Eat Cleaner Grab-n-Go Fruit & Vegetable Wipes

In our house, we have always been pretty good about keeping food safe to eat. We wash our hands with warm soapy water before and after preparing food. We keep counter tops, cutting boards, and utensils clean by sanitizing with soap and hot water and letting them air dry. We avoid cross contamination of foods and food preparation surfaces. We even practice “when in doubt, throw it out!” But until recently, I am embarrassed to say I was one of those “rinse with water” people when it came to fruits and vegetables. Then I viewed the YouTube video Eat Cleaner: The Real Dirt on What’s Lurking on Your Plate.

Here are the facts:

• Roughly 78 million food borne illnesses are reported each year
• Mild symptoms include vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea
• Approximately 5,000 deaths occur each year
• Up to 20 sets of hands touch our food before it even arrives at the supermarket

Truthfully, I never really gave a second thought to how many people might have handled my food before I brought it home to my family. And what about pesticides? Waxy residue? Sure I knew they were there but I was washing it off with water. Wasn’t I? What could I do to ensure that everything that wasn’t meant to be eaten was actually removed from my food before I ate it?  I had once heard someone tell me to soak fruits and vegetables for a few minutes in warm water mixed with a teaspoon of salt. I was also familiar with all natural citrus based household cleaners. So when I learned that citric acid and sea salt were listed as ingredients of all natural Eat Cleaner Grab-n-Go Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Wipes, I decided to give them a try.

I tested the biodegradable wipes on two red apples fresh from the grocery store. Both were dulled from wax residue. I rinsed the first apple with cold tap water. The second apple’s surface was cleaned with a moist Eat Cleaner Grab-n-Go wipe. Just by looking at the two apples side by side I could clearly see that the first apple still looked a bit dull but the second apple cleaned with Eat Cleaner was shiny and bright. The nose test revealed a slightly citrus almost perfume like smell on the Grab-n-Go apple. I was just about to discount the Eat Cleaner odorless claim but then realized that the smell faded within a few seconds leaving behind only the smell of fresh apple. The taste test was performed by my grandson who grabbed the Eat Cleaner apple off the counter, bit down and happily walked away. No complaints of bitter aftertaste!

Designed to be used not only on fruits and vegetables, the Grab-n-Go wipes can also be used on countertops, cutting boards, utensils, and even hands. But at roughly 65 cents per wipe, I’m not sure they are they most cost effective method for cleaning foods and surfaces in your kitchen. Perhaps the Eat Cleaner Fruit & Vegetable Wash containing the same ingredients would be a better option. But for on the go clean eating, the Eat Cleaner Grab-n-Go wipes are a perfect solution. A single wipe kept in you purse or workout bag can make you feel better about biting down on that juicy pear just picked up at the fruit stand.

Want to try Eat Cleaner products for yourself? Visit Eat Cleaner online.

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This reviewer is not compensated for purchases made from links in this review.
Disclaimer - Sample product(s) were provided for testing and reviewing purposes.
Please see my FTC Disclaimer for more details regarding this review.

Soirée: Wine Aeration with a Touch of Elegance

A Wine Connoisseur I am not. You might even say I am somewhat intimidated by wine and the wine culture. While I do enjoy a glass of wine now and again, I tend to rely heavily on the knowledge of my friends to choose the wine. I play it safe when purchasing wine for home and stay within my comfort zone gravitating toward the sweeter, lighter wines and sticking with a few tried and true favorites. My dining experiences with darker wines caused me to avoid them for fear I wouldn’t enjoy the stronger tasting flavors.

When I was given the opportunity to review the Soirée bottle top wine aerator, I thought this would be an excellent opportunity to expand my horizons. The Soirée promised to help improve the aroma and flavor of any wine. Maybe it could help me develop a bit more confidence when selecting and enjoying a darker wine.

My first stop was the Soirée website to read a bit about the product and the importance of aerating wine. Two sections, Why Decant and Soirée Science, provided me with valuable information. I learned that oxygen actually stimulates wine bringing out flavors and smells that are lying dormant. Did you know the aroma of wine actually changes as it sits in your glass? The longer it sits, the more oxygen it is exposed to, the better it smells and tastes. A few swirls in the glass actually aerates the wine even more. The Soirée eliminates both the wait time and the need to swirl. Pouring wine through the Soirée aerates the wine and infuses it with oxygen as it pours into your glass.

Before addressing the actual testing of the Soirée, I want to talk a bit about the product itself. First, it is stunning. Elegant hand blown glass is not something that you would typically associate with the term “gadget.” While beautiful to look at, it is a fragile object and care must be taken in the use and cleaning of this product. An included stand doubles as a drying rack so this helps to avoid breakage while storing and drying your Soirée. Unlike traditional wine aerators where the wine is poured through the aerator, the Soirée actually fits directly into the opening of the wine bottle. It does come with two sizes of gaskets which fit most bottles, but it does not accommodate all bottle openings. A larger size or a more universal gasket would be a nice addition.

