Chili Champ Gourmet Gift Pack Giveaway and Review. Thank you Bruce Foods.

With Winter in full swing here in the Midwest, I am always looking to make some comfort food.  One of our favorites in Homemade Crockpot Chili.  I have recently tweaked my wonderful recipe, thanks to some Chili fixings I received from Bruce Foods to review and giveaway to one lucky person.

Here is a little bit about those flavorful ingredients...and then I will share my recipe.

Mexene^® Chili Powder : Created in 1906, Mexene features only the highest quality sun-ripened pre-frost chili peppers blended with cumin, oregano, and garlic.  Mexene^® Chili Powder is called "The Chili Champions' Choice" and is endorsed by CASI, The Chili Appreciation Society International. Mexene is the secret ingredient used in the past eight winning recipes from the World Championship Chili Cookoff in Terlingua, Texas.

Original Louisiana Hot Sauce: The original cayenne pepper sauce of Louisiana, with an 80-year reputation for quality and perfection. This versatile condiment can pep up almost any meal, especially chili, soups and stews. There's only one ORIGINAL Louisiana Hot Sauce, and this is it!

Here is my recipe for some easy and flavorful Chili...(and Healthy as I love to add Veggies)

Ingredients:


2 pounds of ground beef (can use 1 pound of ground beef and 1 pound of ground turkey)

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 large onion, chopped

¾ cup water

1 can (10 ¾ oz) Condensed Tomato Soup

1 can (14 ½ oz) diced tomatoes

2 cans  Kidney Beans

1 can Carrots, finely chopped

¼ cup Mexene chili powder seasoning

2 teaspoons ground cumin

Directions:

Brown ground beef in a skillet – pour off fat.

Mix ground beef, garlic, onion, water, soup, tomatoes, beans, carrots, Mexene chili powder and cumin in crock pot

Cover and cook on low 8 to 10 hours or high 4 to 5 hours.

"Chili Champ" Gourmet Gift Pack for a blogger contest; gift pack includes Bruce Foods seasonings and sauces and other chili fixin's
* I love to use crock pot liners as it makes the clean up effortless*

There are also award winning recipes that can be found at ChiliCookOffWinner.com.

 So who wants to win a......

"Chili Champ" Gourmet Gift Pack? 

(gift pack includes Bruce Foods seasonings and sauces and other chili fixin's)

Enter for you chance to win below and Good Luck.

Clipix will help you organize your life and social media information for free.

I love technology and the places it leads me on my daily travels online.  But, many times I find amazing products, blogs and ideas but forget them later as I haven’t bookmarked them.  And even if I have bookmarked them, rarely do I find myself going back and taking a look at them.  What a shame because I miss out on so much.
I was excited while online today to have found a possible solution to my problems.
clipix

Okay everyone who knows me understands I love to find something useful that is FREE.  Well Clipix is FREE and I now know from personal experience very easy to use.  I made my personal account with Clipix within a matter of minutes.  It was so simple and they provide easy to follow directions to walk you through the process.
The most challenging part of the process was dragging a bookmark called a “clip” button into my bookmarks bar…but thanks to Clipix easy to follow directions…it was a breeze.  You have to take this step as that is how you fill your personalized clipboards with images and information.  You know, the images and information that in the past you would not be able to find again.  All you do is click on the Clipix button when you are on a site you want to remember and store.

Clipix is very eye appealing and I love the customization, such as naming your clipboards to help keep all the information organized.  Plus you can even set different privacy setting on each of your clipboards you create.  So let’s say you create a clipboard with gift ideas.  You can set that clipboard for your eyes only!  Or if you want to share with only family or everyone.
I am such a foodie and one of the first clipboards I created was about food.

And I also created one with my favorite blogs, so I can easily go back and visit them.

The possibilities are endless.  Maybe when I am ready to replace my vacuum, which is coming very soon I can start shopping and Clipix the ones I am considering….humm…good idea….I need to pat myself on the back.
You should stop over at Clipix today and create your Free account.  What would you use Clipix for?  I would love to hear your ideas.
You can find Clipix on Facebook and Twitter.
Oh, I almost forget to mention if you are lucky enough to have an iPhone, Clipix has an App so you can take photos on the go and add them to your clipboards.  Don’t worry you can create as many clipboards as you like and arrange them however you chose.
I love after adding something to my clipboards it gives me the option to share them on Facebook, Twitter and other Social Media with a quick click of a button.
Promoted Post

Rudi's Organic Bakery's 30 Day Brighter Days Giveaway

Rudi’s Organic Bakery Encourages Consumers to Live Free in 2012

Rudi’s Organic Bakery’s 30 day Brighter Days Giveaway on
Facebook inspires families to live a happier, healthier and fun life

Rudi’s Organic Bakery is inspiring people across the U.S. to live free in 2012 with its 30-day long Brighter Days Giveaway. By Liking Rudi’s Organic’s Facebook page, fans can instantly get a coupon good for any Rudi’s Organic product. Additionally, fans can enter to win daily prizes by clicking on the giveaways tab on the Facebook page.

