Amber, Author at Rays of Bliss

Find and Share My Recipes on Yummly!

I’m a publisher on Yummly and want you to know that you can use the Yum button to save all my Gluten Free recipes to your personal recipe box. Check out my Yummly publisher page so you can easyily find and Yum my recipes.

Yummly puts every recipe in the world in your pocket. The most powerful recipe search, the recipe sites you love, your digital recipe box, recipe recommendations just for you, and a smart shopping list – all with you wherever you go. Yummly has the #1 iPhone, iPad and Android apps in addition to millions of website visitors. As recipes get more Yums, they get exposed more often throughout all of our platforms and features.

Make sure you use the Yum share button, found at the top at bottom of my recipes!

Zarbee’s Naturals and Sampler Event #DrinkForYourself

Blog, Product Reviews, Reviews

Zarbee’s is known for their products for kids and have now ventured into Adult products. I happy to share with you details of this event powered by Sampler! As adults we so often are busy taking care of others and our families that we forget to think of our own wellness; that’s exactly what the six drink mixes from Zarbee’s Vitamin Drink Mix line are made for. When you feel better and take care of yourself, everyone benefits! If you want to focus a little more on you then don’t miss this #DrinkForYourself Event!

The Zarbee Event will be running from August 4th- August 11th. Zarbee’s is giving away over 7,000 samples of Zarbee’s New Mutlivitamin with Antioxidant Supplements.

If you are as excited as I am about Zarbee’s drinks for adults then read below to learn how to be part of this event!

Event Details

You will need to GO HERE for details about the Zarbee’s Sampler Event.

Buddy up!

This event only allows users to send a sample to friends. You will want to “Send to Friend” and find a friend to buddy up with so you can send each other Zarbee’s samples! Also, you can send samples to FIVE friends! So be sure to share these awesome samples with your friends and family!

About the new Zarbee’s Vitamin Drink Mixes:

Zarbee’s has made taking care of yourself easy with their new drink mixes made with handpicked, wholesome ingredients (like green tea, ginger, and honey). The quick-dissolving blends are the easiest and tastiest way to boost your water with vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients. With the SIX flavors your are sure to find the perfect mix for your health routine! Even on your busiest days you will be able to take your vitamins in a yummy drink! I love keeping a few pouches in purse for when I am out and to share with my friends!

The new Multivitamin with Antioxidant Drink Mix

Refreshing mixed berry flavor
Dissolves quickly in cold water
Formulated with 12 essential vitamins including A, C, D, and B12
Made with selenium, a powerful antioxidant
Contains no alcohol, artificial sweeteners, flavors, or dyes

Multivitamin with Antioxidant Supplement

Drink 12 essential vitamins and antioxidants plus selenium in one refreshing supplement blend. Flavored naturally with mixed berries and made to mix with cold water, it’s a feel-good and a taste-good way to get what you need, even on the go.

Calming Blend

When you need a moment of peace, get it with a special blend of handpicked ingredients to promote calmness. Mix up a hot or cold drink, naturally flavored with lemon and mint, and featuring 12 essential vitamins along with chamomile and passion flower.

Invigorating Blend Supplement*

Need a pick-me-up? Make yourself a hot or cold drink featuring our handpicked blend of green tea and ginger root. Sweetened with honey and organic coconut sugar, it delivers B-vitamins for energy metabolism and promotes alertness.

Antioxidant Support with Honey Supplement*

Whether you’re starting your day off or wrapping it up, our warm, apple-spice-flavored blend gives you all the antioxidants you need. It’s made from a handpicked blend of honey, matcha green tea leaves, and cranberry and apple extracts and enhanced with vitamins A, C, E, and selenium.

Immune Support Supplement

When your immune system needs a little extra support, mix up a hot drink fortified with elderberry extract. Each packet contains five essential vitamins and minerals, including zinc and selenium, and a sweet blend of honey and organic coconut sugar.

Multivitamin with Prebiotic Supplement

Get the vitamins you need to fill nutritional gaps in your diet and do something good for your digestive system at the same time. Our naturally flavored orange drink mix is served cold and contains 12 essential vitamins plus inulin, a prebiotic to support a healthy digestive system.

I love all the vitamin drink mixes from Zarbee’s, especially the Mixed Berry flavor of Multivitamin with Antioxidant Supplement and the Lemon Mint flavor of Calming Blend! Zarbee’s drink mixes are an easy and tasty way to take care of yourself everyday, busy or not! Learn more about the products HERE.

