Blog Archives - Page 11 of 26

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

Blog, Dinner/Main Course, 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!

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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!

Hope you enjoy this recipe! 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!

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.

Super Dad Father’s Day Coupon Book ~ Free Printable

Blog, DIY, For Gifts Printables, Holiday Printables, Kids Printables, Mother's/Father's Day, Printables

Here on rays of bliss you will find a special gift for the Super Dad in your life! This Father’s Day give your Dad a coupon book filled with freebies and good deeds he can redeem anytime. Just download and print; any Dad is sure to love the Super Dad Coupon Booklet!

You can download the first page with the cover and 6 premade coupons. The second page is 8 blank coupons for you to fill out with your own special offers.

Here are some coupon ideas:
Clean up my room.
Clean up the living room.
Clean up Dad’s office or room.
Pick up all my toys.
Feed the family pet.
A Big Hug.
Do the dishes.
Clean the bathroom.
Play a game with Dad.
Favorite dinner.
Vacuum the living room, bed rooms etc
Quiet Time.

Instructions: Download free printables, fill out blank coupons, cut out (DO NOT cut cover and back page in half), bind together with hole punch and string or use a stapler.

Click here to download the Super Dad’s Coupon Booklet

Click here to download Super Dad’s Blank Coupons Page

If you want a matching card check out my Super Dad Card HERE.

Super Dad Card. Free Printable

All printables and downloads designed by rays of bliss are for PERSONAL USE ONLY. Please do not alter or claim as your own. This file is not intended for resale, nor are the printed versions of this file. Feel free to link back to www.raysofbliss.com if you like our printables.

In the Kitchen with my Intel 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.

With so many kitchen apps and recipes online it makes perfect sense to use my new Intel Tablet for planning meals, organizing grocery lists, reading recipes and more. I now take advantage of the great features of this tablet everyday and can’t believe I ever went without using a tablet in the kitchen!

Why I love My Intel Tablet In the Kitchen:

The Intel Tablet I received is the Toshiba Encore™ 2. The slim and lightweight design makes it perfect to use on my kitchen counter. I find my laptop too large to fit on the counter and my phone screen too small to read recipes or watch videos; I definitely prefer using my tablet. With it’s brilliant 10.1-inch display and ultrafast Wi-Fi®, thanks to the Intel® Atom™ processor, it is the ideal tool to use in the kitchen.

I can clearly see my recipes and videos on the large and clear screen. Loading videos and streaming them on this tablet is awesome and no wires needed with it’s Ultrafast Wi-Fi! Also, the sound is brilliant with the onboard stereo speakers and Dolby® Digital Plus audio.

The stereo speakers are also great for listening to music while I cook and clean. I don’t know about you but I have to have my music on while I work. Actually, the Toshiba Encore™ 2 came preloaded with Xbox® Music & Video so my music was ready to go right out of the box! Other preloaded apps are Kindle® Reader (for cook books) and Skype™. You can discover a variety of great apps for your tablet in the Windows Store. Check out some of my favorite kitchen apps in the this picture below.

The built-in 1.2MP fixed-focus front webcam and 5MP auto-focus rear camera take amazing photos and video; whether I am making a video or taking photos of my yummy creations or my cute little kitchen helpers. I can even share videos and photos to social media straight from my Toshiba Encore™ 2 tablet!

Other Great 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.

With so many great features I keep finding new ways to use my tablet in the kitchen! If you are not utilizing your tablet in the kitchen I strongly encourage you to give it try. 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 in the kitchen! Leave a comment below!

End of School Year Gift for Teacher Free Printable ~ This School Year has been the BALM!

Blog, DIY, First/Last Day, For Gifts Printables, Kids Printables, Printables, School & Teacher Gifts Printables, Teacher Gifts

You can make this easy and inexpensive teacher gift for the last day of school with my free printable! I thought lip balm would be an excellent and practical gift for the last day of school and I wanted to use the wording “This School Year has been the BALM!” so I made this End of School Year Gift for Teacher Free Printable and I’m sharing it with you! My 8 year old son loved it and thought it was very funny!

Just print, cut, and attach a lip balm or two with tape or string. If you want to give your teacher a little more you can add a gift card or use it as a gift tag for a bag.