I scream, you scream…

On Saturday I’ll be in Glendale for Thanksgiving #1 with my mom’s side of the family.

On Sunday I’ll be in San Clemente for Thanksgiving #2 with Kyle’s family.

So while I cook away for my double gobble gobble weekend, I figure I may as well share a fun giveaway with you guys as a way of saying THANKS.  I’m so lucky to have such kind, supportive, wonderful readers friends like you.

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You may have noticed that lately I’ve been raving left and right about coconut, and it’s not without merit.  It’s nutritional benefits are impossible to ignore…and as an ice cream base…well, it’s just plain perfection.

I only recently discovered Luna & Larry’s Coconut Bliss, an organic dairy-free, soy-free coconut based ice cream.

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It’s natural richness creates a to-die-for-creamy texture that totally replicates real ice cream.  However, unlike real ice cream, the fat in coconut milk has heart-protective properties (as opposed to heart-clogging cholesterol).

You may be thinking “wait, isn’t saturated fat BAD for you!?!”

Yes, saturated fats in ANIMAL products are bad for you.  They contain cholesterol and promote heart disease.  But all saturated fats are not created equal, and the long chain fatty acids in animal products (that are so hard for the body to break down and are thus more likely to be stored as fat) shouldn’t be compared to the saturated fats of PLANT based foods.  Coconut oil is nothing like it’s fellow saturated fats.  In fact, it’s medium chain fatty acids have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease by raising HDL levels (the “good” cholesterol).

Another notable fact about these medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) is that they are very easy for the body to use for energy.  They don’t need to be broken down and are thus immediately available, thereby speeding up the rate at which your body burns fuel.  In other words, it’s the ideal fat for people who typically have a hard time digesting fat (such as those with colitis or hypothyroidism).  And that’s just the tip of the iceberg as far as it’s healthy benefits go.

  • Coconut milk, meat, and oil contain lauric acid, which is naturally antimicrobial, antiviral, and antifungal
  • Coconuts are excellent for your immune system, and good for your skin, too, which is why coconut is in so many moisturizers and cosmetics

Coconuts are definitely a superfood in my eyes.

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So when the lovely PR people at Coconut Bliss offered to send me some coupons, you better believe I was jumping at the chance.

It was hard to decide which flavor to try first, but I ended up going with Chocolate Hazelnut Fudge.

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Drool.

I ate it straight from the container.  Kyle has already been warned that this is an Elise-only item.  In other words, you touch, you die.  I love my husband, but some things are sacred, and Coconut Bliss is now number one on the list…right after hippie-roons.  🙂

So, would you like to try it for yourself?  For free?

Alright then, to enter to win coupons for TWO PINTS of Coconut Bliss leave a comment below telling me:

  1. A health benefit you learned about coconuts, agave nectar, or any other ingredient in Coconut Bliss.
  2. What flavor you’d like to try.
  3. What you favorite topping for ice cream is.

You can comments on as many of those as you’d like, each will be one entry, so leave separate comments.  Extra entries for tweeting about the giveaway.

***I will announce 2 random winners on Thanksgiving Day (11/25/10) – one Canadian and one US reader – so please specify if you are American or Canadian when you enter.***

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For more information about the health benefits of coconut, this is a great website.  And for FAQs about Luna & Larry’s goods, click here.

Good luck!!

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Comments (157)

  1. Katie

    I learned that coconut helps in lowering bad cholesterol. I knew that the saturated fat in coconut wasn’t bad for you, but I didn’t know why. So, this was neat! I can now back up my rap for coconut with actual proven facts! 🙂

  2. Katie

    I want to try Pumpkin Spice or Don’t Worry Be Happy (because it’s such a cool name!), but those are retired flavors. Pooey. 🙁

    So, I would probably try Chocolate Peanut Butter!

  3. Katie

    My favorite topping for ice cream is crumbled, warm, gooey, melty, cookies or brownies! YUM!!! I want some coconut ice cream now! Haha

  4. Evan Thomas

    I would love the chocolate pb for sure

  5. Evan Thomas

    My favorite ice cream topping has to be chocolate syrup. What isn’t made better with hot chocolate poured on it?

