March 2023

Friday, March 31, 2023

Potato Salad Recipe - Uses for Dyed Easter Eggs Reviewed

I love potato salad. It is one of my favorite side dishes, especially when served with sliced ham. In fact, I will eat only the potato salad for lunch or dinner.

Because it is so easy to make, I like to use the dyed Easter eggs each year in potato salad. Plain boiled eggs are likely to sit in our refrigerator and spoil before we eat them. Therefore, I will make a potato salad with the eggs. There is no reason to waste them.

While it might seem sad to crack and dispose of the beautifully dyed egg shells, I hate throwing the whole eggs away more several days later. So, I use them. It is a win-win situation then. We have the pleasure of dying the eggs, or watching the eggs being dyed, and then making a lovely side dish for Easter dinner with the eggs.

Potato salad is a dish my family has been making for my entire life, throughout several generations. Both of my grandmothers made potato salad, but it was my own mother that taught me how to make it.

I have found in cooking, everyone has their own little "signature tweek" to family recipes that sets them apart slightly from others. One family member may add a touch of sugar, while another might use more or less of a specific ingredient. What we all have in common with how we make potato salad, we all use boiled eggs and potatoes!

Potato Salad Recipe

I make a very basic potato salad recipe in our home. Anyone that desires an additional ingredient can simply add it to their own individual serving.

7 boiled red potatoes* (cooled)

8 hard boiled eggs (cooled)

2 Tablespoons Mustard

1/4 Cup Mayonnaise

Salt & Pepper

Cut the potatoes and eggs into chucks. Stir in the mustard, mayonnaise, salt & pepper. Cover & Refrigerate

*Boil red potatoes by covering the potatoes with water, bring it to a boil, then turning them down to a low boil and cook for 45 minutes. You know they are done when a fork will go into them easily.

Optional Ingredients: bacon pieces, diced celery, chopped dill pickles, sweet pickle relish, diced onion, or garlic salt.

These are the optional ingredients I have heard of. How about you? Have you tried other optional ingredients that could be included in this list?

Deviled Eggs are another great use for dyed Easter Eggs.

Click here to see my Recipe for Deviled Eggs.

See more recipes that use boiled eggs here:
Simple Egg Salad Recipe
Deviled Eggs Recipe
Taste of Home Magazine Recipes

Potato Salad Recipe - Uses for Dyed Easter Eggs Written by:

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Thursday, March 30, 2023

Amazon's Audible Program Reviewed

Have you heard of Audible? I have had friends tell me to use this for a few years and I finally decided to download it in January and I have to say I love it.

I was hesitant as I have listened to audiobooks in the past and if you get the wrong narrator they can be hard work to listen to. I also love actually reading and listening just doesn't feel the same. After my initial one-month trial I decided that I needed to keep this and have been thoroughly enjoying it.

What is Amazon's Audible Program

Amazon's Audible program is a digital audiobook service that allows users to listen to audiobooks anytime, anywhere. It's a great way to consume books while doing other tasks such as driving, exercising, or cooking.

Here are some reasons why Audible is a great program:

Huge selection of audiobooks: Audible offers a vast selection of audiobooks, including bestsellers, classics and new releases. They have over 500,000 titles to choose from, so you're sure to find something that interests you.
High-quality audio: Audible provides high-quality audio that's easy to listen to, even in noisy environments. You can adjust the playback speed to suit your listening preferences, and the app will remember where you left off so you can pick up where you left off.
Whispersync for Voice: This is a feature I have yet to use, but it lets you switch between reading an ebook and listening to the audiobook seamlessly. You can start reading a book on your Kindle, for example, and then switch to the audiobook version on your phone and pick up right where you left off.
Great for multitasking: You can listen to a book while doing other tasks such as driving, exercising, or cooking. It's a great way to make the most of your time. This is where I have found it to be very useful.
Free trial: Audible offers a free trial that lets you try the service for 30 days. You get one credit to use on any audiobook of your choice and you can cancel anytime without being charged.
Easy to use: The Audible app is easy to use and navigate. You can download audiobooks for offline listening, and the app will keep track of your listening progress.

How I Use Audible

I listen to personal development books on my Audible, I prefer to read my fiction rather than listen to it. I have Bluetooth in my car so that as I drive I can listen to these books. I also listen to them when I'm eating my breakfast. I hate watching morning TV, but listening to something positive while eating my breakfast really helps to set me up for the day.

I have also listened to Audible as I've been cooking; from baking my protein oat cookies to prepping the ingredients for my latest sheet pan recipe, preparing pickled red onions or making my ginger shots.

A Few Thoughts on Audible

I know a few people who love listening to fictional books on their headphones while doing the vacuuming and other household cleaning tasks. I may become one of these people at some point, but for now, I prefer to read my fiction.

I love being able to listen to personal development books and will also be listening to a few business books as well. These are the types of things I would sometimes listen to on Soundcloud, but that app drops out for me in an area close to my home (Audible doesn't).

