Stonewall Kitchen Cornbread Mix - Reviewed

 

We found some home-baked goodness with this box of Stonewall Kitchen Cornbread Mix.

We prefer to make cornbread from scratch, but sometimes a quick fix is necessary.

While on one of Fran and Jamie's Buffalo shopping trips, Fran picked up this box of cornbread mix, along with many other things. 

Stonewall Kitchen Cornbread is inspired by classic New England recipes, baking up with a soft, fluffy texture and sweet corn flavor that pairs perfectly with barbecued meats, baked beans, spicy chili, or just as a snack.

A few weeks ago, Jamie made a big pot of her Award Winning Chili. Fran remembered she had bought this cornbread mix, and we gave it a try.

You will find the instructions on the box very easy, and it bakes up in about 25 minutes, making 8 to 12 servings. 

The Stonewall Kitchen Cornbread mix did not disappoint; it was a perfect match with the chili. So, if you're looking for homemade goodness from a box, give this one a try.

If you like making cornbread from scratch, try my Cheddar Cheese Cornbread made in my cast iron skillet.

Stonewall Kitchen Cornbread Mix, 16 OuncesBuy Now

 

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Premier Protein Drink Review

 Do you consume enough protein in your diet? I know that I don't get enough throughout the day. I use Premier Protein Drink as a supplement.

How Much Protein Should You Have Per Day?

The amount of protein depends on your activity and body weight. 

Below is what I found from the Mayo Clinic Health System

If you're an average adult.
The recommended dietary allowance to prevent deficiency for an average sedentary adult is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight. For example, a person who weighs 165 pounds, or 75 kilograms, should consume 60 grams of protein per day.

The Healthiest Protein Options Include:

• Egg Whites
• Fish and seafood
• Lean meats (skinless, white-meat chicken or turkey)
• Low-fat dairy
• Soy, nuts, seeds, beans, and lentils

According to the Mayo Clinic Health System, you should always try to meet your daily requirements with these whole foods instead of supplements.

After checking with my doctor and getting his okay to use a protein supplement, we found Premier Protein Drink at our local grocery store.

Premier Protein drinks come in a variety of flavors like Chocolate, Vanilla, Caramel, Cookies & Cream, and other limited edition flavors. Each bottle is compact, easy to carry, and requires no refrigeration until it is opened.

Here are the Nutritional Stats:

• 30g of protein per serving
• Only 160 calories
• Just 1g of sugar
• Low fat
• Includes 24 vitamins and minerals

I don't use these to replace a meal, I drink 3 or 4 per week after a light lunch.

If you want to use a protein supplement, the Mayo Clinic recommends:

• 2 grams or less of saturated fat
• 5 grams of sugar or less
• 200 or fewer calories
• No trans fat or partially hydrogenated oils

The Premier Protein Drinks checks all of the above boxes.

Unlike other protein drinks that can taste chalky or artificial, I like the smooth and creamy taste of Premier Protein. I have tried several different flavors, but I always go back to my favorite, chocolate.

Always check with your doctor before using a protein supplement to ensure it's right for you.

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You can find a large selection on Amazon if you can't find Premier Protein Drinks in your local grocery store.

Premier Protein High Protein Shakes Variety Sampler Pack Vanilla 11 Fl. Oz Each (18pk)Check the Price

 

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Easy Grow at Home Mushroom Kits

 If you like mushrooms, these easy-to-grow kits are an excellent choice for fresh mushrooms. Fran belongs to our local Lakewood Village Women's Club, and last month, they had a guest speaker and demonstration from Barnett's Mushrooms, a local farm in Western New York. You can visit their Facebook page here: Barnett's Mushrooms

Grow at home mushroom kits - Reviewed

Fran was the lucky winner of this Blue Oyster grow-at-home mushroom kit. I was amazed because I've never seen these mushroom kits before. We opened the box and followed the instructions. It looks like a mini bale of hay wrapped in plastic.

It has an X on the front that you cut to open. Then, you place a small bowl in a larger bowl and fill the larger bowl halfway up the smaller one with water. Wrap a dish towel around three sides, not covering the X, and spray with water. The kit came with a spray bottle. Continue to spray the towel several times a day to keep it wet. In about 3 or 4 weeks, we had these beautiful Blue Oyster Mushrooms.

