eBook Review: Bliss Balls for Beginners

Today I got to preview Bliss Balls For Beginners!  Luschka was so kind to share her ebook with me.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Luschka lives in England with her husband and two daughters.  She has been on a real food journey since her first child was born, and loves trying new recipes and flavours.  She recently started a food blog, Keeperofthekitchen.com, where she shares the recipes she uses to fill her kids lunch boxes – normally healthy, always tasty, good-for-you snacks.

ABOUT Bliss Balls For Beginners

21 fabulous recipes that can be made into gifts, lunch box snacks or treats for guests.  They are dairy-free, gluten-free, mostly sugar-free and are easy for adults and children to make using common, healthy, lovely ingredients.

WHAT I MADE

I started with the Basic Bliss Ball recipe but added some extra dried fruits to it.  I’m happy to say  that these are DE-LISH!

I don’t want to spoil it for you and give away the recipe ~ that is a surprise for you to find out how easy these really are once you get the ebook.  But I do want to talk a little about some of the ingredients and their health benefits.

MEDJOOL DATES

Medjool Dates contain vitamins A, B6, Niacin, Folate, Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Phosphorus, a high amount of Potassium, Zinc, Copper, Manganese and Sodium.  They are rich in dietary fiber and antioxidants.

They are good for the following:

• Constipation
• Allergies
• Intestinal Disorders
• Bone Health & Strength
• Weight Gain
• Energy BOoster
• Nervous System Health
• Healthy Heart
• Sexual Wellness
• Night Blindness
• Inoxication
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal Cancer

RAISINS

One cup packed full of raisins will contain vitamins C, B6, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium and Protein.

They are good for the following:

• Constipation
• Weight Gain
• Cancer Prevention
• Hypertension
• Diabetes
• Anemia
• Sexual Dysfunction
• Acidosis
• Bone Health
• Eye Care
• Dental Care

Other benefits of raisins include: promoting excretion of bile from the body, stimulates the burning of cholesterol, and the fiber content helps to sweep out toxins and harmful materials from the digestive tract.

A few of the lesser known ingredients that Luschka uses in her recipes are:

• Cacao – this is different from cocoa.  Cacao is more bitter and considered to have a higher nutritional value.
• Goji Berries – this is a Chinese berry full of antioxidants ad used for a variety of health benefits.
• Maca Powder – I had no idea what this was before I read Bliss Balls for Beginners.  Apparently it’s a Peruvian root vegetable that contains vitamins B1, B2, C, E and a range of minerals that aid endurance and enhance energy, stamina, athletic performance, memory and fertility.

I seriously cannot wait to try all the other 20 recipes!  The one we made was so tasty, we finished them all off in just two days.

***

The Mindful Holidays eBundle, featuring 7 resources to boost your holiday spirit for only $9.97 ~ has ended.  However, you can still purchase the individual eBooks from the links below.

What’s in the bundle?

• Pioneering Today — A Homemade Christmas. Melissa K. Norris, 48 pages, value $2.99
• Bliss Balls for Beginners. Luschka van Onselen, 50 pages, value $3.22
• More than a Holiday. Sarah Nichols, 150 pages, value $7.95
• Avoiding Holiday Burnout: 10 Keys to a Relaxing and Enjoyable Holiday Season. Marie James, 35 pages, value $3.99
• Adventures With Kids! In the Kitchen. Chara, 82 pages, value $14.95
• Work Hard, Rest Deeply: 5-Class Series. Jennifer Hoffman, value $28
• Approaching a personal herbal practice, herbalism basics and safety information. Amanda Klenner, 41 pages, value $4

This sale was organized by my affiliate partners Mindful Nurturing and the Nourished Living Network.  Buying a bundle through the affiliate links in this post supports this blog.  Thank you!

Don’t forget to sign up for my Occasional Newsletter!

Disclaimer: This blog post contain affiliate links. I only team up to be an affiliate with compaies who offers products that I believe in whole-heartedly! Purchasing through an affiliate link allows me to keep blogging and sharing what I learn with you. It won’t make me rich for sure, but is a bit like buying me a cup of coffee or leaving a tip for service and is very much appreciated. Thanks for your wonderful support!

Create Your Own 72-Hour Emergency Kit Sale (plus a giveaway)

Are you prepared for an emergency?

