I Love These Products!

Farewell

2010-08-29T11:18:00.000-07:00

While "I Love These Products" had a short but good run, I'm done. I no longer have the time, money, or interest in continuing to blog about stuff to buy. I have spent the last two months desperately trying to simplify, organize, and eliminate excess in our home. All of a sudden, this blog seems like a conflict of interest.

Maybe I'll start a new blog someday. Who knows. I love to write without any restraints or obligations. I can't see myself staying away from it for too long. But most likely it will just be some daily rantings about whatever's on my mind at the time. Hardly anything anyone else would want to read. And as a true introvert, that's just fine with me. Take care and...

LOTSALOVE!!!

What's Been Happenin...

2010-07-07T12:30:00.000-07:00

Since I haven't blogged in almost a month, I decided to let those of you who are still remotely interested in my blog know why. It's been a really busy couple of months and unfortunately, blogging has taken a back seat as of late.

To give you an idea of what we've been up to, here's a glimpse...

...the purchase, cleaning, painting, and general repairing of a cute little rental house in Temecula that will hopefully be the beginning of our real estate empire (hahaha) or at least a little money in the bank in the very long term.

...the decision to homeschool my two oldest in the fall and starting some of the curriculum with them in July to get a head start. I'm already feeling overwhelmed.

...quitting my day job and starting a career as a freelance writer for Livestrong.com (and hopefully other nutrition-related sites in the future).

...visits from various family members from up north.

...swimming lessons for all.

...trying to finish up various sewing, decorating, and home improvement projects.

...training and running the Camp Pendleton 10K Mud Run in June, and now training for the Camp Pendleton half marathon in September.

...and of course caring for 4 kids and a house while my hubby is gone 12+ hours a day.

Whew! I'm tired from just typing it all. I'm still hoping to dash off a quick post now and again when I come across a great product. And maybe someday I'll get back to doing this more regularly.

Lotsalove!

Bilibo...A Very Versitile (and Unusual) Toy

2010-05-19T13:34:00.000-07:00

I was recently given the opportunity to visit CSN Store's website and pick out just about anything I wanted to review for you. Once I saw the Bilibo, I knew I had found something worth blogging about.

You know how very often, your kids have more fun playing with the box a toy came in than the actual toy? In many ways, the box is better because in order to play with it, your kids need to use their imagination to define what the box is, what it does, and how to play with it. The Bilibo is very similar in my mind. At first sight, it's not obvious what it is or how a child might play with it. But that's the beauty of it. It can become so many different things for different children. All four of my kids like to play with it and they range in age from 1 to almost 9.

Just a couple things my kids like to do with their Bilibo.

My son was pretending to be Darth Vader, but I think he looks more like this guy from The Return of the Jedi. If any of you actually know this character's name, ~~you are a big nerd~~ I'll be really impressed.

The Bilibo comes in 6 bright colors and sells on CSN Stores website for $28.99 and right now, this item ships for FREE! The recommended age is 2-7 but a one year old can have a lot of fun with supervision. Enjoy!

Hercules Hooks Put To The Test

2010-05-08T16:25:00.000-07:00

As usual, this post is long overdue. I've decided that if I'm going to keep writing this blog (which I LOVE to do) I've got to stop feeling guilty about not posting as often as I think I should, and just go with the flow, letting the posts come as they may. If that means I only post once every week or two, so be it. I promise I'll do my best to make reading them worth your while! :)

So, as promised, I'm reviewing the "As Seen On TV" Hercules Hook. In my teaser post, I revealed that I have a phobia about putting holes in my walls. I'm so scared that if I hang something on the wall, I'll hate it and then I'll have an unsightly hole left behind. As a result of this fear, most of the walls in my home are bare. Case in point...here's my living room...

...my kitchen...

...above the piano...

...and even my bedroom.

Sad, I know. My photographer friend has chastised me severely.

Just to prove I'm not a total lost cause, here are a couple pics of the kids that I hung in the stairwell using Hercules Hooks.

Good for me!!!

So instead of using Hercules Hooks to cover my bare walls with an amazing display of decorating prowess, I decided to venture out to the garage where no one will care if I leave a few gaping holes behind.

To test the claim that the Hercules Hook can hold an incredible amount of weight without tearing through drywall, I pushed two hooks into the wall about 6 inches apart, and hung a bag I bought on clearance at Target for $8. Nice.

...then,I started filling it with my free weights (and, yes, I actually use them so don't mess with me:).

The hooks held 49.5 pounds with no problem. Impressive! I thought I'd leave the bag for a few hours to see, if over time, the dry wall would give a little.

The result...

There was a slight give in the dry wall above both hooks, but I attribute that to the fact that I yanked pretty hard on the bag, just to see what would happen. In my opinion, they held up really well.

I would definitely trust these hooks to hold up the heaviest picture, mirror, or anything else you decide to hang on your walls, as long as you use two or more for anything over 40 lbs to distribute the weight, as recommended.

I bought my Hercules Hooks at an "As Seen On TV" store in the mall and paid $12.99 for 20 hooks. Amazon sells a 20 pack with a handy little laser marker for $12.86, not a bad deal. They are also available at Bed Bath and Beyond for $14.99. Whatever you do, don't order them from the "As Seen On TV" website. Their price is higher and their shipping costs are pretty steep.

Maybe someday, after much professional counseling, I'll get up the courage to use Hercules Hooks to adorn my empty, pathetic walls. In the mean time, I'd like to wish you all a HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!! Now go eat some chocolate.

Hercules Hook Teaser And...Shopping For A Bed?

2010-04-23T17:12:00.000-07:00

Have you been in one of those "As Seen On TV" stores lately? They sell much more than Chia Pets and Flowbees these days. One of the coolest new products that caught my eye is the Hercules Hook (they're also sold at Lowe's under a different name). I picked some up a few weeks ago after watching the infomercial (in the store) since my bare walls are in serious need of some decorating. I have this fear of hanging things on my walls that I need to get over. I've got some plans in the near future to put my Hercules Hooks to good use, and when I do, I'll tell (and show) you all about it.

BTW, (I'm totally changing the subject here) have you been looking for kids beds or any other children's furniture lately? Then you've got to check out the above link! They've got over 360 different types of beds for kids and you can shop tax free with free shipping on orders over $69, which can save you some serious coin!

Have a great weekend!

The Many Faces Of Magic Eraser

2010-04-20T11:34:00.000-07:00

The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is a product I'm sure most of you have tried and love. But did you know that this white, rectangular-shaped, spongy bar of magic can be used for soooo much more than just erasing your kids' works of art off of the wall? You know that I love my multitaskers, and because the Magic Eraser is such an effective and versatile cleaner, it ranks near the top on my list of fave cleaning products!

I've compiled a little list of some of my favorite uses.

Scours sinks, counter tops and cook tops

Cleans the inside of the oven door

Cleans textured handles and doors of appliances (mine are white and get so dirty from my kids, the magic eraser is the only thing that gets them clean)

Cleans the grease off the top of oven hoods

Removes scuffs off of floors and baseboards

Cleans white tennis shoes and doll faces

Cleans the grout in between tile floors and counters

Cleans any painted wood surface (it works wonders on my girls' white bunk beds and desk)

Cleans mini and wooden blinds

Removes hard water spots off of bathroom and kitchen faucets and fixtures

Cleans the greasy knobs and buttons on virtually anything we touch often (ovens, microwaves, computers, light switch plates)

The Magic Eraser is made of melamine foam, which, once dampened, disintegrates as you scrub and leaves behind a gritty film, so make sure you wipe the surface with a damp cloth after cleaning. I would not recommend using this product on a wall or surface painted with flat paint. It will remove some of the color. To make your erasers go farther, cut them in half or in thirds and use in smaller sections. I've tried no-name brands of this product and some work as well as Mr. Clean and some do not. I've been most impressed with Target's version.

If you've discovered any other cool uses for Magic Erasers, please share! All moms love a good cleaning tip.

Am I right!?

Food Pod Giveaway Winner! (better late than never)

2010-04-19T07:57:00.000-07:00

This post is a few days overdue. After 3 days away from reality, it was really hard to get myself back into gear.

Before I announce the winner of my latest giveaway, I just have to gush about Palm Desert. I would avoid this place like the plague in the summer, but in the late winter and early spring, the weather is AWESOME!!! Beautiful blue skies, bright sun and an abundance of wild flowers makes the desert an ideal place to rid yourself of those winter blues and get your body cranking out some serious vitamin D. Throw in the great restaurants, fabulous shopping and an abundance of day spas, and you've got yourself a getaway fit for a goddess...which is what we all are, right?

I want to thank everyone for the kind things you said about my blog. I really wasn't fishing for compliments, I just wanted some honest opinions about how I can improve my blog, but I'm grateful just the same.

So...the winner of the totally cool, jellyfish-like, extremely useful Food Pod is...

Krystal!!!

Congrats Krystal, and have fun cooking things in boiling water!

Now that my blog is gaining a little momentum, I should be able to have these giveaways more often.

Yeah for you!!!

Rest For The Weary

2010-04-10T22:24:00.000-07:00

In exactly 34 hours from now, I will be headed out to the desert for some well-deserved R & R with my old college roomy who I haven't seen in 14 years! So stoked!!! For those of you near the Kansas City area, check out her blog. She is an extremely talented and award-winning photographer, and I'm so excited she's agreed to take our family photos before she and I head out. As for my wonderful hubby, please keep him in your prayers over the next few days. Actually, maybe you'd better just pray for the safety and well-being of my children. Thanks in advance.

Don't forget about the Fusionbrand Silicone Food Pod giveaway that ends April 15th. For details, click here. I'll announce the winner when I get back. I'll be thinking of you all while I'm getting my 1 hour massage. Well, probably not, but I hope you all have great few days!

Invasion of the Food Pods and Giveaway!

2010-04-06T23:12:00.000-07:00

My last post was a while ago thanks to one of the craziest weeks I've ever experienced. If something could go wrong, it did, from my hubby's car getting stolen to our computer dying. On the up side, I'm typing this on our brand new laptop! Woohoo! It's about freakin time. Our last computer was actually a really old computer that my hubby decided to rebuild to save $$. I love my hubby dearly, but that was not his best money-saving idea. Sometimes in marriage, you just have to nod your head, smile, and keep your opinion to yourself.

So if you've been on my FB page, you know I've been searching for a store nearby that carries the Fusionbrands Food Pod...in vain. I finally just gave up and ordered it from Amazon. When I opened the box from and pulled out the long-awaited silicone food pod, my first thought was that it looked like a cross between an upside down jellyfish and a ufo. I mean, look at it!

Who would think that this odd-looking thing would be an incredible time saving kitchen tool?

Fusionbrands Food Pod Silicone Cooking Vessel (phew! that's a long name) was actually just the tool I was looking for but didn't know existed until I got an email about some new products on the market. Eureka!!!

So let me ask you. How many times have you hard boiled several eggs at a time and cracked one or two while transferring them from the hot pot to an ice bath?

Or, how many times have you tried to blanch some fresh veggies in the pasta pot during the last couple minutes of cooking, and then had to spend several minutes fishing the veggies out so you could finish cooking them in the saute pan or wok?

Or, how many times do you cook shellfish?

Well, the answer to the last one for me is "Never!" but my hubby does and I'm sure some of you do too. No matter how little or how much you cook, chances are you'll want to cook something in boiling water at some time in your life, and chances are, if you do, the Food Pod will make that process much less laborious and even downright fun!

The Food Pod holds up to a dozen eggs, is heat resistant, and has a cool little hook on the end that hooks onto the top of the pot. It steams, boils, blanches, and drains all in a nonstick silicone bag that is food safe and BPA free. Fusionbrands sells this product on it's website for $15.00, or you can use the site to locate a retailer near you. I ordered mine off Amazon for $15.99 (but I got free shipping).

The best news is that I ordered one for you too! If you'd like enter the giveaway to win your very own silicone ~~jellyfish~~ Food Pod, just leave me a comment below this post. What you put in your comment is entirely up to you, but I would loooove some feeback about this blog. And I mean, any feedback...the good, the bad, and the ugly. Just lay it on me! Of course it would be nice if you are a follower, as well. And, don't forget your email address. I'll announce the winner next Thursday, April 15th. Happy blanching!