Don’t miss the #DrinkForYourself Event brought to you by Sampler!

It you haven’t already GO HERE for details about the Zarbee’s Sampler Event.

Be sure to keep up with Zarbee’s on Social Media during this #DrinkForYourself so you don’t miss a Sampler!

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Disclosure: I received the compensation for this post. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. rays of bliss is not responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill prize obligations.

Easy Chili Recipe ~ For Chili Hot Dogs, Frito Pie or Just by Itself!

Blog, Gluten Free, Gluten Free Recipes

I have been making this easy chili recipe for years now. When my family had to start eating gluten free I had to make a lot of our foods from scratch and I quickly discovered how easy some of the recipes were, like this chili!

Before making my own chili I use to buy canned chili or chili packets to add to ground beef, this recipe taste so much better and is made with better ingredients.

This chili recipe is really easy to make and is quick to prepare. It is my go to meal when we are in a crunch. I like the options it gives too; one of my boys will eat as a chili hot dog, one will eat it with chips for a “Frito Pie” meal, or we can just eat by itself with cheese and sour cream on top! This hot dog pictured is gluten free; the all-purpose flour used in the chili is gluten free, the bun is a Kinnikinnick hot dog bun (found in the freezer section).

Easy Chili Recipe

rays of bliss

Easy Chili Recipe. Simple ingredients, Quick to prepare and taste great! Perfect chili for chili hot dogs, frito pie or to eat by itself!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

2 lbs ground beef
16 oz tomato sauce
1 cup water
16 oz pinto beans rinsed and drained
1 small onion chopped or 1/3 cup minced onions
1 tablespoon cumin
2 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour I use gluten-free

Instructions

Brown beef, add onion and garlic in saucepan.
Add tomato sauce and water.
Stir in spice ingredients.
Stir or whisk in all-purpose flour (to thicken chili).
Heat to boiling, reduce heat to low.
Stir in drained beans.
Cover and simmer 10 minutes.

This is a very mild spiced chili, so if you want a more heat add more chili powder or even some cayenne pepper.

I hope you enjoy this recipe. Please let me know if you did or how you made it your own!

If you liked this recipe then check out my other gluten-free recipes HERE.

Vacationing with our Tablet

Blog, Product Reviews, Reviews

#spon: I’m required to disclose a relationship between our site and Intel. This could include the Intel Corporation providing us w/content, product, access or other forms of payment.

We just got back from our long weekend vacation down in the Hill Country, near Austin, Texas. We had a great time and made many happy memories during our trip. This vacation is the first time we have traveled with a tablet, my new Intel Tablet, the Toshiba Encore™ 2. It made the trip more enjoyable for the boys especially during the long drive down and the few times it rained and got stuck inside our room.

The tablet is very travel friendly. I didn’t have to pack/bring a larger laptop or use the small screen of my phone. My Toshiba Encore™ 2 is super lightweight and thin but still has a nice and clear 10.1-inch screen. I really liked being able to browse the internet and check on a few things online from the tablet.

I really try my best to stay unconnected with anything on the internet or work related when on vacation but I did have a couple of emails and blog related work I had to check on a few times really quick. The tablet was great for this because it works more like a computer than my phone does and the screen is much easier to read. I hate to bring my laptop on vacation so that is never an option.

Keeps the kids entertained with videos and apps. My three young sons preferred the tablet over my phone for playing games and watching videos. It came in handy a few times when the boys started asking if we there yet on the trip down and on the way back.

Unfortunately, it rained a few times while we were on vacation but between card games, puzzles and playing on the tablet we were able to keep the kids entertained in the condo we rented. They played a few of their favorite games we downloaded from the Windows Store and they watched videos from YouTube or Netflix.

Works as a Camera, Radio and eBook Reader: This tablet takes great pictures too with it’s built-in 5MP auto-focus rear camera for photos and video. Now, the tablet is not something I just carry around to the lake or on trips out and about, but I did take several pictures of us in our condo room and on the patio.

The stereo speakers work really great with the Toshiba Encore™ 2 onboard stereo speakers and Dolby® Digital Plus audio. You can use apps like Xbox® Music & Video, I Heart Radio and other music apps to listen to all your favorite tunes. We spent a few nights on the patio looking at the lake, watching sunsets and listening to music.

I read every night before I go to bed and I definitely prefer reading my ebooks from my tablet. The screen size and clearness is awesome for reading. Also, it has extend battery life rating of up to 11 hours, so no going dead in the middle of a chapter.

