Category Archives: product review

>Filtrete Water Pitcher; can it break the bottle habit?

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I volunteered to test the Filtrete Water Pitcher in the hopes that it might break or at least reduce our family’s bottled water habit. I understand that Chuck grabs a water bottle for the convenience of it on the road. But do La Petite and I really need to drink water from these ridiculous bottles around the house? I have a new BPA-free water bottle and an extra that La Petite can claim as her own, and now that I have a Filtrete pitcher we can simply refill the good quality water bottles with filtered tap water.

The big question: will we do it?

The first thing we noticed was the awkward shape and size of the pitcher. It’s a little top heavy, making it tough to fit on the refrigerator shelf without moving several items. It doesn’t fit in the door. Chuck (yes, he’s giving it a good try!) mentioned the top-heavy shape made it a little uncomfortable for pouring.

The filtered

pitcher is definitely more economical than buying bottles. I can replace the filter every three months (there’s a little button on the top that will remind me when it’s getting old), and the pitcher itself will last for years. I wish I had tried this out in the summertime when I was weeding and pruning outside, a water bottle by my side. But wishes aside, I really like the concept that I can get cold, tasty water without spending a bundle and using piles of plastic with limited recycling capabilities.


So, you ask, is it working? So far, so good. Chuck still grabs a plastic bottle or two on his way to work, but I have a new BPA-free bottle on my bedside table filled with filtered water. If I don’t drink it all, I water the plants. I’m actually drinking more water now that it’s so convenient; reaching for a glass and filling it takes no time at all. The downside is still the size and shape of the pitcher; only time will tell if the convenience, pennywise nature, and the eco-consciousness of it will overrule the refrigerator space issue.


Need more information? You can follow Filtrete on Twitter (@FiltreteWater) or “like” them on Facebook. Filtrete also has an email newsletter to which you can subscribe. Just check out their web site.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Filtrete and received the water pitcher to facilitate my candid review. The review is up today, but the pitcher will stay in my refrigerator for a long, long time.

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>Random Dental Thoughts

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If you’ve been following my plurks or tweets lately, you know I’ve spent several weeks in pain from an unexplained ankle problem. I realized the ankle pain was serious when I was in the dentist’s chair getting work done. Yes, the dentist.
I’m a wimpy dental patient – the kind who wants every kind of painkiller and relaxant available. Our dentist is kind and understanding. He doesn’t call me a wimp; he says “We want you to be comfortable. Would you like some tylenol before we start, too?” And then the assistant hooks up the nitrous oxide and I take a deep breath.
Back to the ankle. I was breathing in the nitrous and relaxing, finding a focal point on the ceiling (Lamaze style), and realized with a Woodstock-style tone “Wow, my ankle doesn’t hurt. For the first time in a week, my ankle feels good.” This thought was followed by my logical self saying “Wow, that’s not good. Self, call the doctor when you get home.”
Two weeks later: The ankle still hurts, but the teeth are doing great. No pain, easy cleaning, and the final crowns go on in next month. The dental assistants are really good at giving practical advice, too. They show me how to brush better, how to floss, and how to make sure the temporary crowns stay in place until the final pieces go in. Somehow, they’re polite and professional and non-judgmental the whole time.

When is dental floss not a floss? When it’s a Bryton pick. It’s small, reusable (wash it after each use, it’s quick), and easy to handle. Bryton sent me two samples, and I tried them out during a busy season: sweet corn on the cob season. The little pick worked for me: less waste than traditional floss, tiny and easy to store, and effective in getting rid of the residue from the delicious farmers’ market corn.

Now if only I could get rid of this ankle/foot pain as easily….

BrytonPick sent me a sample product in order to do this review. Yes, it honestly came in late August when we were buying and cooking and eating sweet corn every week. Perfect timing, as far as I’m concerned. I was not otherwise compensated for this review.

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>Healthy Choice steamed meals

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I’m all about fresh foods whenever possible, cooking them from scratch whenever we have time. When Mom Central offered a blog tour sponsored by Healthy Choice, it took a little thought before I signed up. I’m glad I did. In their new steamed meals, Healthy Choice worked hard to minimize the ingredient list and keep those ingredients identifiable to ordinary people like you and me. They created packaging to steam cook each meal, maintaining the quality of the frozen-fresh vegetables. No mushy cafeteria beans!

Many of my teaching colleagues stock up on microwave meals for their school lunches. They’ll pick out five at the store on Sunday, drop them in the lounge freezer on Monday, and continue on with their teaching week with no worries about lunches. These are really handy, and not just for teachers, I’m sure.

