Reviewing the Ease of Hot Pot Cookers for Quick and Nutritious Meals

As usual, I'm arriving late to the party; the Hot Pot party to be more specific. Many people know the fun and ease of using a hot pot. There is a very long tradition of families using a hot pot for meals, more recently, people hold hot pot parties. I've recently purchased a hot pot for one-person meals and have found it to be a great way to make easy, interesting, and healthier meals for myself.

Hot pot is traditional Asian communal dining tradition as well as a modern dining experience with friends and family. What I've learned is that a pot of simmering water or broth is placed in the middle of the table. A variety of fresh vegetables, meat, and seafood are placed around the table. The family members add their chosen items to add to the simmering pot with the small pieces of meat and seafood simmer for a longer time than small bits of vegetables.

Why I purchased a hot pot

• Portable - to cook ramen noodles and broth in settings other than my stove top
• Meal variety - I get in a meal rut with a lot of macaroni and spaghetti. I crave something different
• Health reasons - a desire to consume more bone broth and leafy greens 
• I am able to make my own bone broth. If I continue to do so, I'll have my own broth rather than store-bought
• Quick and easy meals
• Hot meals at work that aren't ordering out or leftovers
• Increasing fresh vegetable in my diet - vegetables that I hope to continue to grow; kale, bok choy, cabbage, and more

I chose the 1.7 quart Dezin hot pot for it's size, positive reviews, and stainless steel liner (as opposed to non-stick coating). It also has off, low, high, and warm settings. I wanted something portable and easy-to-clean for the days I take it to work.  I replace the water that is called for with two cups of broth that comes to a boil very quickly. The meal is as easy as adding ramen noodles, vegetables, hard boiled eggs and stirring occasionally. The seasoning packet is added after the three minutes and when the heat is turned off. Personally, I only add a fraction of the packet (approximately half) because it tastes too salty if I add the whole packet. Besides, with vegetables and broth, the packet isn't as necessary for flavoring.

My Dezin Hot Pot 

I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. In my personal journey, I am looking for a way to make small and slow changes to healthier eating. I am learning that bone broth, dark leafy greens, and vegetables are a much better choice for my health than the large amount of carbs I tend to consume.

Related Links:

This is an extremely descriptive article and video that shows how delicious and fresh hot pot cooking can be. I encourage you to take a peek for a better description than I am able to give.  Hot Pot 101: A Chef's Guide to Hosting a Hot Pot Party at Home.

A variety of Hot Pot brands and sizes are available on Amazon. Start your search here. Some styles come with a steamer and some come with their own countertop, electric burner.

intro image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons - Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 - artist Raita Futo from Tokyo, Japan

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

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Handmade Clocks by Clever Crafters

For truly unique, you can't beat 'handmade'. Etsy has some very talented clock-makers. Below are a few from my favorite Shops.

You can also browse throughout Etsy to search for your own unique ideas. Click here to get to Etsy

Owl Wall Clock | Decoylab on Etsy

DECOYLAB is a designer/illustrator in Kansas City, Missouri who makes very unique timepieces using wood and paper.

Pictured here is an Owl Wall Clock, from her collection for the nursery/kids room that are simple, modern and fun! 

This clock is made with laser cut, ¼ thick 3 ply bamboo and clock parts .The clock measures Size: 6" w x 8” h x .75” d. Made with sturdy 3ply bamboo (¼” thickness)

Clock for your Craft Room

If your 'hobby' is in the field of fiber arts, like me, time spent in your craft room would be fun with a clock that represents your favorite craft, like this one about Knitting! 

Funny Knitting Time Clock

This very amusing clock design fits a crafters' thoughts exactly. When you are engaged in working with your favorite craft, time tends to either 'stand still' or be ignored because of the pleasure it gives you. Thus, this delightful hobby clock will fit in your craft room perfectly! 

Knitting clock is created using solid oak or maple in several sizes, and the wood is laser cut with a laser engraved design.

Sports Clock

Sports Clock on Etsy

There are a variety of sports-related handmade clocks on Etsy. Since MY favorite sport is BASEBALL, I chose to display a clock with my favorite MLB team - the New York Yankees. 