I was concerned about the voices and the first book I listened to was actually one of the free ones, not one I brought with my credit, was not a good choice as the voice irritated me. The next book, however, was amazing. The author was actually the narrator and he spoke so well that he just sucked you in. Since this book, I have enjoyed every narrator I've listened to.

On the con side, sometimes I would like to turn back to the previous page or chapter to reread, but I haven't looked into whether that will be easy to do or not. I sometimes zone out as I'm listening and then zone back in to realise that I missed something!

When I'm reading a business or personal development book I will often stick a sticky note in it for when I want to come back and copy out a quote I like. I'm not sure if there's a way I can do that with the Audible app - I'm usually driving or doing something so I can't stop and do this anyway.

On the plus side, I love that I'm getting some of my daily 'reading' done as I do other tasks.

Should You Try Audible?

I have to say that if Audible is available for you then you should seriously consider it. As it comes with a free trial, there's absolutely no downside to giving it a try.

Let me know in the comments if you've tried Audible and what you've found.

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Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Which Queen or King Saatva Solaire Mattress and Adjustable Base to Buy

This month I have published a series of posts about my experience shopping for a Saatva mattress for the first time, including the extensive product research I did so my husband and I could choose the best mattress for our needs and why we chose a Saatva Solaire mattress and Adjustable Base Plus and later exchanged our split-top, “upper-flex” mattress for a solid, standard king Solaire.

To wrap up this series (for now, at least) and help other mattress shopping couples who are considering a Saatva Solaire, I have created a detailed, side-by-side comparison chart of all the options for the queen and king Solaire mattress, along with their compatibility with Saatva’s two adjustable bases and the options that are best suited to different needs and sleeping preferences.

How to Choose the Best Queen or King Saatva Solaire Mattress & Adjustable Base Options for Your Needs

Disclosure: I have joined the company’s affiliate program, which means that if you choose to make a purchase through one of the links in this post I may be eligible to receive a commission, at no cost to you. I highly recommend the Saatva company and its products for their excellent quality, performance, price and customer service. The opinions, product reviews and recommendations in this post are my own and are based on my personal experiences. The decision to click on those links to learn more about the company’s products or make a purchase is greatly appreciated, but entirely up to you.

Recapping the Key Features and Benefits of Queen and King Size Saatva Solaire Mattress and Adjustable Bases

In a previous post, I shared my in-depth product reviews of the Saatva Solaire mattress and the Adjustable Base Plus that my husband and I chose.

Following is a quick recap of some of the highlights of the Solaire’s features and benefits and the differences between the Saatva Adjustable Base and Adjustable Base Plus.

Saatva Solaire Adjustable Firmness Mattress

Here are some of the key reasons you might want to choose a queen or king size Saatva Solaire mattress.

Customizable firmness settings (great for couples). Remote controls with precise, incremental adjustments that gradually inflate or deflate a layer of vulcanized air chambers allow sleeping partners to adjust the firmness on their respective sides of the mattress to perfectly suit their individual preferences.
Minimal motion transfer. The air chambers on the two sides are separated, so when one person tosses and turns their partner barely feels it.
Excellent back support, pressure relief and breathability. The layer of air chambers is topped with layers of contour hugging, gel-infused memory foam, ergonomically zoned, natural latex foam and a cushioned 3-inch Euro pillow top that provides extra lumbar support in the center third of the mattress, covered with a breathable, organic cotton sleep surface.
Quiet, hidden air inflator and hoses. These are enclosed in the bottom layer, keeping them out of sight and muffling the sound of the motor.

Saatva Adjustable Base

Pairing a queen or king size Solaire mattress with a Saatva Adjustable Base allows you to use a simple wireless remote (with a handy built-in flashlight) to raise and lower the head and foot of the bed. It is compatible with all queen and king size Solaire mattress options except the upper-flex configuration. It also works with most platform bases, thanks to a zero-clearance design and removable legs.

Saatva Adjustable Base Plus

The Saatva Adjustable Base Plus is compatible with all queen and king Solaire mattress options including the upper-flex configuration. As its name suggests, the “Plus” version comes with additional features including a wall-hugging design in the standard configuration (but not upper-flex king or queen), massage (with three speed options), presets for anti-snore and Zero-G and under-bed lighting.

How to Choose the Best Queen or King Size Saatva Solaire and Adjustable Base Option for Your Needs

When my husband and I were shopping for our king-size Saatva Solaire mattress and adjustable base, we found the many configuration options confusing. So, I put together the following chart to help other mattress shoppers choose the best option for them.

