Friday August 16th, 2019...Morning Thoughts

My photography of one of my zinnias with a lovely moth on it.

Things I’m thinking this morning in no special order....

I should really start doing more art. I used to draw a lot in high school and art was and still is my favorite subject.

I wish I still had a violin to play. Delbin, my son, will rarely let me play on his. I used to play in 6th-12th grades. I miss it so very much. On that note 🎵 I want to someday be able to read music. I have a gift of being able to play by ear.

My garden is looking better and better all the time. Although I would like to plant more flowers and next year I need to start earlier with the veggies. Here is a photo I took of one of my zinnias with a lovely moth on it.

I love the art that my friends have made me. I also love all my artistic friends that I have made recently. I hope to someday fill my home with gorgeous art.

I am craving zucchini 🥒, and since I neglected to plant any this year I hope some of my local friends see this and have some extra for me 😀.

My kitchen still isn't done and I have been without a kitchen sink since April. On the bright side I am supposed to get my new kitchen cabinets in sometime this month...and then hopefully they can be installed.

The Hepa filter I have is always so very loud and it is right next to me when I am sitting at my desk.

Thank you to my friend, Amber Bryce, who inspired me to do this today. I hope I can keep it up.

Artsy Olive Personalized Framed Art Print Review and Giveaway

I received this art free to facilitate this review.

Artsy Olive is a online shop where you can get custom, lovely art pieces for your home. These come in different sizes, prints, and you can choose different frames (black, white, oak) or none at all. They have a great selection of fun art and inspiring quotes to choose from as well. There is something for everyone and every room in the house.

Here is how it works:

1. choose a background
2. personalize
3. choose a frame
4. checkout

What I Thought:

We got to choose a customized 7.7" x 7.7" framed art print. The process of ordering was quick and easy after I selected what print I wanted. I selected the Rooster Kitchen print, personalized it with The Abels' Kitchen and the phrase "In This Kitchen Love is Homemade and Generously Shared", choose a black frame, and checked out. This was so simple and painless.

Even though I unwrapped it some I wanted to show the plastic and cardboard protecting it while it was shipped.

I received it in the mail super fast. The box was filled with packing peanuts that I really don't care for, but it came to me in good condition. It was wrapped in clear plastic and the corners were protected with cardboard pieces. It also came with hanging hardware as well.

Rooster Kitchen print framed in black and personalized for my home.

I love the art of the very colorful rooster. It matches my kitchen very well. I initially thought it might do well hung above my sink in my kitchen, but I think now I might want to find a better place to display it because there is no waterproof protection, like glass or clear plastic over the print and I do not want it ruined. The Rooster Kitchen print also comes in the 13.7" x 13.7" size.

Artsy Olive Rooster Kitchen print hung in my Kitchen.

Arsty Olive is a great company to get lovely and personalized art from. I recommend them highly. These would be wonderful gifts for the holidays!

BUY IT
Get 15% off with code blog15 at Artsy Olive. This code is good Dec 1-30 for unlimited use.

WIN IT
Prize: A Framed Print from Artsy Olive.
Host: Arsty Olive and FrontGate Media.
Who Can Enter: Open to US Residents 18 years or older.
Selection Process: 5 winners will be selected on 12/31/2018 and notified by email.
Where to Enter: Go to this link https://www.blessedfreebies.com/artsyolivegiveaway.html and fill out the form to enter.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received this product for free to facilitate this review. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.

Ozeri Touch II Digital Kitchen Scale with Microban Review

I received this free to facilitate this review. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

Ozeri is a company that brings us innovative home products. Offering products for kitchen, lifestyle, and healthy living. They have: glassware, bar-ware, kitchen scales, kitchen accessories, cookware, bath & personal care, oscillating fans, and novelty items.

Ozeri makes the Touch II Digital Kitchen Scale which has some neat features. This scale can weigh things from 0.05 oz to up to 18 lbs (1 g to 8000 g). This is a fabulous capacity range for in the kitchen. It includes 4 high precision GFX sensors that help it weigh accurately and quickly. It also has a large blue LCD screen that is easy to see and read. It is thin and can be stored away effortlessly until use since it hardly takes up any space at all.

The Touch II has Microban antimicrobial product protection. This helps in keeping the tempered glass surface free from stain and odor causing bacteria. This antimicrobial technology won't break down for the life of the scale and works to keep the scale's surface cleaner, 24/7 around the clock.

It has touch sensitive technology. Two touch sensitive buttons: Tare button subtracts the container weight for the net ingredient weight; Unit button converts between lb/oz, g, fl.oz., ml. The Tare button is also the on/off button if pressed down.