My experience has always been pour the wine, drink the wine. Perhaps this “from bottle to glass to lips” method contributed to my apprehension towards dark wines. The wine was never given the opportunity to win me over with its true flavors.

To test the Soirée, I selected a 2008 Alamos Malbec from Argentina. After reading up on the 100 point system for evaluating wine, I chose this wine as it consistently rated 87+ and earned a 90 from Wine Spectator. I also selected it because of its reasonable price and availability. Using my customary pour and drink method, my first sip was a little too bitter and aggressive for my liking. Despite the bite, I expected more taste and depth from such a dark wine.

I then fitted the bottle with the Soirée and slowly inverted the bottle above my glass. I loved watching the Soirée in action as the wine swirled within the glass ball and tumbled into my glass. Surprisingly enough, I did not experience any splash effect. Every drop went into my glass and when I finished pouring, the wine in the Soirée slid right back into the bottle. My second sip of the Malbec was much more satisfying than the first. No longer did I detect the bitterness from the first sampling and there was a lot more flavor and depth to the wine.

My overall impression of the Soirée is that it lives up to its claims and delivers on its promises. While I may not be completely in tune with the science of wine and what makes one wine rate higher than another, as a novice wine drinker, I can truly appreciate the fact that wine tastes better when aerating with the Soirée.

To learn more about the Soirée, please visit the Soirée website.
Or to purchase a Soirée for yourself or as a gift, visit the Soirée online personal shopping cart.
This reviewer is not compensated for purchases made from links in this review.

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Disclaimer - Sample product(s) were provided for testing and reviewing purposes.
Please see my FTC Disclaimer for more details regarding this review.

Newcastle DraughtKeg: A Smart Choice

Newcastle DraughtKeg

Back in 1928, in Northeast England, if you heard a man say he was “Going to see a man about a dog,” you could be fairly certain he was off to the pub to have a pint of Newcastle Brown Ale. Known by Newcastle locals as “Dog” or “Broon,” Newcastle Brown Ale is America’s No. 1 imported ale. Now with the Newcastle DraughtKeg, you don’t have to leave your own kitchen to enjoy the deep bodied, crisp taste of this fine draught ale.

If you are a stranger to Newcastle Brown Ale or if you aren’t a fan of darker beers, you should really give this ale a try. I thoroughly enjoy the refreshing taste with no bitterness or unpleasant aftertaste. You will be pleasantly surprised by the unique flavor. With just a hint of sweetness, Newcastle Brown Ale offers a smooth drinking experience and it goes perfect with your favorite pub fare.

The Newcastle DraughtKeg brings home the pub experience by dispensing a cool draught beer. Easy to follow directions allow you to tap the recyclable steel keg in just two easy steps. It’s small enough to carry to a neighborhood party or over to a friend’s house to watch the Super Bowl. Holding five liters of ale, the DraughtKeg is just the right size for a small group gathering or the perfect size for one. Of course, I am not going to drink five liters of ale in one sitting, but with DraughtKeg’s patented technology, I don’t have to. Once tapped, the DraughtKeg keeps beer fresh for up to thirty days, giving me a cool draught beer anytime I want one.

The Newcastle DraughtKeg fits nicely on the shelf inside the door of my refrigerator and I don’t have to remove it until it’s empty. I just open the door, place my glass under the spout, and pour. After pouring, I make sure to give the dispensing spout a couple taps with the glass to catch any ale remaining in the spout. I also keep a folded paper towel under the spout to catch drips and avoid a sticky mess on the shelf. I have heard if you pair the DraughtKeg with the Beertender by Krups, you no longer have to store the DraughtKeg in the refrigerator. Although I have not tested the Beertender myself, I would be interested in hearing from my readers who have tried it. The thought of enjoying a cool draught beer right from my kitchen countertop is intriguing!

Overall, the pairing of Newcastle Brown Ale and the DraughtKeg is a smart choice. It allows you to enjoy a superb draught ale while drinking responsibly from the comfort of your own home. Off to the kitchen to see a man about a dog!

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Disclaimer - Sample product(s) were provided for testing and reviewing purposes.
Please see my FTC Disclaimer for more details regarding this review.

POURfect® - The Ideal Kitchen Tools

Saving time and clean-up in the kitchen is a solution we all look for with leading busy lives.  Finding tools that help us prepare meals quickly or whip up a delicious treat without a mess is a trick that just became easier!  POURfect® Kitchen Tools can eliminate messy spills and take the guesswork out of using accurate measurements, which make your recipes taste the best.  Whether you are a beginner or a renowned chef, these tools can make your cooking experience a happier one.  Made in the USA, the new line of POURfect® products addresses common frustrations and mishaps in the kitchen to make food preparation easier, more accurate and tidier for anyone.