I’m excited to present to you Katie Baldridge’s newest eBook:

Here’s Katie’s story:

Create Your Own Gluten Free 72 Hour Emergency Kit…..a money saving survival guide to gluten-free preparedness is here! Who needs an emergency kit you ask?  Anyone who eats, that’s about all of us. But those of us with food allergies, sensitivities, and intolerance’s should really have one.  More so than the average Joe. Here’s why…

Years ago I read this post and it terrified me because this woman who lost her son to the Joplin, MO tornado was also living off of gummy bears for a week.  Not only was she grieving the loss of a child, but because of celiac disease and lack of availability of gluten-free food after the storm, the only thing safe for her to eat were gummy bears.

 

See I have two celiac children who were then 3 and 4.  I could not fathom telling them that there was no food for them if a disaster were to occur.  And it was very possible as we lived in Florida at the time. I didn’t let fear take over, I quickly sprung into action and made a gluten-free 72 hour kit.

 

Create Your Own Gluten Free 72 Hour Emergency Kit has been a work in progress for years.  First as something our own family could use, tweaking as needed, to taste and preference.  I’ve finally compiled my work into an easy to read guide.  I get straight to the point in this 8 page book so there isn’t a lot of fluff to read through.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

You can be putting your own kit together in hours, ready to take on anything nature throws at you.

Create Your Own Gluten Free 72 Hour Emergency Kit is great for the novice as it comes with a complete shopping list for a single person or family of 5, menu with protein and caloric break down of each day.  Tips on how to store your kit, and other accessories that may come in handy.  And a resource page, so you don’t have to spend hours searching the net. 

 

It’s all here for you, and for this week only we’ve lowered the price over 30% to $1.99. 

 

But hurry, because November 4th the price goes back up to $2.99.

 

And to celebrate the launch of Create Your Own Gluten Free 72 Hour Emergency Kit, we’ve partnered with these companies to giveaway some great products!

 

United Envirmental Solutions is providing (2) Sport Berkeys. $74.00 Value
“The Sport Berkey Portable Water Filter is the ideal personal protection traveling companion – featuring the IONIC ADSORPTION MICRO FILTRATION SYSTEM. The theory behind this innovation is simple. The bottle’s Filter is designed to remove and/or dramatically reduce a vast array of health threatening contaminants from questionable sources of water, including remote lakes, streams, stagnant ponds and water supplies in foreign countries where regulations may be sub-standard at best.”

 

Redmond Trading Company is providing First Aid Clay, 1 Earthpaste travel kit, 2 Real Salt pocket shakers. $16.49 Value

First Aid Clay is perfect for any 72 hour it. It’s great for bites, stings, scratches, and burns. Earthpaste is an all natural toothpaste, and these packets are the perfect size for travel or preparedness kits. Never leave home again without your Real Salt with these handy pocket shakers about the size of a tube of chapstick.

 

Truly’s Natural Deodorant is providing (1) sample pack of there all-natural, really works deodorant. $12.50 Value

This sample pack contains (5) 1/2 ounce containers, perfect for on the go or sharing. You will get weeks of use from one small container and this stuff really works!

 

Nick’s Sticks is providing (1) 12 pack of his Grass Fed Beef snack sticks. $35.88 Value

Nick’s-sticks are a great alternative to over processed beef jerky. Gluten-Free & made with grass fed beef, it doesn’t get much better than that. A great snack to keep in the diaper bag, purse, or pocket for that afternoon slump. Great for camping, and a perfect real food option for a 72 hour kit.

 

Tanka Bar is providing (1) 12 pack of their original Tanka Bars. $28.80 Value

“The 70-calorie Tanka Bar delivers a slow, powerful protein punch by mixing two primary ingredients: low-fat, high-energy American buffalo meat and tasty cranberries. This combination is no accident because Tanka products are based on wasna, the original Native trail food that combines meat with fruit.”

 

GNOWFGLINS is providing a 6 month basic membership to their ecourses. $102 Value

You can learn so much through these real food courses, how to dehydrate your own food, including food storage. From making your own yogurt and cheese, to sourdough. And their newest class Allergy-Free cooking. You’ll even get a thank you video on how to gather a years supply of food, a $10 value.