Ozeri Touch II 18 lbs. Digital Kitchen Scale, with Microban Antimicrobial Product Protection:

• Industry exclusive scale features Microban antimicrobial product protection that helps prevent the growth of stain and odor-causing bacteria and won't ever wear away.
• 4 high precision GFX sensors.
• Capacity weight range of 0.05 oz to 18 lbs or 1 g to 8000 g.
• Large Blue LCD screen.
• Award-winning thin design.
• 2 touch sensitive buttons: Precision Tare button subtracts the container weight for the net ingredient weight; easy Unit button instantly converts between lb/oz, g, fl.oz., ml.
• Includes 2 Lithium batteries and an easy-access battery compartment (no screwdriver needed). NOTE: remove the battery insulating strip before attempting to use the device.

 

Weighing yams for a Candied Yams recipe with the Ozeri Touch II Digital Kitchen Scale with Microban.

My Thoughts:

The Good
I received the Ozeri Touch II Digital Kitchen Scale with Microban in Red Engine color. I like the color because it fits in with my kitchen decor and this scale looks very modern and sleek. I was very impressed at the size and how thin it was. This scale has very little thumbprint in my kitchen, unlike my older more bulky scales. I like that it fits just about anywhere. When I need it I can just pull it out and use it. With the Microban antimicrobial product protection I am not worried about nasty growies anymore and the whole surface is easily wiped clean with a slightly damp rag or sponge, then wiped dry. It seemed to be fairly accurate when I weighed yams for our Candied Yam recipe and beans for our multi bean soup recipe and the large display is easy to read. I also liked that it can weigh up to 18 pounds as well. It will tell you when the batteries are low with a LO reading and the compartment they are held in is easily accessible without anything extra.

Weighing beans on the Ozeri Touch II Digital Kitchen Scale with Microban.

The Bad
The scale I received had problems with its touch screen.  The on/off...which is the same as the Tare button was very finicky. You are supposed to be able to press the on/off/tare button briefly to turn on the scale and press and hold for two seconds to turn it off. It would not respond correctly for me and I had to try multiple times to get it to work. I wish there was a third button for the on/off instead of it being the same button as tare then maybe the problem would resolve itself. Also, the batteries are the flat, round lithium type. These are not the kind of batteries I just keep around the house and they are expensive to replace.

BUY IT
Red Engine
White
Teal Blue



DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received this product for free to facilitate this review. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

Ozeri Touch II Digital Kitchen Scale Offer

I will be receiving this product free to facilitate a review later. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

Ozeri Touch II 18 lbs. Digital Kitchen Scale, with Microban Antimicrobial Product Protection:

• Industry exclusive scale features Microban antimicrobial product protection that helps prevent the growth of stain and odor-causing bacteria.
• Boasts 2 touch sensitive buttons, 4 high precision GFX sensors, a large Blue LCD screen, and a capacity range of 0.05 oz to 18 lbs or 1 g to 8000 g.
• Award-winning thin design is infused with Microban antimicrobial technology to provide an added level of protection that won't ever wear away.
• Precision Tare button subtracts the container weight for the net ingredient weight; easy Unit button instantly converts between lb/oz, g, fl.oz., ml.
• Includes 2 Lithium batteries and an easy-access battery compartment (no screwdriver needed). NOTE: remove the battery insulating strip before attempting to use the device.

Click Here for More Information

BUY IT
Red
White
Blue



DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: Because I am posting about the Ozeri Touch II Digital Kitchen Scale Offer I am getting a free Ozeri Touch II Digital Kitchen Scale. Thanks to USFamilyGuide.com for providing me this promotion information and free product. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for posting this promo.

Cave Tools Stainless Steel Multipurpose 5 Hook Rack Review: #BBQTools #WorkTools #Utensils #SpringCleaning

I received this product free to facilitate this review. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

Cave Tools is a great online store to find BBQ: tools & accessories, charcoal grills, recipe books, apparel, and gift ideas. They have a great selection of things from tool sets & grill baskets to grill racks & a portable charcoal grill. Find your barbecue and grilling needs at Cave Tools!

Stainless Steel Multipurpose 5 Hook Rack Features:

• 5 Hooks
• Durable Stainless Steel for Indoor/Outdoor Use
• Multipurpose: Perfect for Hanging Anywhere...
  
