Best Tasting Stevia

 The Best Tasting Stevia~A Review of Kal Stevia

Stevia is an ancient herb that is very sweet and has zero calories, so it's come to the forefront in the diet industry since it seems we're always searching for sugar substitutes . Because I have trouble metabolizing sugar, (and many people do and don't know it) I ditched sugar a long time ago. 

But that doesn't mean I ditched my sweet tooth at all. No I still love sweet stuff, even though supposedly if you stop eating sugar your cravings will subside. Not in my case! For years I have been searching for a sugar substitute that is healthy for me and has no calories or carbohydrates.

So when I first heard of Stevia I got all excited. It's from a plant and is all natural and tastes sweet with no bitter aftertaste like so many artificial sweeteners have. But my excitement soon turned to disappointment because when I decided to embark on a quest to find the best Stevia, I found that most Stevia is not that sweet tasting unless you use gobs of it, and it's expensive. 

But that all changed when I found Kal Stevia. Kal Stevia is the best tasting brand of Stevia hands down. I've tried them all so I can tell you that without a doubt Kal is the best brand of Stevia. Read on for my review of it, and to get your hands on it!

Stevia, How Do You Pronounce It?

I actually get a little irked about this sometimes. If I go into a Health food or Vitamin store and can't find the Stevia by myself, I will ask someone for it. Since Stevia is actually from the leaves of a South American plant, it makes sense that the original cultivators of it get to name it. They pronounce it Steh(with a soft e like eh-vee-ah with the emphasis on the second syllable. So Steh-vee-ah. (because i is pronounced ee in Spanish)

Our Anglicized version of these types of Spanish words would render it Steh-vee-ah, same letter pronunciation, but the emphasis switches to the first syllable. (Don't ask me why we do this, I don' t know, it's just a curiosity of translation, I guess.) So it would be Steh-vee-ah.

But somehow someone decided to really change it up and pronounce it Stee-vee-ah with the emphasis on the first syllable..Now they even say it wrong on the TV commercials too. 

So even though I'm a Certified Herbalist and know exactly the origin and pronunciation of it, they will shoot back at me :"It's Stee-vee-ah."  And I never ask how to pronounce it, they just feel compelled to correct me. 

So if that happens to you, feel free to give them an etymology lesson, that's what I sometimes do. Hey, they asked for it when they corrected me without my asking. It's really Steh-vee-ah, not Stee-vee-ah.

*From here on out, all the products can be purchased from Amazon by simple clicking on any photo.

Best Stevia Products
Best Tasting Stevia Sweetener

The incredible Kal Stevia powder makes all food taste sweeter and not bitter. You only need a tiny amount. In fact, if you are used to other sweeteners and having to use way more than the box tells you is necessary to get that sweet taste we crave, you are in for a sweet surprise because Kal Stevia actually tells the truth on its bottle. You don't need very much at all! 

I use it on everything and a bottle lasts me 2 to 3 months. I even use it in my No-Cookies, which are no bake cookies (and now they are diet cookies!). I just use 1/4th of the sugar called for, and use the equivalent amount of Stevia for the other 3/4ths. I find you do need a little sugar in baked goods to get the right texture.

Kal Pure Stevia Extract Powder -- 3.5 oz

 This is the brand and bottle of Stevia that I use. Delicious, and you only need a tiny amount, so it lasts a long time!

 Kal Pure Stevia Extract Powder, 3.5 oz

Kal Stevia Extract Powder, 1.3 oz powder

If you're not sure, you can buy it in the smaller size and give it a try. I buy the larger one because I already know I love it and it's cheaper that way. But this one is great for traveling.

 Kal Pure Stevia Organic Extract -- 1.3 oz

Kal Stevia Extract Powder

If you like extra fiber in your diet, this one has added fiber in the form of FOS. 