Handcrafted out of wood, these sports clocks with your favorite team are Laser-cut out of fine wood and hand painted. They measure an average of 14 x 14 inches.

Created by a Vero Beach, Florida designer for their TimeOutPaintedDesign Etsy Store, here’s what they say about **Why You'll Love It:**

These clocks are not just about telling time; it’s about celebrating our love for sports with style. Whether you're a fan of football, basketball, soccer, or any other sport, this handcrafted piece adds a personalized touch to your decor. It also makes a thoughtful gift for birthdays, holidays, or special occasions for the sports enthusiasts in your life. --- Add this charming sports clock to your collection today and enjoy a perfect blend of elegance and enthusiasm in your home!

Summary

So browse through the handmade clocks on Etsy and find just the clock design that suits your needs.  Perfect for various rooms throughout your home, hand-crafted clocks also make lovely gifts for friends and family. 

Take a lesson from the clock;

it passes the time by keeping its hands busy.

                                                ~Evan Esar

For more reviews of ‘clocks’ on ReviewThisReviews, click here

*This guide to “Handmade Clocks by Clever Crafters, was originally published on November 12, 2014. While the original site is no longer active, Wednesday Elf has brought the best of that content here for you.

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

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Overview of CherylsArtPhotos on Zazzle

This is the second of a seven part series of my various stores on Zazzle.

If anyone has a store on Zazzle that is getting to big, it can be helpful to make a separate store that features designs that aren't currently in the original store. Since my original store was all about my artwork, I decided to make the photos that I was wanting to use, be in a separate store. This method can also help customers more easily find what they are looking for; as there is less categories to look through.

I don't have near the amount of photos that I do of my artwork, so it is easier to navigate. As of the writing of this blog, there are only nine categories in CherylsArtPhotos on Zazzle. Although there are only nine categories, there are a wider variety of the different photo types. They can include animals, fireworks, flowers, floral peace signs, insects, scenes, trees, wood, and more.

The categories that I decided to have are:

Apparel and Accessories:

I love this beautiful photo of when my pink azaleas were in full bloom along the neighbors back wall. I thought this beauty would have been popular on a variety of products, but the main one that sells is on men's ties. Cool!

Pretty Pink Azaleas Floral Neck Ties
by CherylsArtPhotos

Sometimes photos are the way to go!

The sub-categories in this section are Ties, Tote Bags, and Tshirts.

Celebrations:

Although I used a bit of my artwork to top off the groundhog, it is more photo than artwork, so this critter got assigned to CherylsArtPhotos. Did you know that Groundhog Day is always on February 2nd?

I heard it's your birthday, groundhog cards
by CherylsArtPhotos

There are not many items in this category, so there are not sub-categories to see here.

Holidays:

I have always been a cat lover and have created a variety of designs inspired by a number of my cats. Sometimes, the photo is just cute enough to leave things as they are. Here, my cat Tori is exploring her present. This photo is printed on downloadable cards, if you happen to be ordering close to the holiday.

Cute Cat Christmas, enjoying present holiday cards
by CherylsArtPhotos

The various holiday items only take up one page, so there is also no sub-categories for this section.

Home and Sewing:

Home and Sewing includes a variety of sub-categories. They are: Clocks, Doormats, Fabric, Kitchen and Dining, Magnets, Nail Art, Notepads, Shower Curtains, Throw Pillows, Tiles, and Wall Art. The Kitchen and Dining sub-category actually has sub-sub-categories.

This pretty black eyed susan photo looks great on mugs. The mugs can be easily personalized on the provided template form.

Personalized Black Eyed Susan Flowers Photo Mugs
by CherylsArtPhotos

I currently have two mugs that I purchased from Zazzle. The artwork looks great, as does the finish on them. They wash up great in the dishwasher.

New Products:

The New Products category is actually assigned by Zazzle if you don't already choose a category when designing your product.

Office and School:

There are three sub-categories in Office and School. They are Business Cards, Mousepads, and Pens.