  • Hang Near the BBQ/Deck for: Spatula, Tongs, Fork, Grill Brush, Grilling Gloves, etc.
  • Hang on the Work Bench or in the Shed/Workshop/Garage for: Wrenches, Saw, Level, Gardening Tools, Hammers, etc.
  • Hang in the Kitchen for: Utensils: (Slotted Spoon, Spatula, Spaghetti Fork, Ladle, Tongs, etc.), Whisk, Pot Holders, Oven Mitts, etc.
  • Hang in the Bathroom for: Towel Rack, Shower Pouf, Loofah, Bath/Shower Body Brush, Soap on a Rope, etc.
  • Hang in the Bedroom for: Scarves, Jewelry, Ties, Belts, Head Bands, Headphones, etc.
  • Hang for Pet stuff: Collars, Harnesses, Leashes, Leads, Halters, etc.
  • Hang in the Hallway/Foyer for: Keys, Purse/Bag/Backpack, Hats, Umbrellas, Scarves, Light Jackets/Coats, etc.
  • Hang in the Utility/Laundry Room for: Mop, Broom, Duster/Microfiber Cloths, Dust Pan, Scrub Brush, Fly Swatter, Squeegee, Lint Brush/Roller, etc.
• Comes with Screwdriver and Easy Installation Kit
• Comes with Free BBQ Recipe Book Download: Covers Step-by-Step DIY Barbecue Sauces, Ribs, Chicken, Fish, Steak, Veggies, Kabobs & More to become a Grill Master for the Family!
• Lifetime Satisfaction Guarantee

Our Thoughts:
The Cave Tools Stainless Steel Multi Purpose 5 Hook Rack is a versatile and functional hook rack. It can be hung in a number of places in or out of the home to organize a variety of items. The hooks on this rack are screwed into the metal plate instead of welded for added strength. It is well crafted, great quality, and looks fairly sturdy.

The easy installation kit comes with a very nice looking screwdriver & wall mount: screws, anchors, and screw caps. You will need a drill to drill holes for the installation. If you are installing this on metal or wood you will probably want to buy additional hardware. I recommend using pop rivets for sheet metal or wood screws for wood. I did notice that when you handle the shiny mirror finish the stainless steel it does show fingerprints on it easily. A brushed stainless steel version as well would be a great option. The whole installation is very quick and takes little time once you figure out where to put it.

We thought that the Cave Tools Stainless Steel Multi Purpose 5 Hook Rack is indispensable! It is wonderful for Spring Cleaning! We recommend it to anyone wanting to organize their things better. We; however, don't think one is enough. Maybe one for every room in the house plus one in each of the out buildings on our farm might be more like it 😁

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaveToolsGrilling
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaveTools @CaveTools
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/cavetools/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cavetools/
Google+: +Cave Tools
YouTube: http://cavetoolsvideos.com/

BUY IT

At Amazon or Cave Tools.
Cave Tools Coupon Code:  Hook Rack 15% Off: HOOKRACK15 

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received this product for free to facilitate this review. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review. Affiliate links can be found in this post. Thank you for your support of this blog!

Fluffy Layers Dish Towels and Pot Holders with Farm Beauty Print Review

Fluffy Layers is a wonderful company that was developed by Tara Grier. She and her team at Fluffy Layers are the creators of The Egg Collecting Apron®, The Egg Gathering Apron® & The Harvest Apron®. They also have some other cute, fashionable products & new home and textile items for the farm lover in us all. I got to have a taste of some of their Farm Beauty products for the home. These are wonderful to brighten any kitchen with!

I received the Farm Beauty Dishtowel Set. This set comes with a pack of three dish towels. These measure 20" width x 30" long. These are fairly absorbent and great for drying dishes or just to embellish your kitchen with. You may use a warm iron on these to get out creases from folding.

Farm Beauty Dishtowel Set.

I also received the Farm Beauty Pot Holder Set. This set comes with a pack of two potholders. These measure 7x7" and have a hanging loop on each for easy storage. They are heat resistant and great for handling hot pans/dishes with. You can place your hand inside the pocket for a better grip.

 
I used an old rake head to make a pot holder and oven mitt hanger for my kitchen where I will display my Fluffy Layers Farm Beauty Pot Holder Set and the Oven Mitts to match them that I purchased separately. I love the farm animal design of the Farm Beauty print! This colorful design has flowers, horses, sheep, cows, pigs, ducks and chickens on it. They are both machine washable on warm, made of 100% cotton, and are imported. Do not use bleach. Lovely accessories to decorate the kitchen with and very functional too! Break out your inner farm fashionista!

BE SOCIAL
Fan them on Facebook.
Follow them on Twitter @fluffylayers.
Follow them on Instagram.
Follow them on Pinterest.
Follow them on LinkedIn.
Hashtags: #fluffylayers #egggatheringapron #eggcollectingapron #harvestapron #farmbeauty

BUY IT
You can purchase these and other Fluffy Layers products in their Fluffy Layers' Online Shop. Tara also has an online store for Fluffy Layers on Etsy, Zazzle, and Amazon! Etsy has products that are samples. Most of these are items that are not in their original packaging, have minor flaws, or that her models wore for photo shoots. Because these are seconds they are marked down. Zazzle has a whole different selection of Fluffy Layers products, including: travel mugs, leggings, door mats, blankets, shirts, pillows, ornaments, Christmas stockings, clutches, hoodies, and phone cases. Amazon sometimes has deals for sets and other items from the original store.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received these products for free to facilitate this review. As a Fluffy Layers Brand Ambassador I get occasional products to share with my readers for free. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review. 