Healthy Choice sent me two of their new Steamed meals to try: Rosemary Chicken and Sweet Potatoes & Garlic Shrimp. Here’s a snatch from the back of the Rosemary Chicken box:

“Steaming is one of the freshest ways to prepare food… it locks in fresh taste and unlocks the vibrant flavors and colors of quality ingredients.” Agreed. The vegetables looked delicious and colorful; the “Eat the Rainbow” crowd would have approved. Cooked in the microwave under their special steam film, the meat and vegetables were cooked well, but not overdone. I followed the directions precisely (are you proud of me?) and even checked the temperature with a meat thermometer to make sure my slightly weaker microwave had cooked the meat through. The meal wasn’t burn-your-tongue hot, though. That’s a serious consideration when you have a lunch period like mine, with limited time to “cook” and eat before meetings and prep times begin.

The back of the package also has nutrition information in a form that requires little thought. That’s okay, folks; if you’re calculating calories, exchanges, or Weight Watchers points, it’s all there for you.
My impression? Overwhelmingly positive. Microwave meals usually leave me unsatisfied, wanting to make a PBJ on the side. This one was delicious and satisfying. I could eat it for a school lunch and not worry about my stomach growling before the dismissal bell.

I usually cook Rosemary Chicken by reaching outside the door for my herbs. But in the middle of winter when I’m hunting for good and easy lunch options, I’ll look to Healthy Choice and steam it up for lunch. Before that happens, though, I’m going to try the shrimp option. It looks simply delicious, too.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Healthy Choice and received samples of their new steaming entrées to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central also sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate. Healthy Choice has a Facebook page if you’re interested in more information.

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>Mad Science and Me

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I often tell my students that my favorite scientists are Bill Nye and Ms. Frizzle. They remind me that Ms. Frizzle isn’t real, and I concede the point. If I try to tell them I want to be Ms. Frizzle when I grow up, they remind me that I AM grown up. Darn. But I do enjoy teaching science, and I hope my students absorb that enthusiasm.


Mom Central began a blog tour reviewing Mad Science KNOW Magazine, and I said “Wow! This sounds like fun! Maybe they’ll let me do it!” Mom Central said yes and will send a 6 month subscription, which includes 3 issues of this bi-monthly magazine. Readers, you know me. As soon as I browse each issue myself, it’ll go straight to school, where the issue will probably live on a shelf for a few minutes before a student says, “Cool!” and brings it over to her desk for silent reading time.

If you’re interested in browsing, Mad Science KNOW Magazine has a free online issue. KNOW is geared toward ages 6-9, which fits my class nicely. My students are 9 and 10, but many are still struggling readers. A magazine like this, very graphic, with a slightly easier reading level than they’re used to, will appeal to many in my class. Features include Know-It-All, a Q&A column; Experiments – this month features math and science in string art; and this month’s title feature on Patterns and Shapes. I predict my students will enjoy the patterns and shapes articles and pictures, including photos. I’m happy to see patterns introduced in a unique way; students who recognize and understand patterns have an easier time learning and memorizing math facts and concepts.

I’m going to set up the web site so that my students can browse it when we’re in the lab. There are some fascinating videos that connect well to our curriculum and increase their motivation and enjoyment of science. When I’m in my role of Ms. Fourth Grade Science Teacher, that’s what it’s all about: science learning is so much stronger when it’s fun.

There is a companion magazine for older kids. It’s called YES Mag, and it’s aimed at ages 10-15. KNOW Magazine is just right for my students right now.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Mad Science and received the products necessary to facilitate my review. In addition, I received a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate.

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>Health and HPV screenings

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Regular readers know that I’ve had health issues earlier this summer. I was lucky; thanks to a good team of physicians, I’m doing very well now. I’m also the type of patient who asks questions and insists on answers. In short, I’m a self-advocate.

The HPV vaccine is one tool in protecting our daughters from future problems. Adult women can also protect themselves – by requesting an HPV test at the same time as our pap smears. Not all doctors use both tests, so self-advocacy is important.

HPV stands for human papillomavirus. There are about 100 types of HPV, with 15 “high risk” types likely to lead to cervical cancer. Makers of t

he digene HPV Test have set up a comprehensive web site with information about this test, the risks of HPV, and more. For example, I found out that t

he HPV vaccine is only good for teens and young women who have never been exposed, and 80% of women will be exposed to some form of HPV in their lives. For women ages 30+, too “old” for the vaccine, testing is recommended.