Sports, Toys, and Games:

The Sports, Toys, and Games section also has a variety of sub-categories. They are: Cornhole Games, Jumbo Fast Four, Pickleball Paddles, Playing Cards, and Puzzles. As you can see, the store designer and fine tune how they choose to make their categories, sub-categories, etc. If I had a lot of items in this section, the sub-categories would have been more general in nature.

Stationery:

There are six sub-categories in the Stationery section. They are: Address Labels, Cards, Post It Notes, Postcards, Stationery, and Stickers.

Floral and scenic postcards seem to be a popular choice.

Yellow Orange Marigold Flowers Postcards
by CherylsArtPhotos

Travel:

The Travel section has two sub-categories. They are Luggage and Luggage Tags.

I hope you enjoyed the overview of CherylsArtPhotos on Zazzle. Any of the product links above will take you to my CherylsArtPhotos store on Zazzle. To search this store, choose a link that says CherylsArtPhotos; once there, you can do a search for what you are looking for by looking for the search box below the header.

May you have a great day and may you find what you are looking for.

Cheryl Paton

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

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Reviewing Arbonne's GreenSynergy Elixir

 

Arbonne's GreenSynergy Elixir is a drinkable smart nutrition + skincare routine that features your greens, collagen builder and happy gut formula all in one delicious shot. Let's review why I love it and highly recommend it to all my friends.

I have been drinking some form of greens drink for about 10 years and have reviewed the two previous 'versions' here on ReviewThisReviews. For the last year, I have replaced my Green Gut Glow drink with this GreenSynergy Elixir and I haven't looked back!

The GreenSynergy Elixir is a three-in-one formula that combines all of the ingredients from my previous Green Gut Glow drink; however, in my opinion, this tastes so much nicer - it's a citrus flavour which I really enjoy. The convenience of having just one sachet to mix with water makes my life so much easier - but is it just as good?

Let's break down the three components of this drink - greens, collagen builder and digestive enzymes.

First, let's look at the Greens component. The Green Gut Glow drink featured the BeWell Superfood Greens supplement, which contains a blend of 36 different fruits and vegetables per serving. The GreenSynergy Elixi still contains a serving of fruit and vegetables, but the blend only includes 12 different fruit and vegetables in their blend. I have a reasonably good diet and it works for me. If you need more nutrients, I recommend the Green Gut Glow bundle.

Secondly, we have the collagen builder. I have reviewed the Skin Elixir supplement previously and explained that I started taking this because I thought it might help with my Rheumatoid Arthritis (this has not been tested for this, it was only anecdotal evidence that collagen could help). I was concerned as I wasn't sure if there would be the same amount of collagen builder in this product.

I haven't had any adverse reactions with switching from the Skin Elixir (as part of the Green Gut Glow bundle) to the GreenSynergy Elixir, as far as my reasons for taking a collagen builder.

Thirdly, we need to look at the gut health component and this is where I have found a difference. The GreenSynergy Elixir contains a blend of 13 full-spectrum digestive enzymes to help support digestion. I have found that on a daily basis this supplement works really well for me, however, if I am sick, need to take medication, am stressed, or on holiday (where my diet changes), then I need to take a probiotic supplement if I want to avoid indigestion. When I was taking the Green Gut Glow bundle, this wasn't the case.

I basically keep some Biotic Sticks on hand for times when I need a little extra help. If you are looking to improve your gut health you may want to take the Green Gut Glow bundle, but I am still choosing to stick with the GreenSynergy Elixir.

At the end of the day Arbonne's GreenSynergy Elixir wins in both taste and convenience in my opinion, however, there is definitely room for both the GreenSynergy Elixir and the Green Gut Glow bundle - which do you want to try?

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

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Patio Dining Set - Reviewed

Well, it is finally springtime, but here in Western New York, the weather is still not cooperating. Soon, though, we will be getting out the deck furniture for some much-anticipated outdoor fun.

Fran bought this Sophia and William 7-Piece dining Set 5 years ago, and it has served us well. Every year before winter, I store the chairs in the basement and cover the table along with the rest of the deck furniture, and leave it outside on the deck.