Summer Fun With Trudeau Review

I received these products free to facilitate this review. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

Summer is here and Trudeau has some fabulous products that I love and they are great gifts for people of all sorts. I have picked four of my favorites from their innovative kitchen tools, gadgets and other houseware products that would be perfect to wrap up for a gift on someone's special day. Their products are perfect to gift to those that love cooking, baking, and entertaining guests as well.

Trudeau Toss & Chop makes making salads easy!

Toss & Chop: This kitchen gadget is wonderful for making a fresh tossed and chopped salad, salsa, etc. right in the bowl, plate, or pan! These special scissors have dual micro-serrated stainless steel blades that never need sharpening. The scoop and salad tongs gently lifts and tosses ingredients to mix them evenly throughout the dish. The ergonomic, soft grip handles lock in place for secure and compact storage. These are great for any salad or salsa lover. I love to take fresh greens and vegetables from my garden and make a delicious salad with the Toss & Chop. I also love mine to make freshly chopped taco or tostada toppings. These also make chopping an onion so easy. I love how these make the process of creating fresh, healthy meals even simpler. These shears also clean up easily and are dishwasher safe, but hand-washing is recommended. Comes with use and care instructions and important safeguards. 5-year warranty. MSRP $24.99

Trudeau Stress Less Can Opener makes opening cans effortless.

Stress Less Can Opener:  This exclusive can opener is part of Trudeau's Stress Less line of kitchen tools. These tools are designed to help those that have arthritis, limited dexterity, or reduced hand strength. They decrease tension on hands and joints, making the gadgets easier to use. The Stress Less Can Opener has an ergonomic rotating arm that you crank creating more leverage and requires 50% less effort than a traditional can opener. The safety cutting mechanism makes a smooth edge and since it cuts on the side of the can it never comes in contact with the food. Incorporated lid pliers help lift the lid away safely, cleanly, and hygienically. The folding crank handle tucks away compactly for neat storage. I love this can opener! It doesn't hurt my hands and moves effortlessly to open cans without any trouble. I have used it to open small cans like tuna up to large #10 cans and it does perfectly on all of these. Great for a righty or a lefty. Lifetime warranty. MSRP $19.99

Trudeau Reusable Tie Wraps come in very handy!

Reusable Tie Wraps: These green silicone multi-use ties are environmentally responsible and eco-friendly. They are made to hold virtually any kind of bag closed, just wrap the tail around the bag opening like you would do with a wire tie and thread it through the hole in the leaf shapes at the other end pulling snugly. These can also be used for securing electrical cords/wires. I love how these look like green leaves and are so much better than the throw away wire ties. Heat resistant to 428°F - 220°C. Available as a set of eight. Dishwasher safe. 5-year warranty. MSRP $6.99

Trudeau Provençal 2 in 1 Spice Mill is wonderful for both herbs and spices.

Provençal 2 in 1 Spice Mill: This 2 in 1 spice mill is great to add savoury flavors to your meal. It dispenses dried herbs and spices two different ways: twist the top to grind dry herbs and spices with the ceramic grinding mechanism directly onto your dish or push down to distribute the herbs or spices whole. I love how you can also create your own designer blends out of your favorite herbs and spices. You can also see the herbs and spices because of the clear plastic viewing window. The wooden top and base makes it look fabulous in my kitchen. Lifetime warranty. MSRP $19.99

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BUY IT
You can purchase the Provençal 2 in 1 Spice Mill and other items from Trudeau.  Or you can help me out this season by purchasing on Trudeau on Amazon with my affiliate links. Thanks...



DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received these products for free to review. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

Trudeau Mother's and Father's Day Gifts Review

I received these products free to facilitate this review. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

Mother's Day and Father's Day is coming up and Trudeau has some fabulous products that I love and they are great gifts for mothers and fathers of all sorts. I have picked some of my three favorites from their innovative kitchen tools, gadgets and other houseware products that would be perfect to wrap up for mom or dad on their special day. Their products are perfect to gift to those that love cooking, baking, and entertaining guests as well.

Trudeau Silicone Tea Infuser With Lid. Comes in Red, Orange, and Yellow randomly picked colors.