Adult women, especially working mothers, are notorious for putting others first. Readers, your daughters are probably up to date on their vaccines. Are you up to date on your own routine medical care? Taking care of yourself is important.

With that in mind, I think I’ll take a nap. Right after I get these zucchini cookies out of the oven….

I wrote this post while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of the QIAGEN digene HPV test. Mom Central also sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

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>Personalize it!

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>Amigo has a new laundry bag, and he’s excited. Yes, you read that correctly. He is off to live in a dorm, and he has a new laundry bag, and it has his name on it. Literally. It’s big, roomy, and solid, and he’ll fill it with his (stinky) dirty clothes that he’ll probably bring home on weekends. Well, we won’t talk about that part.


The laundry bag came from Jasmine at Dakota’s Personalized Gifts. She asked if I would look over her site, review a product, and then post a giveaway on my blog. The product (see it on the site here, in the category of graduation gifts) is a winner. She also offers satisfaction guaranteed, described on the site as “The dog ate it” policy.

Dakota’s Personalized Gifts and The Anniversary Rose Gifts started in a spare bedroom about 5 years ago more as a part time hobby than a business with The Anniversary Rose making roses for the traditional anniversary gifts (i.e. 1st year paper, 2nd year cotton, 5th year wood etc) cutting rose petals by hand with scissors. It quickly grew from a part time hobby to a full time business, adding help and equipment to keep up. Then they started expanding into personalized anniversary gifts and started getting many requests from our customers for personalized wedding, Mother’s & Father’s Day and Christmas gifts etc. That’s when Dakota’s Personalized Gifts began. Soon the business took over a second bedroom and the garage. The following year it grew further, occupying two bedrooms, the garage & a full basement. With no room left to expand, the business moved into a commercial location in 2009. Dakota’s Personalized Gifts and The Anniversary Rose Gifts continue to expand with new products and updated equipment all the time in order to produce most of the personalized items in house.

As you’re browsing, use these discount codes. These two expire at the end of August.
code 10-AUG31 offers $10 off $50 purchase
code 15-AUG31 offers $15 off $75 purchase

Jasmine sent me a complimentary laundry bag (for Amigo) in order to review the quality of the products. I took the time to review her sites thoroughly before completing the post. There was no other compensation involved. So what are you waiting for: go shop!

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>Back to School with Paper Mate Biodegradable Pens and Pencils

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It’s (shudder) Back to School time!


It’s not easy being green when school is starting. Really. I stock up while supplies are on sale so I don’t have to spend a bundle when my pens and pencils run out in January, and that eases my frugal mind. My eco-conscious sensibilities are a little harder to please. Lunch boxes and water bottles, pencils and pens, and more – many of these items end up in garbage later. Imagine an empty pen, the ink used up in writing fabulous stories and essays, multiply by the 300 students in my school, and there’s quite a pile-up in our local landfill.

When Mom Central offered a chance to try out and review the new Paper Mate pens and pencils, I said, “A biodegradable pen? A mechanical pencil suitable for compost? Count me in!” They sent me a sample of each.

Step one: does it write well? I must admit that I do not like mechanical pencils in my fourth grade classroom. Kids spend more time loading and reloading the lead than they do writing. The pencil writes well, the leads are packaged well in a pencil-sized case (less likely to be lost than smaller cases) with leads on one end and erasers on the other. This has potential; I’ll keep mine in my main desk drawer and write my name on the pencil itself so it doesn’t *ahem* disappear into a student desk. The pens write well, too, with no warm-up time. That’s important; if you’ve ever waited for a child with ADHD to get a brand new pen working, you’ll know what I mean.

Now for the selling point: biodegradable components. Both pens and pencils come in cardboard packages – no plastic. That’s a point in their favor. On the back of the package is a diagram showing which pieces can be composted and which should go in the wastebaskets. This is also a plus, as it prevents students from throwing the entire pen in the compost only to find a rusty spring in the tomatoes next fall. The challenge is this: keeping the back of the package until the pen runs out of ink and the pencil leads are all used up. Will the student know what to do when the writing implement has reached the end of its useful and creative life?

I checked the Paper Mate website, thinking that kids are more likely to look to the Internet than to keep a scrap of cardboard, no matter how important. I found what I needed here: a video showing how to dispose of the pen properly and demonstrating the pen’s decomposition over a year’s time. Paper Mate is also very straightforward about the fact that the majority of its product is biodegradable, not the whole thing. Their honesty keeps them out of the green-washing category and in the serious eco-conscious world.

