Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Cree LED Candelabra Bulbs Review

Disclosure: I received these products in exchange for my honest review. My experiences and opinions are my own and may differ from yours. 

Cree is a market-leading innovator of lighting-class LEDs, LED lighting and semiconductor solutions for wireless and power applications. LED lighting is a high quality, long life and low energy consumption that has ended the century old era of traditional light. However, for Cree this is just the beginning. LED technology will go beyond creating good light sources to deliver vastly improved and entirely new light experiences. Cree calls this 'better light' and belieces that it's your right. 

CREE LED Blubs

We receive 2 three packs of Cree TW Series LED Candelabra bulbs for our chandelier in the dining room. These bulbs look and light just like traditional incandescent candelabras. They are dimmable and use 88% LESS energy than traditional incandescent as well as lasting over 25,000 hours! These bulbs are great for indoor candelabra fixtures, wall scones, chandeliers and enclosed outdoor fixtures. My favorite thing about these bulbs though is that they feautre a nearly unmatched high Color Rendering Index (CRI) which makes colors look like they actual do. 

As a blogger the CRI is a huge plus for me as I sometimes have a hard time capturing the true colors of objects and such. For example in my living room, due to the high flush light fixture and darker beige wall color with dark woodwork, most photos taken in that room come out with a kind of orange hue over them. However, now with Cree LED bulbs in my dining room I can take great photos in here as well as the kitchen where I have a Cree light bulb that I purchased. 


I have not had a single issues with Cree light bulbs, not these that I received to review nor the ones I bought for my kitchen and pantry. I am hoping to soon replace all of the light bulbs in my home with Cree LEDs. The LED light bulb in the pantry has been on continuously since I bought it at least 6 months ago, we do not turn off the pantry light, it's sort of the night light for the kids. 

My mom also has chandeliers in her home... I actually managed to obtain this one from her. She now wants Cree light bulbs for her chandeliers as well. My grandma also commented on the brightness and clear real color int he room after I put int he Cree light bulbs. As you can see in the photo, behind the chandelier are photos and certificates of the kids'. Prior to receiving these light bulbs it was darker and a tad tricky to clearly see the photos and certificates. Now you can clearly see them with no trouble. 

Connect with Cree
Twitter @CreeBulb

Have you used Cree LED Bulbs? What room in your home could use vibrant LED Light Bulbs?

Guest Post: Easy Ways to Switch to a More Natural Lifestyle!

Disclosure: This is a guest post meaning I am not nor do I claim to be the original author of the article.

Easy Ways to Switch to a More Natural Lifestyle
By: Maurine Anderson

There are many benefits to be had by living a more natural lifestyle, which must be why more and more consumers these days are making the switch to purchasing more natural products and foods on a regular basis. Switching to a more natural lifestyle can make you feel better, strengthen your overall health, and oftentimes even save you money. If you’re interested in making the switch, here is your guide to switching over to a more natural lifestyle—covering everything from hygiene, beauty and diet to clothing and household cleaning. This list of tips is by no means comprehensive, but it does include essential tips that just about anyone can easily incorporate into their current lifestyle.

Hygiene

What have you been using in terms of soap, lotion, shampoo, toothpaste, and deodorant in your bathroom? If you purchase these items at your local grocery store, chances are that the products you’re using aren’t all 100 percent natural. Here are some techniques you can use to make the switch to natural toiletries.

Make your own products.

You can make just about any hygiene product at home with even just a few base ingredients. Here are some simple examples of how people make their own natural hygiene products at home (or use pure natural substances in the place of commercial products).

  • Soap. Switch to raw African black soap, or use diluted castile soap.
  • Lotion. Switch to an organic oil like argan oil or coconut oil.
  • Shampoo. Try the “no poo” method, which involves using a baking soda paste for “shampoo” and diluted vinegar for “conditioner”; or try making your own concoction at home using ingredients like coconut milk, castile soap, apple cider vinegar, honey, and jojoba oil. You’ll find a great many DIY recipes online to try (just make sure it’s pH balanced!)
  • Toothpaste. Try out an online DIY recipe that uses a few simple ingredients like baking soda, mineral salt, coconut oil, and essential oil, as this article outlines.
  • Deodorant. Try out an online DIY recipe that features a few simple ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, beeswax, baking soda, arrowroot powder, and essential oil. Keep in mind here that you likely won’t find many antiperspirant recipes here, as many natural lifestyle enthusiasts shy away from using aluminum chlorohydrate (the substance in antiperspirants that keeps you from sweating).

Visit the natural beauty section of your local big box store.

Don’t want to spend the extra time and effort in making your own hygiene products? The good news is that many big box stores and grocery stores these days are adding natural beauty and cosmetics aisles, stocked with all kinds of natural products. This makes switching to natural hygiene easier than ever, and you’ll find anything from natural soap, shampoo, and acne wash to toothpaste, lotion, and deodorant in these aisles. And if that doesn’t satisfy you enough, pay a visit to a local natural foods store like whole foods and head to their beauty and health section.

