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Misc Blogging Stuff
Jan
29
AeroGarden Part 3
Filed Under Kitchen Gear | 2 Comments
The basil was doing great until the whiteflies that had moved indoors with my overwintering mint found the AeroGarden. Believe me, we did battle for several weeks. One nice thing about the AeroGarden is that you can lift the growing platform off the tank, turn the plants upside down over the sink, and rinse the flies off the plants.
We did eventually lose the basil due to a combination of factors: the whiteflies, and the pump. The pumps tend to get clogged with roots and sometimes even residue or debris from the nutrient tablets as they don’t always dissolve completely. I followed the instructions to clean out the filter and the pump, but it never started up again and mold and mildew began to grow in the tank. A huge disappointment, to be sure. The cost to replace the pump is $9.95, which is pretty reasonable given the importance of the pump. I do think that the filter is pretty flimsy and wonder if there isn’t a better solution for an item that probably costs pennies to manufacture. I’m looking into a filter that will still allow enough water to pass through but does a better job of keeping out the roots and the nutrient debris.
You might also be interested in these reviews:
AeroGarden Part 2 (12/13/2007)
Jan
24
VillaWare Prego! Pizzelle Baker
Filed Under Kitchen Gear | 2 Comments
Michael and I both love pizzelles, a crispy Italian cookie, and we have talked about making our own for a long time, so I was thrilled when Michael got us an electric pizzelle maker for Christmas. We decided to use it the very next day so we could enjoy some pizzelles over the holidays. This is a VillaWare product, the Prego! model, which makes two cookies at a time and comes with a user manual/cookbook. The unit stands on its side for easy storage.
I chose this model over the Cuisinart and other brands mainly because it claims to cook the pizzelles in 30 seconds. When you’ve got curious little boys that get into absolutely everything, speed is very important! Other models stated cooking times of 30 to 60 seconds or longer, and some came with cone rollers or cannoli forms, as well as a higher price tag. Read more
Jan
7
Gloves in a Bottle
Filed Under Health Products | Leave a Comment
I recently had the opportunity to sample Gloves in a Bottle, a hand lotion designed to protect and help heal dry cracked skin. My hands dry and crack every winter due to dry indoor conditions, constant hand washing while taking care of young children, cooking and baking, cleaning, and tending my plants. I go through a lot of bandages and antibiotic ointment to heal the painful cracks that develop on my knuckles and at the corners of my fingernails, and I have tried virtually every hand lotion and cream that can be found at a local drugstore as well as other outlets (Avon, Caswell-Massey, Trader Joe’s brands, etc.), but nothing seems to provide long-term relief. I wear gloves for cleaning and changing diapers, which helps some, but I still deal with extremely dry, cracked, painful skin.
In December Michael suggested that I see a dermatologist to find out if there was anything I could do about this painful condition because it interferes with my daily routine, and I was planning to do it. Then I got an email from Amy at Mums the Wurd about this product she had reviewed and liked. I figured I had nothing to lose, so I agreed to test a sample and review it. My sample arrived in the mail a few days before Christmas, and I’ve been using it daily ever since.
Gloves in a Bottle uses dimethicone and other ingredients as a film-forming agent, which seals in moisture. It is not a protective ingredient, as in it does not protect your hands from chemical damage, etc. So even though the product has the word “gloves” in the name, you’ll still need to wear protective gloves if using harsh chemicals.
The product is not greasy or sticky, though I feel like there is a layer of something on my hands after rubbing it in. A small amount goes a long way, so I put just a 1 cm dot in my palm and that is enough. After a few days of using as recommended (every four hours), I could tell a difference. My hands were softer, even Michael said so, and the mildly cracked areas were improving. The lotion did not heal the bleeding cracks and I still had to use bandages on those, but overall I was pleased with the difference in my hands.
An 8 ounce bottle retails for US$12.95, which may seem pricey, but remember that you only need a very small amount each time. So far I have only found one store in my area that sells it, a quilt shop. Quilters and crafters have problem hands, too! I could not find it at any drugstores or discount stores. The company sells the product through their online store as well as through retailers and Amazon.com. Check out their locater to find a store near you.
The bottom line:
Pros: softened my hands and healed the mildly cracked areas
Cons: not widely available yet, but check their store locater
Sizes Available: 8 ounces, 1 gallon (I’ve heard about 2 ounce travel sizes, but haven’t seen any.)
Where to buy: Online or locate a store near you , Amazon.com
Company Website: www.glovesinabottle.com