Queen and King Saatva Solaire Mattress and Adjustable Base Options and Configurations

	Standard Queen or King	Upper-Flex (Queen or King only)	Split King	California King	Split California King
Solaire Mattress Configuration	Solid, one-piece mattress	Upper portion has a split down the center	Two twin XL mattresses	Solid, one-piece mattress	Two 36” x 84” mattresses
Best for…	Sleep partners who prefer a traditional, solid mattress with no center seam or split.	Sleep partners who want to elevate and lower the head of the bed on their side without affecting their partner’s side, but prefer the “connected” feel of a solid mattress with no center separation under their legs.	Sleep partners who each want maximum customization options on their respective sides of the bed.	Sleep partners who prefer the extra length of a California king.	Sleep partners who each want maximum customization and prefer the extra length of a California king.
Adjustability When Paired With a Saatva Adjustable Base (No Upper-Flex Option) or Saatva Adjustable Base Plus	An adjustable base allows the sleeper(s) to elevate or lower their head(s) and/or feet.	Each sleep partner can elevate or lower the head of the bed on their side only. The foot of both sides of the bed can be raised or lowered in sync (but not independently).	Both sleep partners can elevate and lower their own head and/or feet independently, without affecting their partner’s side of the bed.	An andjustable base allows the sleeper(s) to elevate or lower their head(s) and/or feet.	Both sleep partners can elevate and lower their own head and/or feet independently, without affecting their partner’s side of the bed.
Configuration of Saatva Adjustable Base or Saatva Adjustable Base Plus	The standard adjustable base in all sizes except king is a solid, one-piece base. The king size adjustable base comes as two joined twin XL bases whose remote controls are configured to operate both bases in sync.	The upper-flex king adjustable base consists of two twin XL bases. The upper-flex queen consists of two narrower bases, each half the width of a standard queen base. In the upper-flex configuration, each adjustable base has a remote that operates the head of that base independently of the other base, while moving the lower part of both bases in sync.	The split king adjustable base consists of two joined twin XL bases. In the split king configuration, the remote for each base controls that side of the bed only.	The California king adjustable base comes as two joined 36” x 84” bases. The remote controls are configured to operate both bases in sync.	The split California king adjustable base comes as two joined 36” x 84” bases. The remote control for each base controls that side of the bed only.
Sheet Set Compatibility	Any standard queen or king size sheet set. Recommended: Saatva Organic Cotton Sateen, Signature Sateen, Banded Cotton Percale, Belgian Linen, Organic Embroidered Sateen or Cotton Percale sheet sets	Upper-flex queen or king fitted sheet,* standard queen or king size flat sheet and pillowcases. *Sometimes called split top, top-split, upper split, split-head or head split sheets Recommended: Saatva upper-flex Organic Cotton Sateen sheet set or Signature Sateen sheet sets	Split king sheet set, consisting of two twin XL fitted sheets, one standard king flat sheet and two king pillowcases. Recommended: Saatva Organic Cotton Sateen, Signature Sateen, Banded Cotton Percale, Organic Embroidered Sateen or Cotton Percale sheet sets	California king sheet set, consisting of one California king fitted sheet, one California king flat sheet and two king pillowcases. Recommended: Saatva Organic Cotton Sateen, Signature Sateen, Banded Cotton Percale, Belgian Linen, Organic Embroidered Sateen or Cotton Percale sheet sets	Split California king sheet set, consisting of two 36” x 84” fitted sheets, one 108" x 114" flat sheet and two king pillowcases. Recommended: Signature Sateen sheet set
Other Considerations	Saatva Adjustable Base and Adjustable Base Plus are final sale.	Saatva Adjustable Base Plus is final sale. The upper-flex configuration does not have the wall-hugger feature. Limited selection of split-top fitted sheets.	Saatva Adjustable Base and Adjustable Base Plus are final sale.	Saatva Adjustable Base and Adjustable Base Plus are final sale.	Saatva Adjustable Base and Adjustable Base Plus are final sale.

I hope you find this chart helpful in choosing the best Solaire mattress and adjustable base for your needs.

If you would like more information about the Saatva Solaire Adjustable Firmness Mattress, the Saatva Adjustable Base or the Saatva Adjustable Base Plus, I encourage you to check out my in-depth Saatva Solaire mattress and Saatva Adjustable Base Plus product reviews and also click on the links to the product pages, which are chock-full of information and helpful tips.

Happy mattress shopping!

Posts in This Series

Confessions of a Saatva Mattress Shopper, Part 1: The Journey Begins

Confessions of a Saatva Mattress Shopper, Part 2: How to Choose the Best Saatva Mattress for Your Needs

Confessions of a Saatva Mattress Shopper, Part 3: Ordering a Saatva Mattress and Adjustable Bed Online — A Candid Review

Confessions of a Saatva Mattress Shopper, Part 4: Saatva Organic Cotton Mattress Pad and Sheet Set Product Reviews

Confessions of a Saatva Mattress Shopper, Part 5: Saatva Mattress and Adjustable Base White Glove Delivery and Setup

Confessions of a Saatva Mattress Shopper, Part 6: Saatva Solaire Mattress and Adjustable Base Plus Product Reviews

Confessions of a Saatva Mattress Shopper, Part 7: Exchanging a Saatva Mattress: My Personal Experience

Confessions of a Saatva Mattress Shopper, Part 8: Which Queen or King Saatva Solaire Mattress and Adjustable Base to Buy

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

The Great Protein Bar Search

As someone who is always looking for ways to maintain a healthy diet and lose a few pounds, about a year ago I decided to start eating a protein bar and fruit for lunch. It's quick and also makes it easy to track the calorie count, which is something I always try to do. Little did I know that deciding on this lunch plan was the easy part.......because finding a good tasting protein bar was anything but easy!