  6. Evan Thomas

    I learned the saturated fats in coconut milk can be beneficial for people with hyperthyroidism.

  7. sara

    Coconuts=HEALTHY FAT! I ADORE healthy fats.
    I would love to try chocolate peanut butter. Seriously, how can you go wrong with that?
    Sprinkles are my favorite topping for ice cream. I’m five, but who cares?

  8. Erin Richards

    Coconut helps to lower cholestorol plus it’s delicious! I want to try the chocolate peanut butter- LOVE that combo. I love reese’s cups as toppings…see a pattern?

  9. maren

    learned that saturated fats are only considered bad when they are from animals, and contain cholesterol

  10. maren

    i would love to try their retired flavor, pistachio cardamom

  11. maren

    my favorite topping for ice cream is almond butter/peanut butter!

  12. Julia

    I would absolutely try chocolate hazelnut fudge because hazelnuts are my fave… or mint galactica!!

  13. julie

    i’m gonna start with the third one first.

    i seriously fall head over heels for rainbow sprinklessssss

  14. Julia

    Coconut helps prevent osteoporosis! We need are bones to be strong!
    Also it does not form harmful by-products when heated to normal cooking temperature like other vegetable oils do. We need to take care of our Earth!

  15. Julia

    favorite ice cream topping… hot fudge, by far. warm, chocolatey, gooey goodness with cold, creamy ice cream.. nothing better.

  16. Julia

    p.s. I’m American

  17. julie

    also this is a very hard decision but it’s either between the mint galactia or the cherry amaretto. gah i couldnt decide!

  18. Paige

    I did NOT know that consuming coconut had the same effects on skin as an external application…very interesting!

  19. Paige

    The flavor I’d like to try is the same one you got: Chocolate Hazelnut Fudge. Here’s hoping it’s Nutella in ice cream form…

  20. Paige

    My favorite topping for ice cream is graham cracker crumbs!

  21. susan

    Coconut oil is a great moisturizer too. I’ve been using it instead of lotion on my arms and legs for the past few weeks and my skin feels, looks, and smells great.

    The chocolate pb flavors sounds to die!

  22. susan

    And my favorite ice cream topping is cereal!

    Thanks for a great giveaway Elise!

  23. Melissa

    I would love to try the Chocolate Hazelnut! Sounds like a great combo!

  24. Melissa

    My favorite toppings for ice cream are whipped cream and a maraschino cherry. Occasioanlly, some rainbrow sprinkles too, but it depends on whether or not I’m in the mood for them.

  25. jds

    I didn’t know that eating coconut actually helps moisturize skin! Sounds like a good reason to eat this ice cream to me!

  26. jds

    the chocolate hazelnut sounds like nutella ice cream… aka amazing!

  27. kait
  28. kait

    I had no idea about all of the skin benefits! People sometimes use it as moistuizer

  29. kait

    I think I’d like to try the dark chocolate flavor the most… hard to go wrong with dark chocolate

  30. adrianna

    most likely chocolate PB, but dark chocolate comes in a close second…i’d have to play eenie meenie for that one.

    love how good coconut is for your skin…smoothing, nourishing. i have terrible skin, and anything i can do to help it a bit is much welcomed. especially all natural…and through my mouth 🙂

  31. Abby

    I want to try the naked almond fudge…it looks so good! and i am American.

  32. Abby

    My favorite topping is granola, or any other cereal for that matter, I love the crunch!

  33. Abby

    Coconut is a superfood for sure. It’s loaded with healthy fat that is good for your heart!

  34. Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine

    I’d like to try the chocolate peanut butter!! (US, btw)

  35. hippierunner

    Chocolate hazelnut sounds amazing! And I’m going to be right next door (from Glendale) to you in Eagle Rock! Hopefully enjoying a veggie Thanksgiving from Cinnamon restaurant!

  36. hippierunner

    And my fave ice cream topping is granola and choc syrup!

  37. *Andrea*

    i love topping ice cream with hot fudge : )

  38. *Andrea*

    chocolate hazelnut fudge sounds heavenly!!!!

  39. *Andrea*

    i never knew Coconuts are excellent for your immune system, and good for your skin!