Silicone Tea Infuser With Lid: This cheerful Silicone Tea Infuser from Trudeau is in the shape of a cute strawberry. The inside of the "berry" infuser basket holds the loose leaf tea. After filling and sealing, drop the "berry" infuser into the hot water hooking the leaf and stem over the side of the cup. Place the included silicone lid over the top of the cup to let the tea steep and keep it hot while brewing. You can also use the lid as a saucer to rest the infuser after the tea has finished steeping and to catch drips. The flexible stem and leaf doubles as a handle so you can lift the tea out of the cup after infusing is completed. It is heat resistant to 428°F/220°C. It is microwave and dishwasher safe. Comes in three randomly chosen colors: orange, yellow, and red. I received the orange one and even though I was hoping for the red one because it looks more like a strawberry it is the perfect infuser for my individual cups of loose leaf tea. The orange one reminds my girls of a oddly shaped pumpkin. I love how portable this is and that it can go with me traveling. Just be sure to use high quality loose leaf tea in this infuser because if you use more powdery stuff it will leave tea bits in your water because the holes are a bit big. It is wonderful to use this with my loose leaf tea to wind down after a long day. Great for a tea enthusiast! 5-year warranty. MSRP $6.99

Trudeau Herb and Garden Snips, Great for Rosemary!

Herb and Garden Snips: These herb scissors are wonderful for cutting twine, trimming flowers, herbs, vegetables and stripping the leaves/needles from herbs with tough stems. These have both a stainless steel scissor with micro-serrated blades and an herb stripper integrated in. These kitchen and garden shears are ergonomic with green soft grip handles made of polypropylene for a nice fit in the hand. Blades can be taken apart for effortless cleaning and never need sharpening. These are also dishwasher safe. I love using these both in and out of the kitchen. They are an essential implement for an herb garden, making floral arrangements, or a recipe that incorporates the savory flavors of herbs. I love using the Herb and Garden Snips in my herb garden to cut sprigs of herbs. They are very sharp and I have found that the herb stripper is fabulous for rosemary as well as thyme. 5-year warranty. MSRP $12.99

Trudeau Strawberry Huller at work.

Strawberry Huller: In one swift motion you can eliminate the bitter core and stem of the strawberry to enhance the natural sweet flavors of this yummy spring fruit. The easy, innovative design effectively removes the unwanted parts. Just insert from the base of the strawberry and press upwards through the center towards the stem, popping it out the top. This wonderful kitchen tool is indispensable in my kitchen when I have harvested my strawberries out of my garden and works splendidly for when I am making jam, freezing them, or using them to make yummy recipes. The strawberries really do taste better and this gadget is an easier and safer alternative to using a knife for hulling and coring. Made of BPA free silicone and stainless steel that is built to last. The red bulb comes off for easy cleaning. 5-year warranty. MSRP $8.99

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BUY IT
You can purchase the Strawberry Huller and other items from Trudeau.  Or you can help me out this season by purchasing on Amazon with my affiliate links. Thanks...



DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received these products for free to review. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

Trudeau Stocking Stuffers Review

I received these products free to facilitate this review.

The holiday season is upon us and Christmas isn't too far behind. Trudeau has innovative kitchen tools, gadgets and other houseware products that are perfect to take your holiday entertaining from kitchen to table in style. Their products are perfect to gift to those on our lists that love cooking, baking, and entertaining guests. The smaller of the products in their catalog fit very nicely in a stocking.

Trudeau Star Cookie Cutters and Gingerbread Cookies.

Set of Five Star Cookie Cutters: These festive star cookie cutters are great for dough, fondant, pastries, shortbread, Jello, fruit cutouts, etc. They come in a gift pack of 5 stars of varying sizes so they nest together conveniently for space-saving storage. Made of stainless steel with a nice coral colored finish, these are made to last. We love these and made star shaped gingerbread cookies easily with them. SRP $11.99

Sparkling Apple Cranberry Cider in festive glasses with the Trudeau International Wine Charms.

International Wine Charms: The International Wine Charms are great for adding class to your glass stemware and to make sure everyone knows who's beverage is who's. They are easily identifiable featuring 5 different fine wine regions of the globe that they represent including: Italy, France, Argentina, Australia and California with a sixth charm representing the world wines. Since my family doesn't drink alcohol we used them for our sparkling cider glasses. These charms are made of stainless steel and have a soft-touch backing to protect delicate glassware. SRP $11.99

Trudeau Flex Pot Clip working its magic!

Flex Pot Clip: The Flex Pot Clip is great for keeping messy cooking utensils off the counter and stovetop. It easily clips onto the side of a saucepan or stockpot to hold the utensil, eliminating the need for a spoon rest. Drips go right into the pot, not onto your counter or stovetop. This really is a great little gadget! I love that I don't have to clean a utensil AND a spoon rest now. It has heat-resistant silicone pads that protect your pot from getting scratched by the stainless steel underneath and the silicone that holds the utensil keeps it from slipping. Can withhold heat up to 428 degree Fahrenheit and is dishwasher safe. Comes in red, blue, or green. 5-year warranty. SRP $8.99

Trudeau Zest Grater zesting limes.

