Tuesday, May 31

Review: WonderEsque Zester and Cheese Grater

If you have ever tried to zest citrus or grate hard cheese on a box grater, I feel your pain.  A box grater is great for shredding cheese such as Monterey jack or similar cheese but is not great for anything else.  Besides the grating, the cleaning is quite awkward.  I am loving WonderEsque Zester and Cheese Grater for hard cheese.  I recently, completely on accident, created my kids favorite pasta dish.  One of the main ingredients is about 1/3 cup of freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano.  WonderEsque Zester and Cheese Grater makes the grating of the cheese so much easier.  I have also used the WonderEsque Zester and Cheese Grater to grate chocolate for dessert but have not tried it on citrus yet (the lemons did not look great in my store.)
I also like the feel of the handle, it is really comfortable to hold which is nice when you are using it for a while.
 
Disclosure: I received the products mentioned for free.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Monday, May 23

Review: AYL Silicone Cooking Gloves+Internal Cotton Layer

I am adoring these AYL Silicone Cooking Gloves+Internal Cotton Layer oven mitts.  I bake almost every day so that means I use oven mitts virtually everyday.  The gloves keep my hands protected from heat while gripping the hot item well.  Since the outside of the glove is silicone, that means it is waterproof.  I can not count how many times I have spilt water, usually boiling water, on my oven mitts, with these gloves my hands are protected.

 
I also really like the cotton lining, it is soft and comfortable and adds even more protection against heat.  They fit my hands well and both of my daughters' hand too, who are still smaller than me.
My husband has also used them and says they fit great too.

I actually like these gloves so much I am getting rid of all of my other oven mitts!
 
Disclosure: I received the products mentioned for free.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Saturday, May 21

Review: #BoldBrite Running Headlamp with Reflective Band


The most important thing to me about a running head lamp is how comfortable.  This head lamp with reflective band is very comfortable, comfortable for long runs (well as long as you don't adjust it to tight.)
Also very important is if the light is bright enough to light up the area in front of you, which this does.  The strap is also reflective so if a car comes up behind you while out running in the dark they will see you.


Personally I only use the regular light but if I ever need it also has a solid red light or a flashing red light.  Besides running a head lamp is so nice when camping or searching in a dark room.

Disclosure: I received the products mentioned for free.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Monday, May 16

Review: Drink Coasters Holder & Ice Ball Mold by Wisepalace

As it gets closer to Summer my thoughts turn to ice cold drinks.  My refrigerator comes with an ice maker but sometimes I want something more than just plain ice.  Plain ice serves its purpose but it is much more fun and fancier to make your own ice in shapes and/or with more than water.  My kids had so much fun adding the perfect circle ice cubes we made with Wisepalace Ice Ball mold to their drinks.  The mold is easy to fill and since it has holes in the top of each you could make circle ice pops in whatever flavor you want!
Ice cold drinks also mean condensation.  I like the feel of the condensation on my hand when it is really hot out but my furniture does not.  I have been know to use a book or magazine to rest my drink on which means I have ruined a few books and magazines.  I and my family have been using the Wisepalace Drink Coasters (everyone has one next to their bed since we all like water to drink at night) every night and they have been working perfectly!
As you can see in the photo below the set comes with a mold to make four ice balls, six coasters and a holder.

Disclosure: I received the products mentioned for free.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Sunday, May 15

Review: Orblue Silicone Cast Iron Skillet Handle Cover

A few years ago I got rid of all of my nonstick pans and bought a cast iron pan to use instead.  (If nonstick pans become overheated the fumes released can kill pet birds which we have.)  It took me a little while to get used to a cast iron pan but one think I still have a problem with is forgetting how hot the handle can become.  I have burned my hand more than once so I can up with some different ways to decrease the chances of burning myself again.  I pointed the handle straight back (but that made the back burner unavailable) or I placed a potholder over the handle (it usually fell off).  Neither of these were good solutions but now I have the perfect solution: Orblue Silicone Cast Iron Skillet Handle Cover.  The handle just slips on, stays on, and doesn't get hot.  As soon as it arrived I slipped it onto my cast iron pan and have not removed.  I feel much safer for myself and my family with the cover protecting us.  If I ever get another cast iron pan (I have been thinking of getting a different size) I will make sure I order another Orblue Silicone Cast Iron Skillet Handle Cover.  I would definitely recommend having one for your cast iron pan even if you don't try and grab the cast iron handle a guest might, especially a child, and this handle keeps them safe from a burn.  I know it has kept me safe from burning myself!

Disclosure: I received the products mentioned for free.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Friday, May 13

Review: ModFamily Silicone Stretch Lids

I admit I loved the convenience of using cling wrap.  It was easy to use, inexpensive and easy to toss once it was used.  As a family we have been trying to reduce our use of plastic and disposable items.  Since we stopped buying cling wrap I have been putting leftover food into glass containers.  I miss being able to just cover a glass or mug that still has food or a beverage leftover.  We like to eat our soup out of mugs but my kids don't always finish what I served them.  Now that I have these great Silicone Stretch Lids I can just cover the mug or glass and put it directly into the refrigerator.  The cover stretch well so they fit large and small glasses or cans.  The seal is also water tight so if the container tips over the liquid doesn't get out. You cant say that about cling wrap, it will let liquid leak out.  I have been using the lids quite often since they arrived and so glad I have great alternative to cling wrap.

Disclosure: I received the products mentioned for free.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Tuesday, May 10

Review: TriNova Castile Soap




I have heard so many good things about castile soap but this was the first time I used it myself.  I personally only used TriNova Castile Soap to wash dishes and clean my hands while at the kitchen sink.  The soap did a great job cleaning my dishes and I am looking into find others ways to use the castile soap.
I have heard of using it as part of homemade shampoo, window cleaner, wood floor cleaner, and all purpose cleaner.  The soap is concentrated so a little goes a long way.  The bottle should last me a awhile.  I also like that since it can be used so many way I can buy less products to keep my house clean.
Disclosure: I received the products mentioned for free.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Friday, May 6

Review: Solar Powered Outdoor Spotlight


I have been wanting lights for my flag so that I can leave it out at night as the flag is suppose to only fly at night if it is lighted.  I am so excited about InnoGear Solar Powered Outdoor Spotlight.  I received two so I have one on each side of the flag.  They can be screwed onto a wall or staked into the ground.  I used the included stake and placed them in my garden.


It was so easy to set up.  When I removed it from the packaging I only had to twist in a screw and attach the stake (it just slides in).  I then just pushed it into the ground, angled the solar panel to get the most light and made sure I pressed the button under the solar panel to turn it on.  I just waited and watched InnoGear Solar Outdoor Spotlight turn on automatically when it became dark.  I don't have to do anything else.  It charges in the sunlight and turns on when dark!

Disclosure: I received the products mentioned for free.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Wednesday, May 4

Review: Maxam Marble Mortar and Pestle

I have always wanted a mortar and pestle.  I have used them before but never owned one, and now I do!  Freshly ground herbs just add something special to your food, plus the smell is divine.  I have not tried grinding anything else, well except rice.  Did you know that before you use your stone or marble mortar and pestle there is a specific way to clean it?  Well I did not until now.  I read many websites and the consensus is to first rinse well (but don't use soap as it will end up in whatever you grind later.  Once it is really dry then grind up white rice at least three times.  The grinding of the rice helps clean out any marble dust created when it was made.  Once all that is done my Maxam mortar and pestle is ready to use!  I can't wait to try making more than just ground spices, I heard it is the best way to make guacamole.  I will have to test that theory!

Disclosure: I received the products mentioned for free.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.