Guest Post: Laptop Lunches by Amanda from Lunchbox Limbo

2010-03-25T19:12:00.000-07:00

I have so much to tell all of you! First of all, I apologize for neglecting my blog as of late. Between 3 sick kids, a stray cat who decided to give birth in my garage, and a crisis at work, blogging, as much as I love it, hasn't made it into my busy days lately. But I'm making it up to you with an awesome guest post from Amanda at Lunchbox Limbo. She comes up with the most amazing, healthy, and fun lunches for her kiddos and she agreed to blog about a product she loves, the Laptop Lunches lunch box. Enjoy!

"We love our laptop lunchboxes. The kids love the different containers and fun colors. I love the ease of cleaning, that the containers are SAFE (BPA free), how they conserve excess lunch trash and how they allow me to be creative with lunch! It was a big transition at our house at the start of the school year, but Icky school lunches don't compare to packed lunches anymore!! Lunch from our house is so much more than a bunch of prepackaged items thrown into a sack. At our house, lunch is healthy and fun!

Many adults use and love these boxes, since they really help with portion control and variety in your meal. In our house though, the kids have taken them over! They have really helped make lunch fun, exciting and healthy. Having the food out of any packaging forces me to really see what I feed my children.

Laptop Lunchboxes, made by Obentec, Inc. are available directly through the manufacturer at www.laptoplunches.com. Use the code - LunchboxLimbo at checkout to receive 10% off of your order!"

Ok, it's me again. Aren't those the coolest? I love how Amanda's lunches are incredibly nutritious, fun, and filling. Bento boxes, of Japanese origin, have been around for a long time, but are becoming more and more popular because of the natural portion control built right in to each container. Laptop lunches makes bentoware fun and functional as each piece has it's own tight fitting lid so you can pack salad dressings and dipping sauces with no worries about spilling. The Bento Set 2.0 sells on the website for $24.99, but don't forget about the coupon code! Thanks for the great guest post, Amanda!

I've got a couple great products that I'm trying out for you. Hopefully life will give me a bit of a break so I can tell you all about them. Have a great weekend!

A Quick $$ Saving Tip

2010-03-18T14:36:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine gave me this tip, so many thanks to her!!!

Question:

What do you do with a new kind of hair conditioner that you bought on a whim, but then realized it's awful stuff and a huge waste of money???

Do you...

A. Use it anyway and walk around with hair that feels like straw so you don't waste the money you spent.

B. Let it sit in your shower for months because you feel too guilty to throw it away and waste the money you spent.

C. Say, "To heck with it!" and throw it away and waste the money you spent.

D. Shave your under arms and legs with it.

I'm not going to tell you the correct answer, but I will tell you that, I'm now saving a bundle on shaving gel and the huge bottle of Pantene conditioner in my shower is actually getting used up!

Do you have a favorite product that works great for something other than for what it's intended?

Soy Wrappers = I Like Sushi

2010-03-15T16:39:00.000-07:00

Living in southern California is great! The year-round sun, the beach, the humongous budget deficit...sigh. Well, if you leave politics out of it, SoCal is a pretty great place to live, and I've always felt at home here. But there's one thing that in the last several years has made me feel a little like a fish out of water.

I don't like sushi, not even California rolls. (gasp!)

Being a southern Californian who doesn't like sushi, I never hear the end of it from my sushi-loving friends. I've even felt the disdain within the walls of my own home. My foodie husband loves the stuff and has his own sushi making paraphernalia, but rarely makes it because his unsophisticated spouse won't eat it. Maybe it's because when I was growing up, the only kind of fish I was ever served was frozen, breaded, and in the shape of a stick.

In desperation, Hubby began looking for a way to make sushi more appealing to me, trying out different, more mild ingredients as the innards, but to no avail...until he brought home these:

These colorful wrappers are made out of soy beans and are also called soybean paper or mamenori. The vivid colors are courtesy of natural ingredients like spinach, turmeric, and paprika. Once I tried them, I realized that what I disliked about sushi was not what was on the inside, but on the outside. Nori (or seaweed) sheets that are traditionally used to wrap sushi have a distinct fishy taste that I just could not get past. Soy Wrappers have a pleasantly mild flavor that doesn't overpower the flavors of what's wrapped inside.

Check out these vegan Easter eggs using mamenori from Vegan Lunch Box. So cute!

Each wrapper contains only 20 calories and they can be used for much more than just sushi rolls. With a little creativity, a soy wrapper can become the base for appetizers, sandwiches, or desserts. Soy Wrappers are available at most major grocery stores and Asian markets as well as online for around $3.30 for 5 sheets. Have fun!

Happy Registered Dietitian Day! I Wrote A Song About It

2010-03-10T10:16:00.000-08:00

I'd like to give a big shout out to all of my fellow RD's out there and wish the rest of you a very healthy and happy day.

In celebration of this extremely important holiday, I wrote a song. Yes, I am that talented. I hope you like it.

You Are What You Eat

by Angie

(Sing to the tune of Yellow Submarine)

You are what you eat

from your head down to your feet

head down to your feet

Eating good food will really

put you in the mood

I hope that's not too crude

Eat lots of whole grains, legumes and beans,

if you want to look hot

inside your jeans

Snack on veggies and yummy fruits

and you'll love trying on

your bathing suit

(NOT)

You are what you eat

from your head down to your feet

head down to your feet

Remember to enjoy

an occasional treat

we all need to cheat

to make our lives complete, HEY!

Grammys, here I come!

Trader Joe's Reduced Guilt Brownie Mix

2010-03-08T13:17:00.000-08:00

I'm always wary of food products whose labels bear claims like "reduced guilt" because it implies that I can scarf down the entire contents with abandon, and not regret it in the morning. Even though you and I know that's not true, I still just had to test it out. Ha ha, gotcha!!! You thought I seriously ate the entire pan of brownies!! Silly you, I only ate 75% of the pan of brownies. Big difference!

Ok, I'll admit I fell off the calorie wagon a bit that day, and despite the "reduced guilt" claim on the box, I still felt pretty guilty about it.

Now, I know what you're thinking. "You're a dietitian! You should know better!" Well yes, but knowing and doing are two different things entirely. You see, dietitian or not, I have sweet tooth the size of Willy Wonka's Chololate Factory and so I typically keep foods like brownies completely out of the house until the weekend, when as a family, we enjoy a treat together. It's typically gone by Monday morning, or we throw it away. But, this particular box of brownie mix had been sitting on my kitchen counter staring at me for several days until I finally caved, baked it up while my kids and hubby were gone, and ate most of it before they even knew it existed. Take home lesson: put the stupid box away in the cupboard where it can't be seen!

Now that I'm done confessing, I guess I'll let you know what I think of this product. Thanks to the vanilla yogurt, which is the only ingredient added to the mix, the brownies were extremely moist and fudgy. They also had a nice strong chocolate flavor, which is a brownie must in my opinion. My main complaint was that the sweetness factor was cranked up a bit too high. Not surprising, considering the #1 ingredient listed is sugar. However, for a fat-free brownie, these were definitely a good substitute for the real thing and not at all rubbery as most fat-free baked goods are.

Bottom line: If you are looking to have a brownie and save a few calories or fat grams, Trader Joe's Reduced Guilt Brownie Mix is a good way to go. However, if you're concerned more about sugar or carbohydrates, just make your own and reduce the sugar by 1/4 to 1/3. They'll turn out great.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go run off some guilt.

picture from Kerry's Cooking Chronicles

Plink Your Sink

2010-02-26T09:14:00.000-08:00

After I clean my kitchen from top to bottom, I usually stand in the middle of the floor and admire the cleanliness for awhile, basking in the glow of my tremendous accomplishment...but one thing always ruins it. That would be the unmistakable odor wafting out of my garbage disposal!!!

I've tried dumping tons of baking soda down it and grinding up lemon peels. I even took the advice from a "professional" I found online who recommended filling the sink with hot, soapy water and then as you unstop it, run the garbage disposal to create a cleaning whirlpool inside the disposal. But, none of these things could get rid of the smell. I think I just neglected it for too long and now I have enough disgusting microorganisms growing in there to make a petri dish jealous.

Bed Bath and Beyond is always a good place to scout out new products to try and that's where I discovered PLINK, a garbage disposal cleaner and deoderizer. The package of 10 little colored spheres costs $3.99 and the instructions say to drop one in your running disposal twice a week (while running hot water) to "break up fat and food particles, wash away foul odors, and freshen your whole kitchen". I was definitely skeptical, thinking that the foul odors in my disposal would be no match for a tiny yellow ball, the size of a marble.

also comes in orange citrus and lavender

I am delighted to say that I was wrong! I "plinked" my sink 4 days ago, and haven't wrinkled my nose since! It fills your home with a very pleasant lemony scent for a while after plinking. I thought for sure that once that scent had faded, the odor would return. No-siree-bobski! I keep sticking my head in my sink and sniffing, just to make sure, and all I smell is nothing!!! And, nothing never smelled so good!

Sassy Training Spoon & My First Blog Award

2010-02-20T12:01:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you, but watching a baby first learn to feed himself with a spoon is difficult for me. I mean, I really feel badly when he's worked so hard to get darn thing into his mouth, only to realize that it's empty because the contents fell off a split second before entry! I've seen and tried several different training spoons with my kids, and haven't been particularly impressed with any of them...until now.

I don't know how long Sassy has been making the Less Mess Training Spoon, but it's new to me and I love it...and so does my babe!

(That kid will NOT wear a bib!!!)

It's unique design first caught my eye in Target and as I studied it, I realized that it had several features that other training spoons lacked. For starters, baby can grasp it from either end or with either hand because the spoon is on both ends. The large guard acts as a visual cue to help the baby guide the spoon to his mouth and then keeps him from shoving it in too far. The holes in the spoon keep the food from sliding around and falling off. And, it's made from a soft material that won't hurt baby's gums.

Gerber and Babyhuman sell spoons with a similar guard on the end, but the spoon is only on one end and there are no holes in it...plus, they're more expensive.

The Sassy Less Mess Training Spoon cost me $2.59 at Target and sells on Amazon for $2.49 (it's also eligible for free shipping).

Not to change the subject, but.......it's my very first blog award!!!

Shelley of Shelley's Swag choose to pass this award along to me and I am truly flattered!

Since starting this blog, I've discovered that mommy bloggers are a community of

I'll-scratch-your-back-if-you'll-scratch-mine gals who enjoy sharing wisdom, followers, and awards and I am so glad to be a part of it all.

I'll be passing this award along to some fellow bloggers that brighten my day in my next post. Have a lovely day!!!

"Out D@!# Spot!"

2010-02-11T22:35:00.000-08:00

A humongous "THANK YOU" to my good friend, Megan, who told me about this product. She and her husband own a carpet cleaning business and swear by this stuff. If I had known how awesome it is, I wouldn't have passed it by a million times in the grocery store.

I'm not going to go on too much about my experience with Folex because it wouldn't do it justice. Just hop on down to your local supermarket and pick up a bottle ($5.99 on sale at Albertson's) to try for yourself. You'll be glad you did!!!

Here's a little info from Folex Company's website about this impressive spot remover:

FOLEX is not a soap, so you do not need to add a defoamer.
FOLEX will not leave a sticky residue, so you do not have to rinse.
FOLEX is not a solvent, so your carpet backing will not be damaged.
FOLEX is “Non-Ionic”, so it will not attract dirt back to the cleaned area.
FOLEX is “Non-Toxic”, so your newly cleaned carpet is safe for your children and pets.

Removes: FOLEX is effective on these and many more spots and stains...

Ashes	Crayon	Grass	Many Inks	Soft Drinks
Auto Oil	Dirt	Grime	Pet Accidents	Tea
Beach Tar	Fireplace Soot	Household Grease	Potting Soil	Tobacco
Blood	Food	Ice Cream	Road Tar	Toothpaste
Car Grease	Food Oil	Ketchup	Rust	Urine
Coffee	Fruit Juice	Lipstick	Sauces	Varnish
Copy Toner	Furniture Polish	Makeup	Shoe Polish	Vomit

Works on: FOLEX is not just for carpets! FOLEX is safe for any material that is both colorfast and color stable, including hard surfaces, that can be safely dampened with water, such as...
Upholstery, Clothing, Draperies, Car Interiors, Walls, Woodwork, Floors, and More!

Your Safety and Comfort: FOLEX is...
Non-Toxic, completely non-irritating to normal skin
Non-Flammable, contains no solvents of any kind
Odor-Free, no unpleasant chemicals
CFC and Petroleum Free

Want Shine Free Skin??? Try MOM

2010-02-09T23:02:00.000-08:00

Just a quick FYI.