I started out with Premier Protein Bars, which I thought would be good because of the high amount of protein in them. Unfortunately, they were kind of hard to chew, and the bar size was huge! They were also over 300 calories, which was higher than I wanted..

Thus began The Great Protein Bar Search

I spent a lot of time and a lot of money looking for a bar that did not taste like sawdust, or be as hard to chew as salt water taffy. I also did not want to have to spend $5 a piece for them. I tried so many....some were ok, some were even pretty good and some were so awful I could not understand how they managed to sell them. The thing they all had in common was they were pricey. The better they tasted, the more expensive they were. I did find one bar that was really good, called Built Bars. The problem was they were super expensive, but the taste and consistency was so far superior that I resigned myself to being forced to spend that, if I wanted a really good protein bar.

I bought Built Bars for about a year, and during that time things went downhill with their company. They raised their price even higher from 18 bars for $40 to 12 bars for $30. But the last straw for me was when they changed the recipe of my favorite bar. It was called Coconut Almond and it used to taste just like an Almond Joy. Then the last time I ordered them they had a horrible chemical after taste. That, in addition to the fact their shipping times were getting longer and longer, I parted ways with Built Bars.

I swore to myself that this time I was not going to try protein bars that were outrageously expensive. I started scrolling through Amazon and I ran across a bar that looked almost just like a Little Debbie Nutty Bar....which happens to be one of my most favorite things in the world. They were called Power Crunch Protein Energy Bars. They were also only $15 for a box of 12! So I ordered a box of peanut butter fudge and hoped for the best.

When they arrived, I opened up one and took a bite. IT WAS BLISSFUL! I swear I think I saw little birds and butterflies flying around my head when I was chewing. This protein bar tasted just like a Kit Kat candy bar. Chocolate covered wafers with peanut butter cream filling. It was truly yummy. I had finally found my dream protein bar.....and at a fair price!!

They also had pretty good caloric and nutritional statistics:

nutrition facts on power crunch protein bars

Since trying the peanut butter fudge, I have also tried other flavors such as Coconut Chocolate, Strawberry Creme, and S'mores. There are so many more flavors I want to try, I order one new flavor and two peanut butter fudge bars a month, so I will be trying new flavors for a long time to come. Here are all the flavors they offer:

an assortment of power crunch protein bars

Needless to say, I am very happy that The Great Protein Bar Search is over, and I have finally found what I was looking for. Power Crunch Protein Bars hit the high bar on everything I wanted: convenience, taste, price and flavor selection. Eating these protein bars every day has helped me not to crave the sweets that make dieting harder and the protein is good for me and helps me to maintain energy throughout the afternoon.

I highly recommend Power Crunch bars for everyone from kids to adults to seniors! You won't be disappointed and people of all ages can use the extra protein!

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Monday, March 27, 2023

Mini Silicone Molds Reviewed

Fun, festive and just perfect for the holiday baking season! These silicone molds are the perfect size to make mini desserts and cakes for the season. I was searching on line for mini cake pans and came across the silicone molds which I was intrigued to try.

Size

The size was not chosen by accident! I specifically wanted mini size molds to make mini giftable version of a family recipe for a coffee cake.

The molds delivered as promised with a mini size measuring 2 3/4 inches diameter which is a perfect single size serving.Oven-Microwave-Freezer-Dishwasher Safe.

Styles

Six different styles are included from the classic mini tube or bundt design to stars and hearts. A style for every occasion. The molds come in 4 vibrant colors.

Versatile Size

The sizing of the mini molds lends itself to any recipe that is sized to a mini: cheesecake, cake, parfait, muffins and donuts.

Microwave & Dishwasher

The molds are safe for: Oven-Microwave-Freezer-Dishwasher. I cleaned the molds in the dishwasher and I also hand washed a few and both methods worked well. The directions recommend hand washing.

Baking Sheet Friendly

I do recommend putting the molds on a parchment covered baking sheet just to be safe from any spillage. As I was tweaking a full pan recipe to mini size I was not sure how much to fill each mold. I needed a little trial and error and was very happy I used a parchment covered baking sheet for one mold I definitely over filled.

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Sunday, March 26, 2023

A Doormat is Essential With the Switch From Winter to Spring

Spring is finally here! The season of renewal and rejuvenation is the perfect time to spruce up your home. With the change in weather, spring brings muddy and wet conditions that can leave your floors dirty and stained. But don't worry; a doormat can help to catch some of that dirt and keep your floors clean.

