their results were published in December 2005, in The Philippine Agricultural Scientist, and their results became the standard for Virgin Coconut Oil quality in the Philippines.
In 2006 Tropical Traditions had Professor Dia and his students test their Virgin Coconut Oil which is made using the traditional method and includes low levels of heat at the end of the process. It was not among the samples tested in the Philippines in 2005, since our Virgin Coconut Oil is marketed exclusively in the United States. They discovered that Tropical Traditions’ Virgin Coconut Oil tested much higher in polyphenols, an antioxidant, than any of the low-heat or no-heat samples they had tested previously, sometimes testing with antioxidant levels that were twice as high!
(Read Professor Dia’s statement here:
http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/professordiacertificate.htm)
This is further proof that low-tech traditional methods are not inferior to modern mass-produced machine methods emphasizing no heat. We suspect that some low-level heat is necessary to remove any existing enzymes or bacteria from the oil that can compromise the integrity of pure unrefined Virgin Coconut Oil.
To understand the “heat” issue in making Virgin Coconut Oil, go here:
http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/virgin_coconut_oil_heat.htm
While almost all Virgin Coconut Oils sold in the US are mass-produced, Tropical Traditions still produces their Virgin Coconut Oil by hand in small batches by family micro enterprises. Most of them have been producing Virgin Coconut oil for over 6 years. They have learned what it takes to produce the highest quality oil, such as how to hand pick the best coconuts from each harvest.
Their most recent discovery in 2007 came when certain groups in rural areas had problems with water sources. Water is needed to make the coconut milk from which the oil is extracted. Using true Filipino ingenuity, they started collecting and using the pure nutritious coconut water from inside the organic coconuts instead. They noticed that the water separated from the oil much quicker, that less heat was needed at the end, and that less filtering was needed also. The end result was a higher quality and better tasting Virgin Coconut Oil.
Independent laboratory analysis shows that this new method produces even higher levels of antioxidants than first tested in 2006 by Professor Dia! So we now require all of our Virgin Coconut Oil producers to use the pure coconut water from their coconuts instead of boiled or purified tap water. This enhanced Virgin Coconut Oil with the highest levels of antioxidants is now our Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil, and can be purchased here starting today:
http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/virgin_coconut_oil.htm
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