Our set includes one large table and six matching chairs, providing ample seating for family and friends. I remember it arrived in two separate boxes. The table was easy to assemble; the chairs were a little more difficult but manageable.

We have enjoyed this set for the last 5 years. It has held up well, so I expect we will get many more years of outdoor enjoyment with our dining set.

Durability and Materials:

• Weather-resistant frames designed to resist rust and corrosion.
• Durable finishes that prevent fading from sun exposure.
• Low-maintenance materials that are easy to clean and care for.

The set is a stylish modern design, and the chairs are comfortable. We believe this was a great value for a 7-piece set.

For more Outdoor living, check out my Amazon storefront:

Sam's Favorites - Outdoor Living

Sophia & William Patio Dining Set 9 Pieces, Patio Table and Chairs Set for 8, 83Buy Now

 

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

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Overview of CherylsArt on Zazzle

This is the first of a seven part series of my various stores on Zazzle.

Zazzle is a print on demand company. They print, ship, and handle the orders and any returns. Artists and designers open stores on Zazzle and upload their designs to various products. My first store that I'll be giving an overview of is CherylsArt.

CherylsArt is my general overall store and my first store on Zazzle. You'll find a lot of different design types and product types there.

The current main categories are:

+ Affirmations

My most popular item in my Affirmations section is the Proverbs 25:11 verse featuring an apple of gold on a background of silver, on magnets. There are a lot of different affirmations, on various products, to choose from in this store.

A word fitly spoken is like Apples of gold magnets
by CherylsArt

You will find quite a few affirmations here on a variety of products. Sometimes we all can use a reminder to feel good and or to refocus.

+ Apparel and Fashion Accessories

The apparel part includes leggings, tank tops, and tshirts. The accessories part include belt buckles, belts, hair ties, hats, head bands, nail art, necklaces, pin on buttons, scarves, and watches.

Although I designed this apple watch back in 2013; it didn't start selling until Christmas of 2025! I think it finally became the right time for it; people were ready for a bit of humor I believe.

Red Apple Painting and Numbers Watch
by CherylsArt

+ Art and Wall Decor

Art and Wall Decor includes canvas prints, drawings on faux wrapped canvas, drawings on wrapped canvas, posters, wall decals, wall panels, and wall tapestry. The drawings categories have their own categories so that the ones that can be painted in can easily be found. They make fun activity options.

+ Baby

The Baby category includes, adoption, announce baby, baby bags, baby bibs, baby blankets, baby shirts, baby shower, binders for photos, burp cloths, clocks for the nursery, dry erase boards, and pillows for nursery.

These cloud themed dry erase boards are a great way to share messages about the baby. They come in a choice of pink and blue. This is especially great for new and busy parents who need a way to communicate what's up.

Pink Sky Bubbles and Clouds Dry Erase Board
by CherylsArt

+ Celebrations

The Celebration category is about all things that can be celebrated. This category includes birthday, candle parties, graduation, neighbor get together, party hats, retirement, ribbon, rubber stamps, stickers, tissue paper, and wrapping paper. This category pretty much covers what isn't a birthday or wedding themed.

+ Elections

The Elections category includes products for my preferred candidates, as well as informational items on helping all votes to count.

+ Holidays

The Holidays category includes Christmas in July, Christmas/Winter (which also includes other winter holidays), Easter, Father's Day, Halloween, Independence Day, Mother's Day, New Years, Saint Patrick's Day, Thanksgiving, and Valentine's Day.

+ Home, Pets, Sewing, and Car

The Home, Pets, Sewing, and Car category includes sub-categories for each of the mentioned categories.

The car category includes bumper stickers, car mats, license plates and frames. The home category includes accessories for the home, bathroom, bedroom, calendars, clocks, doormats, dry erase boards, hand sanitizer, kitchen and dining, light switch covers, moving, ornaments - that aren't holiday, and tiles. The Pets category includes dog beds, pet bowls, and pet tags. Sewing and Crafts includes fabric. There are sub-categories under fabric to make browsing easier.