Rudi’s Organic has always been about living free – free of artificial ingredients, preservatives and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) – and is now sharing its optimistic attitude with its fans to inspire families to live healthy, happy lives every day.

 For 30 days beginning Feb. 8, anyone can log on to the Rudi’s Organic Facebook page, “like” the brand and receive the $1 off coupon for any Rudi’s Organic product. Upon entering the Brighter Days Giveaway on the giveaway tab, fans will also be eligible for a variety of prizes that inspire fun and healthy living, such as Gaiam yoga DVDs like “Aim True Yoga,” “Detox Flow Yoga” and “Strengthen & Restore,” a digital camera from Kodak and Rudi’s Organic products, including the new Sandwich Flatz and Bagel Flatz. Users are encouraged to visit the site and enter daily, all in an effort to brighten up their day and learn about the benefits of eating food that is free of artificial ingredients and preservatives.

The Brighter Days Giveaway also celebrates the introduction of Rudi’s Organic’s newest product line, Flatz, the first nationally available, organic sandwich rounds and bagels on the market with only 110 calories or less. As a great solution for moms looking to find organic, healthy options, all of the new Flatz products have 3 – 5 grams of fiber and 23 -25 grams of whole grains per serving. Now when you want a lighter option, you never have to choose between great taste and nutrition. Available now at natural foods stores and select mainstream supermarkets, the new Sandwich Flatz and Bagel Flatz from Rudi’s Organic Bakery include:

· Multigrain Sandwich Flatz (MSRP - $4.59)

· 100% Whole Wheat Sandwich Flatz (MSRP - $4.59)

· 100% Whole Wheat Bagel Flatz (MSRP - $4.59)

· Plain Bagel Flatz (MSRP - $4.59)

Rudi’s Organic was founded over 35 years ago on the idea that there is a better, brighter way to make bread, leading the company to become a trailblazer in the bread industry. Rudi’s Organic bakes bread free of artificial ingredients and preservatives, and pioneered the use of organic ingredients in its breads and baked goods over 20 years ago. Rudi’s Organic products are available nationally at natural foods stores and select mainstream supermarkets. To learn about all Rudi’s Organic products like Honey Sweet Whole Wheat bread, Multigrain Oat bread and Sandwich and Bagel Flatz, along with products in Rudi’s gluten-free line, Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery, visit www.rudisbakery.com.

About Rudi’s Organic Bakery, Inc.

Rudi’s Organic Bakery, Inc., founded and headquartered in Boulder, Colo., is the nation’s largest brand of USDA certified organic breads. Rudi’s Organic Bakery has a long history of baking bread a better and brighter way, by using simple organic ingredients that contain no artificial ingredients, preservatives, high fructose corn syrup or trans-fat. Founded in 1976, Rudi’s offers small batch organic artisan breads, sliced sandwich breads, wide pan sandwich breads, English muffins, bagels, hamburger and hot dog buns, and wraps as well as a popular line of organic spelt breads, buns and tortillas.

For more information, visit www.rudisbakery.com or follow Rudi’s Organic Bakery on Facebook and Twitter.

Discloser Policy

This policy is valid from 09 February 2012



This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation.

The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post may not always be identified as paid or sponsored content.

The owner of this blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers' own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.

This blog does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.


To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org

Simply 7 Snacks Gluten Free and All Natural Giveaway / Review $35 Value

Finding Healthy, Good tasting and flavorful snacks seems to be a daily battle at our house. 

My boys LOVE Potato Chips and would eat them 24 / 7 if I would allow.  It is hard not to give in sometimes to their child cravings...and adult cravings too ;-) .

I have recently found a new flavorful and healthy solution to this battle.

Simply 7 Snacks

Simply 7 Snacks have created delicious and nutritious "chips" with six different types to chose from.