We picked and cut these, sautéed them with butter, onions, and garlic, and served them over a couple of strip steaks Fran picked up at our local grocery store. They were absolutely delicious.

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You can buy these kits on Amazon; they have a variety of mushroom kits. These kits make great gifts for Holidays and gardeners.

Back to the Roots Organic Mini Mushroom Grow Kit, Harvest Gourmet Oyster Mushrooms In 10 days, Top Gardening Gift, Holiday Gift, & Unique GiftCheck the Price

 

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Spaghetti with Diced Tomatoes and Artichoke Hearts

 This spaghetti with diced tomatoes and artichoke hearts is so easy to make that it can be on your table in about 30 minutes. We were wondering what to make for dinner a couple of weeks ago. Fran found a can of artichoke hearts and diced tomatoes in our pantry. So we decided to combine these and serve it over spaghetti.

Easy to make meal-reviewed

Here is what we used:

• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 can artichoke hearts (Drained)
• 1 clove garlic diced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 lb. spaghetti (cooked to your liking)
• Parmesan or Romeno whatever you prefer
• Salt and pepper to taste

Here is how we made this:

1. Prepare a pot of water to cook your pasta.
2. We heated the oil and garlic in our 10-inch skillet over medium heat.
3. Add the diced tomatoes, drained artichoke hearts, and Italian seasoning.
4. Stir to combine and cook for 10 minutes until you see a slight boil.
5. Serve this over the cooked pasta. 

We did not have any fresh basil for an additional garnish. I think fresh basil would add to the flavor. Truth be known we really didn't measure the ingredients we just added as we went along. This was a quick and easy meal that we both enjoyed. We will certainly make this one again.

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Easy Chocolate Fondue Recipe

 Few Desserts bring people together like chocolate fondue. This is a family favorite of ours. We like getting together several times a year for some delicious chocolate fondue. Following is a review of our Valentine's Day chocolate fondue.

A Brief History of Chocolate Fondue:

Fondue, originally a Swiss dish featuring melted cheese, inspired the idea of dipping foods into a shared pot. The concept of chocolate fondue emerged in the 1960s, made popular by Swiss restaurateur Konrad Egli in New York.

Fondue is a perfect time to gather and enjoy some great conversation with the family while enjoying some delicious dessert or food.

Many times we use steak and chicken cut into small pieces. Our daughter Jamie coats the chicken with Shake N Bake. We dip into hot oil until the pieces are cooked and serve with various dipping sauces.

Ingredients for Chocolate Fondue:

1 bag of chocolate chips 11.5oz.

1 bag of dark chocolate chips 11.5 oz.

1 1/4 cup of heavy whipping cream

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

First, you need a fondue pot. Jamie has two Cuisinart Electric Fondue Pots. For the chocolate fondue, we only use one of them.

Set the pot to medium heat and add the chocolate chips. Add the butter and keep stirring so the chocolate begins to melt.

Add the vanilla, and the heavy whipping cream a little at a time, and keep stirring until all is combined. When it's ready, the chocolate will look like the intro photo.

Here are our prepared goodies for dipping into the chocolate. We cut up strawberries, pineapple, bananas, marshmallows, and pound cake.

Dip and Enjoy: We used the skewers that came with the fondue pot to dip our favorite treat into the rich chocolate.

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You will find a large selection of fondue pots on Amazon. The one featured below is the one Jamie has, and she has had it for many years.

Cuisinart Fondue Pot, 3 Quart, For Chocolate, Cheese, Broth, Oil, Stainless Steel, CFO-3SSP1Check the Price

 

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Air Fryer Lightly Breaded Haddock Fillets

 These air fryer haddock fish fillets are crispy on the outside with flaky, tender fish on the inside. Here is proof that you don't need your oven to make a delicious healthy meal.

Air Fryer fish fillets - Reviewed

A couple of weeks ago the bottom element in our oven blew out leaving us with no oven. Fran picked up these haddock fish fillets at our local grocery store. They were already lightly breaded and ready for the oven.