Changing Weather Demands a Doormat Either Inside or Outside of the Front Door

As the weather changes, protecting your floors from the mud and dirt that can be tracked in is important. A good doormat is essential for keeping your home clean and tidy. Door mats are not only practical, but they can also be stylish and add to the overall aesthetic of your home.

A doormat is the first line of defense against dirt, mud, and other debris that can be tracked in from outside. By placing a doormat at the entrance of your home, you are preventing dirt and mud from being tracked inside. Door mats are essential during spring when the weather is unpredictable and muddy conditions are expected.

There Are A Wide Variety of Styles To Choose From - See Product Suggestions Below

Various door mats are available on the market, ranging from basic and functional to decorative and stylish. Some door mats are made of durable materials like rubber or coir, which can withstand heavy traffic and harsh weather conditions. Other door mats are made of softer materials like cotton or microfiber, which are great for absorbing moisture and dirt.

When choosing a doormat, consider the size and shape of the mat and its material. A larger doormat will be more effective at catching dirt and mud, while a smaller mat may be more appropriate for a smaller entryway. Additionally, a mat with a rubber backing will be more slip-resistant, which is especially important in wet conditions.

Essential, Inexpensive, and Necessary

In conclusion, a doormat is a simple and effective way to keep your home clean and protect your floors from mud, dirt, and debris. As the weather changes and the spring season brings unpredictable conditions, a doormat can be an excellent investment for any homeowner. Whether you opt for a basic and functional mat or a stylish and decorative one, a doormat is a must-have for any entryway.

Doormats to Check Out:

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Saturday, March 25, 2023

Book Review of 'Ashley Bell' by Dean Koontz

Plot Synopsis

Bibi Blair, a funny, clever and fierce young woman – a writer by trade – is a girl who said 'no' to death. When her doctor told her she had one year to live, Bibi replied “We'll see!”

And, suddenly, she is completely free of the rare, and fatal, brain cancer she has been diagnosed with. Bibi astounds medical science.

After returning home from the hospital, Bibi meets a mysterious woman who convinces her that she escaped death so she can save someone else; someone named Ashley Bell.

Who is Ashley Bell, where is she, and why does Bibi Blair have to find ~ and save ~ her?

Bibi now finds herself on the run from threats that are both mystical and ordinary. It all appears to stem from a rich and very strange cult leader who has terrifying ambitions. One of his aims is to kill Ashley Bell.

Summary

Bibi Blair is a delightful character whose story is told in sections. There is the present time when she is 22, on the verge of becoming a successful writer, and engaged to Pax, a Navy Seal, plus her friendship with her childhood surfing friend, Pogo. And there is the past when she is first 6-years-old, and we learn all about her special friendship with The Captain, who rents the garage apartment at her parent's home. And later at age 10 when 'Olaf' the Golden Retriever suddenly appears one afternoon and becomes Bibi's faithful companion.

Bibi also has been writing stories since she was a child and this fact becomes very important as the plot unfolds. The story flips back and forth between 'young' Bibi and present-day Bibi.

This is a fast-paced story with a fascinating heroine who has a good heart and a troubling gift we learn about in a twisting plot filled with many surprises. A suspenseful thriller with a mystery to solve.

Ashley Bell was published in 2015 (and somehow missed by me until now). It is listed by Amazon as Book 1 of 1 in the Ashley Bell series. I just discovered that Koontz also wrote a Trilogy entitled Darkest Desires: The Makani Trilogy, which leads into the Ashley Bell series. Darkest Desires is available in Audible Book form.

For more Book Reviews on ReviewThisReviews
Check out ReviewThisBooks.com

Links to other Reviews of books by Dean Koontz:

*Book Review of Ashley Bell by Dean Koontz written by Wednesday Elf.

Available on Amazon
in four different formats

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Friday, March 24, 2023

Deviled Eggs Recipe - Uses for Dyed Easter Eggs

Easter is just around the corner and I am already looking forward to my favorite use of dyed Easter eggs --- Deviled Eggs!

My mother and my son dye Easter eggs every year. They have been dyeing eggs together for almost 30 years. Even though they are both adults, they still enjoy that annual tradition and their fun time together. They usually dye a dozen eggs or more so they can make several colors.

Many families use the dyed eggs for Easter egg hunts. Our family always ate the dyed eggs and used plastic, candy filled eggs for our Easter egg hunts.

After the pictures are taken of their egg dyeing "event", several of us will grab our favorite egg and eat it. I use the remaining eggs to make deviled eggs or potato salad.

I will share my potato salad recipe in a separate post, but today I offer you my very easy recipe for making delicious deviled eggs.

Basic Deviled Eggs Recipe

This recipe is based on using 1 dozen hard boiled eggs, which makes 2 dozen deviled eggs. If I have more or less eggs, I simply adjust the measurements of mayonnaise and mustard accordingly below.