A popular item in my Home category, is this Moving postcard, in the Moving sub-category. The truck painting proved to be a very popular choice for awhile. As with any item in CherylsArt, if the item includes artwork, the artwork is created by me. With the truck image, I saw a truck that I thought was awesome, and got permission from the driver to include my artwork of it on products. He said it was fine as long as I included his name in my description. Here is a shout out to Dan Hyde. p.s. The color choices are mine.

We're Moving, change of address postcards
by CherylsArt

+ New Products

You will not normally find any products in this category. Usually I choose the category right after designing the new item.

+ Office and School

The Office and School category has a lot of sub-categories. They range from alphabet rulers to yard signs, and pretty much anything you can think off, in between.

+ Sports, Toys, and Games

The Sports, Toys, and Games category includes games, guitar picks, sports, and toys.

No, these aren't throw pillows. They are actually game bags for cornhole games. So you will find these in the Sports, Toys, and Games Category, under the sub-category of Games.

Personalized Beach Theme Cornhole Game Bags
by CherylsArt

+ Stationery

The Stationery category includes pretty much anything stationery related, that isn't birthday, graduation, or wedding related. Items include address labels, cards, envelopes, letterhead, notepads, photo cards, postcards, rubber stamps, stationery, and stickers.

+ Travel

The Travel category includes luggage, luggage handle wraps, luggage tags, travel mugs and tumblers.

+ Weddings and Anniversary

The Weddings and Anniversary category includes a long list going from Anniversary, to all types of items wedding related. I don't know how it works for customers searching in individual stores on Zazzle, for wedding, but for me when I search for a wedding item in my store, I need to include the item type to get any search results. I guess it may be because there are so many wedding items.

These address labels are in the Wedding category, as I designed them for with a couple in mind, though anyone else can use them. There are also matching wedding invitations, etc. for this design, in Weddings. If you're not sure about which category to begin your search, go towards the top of the page, below the header, and do a Search this store search; i.e. fern address labels.

Green Fern Branch Leaves Address Labels
by CherylsArt

And there you have it. I have changed my store layout a number of times over the years. At one time I based it on the designs, but that got to be way to many. Then I sorted the categories by product type only. That was too much of a mix match. So I currently decided on general themes, and then did further breakdowns into sub-categories. You will find more sub-categories in my CherylsArt store, once you explore on any category that has a lot of items in it. If you know the item type and theme that you are looking for, you can also fill in the Search this Store box that is located below my store header.

Hope this helps for when you're shopping at CherylsArt on Zazzle.

Cheryl Paton

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

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A Review Of Stick On Heat Pads And Electric Heat Pads

 

I suffer from back pain some times, ever since my 30's and one of the things that helps me is heat on my back. This was of course approved by a doctor amongst other treatments. 

I am not a Healthcare professional and if you suffer from any sort of pain it is advised to get it checked out by a healthcare professional first.

However, if Heat is medically approved, it is one of the easiest and comforting ways to ease aches, stiffness, and tension. 

Over the years I’ve tried several different types of heat pads, and I like two in particular for different reasons. One is adhesive heat pads and the other is a reusable electric heat pad. They each have their own advantages and disadvantages to consider.

Stick On Heat Pads

Stick on heat pads are single use adhesive patches that warm up gradually once exposed to air. The ones I buy can be useful for 8, 12 or even 24 hours. They vary in size but if I have back pain I try to get the larger sizes. I only ever wear them in the daytime, never at night as personally I would be concerned about safety and comfort. 

They are slim and lightweight so they can be worn over underwear and under normal clothing. You need to stick them on to a piece of clothing, never on to bare skin, the adhesive is quite strong.

I find they don't restrict me, although I am aware of them and they do give a nice gentle heat. They are very good for the days I need to be out and about shopping or gardening or errands for example, but still need a heat source on my back for comfort.