  40. edenseats

    I am glad they are “anti-fungal” cause lord know I eat a lot of mushrooms! 😉

  41. edenseats

    I would like to try the hazelnut chocolate one because I’m a nutella whore

  42. edenseats

    Favorite ice cream topping is something crunchy like nuts or captain crunch. I know, that sounds a lot like breakfast.

  43. MarathonVal

    I learned that plant saturated fat is healthier than animal saturated fat… I would looove the chocolate peanut butter or chocolate hazelnut… And I think ice cream is great on it’s own, no toppings necessary, but if I had to pick I would go with warm brownie pieces 😉

  44. Lindsey

    I am so happy you posted this! I just bought a vanilla pint of this and was almost in tears when I saw the saturated fats. Your clarification came in perfect time! I would love to try this in coconut (duh) or pumpkin. Favorite topping is nuts (yep, I said it). I’m an American but I’ve always wished I had a British accent. Thanks!! Happy Thanksgiving, vegan style.

  45. Rebecca

    I knew about lauric acid and that it had benefits, but didn’t know that it was antimicrobial, antiviral or antifungal! I would choose the Mint Galactica flavor, and my favorite topping is chocolate in some (any) form. I’m American, although I may wish to live in Canada at certain times!

  46. Yin

    Great giveaway!

    I would love to try the Chocolate Hazelnut Fudge. Looks really good 🙂

  47. Yin

    My favorite ice cream topping is nuts!

  48. Susan

    Umm… I didn’t know coconut was good for your skin. And now I kinda feel like I should have known that because it really IS in everything.

  49. Susan

    I want to try the dark chocolate. I got the chance to try a few of the flavours here at the Vegetarian Fair, but I was most bummed that I didn’t get the opportunity to try a chocolate one!

  50. Danielle J

    1. I learned that coconut helps in lowering bad cholesterol.
    2. Chocolate Hazelnut Fudge… YUM
    3. Crushed walnuts 😀

  51. Susan

    Favourite ice cream topping is a cherry on top! Maraschino. Of course. Oh, and I’m entering the Canadian giveaway 😉

    Hope you have fun at both your dinners!

  52. ytotheummy

    I love coconut and chopped toasted pecans! Go big or go home! 😀

  53. tra

    as a topping? hot fudge. seriously. or strawberries!

  54. tra

    and i want to try th eone you have on there! anything with fudge sounds DELICIOUS

  55. Diana @ frontyardfoodie

    Yummy yummy!!

    I love coconut and I use coconut oil as skin care for both me and my baby. It’s great for moisturizing dry baby skin!

    The pineapple coconut sounds like a pinacolada and I would love to try it!

    I like putting sliced bananas on my ice cream!

  56. Kyle

    That coconut contains MCT’s and Lauric acid that are very good for the health! 😀

  57. Lisa

    1. Coconuts are good for your immune system and your skin.
    2. Chocolate hazelnut fudge
    3. Frozen raspberries

    Awesome giveaway, thanks!

  58. Tara

    I didn’t realize coconut oil had so many health benefits! I just thought it wasn’t as bad for you as animal-based saturated fats. The immune and cholesterol benefits are great!

    And I’m from the US. Thanks for doing an awesome giveaway!

  59. Tara

    I’d like to try the naked almond fudge flavor, but they all sound good!

  60. Tara

    I like baked goods like cookie or brownie pieces mixed in with ice cream.

  61. SallyH

    Well, in our house, the greatest health benefit of coconut is that it allows my son who is allergic to milk protein to eat creamy, luscious things like coconut ice cream! I drink things like coconut water for the potassium.

    We love the straight up coconut flavor or vanilla. But I could be convinced to try something out of the box!

    I kind of like plain ice cream, no topping. Sensitive teeth so crunchy, chewy things in ice cream can hurt. I do love some caramel or hot fudge sauce tho.

  62. Mimi

    I’ve learned that coconuts have antifungal properties. Score! Too bad they aren’t consumed more in America (hint hint as to my motherland)

  63. Mimi

    I want to try hazelnut fudge so bad!

  64. Mimi

    My favorite ice cream topping is anything crunchy–cereal, chocolate chips, etc…

  65. Katie

    Coconut raises good cholesterol!