I absolutely love making meals and baking goodies but up until now I rarely cooked without spilling or dribbling something in my kitchen.  Then, I had to work harder to get it cleaned up which can make things a bit hectic.  So, when POURfect® offered these tools to try out, I wasted no time putting them to the test in my own kitchen.  For example, we made pancakes yesterday using a POURfect® Spill-Proof Bowl for measuring-mixing-pouring and I found it easy to grip and very lightweight.  I have arthiritis & carpal tunnel which typically poses a challenge for me to grasp bowls and keep them from slipping.  The ergonomic design of the grip makes it comfortable and secure to hold with one hand.  If you’re teaching your children a few cooking skills by letting them work along side you, this handle is perfect for small hands that may have difficulty holding a bowl securely.  My granddaughter, who loves to help me cook, poured the pancake batter into the pan and the pivot feature under the spout prevented any batter from running down the side of the bowl.  Plus, she easily controlled the flow which eliminated my concern of too much batter pouring out at once.  Using this POURfect® bowl during our quality time together helped us to focus on just having fun.  Depending upon the set and bowl sizes, you can add them to your kitchen for $15-$40.

Today, my granddaughter and I continued our fun and easy cooking time by making some home-made vegetable soup with fresh wheat bread from scratch.  As you may imagine, this meal requires many liquid and dry ingredients in the appropriate amounts for ultimate results of a family recipe passed down from my great-grandma.  Back in the day, they used a pinch of this and a dash of that…so how do you know how much that is?  With the POURfect® 12-piece Measuring Spoons attached with a snap-off ring, it’s easy to get it right for only $12.  Most aspiring cooks and baking enthusiasts don’t realize that these are actual measurements and often over or under season their dishes.

The POURfect® 9-piece Measuring Cup set for dry ingredients comes in a wide range of common and specialty sizes including 1/8 cup and 2 cups.  They nest within each other for easy storage and they have flat bottoms so they can rest on the counter without spilling.  These measuring cups feature large, easy to read measurements in English, Metric and Braille.  The POURfect® Beaker Set for liquid ingredients features the flat edge dripless spout which guides your precious ingredients right where they need to go. For $18-22, truly anyone can cook with ease using such diverse tools.

MomGadget gives a ‘thumbs up’ to POURfect®! They anticipated our kitchen needs with tools of convenience, accuracy of calibration and spill-proof technology.  To make it even more versatile, these sets are microwave/dishwasher safe and available in up to 38 colors from traditional White to Empire Red, Majestic Yellow, Tangerine, Pear, Blue and many more.  You can visit POURfect® to learn more about each one of these products.  While you’re there, check out the POURfect® Scrape-A-Bowl.  It is designed exclusively to replace the original equipment flat beater on KitchenAid® stand mixers.  Great for holiday cooking that is fast approaching!

Belgian Waffle Maker

Perfect for waffle lovers, this easy-to-use appliance makes thick, delicious Belgian waffles that are crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside. Simply pour batter into the center of the round-shaped waffle plate and lower the lid. The unit’s 180-degree flip design helps evenly coat the batter on both the upper and lower waffle plates. The result, gourmet-quality 7-inch-wide Belgian waffles divided into four easy-to-cut sections with extra-deep pockets to fill with maple syrup, whip cream, or fresh fruit. Other highlights include a countdown timer and digital display to indicate when the baking process has finished, a nonstick cooking surface for effortless food release and quick cleanup, and a dual-function base that locks in a vertical position for compact storing. Attractively housed in brushed stainless steel, the 1100-watt electric waffle maker measures 12 by 12 by 3 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

Presto FlipSide Belgian Waffle Maker available on Amazon.com

Butter Bell Crock – A MomGadget Review

Each year, I am introduced to a product that is so unique and useful it is immediately added to my gift list for items to purchase in mass and distribute to those closest to me for whatever reason I can think of to give a gift. Recently I was introduced to Butter Bell Crock and knew in an instant this was one item that would be a holiday favorite among my family and friends.

Look at how easy it is to use:

The unique design keeps butter at the perfect "spreading" consistency by reflecting outside heat while insulating and cooling the butter. Flavor and freshness is protected by an airtight seal of water at the base of the crock.

Holds up to one full stick (1/2 cup) of butter.

Retail: start at $19.95 – Available at Butter Bell Crock

Cherry Chomper – Get’s you to the good stuff quicker

Once in a while we happen on a kitchen gadget that is not only useful but cute to boot!

Let me introduce you to Cherry Chomper - The Cherry Chomper cherry pitter from Talisman Designs pits cherries. Simply insert a cherry into the mouth of the Chomper, press the head down, release and push the pitted cherry out. The plunger will push the pit out of the cherry and into the belly of the Cherry Chomper. As with any kitchen gadget, it’s best to have an adult around when the wee ones are making use of the Cherry Chomper.

Dishwasher safe – and what’s best – there’s so little cleanup after using this nifty gadget that you’ll be able to get on to the fun part of making your favorite cherry desserts.

Check out how easy the instructions are to follow:

 

This isn’t just a much safer way to pit cherries but it’s a way the whole family can get involved in preparing a delicious family treat while contributing to the creation of treasured family memories.

Retail: $12.99 Available at various online retailers