Advantages Of Stick  On Heat Pads

• The warmth is gentle and lasts for however many hours. It says on the packet how long you can expect it to last which is generally 8,12 or 24 hours and they are simple to use. You simply peel way the strips on the back and stick on to clothing, never bare skin. Within a minute or two you can feel the warmth.
• They’re discreet and easy to wear over underwear and under normal clothing and ideal for days when I need to be active. I often wear one when I am gardening as it helps keep the muscles warm and is lovely on cold days!
• Another use for them is if you have to be out and about on a freezing cold day they can be a helpful to keep you a little warmer.
• I imagine if you need to be out watching sports in cold weather they could also give you enough added warmth to be a bit more comfortable. 
• I keep a pack in the car, just in case we break down and need extra heat. My husband has serious health conditions that mean he gets cold very quickly, which can be unsafe for him, so warm blankets and adhesive heat pads in the car make him feel safer. We of course checked with his Doctor first that this was suitable for him.   

Disadvantages

• They are single use, which isn't great for the environment and if you need to use daily or often it can become very expensive to keep buying them.
• The heat they give is not a deep heat but is a comforting warmth, so if you need a deeper, more intense heat they might not be enough. 
• If you are unlucky enough to have pain on a hot day, having a heat pad on your back might be more uncomfortable in hot weather. 
• You need to ensure they are stuck on firmly, this is not usually an issue as the adhesive is usually quite strong, but i prefer to have a belt and braces approach and like to wear them over underwear and under jeans or trousers rather than just over underwear, just in case they drop off causing an embarrassing situation! 

Electric Heat Pads

Electric heat pads are usually a large or decent sized heat pad which plug into the wall via a long lead.

They usually allow you to adjust the time they are on for and the intensity of heat for very mild to quite hot. 

You can't move around with these electric heat pads and so are better to use when resting, working at a computer or doing desk paperwork, sitting or lying down or watching TV. Below is a close up of the heat pads on my machine. 

I always use mine when I am wearing clothing, never on bare skin for safety and comfort reasons.

Never use an electric heat pad when sleeping for safety reasons.

Advantages Of Electric Heat Pads

• You buy one and they can be used many  times so if you use heat a lot they can be cost effective.
• I like the ease of setting different temperatures and times and that it is so adaptable to what i need at any given time or day. Mine uses a simple Heat plus and Heat minus and Time Plus and Time Minus, so it is very simple to operate. 
• They heat up quickly, which is especially good when my back is stiff especially after gardening.
• They can be set to considerably warmer than adhesive heat pads, which can be useful if you need a higher heat.
• On my model once you set the time, it will cut out after that time period which is a useful safety feature and a feature to look for if you are buying one. 
• They are usually significantly larger than the adhesive heat pads and so are very good for the back, hips, shoulders or legs, warming up a much bigger area which is often very helpful. 

Disadvantages

• You are tethered to where there is a plug point and cannot move around. So you need to use only when resting. I don't generally find this a problem especially if I need some heat to help my achy muscles after doing garden work. 
• There is usually a much bigger financial cost up front, though cost per use goes down if you use it a lot.  
• Check where the connections are that link the pad to the lead as on some models they are in uncomfortable positions.
• It must cool down completely before storing away which can take some time and be a bit awkward if you need to keep it stored away when not using. 
• You will need to make sure you have a place to store it and use it away from children and pets.

Alerts and Warnings

With electric heat pads it is strongly advised to keep away from children and pets. Clearly electricity is involved and higher heat levels are possible.

Also obviously keep electric heat pads away from water or any liquids. 

Store electric heat pads flat and allow to cool down completely  before putting away.

Routinely check wires and connections and the general condition of the electric heat pad for safety purposes. 

Store both adhesive heat pads and electric heat pads out of reach of children and pets. Even with the stick on heat pads they do get warm and its advisable to keep away from children and pets as because they use a strong adhesion if they were to get stuck on to a delicate body or face area or pet fur for example it could be unpleasant and unsafe. So store them out of reach of children and pets. 

How I Use The Different Types Of Heat Pads

I like using both types so if I have any back pain I tend to use the adhesive heat pads on busy days out of the home when I need to do shopping, errands, walk in the freezing cold, gardening, appointments and days out and to keep in the car. 