    I’m on a vanilla kick… I’d like to try Vanilla Island.

    And I’m a simple girl… all I need is a little hot fudge.

    Enjoy your Thanksgivings! We’re having one tonight, too.

  66. Jae

    Coconut helps in lowering bad cholesterol 🙂

    YAY:)
    *american

  67. Paige

    I didn’t realize all the benefits of lauric acid — like being an antiviral and antifungal

  68. Paige

    The pineapple coconut flavor sounds amazing

  69. Paige

    Favorite topping? Hot fudge. Simple, classic, you can’t go wrong!

    (oh, I’m a US citizen)

  70. Jae

    Oh man, oh my
    so many flavors
    but I’d ultimately choose:

    dark chocolate bar

    or cappuccino 🙂

  71. Jae

    OREOS are my absolute Fave;)

    anytime anywhere
    oreos

  72. KTBuns

    I learned that coconut helps raise HDL levels! Which is a good thing, for sho.

  73. KTBuns

    If I were to try any flavor… it’d mos def be that hazelnut fudge. 😛

  74. KTBuns

    My favorite ice cream topping is chocolate fudge. Can’t get enough.

  75. sweetkaroline

    I didn’t know that coconut has antiviral properties! that is pretty kick *ss if you ask me!

    I’d love to try the chocolate. And then top it with crumbled oreos!

  76. Natalie S.

    I didn’t know the MCT were easy fats to break down!

  77. Natalie S.

    I would really like to try Dark Chocolate. YUM.

  78. Natalie S.

    I like to put crushed-up graham crackers on my ice cream

  79. Michelle

    I have reactivated EBV, and my doctor told me to eat as much coconut as I possibly can. I’m taking monolaurin capsules to decrease my viral load, but coconut in any form helps. So this ice cream would be almost medicinal.

  80. Michelle

    I love the Vanilla Island, and I’d love to try Mint Galactica.

  81. Michelle

    My absolute favorite ice cream topping is homemade magic shell. I use 150 grams dark chocolate, 100 grams coconut oil, and a pinch of sea salt (I throw it all in a jar on my kitchen scale to make it really easy). Melt it together in the microwave until combined, and then pour it over ice cream. It will freeze over the ice cream just like a dipped cone from the Dairy Queen. But without all the crap in it.

  82. Natalie

    Great giveaway! Ok, here’s my answer to question #1:

    Coconut is good for my immunity and my skin! Sounds like a great excuse to eat more! (Oh, and I live in the US.)

  83. Natalie

    Me again! =) Here’s #2:

    I’d love to try the Chocolate Peanut Butter. That classic combo is always a winner in my book! (Again, I’m a US commenter.)

  84. Natalie

    Ok, last time for #3 from the US:

    I think my favorite topping is plain old sprinkles. Chocolate or rainbow. Not very exciting, right?

  85. Sarah B @ Bake + Bike

    Oooh a giveaway open to Canadians involving coconut milk ice cream?? Of course I had to enter.

    Here’s a fun health benefit I learned about coconuts: apparently coconut meat helps to destroy intestinal parasites! Oh my!

    Also, the saturated fats in coconut oil have anti-microbial properties.

  86. Gloria

    Coconut oil reduces LDL (bad cholesterol) and increases HDL (good cholesterol).

    I would love to try chocolate peanut butter!
    My favorite ice cream toppings are fruit, nuts, crumbled cookies or granola.

    Thank you!

    *Canadian

  87. inoakpark

    I learned that coconut helps the immune system.

    I’d love to try the chocolate peanut butter flavor (the chocolate hazelnut is soooo good I haven’t strayed from there).

    And I like bananas and caramel sauce (homemade!).

  88. inoakpark

    Ooops…And I’m from the US (fellow Californian).

  89. hungryforbalance

    The presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, give coconut it’s antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. People worry about the saturated fat in coconut but it consists of medium-chain fatty acids which means that most of the saturated fat in coconut oil is easily digestible and converted into quick energy unlike saturated fats from animal sources that are long-chain fatty acids.
    *I’m from the US

  90. hungryforbalance

    I have so many food allergies this is one treat I can actually eat although I haven’t tried yet. I would love to try the Dark Chocolate or the Cappuccino flavors 😉
    *from US

  91. Michelle

    Before this post, I had never thought about the difference in saturated fats from animals vs. plants. It just makes perfect sense but I’d never considered it. Thanks for pointing it and for teaching me something!