Did you know that applying a small amount of Milk of Magnesia to oil-prone areas on your face (after the moisturizer and before the makeup) will keep you mattified and oil-free all day???

Neither did I, until I tried it, and low and behold...it actually works!!!! I feel so foolish for spending so much $$$ on skin care products and cosmetics that promised to do the same thing, but never delivered. I guess it just goes to show that the only one we can always count on, is MOM.

Giveaway Winner Announced

2010-02-08T14:52:00.000-08:00

A great big THANK YOU to all of you for entering my giveaway and letting your friends know about my blog. I'm hoping I can begin having these more frequently, and since my following is still pretty small, your chances of winning one are pretty darn good.

So onto the good stuff. The winner of the Original Sprout Miracle Detangler is...

Shelley of Shelley's Swag, an awesome blog for frugal moms.

If you like saving money, check out her blog when you have the chance. Watch for my email, Shelley.

I'll be reviewing an amazing spot cleaner for carpets and upholstery within the next day, so be sure to check back to find out what it is. Have a fantastic day!!!

Last Day for Original Sprout Miracle Detangler Giveaway!

2010-02-07T17:58:00.000-08:00

Just a Reminder

Thanks to everyone who has already left their comments. For those of you who haven't yet, please leave your comments by midnight tonight (Pacific Time Zone). To be eligible for this giveaway:

1. Be a follower AND

2. Become a new facebook friend, or add this blog to your blogroll or, add my button to your blog, or tell a friend about this blog.

Please leave me a comment indicating which of the above makes you eligible and include your email address so I can contact you if you win. I'll announce the winner tomorrow!
Good luck!

Soup's On!

2010-02-04T17:23:00.000-08:00

I loooove beef and barley soup. I really love just plain barley, but the combination of the flavor from the beef paired with the earthiness of barley is sheer heaven. Not to mention, barley is an uber nutritious grain that's high in soluble fiber, even if the bran has been removed.

A few years ago, a friend taught me how to make an easy beef and barley soup. She even came over to my house with all of the ingredients and showed me every step, while I watched and took copious notes. Since then, I've made her wonderful recipe...hmm, let me see.....carry the one....oh, that's right, NEVER!!! You see, I have a love-hate relationship with cooking. Love to eat, hate to cook. Maybe hate is too strong a word. I think I might actually like to cook if I had a kitchen with easily accessible ingredients, the proper equipment, ample counter space, and without four needy kids bugging me the entire time I'm trying to prepare dinner. But alas, that is not to be. So at this time, cooking is more of a chore than a pleasure.

So you can imagine my delight, when I discovered a way to make beef and barley soup, with very little effort, and for only a few bucks. Streit's is a food company that's been making kosher products since 1925, but since I'm not Jewish, I'd never heard of them until I stumbled upon their dry soup mixes in the grocery store. I bought the Barley Mushroom Soup Mix after I read the label and discovered that making it involves simply simmering the contents of the box for 45 minutes. Well, that's not entirely true. At minute 30, you add the contents of the seasoning packet and then continue to simmer. Whew! That part was tough! Striet's also makes other soup mixes like Split Pea and Minestrone, which I haven't tried yet, but intend to.

Horrible picture, I know..but it's the best I could find since I didn't take pic of the package I bought. So sorry!

During the last few minutes of cooking, I threw in some left over flank steak from the night before and my lovely husband chopped up some carrots (more effort than I would have made) and steamed them a bit before throwing them into the soup pot as well. The result? An incredibly filling and delicious beef and barley soup, and all I had to do was boil water...which I can handle.

See below for the nutrition facts and ingredient list. The sodium content is quite high, but it's all in the separate seasoning packet so to cut back on the sodium, just add less than the whole packet, or simply leave it out and add your own seasonings.

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 0.25 pack
Servings Per Container 4
Amount Per Serving
Calories 160	Calories from Fat 5
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g	1%
Saturated Fat 0g	0%
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 113mg	5%
Total Carbohydrate 22g	7%
Dietary Fiber 5g	21%
Sugars 2g
Protein 7g
Vitamin A	1%
Vitamin C	2%
Calcium	2%
Iron	8%

* Percent daily values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs:
	Calories:	2,000	2,500
Total Fat	Less than	65g	80g
Sat Fat	Less than	20g	25g
Cholesterol	Less than	300mg	300mg
Sodium	Less than	2,400mg	2,400mg
Potassium		3,500mg	3,500mg
Total Carbohydrate		300g	375g
Dietary Fiber		25g	30g
Protein		50g	65g

Ingredients: Barley, Green & Yellow Peas, Dextrose, Salt, Mushrooms, Onions, Carrots, Canola Oil, Natural Flavor, Turmeric.

Usage Directions / Dosage: In a medium sized pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add contents of the large bag containing peas and barley. Cover pot and simmer over Low heat for 30 minutes. Add the contents of the seasoning bag and continue to simmer 15 minutes.

Warnings/Caution: Process on equipment used for wheat.

New York, NY 10002

*Just a quick reminder about my Original Sprout Miracle Detangler giveaway that ends on Feb 7th. Click here for more details.

Blog Makeover Reveal and Original Sprout Giveaway

2010-01-30T22:03:00.000-08:00

Ta-Da!!!

My blog is officially made over and I love it! Diana did a great job. So to celebrate this momentous occasion, I'm giving away a 12 oz bottle (the BIG bottle) of Original Sprout's Miracle Detangle, a $25 value!

Just to let you know, this awesome detangler is great on big people hair too. It leaves it sooo soft!

To be eligible for this giveaway:

Follow this blog

AND

Simply tell a friend about this blog and leave a comment about it. You're on your honor for this one ladies. I don't care if you text, tweet, email or tell someone face to face. Just leave me a comment saying something like "I told a friend about your blog".

Become a fan on Facebook, link to me from your blog, or add this blog to your blog roll and leave me your blog URL in a comment. If I'm already on your blog roll (you know who you are), thanks a million and just leave me a comment if you're interested in this give away.

Don't forget to leave your email address in your comment so I can contact you if you win.

You have until February 7th to enter and I'll announce the winner the next day. Remember, the more people that read this blog, the more I can host great giveaways so, help me help you. I get nothing out of it except the fun of researching and writing this blog and making your day by giving you some free stuff that I know you'll love!

Old Navy Jacket in a Packet

2010-01-29T20:08:00.000-08:00

Many thanks to Blue Hydrangea (a beautiful blog!) for leading me to this light-weight rain jacket from Old Navy they call a "Jacket In A Packet". You pull the jacket out of the little pouch and the pouch winds up inside one of the jacket's side pockets. Ingenius! It's on sale now for only $19.50 (both in-store and online) and available in several bright colors. I just ran out and picked myself up one and loooove it!

I had an awesome, light-weight, hooded rain jacket from Land's End for about 7 years that I absolutely loved. Here in SoCal, when it rains, it's not necessarily cold, so I didn't need anything too heavy. Well, they don't make it anymore and I had to get rid of mine last year when I realized it was literally falling apart. Since then, I've been looking for a suitable replacement with no luck...until today!!! Isn't the blogosphere wonderful?! Of course, my timing is a little off since all of the heavy rainstorms are over. At least I'll be prepared for the next downpour. Bring it on.

As I type this, Diana is working on my blog makeover. Can't wait to see what she's coming up with!

Blog Makeover (Yeah!!!)

2010-01-27T09:44:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to let you know that very soon, my blog will have a whole new look, thanks to Diana at Custom Blog Designs. Since I started this blog back in September, I've received so much positive feedback from all of you that I decided it was time to invest a little more into making this blog one of the best (and a little easier on the eyes). Once it's finished, I'm celebrating by having a fabulous give away. Remember the very first product I blogged about???? That's ok. You can refresh your memory here.

So tell all your friends and check back in a few days. See you soon!!!!!!!

Funny T's

2010-01-23T21:58:00.000-08:00

There are a lot of websites out there that sell funny T-shirts, but this site made me laugh out loud. It's called Snorg Tees and they have tees on sale for as low as $9.99. Check out a couple I like.

And my personal favorites:

Thanks to Cheri at Confessions of an Overworked Mom for reviewing this site!

The Good Kind of Bed Head

2010-01-23T10:03:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you, but I find it extremely annoying when actresses on TV or in movies get out of bed in the morning with the perfect head of sexy, tousled hair. When I wake up, the back of my head looks like someone snuck into my room at night and went at it with a brillo pad. Now, I know TV and movies aren't real, well...except for about half of all TV shows now, but it still bugs me how witchy I usually look first thing in the morning. (But isn't it great how our babies are still so happy to see us. Ah, motherhood!)

Well, I discovered the secret to waking up with smooth, untangled locks in the form of a pillow case. The secret is SATIN! (or silk but it's much more expensive and satin works just as well.) Just sleep on a satin pillow case and not only will it preserve your hairstyle and prevent tangles, but it will also prevent the damage and breakage that can happen when your hair catches on the fibers of your pillow case as you toss and turn.

I went searching for a store that sells just a single satin pillow case with no luck. So, of course, I turned to the internet. Betty Dain Creations, Inc. makes satin pillowcases in a variety of colors that you can buy without spending oodles of money on an entire satin sheet set. I bought a three-pack through Amazon for $20.24. The silk pillowcases made for the same purpose can run you $75 and up. Or, you can just take a trip to China and pick up a few there. Ha ha. In hindsight, I should have checked Sally Beauty Supply because I think they sell them there also.

Since I bought three pillow cases, I put one on each of my daughters' pillows. Since they shower at night, I usually have a heck of a time combing through their hair in the morning, made all the worse by the fact that we're usually running late. Ouch! I curled my daughter's hair in ringlets using a spiral curling iron (very time consuming), and thanks to satin and some L'Oreal Elnett Hair Spray, the curls lasted for 3 days.

The pillow cases are machine washable and feel oh-so-nice on your skin. It's a great way to bring a little luxury into my not-so-luxurious life. Now, if I could just get 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep. I know, I'm a dreamer.

DIY Energy Bars

2010-01-15T21:40:00.000-08:00

I love the concept of the energy bar. A tasty, portable meal-in-a-bar, chock full of nutrition along with just enough carbs, protein, and a little fat to keep you moving and satisfied. What I DON'T love is commercially made energy bars that are basically glorified candy bars with ingredients like tropical oils, high-fructose corn syrup, or in the low-carb varieties, sugar alcohols (they can do a number on your digestive system). If I'm gonna eat a candy bar, make mine a Milky Way, please.

Then, there are the "all-natural" energy bars with nothing but wholesome goodness in them, but a price tag that I just cannot stomach. (Although, Trader Joe's does have the best prices out there.)

I was watching an episode of "Shark Tank" (LOVE that show!!) one day and a guy came on wanting the Sharks to invest in his custom-made energy bar company. I checked out his website and loved the concept of choosing from a variety of high-quality, whole ingredients and having someone make an energy bar exactly to my taste, but again, the price tag was CRAZY! I mean, my kids need to eat too! So I thought, "I know a thing or two about cooking and nutrition. I should just make my own!".

Now, this is NOT a cooking blog, and I never thought I would be posting a recipe, but, I love this idea so much, I just had to share it. I did a quick internet search, and found an energy bar recipe that is easily customized to anyone's tastes and so easy to make, even a cooking novice can create the energy bar of their dreams. Seriously, its just mix the wet ingredients, sift together the dry, combine and then fold in the chunky stuff. It also costs far less than any bar you can buy and provides much more nutritional bang for your buck.

The recipe makes quite a bit, so I'd half it the first time, just to make sure you like it and don't waste ingredients. I like to think of this recipe as a foundation from which to build. You could pretty much add whatever you want, or experiment with quantities of ingredients to your heart's content. It's similar to a cookie recipe, but unlike cookie dough, the batter is simply to bind the chunkier ingredients together. This is what it looks like after it's mixed and pressed into a 13x9 baking pan.

Once baked, let them cool and then you can cut them into squares or bars, individually wrap them in plastic wrap, and store in the fridge for a week or two, or in the freezer for up to three months. I grab one whenever I don't have the time to eat breakfast and it seriously lasts me until lunch.

(this picture refuses to center!!!)