 KAL - Pure Stevia &  Fiber, 4 oz powder

Best Stevia Liquid Sweetener

Kal also makes incredible liquid Stevia products. For coffee and hot cocoa lovers, they have now added flavored Stevia to make it easy to get your "Starbuck like" coffee drinks and it's way less expensive that way too. I love the Vanilla one! But now that they have Chocolate Cardamom, that's next on my list!!!

These liquid sweeteners are great for cold drinks, but would also work great in recipes. My hint about that is to put the Stevia in last, no matter what the recipe says. And if you are baking a dessert using Stevia, it seems to take a little less than you would think. But if you make a mistake and your recipe is not as sweet as you would like, quickly make a glaze to put over it. 

A simple syrup made from Stevia poured over your dessert will make it more elegant and solve the sweetener problem. Just boil a cup of water and a half teaspoon of sugar, turn off the heat and add a teaspoon of real butter, and Stevia to taste. Stir for a simple syrup. Poured on a dessert it's delicious! Or add some Kal Stevia Syrup on top. Even easier! (purchase below)

Pure Stevia Liquid Extracts 

 I carry one of these around in my purse because it takes up less room, and being liquid, it dissolves faster in iced tea. Click on a bottle to see more flavors. 

 Kal - Pure Stevia Liquid Extract - 8 oz. Pure Stevia Extract Vanilla Kal 1.8 oz Liquid Stevia Extract, Pure (Chocolate Cardamom) Kal 1.8 oz Liquid Stevia Extract, Pure Caramel Cream Kal 1.8 fl oz Liquid

Kal~Best Brand of Stevia

Another natural sweetener is Luo Han which is extracted from a fruit tree in China and made into tea or a paste from which the sweetener is manufactured. Some people think that bringing Stevia and Luo Han together makes the best tasting Stevia products. I like Luo Han, and the Kal version of this marriage of sweeteners is also the best one in my opinion. 

 Pure Stevia Extract Plus Luo Han Powder - 100 Packets

I still prefer pure Stevia, but my sister-in-law uses the combination here and says it's much better for baking. I don't bake that much any more. But her diet cookies are really delicious, so if you bake and want to make diet versions of your favorite baked goods, try the Stevia plus Luo Han. (pronounced low hawn)

Now you can have sweets without guilt any time you want! 

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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Mugs For Mom Reviewed

Perfect Gifts For Mom...Mugs

A Mug For Mom image from Pixabay.com

With Mother's Day right around the corner, I thought reviewing some mugs for Mom might be a helpful post for today. Personally, I think these are fun little gifts to give to Mom on just about any occasion. I would venture a guess and say that most Moms would be happy with a new mug to drink her coffee, tea or other hot beverages in. It is useful and every time she uses it she will think of the person who gave it to her. 

I am partial to the quirky and whimsical mugs, myself. Not that I don't appreciate ones that are pretty or have a nice sentiment on them; but the ones that make me start my day with a chuckle are my favorites. 

I Donut Care Mug For Mom

The mug above makes me giggle! I do love a doughnut once in a while, especially if it is a fresh one and I will admit that there are plenty of mornings in my memories when I just wanted to look at the kids and say, "I do not care; at least not until my caffeine kicks in!" Of course I never said those words out loud but they were in my mind a time or two. With a mug like this one, I could have just shown it to them and smiled.

This next mug is a favorite of mine this year and I will probably get one for my oldest daughter this year for a Mother's Day gift. She is like her Momma and needs that caffeine boost in the morning. This one has ample room for a larger portion of coffee as it is a 14 ounce cup. When she is home for a visit she always chooses one of my larger mugs to give her the larger amount of coffee in, so this one is perfect for her. Although, I wouldn't mind having it for myself.

Mom Fuel Mug

I am only showing you just a couple of ideas to get you inspired to find the perfect mug for Mom. I am sure you will find one that fits your Mom's taste and possibly sense of humor. Mugs are great ideas for small children to get for their Mom for just about any occasion; although, my grown children still get me mugs for holiday and birthday gifts. Probably because they know I love them so much.