Start by boiling the eggs and letting them cool (boiled egg directions below)
Cut the boiled eggs in half lengthwise & remove the yolk
In a mixing bowl, mash and combine the yolks with 2 teaspoons mayonnaise & 4 teaspoons French's Classic mustard. *
Fill the egg whites with the egg yolk mixture
Sprinkle with salt, pepper & paprika (if desired)

* I recommend tasting the egg yolk mixture before you fill the egg whites to make sure it is to your preferred taste. We use more mustard and less mayonnaise than many recipes. By comparison, BettyCrocker.com recommends 6 Tablespoons of mayonnaise and 1 teaspoon ground mustard for a 2 dozen deviled eggs.

How to Hard Boil Eggs

Again, I am sharing my preferred method. I've boiled eggs for the last 40+ years by simply placing a dozen eggs in a pan of water, adding salt, bringing them to a boil, and boiling for 10 minutes. I let the eggs and the water cool in the cooking pan. After the hot water has cooled to warm, I dump out the water out of the pan and run cold tap water on top of the eggs (still in the pan) so they will completely cool.

For a dozen eggs, I use my 5 quart dutch oven pan to boil.

Cuisinart 6445-22 5-Quart Dutch Oven with CoverCheck Price Kraft Real Mayo Creamy & Smooth Mayonnaise, 22 fl ozCheck Price French's Classic Yellow Mustard, 30 ozCheck Price

For more of my tried and true family recipes, please visit Cooking for the Holidays

I also contribute to our Recipes category right here on Review This Reviews alongside some really fabulous home cooks! This is a category you will not want to miss.

See more recipes that use boiled eggs here:
Simple Egg Salad Recipe
Potato Salad Recipe
Taste of Home Magazine Recipes

Deviled Eggs Recipe - Uses for Dyed Easter Eggs Written by:

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Thursday, March 23, 2023

National Bird Holidays and Awareness Days- 2nd Quarter

Male Cardinal

This review will introduce you to a few of the bird holidays and awareness days for the second quarter of the year. I have found bird watching and bird photography to be a wonderful pastime. In addition to sharing some of the second quarter bird days, I will share a few of my photographs in this review. All photos were taken in my backyard.

April 8- Draw a Bird Day

Draw a bird day started in the UK in the 1940's. A young girl wanted to cheer her uncle who was wounded in the war. When she visited him in the hospital she asked him to draw a bird. When he finished she laughed and told him that he wasn't a great artist but then she hung the drawing on the wall. This cheered her uncle so much that she would have him draw a bird each time she visited him, and soon his walls were full of bird drawings. The other soldiers and nurses in the hospital were all cheered by the bird drawings. This was the start of the holiday.

You don't need to be a great artist to participate in "Draw a Bird Day", just sketch a simple bird and spread the joy.

April 8th is "Draw a Bird Day". To help you with

this project you might want to order this book.

April 29th- National Go Birding Day

National Go Birding Day is a national holiday that is celebrated on the last Saturday in April. It is a day to celebrate our feathered friends. The Earth is home to over 10,000 different species of birds.

Some of the activities you might like to do to celebrate the day include:

Take Photographs
Visit a Nature Reserve or a Park
Share your Photos and Videos on social media.

Sparrows on Deck Chair all Puffed up in Cold

May 4th- Bird Day

This holiday is the largest holiday in observance of our avian friends. It is always held on May 4th and the US Library of Congress states that it was first observed on May 4, 1894. This is a widely celebrated Bird Day and is often celebrated in conjunction with Arbor day. Both days are focused on conservation and education.

Female Cardinal

To celebrate Bird Day you may want to learn more about birds. There are lots of sites on the internet where you can learn facts about birds or you may want to look for a bird book on Amazon. Here is one for you to consider.

May 14-World Migratory Bird Day

This holiday is an international holiday that is celebrated on the 2nd Saturday in May. It celebrates the many miles many of our feathered friends travel each spring and fall to avoid the cold and snowy weather. They travel thousands of miles from their breeding grounds in North America to their winter homes in Central and South America.

I am always fascinated by the migration of birds as I see the skies full of them heading south in the fall and then both north in the spring. The one bird that I find particularly fascinating is the hummingbird. These very small birds travel from our area in mid Missouri down to Central America for the winter months. In about April we see the first ones heading back to our area. I always put my feeders out about the first of April to be ready for them.

Hummingbird on our feeder last year.

June 20-National American Eagle Day

National American Eagle Day is celebrated each year on June 20th. That is the day that in 1782 the eagle was added to the official seal of the United States.

Here is some information I found on Eagle Day.

Celebrating American Eagle Day

The first American Eagle Day was proclaimed by President Bill Clinton in 1995. Since then 41 American states have made the day an official observance. From 2007 onwards, the US Senate has also passed resolutions to mark June 20 of the year as American Eagle Day. The American Eagle Foundation is at the forefront of organizing and sponsoring events on this holiday.

American Eagle Day is an observance, which means that businesses, stores, and government offices are open.