 

Natural Herbal Living Magazine is providing 3 issues of their e-zine. $12 Value

You’ll love learning about herbs, natural remedies, and a holistic approach to health with these three issues: Approaching a Personal Herbal Practice, Rosemary, and Ginger.

 

WonderMill is providing a Wonder Junior Deluxe. $219.95 Value

This hand crank mill can take you through any power outage. With both stone and stainless steel milling headings, this mill has been built to last a lifetime. No electricity required!

  Prepared Today for Life Tomorrow is providing (1) GO Foods 72 Hour Emergency Kit . $70 Value
When it comes to long-term emergency food storage, GO Foods provides a solution that is not only healthy and nutritious, but economical as well. This kit contains enough GO Foods for a 72 hour emergency, is completely gluten free, and contains 44 servings.

Just Almonds is providing (1) pound of almond flour and (1) pound of Non-Pareil Almonds. $15.48 Value
I’m sure you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the quality of Just Almonds products. They are grown in California, are PPO-free, and GMO-free. Because almonds are shelf stable and are high in protein and good fats they are a perfect survival food, we always make sure we have some in our 72 hour kit.

Whole New Mom is providing (1) 4oz. bag of soap nuts, plus wash bag. $8 Value Soap Nuts is an all-natural alternative to laundry detergent. Soap Nuts aren’t really a ‘nut’ at all but rather a fruit from a tree. Soap Nuts are the dried shells from the soap berry. A fruit that grows on a unique tree species. You will be amazed at how well Soap Nuts work!

Natural Medicine Mom is providing (1) copy of “Trust Your Intuition”. $5.99 Value
“Trust Your Intuition” is a collaborative book, authored by influential women bloggers, who write about their experiences with conventional and natural medicine. They discuss why they ultimately chose natural medicine and they share some of their most successful remedies and advice. It hit #1 on Amazon in two different categories, and was just featured as Book of the Week, on the NBC News Today, Book Club (http://pml.bz/?Fp0z8C7W ).

Redneck Prepping is providing (1) copy of ‘How To Survive Any Natural Calamity’ 
Robert goes into great detail on what you need to know and how to be prepared for natural disasters like: tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding, earthquakes and even volcanic eruptions. He goes further though and covers typhoons, tsunamis, industrial spills, and even civil wars.

Intoxicated on Life is providing (1) copy of ‘Weeding Out Wheat’. $14.99 Value 
Why go wheat-free? This is the question Weeding Out Wheat seeks to answer. This book makes some unbelievable claims. Referencing dozens of scientific studies, you’ll read about how wheat is a common culprit contributing to a plethora of problems. This book explains how Christians can grapple with theological questions raised by the growing dietary concerns with wheat.

~Preparing Naturally Giveaway~

 

Click the link below to enter the giveaway, it will take you to my Facebook page:

Rafflecopter Widget

 

 

Disclaimer: Many of my blog posts contain affiliate links. I only team up with a company to be an affil-iate who offers products that I believe in whole-heartedly! Purchasing through an affiliate link allows me to keep blogging and sharing what I learn with you. It won’t make me rich for sure, but is a bit like buying me a cup of coffee or leaving a tip for service and is very much appreciated. Thanks for your wonderful support!

I’m still here…

I wanted to take a moment out of my day to let you all know that I’m still here.  Do you ever just need a break from the online world for a big dose of real life?  I know I do.

Every now and then I need to disconnect so I can play in the dirt or go for a joy ride on my bicycle.

In fact, I’ve recently fallen back in love with my vintage bicycle.  For a long time I forgot how fun it is to ride because bicycle are our only mode of transportation and to be honest, mine has been kicking my butt BIG TIME!  The main problem is she doesn’t shift, so she’s been stuck in a gear that was a tad difficult.  I kept thinking riding would get easier as I built up my riding muscles, but that just hasn’t been happening.  So on a whim I rode her to a bicycle repair shop to get some quotes.  The lack of shifting isn’t the only problem, but it’s the most annoying by far.  Another annoyance has been the lack of any racks and/or a basket, which I’ve recently remedied thanks to a Craigslist purchase that turned out to be much too small a bike for me.

Now with a few beneficial accessories it’s so much easier to bring home the groceries.  She’s got a rear rack and a front basket.