A fun idea after choosing a mug for Mom is to fill the mug with something before you give it to her. It doesn't have to be anything expensive or fancy, just something that adds to the moment. Small little candies are fun and you can still put the mug in the box that it came in. If Mom drinks tea, a few tea bags of her favorite blend is a nice idea. If she loves cocoa, find a fun recipe that you can put together in a plastic bag and add the dry ingredients to the mug. Mom can then just add hot water when she is ready to drink it.

One year, my daughter carefully lined a mug with plastic wrap, added dirt and then planted a small plant. She wrapped the entire thing in a pretty cellophane, tied a ribbon around it and gave it to me. It was so pretty! All I had to do was replant into a small pot and I had the mug, too. A fun and clever idea that I absolutely cherished.

How about you? Would you enjoy a Mom mug for Mother's Day or any gifting time? Would you give your Mom one? Would it be pretty, sentimental or whimsical?

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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Deterrents For Raccoons Reviewed

When Raccoons Get On Your Last Nerve

Raccoon Image From Pixabay.com

Let's review some deterrents for raccoons, today. Shall we? One might look at the image to the left and think that a raccoon is such a cute little critter. Well, I guess there is a cuteness about that face but there is a reason they have that little bandit mask over those eyes! As cute as they might be, you do want to discourage them from visiting your yard and garden as much as possible. 

Currently, my husband and I have been battling with a mother raccoon and her ingenuous ways of finding food to eat in our backyard. It isn't the first year but we are hoping that it will be the last. I understand that she probably has young ones to feed but she needs to find her meals somewhere else. It was one thing when she or one of her friends came and robbed the bird feeders of the seeds. It is totally another thing when she discovered my hummingbird feeders and figured out how to shimmy up the skinny little pole and tip the feeder over for the sweet drink inside. What a mess! Not to mention she leaves nothing for the hummingbirds to drink. The ants love her antics because they can come swarm the sugar water that spilled on the ground. Enough, I say, enough!

In the past, I tried an ammonia deterrent. It was simple but honestly not that effective. The premise for it is that you soak a rag in ammonia, place it in a coffee can that you have punched holes in and sit it where you want to keep the raccoons away. It worked for about 2 days and then no matter how often I replaced the ammonia soaked rag; Ms. Raccoon was up to her antics again. 

I have read that raccoons do not like hot peppers. So, I have considered leaving some hot pepper suet at the base of my hummingbird feeder. I worry that this deterrent might harm other creatures that may visit the yard, though. It isn't supposed to harm birds but what about cats or dogs who might get into it? 

I also saw that they make raccoon baffles that sort of work like a squirrel deterrent. That might work except those darn raccoons are pretty smart and I worry that they might figure out how to get around the baffle by jumping above it. 

Raccoon Deterrent

The premise of the baffle for raccoons is that it fits at the base of your feeder. I don't know if it works or not. I can see it would be difficult to get onto my pole but maybe not all poles. It would certainly be worth a try for many people.

So, you may be wondering what is my plan for this year? It turned out to be pretty simple, actually. Each evening around dusk I plan to just bring my feeder into the house. Ms. Raccoon can't get into it if it is inside the house. Her babies won't bother it nor will any of her friends. Raccoons are pretty clever but there isn't any way that they can figure out how to open a locked door and I seriously doubt that they would break the glass so I think I have come up with the best deterrent of all. If there is nothing out there for her to get into, she will finally decide to move on to the next victims.

I wish Ms. Raccoon, her babies and her friends no harm. I just do not want her or any of them coming to my yard to drink the sweet nectar left for the hummingbirds or anything else for that matter. Since I am pretty sure that Ms. Raccoon can't read, instead of a sign saying that she is not welcome; I just will not put out anything that she can feed on at night. A silent message, if you will, to go away.

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Clorox Disinfecting Wipes With Micro-Scrubbers

Perfect For Bathroom Cleaning

Bathroom sink image from Pixabay.com

Today, I would like to review the Clorox Disinfecting Wipes with micro-scrubbers for you wonderful readers. I absolutely love to use these handy wipes to clean my bathroom but they also work in other rooms in the house.