Home-Style Bike Snack Bar Recipe

JoJo's modification of George's Bar

1/4 cup canola oil (you can also use melted butter, or natural PB)
4 large eggs; beaten (or 2 whole eggs and 4 whites)
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup nonfat milk powder (or protein powder)
3/4 cup rolled oats
1 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cup sugar (or honey, brown sugar, or Splenda for baking)
2 cups chopped dried fruit (raisins, dates, currants, dried berries, dried cranberries)
2 1/2 cups nuts; chopped (walnuts, almonds, peanuts, pecans, cashews, sunflower seeds)
3/4 cup chocolate chips or M&M's (I prefer mini)
3 Tbsp whole flax seeds (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13 pan. Beat together eggs and oil, sift together dry ingredients except fruit. Add flour to eggs, combine, then stir in fruit, nuts, and chips. Spread evenly in pan, bake 30 minutes, they are still soft when done. Cool, cut into 24 pieces, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate or freeze.

Original recipe from recumbent-bikes-truth-for-you.com, modified by Me.
Have fun!

Sweet Jelly Lip Gloss

2010-01-08T16:40:00.000-08:00

Ok, I admit it. I'm addicted to lip gloss. I'm not sure how many I have, but however many that is, it's not nearly enough. Even when I wear lipstick (which is hardly ever), I have to glossify my lips or I feel undone. There are a lot of fabulous glosses out there, but since this blog is all about affordable faves, I though I'd share with you my favorite drugstore gloss, Rimmel London Sweet Jelly Sheer Lipgloss.

(Although the label pictured reads "jelly gloss", the real label says "sweet jelly" in large letters.)

Two things that bother me about inferior gloss is when it is either too sticky or not quite sticky enough to stay put and evaporates away after 10 seconds of wear. Sweet Jelly is thin and never goopy or sticky and stays put unless you kiss your baby a bunch right after applying it (I have that problem). It is NOT a long-wearing gloss and doesn't pretend to be, but it's sweet, fruity scents make it a pleasure to apply over and over again.

Sweet Jelly Lipgloss comes in 10 cleverly named shades/scents that are pigmented enough to be noticeable, but still light and sheer, not shimmery. I hate shimmery! I'm into pink right now so my favorite shade is Candy Floss (see above). There are several sites where you can get a free sample (like FreeStuff.com) but at around $2.75 a tube, it's not exactly a big loss if you don't like it.

A word of caution: Although I've never had this problem, some reviewers of this gloss complained that the cap did not stay on and gloss leaked out inside their purse, so make sure to screw the cap on tightly!

Nine Hundred Napkins, Please!

2010-01-04T21:03:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite comic strips is Baby Blues. It's like Jerry Scott follows my family around taking notes. I'm not authorized to post the strip here, but one of my all-time favorites is No. 17 on the "Things That Don't Seem Unreasonable Unless You Have Kids" List, which is the restaurant with the 900-napkin limit. Ha! Just like the adorable Baby Blues family, at the end of a meal with my kids, the pile of used napkins on the table resembles Mt. Vesuvius.

At home, we used to use plain old cheapo paper napkins from Costco. Typically one wipe of the mouth or hands and the napkin would be discarded and we'd reach for another. Since the cheap paper napkins have the absorbency of a small piece of cardboard, we'd always go through at least 3 or 4 napkins per kid, per meal. That really adds up to a lot of trash, not to mention, quite a bit of money over time.

The other day, I was in Target browsing (always an expensive activity) and saw a 12-pack of Room Essentials cloth buffet napkins for $9.99. I then had quite the epiphany. If I switch from paper napkins to cloth, I'll be saving the planet, saving money, and saving space in our trash can, all at the same time. LOVE IT!!!

After a few days of using our new cloth napkins, I still love it. They take up hardly any space in the washer, and, unlike paper napkins, can be rinsed, rung out, and then double as washcloths to clean up the baby who always manages to get food on the back of his head (How???). An added perk is that my girls and I feel quite fancy sitting down to dinner and placing a white cloth napkin on our laps. My boys (including my husband) couldn't care less.

I haven't looked for cloth napkins at Walmart or Smart & Final, but I would imagine they carry inexpensive ones as well. If you find some for less than Target, please leave a comment and let the rest of us know.

Dutch Oven Heaven

2009-12-31T20:14:00.000-08:00

Isn't she beautiful?

How can you not love something that can bake bread, sear steaks, slow cook a pot roast, cook rice, or deep fry french fries? A true kitchen multitasker, the Dutch oven can be used to cook just about anything that you can cook in the oven or on the stove top. Although there are aluminum Dutch ovens, they are typically made from solid cast iron wherein lies their ability to hold and conduct heat more effectively and are typically known for cooking in the great outdoors. However, this little beauty is not designed for surviving in the wild, unless you consider a home with four small children "the wild".

My Tramontina 6.5 quart cast iron Dutch oven is enameled with porcelain on the inside and out and is pretty enough to serve in. Top-of-the-line enameled porcelain Dutch ovens can run $200-$300 (the best is made by Le Creuset, 7.25-Qt for $229.95). You can find the Tramontina 6.5-Qt at Walmart.com for around $50. With such a price difference, you might be inclined to think that Tramontina is an inferior knock-off. Au contraire! Cook's Illustrated Magazine put Dutch ovens to the test and found that the Tramontina performed beautifully and recommends it as their top choice for inexpensive Dutch ovens.

My hubby christened ours by making chili this week. YUM! If you buy one, make sure to read the manufacturer's directions for use and cleaning. The enameled porcelain needs to be babied a bit but if you take care of it, this little cast iron pot should last you for the rest of your cooking days.

P.S. Happy New Year!

My First Give Away Winner!

2009-12-29T22:41:00.000-08:00

I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas holiday. I guess I'm a big liar since I said I'd post the winner of my first give away yesterday, but we were busy packing half the day and on the road the other half so please cut me some slack. I know, excuses, excuses.

So enough talk. I had my little girl randomly choose one lucky follower to recieve the fabulous Trader Joe's Kitchen Cloths and 2 Bryton Pick Flossers.

And the winner is

TracyLaine!

Please email me your mailing address and I'll get those out to you pronto!

If you didn't win this time, no worries. As my number of followers is still pretty small, odds are, each of you wonderful loyalists will win sooner or later and I have high hopes that my give aways will increase in awesomeness.

Tune in later this week when I'll blog about two favorite Christmas gifts that I received this year. I am convinced that they will both make my life in the kitchen radically better. Can't wait!

Some Fabulous Last Minute Gifts Under $25 & My First Give Away!

2009-12-22T09:15:00.000-08:00

Here's to all you procrastinators out there! We are a sisterhood of well-meaning women who really do plan on getting things done in a timely fashion, but we put things off until the last minute because for us, stress is our greatest motivator. So, I thought I throw you all a rope, and I scouted out some really great, affordable gifts that you can run out and pick up today. But why do it today, when you can wait until Christmas Eve?

Bath and Body Works: Scent Bug $12.99, scented oils $7.50

Running on 2 AA batteries, this little device fills your home with any of 30 different scented oil fragrances without the open flame of a candle and comes in 7 fun colors.

Costco: 8-piece Glass Beaded Utensil Set $19.97

Dresses up any serving table, this set comes with 2 large serving spoons, 2 appetizer spoons, and 4 spreader knives accented with hand made glass beads that come in blue or green shades.

Costco: Dexas Over-the-sink Bamboo Cutting Board with Collapsible Strainer $16.99

Wash and drain produce in the strainer before chopping, or use it to stash carrot or potato peelings. Folds flat for easy storage.

Cost Plus World Market: Silver Peace Sign Jewelry $9.99/piece

Anything and everything peace-y is popular with the tween to teen crowd. These pieces of quality jewelry make great stocking stuffers.

Cost Plus World Market: Stacking Mugs $9.99 - $14.99

These colorful mugs save space and will accent any kitchen decor. I love the multicolored stripey ones in the back. So pretty!

Target: White Ceramic Serving Platters $19.99 - $24.99

If you entertain, you know how indispensable plain white platters are. Add to your giftee's collection with an oval, square, or rectangular one from Target.

I hope these suggestions help if your in a gift-giving slump. I know I'd love any of these things under the tree with my name on them. And now on to one final piece of business...

MY FIRST GIVE AWAY!!!

I'm giving away two small, but fabulous products to one lucky follower. All you have to do to be eligible, is be a follower of this blog. I'll randomly choose the winner and post it next Monday.

The first item is a 2-pack of Trader Joe's amazing kitchen cloths.

I tried to have my little guy play "spokesmodel" but it didn't quite work out. Oh well, he's adorable anyway.

The second item I'm giving away is a cool new little device I was sent to try called the Bryton Pick.

If you hate getting food stuck in your teeth when you're away from home and can't floss, you'll love the Bryton Pick. It runs circles around toothpicks, or anything else you might try to fish that poppyseed out from between your two front teeth. Developed and tested by dental professionals, they're pre-sterilized and made of germ resistant stainless steel and are re-usable for up to 30 days. I'll be sending the winner 2, each in their own little pouch. They are currently available from Meijer, Kinney drugs, and online.

So check back here the Monday after Christmas, and I'll announce the winner. In the meantime, have a wonderful, glorious, and peaceful holiday celebrating the birth and life of your savior and mine, Jesus Christ. May God bless you and your families.

These Are A Few Of My Favorite (Household) Things

2009-12-16T18:00:00.000-08:00

I apologize for neglecting my blog as of late. Life has been nothing short of insane at my house and since my hubby and I share the computer, my time on it is limited in the evenings when I usually blog. To make up for it, I thought I'd list a few of my favorite items in this blog instead of my usual one. None of these products is life-altering necessarily, but I love them nonetheless.

Trader Joe's Kitchen Cloths: Think Sham-Wow, but for your kitchen. It absorbs an insane amount of liquid and wrings out almost dry. Best part, it never gets stinky. Use it to wipe down any surface in the kitchen and for cleaning up spills.

Image from Green Clean Review blog. $3.99/2-pack

Kidco Baby Steps Food Mill Grinder: The phrase "make your own baby food" used to sound so intimidating to me. I envisioned spending hours in the kitchen cooking and then pureeing all kinds of fruits, veggies, and meats and then storing it all in labeled, single-serving sized containers in the freezer. I'd then have to carefully thaw and reheat them before each meal. Needless to say, I never did any of it ,and my baby food mill grinder sat in my cupboard through 3 kids. It wasn't until my fourth baby that I realized how amazing this little grinder is. I literally throw whatever (cooked food) my family is having for dinner in the grinder with a little water and it grinds it up beautifully. I then stir in a little more liquid and my my baby gobbles it down. In fact, he hates baby food and will only eat what the rest of us are eating. This device has saved me so much money!

$11.95 (comes with it's own carrying case) on Amazon.

Lash Stiletto Mascara by Maybelline New York: I was married to my old mascara for years but after I read some favorable reviews of Lash Stiletto on Beauty.com, I thought I'd give it a try. After a few uses, I was sold. I have stubby, thin lashes, so anything that makes my lashes visible to the naked eye is amazing to me. This mascara definitely makes them look longer and thicker without giving me spider lashes. I buy the waterproof kind and it stays put, no raccoon eyes.

$6.98 at Walmart

I hope you are all enjoying this holiday season. My next post will include a few last-minute gift ideas for all you procrastinators out there (myself included) and... drum roll please, my first ever give away to one lucky follower! Stay tuned.

Cutco Spatula Spreader: A Kitchen Multitasker

2009-12-08T22:00:00.000-08:00

If you've heard of Cutco Knives, chances are a college-age friend or family member has had you sit through an extremely long sales pitch/demonstration about how Cutco knives are the best out there and how you should spend obscene amounts of money on them. Well, I've sat through their presentation as well and, although I had no money to spend on knives at that time, I caved and bought the 3-knife set. The set I purchased came with Cutco's Spatula Spreader as a free gift. Honestly, that's the only reason I bought the set because I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it. Don't get me wrong. The knives are good quality and have a great unique handle that fits nicely in your hand, but in my opinion, they are waaaaay overpriced. Now, that I've had the knives for several months, I'm thinking it was almost worth spending the money on the knives just to get the Spatula Spreader, or as I call it, the "Super-Duper Sandwich Maker".

The coolest thing you can do with this knife/spreader is make sandwiches in no time flat. Now I know that isn't exactly earth shattering, but if you're someone who makes sandwiches for your kid's lunches, you'll appreciate this spreader for that aspect alone. I think a reviewer (Sherkarr) from Epinions.com summed it up best:

"One of my favorite parts of the (knife) set was the spreader. It is flat like a spatula and then curved at the top, but with an edge on one side like that of the steak knives. If you buy nothing else from Cutco, buy the spreader! It is a sandwich makers dream! Slice the tomato, put mayo on the bread, chop up the onions and celery, mix the tuna...boom! No other tools necessary. And it is great for frosting cakes, and slice and serving cakes and pies."