Since we didn't have a working oven and didn't want to fry the fish on our stovetop, we decided to use our air fryer and cook the potatoes in our microwave. The Fish came out so crispy and tender that we have since made these again.

Since then, I have replaced the bottom bake element on our oven, so it is in working order again. However, I don't think I'll ever use the oven to bake fish again.

If your local grocery store doesn't have breaded fish fillets ready to cook, the following is a recipe for lightly breaded fish and our method of air frying.

Ingredients:

• 2 haddock fillets fresh or thawed, or your favorite fish fillets
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (use panko for extra crispness)
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 egg beaten
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil or cooking spray
• Lemon wedges
• Tarter sauce or your favorite for dipping

Instructions:

1. In a shallow bowl, mix breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
2. Dip the fish fillets in the beaten egg mixture. Then dredge the fillets in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing lightly to make sure you coat the fillets.
3. Lightly spray the air fry basket with cooking spray.
4. Preheat the air fryer to 325 degrees. Place the fillets side by side, not touching each other. Air Fry for 12 to 15 minutes, turning them halfway through.

Our haddock fillets in the air fry basket, We added a lemon slice while they were cooking for some added flavor.

The air fryer is an excellent tool for achieving a crispy texture with minimal oil. In fact, all we did was spray the air fry basket with cooking spray. Air frying reduces fat and calories while still delivering a satisfying crunch. It's also known that an air fryer uses less energy than an oven.

We have a combination Ninja Foodi Grill and Air Fryer and just love it. You can find a large selection of Air Fryers on Amazon.

Ninja Foodi 4qt 5-in-1 Indoor Grill and Air Fryer - AG301Check the Price

 

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Sunbeam Heated Throw - Reviewed

 My daughter and grandsons got me this Sunbeam Heated Throw for Christmas. I'm the one in the family that is always cold. Whenever I watch television in the cold months of the year you'll always find me wrapped in a blanket.

Currently, the weather in Western New York is cold, with snow and temperatures in the 20s. Even when it's in the 40s and raining, I get a chill. This was the perfect gift for me; now, you will find me wrapped up in my Sunbeam Heated Throw.

Sunbeam Royal Luxe Admiral Blue Heated Personal Throw / Blanket, Cozy-Warm, Adjustable Heat SettingsCheck the Price

You can find a variety of Sunbeam heated throws and blankets on Amazon.

My heated throw is 50 inches x 60 inches making it the perfect size for me to cover up and be comfortable. 

The material is lush and cozy Velvet Sherpa, and it is reversible. 

It has a removable cord and it is machine washable. You will find the complete list of the Care and Cleaning in the instructions.

My throw has four push-button heat settings with an auto four-hour shut-off. I'm most comfortable using the first or second heat setting.

The auto shut-off is a great feature in case I fall asleep. It's perfect for the couch or recliner to wrap up and stay warm.

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Homemade Buttermilk Biscuit Recipe

 Store-bought biscuits may be convenient, but they will never match the flavor and texture of fresh, homemade biscuits. Plus making your own homemade biscuits is surprisingly easy and quick.

Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits-Reviewed

Last week, Fran and I made delicious beef stew. This hearty beef stew was perfect for a cold day. I love having something to dip into my beef stew so, I decided to make some homemade buttermilk biscuits. 

By the way, you can find our beef stew recipe here: Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe.

The beef stew is fast and easy to make in the Instant Pot. It is the perfect comfort food on a cold winter day.

These buttermilk biscuits were a perfect addition to the beef stew, but are also great with butter or jam.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tablespoons baking powder
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) of butter (I used salted butter) cold. If you use unsalted butter add a teaspoon of salt to dry ingredients.
• 1/2 cup Crisco vegetable shortening cold
• 1 1/4 cups buttermilk cold

Instructions:

1. Combine the flour and baking powder in a large mixing bowl.
2. Add the cold butter and Crisco and cut in using a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Add the cold buttermilk and mix it with a spatula until the dough comes together.
4. Now, work the dough with your hands on a lightly floured surface. The dough will be a bit sticky.
5. I rolled the dough out on a floured surface to about 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch thick. You can make them thicker if you like or get nice flakey layers by rolling them out thin and folding them over.
6. I don't have a 3-inch biscuit cutter, so I used a 3-inch drinking glass to cut them out.
7. Place them on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Or a greased cookie sheet.
8. Bake on the center rack at 475 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes until the biscuits are golden brown.