Beauty
As with hygienic products, you can find natural cosmetics in the natural beauty aisles of your local grocery store, or at a local natural foods store. And then, of course, you can try making your own natural cosmetics as well. Here are some of the most popular methods for making natural cosmetics at home.

  • Powder foundation. Create a simple mixture of arrowroot powder and green clay (optional), adding cocoa powder for color. Apply with a foundation brush.
  • Eye shadow. Create your own eyeshadow using arrowroot powder and shea butter as your base, then adding ingredients like cocoa powder, nutmeg, beet powder, and turmeric for your preferred color.
  • Eye liner. Create a small jar of gel liner (for use with an angled brush) using activated charcoal and a few drops of distilled water. (Some recipes use additional ingredients like beeswax and coconut oil.)
  • Mascara. Use a thoroughly rinsed and cleaned mascara tube and brush as your container, and add a homemade mixture of ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, beeswax, and activated charcoal.
  • Blush. Make powdered blush by combining arrowroot powder, beet root powder, and cocoa powder to create your preferred color.
  • Lip color. Combine shea butter, beeswax, and beet root powder to create a rich red lip balm.
  • Perfume. Add your favorite essential oils to the carrier oil of your choice (such as fractionated coconut oil or almond oil).

Food

In truth, an entire book could be written on the subject of eating naturally alone. (In fact, there are undoubtedly hundreds of books already written on this subject.) But if you’re new to the realm of natural eating and are looking for a few simple ways that you can make your diet more natural, here are a few tips:

  • Work with fresh ingredients and produce instead of buying prepackaged foods. For example, if you want roasted potatoes, buy fresh potatoes, olive oil, and rosemary instead of bagged frozen roasted potatoes.
  • Make it a habit to shop at your local farmer's market for fresh vegetables and produce.
  • Remember that not everything that comes in a bag, box, or can is bad for you. Frozen fruit and vegetables, for example, are still highly nutritious, and you can use boxed whole wheat pasta to make homemade mac and cheese.
  • Remember that the word “natural” isn’t regulated by the FDA, so you shouldn’t make your purchasing decisions around finding the word “natural” on food labels.
  • Make sure your food is sourced from safe farming practices, like the ones discussed here.
  • Drink plenty of water. As this article explains, it has more benefits than you might think, and it is an easy substitute for processed, sugary drinks. (If you’re missing the taste of fruit in your drinks, try making fruit infused water instead.)
  • Consider taking up canning. This allows you to enjoy your favorite fruits and vegetables all year round.

Clothing

Really the key to finding more natural clothing for you to wear is to know what to search for. When shopping online, for example, you’ll want to use search terms like “organic,” “non-toxic,” and “natural fiber.” Natural clothing is free of synthetic fabrics (anything other than cotton, linen, wool, silk, cashmere, or hemp) and of chemical dyes.

Household Cleaning
As for household cleaning, fortunately more and more grocery stores are stocking their shelves with natural cleaning products. Even still, it’s actually very easy to make your own cleaning products at home using household staples. For example, a simple all-purpose natural cleaner can be made by combining distilled white vinegar, water, and a few drops of your favorite essential oils in a spray bottle. The web is filled with natural household cleaning product “recipes” for you to try.

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Little Passports Spring Reading List: Garden Adventures around the World!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links meaning I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking my link. 

Spring Reading List: Garden Adventures around the World! 
 
Spring is a wonderful time for garden adventures, both in the backyard and in books. Little Passports asked blogger and child education expert, Deb Chitwood, to create a reading list of great garden books for ages 3-5 and another for ages 6-10. Venture outside with your little explorers and enjoy some or all of this Spring Reading List: Garden Adventures around the World!



And if you missed Little Passports' last blog post on creating life long readers, you can view it here: 4 Tips for raising a life long reader.

Its a perfect time for your little explorer to get lost in a book!

RoseGal Easter Sale Coupon Codes!

Spring Promotion_Rosegal
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links meaning I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking my link. 

RoseGal Easter Sale Coupon Codes! 


Easter Massive Sale: Free Shipping Worldwide+15% OFF with Coupon "EASTER15". 
(Ends: March.31, 2016)
36% OFF+Free Shipping for Most Popular Ethnic Sleeveless Printed Dress
(Ends: March.31, 2016)

Happy Easter! 15% OFF + Free Shipping with Coupon "EASTER2016" for All Apparel. (Ends: March.31, 2016)

Special Offer Still for Women's Day! Up to 50% OFF + Free Shipping for Dresses. 
(Ends: April.2, 2016)

$16.26 + Free Shipping for Stylish Round Neck Plant Print Women's Bikini Set
(Ends: April.6, 2016)

45% OFF + Free Shipping for Sexy Push Up Leopard Bikini Set For Women
(Ends: April.6, 2016) 

Clearance: 47% OFF + Free Shipping for Sweet Puppy Print and Buckle Design Women's Satchel

(Ends: April.6, 2016)

Get $50 Coupon for Free! 
Sign Up and Join RoseGal.com Family. 

Cross Country Wacky Wednesday Sale! Organic K-Cup Coffee Sale! Exp. 3/29

Cross Country Cafe has a huge selection of Keurig Kcup coffee at rock bottom prices!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links meaning I will be compensated for this post if you make a purchase after clicking my link.