On this day, conservation and educational organizations hold public outreach programs such as lectures, workshops, and informational sessions to raise awareness about the importance of preserving and protecting bald eagles and other wildlife.

The holiday is sometimes known as Bald Eagle Day or National Eagle Day.

Here is a link to the site where this information is located American-Eagle-Day

For a review on the bird holidays for the first quarter of the year, go to https://www.reviewthisreviews.com/2023/01/national-bird-holidays-and-awareness.html

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Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Exchanging a Saatva Mattress: My Personal Experience

This post is the seventh in a series of candid, in-depth reviews about my experience as a first-time Saatva customer. In the six previous posts I have discussed what happened when I was researching Saatva mattress options, choosing the best mattress for my husband’s and my needs, placing an online order for a Saatva Solaire mattress, bedding and adjustable base and taking delivery of our mattress pad and sheets, as well as the white glove delivery of our upper-flex Solaire and removal of our old mattress and my detailed, candid product reviews of our new Saatva Solaire mattress and adjustable base.

Today I will review our experience with exchanging our split-top Solaire for the (solid) standard version.

Is It Really Hassle-Free? Exchanging a Saatva Mattress

As I explained in my last post, my husband and I loved nearly everything about our new Saatva Solaire mattress except the center split down the top portion. We had decided to give the “upper-flex” configuration of the mattress and adjustable base a try because the top split allowed one of us to elevate and lower the head of our side of the bed without disturbing our partner. For example, since my husband wakes up earlier than I do, he could raise his side to sit up and read next to me while I continued to sleep.

However, since we usually fall asleep snuggled together on our sides in the “spoon” position in the middle of the mattress, one of us would end up with our arm stuck in the center split.

After trying for more than a month to find a way around that problem, we finally decided we’d be happier with a solid mattress and exchanged our upper-flex king for a standard king Solaire.

Note: Even if you and your partner also like to "spoon" together, if you eventually return to your respective sides of the bed for sleeping you may love the upper-flex option. Exchanging ours for a standard Solaire wasn't an easy decision!

Initiating Our Saatva Solaire Mattress Exchange

The Saatva Mattress Home Trial, Warranty & Return Policies page provided simple instructions for exchanging a mattress: Call a toll-free number to initiate the exchange, pay a $99 processing fee (to cover Saatva’s fee to the delivery company for the white glove delivery and pickup service) “and we’ll take care of the rest!”

Saatva FAQ - What if I need to exchange my mattress?

Saatva's website made the exchange process sound hassle-free...and they definitely "delivered" in real life

It was the end of a busy, stressful week and I decided to send an email instead of calling the 888 number.

My email to Saatva requesting to exchange my upper-flex Solaire mattress for a standard Solaire

Instead of calling the toll-free number to initiate the exchange, I replied to the order confirmation email

An automated reply from Saatva appeared in my inbox almost immediately containing a ticket number to track my inquiry and explaining that, due to heavy customer demand, it might take “up to 24 hours” for someone to respond.

Since I had sent my email late on a Friday afternoon, and given the widespread pandemic-related staffing shortages at the time (August 2021), I wasn’t expecting a response until Monday. However, To my surprise, Ina, one of Saatva’s “sleep guides,” phoned on Sunday to help me initiate the mattress exchange I had requested.

She initiated a refund for the upper-flex king Solaire mattress, sheet set and mattress pad and placed our order for the standard king Solaire and bedding replacements. She let me know that the white king size sheets I wanted were backordered and expected to be in stock in two weeks, but the ivory color was in stock if I didn’t want to wait. I said I preferred to wait for white sheets and asked her to add a king size waterproof mattress protector to our order. She also asked us to donate the upper-flex sheet set and mattress pad to a nonprofit charitable organization of our choosing.

Ina explained that the delivery of our standard Solaire mattress would work the same way as our previous delivery. As soon as our new mattress was manufactured, the delivery company would contact us directly to schedule the white glove delivery and setup of our new standard king Solaire and the removal of our upper-flex Solaire.

I told Ina that since we had purchased an upper-flex king Lineal adjustable base (now called the Saatva Adjustable Base Plus), which could not be exchanged for a standard king version, we wanted the delivery service to reconfigure and sync the two joined twin XL adjustable bases to work with the new, solid king mattress. She said she would instruct the delivery company to take care of that for us when they delivered our standard king Solaire.

A few minutes later, I received an email from her confirming what we had discussed and updating the support ticket.

Email support ticket update - confirmation of mattress exchange and adjustable base reconfiguration

Saatva's Sleep Guides (customer service representatives) help customers 7 days a week

Saatva Customer Service Follow-up

As promised, two weeks later the delivery company emailed me directly and asked me to call them to schedule the delivery of our new solid king Solaire.

The email arrived on the Friday before Labor Day, just as my husband and I were headed out of town for the long holiday weekend, so we decided to wait until we got back to put our calendars together and find a date when we could both be home to supervise the mattress delivery.