Here are my buttermilk biscuits, ready for the oven. They were so easy to make and perfect for our beef stew.

This is a great kitchen tool for cutting cold ingredients into dry ingredients, it makes to work so much easier.

Urbanstrive Large Pastry Cutter Tool, Top Professional Pastry Blender Stainless Steel, Heavy Duty Dough Blender, Dishwasher Safe Baking Supplies Baking Tools, BlackCheck the Price

 

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Hoover Smart Wash+ Automatic Carpet Cleaner - Reviewed

 Keeping your carpet clean can be challenging, especially in high-traffic areas. We like to have our carpet cleaned every year before the holidays. Fran called the carpet cleaner we used several times and left a message to make an appointment.

 After several days of not receiving a callback, she tried another local carpet cleaner. Once again we didn't receive a callback from the second carpet cleaner either.

So, we decided to buy our own carpet cleaner. Fran researched and decided on the Hoover Smart Wash+ Automatic Carpet Cleaner.

After receiving our new carpet cleaner, it was a matter of finding the time to clean it. One day, before the Thanksgiving holiday, we got almost two feet of snow. You're probably wondering what snow has to do with cleaning our carpet. Well, my car was plowed in, and I couldn't get out of the driveway to go to work that morning. So, I decided to stay home and clean the carpet with our new carpet cleaner.

After opening the box I found the assembly to be very easy. I filled one tank with warm water and the other tank with the cleaning solution as instructed.

Cleaning the carpet was as easy as vacuuming. The Smart Wash+ is equipped with motion-sensing technology. Push forward, and it automatically dispenses the cleaning solution. When you pull it back it activates a powerful drying process. No triggers or buttons - it's as intuitive as it gets.

When you advance the brushes activate penetrating deep into the carpet to remove embedded dirt. The drying has HeatForce technology, and the Smart Wash+ dries carpets faster letting you walk on them in just a few hours instead of waiting all day.

I cleaned our living room carpet, and hallway in a couple of hours. Clean-up was easy, the removable brushes and nozzle ensure hassle-free cleaning.

I love one other feature: there is a button on the tank for Dry Only. When you push it, the brushes and cleaner stop, and the tank will dry going forward and backward.

The Smart Wash+ also comes with accessory tools to clean your stairs and upholstery. All of these accessories are in a handy bag, that easily hangs in a closet.

Our Smart Wash+ was reasonably priced, and I'm sure it will pay for itself very quickly. If you are looking for a professional-level clean carpet without the professional price tag I recommend the Hoover Smat Wash+. We are very pleased with the results.

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Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic Carpet Cleaner Machine, for Carpet and Upholstery, FH52000 + 64 oz Everyday Carpet Cleaner Solution, Deep Cleaning Carpet Shampoo, AH31924

Hoover Pet Carpet Cleaner Solution, 64 oz., Tropical Breeze Scent, Deep Cleaning Carpet Shampoo Solution, Eliminates Urine Stains and Odors, Pair with Hoover Carpet Cleaner Machine

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Big Fudge Record Friend Cleaning Kit - Reviewed

 We were so excited when our daughter Jamie gave Fran this Seasonlife turntable for our vinyl records. We have quite a collection of vinyl records from the 1970s and 1980s and couldn't wait to dig them out of storage.

We knew before we could play them on the new turntable these old records would need to be cleaned. So, I began searching for an affordable cleaning kit and found the Big Fudge Record Friend.

What's Inside the Big Fudge Record Friend Kit?

• Vinyl cleaning solution that's gentle on records.
• Microfiber cloths to avoid leaving fibers behind.
• Cleaning basin and rollers to make it easy to wash to records.
• Drying rack to keep records upright and air-dry safely.
• Label protectors to prevent water or cleaners from touching the labels.