The repairs that are needed turned out to be quite affordable and the little extra money I have coming at the end of this month will go towards that.  I’m looking forward to an easier ride in just a few weeks!  🙂

I’ve also talked to a powder coating company locally who is willing to pick up and deliver my bike back to me.  So not only is she going to be in tip top working order, she’ll be extra beautiful as well soon.  Right now she’s showing her age…but a true lady never tells her age, right?  LOL!

Hrmm…I keep calling my bike a “she”.  Does this mean she needs a name?  My very dear best friend gives her favorite things names.  Something to think about, any suggestions?

You’ll be seeing more of my lovely Schwinn as I do a few DIY projects and give her the much needed makeover.  I figure living a bicycle lifestyle goes right along with the theme of my life and blog, so why would I not talk about that part of my life? 

Cycling is more than just for exercise: it’s a way to connect with your world and community in ways you can never do from a car.  Plus we save a ton of money by not owning a car.  Think of all the expenses that go with vehicle ownership: gas, insurance, maintenance, repairs…. A bicycle is definitely the greener option.  The more I look into cycling as a lifestyle the more I realize it doesn’t matter where you live; city or country can be an enjoyable place to ride.  I certainly do not live in a bicycle-friendly area.

Another reason I take periodic mini-breaks from being online is because writing really isn’t in my nature.  So it takes a lot out of me.  I LOVE what I do and I love writing for myself and for all my wonderful readers.  I just have to stop and breathe every now and then to enjoy life.

I hope you all understand!  And I hope YOU take breaks from being online from time to time to spend time with your families and in the out of doors.

Here’s to much needed breaks!!!!

Now back to our regularly scheduled lives…. 😉

Product Review: Vision Herbs and Gifts Handmade Goodies

I recently won a giveaway from Vision Herbs.  In discussing how to get my prize to me, Jennifer offered to send me a few of her products to try out and share with you all, since she was already sending me some goodies anyway.  Of course I jumped at the chance!  Do you think I’d turn down an opportunity to receive some homemade herbals goodies?  No way, not me!

{PSST ~ there’s an offer for you in here, so be sure to read all the way through the post so you don’t miss it!}

Within just a few days the most delicious box arrived.  In addition to the giveaway items won, I recieved:

Organic Wellness Tea Blend
Cooling Footsie Butter
Bug-Off Bug Spray
Lemongrass Stick Deodorant
Aloe/Calendula Bar Soap

Let me just tell you, when I opened this box the blend of scents inside from all the essential oils was amazing!  Even my cats were all like: “WHAT? What is all this?”  They stiffed everything for quite a long time while I was checking it all out.  We all enjoyed the smells very much, I think!  😉

Cooling Footsie Butter

The first thing I tried was the Footsie Butter.  I’ll just be honest here, I have terribly cracked/callused feet.  I go barefoot quite a lot or wear flip flips most of the year, and neither make for very soft girlie feet.  Not that I have gross hobbit feet or anything.  My heals stay cracked as well as along the inside of my big toes (for some weird reason).  I think this is a normal problem, or else there wouldn’t be so many commercials for products and pinterest posts about healing these troubles.

Anyway, the Footsie Butter is amazing!  I used it immediately after my shower just before going to bed for the first two days.  On the third day I took a pumice stone, very lightly, to the problem areas.  Immediately all was buffed off and I don’t remember the last time my feet were this soft!  This beats out the shea butter lotion I made a couple of months ago for sure!

Seriously, I need a whole VAT of the footsie butter!!  A lifetime supply would be nice!  😀

Bug-Off Bug Spray

I tested out the bug spray last weekend when Honey and I were spending a bit of time outside.  We have a mostly stagnant creek, if you could call it that, behind our place and again being in Florida can you guess the problem we have?  If you guessed mosquitoes then you win!!  Most of the year we have them in swarms.  They’re relentless.

So to test out the bug spray I first went outside without any on just to see what the status of our infestation was like that particular day.  Sure enough, I got bit no less than 5 times within minutes of being out there.  So I marched myself right back inside and proceeded to spray every piece of exposed skin with the Bug-Off Bug Spray and then went back outside.  No more bites for the majority of the afternoon.  I actually forgot completely that we even have the horrible monsters here.  Late in the evening, literally as I was about to go back inside, I got one bite.  I had pretty much expected to have to reapply way before then so I figured that was pretty great!