On Tuesday, the day my back-ordered white organic cotton sateen sheets were due to be restocked, Ina called to let me know that they were still not back in stock. She said that if I didn’t want to wait longer, she would be happy to either cancel the order for me or send me the same sheet set in ivory, which they did have in stock.

I thanked her for calling to update me about the backorder delay and offering me the choice of several options, and said I would prefer to wait for the white sheets to be restocked. Ina promised to continue to monitor and keep me updated about the status of my backordered white sheet set. She proved to be true to her word and kept in touch with me until the sheets were delivered.

I also mentioned that I had gotten an email from the delivery company a few days earlier but that I hadn’t called them yet, since my husband and I had been away for the holiday weekend and we hadn’t yet had a chance to work out when we could both be available to supervise the mattress delivery. If she was able to stay on the call for another minute or two (and if I could catch my husband in between Zoom meetings), I could try to get her some options for delivery dates.

Ina explained that mattress deliveries are scheduled directly between the customer and the delivery company, but that once my husband and I determined our availability, she would be happy to pass on those possible dates to the delivery company on our behalf, if we would like. Even though I declined and said I would talk to my husband that evening and then contact the delivery company directly, I considered her kind offer another example of how Saatva employees take initiative and are empowered and encouraged to go above and beyond.

Our Second Experience With Saatva’s White Glove Mattress Delivery and Setup

Our second experience with Saatva’s white glove delivery was very similar to our first Saatva mattress delivery experience. After receiving the email from the delivery company, I called them to schedule our Solaire mattress exchange and setup.

Once again, the company contacted us the day before, this time by email, giving us a three-hour delivery window, confirming our address and phone number, and saying the delivery team would call us when they were 40 minutes from our house.

Once again, we did not receive a call from the team before they arrived, nor did their instructions mention reconfiguring our two twin XL adjustable bases to work with the new solid king Solaire mattress.

Apart from that, however, the team was extremely fast and efficient (perhaps even more so than the team that had delivered our upper-flex Solaire and adjustable base!) and very respectful of our property.

Not only did they reconfigure the adjustable bases so that the head and foot would operate in sync, at our request they also showed my husband how it was done in case he needed to fix any issues that might arise in the future.

They were extremely professional, friendly and accommodating throughout their visit.

Follow-Up Customer Service Interactions

At one point, the remote control for my husband’s side of our Adjustable Base Plus stopped responding. I called customer service and explained that he had tried putting in fresh batteries and re-syncing his remote, which did not fix the problem. The customer service representative, Paul, explained that accidentally pressing and holding down the Lock button was one of the most common reasons for the remote to stop working. Unfortunately, the non-working remote was not in its usual spot on my husband’s nightstand, so Paul talked me through how to lock and unlock the remote using mine. When my husband came home, we tried unlocking his remote, which still didn’t solve the problem, and Saatva immediately sent us a replacement.

The next day, we discovered that the problem was, in fact, user error (I can’t remember what) and I called back to let Saatva know that we wouldn’t need a replacement remote after all. They were extremely gracious and said they had already shipped it to us and we should keep it, “just in case.”

Another example of how Saatva’s customer service goes above and beyond!

Final Verdict on Our Overall Experience Buying a Saatva Mattress, Adjustable Base and Bedding

My husband and I spent six months shopping for, researching, selecting, ordering, taking delivery of and exchanging our first Saatva mattress, bedding and adjustable base. Throughout that time, Saatva’s commitment to excellence was obvious in every interaction we had with the company and its representatives.

We were able to find answers or get help using whichever method we preferred (email, phone, website or live chat), even on nights, weekends and holidays. Everyone with whom we spoke was knowledgeable, professional and proactive in helping us. They also appeared to be empowered to “go the extra mile” to ensure that we had a positive experience without having to get permission from a supervisor.

Based on my personal experience, Saatva consistently delivers on its promise to provide superb customer service 24/7/365

In a recent article, Saatva founder and CEO Ron Rudzin shared the story and significance of the company’s unusual name, which is well worth the read. For him and everyone else at Saatva, the name is “a reminder every day that we are committed to honesty, transparency, and putting our customers first. We try to live up to the principles embodied in our name, whether it’s through the helpful content we put on our website or the premium materials we put in our products.”

As a former marketing professional who has advised major corporations on improving their customer experience, I am a savvy and demanding consumer with high expectations. Saatva has thoroughly impressed me with not only its products and customer service but also its overall standard of excellence and ethics in doing business.

If you are thinking about a new mattress, bedroom furniture, bedding or gifts for better sleep, I encourage you to explore the Saatva website and talk to a knowledgeable Saatva Sleep Guide to help you make the best choice for your needs, regardless of what brand or model of mattress or bed you ultimately decide to buy.

What's Next: Which Queen or King Size Saatva Solaire Mattress and Adjustable Base Is Right for You?

Next week, I'll publish my final post in this series,

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