Zest Grater: This compact ultra fine Zest Grater is perfect for adding flavorful garnish to your meal or recipe. It is great for: citrus zest, hard cheese, garlic, nutmeg, and other spices. It features a built in protective sleeve handle that slides shut for safe and convenient storage. It slides open with a push of a button on the handle. Stainless steel blades are at the optimal cutting angle for zesting and grating. With a little pressure and back and forth movement of the fruit on the blades of the Zest Grater it was easy to grate the lime peels I had. It rests easily on a bowl for the zest to fall right into. It also has a nonskid rubber tip that keeps it from slipping and sliding off the surface where you are doing the grating. The lime zest was also really good sprinkled onto the potato wedges we made. It gave everything a little more zing. I love the bright green and yellow color that the Zest Grater come in. It goes so well with lemons and limes. Dishwasher-safe on top rack; washing by hand recommended to preserve blade sharpness. 5-year warranty. SRP $9.99

Olive Oil with the Trudeau Universal Dripless Spout for Garlic Herbed Potato Wedges.

Universal Dripless Spout: This Universal Dripless Spout is very handy for dispensing oil or vinegar without mess from virtually any bottle. I found a glass bottle that I had saved and the graduated silicone stopper fit perfectly into the neck. It is 100% dripless and pours the olive oil I put into the bottle neatly. Comes with a cap for storage and a integrated holder for the cap so you won't misplace it. I loved this for the Garlic Herbed Potato Wedges that I made. It made drizzling the oil over them so much easier. 5-year warranty. SRP $11.99

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BUY IT
You can purchase the Star Cookie Cutters and other items from Trudeau.  Or you can help me out this Christmas by purchasing on Amazon with my affiliate links. Thanks...


DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received these products for free to review. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.

Kitchenware Plus Extra Large Bamboo Cutting Board Set Review

I received the products below for free from Kitchenware Plus using Tomoson in exchange for my honest opinions. All opinions remain my own. This post contains affiliate links which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and make a purchase. Thank you for supporting my blog!

When I received the Kitchenware Plus Extra Large Bamboo Cutting Board Set in the mail they were both in a heavy duty box that fit them well. They were shrink wrapped together with information sheets attached to the back of the larger cutting board and the front of the medium cutting board. The front sheet had product information and the back sheet had care instructions.

The care of these boards is very simple. It says to wipe them clean with a damp cloth and to use hot soapy water. I would give them a quick pre-wash rinse with hot water after every use and make sure to rinse all the soap off after cleaning. I found that these cutting boards dry very quickly. Never immerse these in water. I have had other wooden cutting boards warp or split when left immersed in water and the porous surface could absorb the dirty dish water...yucky! Also, I would not put these in the dishwasher either. If you are worried about salmonella or other bacteria when cutting raw meat on these I would recommend making sure to sanitize these properly with diluted bleach as needed. You can also disinfect with 3% hydrogen peroxide and deodorize with white vinegar. I recommend removing stains with a sprinkling of coarse salt or baking soda on the area while the cutting board is dry and gently rubbing with a brush dipped in hot water. These are apparently heat resistant to 100 degrees Celsius/212 degrees Fahrenheit, but I would not be placing anything hot from the stove or oven on these...they are not trivets! It also says to oil them monthly with a food grade quality oil. This protects the bamboo from drying out and either splintering or cracking. I would recommend food grade: mineral oil or linseed oil (Not boiled linseed oil!!) because canola, corn, vegetable or other cooking oil might go rancid in time.

Kitchenware Plus Bamboo Cutting Board Thickness

I was very pleased with the size and thickness of these boards. This set of 2 cutting boards comes with an extra large 18" X 13" cutting board and a medium 13" x 8.5" cutting board. These are also extra thick, 3/4" so that they resist warping and cracking. When I first saw them I was taken aback slightly because I had forgotten the exact measurements and the larger one is rather impressive, especially up close. They don't lie when they say that this one could hold a large Thanksgiving turkey to carve! My kitchen right now is small, so I do my chopping with the larger board on my kitchen table. The larger board is a bit cumbersome and awkward to clean in my small kitchen sink, but it is still doable. I love that the larger board can handle everything from carving a turkey to cutting veggies. It has enough room where you don't have to have extra dishes to put things you cut up into to make room for more chopping. The medium one is great for the smaller projects, but still a really good size. Both are great for cutting bread, meat, cheese, vegetables and fruit on.

Kitchenware Plus Bamboo Cutting Boards don't dull my knives.

The Kitchenware Plus Extra Large Bamboo Cutting Board Set are better than my other cutting boards I currently have. Other than these cutting boards I have a tempered glass one and some flimsy flexible plastic ones. These won't dull my knives as fast as my tempered glass cutting board. They also stay in place while cutting and the items I am cutting don't slide off either.

Kitchenware Plus Bamboo Cutting Boards - deep grooves on one side.

Kitchenware Plus Bamboo Cutting Boards - back side has no grooves.

