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 (12/5/2007)

AeroGarden Part 2 (12/13/2007)

Jan

24

VillaWare Prego! Pizzelle Baker

Filed Under Kitchen Gear | 2 Comments 

Villaware Prego pizzelle maker

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 

Gloves in a Bottle, 8 ouncesI 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

Dec

13

AeroGarden, Part 2

Filed Under Kitchen Gear | 4 Comments 

AeroGarden basil, 31 days after planting

The basil plants are going strong and currently stand 4 to 5 inches tall and are very fragrant, though the Globe Basil for whatever reason is still only about 2 inches tall. The roots extend well into the water and are as long as 10 inches.

AeroGarden roots, 31 days after planting

Over the weekend the unit reminded me to add water and nutrients, but this time was different from the first. At four weeks, the plants now need growing nutrients and the kit provides enough for six feedings. This and every other feeding hereafter require the unit to be emptied, rinsed, and refilled before adding nutrients. The water tank lifts easily off the base and the pump shuts off automatically. I carried the tank to the sink and easily lifted off the growing surface, the roots dangling like something seen in a sci-fi movie. Michael held the plants while I emptied and rinsed the container, then we put it back together just as easily as we took it apart. I put the water back in, added the nutrients, then put the tank back on the base and pushed the Reset button. Simple as that.

Dec

10

Holiday Shopping Tips

Filed Under Shopping Tips | 1 Comment 

Happy holidays! Today I am featuring two places that can help you finish your gift shopping.

Chef’s Catalog specializes in high-end products and usually has the price tag to match; however, their Sale Items usually have some good deals and hidden treasures. Right now they have the following in their Sale area:

They have a free gift wrap deal on orders placed before December 12. Their recipe collection is also worth browsing.

Christmas Forest Cascade WreathChristmas Forest has been making and shipping beautiful handmade wreaths since 1976. I first heard of them in 1996 when I was living in Saudi Arabia (go figure). One of the teachers at the school placed several of their brochures in the workroom and said that she had been buying the wreaths as Christmas gifts for her family ever since she moved overseas. She said the wreaths were beautiful, and they certainly looked good in the photos. I took her advice and ordered wreaths for my family. All the recipients raved about how beautiful they were and how *good* they smelled when they arrived. They also said that the wreaths held up well throughout the holidays.

I ordered one for myself the first year I was back in the U.S., and I have ordered them every year ever since. They have lots of styles available, but the Cascade (pictured) is my personal favorite. The wreaths are made from boughs that are trimmed from the trees each year to help promote growth, so they are sustainably harvested.

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