Other Features:

New Windows®, , easily synchronize and share content across your other Windows® devices.
One-year subscription to Office 365™ Personal.
Fast startup and extend battery life rating of up to 11 hours.
Built-in Micro USB 2.0 and a Micro HDMI® port
Webcam Plus Camera.
Built-in storage plus a microSD™ card slot.

If you have not taken your tablet on vacation before I highly recommend it; you will find so many ways it comes in handy. If you do not own a tablet or need a new one, then I highly recommend checking out Intel Tablets. They provide performance, security, and battery life in mobile, flexible, and reliable computing solutions for home life, education, healthcare, and business.

I would love to hear how you are using your tablet while on vacation! Leave a comment below!

Ecocentric Mom & Baby Subscription Box ~ June 2015

Blog, Kids & Baby Reviews, Product Reviews, Reviews

I was sent an Ecocentric Mom & Baby Subscription Box for free in exchange for my honest opinion.

Looking for an easy way to find new natural and organic products for mom and baby? Check out Ecocentric Mom Box, a monthly subscription box service, and you will be discovering new natural, sustainable, organic, and ethical products with every box! Ecocentric Mom’s goal to make lives easier for moms by educating them about toxins in products and introducing them to safe, natural and eco-friendly brands. With each subscription box they also include tips and information on fitness, green living and healthy food choices.

What’s in the Box:

Each box will contain 5-9 hand selected products that will be gentle on your body and the earth, as well as green and healthy living tips. There will be a mix of large sample sizes and full sizes with a retail value of $24-$50+ per box.

May/June 2015 Box:

So many great brands included in this months box for baby and me! The box was filled with 8 products for baby and me. Many of the brands I had not tried before, like the toxin free Lillian Eve nail polish!

Lilian Eve – Lillian Eve is a mompreneur founded nail polish company committed to living a colorful life. Our nail polishes are vegan, cruelty-free, and toxin-free. Sweet Dreams and Bliss are two of our most popular polishes from our new spring collection, Just Breathe.
Product Pricing: $12 for 0.5 fl oz or 15 ml – No expiration.

Weleda – Cream Bath from Weleda, makers of natural skin and baby care since 1921, is a gentle, all-natural milk bath and baby wash made with Biodynamic® calendula to softly clean and leave a warming, protective layer on your baby’s skin.
Product Pricing: $17, 6.8 fl oz.

Coupon Code: Promo code: ECOCENTRICMOM. Valid March 15-July 15. Offer: 20% off any order of Weleda Baby Care at usa.weleda.com.

Simply 7 Snacks – Nature is beautiful and it tastes great! Why mess with perfection? We believe you can balance healthiness with taste to be deliciously wholesome. Simply 7 ensures that every ingredient is not only natural but is SIMPLE. Their 7 core standards are: 0 Grams Trans Fat and No Cholesterol, Gluten-free, All Natural Recipes, No artificial colors or flavors, No Preservatives, Simple Ingredients and Simply Delicious.
Product Pricing: Hummus Sea Salt 1oz – $1.00, Quinoa Sea Salt 0.8 oz, $1.00

Book – Sing-Along Fun – Exciting new sing-along series with stunning illustrations to engage and entertain little ones! This Sing-Along Fun series brings to life some of the most famous nursery rhymes. These books include the famous rhymes Old MacDonald Had a Farm; The Wheels on the Bus; Row, Row, Row Your Boat; and Five Little Monkeys. Charming illustrations make these books the perfect introduction to classic nursery rhymes! The Carry-Me handle makes it easy for children to take their book with them wherever they go.
Product Pricing: $6.99

NurturMe – NurturMe is the first and only family of certified-organic, dried fruit and veggie meals and snacks created to nourish healthy growth and overall wellness in little ones. For this NurturMeal, simply mix with water, breast milk for formula. All of NurturMe’s products are kosher, non-GMO, and gluten free. Live a yummy life!
Product Pricing: $1.19

Goddess Garden – We created Goddess Garden because our family loves the great outdoors. Unlike traditional chemical sunscreens, Goddess Garden is safe, effective, biodegradable, and free from harmful chemicals.
Product Pricing: $14.99-$17.99 for 3.4 oz bottle

Bella Organics (For Baby)– Unscented Body Butter. Made with only 5 simple organic ingredients, our body butter is safe for both mom & delicate baby skin! Bella Organics body butter has a wonderful creamy texture and does not contain any water, so a little goes a long way!
Product Pricing: (ALL) 0.25 ounces for $3.99

What I love best about this subscription box is that I will actually use every product in the box and I feel confident the items are safe for my family. I am very pleased with the selection in this months box; my favorites are the Lillian Eve nail polish (on my toes now!) and the yummy chips from Simply 7 Snacks! My 5 year old and 2 year old just love the Old MacDonald book and look at it all the time. Another great box from Ecocentric Mom this month!