I love the quality, look and feel of these boards. They are both made from top quality compressed bamboo. They each have a groove all the way around them on one side so that juices can drain away from what you are chopping. My husband doesn't like grooves on cutting boards so he can just flip these over and use the back for a cutting surface. These cutting boards are very attractive. They are perfect to leave out as a showpiece in your kitchen. I love that they have a lighter colored bamboo on two of the alternate ends and that the grains of the lighter colored bamboo are the opposite direction than the darker bamboo. The grain of the bamboo is very pretty also.  These seem very sturdy, strong and durable. They are lighter than hard wood cutting boards, but have a good weight to them. They seem like they will hold up to a lot of use and also come with a 100% lifetime guarantee! I love when companies back their products.

Kitchenware Plus Bamboo Cutting Board - glue discoloration left over from product information sheets.

My complaints about this product are few and with a bit of effort they can all be remedied. As is the case with all of my reviews I feel that honesty is the best practice. The first picture they have of the product on Amazon does not do it justice. It shows cutting boards that do not have a groove all the way around them. They don't show both sides of the products very well and I guess this could be the back they are showing with the sheets switched. I believe they should update their pictures to show both the back and front sides correctly as this is the first picture to be seen when searching for this product on Amazon. I have found that teeny tiny slivers come off of these boards. I would not want this to get in my food even though I do not think that these pose a huge risk if ingested. Maybe in the creation process these could be sanded with fine grit sandpaper so they come out smoother. I will be doing this with mine and I hope it doesn't ruin the color. In the instructions on the board I noticed that it said to oil the board with food grade quality oil monthly. Maybe this would solve the splintering issue, but the sheet didn't say how much oil to use or that I should do it right before use. This would be extremely helpful information to include in the instructions. Also, the instructions and product information sheets were attached by some kind of strong adhesive to the cutting boards. This proved annoying to get off. I had to rip the papers off into little bits and then run the cutting board under hot water to dissolve the rest while rubbing gently yet vigorously...little splinters coming off in my fingers too at this point. The adhesive also left a discolored mark on the cutting board where it was and the product information and instruction sheets were useless now. These are made in China (probably to keep costs down) I don't actually have an issue with this myself, but I know for some of you this will be a downside as well. If these issues are addressed then the product will be perfect in my opinion.

All in all I do love these cutting boards. I will be using them a lot, especially for the holidays! The size and thickness is great and I love that they are made from a sustainable, eco-friendly product. These would be great as gifts for the holidays!

Buy Them:

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure. This post contains affiliate links which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and make a purchase. Thank you for supporting my blog!

Remington iCoffee Maker Review

We received this product free from Remington to facilitate this review.

Sometimes a girl just gotta have her coffee. My days get super crazy with 4 kids, 2 llamas, 3 horses, a bunny, mini pony, and a large dog! I am not a huge coffee drinker, but I tend to need some coffee to keep me sane some days. Most of the time though I don't care for coffee because of the bitter and acidic taste it leaves in my mouth.

Since I received the iCoffee Maker from Remington though, the bitter and acidic coffee has become a thing of the past in my home. This coffee maker is different from any other coffee maker since it uses rotational steam to brew to unlock the full flavor. The grounds never compact and instead are being stirred and steamed so you will get the rich full body and coffee crèma. Since it filters the coffee through a reusable Premium Goldtone filter the iCoffee will also save you money since there is no need for paper filters. The brew basket lifts out easily with its own handle and rinses clean simply (Don't forget to compost the coffee grounds!! They are great to add nitrogen to your garden.) While it is brewing you can watch the action of the steam and 6 rotational hot water jets as it stirs and rotates the coffee in a clockwise manner through the lit viewing window.

The carafe and water reservoir holds 12 cups total and both have fill lines on them to indicate how much water is being added and where the max fill line is. The carafe is glass and has a plastic flip up lid that is easy to maneuver while also holding the carafe handle. The carafe also has a clip on reusable optional filter that helps strain less of the finely extracted coffee essence (sediment) from the coffee grounds through that were extracted through the Premium Goldtone filter with the coffee. If you see sediment in the bottom of your cup after brewing, this is very natural, but the optional filter will help send less through.

There is a display panel on the front of the base where you can set the time and also tell that it is in brewing mode. iCoffee plays music to let you know that the brewing is done. From the display panel you have the option of turning the music off. It also has a warming plate that warms for up to 2 hours to make sure that your coffee doesn't get cold while sitting idol in the carafe. You can also program the brewer to delay the brewing and auto-start at a pre-selected time. After selecting a time you can press the auto start button on the display panel each day to have the brewer start at exactly the same time every day. It also has a pause and serve and an automatic shut-off feature.

iCoffee is very efficient and releases more flavor from the same amount of coffee, allowing you to use less coffee to achieve the same boldness. iCoffee drinkers report using less coffee to achieve desired strength and exquisite flavor.