If you've read my blog, you know I have a love affair with multitaskers. Well, this handy little knife-spreader-spatula-in-one is at the top of my list of kitchen multitaskers that are well worth the dough (especially since you can find them on Ebay for less). I took it to a recent church dinner where pumpkin pie was the dessert, and I was told my spatula spreader out-cut and out-served every other kitchen utensil that was brought.

As far as the cost, I wouldn't recommend paying full price. Cutco is notorious for being secretive about the prices of their knives. They're not listed anywhere on their website and the sales reps won't even tell you what individual knives sell for unless you sit through their entire presentation. Ebay retailers claim that Cutco sells it for $49 and most of their "buy it now" prices are $39 new or used for around $25. I know buying a used kitchen utensil seems a little creepy, but just wash and sanitize it, and you won't care. I've used and washed mine almost daily for the past 3 months and it still looks brand new. I truly love this knife/spatula/spreader or whatever it is and I'm sure you will too.

If you need further convincing, you can read more reviews at Epinions.com

Great Gift Idea: Handmade Interchangeable Jada Belt Buckles

2009-12-05T19:58:00.000-08:00

I was surfing around the blogosphere and ended up on the gorgeous blog, Blue Hydrangea, where I caught a glimpse of these to-die-for, handmade belt buckles. They're sold on Esty by M "n" M Treasures and not only come in 200+ different styles/colors, they're also extremely affordable at $16 - $36 each! I wouldn't mind finding one of these in my stocking. (I sure hope my husband reads this post!)

A mere smattering of the belt buckles available. To view more styles or to purchase, click here.

A Few Affordable Faves from Trader Joe's

2009-12-04T10:25:00.000-08:00

I'm just back from a trip to my all-time favorite grocery store, Trader Joe's or TJ's. I know some of you are die-hard fans already and know that store inside and out, but for those of you not yet converted, hopefully this post will help you see the light. Not only is TJ's known for carrying products with high-quality, unprocessed ingredients, but Consumer Reports ranked Trader Joe's near the top of their list for lowest prices compared with all other nation-wide grocery store chains, including Costco and Walmart.

Frozen foods is definitely one area where TJ's excels. Their frozen vegetables are the best we've tried. Besides veggies, they have quite a few frozen products to save you time and energy in the kitchen. A couple of my favorites are the Party Size Mini Meatballs ($3.69) and the Sweet Potato Frites ($2.29). The meatballs are the perfect size to use as appetizers but also taste great on a sub or paired with pasta and your favorite sauce. They're seasoned perfectly, unlike other frozen meatballs I've tried that are like little salt bombs.

My kids will not eat sweet potatoes or yams in any way, shape, or form...unless they look and taste like french fries. As a dietitian, I'm all for getting veggies into your kids any way you can, but especially the brightly colored ones. Just pop TJ's Sweet Potato Frites in the oven and you've got a side dish that your kids will love, even while their getting their daily dose of vitamin A.

(Sorry about the poor photo quality...not much natural light in my kitchen.)

TJ's Puttanesca Sauce is not your ordinary jarred tomato sauce. This stuff is just bursting with intense flavors from tomatoes, black and kalamata olives, capers, anchovies, garlic, and basil. My husband is a bit of a pasta sauce snob, and we usually make our own, but he couldn't stop raving about this sauce the first time I served it. Throwing a meal together with this stuff couldn't be easier. Pasta, Puttanesca, salad, done. Oh, and some crusty bread from TJ's bakery department would be nice too.

If you are a chocolate or coffee lover and you like the tartness of real yogurt, you have to try TJ's Coffeehaus line of european style yogurt ($0.99/5.3oz cup). They carry two flavors, coffee and chocolate. I'm not a coffee drinker but I adore the chocolate flavor. The color reminds me of a chocolate frosty from Wendy's (another fave) but the texture is silky smooth. With every spoonful you'll taste a perfect balance between tart, sweet, and rich chocolate flavors, with some added chocolate goodness on the bottom that you can stir in. And with 25% of the daily value for calcium and only 130 calories per container, it's an indulgence I can feel good about.

Speaking of indulgence, TJ's carries a variety of high quality Belgium chocolate in one pound bars called Pound Plus ($3.99). They break easily into one-ounce squares and are perfect for cooking and baking, but I also like to snack on a square or two of the dark chocolate after dinner. YUM!!!

I'll just mention one more find exclusive for the holidays. Mini Gingerbread Men cookies with white fudge icing in a festive green one pound box ($2.99) make a great addition to any gift basket or a perfect snack on Christmas Eve, and then you can leave a few out for you-know-who. They have a strong ginger flavor without being too spicy and have just the right amount of icing on each crunchy little cookie. Pair them with a glass of cold milk and good luck stopping at just ~~one~~ five.

Even if you don't have a Trader Joe's around the corner from you, it's worth taking a drive to one every once in a while to stock up on some high quality, very affordable products that you just won't find anywhere else. You'll be glad you did. I'm planning on posting a few faves from TJ's every once in a while so consider this the first of many. And please let me know what some of your favorite TJ products are. That place is like a treasure chest. You never know what you're going to find until you dig around for awhile.

Shower Power Lives!!!

2009-11-30T19:26:00.000-08:00

My freshman year of college, I lived with five other girls in what was referred to as a "cooking dorm". It consisted of three bedrooms, a bathroom, and a tiny eat-in kitchen. We were not slobs by any means, but when the quarterly cleaning inspections would come around, the six of us would literally stay up all night cleaning. You see, the dorm not only needed to be clean, it had to look brand spankin' new, despite the fact that these dorms were built in the 1950's. (All you BYU alum will relate.) These nearly impossible standards were met through the use of one amazing product, Shower Power. In fact, we were required to use Shower Power to clean the showers, tubs, faucets, and even inside the dishwasher because it was the only cleaner that could restore these things to nearly new condition after daily ~~abuse~~ use by six coeds.

A really pathetic picture, I know. It's the best I could do.

After I was married, I continued to use Shower Power, convinced that I would never use another shower cleaner as long as I lived. Then one terrible day, I couldn't find it on the store shelf. So I went to another store, then another, and, well you get the picture. It had disappeared, and I was ticked! But I'm the type of girl who'd rather sit around and whine about a problem instead of actually do something about it. So eventually, I gave up looking for it and tried another cleaner, then another, and, well you get the picture.

Then just a few weeks ago, my awesome sister called me and suggested I blog about Shower Power. I said that I'd love to but I hadn't seen it on store shelves in years. Then she told me about a magical thing called "Google" that will lead you to whatever your heart desires. Duuhhhh! Why hadn't I though of that?! Apparently the company that makes Shower Power couldn't make it fast enough, so they decided to sell it exclusively through their own website. Well, I felt like a total idiot. All these years, all I had to do was order Shower Power online, instead of spending hours scrubbing my tub with inferior products. As soon as I hung up with my sister, I ordered myself a couple of bottles, post haste!

Once my package arrived, I clutched the familiar blue bottle to my chest, and danced around the house singing "I can't wait to clean the shower!", over and over again. I'm sure my husband thought I had already opened the bottle and inhaled deeply by the way I was behaving. But seriously, this stuff really, really works, and I was delighted to find that the formula has not been changed a smidge since I used it in college. My shower was pretty bad off since I was waiting to clean it until the Shower Power arrived and six of us use the same shower/bath daily. (I need a bigger house!) But with very little elbow grease, it was clean as a whistle again. I love love love this stuff!

To order Shower Power bathroom cleaner, just visit their easy-to-use website. A 2-pack of 32-ounce bottles costs $14.99 and a 64-ounce refill bottle is $13.99. Buy 4 at a time to save a little $$. If you love it as much as I do, let me know. (Please read all directions before using. This product should not be used on granite, marble, or any other natural stone surfaces because it will etch.)

Cooking Light Peanut Butter Taste Test Results

2009-11-24T18:04:00.000-08:00

I promised myself that I wouldn't mention peanut butter ever again on this blog, but I'm breaking my promise today. You see, the other day, I opened up my totally awesome December issue of Cooking Light and there it was, a PEANUT BUTTER TASTE TEST! So, for those of you without a subscription, I thought I'd fill you in on what the professionals think is the best natural PB out there.

The peanut butter voted the Best Natural Creamy was Adams 100% Natural Peanut Butter, which is a brand I simply could not get my hands on for my taste test. The tasters said it had a surprisingly smooth texture for a natural peanut butter and that it costs about $4.00/16oz, but I know you can get it for under $2.50 here in SoCal.

The Best Natural Crunchy title went to Krema Natural Peanut Butter. I had never heard of this brand, but it is made by the Krema Nut Company and is available by mail order only. The raters liked "the hunks of peanuts, the crunch and the real peanut flavor". (Cooking Light, Dec 2009, p.67) Krema PB is $3.29 (16oz) plus shipping.

Now that we have the results of a legitimate taste test, I promise I will not mention peanut butter again on this blog (unless I have a really good reason)!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

An Oldie but Goodie: Tupperware's Shape-O Toy

2009-11-21T22:52:00.000-08:00

Mention the word "tupperware" and many people my age will have flashbacks of their moms in the living room with her friends, eating fondue, and ooh and aahing over avocado-colored bowls with lids that burp and trumpet-shaped, plastic cups in the shades of orange, electric blue, green and red.

But, Tupperware has kept up with the times. Their website still offers the, almost indestructible, classics you remember, and several cool new items as well. This post is not about cupcake caddies, though. Today, I am raving about their shape sorter, the Shape-O Toy. You know, the classic red and blue octagonal-shaped ball that requires the strength of Sampson to pull apart to get the yellow shapes to fall out?

My mom bought one for my kids several years ago and I muttered my thanks and didn't think much of it. However, since that time, I have become increasingly grateful for this awesome toy. Here are a few things I love about this toy:

1. It teaches a total of 10 shapes, including a few unusual ones. I don't think there's another toy sorter on the market that will help your preschooler learn the difference between a hexagon and a trapezoid, or as my 3-year old says, a "hex-gone" and "trapazazoid".

2. It encourages adult interaction, especially to help your kids get the shapes out of the ball. I have yet to see a preschooler open up one of these babies on his own. It's kind of cool when my kids look at me like some kind of superhero because I'm able to pull the thing apart. Just make sure you don't catch anyone's finger in it when it snaps back together.

3. It's a great rattle as well as a shape sorter. Kids of all ages LOVE shaking this ball! Yes, at times it can be a little irritating, but it's worth it to see my child having so much fun with a toy that requires no batteries.

4. It's extremely durable. And if you ever need to replace yours, which is unlikely, you can rest assured that Tupperware will be selling this shape shorter long after our kids have outgrown them. In fact, I'm pretty sure I played with one as a kid and I'm 3? years old.

For the holiday season, you can purchase the Shape-O Toy on Tupperware's website for the special price of $22.00 (regular price $26.50) and it comes in it's own decorative box and with an adorable Shape-O Toy key chain. It's called the Shake, Rattle and Roll Set and makes a great gift. And if that price is still too steep for you, you can get it for free by throwing a Tupperware party. If you do, make sure to send me an invitation!

Have Games, Will Travel

2009-11-15T22:11:00.000-08:00

First of all, I'd like to give a big thanks to Emily for guest blogging about her favorite crafting tools last week. I don't know about you, but I saw one or two things that I'm adding to my Christmas list.

Speaking of the holidays...

...if your family is like ours, the holiday season brings long hours in the car, which means this time of year, I'm on the lookout for new ways to make the time in the car fun for our kids, and more peaceful for my husband and me. Check out these great travel games from Melissa and Doug that I saw featured on MomsMinivan.com. They're called "Flip to Win" games and include:

Hangman

Memory

Bingo

Bear Hunt (just like Who's Who)

and

Four-In-A- Row (like Connect Four)

The beauty of these games is that there are no removable parts to lose (except for the dry erase pen with hangman) and no batteries to change. These wooden games are well-constructed and very durable, just like you'd expect from Melissa and Doug.

I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the box (I ordered a bundle of three from Amazon) and found the the game boards were bigger and sturdier than they appeared on my computer screen. My kids immediately were enthralled with them and played with them so much that I had to hide them so they'd still be excited about them when it comes time to take the 6-hour drive to grandma's house. The recommended age for these games is 5 or 6 years and up, but my 3 and 1/2 year old loves to flip the wooden squares over just to discover what's underneath them.