I use the electric heat pad when I can sit down and relax so if i read or watch TV or chatting, or even when doing paperwork, computer work or life admin. I have the electric heat pad on my back right now.  

Both have their advantages and disadvantages but I feel if you are medically safe to use heat and it is medically advised for you and your condition and it helps you, to have both is a useful choice.

Cura-Heat Heat Therapy Patches, Air Activated, Neck Shoulder & Back, Value Pack 7 Heat PatchesCheck PriceSunbeam® Heating Pad Standard SizeCheck Price

Read More Product Reviews on ReviewThisProducts.com

 A Review Of Stick On Heat Pads and Electric Heat Pads by Raintree Annie

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

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Reviewing 3 Flattering and Modest Swimsuit Styles

I haven't worn a swimsuit for years but as I look forward to this summer season and a new season of my life, in which I am participating in physical therapy, I needed swimwear. My hope was to find something modest, age appropriate, and flattering. Something that I could feel confident wearing. I found this in the Blouson Tankini with Swim Shorts. If you have difficulty finding suits that fit correctly this may be a great choice for you also. 

Whether it is for relaxation at the beach, exercise in the pool, or rehabilitation in the whirlpool, I needed a suit and dreaded making the purchase. Fortunately, this Blouson Tankini 2 piece suit fits great, gives me confidence with coverage, and looks beautiful. As a mature plus-sized woman it is not easy to find swimwear that makes me feel confident and pretty.

Three Modest and Flattering Women's Swimsuit Styles

Women's Blouson Tankini with Swim Shorts. This 2 piece blouson tankini fits me so well. It has a built-in shelf-bra for support with removable padding. Due to the 2 layers of the top (suit and shelf bra) I feel fully covered whether or not I use the pads. Because it is not a V-neck, I did not have the difficulty of finding the correct size for the bottom and significantly too large for the top. The top also has a band along the bottom. That band keeps the top from moving, or floating, around. The shorts provide much more coverage than the panty size bottoms of many swimsuit bottoms.

I chose a peach/pink floral pattern on a black background. I am so in love with this Blouson Tankini with Swim Shorts. 

One Piece Tummy Control Suit with Ruched Sides. In the past, I had a one piece suit with tummy control and ruching. I loved that suit. It fit me correctly, top and bottom and I felt that the ruching was flattering. When I first began the suit search recently, I had planned on purchasing this type of suit. 

Browse Women's One Piece with Tummy Control and Ruched Sides here.

Flowy Skirt Tankini.  In the past I loved flowing skirt, two piece suits. But I never liked how it would float around, stick to my tummy at inopportune times, and often the bust was too large for my chest. The V-neck style never seemed to quite fit me. But on other women, the Flowy Skirt Tankini 2 piece is a gorgeous choice.  

Browse Women's Swimdress here.

Amazon Shopping Convenience 

My co-workers encouraged me to shop for my swimsuit on Amazon. They assure me that they purchase clothes via Amazon and there is no risk with making returns if the item does not fit correctly. They assured me that if I needed to return the suit, I merely begin that process in my Amazon account then drop off the item at a local store that accepts Amazon returns. In our case, Kohl's is one of those locations. Easy-peasy my friends assured me.

Even when I was much younger, I hated to try on swimsuits at the store.  I ended up having to go to a variety of locations and go through the process of waiting for fitting rooms, undressing, trying the suit on, then getting dressed again. Next location and next drawn out process. With the assurance that returns are n-hassle and with being able to avoid public fitting rooms, I felt confident to make the order.  However, I still cannot personally vouche for the return process since I love my suit so much that I don't need to return it. 

Additional Note

One of my co-workers is a water baby. In addition to Amazon's easy return policy and process, she also told me about rash guard water clothing. She swears by the comfort and coverage.  She recommends the long sleeve shirts as well as the longer, capri-length shorts.  I fully trust her opinion with water related clothing and will be ordering the capri-length swim pants in the near future. 