Conclusion: LOVE IT!  There’s nothing harmful in this bug spray at all.  I hate commercial bug sprays so badly that even given where I live I avoid them at all costs.  I do NOT want to put pesticides like DEET on my body.  Now essential oils ~ I can do that.

I’ve attempted to make my own bug repellents in the past from various recipes I’ve found through out the year and they all end up being a bit too oily.  I couldn’t even tell I had sprayed anything on my skin after this one dried.  It’s definitely now a very important part of my day hiking bag and to be used anytime I head outdoors.

Organic Wellness Tea Blend

I haven’t gotten sick yet this year ~ could be due to all the elderberry syrup we’ve been taking to ward anything off ~ but I will tell you this is a super yummy blend of tea.  It contains: alfalfa, peppermint, nettle leaf, raspberry leaf and yarrow leaf.  I am actually sipping a mug of it right now as I’m typing this.  It’s not overly minty.  I think there’s a good balance of all the herbs.  Very mild and soothing.  I can see how this will be very nice if I do end up getting sick. 

Aloe/Calendula Bar Soap

I asked Jennifer which soap would be best for super dry skin and this was her recommendation.  Oddly enough I haven’t even used it in the shower as of yet.  It has been sitting next to the bathroom sink for hand washing and it’s so nice!  You can ask my daughter and BFF ~ I have a serious weakness for “yummy” handmade soaps and this one is quite nice!  It’s very mildly scented, as you would expect from calendula.

Jennifer, or her daughter, do not actually make this soap.  It’s made by someone else, but they sell it through their website.  If you purchase any you are still supporting Vision Herbs and Gifts.

Lemongrass Stick Deodorant

I actually got this with my Honey in mind.  As bad as I know anti-perspirant deodorant is, I’ve never been happy when I tried anything different.  But I ended up using this deodorant more than he did.

I will say it doesn’t really stay a “stick” here in hot, humid Florida very well.  But I expected that since it has coconut oil in it.  I’ve been leaving it in the fridge and just before I get in the shower I take it out, so it can warm up just a tad for use.  If it could be in a “roll-on” style container it would be perfection!  For me anyway.  😉

Honey didn’t use it much because it is just too liquidy for him.  Overall he has the least dry skin I’ve ever known anyone to have without it becoming an oily condition.  Even very light lotions just sit on his skin without soaking in.  So with the oils in this deodorant you can imagine how that went for him.  My skin, on the other hand, is like a sponge.  It can’t seem to soak oils and lotions in fast enough.

My experience?  It actually works!  The only time I noticed it not 100% working was when I had to ride the bus to go grocery shopping on a very hot day.  If you’ve never grocery shopped via city bus, then you just don’t understand how much work that is.  And unavoidably you don’t get done shopping right when the bus is coming back for you to catch it to go back home.  There is a wait and the bus stops aren’t all that shaded.  Other than that time, it worked like a champ for me.  In fact, it smells so good it’s hard to keep from sniffing my pits all the time ~ is that weird?  HAHA!!

About Vision Herbs and Gifts

Jennifer started this business with her teenage daughter a few years ago.  I won’t retell her story, but will share her own words with you on this post on her website:  Purposeful Nutrition: Healing With Food.

I don’t know about you, but I just LOVE to support home-based and small family owned companies.  Especially when their products are so purely made like these are. 

An Offer for YOU, my very special readers!

Jennifer has so sweetly offered a free gift with purchase to any of my readers.  If you spend at least $20 at Vision Herbs and Gifts you will receive the Cooling Foot Butter absolutely free!

Free offer expires two weeks from the date of this post going live.  Be sure to either send a message to Jennifer or use the note field when ordering to let her know that you are purchasing because of my post.  Tell her TheHippyGardener sent you and she’ll be sure to include your free gift when she ships out your order.

Come back and tell me what goodies you get and what you think of them.  I’d love to know.  🙂

Don’t forget to sign up for my Occasional Newsletter!

By the way ~ I’m not affiliated with Vision Herbs and Gifts in any way.  Jennifer sent me products as a gift to try for review purposes.  I just love her products and felt that some of you may as well.  🙂