This all-in-one kit has everything you need, especially for cleaning multiple records in one sitting, It's designed for both 33 and 45 PRM records, which means you can clean everything from singles to full albums without any extra accessories. The instructions are easy to follow. The assembly is quick and easy and the results are amazing.

I had no idea how often you should clean your vinyl records. So, I looked it up and found a good rule of thumb is every 90 days. I always use one of the microfiber cloths to wipe the record before every use.

If you have a vinyl collection that you want to keep in great shape this kit does a nice job. 

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Big Fudge Vinyl Record Cleaning Kit - 4-in-1 Record Cleaner Solution - Includes Ultra-Soft Velvet Record Brush, Cleaning Liquid, Stylus Brush and Storage Pouch - Premium Vinyl Record Cleaner

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The Magic of Lite Brite

 In the age of screens and endless digital entertainment, Lite Brite stands as a beacon of simple, creative joy that has endured through generations. Introduced in the 1960s, this classic toy continues to entertain children and adults alike, blending art, design, and a little bit of magic.

The Lite Brite in the photo has been in our family since our first-born grandson who is now 18 years old, and continues to entertain our youngest granddaughter. Lite Brite has been enjoyed and used by all four of our grandchildren.

What is Lite Brite?

Lite Brite is a timeless art-and-light toy that allows you to create glowing images by placing colorful translucent pegs into a black pegboard. A small lightbulb or LED light illuminates the board from behind, each peg shines vividly, turning your design into a luminous masterpiece.

The original version came with paper temples for easy tracing, but modern versions also encourage freehand designs, inspiring endless creativity.

Unlike high-tech toys, Lite Brite doesn't require Wi-Fi or apps. The simplicity makes it appealing to all ages. Lite Brite is simple yet addictive. The latest editions come with features like LED lights, and reusable templates. 

It's an excellent family activity and a way to share creativity with your children. We have spent many hours with our grandchildren designing and having fun.

Lite Brite is a wonderful gift idea for children and adults alike. It's a must-have for anyone seeking a scree-free source of entertainment and inspiration.

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Lite Brite Ultimate Value Retro Toy, 12 Seasonal Templates, Peg Pouch, Amazon Exclusive, Light up Creative Activity Toy, Educational Stem, Gift for Girls and Boys, Ages 4+

Lite Brite Super Bright HD - Creative Retro Light-Up Screen – Educational Play for Children – Enhances Creativity & Fine Motor Skills, Gift for Boys and Girls Ages 6+

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Festive Peppermint Oreo Cookies

 These Peppermint Oreo cookies are a perfect fit for the Holiday Season or any time of the year. They are loaded with peppermint candy, crushed Oreo cookies, and chocolate chips.

Fran and our daughter, Jamie, made these cookies for the local village Women's Club, cookie exchange.

Peppermint Oreo Cookies - Reviewed

The recipe below makes five dozen cookies; you can cut it in half if you don't want to make that many.

Peppermint Oreo Cookies Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter (Cold and cut into cubes)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 1 cup crushed peppermint candy (We used peppermint candy canes crushed)
• 16 Oreo Cookies chopped

Instructions:

1. Cream the butter and brown sugar together. We used our KitchenAid Stand Mixer for this, but you can also use a hand mixer on medium speed.
2. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, and continue to mix until it's fluffy.
3. Add the white sugar and continue mixing making sure all ingredients are combined.
4. Add the baking powder, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt.  Then, add the flour one cup at a time. Mix until all is combined.
5. Add the white and semi-sweet chocolate chips, almost all crushed peppermint candy, and Oreo cookies. (Reserve some of both for garnish before baking).
6. Scoop the dough and roll it into about 1-inch or larger balls. Place them 2 inches apart on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Add additional Oreo, and peppermint pieces to the tops before baking.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are set.
8. Allow them to cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before moving them to a rack to completely cool.

This photo is the size that Jamie rolled the cookie dough. It may be closer to 2-inch balls. The larger you make them the fewer cookies you going to yield.

Peppermint Oreo cookies are cooling on the rack

These Peppermint Oreo cookies are a delight, they are crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside. We will certainly be adding this cookie recipe to our Holiday list this year.

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