By far, the lowest prices I found for these games online were on Amazon, especially if you buy the three pack of Bear Hunt, Memory, and Hangman (my girls' fave) for $37.15 with free super saver shipping. The individual prices are as follows: Hangman $10.24, Bear hunt $14.32, Memory $10.57, Bingo $15.89, Four-In-A-Row $10.61.

Happy traveling!

My Favorite Crafting Tools by Emily

2009-11-10T10:07:00.000-08:00

Helloooooooo everybody out there in blogland!

It's so fun to be here and be able to guest post about some of my favorite CRAFTING TOOLS!

(Drool)

There's nothing I like doing more than talking about CRAFTING (and crafting stuff)!

(Drool again)

Ok, so here we go.

I'll start off with my very, most favoritest (yes, that's a word.......my kids use it) tool.

My computer!!

Yup! That's right, my PC (yes, I'm a PC)

Anyhoo, there are soooooooo many crafts I use my computer for.

Most recently my fun magnetic chore chart.

The BEST software to use for doing crafty stuff like that (in my opinion....which is why I'm here :), is Microsoft Office Publisher.

You can design ANYTHING with that!

It came free when we bought our new PC a few years back, and now it's my very favorite!

The other big thing I do with my computer, is designing vinyl creations for signs, or just to stick on the wall. And then cutting it out with my vinyl cutter (another fav!)

Ok, next on my list is my Speedball brayer!

This baby is SO versitile!

I believe it was originally used just for inking and stamping, but now they have 4 different rollers you can get to use for different jobs.

I LOVE the original rubber roller, but may have to try the others soon!

This is great for when you adhere paper to any craft. Roll this baby over the paper using a little presure and it helps it adhere better and will get the bubbles out when using wet glue.

Especially great for Mod Podge creations like my cute tool carryall.

I also use it for all my vinyl signs to help me make sure the vinyl sticks well to the wood.

Another great use is in stamping and inking stuff.

You can find this at any craft store or art supply store for $10~$12 bucks......but be sure to use your 40% off coupon :)

Next up: Adhesives!

First......if you've ever read my blog, you can guess that my FAVORITE adhesive is E6000 glue.

It is (according to the packaging), flexible, paintable, waterproof, non-flamable, & safe for photos.
AND
can be used on all sorts of surfaces like: wood, metal, glass, paper, fabric, beads, ceramic, and just about anything else you can think of!

It's great for all kinds of projects, like these cute magnets.
You can get a 2 oz. tube (will last you a LONG time) for $2.67 at good 'ole WallyWorld or slightly more at your local craft or art supply store. And they recently started making the tubes with easier to clean nozzle.
Just make sure to use this in a well ventilated space.....it's stinky.
ANOTHER adhesive I really like for things that won't stick with regular glue....

Aeene's Tacky Glue (the clear kind). Works great and grabs hold of those projects using really thick paper (or photos) or other heavier embellishments. And it dries clear!

I used it to adhere the pics on these photo blocks I made for my baby sister's wedding.

You can get this for $1.50~$3 bucks.......very reasonable.
Last, but not least......

My awesome Carl 12" paper cutter!
I got this baby at Sams Club a few years back, and haven't looked back since!
This cutter makes sharp, straight, precise cuts every time. And you can cut up to 10 sheets of paper at a time! I've even cut 4 layers of flannel fabric with it (yup, you heard me.......4 layers of FLANNEL FABRIC).
Boy, was that the straightest cut fabric EVER!
I love this cutter because it has a locking rail that you just push down on to keep your paper in place and the blades are carbide and make the sharpest cuts and will last forever!

I used it to cut the paper for this cute invite!
You can find it at most office supply stores, but I think Staples is cheapest at around $36~ish bucks. When it does come time to buy replacement blades.....go back to Staples and get them for $6~$7 bucks. They also have scoring, perforating, and other decorative blades.
K, so that wraps it up......I don't want to use up too much space on Angie's awesome blog.
BTW, a huge thank you to her for letting me guest post here and talk about some of my favorite crafting tools
(Drool again)
Stop by my blog when you get a chance and check out more fun crafts made using my cool tools!
Have fun!

Craft Tool Teaser

2009-11-09T15:23:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow I'm going to have my very first guest blogger on I Love These Products! Since crafting is not my forte, my good friend Emily is going to write about some of her all-time favorite crafting tools. Emily is the author of one of the best crafty blogs out there, Not So Idle Hands. Her projects are easy, inexpensive, and oh-so creative and cute. So be sure to check back tomorrow, and in the mean time, you can visit Emily's awesome blog. lotsalove!

Hairspray Fidelity

2009-11-06T22:24:00.000-08:00

I don't have much brand loyalty when it comes to hair care products and will buy whatever looks good to me on the shelf if the price is right. However, I've been very disappointed with my last several choices of (cheap) hair sprays. So, when I saw a glowing review of Loreal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray in a magazine and noticed it's available at Target, and not a salon, my interest was peaked. Then I went to Total Beauty.com and looked up this product. Twenty-four people reviewed it and twenty-three of them gave it a 9 or 10 out of 10 stars. Not bad.

I guess this stuff used to be available only in Europe and it only recently began to be sold here. So I ran out to Target and picked up a shiny gold can of it to see if it lived up to the hype. What's supposed to set this spray apart is the fact that it holds even after you brush through it and leaves your hair softer, shinier, and more manageable than before you put it on. That's practically unheard of in a strong holding hairspray.

My opinion? This stuff rocks! I have very fine hair that doesn't hold any style well, but with Elnett, my bangs stay side swept, my curls stay intact, and my pony tails stay smooth. Plus, my hair is so freakin soft right now, I can't stop running my fingers through it.

Elnett Satin is more expensive than the cheapo sprays I usually buy, but well worth it. I paid $14.99 for an 11oz can that also came with a 2.2oz travel size. That's still several dollars less expensive than the one other spray I really like, Big Sexy Hair.

It may be a little too soon for me to say that I'll remain faithful to this product, what with my wandering eye and all, but this just may be the one that will make me change my ways.

Do you have a favorite hair spray?

Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Taste Test: The Results!

2009-11-03T20:48:00.000-08:00

I am soooooo sick of peanut butter right now!

Sorry, I just needed to get that out. Now, onto the main event.

Let's meet the contenders:

Vons Organics Old-Fashioned Crunchy Peanut Butter ($3.89/18oz Vons)

Laura Scudder's Old Fashioned Peanut Butter, Nutty ($2.49/16oz, Albertsons)

Trader Joe's Crunchy Salted Peanut Butter ($1.79/16oz).

I must mention that Trader Joe's also has an organic variety of the same PB for slightly more. I'm kicking myself that I didn't write down the cost last time I was there, but I believe it was around $2.50, still a great value.

I didn't include Adam's or Smuckers PB in this comparison because they are distributed by the same company as Laura Scudder's so I'm pretty sure you can only find one of these three brands in a store at any given time. You can order all of them from Smuckers website, but you have to buy a case of 6 at a time.

I'll start with my two daughters' preferences (ages 6 and 8). As you can see, my son isn't too picky when it comes to peanut butter so I didn't even ask him. He devoured all three without a blink. My girls both agreed that they liked Von's Organics brand the best, but also agreed that Trader Joe's had the strongest peanut flavor. Since younger kids typically like milder flavors, their choice didn't surprise me.

As for my husband's and my observations/opinions, I'll review each PB individually.

Vons Organics: Sealed for freshness, light peanutty, almost sweet aroma upon opening, mildest peanut flavor of the three, saltiness wasn't overpowering, stickier than the others, somewhat difficult to stir in the oil, the only organic brand of the three, $0.22/oz

Laura Scudder's: No freshness seal, a roasted, almost burnt aroma, strong peanut flavor, salty but not too much, by far the most difficult to stir and incorporate all of the oil, $0.16/oz

Trader Joe's: Sealed for freshness, darkest color and strongest peanut aroma, strongest peanut taste and the saltiest, the easiest to stir, oil incorporates easily, $0.11/oz

(Scientific looking, huh?)

It was interesting to me that the saltiness varied so much between the peanut butters since they all have close to the same amount of sodium per serving. The other thing to note is that all three were tasted at room temperature. Old-fashioned peanut butter must be refrigerated after opening and the strength of the flavor diminishes when cold. For stronger flavor and easier spreadability, I'd recommend nuking the jar (lid off, of course) for several seconds before using.

So without mincing words, my favorite was Trader Joe's, my husband's was Laura Scudder's and my kids liked Vons Organics the best. I'm chuckling to myself as I write this because after all the effort and planning, we couldn't agree on which one was the best. I guess I didn't take into consideration personal preferences. But I agree with my husband that the differences in taste were not so pronounced that we'd recommend spending any more money than you have to.

I'm fooded out for now. I think my next review will be about something much more important, like..... hairspray. haha lotsalove!

Peanut Butter Primer

2009-11-01T20:35:00.000-08:00

No, I'm not suggesting you smear your walls with peanut butter to prep them for a new paint job. I just thought that before I post my natural PB taste test results, I'd don my dietitian's cap and fill you in on what a nutritional powerhouse peanuts are and why switching from regular to natural PB may be a really smart and healthful move for you and your family.

Peanuts are actually not nuts at all. They are from the legume (or bean) family and are a great source of high quality protein and fiber, just like other legumes. They are also a good source of several vitamins and minerals. Just to name a few: the antioxidant vitamin E, folate and other B vitamins, magnesium, copper, zinc, potassium, and phosphorus. They are also a good source of phytochemicals which are naturally occurring plant chemicals that help our bodies prevent chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer.

What turns some people off of eating peanuts or peanut butter is the high fat content, but the fat in peanuts is mostly monounstaturated, which means it helps lower our cholesterol levels. In fact, studies show that people who eat peanuts and other sources of monounsaturated fats on a daily basis have lower levels of heart disease. What makes most peanut butters unhealthy is not what's in the peanuts, it's what PB manufacturers add to the peanut butter.

My definition of "natural" is a little different from food manufacturers'. I consider PB that contains no added fats (hydrogenated oils or palm oil) and no added sweeteners (corn syrup, sugar, molasses, etc) to be truly natural. Really, there should only be 2 ingredients in peanut butter: peanuts and salt. Now, I know too much salt is not good for us either, but have you tasted salt free PB? Unless you've got severe high blood pressure, cutting out the salt in PB really isn't necessary.

There are some so-called "natural" peanut butters on the market now that have added fats and sugars, but because the ingredients themselves are not processed, they are allowed to use the "natural" label. Don't be fooled by these imposters. All they have done is substituted palm oil for hydrogenated oils and sugar or molasses for high fructose corn syrup. Palm and other tropical oils are mostly saturated fat and are no better for us than trans fats. Added sugar is added sugar, no matter what form it takes. Our kids' diets are already so full of added sugars and unhealthy fats in the form of snack foods and lunch box staples, they really don't need it on their sandwiches too.

Although I'm a dietitian, I'm definitely not a health fanatic. When things get busy, I give my kids chicken nuggets and mac and cheese from a box just like any other mom. But I'm a staunch believer in moderation. Whether or not you should switch to natural PB really depends on your family's overall diet and how much peanut butter you eat on a regular basis. If you're kids are like mine and eat PB several times a week, think about what other processed foods they eat and how much added sugars and unhealthy fats they're consuming regularly. Start looking at ingredient lists on food labels, and then decide if it's worth the added expense and extra stirring. As parents, we stress about making sure our kids are buckled into their car seats and we teach them about ways to protect the environment, but often overlook the little things, that over time, can have a big impact on our kids' health. And health is something that if lost, is almost impossible to get back.

We switched to natural PB several months ago and didn't tell the kids. They've never said a word about it and honestly, I can't even stomach regular PB anymore. It tastes so un-natural to me. I like my peanut butter to actually taste like peanuts.

I apologize if I've sounded at all soap-boxy (if that's even a word). My job is simply to educate and you take care of the rest. Natural peanut butter taste test coming within the next day or so. Take care of yourselves! lotsalove!

Have You Seen Me?

2009-10-29T17:25:00.000-07:00

I apologize for the lack of posts this week. Life has been nothing short of crazy, however, I have been busy searching out "natural" peanut butters for my upcoming taste/cost comparison. But there is one that, although I have heard good things about, I have yet to see on a store shelf.

Have you seen me?

When I tried to locate a store that carries it, it gave me the address for a Target that's 11 miles away even though there's at least four other Targets much closer to me. So if anyone has seen Smucker's Natural Peanut Butter out there, please let me know!

Do you think I should hang up flyers around my neighborhood? lotsalove!