I have used the regular Clorox wipes for quite a few years and was delighted when I found the ones with the micro-scrubbers! One side has these little bumps in the fiber to better attack that nasty soap scum that develops on the sinks and shower. 

One thing that I have always loved about the Clorox disinfecting wipes is that these little cloths  kill 99.999% of bacteria that may be lurking on our counter tops and other surfaces in our homes. Cleaning with them can destroy cold and flu viruses and even staph, e. coli, Salmonella and Strep! 

They are so convenient to use, too. Just pull a cloth or wipe from the container and begin to clean. It is that easy. Once you have finished with the wipe just toss it in the trash. 

I also love that these wipes do not smell like clorox bleach but come in scents that are not so offensive. I particularly like the citrus blend. 

Clean and Disinfect

The wipes work well in the kitchen especially when something sticks on the stove-top or counter. Those little scrubber fibers help to loosen the dried on mess and clean the surface without leaving a scratch. I love that!

I keep a container in each of the bathrooms and in the kitchen at all times. I also have one stored with my cleaning supplies for when I am cleaning any of the other rooms that might have a surface that can be cleaned with the wipes.

In our home I find them very convenient to use when I need to do a spot clean or when I am deep cleaning a room. They work well on glass surfaces, toilet seats, enamel sinks, faucets and my stainless steel sink. I have not really found a surface that I can't clean with them. If you haven't tried the micro-fiber scrubber wipes; I can highly recommend them to you. I think you will be pleased with the results you get. 

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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Doctor 4 Paws Liquid Joint Support For Cats

When Your Cat Starts To Show Stiffness In The Joints

Cat resting image from Pixabay.com

Recently I purchased a liquid joint support supplement for my older kitty cat. She is not as active as she once was and was starting to show signs of arthritis in her back leg. So, I decided to try a non-prescription glucosamine and chondroitin product to see if I could ease her discomfort a little. 

I needed to find one that cats did not seem to shy away from because of taste or smell. My old kitty is pretty picky about food. I knew a tablet was out of the question for her (and me!) so, a product that could be mixed in her food was going to work the best. I read the reviews carefully looking for people who also had a picky eater to see if their cats would take the supplement fairly well. 

I finally found one that people seemed to be pleased with and ordered it for my kitty cat. I'm pleased to say that she takes it very well when mixed in her food. It does seem to be helping her a little. She doesn't seem quite so stiff and she has become a little more active than before I started giving her the supplement. 

Supplement For Cats With Glucosamine

This Liquid Joint Support comes in a bottle with a pump that actually gives you 1 dose per pump. I liked that idea a lot! No guessing as to whether I had the correct amount or not. Well, that sounded good anyway. The pump worked for about a week before it seemed to freeze up and wouldn't pump anymore. Oh bummer!

The pump issue seems to be something many people encounter with this product when you look at the reviews. In my humble opinion, the company needs to come up with a better design for the pump or come up with a solution or directions for the amount that should be given each day. I will say that the pump not working has not deterred my giving her the daily dose. By the time the pump stopped working, I had a pretty good feel for how much to put into her food. Now, I just "eyeball" it each morning and go on. I can do that because the top of the bottle screws off and I can just pour the amount on top of her food and mix it up.

I do like the product and most importantly my cat will take it. She has shown improvement in her flexibility. I will continue to use the product but do wish that the company would come up with a better plan for measuring the doses from the bottle.

If you have a dog instead of a cat that is showing signs of arthritis in their joints, Doctor 4 Paws also has a product with the same ingredients for your canine friend. 

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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Zeiss Lens Wipes Reviewed

Pre-Moistened Wipes For Eyeglasses

My husband and I both wear eyeglasses so one item that we always keep on hand is a box of Zeiss Lens Wipes. We have used other brands but have not found them to be as reliable as the ones made by Zeiss. 