Before I talk about my experiences with the actual flavors I wanted to mention Simply 7 Snacks remind me of  a childhood snack favorite with the way they feel in my mouth...Bugals.  They are so light and airy and not greasy at all.  I loved the shell shapes of the Hummus varieties..they will make a beautiful and fun presentation.  The only problem I found with this healthy snacks is I couldn't stop eating them.  Thank goodness Simply 7 Snacks sent me an entire case of there assort. snacks to review and 1 lucky person is going to win the exact same thing!!

Hummus Sea Salt

These beauties are lightly salted which helps enhance the natural hummus flavors.  I can't wait to enjoy these with some of my favorite dip.

Hummus Tomato Basil

What amazing Italian flavors.  You can really taste the tomato and fresh Basil with each bite.  Each shell shaped chip was covered in the seasoning, as you can see by the photo. 

Hummus Spicy Chili Pepper

Don't worry if you are not big into spicy flavors.  Simply 7 Hummus Spicy Chili Pepper is not overly spicy.  The way they combined the chili pepper with this snack creates a wonderful smoky background with a little kick at the end.

Lentil Sea Salt

These snacks are delicately salted which allow the lentil goodness to shine through.  Yum!

Lentil Creamy Dill

Okay!!  These ones were AMAZING and by far my FAVORITE!  It made me crave Summer's arrival.  These are so fresh and full of Dill Flavor.  It made me think of Greek Cucumber Sauce.
 

Lentil Bruschetta

I wasn't sure what Bruschetta would taste like...but it reminds me of an Italian dish.  I could taste the fresh tomatoes and basil, but I enjoyed the garlic and other spices that combined into perfection. 

	Simply 7 Snacks are passionate about making great-tasting, wholesome snacks for every lifestyle! They have created their chips to be both nutritious AND delicious. All Simply 7 Snacks are made according to 7 core standards and they are oh so simple. . . 1. 0 Grams Trans Fat and No Cholesterol 2. No Artificial Colors or Flavors 3. No Additives or Preservatives 4. Gluten Free Ingredients 5. All Natural Recipes 6. Simple Ingredients 7. Simply Delicious

Who wants to win a Case of Assort. Simply 7 snacks...that means 2 bags of each flavor to enjoy?

Enter for your chance to win below.  Good Luck!

Disclaimer: Simply 7 Snacks provided me with a free
samples of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if
I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or
sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.

Happy Toy Machine Plush Toy Giveaway / Review $29.99 Value

My three year old loves stuffed animals!!! I swear we need to build on to our house to fit all of his "friends" inside. That was until I was introduced to...

Happy Toy Machine

Have you heard of this amazingly, creative and personalized Toy Business, located here in the USA?

I know I was unaware that such unique and easy to create plush toy company was in existance until I was given the opporutinty to create a Regular sized Happy Toy Machine Plush Toy for my youngest son to review and provide the same opportunity to one of my lucky bloggy friends.

I kept my excited to myself and went right on to their easy to nagaviate website... Happy Toy Machine.  I assumed there would be a few choices to make and my son's toy would be on its way.  Boy I couldn't be more incorrect!

Wow!  Is all I have to say...the choices were ASTOUNDING and the combinations that could be created seemed endless.  So here is the steps it takes to create your own plush toy.

You have to select what type of animal, monster, alien, ect...you are wanting to mold into your ideal toy.

Next you are brought to a screen that has limitless features to help you make the toy exactally what you want or your loved one.  It includes a vast amount of options for the head, torso, arms, legs, tail, wings, and horns.  I love the details you are able to customize....

But, it doesn't end there....What kind of facial features do you want?  Ears? Eyes? Eye brows? Nose?  Hair?  Other features like whiskers, mustash, freakles, etc.....

So what colors or colors do you want your creation?  Yes, you get to even chose what colors your creation ends up to be. 

Want it even more personalized?  Yes you can have a design such as a paw print(like I chose), animals, sports, shapes, symbols, etc....embroided on the mid section of your creation...and to make it over the top you can even have your creation personalized with letters on the mid section.

Once you are happy with your new creation you can save it and then place you order for your Happy Toy Machine creation. You can chose between the Regular size which is between 11-14 inches tall for $29.99 or the Large at 20 to 24 inches tall for $49.99.  If you would like to make your plush toy super soft add an extra $5.

I really like knowing all Happy Toy Machine Toys are crafted here in the USA with Non-toxic and Child Safe materials.  All the features are embroided so there is no risk to your child with parts falling off.

I was delighted to see that when my creation arrived in was sealed totally in plastic.  I was nice to know it arrived in perfect, clean condition.