I plan to use mine before “planting” them in my garden or compost. That’s one challenge to this review; I couldn’t bring myself to waste the product itself in order to test its compost-ability. I am a teacher, though; I go through writing implements quickly. There’s a strong chance that I’ll be able to plant a pen or pencil before winter arrives.

Paper Mate’s web site states that “Every little bit helps.” These utensils may not be completely earth-friendly, but it’s a good start. In fact, it’s a great start.

Thanks, Paper Mate, for taking the time and effort to develop yet another eco-conscious product.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Paper Mate and received the products necessary to facilitate my review. In addition, I received a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate. In my research for this review, I discovered that the new pens are only one of many environmentally responsible products from Paper Mate. They make recycled products, and you can read their company philosophy here and green FAQs here.

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>Organizing Dinner: 70 Meals, One trip to the store

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>I enjoy reading cookbooks. I enjoy reading cookbooks even more when they contain more than recipes: guides, ingredients ideas, alternatives, and more. When the publicist for Organizing Dinner contacted me about reading and reviewing this cookbook, I said “Sure! It sounds like it’s right up my alley. Er, kitchen.”

70 Meals, One Trip to the Store is by Kelly Donlea, a cook and writer who shares her kitchen skills and philosophies in the Chicago area by way of cooking classes and demonstrations. She’s expanding her programs by way of her web site, Organizing Dinner.
You’ve read about my ideas and philosophies in creating pantry raids rather than run out to the store for missing ingredients. It’s a frugal, time-saving, and even sustainable attitude. Kelly Donlea expresses a similar point of view in her introduction.
“Facing dinner feeling helpless leads people to head to the drive-through, reach for a pre-packaged freezer meal, or run to the grocery store for last-minute, unorganized ingredients. These options leave you feeling less than successful in the kitchen. Not to mention, with an unsatisfying culinary experience.”
70 Meals, One Trip to the Store provides basic shopping lists to stock a pantry: a pantry suitable for raiding regularly. The recipes all use the same basic ingredients, but provide a variety of tastes and styles to keep an entire family’s palates satisfied. After an introduction, the book begins with advice for getting started. A semi-annual shopping list stocks the pantry with core ingredients: canned goods, dry goods, condiments, and freezer staples. A sample weekly list suggests perishables to buy as needed: produce, meat, dairy, and bakery. The only part I’d approach differently is the buying of frozen vegetables, and that’s because I’m lucky enough to have a garden and freezer. I will pick beans (or buy them at the farmer’s market), then prepare and freeze them. The end result is the same; good quality ingredients, always available.
Next: the recipes. I jumped right to the Pizza section because we’ve had a lot of fun making pizza this summer. The first recipe is a standard crust. If this works out, I might not buy crust mixes any more. No more excuses! There’s a traditional recipe with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese, a barbecue chicken pizza, a spinach and mushroom (I’d like this, but I’m not sure if it would fly with the entire family), and more. The other sections are Chicken Recipes, Ground Beef Recipes, Fish Recipes, and then Pasta, Soups, & More.
A nice feature of this cookbook is the concept of stocking the pantry and then working with its contents. I’ve mentioned the frugal aspect and the sustainable idea that prevents unnecessary trips to the store. But don’t think it’s repetitive; these dishes look delicious. Expect more examples on my Tuesday recipe collection!
70 Meals, One Trip to the Store and Kelly Donlea’s other cookbook Cook Once, Eat Twice are available for order on the Organizing Dinner web site. The Smart Ingredients Blog has a grocery giveaway: a Smart Ingredients Giveaway. One subscriber each month will win a batch of ingredients for making the recipes in 70 Meals. What are you waiting for? As soon as this post goes up, I’m subscribing!
Organizing Dinner sent me a copy of the book 70 Meals, One Trip to the Store in order to facilitate my review. I did not receive other compensation. The book is a good fit with my attitude and philosophy. Sorry, readers, I’m not giving it away. It’s going straight into my kitchen!