One of my pet peeves when it comes to lens cleaners is that often you open the little packet and the wipe is completely dried out and of no use whatsoever. I have not found this to be the case with the Zeiss lens wipes. Each packet is moist and ready to use when I open it up. That was one reason I started using them exclusively in our home. 

Another brand that we tried was so wet that it actually dripped when we removed it from the packet and it did not clean our glasses well. There were actually streaks left on our lenses. Well, that was not acceptable at all. The Zeiss brand of wipes cleans our lenses well with no streaking.

I also like that the wipes do not tear when I am using them. One brand that we tried did and that was a royal pain. Before you had the lens cleaned it ripped and now you had fingerprints! I have not had this happen with the Zeiss brand. 

A bonus to these wipes is that they work on many optical lenses not just eyeglasses and sunglasses. I use them on my cell phone to clean off those fingerprints that look so awful. I also use them on my computer screen, my tablet and my camera lens. 

Wipes For Eyeglasses and More

I keep a few packets in my purse in case I need to clean my glasses while I am out and we always have a few in the car which come in handy when we are traveling.

The ingredients are pretty simple. Each wipe contains water, isopropyl alcohol, proprietary detergents and preservatives. They are free of ammonia which is one of the reasons that the wipes do not streak or leave a residue on the lens that you are cleaning. I have never had a wipe scratch any surface either.

So, if you wear glasses or have optical lenses that need cleaning; I can highly recommend this brand of individual lens wipes for you to use. They are economical at just around a nickle per wipe and most important they are reliable and safe to use. 

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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Review of The Heart of the Ocean Necklace

 The Famous Heart of the Ocean Necklace

The Heart of the Ocean Necklace is an iconic piece of jewelry from the blockbuster movie, Titanic. This ocean diamond necklace is probably the most famous necklace in movie history. And the Heart of the Ocean diamond necklace worn by Kate Winslet in the movie Titanic is a piece of that cinematic history. 

Although you might not be able to afford the original Heart of the Ocean pendant (even if it were for sale), you can find Titanic Heart of the Ocean replica jewelry online that is sure to dazzle and sparkle just like Kate's did in the movie.

The famous Blue heart necklace is featured in both films, the original from 1948 and the newer movie featuring Leonardo Dicaprio and Kate Winslet in 1997. Both movies feature a heart ocean pendant. If you like the Blue heart necklace that looks like the one from the Titanic movie you can find one here in a variety of colors.

A diamond Titanic heart in Blue, Pink or Crystal clear is a gorgeous and elegant fashion jewelry piece. The Pink Titanic heart replica of the original Blue heart necklace is stunning and would look amazing for prom. There is also a Crystal clear diamond Titanic heart that can be worn by a bride on her wedding day. The famous Titanic necklace replica is a beautiful addition to your jewelry box. If you already know you want it now, click here!

If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain.
~Emily Dickinson

*All of the following necklaces can be purchased at Amazon.com by clicking on the photo.

The Heart of the Ocean Necklace in Blue

Blue Sapphire Heart of the Ocean Pendant

In Titanic, The Heart of the Ocean necklace was one of the stars of the movie, central to tying the present exploration to the past and its heartbreaking story. That Blue heart necklace was not only beautiful, it signified the life Rose gave up for the love she chose instead of the arranged one of her mother.

 Amanda Rose Collection Sterling Silver Heart of The Ocean Created Blue and White Sapphire Pendant-Necklace

Pink Heart of the Ocean Necklace

Wouldn't this Pink Heart of the Ocean Necklace be perfect for prom, or a wedding, or the opera? If you are more a Pink type than a Blue type, this Pink Heart Crystal replica of the Heart of the Ocean is just your style. I love Pink myself, might have to get two necklaces!