I want to say being a paranoid mother I checked out our New Happy Toy Machine toy throughly over to make sure it met my strick standards.  Well it passed the white glove test with flying colors.  I was amazed at how durable it appeared with the parts like the bat wings and tail being firmly in place.  I loved the softness of my creation, it just made me want to snuggle with it....

But did it pass my 3 year old son's approval?

Here he is waiting for his new toy...he had no idea what to expect.

Here is his response...

His new buddy even passed the flying test....

He LOVED IT!  It is so neat to see how it he toting it everywhere!  He keeps tell me how much he loves it.  I am pleased to see how many adults and children alike ask about him...as he is so unique and special.

 Okay...Who is excited and wants to create their own Happy Toy Machine Toy??? 

Enter for you chance below to win one of your own....Good Luck!

Disclaimer: Happy Toy Machine provided me with a free
sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if
I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or
sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.

Enter Ben's Beginners Video Contest for a Chance to Win $20,000! Thanks Uncle Ben's

How many of you Mom’s love cooking and creating healthy meals with your young children?

If you are anything like me, it seems like one of the busiest places in our house is the kitchen.  I am always in the kitchen cooking, baking and creating memories with my three boys, ages 3, 6 and 8.  Yes, I said 8!  He just turned the other day….boy how time flies and the memories continue to evolve.

I love capturing these memories as the years pass.  I enjoy using my camera and video camera to make digital storybooks of our life experiences. 

Do you have a video camera or other means to make videos at home?  Do you have children between the ages of 5 and 12?  If you answered yes to these questions…I have the perfect contest for you to enter thanks to Uncle Ben’s.  Yes, the company who makes fantastic rice.

Uncle Ben’s is sponsoring a fun contest called Ben’s Beginners.  It is a very unique contest that encourages you to get into the kitchen and create some healthy rice recipes with your child or children.  So start thinking and get your children…take them into the kitchen and get creative with Uncle Ben’s rice….break out the video camera and record your cooking experience.  The video only has to be 2 to 3 minutes to be submitted into Ben’s Beginners contest. 

Submit your video and you could win:

$20,00 + a $50,000 grant towards a cafeteria makeover for your child’s school AND you will have a chance to appear on The Rachael Ray show!

 For more info on the contest, please check out Ben’s Beginners on Facebook!

The nice thing with rice is it is healthy and easy to cook and incorporate into recipes or enjoy plain.  My six year old would live on brown rice if I would let him.  He loves it plain and asks for it on a weekly basis.  I love using rice to make main meals like “pourpine balls”.  What? You have never heard of Pourpine Balls.  It is a simple meat based dish, where one of the ingredients is rice that is mixed with hamburger and spices and rolled into meatballs….hence the name Pourpine balls, as the rice sticks out of the hamburger.  My boys enjoy measuring out the ingredients and pouring them into the bowl.  It is a great way to help with their math skills…added bonus.  Plus, I find if they help in the meal preparation they are more likely to eat a well-balanced meal that they helped create.   

I believe as a parent, we need reminders to slow down and enjoy the simple daily moments with our children.  An activity that can seem so mundane can be easily turned into something special, creating quality time with your children and life long memories.  Think outside the box and enter the Ben’s Beginners Contest Today!

“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Uncle Ben’s blogging program, for 6,000 My SocialMoms Rewards Points. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”

Sprint Limited Time Online ONLY 4 Day Sale until 2/8/12

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Sprint for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Shout from the Rooftops this Super Bowl Sunday Morn……

Sprint is having a limited time sale!

But here is the only catch…you can ONLY be a team player online!

So jump into the huddle and be a part of the Sprint Team.

Get the Nexus S™ 4G for FREE when you open a new line of service or add to your Sprint account.

Did you know the Nexus S 4G is FREE online ONLY! ($50.00 MIR converts to like a great team play to an instant PLUE $99.99 web savings)

And if that is not what you or your team needs…

Run into the huddle again and get the HTC EVO™ 3D for ONLY $49.99 when you open a new line of service or add to your Sprint account.

So that means you can get a HTC EVO 3D at $49.99 online ONLY savings ( $50.00 MIR converts for the team to an instant PLUS $50.00 web savings)

Don’t forget if you are not on the Sprint team….you will not be penalized…

** Get waived activation fee for new lines of service and free shipping on sprint.com.**

This Online Sale only plays from 2/5/12 to 2/8/12!

Dale and Thomas Valentine's Day Six Bag Popcorn Sampler Giveaway / Review $29.95 Value

A new way to celebrate Valentine's Day with Traditional Chocolate....only in a totally different, fresh and tasty way....