Follow Up: Bar Keepers Friend In Action

2009-10-24T09:41:00.000-07:00

I just thought I'd post some before and after pics of our stainless steel sauce pan. My husband had cooked scrambled eggs in it the night before and I scrubbed it with hot soapy water the next morning. Even after it had soaked for several minutes, this is as clean as I could get it.

And this is how it looked after we scrubbed it with

Bar Keepers Friend.

Ooooo, shiny!

Bar Keepers Friend...and Yours and Mine

2009-10-23T16:13:00.000-07:00

As I told you in my post about Spray Way Glass Cleaner, I love, love, love multitasking products! They mean less hassle, less money, and more room in my cupboards. Bar Keeper's Friend Cleanser and Polish is another one of those cleaning products that you may not see advertised, but is a superstar when it comes to cleaning. It cleans stainless steel, fiber glass, porcelain, glass and enameled cook tops, copper, tile, brass, chrome, and removes stains from laundry. It even removes rust and hard water deposits. I told you it was a superstar! Bar Keeper's friend cleans better than Comet or Soft Scrub, without scratching or any harsh fumes. Just give me a can of Bar Keeper's Friend and Spray Way and I can practically clean my whole house!

I've been especially impressed with the way this stuff removes the cooked on black stuff from my white enameled cook top better than any other cleaner I've tried. It also does a beautiful job on my white porcelain kitchen sink and chrome faucet, making them look like new!

The only local store I've found that carries Bar Keeper's Friend is Bed Bath and Beyond, where I picked up a 21 ounce can for $2.99. The store locater on the product's website claims that Target, Walmart, and Albertson's also carry it, but I haven't seen it in any of those stores. Ace Hardware is also listed although I haven't looked there. Amazon carries the entire line of Bar Keepers Friend products as does the company's official website which offers online ordering but you have to buy 4 cans at a time (4-21 oz cans/$8.50).

Please read all instructions and warnings before using. Happy scrubbing! lotsalove!

Coming soon..."Natural" Peanut Butter taste test!

Turn Water Bottles Into Sports Bottles

2009-10-20T17:20:00.000-07:00

A mom in my play group introduced me to Gerber Graduates Spill-Proof Water Bottle Spouts which turns any ordinary water bottle in to a sports bottle. This product is literally an answer to a prayer for me (Thanks, Kelly)!

My 3-year-old chews on EVERYTHING and has all but destroyed every sippy cup and reusable water bottle we own, and when I just give him an open water bottle, more gets on him than in him. These water spouts are made of such hard plastic that my son has no choice but to drink out of it like a normal human being, AND they truly are spill-proof! I can now hand my son a full, open bottle of water in the car with no qualms. That is, until he decides to give it a good squeeze when it's full. But he hasn't thought of that...yet.

The spouts just pop on and off of the water bottle and are reusable and dish washer safe. My daughter's teacher allows her students to bring water bottles into the classroom if they have a sports bottle spout. I save a ton of money reusing these spouts instead of buying water bottles with a sports top already on them.

You can find these at Albertson's supermarkets in the baby aisle for $1.49 each. I haven't found them in any other stores, but they are available online for $3.95 per-2 pack with minimal shipping costs. The recommended age for this product is 12 months+. Happy sipping! lotsalove!

P.S. If you enjoy this blog, please tell a friend. I have yet to find my niche in this vast blogosphere, but not for a lack of looking. So until I do, word of mouth is my best friend. Thanks in advance! - Angie

Moms, This One's For You!

2009-10-16T21:10:00.000-07:00

Long gone are the days when I would put on my running shoes and jog out the front door for an hour-long run without a care in the world. Back then, I mistakenly thought that if I didn't spend at least 45 minutes working out, it wasn't worth the effort. Fast forward to today when I don't have 45 minutes in a row to do anything! With a husband who is gone for long hours and four young, needy children, I have to squeeze in a little exercise wherever I can and be satisfied. During my last pregnancy, I started searching for an exercise DVD that would provide a complete workout in less than 30 minutes. I'm thrilled to share with you that I found one that I truly love!

I'm not really a fan of Jillian Michaels, but I am a fan of her 30 Day Shred DVD. The following is a list of what I love about it:

1. It has 3 complete workouts on one DVD.

2. The workouts are 20 minutes from start to finish.

3. Each workout contains strength training, cardio, and ab work.

4. Each workout is a different level with different moves so I don't get bored.

5. The moves are easy to modify if you're not feeling too energetic that day.

6. All of the workouts are pretty intense, but level 3 kicks my butt every time.

7. The only equiptment needed are light hand weights and a mat.

8. Jillian is not too annoying to have in my living room a few times a week.

Although I do love this DVD, there are a couple of things I don't like about it, but by no means are they deal breakers. There's a 5-minute intro at the beginning of the DVD that is impossible to skip or fast forward through. Believe me, I've tried everything. Instead of sitting and waiting, I'll just start the DVD and then finish getting ready while she yaps on. The other unfortunate thing is that Jillian uses the term bad a** once in each of the workouts. Not exactly hard core profanity, but that's definitely not something I want my 3-year-old repeating, so I try to distract him when I know it's coming if he's in the room.

This DVD is available from Amazon for as low as $7.33 new and $6.69 used. What a deal! I've been using it for several months now and I've definitely seen increases in my strength and fitness levels and the post-baby weight is coming off slowly but surely. Am I "shredded"? Well, no. While I have a lofty goal of working out 5 days a week, most of the time I don't get in more than 3. But, I'm cool with that. I think one of the most valuable things I've learned from using this DVD is that when it comes to exercising, quality matters more than quantity. Have fun sweating! lotsalove!

Window Markers

2009-10-11T22:21:00.000-07:00

I read somewhere that Angelina Jolie lets her kids color all over the walls to encourage their creativity. Ummm, yea, well I guess my kids' inner artist doesn't stand a chance because that's not happening in my house.

I did come across a product that lets my kids experience the euphoric feeling of coloring all over the walls without having to hire someone to repaint the interior of my home every few months. Our living room has a sliding glass door that almost takes up the entire wall thanks to an extra panel of glass on the other side. It's a huge pain to keep clean, but when when I found Crayola's Window Markers, I new my kids would have a blast coloring on our "wall o' glass".

And boy did they! They spent hours drawing, doodling, and even working out their math homework on their new canvas. And when I decide I want clean windows again, I wipe it off with a damp cloth, then a dry one, and presto...good as new! Eat your heart out Angelina!

Crayola Window Markers (8-pack) are available on their website for $5.49 + shipping, but I picked mine up at Walmart for $3.64. The label warns not to let ink remain on your glass for extended periods of time or it may be more difficult to remove. Have fun! lotsalove!

Better Than GoGurts!

2009-10-08T20:50:00.000-07:00

I think yogurt in a tube is a really great idea! It's nutritious, appealing to kids, and freezable so you can throw them in your child's lunch box and they thaw by noon. If you're sneaky enough, you might even be able to convince your kids that they're popsicles.

I try to keep this blog positive, but I need to fill you in on some sad statistics: 70% of kids in the U.S. have below-normal levels of vitamin D and less than 50% of kids ages 6-11 get the recommended # of servings of dairy products a day, which provide 76% of their calcium intake. These statistics are only getting worse and along with them, our kids' bone density. There are quite a few reasons for this trend, but the bottom line is that, despite the popularity of the "Got Milk?" ad campaign, children past the age of 6 just don't drink much milk anymore. It's our job as their parents to try and change that.

I literally grew up with a dairy cow in our back pasture (her name was Buttercup, and she was so beautiful!) but these days, we're lucky if our kids even know where milk comes from. So that's why I think yogurt in a tube is a great idea. It takes a food product that's ho-hum, and makes it cool and desirable just by changing how it's packaged. However, what is not desirable, is added sugar and high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors blue 1 and red 40, and a huge price tag for the tiny bit of yogurt actually in those tubes.

Many thanks to Stonyfield Farm for offering us a choice, which is: yogurt in a tube with all the above mentioned crap, or great-tasting, totally tubular yogurt without any, as they put it, "yucky stuff". Their awesome product is called Yokids Squeezers and it comes in berry, cherry, and strawberry flavors. Honestly, my kids love them and really don't know the difference. They still call them "Gogurts". Besides not having any artificial colors or flavors and less sugar than Gogurts, they have the 10% of the Daily Value for calcium and vitamin D and only 0.5 grams of saturated fat. To top it all off, they're less expensive than Gogurts! Love it!!!

I buy them at Trader Joe's for $2.99/8-pack (Gogurts at Albertsons cost $3.59). If you don't live near a Trader Joe's, you can find a retailer that carries them near you by clicking here. I hope your kids love them as much as mine do. lotsalove!

I Found Them! (My P and Q that is)

2009-10-07T20:58:00.000-07:00

I just thought I'd post a follow up regarding the frantic search for my baby's beloved P & Q teethers. Apparently they were left behind at a friend's house when she babysat for me. She said she didn't think they were so important that she needed to call me right away to tell me she had them. Little did she know! Now they're back home safe and sound and I am so relieved! (and I'm sure you are too, ha ha!)

Food Products I Love...Coming Soon

2009-10-06T16:28:00.000-07:00

I've been a practicing registered dietitian for 10 years and have worked in hospitals, nursing homes, a dialysis center, adult day-care centers, and with community-based nutrition programs. But, trying get a balanced diet into my four very different children has been and is my most challenging and rewarding job ever. Because making sure our kids eat well is sometimes an overwhelming responsibility, soon I'll be including posts to help you wade through the commercial hype and find yummy and nutritious products that your kids will love, or at least like.

Since most people I come in contact with outside of the health care industry aren't really sure what a dietitian is or does, I thought I'd take a second to clarify this and establish a little credibility while I'm at it.

Most people are more familiar with the term "nutritionist", but the definition varies from state to state. Some states have licensure laws for using the term, while in others, anyone can hang out their shingle and start doling out nutritional advice with little or no training.

In contrast, the term "registered dietitian" is a legally protected title and can only be used by someone who has completed very specific educational and supervised practice requirements. All dietitians have a minimum of a BS degree nutrition or a similar field, but many also have graduate degrees. Dietitians must then complete an accredited internship program, usually a year or more in length, and pass a national registration exam. We also need to complete a required amount of continuing education every 5 years to maintain the title.

Whew! Clear as mud?

So stay tuned. I'm hoping to post a great food product for kids this week. And as always, if you have any questions or product suggestion, please leave a comment or send me an email. lotsalove!

Mind your P's & Q's

2009-10-05T16:31:00.000-07:00

OK, I'm really not sure what that expression really means, but if we're talking about my P & Q teethers, I'm apparently not very good at minding them, because right after my last post, they disappeared! Really, I've looked everywhere. I still have my green chewy tube, but it's just not the same as that cute little Q. Here's hoping I find them soon. I'll keep you posted. lotsalove!

Chewy Tubes Teethers

2009-10-03T20:39:00.000-07:00

If you have a baby or toddler, you know the frustration of buying every brightly colored, fluid-filled, nubby, scented, and vibrating teether on the market, only to have your little one reject them all and instead you find him gnawing on a cardboard toilet paper roll he fished out of the bathroom trash can. My baby has a particular fetish for flip flops, and since we are a family of 6 living in in Southern California, he always manages to get his chubby little hands on one, despite my best efforts to hide them.

Just thinking about what touches either side of our flip flops and then, in turn, my baby's mouth, drove me to the internet to search for a teether that my baby would actually want to chew on. It was then that I discovered Chewy Tubes "P's & Q's" oral motor devices.

All you occupational therapists and speech pathologists out there have probably heard of Chewy Tubes. As for the rest of you, these are probably as new to you as they were to me. They're made by Speech Pathology Associates, LLC and are a line of devices that can help develop biting and chewing skills or strengthen the jaw. But, some of these devices also make fabulous teethers for infants and toddlers.

What makes them unique is how perfect the firmness and texture are for soothing sore gums and giving new teeth the workout they need. They're just the right size for little hands and are easy to grasp and aren't slippery when wet with slobber. They also make that cool squeaky sound against my baby's gums, which he loves.

Chewy Tubes are made out of a thermo-elastic polymer material (whatever that means) that is latex, pvc, lead, and phthalate free. The original Super Chew device (see right) was not designed to be a infant teether, however, it is suitable for babies ages 9 months and up. I purchased this Super Chew product as well as the P's & Q's and my baby liked it and never gagged on it. However, if your baby has an active gag reflex, he'd would probably do much better with the "Q".