 PLATO H Swarovski Elements Crystal Deep Love Heart Pendant Necklace for Women, Best Gft for Her, Hot Pink

There is no charm equal
to tenderness of heart
~Jane Austen

Clear Heart of the Ocean Necklace 

Titanic Crystal Heart

Red Heart of the Ocean Necklace 

Red Titanic Heart Necklace

Ruby Red Heart of the Ocean Necklace is dazzling and will work with many looks, but Red goes really well with Twilight style, or for a bold statement for any dressy occasion. The one pictured here is fine jewelry, but if you are looking for costume jewelry, just click it to see more choices.

 Rizilia Jewellery White Gold Plated Red Color Color Love Ocean Heart Gem Stone Cluster Pendant Necklace With (Length 45cm/17inch ) Curb Chain [Free Jewelry Pouch]

Beautiful Blue Heart by dmsanmartin
Large format printing by Zazzle

More Colors of The Heart of the Ocean Necklace
Heart of the Ocean Sets

There are lots of other colors available in the iconic style of the Heart of the Ocean, so if you have a different one in mind, just click any necklace photo on this page to see more. There are sets too, featuring earrings and in a few cases, bracelets. It's such a beautiful design, don't you agree? I am having a hard time choosing the best color to get!

Wherever you go,
go with all your heart.
~Confucius

Titanic, the Epic Movie
One of the Most Romantic Films of all Time

The Heart of the Ocean is the necklace central to the story in the Titanic. It is one of the threads running through the movie, and a symbol of what Rose gave up to be with the man she loved. The movie won all kinds of awards and is a tearjerker for sure. A love story for the ages, so well told. It's one of my favorite movies of all time. Celine Dion's fantastic song, "My Heart Will Go On" is featured in the Titanic movie.

 Titanic

History of The Titanic Heart of the Ocean Necklace

The Famous Titanic Necklace

The Heart of the Ocean (also known as Le Coeur de la Mer) is the name of a fictitious Blue diamond featured prominently in the 1997 film Titanic.
Historically, there was a Blue diamond pendant on the Titanic. It was given to RMS Titanic passenger Kate Florence Phillips by her married lover, Samuel Morley, as the pair fled to America to make a new life for themselves.

Morley perished in the sinking, and it is believed that this tragic love story was the inspiration for James Cameron's film. The necklace has recently been featured in many Titanic exhibits.

London based jewelers Asprey and Garrard created the necklace used during the filming with a Blue cubic zirconia set in White gold. The cost of the necklace was approximately $10,000. Today, it resides in Twentieth Century Fox's archives. They were also commissioned during the release in 1997 to make a real "Heart of the Ocean" necklace using the original design. The result was a platinum-set, 170-carat (34 g) heart-shaped Ceylon sapphire surrounded by a row of 65 round diamonds, totaling 36 carats (7.2 g).

The necklace was valued at $3.5 million. It was sold at a benefit auction for the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund and Southern California's Aid For AIDS for $2.2 million, with the condition that Celine Dion would wear it to the 1998 Academy Awards ceremony. She sang the film's theme song "My Heart Will Go On." The necklace now belongs to the daughter of a wealthy Asprey client.

During the same period, jeweler Harry Winston used a 15-carat (3.0 g) Blue diamond in his interpretation of the "Heart of the Ocean" necklace. This $20 million necklace was worn by Gloria Stuart to the 1998 Academy Awards. (She played the older Rose in the movie.)

~Excerpted from The Heart of the Ocean at Wikipedia.com. Visit for more fascinating history about this famous necklace.

The way is not in the sky.
The way is in the heart.
~Buddha

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Jhirmack Silver Plus Shampoo Reviewed

Great Shampoo For Gray, Blonde, or Bleached Hair

My choice of shampoo happens to be Jhirmack Silver Plus. I have been using this shampoo for quite a long time to help my graying hair look better. 

I wish that I had inherited my paternal grandmother's hair which was the most beautiful white. My father also has gorgeous white hair. I, on the other hand, got my mother's genes when it came to hair. My hair has a mousy kind of dull look if I do not use the Silver Plus shampoo by Jhirmack. As you can see from the picture on the left, the shampoo brightens my hair and gives it a nice white look. 