Dale and Thomas  

Valentine's Day Six-Bag Samplers $29.95

Gourmet popcorn covered in chocolate stuffed into a beautiful Valentine's Day Six Pack! 

Each bag is one foot long and serves 2-3 people....one person if you are from my family.

Dale and Thomas sent me a Valentine's Day Six Bag Samplers to review and one lucky person is also going to win the same Valentine's Day Samplers.

The six flavors included are:

Dark Fudge with Praline Almonds

This is amazing!! The little pieces of pralines tucked into each bite was breath taking!  It enjoyed the hint of saltiness, it really helped bring out the complexity of flavors.  Dark Fudge do I need to say anything else......just sad to say, "it is all gone"....my boys actually ate more than I did.




Black and White Biscotti

How did Dale and Thomas capture the essence of Black and White Biscotti with popcorn???  It is mind blowing they were able to accomplish this feat....but they did.  It tasted just its name and so beautiful to look at.   The kernels were HUGE!!  Perfectly paired with a cup of black joe.





Twice-As-Nice Chocolate DrizzleCorn




Luscious Milk Chocolate and Creamy and Smooth White Chocolate drenched!!!














Peanut Butter and White Chocolate DrizzleCorn

 


I really didn't know if I was going to like this flavor.  But I was surprised that it was not overly sweet or super strong to peanut butter.  The combination really did work.  I would love to enjoy another bag sometime.





Cinnamon Creme DrizzleCorn

This was like a gourmet dessert, poured over gourmet popcorn.  How do they make this so creamy?  It is creamy and smooth and sweet and spicy from the cinnamon.  Yum...now I just have to figure out a way to warm it up with out the goodness melting.






                                                                                               Double Chocolate DrizzleCorn



What can I say...but Chocolate...Chocolate...And more Chocolate!!!  But there is a little bit of saltiness to cut the sweet. Love it!!







Which one would you try first?......

Don't forget as that is one entry to get you closer to having this amazing Dale and Thomas Popcorn delivered to your home in the 48 Continental US States...No PO Boxes!

So I can say from personal experience you will not be disappointed if you are the lucky winner. Each and every bite is fresh and crunchy. The popped kernels are huge and I LOVE the fact there are not many popcorn hulls. All the perfectly popped kernels are coated to perfection with whatever flavor they are blessed with.

Learn more about Dale and Thomas Popcorn on their website and order some today.

Thank you Dale and Thomas Popcorn for sponsoring such a great giveaway for all my bloggy friends. Your the best and so is your popcorn.

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Enter for you chance to win below and Don't forget NO PO BOXES and ONLY Shipped to the 48 Continental US States!

Disclaimer: Dale and Thomas provided me with a free
samples of these products to review/giveaway, and I was under no obligation to review it if
I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or
sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.

Lucky Clover St. Patrick's Day Event Sign Ups

Announcing...

Trista from Andersons Angels & Courtney from Joy Of Momma Joyner are excited to host a FUN blog hop event called Lucky Clover St Patrick's Event! It will run from 12:01am EST Saturday March 17, 2012 through 11:59pm EST Friday March 23, 2012. It's super easy to join in on the fun!

Rules to Participate:

• You must get at least a $25 prize/package together to be given away during the event. It can be ANYTHING! (Ideas: All Green Things, "Green" Living, St Patrick's Day, Lucky Items, Spring Fun, etc.)
• You must display the event button in your sidebar from now until the event ends
• Participation is completely FREE! All you have to do is make sure the button is on your blog side bar, and write a post encouraging other bloggers to join in the fun! Put the link to the blog post in the form.
• If you would like to participate in a GRAND PRIZE CASH GIVEAWAY, you can send $5 (gift) to tristaeanderson05@gmail.com via PayPal. This will get you TWO social media entry options! (Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Email, GFC, Pinterest, Klout, etc.) The GRAND PRIZE CASH value will be determined when we know how many people are going to participate in that part of the giveaway. The GRAND PRIZE CASH GIVEAWAY will be hosted on Anderson's Angels and Joy Of Momma Joyner. We ask that you refer your readers to either of those two sites to enter the CASH GIVEAWAY!

If you have any questions feel free to email Trista at andersonsangels2010@gmail.com or Courtney at joyofmommajoyner@gmail.com


You will definitely want to join us in this FUN Event! But you've got to HURRY! Sign-ups will end as soon as there are 75 blogs participating OR by March 10, 2012! Your spot on the Linky will be determined by how soon you fill out the form. We are so excited to spread the LUCK together! Don't forget, once you have your blog post up, fill out THIS FORM and put the link to your post in that form.

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