This weeks Wacky Wednesday sale features a rare sale on an organic Kcup coffee!

  Wacky Wednesday Weekly Coffee Sale! Every Wednesday we will post a totally wacky sale price on a variety of coffees including Keurig Kcups and Nespresso compatible capsules. Dont forget shipping is free when you spend $59. or more!

NEW email subscribers can receive $5 off their order!
 
Green Mountain Sumatran Reserve Keurig Kcup coffee is on sale for $11.99 per box of 24!
Organic Sumatran Reserve Keurig Kcup coffee
 

And for an exceptional value (and one of our 2015 top sellers)...
Diedrich French Roast Keurig Kcup coffee is on sale for $9.99 per box of 24!
Diedrich French Roast Keurig Kcup coffee
 

For the Keurig 2.0 users...
Green Mountain Newman's Special Blend Organic K-carafe coffee is on sale for $11.99 per box of 24!


  Green Mountain French Vanilla Kcarafe coffee
 

Sale runs Wednesday 3/23/16 through Tuesday 3/29/16 at midnight EDT.

Monday, March 21, 2016

Beryl of Monkeys - 100% Organic Indian Cotton Pajamas Review

Beryl of Monkeys
Disclosure: I received this product in exchange for my honest review. All opinions and experiences are my own and may differ from yours. 

Beryl of Monkeys
 Beryl of Monkeys was created in honor of 'Nana' Beryl Orton who loved children dearly. Portions of each pajama purchase is donated to CRY - Child Rights & You. Beryl of Monkeys pajamas are made from 100% pure organic Indian cotton which is grown on fertile Indian soil and hand-picked. 

Cotton Toddler Pajamas

MatteoStefano


We received a pair of Matteo ($45ARV) and a pair of Strefano ($45ARV) pajamas from Beryl of Monkeys. These pajamas are made of 100% Pure Organic Indian Cotton. They are printed with non-toxic dyes in unisex prints and colors. The pajamas are made of breathable high quality material making them safe, strong, soft and resilient pajamas. They are also hypoallergenic and no harmful chemicals are involved in the manufacturing of the garments making them perfect for even the little with the super sensitive skin.

I love these 100% Pure Organic Indian Cotton pajamas, they are adorable and just as soft as Beryl of Monkeys claims they are! I want a pair for myself! Usually I struggle to get pajamas on the boys after their bathes because the polyester of most pajamas just doesn't glide nicely over damp skin. These are so easy to get on and they don't suction to their skin. I can only imagine how comfortable these pajamas must be.

The boys sure did have fun modeling these pajamas for me.

 
 



I guess you could say that they are just demonstrating how comfortable the pajamas are and how easy it is to move around in them. They were dancing, twirling, jumping, etc. I think that's a sure sign that they like their Beryl of Monkey pajamas and approve of them.

Ezio usually doesn't want to wear anything to bed, but he has always left his Beryl of Monkey pajamas on. Cade on the other hand absolutely loves pajamas! After he wears these pjs he always asks the very next day if I've washed them yet. He loves soft and warm pjs.

Connect
Website
Facebook
Twitter @BerylofMonkeys
Pinterest
 
What is your child's favorite pair of pajamas?

Chili Cornbread Bake Recipe


Chili Cornbread Bake 
One of my favorite dishes is this Chili Cornbread Bake. I first discovered it as a quick boxed meal, but I knew I needed to try my hand at making it homemade. Plus, the box just didn't make a large enough serving to feed our whole family. Cornbread has always been a huge favorite of mine and who doesn't like chili? 

This is such a simple, yet delicious dish to make. You probably already have at least half of the ingredients in your home. You can use either chili seasoning packets or if you make your own chili seasoning feel free to go completely from scratch with it. 

 *All ingredients are not pictured above.*

 

Brown and drain ground beef. Then add in chili seasoning, tomato sauce and diced tomatoes. 
 

Simmer for 5-10 minutes. Allowing the chili flavor to cook into the meat and the sauce will also thicken up a little bit. 
 

 Pour meat into a 13 x 9 baking dish.


Add a layer of shredded cheddar cheese to your liking. 
 

Evenly pour cornbread over cheese layer. 
Bake at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Use a toothpick to check cornbread to make sure it is cooked through. 
 


Enjoy the delicious Chili Cornbread Bake! The bake itself is rather heavy on the stomach.


Ingredients:
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 can of tomato sauce
  • 1 can of diced tomatoes
  • 1 pk chili seasoning
  • 1-2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 boxes cornbread mix
Directions:
1. Brown and drain ground beef. 
2. Stir in chili seasoning, tomato sauce and diced tomatoes. Let simmer 5-10 minutes or until sauce has thickened. 
3. Make cornbread according to package instructions.  
4. Preheat oven according to cornbread cooking directions. Jiffy cooks at 400 degrees. 
5. Pour chili meat into a 13 x 9 baking dish. Layer shredded cheese over meat. Then evenly pour cornbread mix over cheese layer. 
6. Bake according to cornbread instructions. I baked mine for about 30 minutes.