I am not embarrassed to have gray hair, in fact I embrace the aging color that adorns my head. I sometimes laugh that I would never consider trying to hide the gray because I have earned every single gray hair on my head. I don't mind being gray, but I do want it to look nice and not dull and unattractive in color.

Silver Plus is formulated for gray, blonde, bleached or highlighted hair. The shampoo has a purple color and there is something about that purple that tones down any brassy or yellow tones in the hair. 

Silver Plus Shampoo

The shampoo has Green Tea Extract and Folic Acid which help to strengthen and condition my hair. Macadamia Nut Oil moisturizes my rough and limp hair without making my scalp feel greasy. I find that I do not need to use a conditioner when using this shampoo but it may depend on how easily your hair might tangle whether you will need a conditioner or not. It is enough for my hair.

So, if you would like to tone down any brassiness to your hair or help your graying hair look whiter, I highly recommend this shampoo by Jhirmack called Silver Plus.

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Mom's New Nescafe Coffee Machine

Today I'm going to review the Dolce Gusto coffee maker that is my mom's new Nescafe Coffee Machine.   Now as you all know I'm a confirmed tea drinker, but I do also enjoy a nice coffee or a hot chocolate and this machine delivers with both.

My mom was given the Nescafe Dolce Gusto coffee maker by my brother and sister-in-law and was looking forward to seeing what I thought of her hot chocolate when I stayed (mom always makes me a hot chocolate at night when I'm at her house).   The Nescafe Dolce Gusto Chocoletto was delicious!

Mom's Nescafe Dolce Gusto Coffee Maker

I've seen that this coffee maker comes in sophisticated black and glamorous silver, but my mom was given a rather racy looking red which is very attention seeking in her kitchen!   The actual machine is one that takes capsules which are very popular at the moment.

Not only does the Dolce Gusto coffee maker make coffee and hot chocolate it can also make iced tea which is apparently delicious, although I didn't get around to trying that one myself.   Let's have a look at the coffee machine and see how it works.

As you can see this is a sleek looking machine which is what you expect from Nescafe, but let's look at each part and talk about how they all work together to bring you whatever elixir you crave!

1. You can see that the water is kept at the back of the machine - this is just room temperature water filled from the tap or from your purifier whichever you prefer.   A bonus with this machine is that if you forget to check if you have enough water before starting it up (lack of caffiene can cause concentration problems after all!) the machine will stop midway and allow you to add water.
2. Here you can see where you add the pods or coffee capsules (I'm never quite sure which term to use!)  For the hot chocolate, chai latte and other specialty coffees there are two capsules required a 'coffee' one and a 'milk' one.   Nescafe make the coffee ones black and the milk ones white to make it easy to grab one of each from the box.
3. Depending on what drink you're making it will tell you how many levels to 'dial up' on the machine - the green lights indicate the level on the Dolce Gusto machine.   When I say tell you, it doesn't actually speak but rather is shown on the capsule lid!  My niece told my mum to go up an extra level and we enjoyed it just as much doing that so I would just use their instructions as a guideline as opposed to written in stone.
4. The final part of the Dolce Gusto coffee maker is the switch which you put to the hot or cold side depending on what you're making because this gem of a machine makes iced drinks too!   Apparently the iced tea is delicious, but I didn't try it myself as mom had a peach flavored one which I wasn't too keen on.

Nescafe Dolce Gusto Coffee Capsules

Nescafe Dolce Gusto Coffee Capsules

Let's look at the fuel of the machine, the coffee capsules or coffee pods whatever you want to call them.  They are available in a wide range of flavors and as you've seen above the Nescafe Dolce Gusto Coffee machine allows you to make both hot and iced drinks.

Looking on Amazon I can see a range of flavors that my mom hasn't even mentioned so I'm excited about my next trip to stay with her.........or maybe I'll just have to get one of these machines myself and call it Lou's New Nescafe Coffee Machine!