Ecocentric Mom is the perfect subscription box service for me and Ecocentric Mom has the perfect box for you too! You have 3 different boxes to choose between: the mom, the pregnancy, or the mom & baby box. Also, Ecocentric Mom will be releasing a Women’s box soon that you can pre-order now. Boxes ship Every-Other-Month.

Ecocentric Mom boxes can be purchased as a single box (one delivery) for $24 or as a monthly subscription for 3 deliveries for $72 or 6 deliveries for $144. All deliveries have Free Shipping to the US! I think this is great value considering each box contains $25-$50 worth of products!Ecocentric Mom Box is a great gift idea but also a way to help other moms learn about green living and making healthy choices!

Visit Ecocentric Mom to learn more about their Subscription Box Service.
Connect with Ecocentric Mom on:Facebook| Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I received the products mentioned above for free. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Blue Lizard has got You Covered this Summer!

Blog, Kids & Baby Reviews, Product Reviews, Reviews

When it comes to sunscreen I look for products that will protect me and my family from harmful UV rays but also protects us from harmful and toxic ingredients. That is why this summer I am trusting my family’s skin to Blue Lizard Sunscreen. Blue Lizard Sunscreen’s are effective and safe and Blue Lizard is the brand most recommended by pediatricians and dermatologists. I feel really confident in knowing my family is getting the best and safest coverage this summer from Blue Lizard Sunscreen.

Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen originated in Australia, where standards for sunscreen are the highest in the world. Even though Blue Lizard is now manufactured in the U.S., they still adhere to those strict standards to offer the most advanced formulations available in sun protection.

Why Is Blue Lizard So Great?

Blue Lizard is ranked as one of the top sunscreens by the Environmental Working Group (EWG).) I highly recommend checking out all your personal and skin care products out at EWG.

Blue Lizard not only protects you against the burning UVB rays but also against harmful UVA rays – the rays that cause sun damage most associated with aging and melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Not all sunscreens have this capability. All of Blue Lizard products are broad spectrum — and that’s kind of a big deal in terms of skin safety.

Baby & Sensitive are paraben-free, chemical-free and fragrance-free; Face is also oil-free and all formulations are mineral-based containing Zinc Oxide.

Sport & Regular are extremely water resistant. These formulas meet Australian standards of staying on in 240 minutes of whirlpool water.

One really cool feature is Blue Lizard’s patented PBA-free Smart Bottle™ which changes color from white to blue (or pink for Baby formula) when it is exposed to harmful UV rays reminding you to put on sunscreen. Pretty cool, huh?

I really appreciate when a company really cares about people and Blue Lizard really does! Not only is Blue Lizard serious about providing consumers with a safe and effective sunscreen but their real mission is about educating the public about the dangers of sun exposure and skin cancer prevention. That is why they are transparent about their products, listing every ingredient (and why it’s used) and providing the best resources to help consumers understand what makes an effective sunscreen. You can check out their Sun Safety Page for tips and skin cancer facts.

Blue Lizard offers an array of products for every skin type and outdoor need. Five sunscreen formulas available: Baby, Sensitive, Face, Sport & Regular – All are broad spectrum UVA/UVB coverage (SPF 30+…all the coverage you need!)

Blue Lizard products offer the most advanced, high-quality formulations to provide the ultimate in safe, water-resistant sun protection. It’s no wonder Blue Lizard is the brand most recommended by pediatricians, dermatologists, pharmacists, and moms that know a thing or two, nationwide.

The Leader in Sun Protection.

Check out the entire line of Baby, Sensitive, Sport, Regular, and Face Sunscreens from Blue Lizard HERE.

Exclusive Coupon code for rays of bliss Readers.

Use code P20EASYGR for 20% OFF orders over $35. (Expiration 8/31/15).

Purchase Blue Lizard Sunscreen online or find a store near you HERE.

Connect with Blue Lizard Sunscreen On:

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Be sure to use the hashtags: #Wevegotyoucovered, #BlueLizardSun, and #BlueLizard

Disclosure: I received the products mentioned above for free. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Amber