The "P" and the "Q" come as a set and as you can see, my 3-year-old, who still puts everything in his mouth, likes to chew on them also. Babies especially like the little nubby tail on the "Q" which doesn't protrude quite so far into their mouths as the tail on the"P".

To learn more about Chewy Tubes Oral Motor Devices, you can visit the website. To purchase a set of P's & Q's, I found the best price and the lowest shipping costs here. A set of 2 P's & Q's is $6.50 and shipping is $2.00 which is great considering some of the other online retailers charge as much for shipping as they do for the product. Wash with soap and water, and inspect for signs of wear and replace if any appear.

Awwwwww! I love that little guy!

If you give these a try, please let me know how your little ones like them. And now, you can send me an email as well. lotsalove!

1-Minute Shower Facial

2009-09-30T09:55:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of products out there that I really love, but I'm a real sucker for multitaskers. Anything that saves me time, money, and especially, cupboard space, makes me totally weak in the knees. Thanks to the completely impulsive purchase of a magazine at the checkout stand, I recently found a new multitasker to love, and I'm all aglow.

This magazine had asked scores of women to try various hair, skin and makeup products (both drug store and department store varieties) and then vote for their favorites in each of the various categories. I love articles like this because it saves me a ton of money and time experimenting with every product under the sun. I especially love it when the drug store products beat out their department store counterparts. How cool is it when a product performs better but costs half as much?

So what is this new love in my life: Drum roll please.........................................

Clean & Clear Morning Burst In-Shower Facial!!!

This product does everything. It's a cleanser, exfoliator, and mask all in one. You put it on like a mask in the shower and let it sit for 1 minute. It works with the steam in your shower to really deep clean your pores with clay and glycolic acid. Then you massage it gently into your skin to exfoliate, and rinse. My skin not only felt incredibly clean and soft, but it felt all tingly and cool, even after I started applying my makeup. What a morning pick-me-up!

I purchased a 4-ounce bottle at Walmart for $5.44, but it is available anywhere Clean & Clear products are sold. If you try it and love it, please let me know. lotsalove!

DIY Nursing Cover Up

2009-09-26T14:47:00.000-07:00

Most of you have probably heard of Hooter Hiders, the original nursing cover up with corset boning sewn into the top hem so mother and baby can see each other while staying discreet. However, with such a simple design and at $35 each, they were just begging to be knocked off. And they have been, like crazy. In fact, sewing your own is a project even craft-challenged people like me can handle.

I paid $8 for this same easy-to-follow pattern, but you can get it here for FREE with very detailed photos of each step.

The corset boning and D rings are available at most sewing/craft stores like Jo-Ann's. Besides saving a ton of money by sewing your own, you can choose from an endless array of fabrics and personalize it as much as you want. Just make sure the fabric you choose is lightweight and breathable. Also, if you're going to be using it outside in the sun at all, you may want to go for a lighter color of fabric so baby stays cool.

Even if you don't plan on breastfeeding any time soon, these make great gifts for moms-to-be. I've used mine everywhere and have been asked by several people where they could find one.

To be completely honest, because I'm not much of a seamstress, I did have some frustrating moments making this. However, after studying the pattern several times, I eventually got it, and I must say, it looks pretty good. I hope this pattern works well for you. Have fun and let me know how yours turns out. lotsalove!

The Best Blotting Tissues

2009-09-24T20:17:00.000-07:00

When I was pregnant, I had beautiful skin. It was clear, glowing, and shine-free. However, as soon as my little bundle-of-joy was born, my T-zone resumed its former identity as an oil slick.

I've been fighting oily skin since my teens and have tried several products that have promised an oil-free complexion, but have been disappointed most of the time. I recently read that because of hormone changes, women in their 30's have oilier skin than when in their 20's. Seriously, how wrong is that? So, since oily skin is caused mostly by hormones, unless I can find a product that will send me into early menopause, I'm stuck with it for a few more years.

Several years ago, I saw a glowing review for a brand of blotting tissues in a magazine, and marched right down to my neighborhood Sally Beauty Supply to find them. The brand is Palladio and the product is called "rice paper" . They've worked so well for me, I've been using them religiously ever since, buying them several at a time. I've got a pack in the car, one in the diaper bag, one in my purse, and one at home.

Here's the manufacturer's description:

"This very unique, oil-absorbing two-sided, tissue is made with Natural Rice which is much gentler for the skin compared to pulp. With added Rice Powder to eliminate shine and to leave skin feeling and looking smoother. Use to blot off excess oil that causes skin blemishes. The Matte side (without powder) is for blotting to absorb the excess oils and the Powdered side is for finishing. Packaged in a pull out tissue component with the convenience of fitting in a purse."

Each pack contains 40 tissues and each one can be used at least twice. I typically buy the translucent shade but it is available in several other shades if you want one more compatible with your skin tone. They are available at any Sally Beauty Supply for $3.99. If you have a Sally Beauty Club card, you may be able to buy them cheaper than that. They're also available online at Sally's website. If you try them out, please let me know how they work for you. lotsalove!

The Best Glass Cleaner You've Never Heard Of

2009-09-21T20:50:00.000-07:00

Is it just me, or does it seem like the best products on the market are the ones most of us have never heard of? There are no incessant commercials for them, no internet pop-up adds, and no annoying jingles. My theory is that the companies that make truly superior products, like SprayWay glass cleaner, don't need to spend a gazillion dollars on advertising because the product sells itself. Trust me. Once you try this stuff, you'll see what I mean.

I actually came across this product by sheer chance. I was in Costco, not even looking for glass cleaner, when I saw a 4-pack of blue cans. The label itself was pretty nondescript, but what caught my eye was this sticker on the front of the package.

I still don't know which "leading test publication" that sticker's referring to, but it sold me. I figured, at $6.61 for four 19 ounce cans, I wasn't going to lose much if I hated it. And yes, I said cans. This product comes in aerosol cans instead of a trigger spray bottle. But, don't let that deter you from buying it. No ozone-depleting chemicals here. And the product itself, comes out of said can as a foam, reminiscent of those scrubbing bubble cleaners. No more mad dash to wipe off the glass cleaner before it drips. This stuff stays put. Here are some other fantastic facts about Sprayway copied from their website.

The most versatile glass cleaner available - cleans glass, windows, mirrors, windshields; enamel surfaces, chrome, tile, porcelain and other hard surfaces. (I would add stainless steel to this list.)
Dissolves dirt, grease, grit, and grime.
Guaranteed to leave no film.
Contains perfume-grade alcohol for best performance

Man, I love multitasking cleaners! I did an internet search, and discovered all kinds of rave reviews about this product, but as they say, the proof is in the pudding, so I put it to the test. With four grimy kids running around, I had plenty of surfaces on which to test it. Some of the toughest jobs it conquered at my house were the sliding glass door which we use constantly, the back inside windows of the minivan (which I tend to neglect, so they were downright filthy), the microwave oven door above the range (it cut right through the greasy film), and our stainless steel kitchen trash can. And of course, it does a fantastic jobs on mirrors and any other glass surfaces.

There are two different can designs for the same product. The one I bought looks like this...

...and the one online looks like this.

Sprayway glass cleaner is available at Costco and Sam's club as well as several online sites like drugstore.com and amazon. Oh, and did I mention that one 19 ounce can cleans as much as two 32 ounce trigger sprayers of that blue liquid glass cleaner. So much to love!

If you give this product a try and love it as much as I do, please let me know. And do your friends a favor and please email this post to them. Then, they'll love you as much as they'll love this glass cleaner! lotsalove!

Unique and Affordable Costume Ideas (No Sewing Required!)

2009-09-18T08:59:00.000-07:00

Tired of pirates and princesses? How about dressing your trick-or-treater as a piece of sushi this year?

Or a cute little toadstool?

These cute costume ideas and a ton of others are the brainchild of Family Fun Magazine. I was given a subscription as a gift a few years ago and am eternally grateful! But you don't need a subscription to check out all of their great ideas. Just visit their website, click on "Halloween", and then "costumes".

I have saved some pretty big bucks making my kids' Halloween costumes instead of buying the packaged, polyester, pieces of (fill-in-the-blank) that tear within the first few hours of wear. Now I know what you're thinking. Or, at least I'll try to guess. You're probably thinking that you have neither the time or the ability to make a costume that your child will actually be willing to wear. Let me put your mind at ease by telling you that I have the crafting and creative ability of a kindergartner (although I'm pretty sure I'm better at cutting with scissors). The step-by-step instructions are very easy to understand and execute. In fact, your kids may even be able to help, depending on their age.

A couple of years ago, I tried the costume for the "Fab '50s Waitress" for my girls, and my toddler son went as the "Good Egg". They turned out so cute!!!

Family Fun also has ideas on how to make traditional costumes (like pirates and princesses) as well. I hope this fires up your excitement about DIY costumes. If you try any of these ideas, let me know how they turn out. lotsalove!

Give me a head with hair....

2009-09-16T22:01:00.000-07:00

When I was four, my parents chopped off all of my hair to make it easier on my dad in the morning since my mom had to leave early to go to work. My first day of kindergarten, the little boy sitting across from me at lunch asked, "Are you a boy or a girl?".

The humiliation continued all through elementary school with one bad haircut or perm after another. For this reason, every Christmas I'd ask for the doll or Barbie with the longest hair I could find and then spend hours combing, braiding, and styling it. I promised myself that if I had daughters, they would always have long, beautiful, perfectly styled hair.

Then I actually had daughters. Cue reality.

I've been blessed with two little girls, ages 8 and 6. My older daughter's fine hair breaks very easily, and if not trimmed regularly, she begins to resemble something from Fraggle Rock. As a result, she's never had her hair past her shoulders. My younger daughter has a head of thick, beautiful hair, but wails like a banshee whenever I even begin to comb it. If you could hear her, you'd think I was simultaneously combing her hair and sawing off a limb.

I'd tried several different drugstore detanglers, all of which fell short of getting the job done without breakage and tears. Then I found a miracle! Actually, that's what it's called, Miracle Detangler for Babies and Up by Original Sprout. The kids' salon where I take my son carries the Original Sprout line and the stylist talked me into buying it. No small feat considering a 4 ounce bottle costs $10.95. "A little goes a long way," she said. And she was actually right. I use a fraction of this stuff compared with the drug store detanglers I used to buy. But the point is, it's amazing. No more breakage, no more tears. Life is good.

Click here to find a retailer near you or purchase it online. This is the 4 ounce spray. They also sell a 12 ounce bottle for $24.95. It's available through other online retailers, but all of their prices are pretty much the same.

All of Original Sprout's products are soy, honey, and gluten free, biodegradable, made with 100% natural vegan ingredients and are used by many celebrity moms..blah..blah..blah..blah.......... Oh I'm sorry, I must have dozed off. Now don't get me wrong. I am grateful that this stuff will not seep through my child's scalp, into her bloodstream and cause hormone disruptions, but otherwise, all I really care about is that it works.

Well there, you have it, my first official "Love These Products" post. Please let me know what you think. I have a million other amazing products in my head that I can't wait to tell you about. lotsalove!

About Me

2009-09-16T11:56:00.000-07:00

I'm the kind of girl who becomes completely giddy when I find a product that improves my quality of life (which isn't too hard to do) and doesn't leave a hole in my bank account large enough for my husband to notice. Once the giddiness subsides and my ability to form coherent sentences returns, my next impulse is to shout my new discovery from the rooftops, for all the hardworking, under-appreciated women of the world to hear. I just love to share. Hence, the idea for this blog was conceived.

Now, I'm new to blogging so I have a lot to learn. I'm sure my initial posts will look positively medieval, but hopefully, the information contained therein will be enough to bring you to new heights of giddiness as well.

I'm a mostly stay-at-home mother of four children, ages 8, 6, 3, and 7 months and I'm also a registered dietitian, so I may include a few posts about feeding the little ones. But mostly, the products I'll be reviewing have to do with making our lives easier. Anything from cleaning and cooking, health and beauty, and caring for kids and babies are fair game. And besides telling you why I love them, I'll also tell you where to find them and how much they cost.

Please keep in mind, the opinions shared on this blog are just that, opinions. So if you disagree with one of my reviews, or know of a better product out there, please share.

So you see, this is a win-win situation all the way around. I do the research and sharing, and you just check in from time to time to see what's new. And who knows? Maybe this week's product will be the one, that once you try, you'll wonder how you ever lived without.

My first review ever is coming soon, so stay tuned!!
lotsalove,

Angie