  92. Michelle

    I’d love to try the Chocolate Peanut Butter or the Naked Coconut. Yum!

  93. Michelle

    My favorite ice cream topper is definitely peanut butter! And, I’m from the US.

  94. Sally.H

    saturated fat in coconut is not bad like the sat.fat in animal as it is a medium chain fatty acid!

    (i am a canadian)

  95. Sally.H

    pineapple coconut or naked coconut sounds DREAMY

    (i am a canadian)

  96. Sally.H

    favourite icre cream topping would have to be nuts (crushed almonds), graham crackers, or cereal for some CRUNCH!

  97. actorsdiet

    ooooh man. coconut bliss – love that stuff! i would love to try the chocolate PB

  98. actorsdiet

    my fave ice cream topping is bananas, though i guess that would lie underneath, not on top…

  99. actorsdiet

    i learned coconuts are good for your immune system. SCORE!

  100. Jessie

    I would try the Cappuccino! OMGYUM.
    PS- American!

  101. Jessie

    Favorite ice cream topping… that’s such a hard question! But real, legit hot fudge is pretty hard to beat. 🙂 (PS- Still American.)

  102. Jessie

    I didn’t know about lauric acid and it’s antimicrobial/antifungal/anti-badness properties. Totally cool! (Still from the US.)

  103. Ellie

    Coconut can lower your cholesterol- who knew?

  104. Ellie

    Mint Galactica or Chocolate PB!

  105. Ellie

    And absolutely topped with chocolate sauce.

  106. Ellie

    Actually chocolate sprinkles are pretty delicious as well.

  107. Holly

    holy shiz…i NEED to win this. if it wasn’t for my wallet, i would be eating coconut bliss everyday of my life.

    (1) the saturated fat in coconut is actually an MCT (medium chain triglyceride) and is processed differently than bad saturated fats, which means you should not be scared of it.

    (2) i have yet to try the cherry amaretto flavor. it needs to happen.

    (3) my toppings are totally dependent upon my ice cream flavor. sorry to be a high maintenance commenter, but that’s how i roll.

  108. kelly g.

    1. Coconut-based ice creams are useful for vegans with soy allergies!

    2. Cherry Amaretto, for sure.

    3. Cherries!

    & I live in the US 🙂

  109. Tay

    I’m still so interested in the fact that coconut oil as a saturated fat is good for you! I asked my sports nutrition teacher about this when we were discussing different fats, and he said the studies are still out there. But it does seem to help promote fat loss!

  110. Tay

    My favorite topping is crushed oreos

  111. Tay

    I would want to try cappucino most

  112. Nhung

    My favorite ice cream topping has to be coconut shavings and some crushed peanuts. Its amazing!

    PS I’m American.

  113. Nhung

    I think I would want to try the Chocolate Hazelnut! It sounds delicious. I wonder if it taste anything like nutella. But I love chocolate and I love hazelnut so I bet I love it as an ice cream ;]

  114. Krista

    I learned that the saturated fat is not the same as animal sat. fat.

  115. Krista

    I would love to try the plain coconut flavor because I love anything coconut!

  116. Krista

    I love caramel syrup and graham cracker crumbles. I am from the U.S. states.

  117. Sarah B @ Bake + Bike

    Me again! My favourite ice-cream topping of late is home-made cookies- ’cause when you’re having dessert, might as well go all out, right?

    The combination of spicy chocolate ice cream + ginger snaps is especially delicious, but plain ‘ol vanilla with oatmeal cookies works well too!

  118. Sarah B @ Bake + Bike

    +I’m from Canada.

  119. sal

    I learned that coconut improves digestion and absorption of nutrients. Guess we should be eating coconut ice cream with every meal! (I’m from the US)

  120. sal

    I would love to try either the chocolate peanut butter or the naked coconut flavors. Sounds delicious!

  121. sal

    I’m not usually a toppings person for my ice cream… but ice cream melting on top of a warm chocolate chip cookie or brownie is always delicious! (US)

  122. Valerie

    I learned that coconut is great for our immune systems. I had no idea it had those benefits.