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>Breyers Smooth and Creamy, er, Dreamy

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I asked Chuck and Amigo for their input on the Breyers Smooth and Dreamy ice cream bars and ice cream sandwiches.
Chuck: Mmm, this is good.
Amigo: It’s good, Mom. I like it.
Me: Anything else? Details? I’d like your input.
Chuck: I like the oval shape. It’s easy to hold.
Amigo: I like it.
I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt; they were snacking on delicious, creamy, tasty Breyers Ice Cream and they didn’t want to talk with their mouths full. I’m sure they could be more articulate if I gave them time. I didn’t tell the guys that these new treats have only 130 calories each – 160 for the sandwiches; they might refuse to eat them if they thought I’d bought something “low-cal.” But maybe that’s okay: more goodies for me!
I picked up two boxes using coupons from MomCentral and Breyers: vanilla fudge brownie sandwiches and triple chocolate chip bars. Both choices are creamy and rich tasting, flavorful, and filling. It’s a better quality product than the store brand I usually pick up; I could get used to having Breyers in the house! Vanilla was pure vanilla, the chips were real chocolate, and the light coating on the bars melted in my mouth.
Getting it home was an adventure. The temperature was 84, and the heat index felt a lot hotter. A few streets were closed as crews cleaned up from the hail and wind storm the previous night. I’d run three other errands in the immediate neighborhood (combining trips to keep gas use down), and realized I couldn’t make the last trip on my list – not with Breyers Ice Cream in my minivan. It was time to head straight home. I think I confused the clerk, though. She wasn’t used to coupons that paid the whole price. She read it on one side, then the other side, and then reread both sides before she scanned it into her register. The coupons scanned exactly as they read: free. Still scowling at me and at my bargain, she sent the boxes down the conveyor to the bagger, who put them in my Chico Bag as requested.
I still have two coupons for a free box of Breyers Smooth and Dreamy. Yes, you too can confuse the cashier and have a box of rich and creamy desserts or snacks for your freezer! the box won’t last long; they’re delicious. Leave a comment on this post; make sure you leave an email either through the profile or in the comment box itself. If there are more than two comments (please, please, please), I’ll pick randomly and then contact you by email for your address.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Breyers and received products necessary to facilitate my review. Actually, they sent me coupons rather than send ice cream through the mail. But you knew that already. In addition, I received a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate.

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>Uncle Ben’s Whole Grain Chicken Curry in a Hurry

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The story goes like this:

One day, early in summer, Daisy was feeling lousy. She was achy, stuffy, and exhausted. Chuck came home from work early and made supper, allowing Daisy to nap. Luckily for all, Chuck is a good cook. Luckily for all, there was a box of Uncle Ben’s Fast and Natural Whole Grain Instant Brown Rice sitting on the table and a collection of recipes for trying out the product – all courtesy of Uncle Ben’s and Mom Central. Even more luckily, Amigo remembered which recipe Daisy had planned to cook.

Whole Grain Chicken Curry in a Hurry

Ingredients
1 cup Uncle Ben’s Instant Brown Rice (see above for full name of product)
1 1/2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 cup onion, chopped (note: La Petite recommends increasing this)
1/2 cup red pepper, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
2 teaspoons curry powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 pounds chicken breast, diced
1 16 oz. can chick peas, undrained
1 cup plain, lowfat yogurt
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/2 cup slivered almonds

Instructions
1. Prepare the rice according to directions for four servings (will take about 12 minutes).
2. While the rice is cooking, make the curry in a skillet using the following instructions.
3. Heat the oil over medium heat and add the onion, pepper, and garlic. Cook for about 3 minues until they begin to get tender. Add the spices and stir to coat well. Push the onions and peppers to one side of the pan and toss in the diced chicken. Brown the chicken for about 5 minutes, stirring to prevent sticking and to cook the sides of the meat.
4. Add the undrained can of chick peas and stir to combine the ingredients. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes to continue cooking the chicken. Remove the lid and allow the liquid to evaporate for about 3 more minutes.
5. In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch and yogurt. Stir in the yogurt mixture until well combined. Allow it to thicken and combine with rice.
6. Sprinkle almonds over dish for garnish.

The end of the story: this was delicious. La Petite suggested increasing the onions and considering adding water chestnuts to the mix. Later in the summer I’ll use fresh peppers from the garden or the farmers’ market.

Uncle Ben’s sent more recipes, including a sloppy joe mix and a tex-mex dish, among others. They also sent advice on adding more whole grains to the family’s diet. My favorite suggestions were these:
–Substitute brown rice for pasta in casseroles and soups.
–Use cooked whole grain brown rice in seafood cakes with tuna, salmon, or crab.
–Add leftover cooked whole grain brown rice into any hot cereal recipe and top with cinnamon and a drizzle of honey.
–Make a high fiber risotto using whole grain brown rice; add vegetables such as asparagus or zucchini to increase nutritional value. Zucchini! Another way to cook my zucchini!

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Uncle Ben’s and received samples to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate. The timing was perfect. Chuck and I and the family were very glad to try this new dish, and we’ll be sure to try more!

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