The coffee that was brewed with iCoffee was smooth and rich tasting. It had exquisite flavor and full body. It tasted better than the coffee from my french press. I am so happy that I don't have any more bitter or acidic cups at home.

After 7 years and 1,257 prototypes you can rest assured that the makers of iCoffee didn't settle until they had perfection. This coffee maker is BPA and Lead free!

iCoffee is the cream of the crop crèma of the cup! :)

You can follow iCoffee on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received products for free to facilitate my review. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.

CanCooker Jr. Review

CanCooker Jr. on a Camp Stove.

We received products free to facilitate this review.

Inspired by good old milk-can cooking, Seth McGinn's CanCooker Jr. is a wonderful cooking device that steams your food to cook it. It locks all the nutrients right into the food making it healthier. It is the smaller version of the original CanCooker, but it still holds a good 2 gallons of food, which is actually quite a lot. Makes delicious hearty food with less time and less cleanup. Feeds a family of 1-6 in about 40 minutes or less!

It's an ideal size for taking to: tailgating parties, cookouts, sporting events, camping, family picnics, fishing, hunting, RV and all sorts of other travel. It can go on the stove top in your kitchen, a turkey burner (on the lowest setting), grill, camp stove, and camp fire. It is so versatile and can be taken just about anywhere.

There are so many awesome recipes that you can cook in the CanCooker Jr. The food below is just the tip of the iceberg. I may get a little more creative down the line, but I have seen it or its larger cousin cook all sorts of things from omelets and tamales to desserts like bread pudding and steamed cakes. I'm definitely going to try some of the steamed cakes and breads once I get mini loaf pans that fit my CanCooker Jr. So, stay tuned :)

I also received the rack for free to facilitate my review. It is an additional investment of $13.99. This is a two piece stainless steel rack that fits in the bottom of the CanCooker or CanCooker Jr. preventing burning of food on the bottom of the cooker and aids in an easier cleanup. Also, you can use empty mini soda cans to raise the level of the rack up higher.

Features:

• Riveted, heavy-duty handles
• Safety clamps hold lid in place
• Wide mouth design for easy stocking and removal of food
• Vented lid-for pressure release
• Premium high temperature silicone gasket
• Sturdy, one piece *aluminum construction
• Comes with FREE convenient storage bag 

*Anodized FDA (food grade) 1060 aluminum. The anodizing is important as it means the actual aluminum never touches your food so it’s totally safe!

How it works:

1. Prepare for use (if new clean with soap and water before use)
2. Choose a recipe
3. Prepare your food
4. Place food and liquid in chamber (usually veggies, then meat, liquid, sauce, and seasoning)
5. Secure lid
6. Place on heat source
7. Allow steam to vent (The steam will cause a natural convection inside.)
8. Cook according to recipe (usually 40 minutes)
9. Remove with oven mitts
10. Let sit for 5-10 minutes
11. Open lid, be careful of HOT steam
12. Place food in tray or large container
13. Enjoy meal
14. Cleanup is easy (Clean with soap and water. Because of steam, food will rarely stick or burn to sides or bottom.)

CanCooker Jr. German Feast. You can see the gasket comes off the lid for easy cleaning.

CanCooker Jr. German Feast

1 small cabbage cut in bite size pieces
1lb red potatoes, quartered
1 small yellow squash, sliced
1lb kielbasa sausage, cut into 1 1/2 inch slices
2 tsp caraway seeds
1 cup Italian dressing (I used  Safeway Select Italian Parmesan & Herb)
1 can beer (I used 8oz cup of water or apple juice)
salt and Lawry's seasoned pepper to taste

Place all veggies in bottom of CanCooker Jr. Then put meat on top of the veggies. Add all other ingredients on top. Latch lid and place on heat source. Once it starts steaming cook for 25-30 minutes. Remove from heat (be careful handles and lid can be really hot). Let stand for 10 minutes. Transfer food to large container. Serve.

CanCooker Jr. Rabbit and Red Potatoes

Everything I cooked in my CanCooker Jr. came out really good. The potatoes never got too mushy, they stayed tender and perfect. The meat got cooked all the way through. The sauces and seasonings I added got soaked up by both veggies and meat that I cooked in it and nothing was ever dry or bland tasting.

CanCooker Jr. Brats & Purple Sauerkraut

CanCooker Jr. steaming on the stove top.

CanCooker Jr. on a Turkey Burner.

We love to go camping and this has become our go to cooking device to take with us. We recommend this to anyone wanting to make their camp cooking or outdoor cooking easier.

CanCooker Jr. on a Grill.

BUY IT
You can purchase the CanCooker, CanCooker Jr., and/or its accessories online at CanCooker.com

FOLLOW THEM
For updates follow CanCooker on Facebook. You can also get a list of yummy recipes here that you can make in the CanCooker.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received products for free to facilitate my review. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.