Swimsuit Drawing courtesy of: CC0 Drawing made by David Ring, commissioned by Europeana Fashion, scanned by team of MoMu – Fashion Museum Province of Antwerp - Wikimedia Commons

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

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Easter Milk-Bones for Dogs - The Perfect Puppy Easter Treat Reviewed

I discovered holiday Milk-Bones last Christmas while shopping for a special treat for our puppy.  I was thrilled to find treats as a special gift for our baby dog.  With Easter approaching, I searched for Easter Milk-Bones and was elated to find an adorable box of Easter Peeps!  I immediately purchased a box.  When they arrived, I couldn't make myself wait to give our baby dog his new treats.  

I opened the box and the smell was so wonderful it made me want to start munching on them.  Watson, our puppy, came running!  He was quite tempted by the smell too and immediately stuffed his little "big nose" in the box.  

Like the Christmas Milk-Bones, he has a preferred shape.  The Easter Peeps have bunnies, chicks, and bone shaped Milk-Bones.  Watson prefers the bunnies, which I think is hilarious.  I just don't know why the bunnies (which are long shapes) instead of the round-ish chicks, appeal to him.  Now, whenever he minds me, he immediately sits down by his Easter Peeps awaiting his reward.

Now, please don't tell Watson, but I have already purchased two more pails of Easter treats for him to get on Easter.  I plan to have a Easter Milk-Bone hunt.  I am sure my little active companion will love a fun hunt for Milk-Bone Easter Peeps.

 

 Milk-Bone Peeps Artificially Marshmallow
Flavored Dog Treats, 22 Oz. PailCheck Price

Milk-Bones Easter Peeps

The Easter Peeps come in a pail with an adorable picture on the front, which appeals to the humans.  Our puppy loves the taste and the smell of his marshmallow flavored biscuits.

The pail is durable enough that it could be refilled and used for original Milk-Bone biscuits.  It is lightweight and has easier hand access than the standard Milk-Bone rectangle box packaging.  It also has a handle for carrying which would make it very convenient when traveling. 

Needless to say, the Milk-Bone Easter Peeps and their box are a hit with both parents and their babies.  Oops, I mean doggies.

    

 

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Easter Milk-Bones for Dogs - The Perfect Puppy Easter Treat written by:

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

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Outdoor Sunflower Decorations

 

I was out shopping at a local "At Home" store when I came across this cheerful little birdhouse.  I thought it would be perfect to spruce up my deck and backyard garden area for the spring.  I bought it and ended up hanging it on a post at the edge of our deck.  To my surprise by late that afternoon I saw some birds checking it out.  It is now a week later and if you look close at the hole in the front you will see the materials the birds brought in for their nest.  I was amazed they settled in so quickly.

I then decided to go on Amazon and look for some other sunflower decorations for my backyard.  Below you will find the results from my search.

Sunflower Solar Lights

Solar sunflowers are a great way to add some light to your garden at  night or light up your walkways.  As I was looking for sunflower decor on Amazon, I came across a variety of different sunflower solar lights.  I can see them in the garden around a deck as a great way to lighten up your flowers for an evening party.  Here is a link to some of the sunflower solar lights on Amazon. Sunflower Solar Lights

Sunflower Bird Feeders

In the photo above you see the sunflower birdfeeder, that I purchased on Amazon hanging on a post at the edge of our deck.  I tried to put in a birdseed mix, but found the smaller seeds went through the cracks.  I refilled it with sunflower seeds and they work perfectly.

When I looked on Amazon for sunflower bird feeders, I found they had lots from which to choose.

Here is a link to Amazon's page on Sunflower bird feeders.  I am sure you will find one to fit your needs. Sunflower Bird Feeders

Sunflower Welcome Mat

Do you need a new welcome mat to spruce up your outdoor area?  I love to see sunflowers on a welcome mat and I found that Amazon carries a large variety of different sunflower mats.  Here is a link to the Amazon page on sunflower mats. Sunflower Welcome Mats

More Sunflower Reviews

I love sunflowers and have written about them in past reviews.  Here are some links to sunflower reviews on Review This.

Fun Facts about Sunflowers

Sunflower Facts and Photographs  

Photographing Sunflowers

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

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