  123. Valerie

    My favorite ice cream topper is peanut butter!

  124. Valerie

    I want to try the Pineapple Coconut flavor the most – so tropical!

  125. Paula

    I LOVE Coconut Bliss! I recently found out I am allergic to dairy, and since ice cream is one of my favorite things, I think I would die without Coconut Bliss. Luna & Larry are my heros!

    I also found out I have hypothyroidism, so I was super jazzed to find out that MCT’s are good for hypothyroid 🙂 (Not so jazzed about sea vegetables being good for hypothyroid!)

  126. Paula

    I have not yet tried Chocolate Peanut Butter! I need some STAT!

  127. Paula

    One of my most favorite ice cream toppings is warm caramel…mmmmmmm *drool mmmmmmm

  128. Diana

    I’d love to try the Chocolate Peanut Butter or Naked Coconut flavors!

  129. Diana

    I had no idea how good for you the MCT’s in coconut milk were! How cool!

  130. Diana

    This may be boring, but my favorite ice cream topping will always be butterscotch!

  131. elaine

    favorite ice cream topping of all time are smashed peanut butter cups!

  132. elaine

    the coconut bliss chocolate peanut butter flavor has my heart hands down!

  133. elaine

    coconut has antifungal and antimicrobial qualities, which is why I love using coconut oil as my nightly facial moisturizer!

  134. Melissa

    I learned that coconut fat actually stimulates metabolism!

  135. Melissa

    I would love to try the Chocolate Peanut Butter flavor!!

  136. Melissa

    My favorite ice cream topping is oreo crumbles!

  137. Allison

    My favorite topping for ice cream is melted chocolate mixed with coconut oil to make a “magic shell”.

  138. Allison

    I want to try the chocolate peanut butter!

  139. Sarah

    i had no idea all fats wernt created equal!

  140. Sarah

    I cant choose which flavor, either the chocolate hazelnut or peanut butter chocolate. The naked almond fudge sounds good though too!

  141. Sarah

    i like vegan chocolate peanut butter cups and newman oreos on my ice cream!

  142. Liz

    Coconut helps to lower cholesterol!

  143. Liz

    That Chocolate Hazelnut Fudge looks amazing…I am a huge Nutella fan, so the chocolate-hazelnut combo is a favorite!

  144. Liz

    My favorite ice cream topping is hot fudge…yum!

  145. Alli

    I love putting freshly sliced bananas on my ice cream !

    – US

  146. brooke

    I learned recently that coconut oil is great for your skin and face. I now use organic coconut oil as my moisturizer. It also is a WONDER at removing eye makeup!

  147. brooke

    I am DYING to try any chocolate flavor of this ice cream. Chocolate and coconut are a match made in heaven!

  148. brooke

    I love mixing vanilla coconut ice cream with fresh berries and granola. yum!

  149. Adam

    O.M.G. finally a contest where i may have a chance 😉 Even though i am technically not Canadian, i live here, so there. I learned so many fun facts about coconut, but the one that stands out the most is the fact that coconut has antimicrobial properties. I believe i have heard this before, but it sounds much more interesting coming from you in a post surrounding vegan ice cream… And my favorite ice cream topping? COCONUT! or cashews… love those 2.

  150. kh18

    I learned that coconut has antimicrobial properties. Also, I am american.

  151. Kh

    I would pick the vanilla island flavor

  152. Kh

    My favorite topping for ice cream is sprinkles!

  153. suki @ [Super Duper Fantastic]

    hazelnut fudge or chocolate pb !! 🙂

  154. Mandiee

    I learned that the medium chain faitty acids in coconut actually speed up the rate at which our bodies burn fuel. Very cool!

  155. Bianka

    1. I learned that coconut has good fat that lowers bad cholesterol! yumm

  156. Bianka

    2. I want to try the dark chocolate…can you say to die for? omg

  157. Bianka

    3. I LOVE wet nuts on my ice cream (walnuts in maple syrup). I used to get it on my choc frozen yogurt from tcby growing up….no offense tcby but coconut bliss got you beat 🙂

Comments are closed.