I can thoroughly recommend the Chocoletto and the Chai Tea Latte and on my next visit I want to try the Mocha because combining chocolate and coffee is just like manna from heaven in my mind!  My daughter was looking over my shoulder as I checked out what capsules were available and has decided that her Nan will just have to get some Dolce Gusto Nesquik capsules!

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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Don Francisco Coffee Review

My Review of Don Francisco Coffee

To me, Don Francisco Gourmet Coffee is the best grocery store coffee and it's reasonably priced! (If you know where to buy it.)

In my quest to find the best coffee on the planet, I have tried so many kinds of coffee! I love the coffee houses and their pricey coffee, but who can go there all the time? And even to make it at home can be quite expensive if you go for really good coffee. 

So I have tried many different ones, even belonging to coffee clubs where they ship you different coffees to try every month. I have quite a few favorites too, but no one compares to Don Francisco Gourmet coffee in my book. To get some right now, click here. 

Don Francisco coffee reminds me of the film, Out of Africa, where Meryl Streep (as Karen Blixen, the Baroness who moved to Africa) started a coffee plantation. You can almost see the elephants pounding across the African Savannah, or a lion peaking out from behind a tree while it stalks a wildebeest. 

And you can almost feel the African music pounding through your bones from a group camping out on the plains playing drums and dancing. But that's just my vision. Maybe you've got your own. The thing with a good cup of coffee is that your dreams can take you anywhere, to any lovely scene in any exotic country you desire. 

Don Francisco coffee comes in lots and lots of types, from different areas too, like Kona to Colombia to the rain forests of South America. And it comes flavored in a beautiful array of tastes. 

It also is available in whole bean to grind it just before you make it, or already ground if you can't get a hold of a coffee grinder.But I really do recommend that you get a coffee grinder and try whole bean coffee. You won't want to go back, I assure you! 

Also I think the best way to make coffee is with a coffee press. To read about my favorite way to make coffee, see my page about the Bodum Chambord Coffee Press.

So the first Don Francisco coffee I tried was Vanilla Nut flavored and then I was totally hooked on it! Then I had to try other flavors and wow! 

Next came the Caramel Creme (yum!) and hthe Cinnamon Hazelnut and all the unflavored ones. All of them are wonderful. In fact, I've tried every single flavor of Don Francisco coffee and I love every single one of them! 

Well, I have to be honest and say I have not tried the Decaf, because well, I just don't understand the point of coffee without caffeine...(but I am sure it is delicious or Don Francisco would not put their name on it)

Get Don Francisco Coffee On Sale

If you are searching for a Don Francisco coffee coupon, no worries! It's priced so reasonably at Amazon you don't need a coupon! They have it at a great price year round! I love that, as I used to buy it only on sale and freeze it to save money. 

Then one time I needed a whole bunch of coffee for a party and didn't have enough. I went online and searched for a Don Francisco coffee coupon and instead it popped up with a link to Amazon. 

Wow, I never thought of checking Amazon for my favorite coffee! And there it was, cheaper than it is on sale at my regular grocer, even with a coupon! So now I can buy it any time at Amazon; it's like it's on sale every day! And of course if you have Amazon Prime, shipping is free! Or if you buy $49 worth of coffee it will be free too! 

Don Francisco Coffee

So Many Coffee Flavors, So Little Time...

The Many Flavors of Don Francisco Coffee:

Vanilla Nut
Butterscotch Toffee
Cinnamon Hazelnut
Caramel Creme
Colombia Supremo
French Roast
Hawaiian Hazelnut
Kona Blend
Espresso

If you like to make your coffee in K cups, those are available too. Just click here.

*All of the products below can be purchased at Amazon.com by clicking on the photo.

Don Francisco Family Reserve
Kona Blend Whole Bean Coffee 

From the mountain slopes of Kona, Hawaii, comes a blend that will remind you of Paradise every morning. I can close my eyes and feel the Hawaiian breeze in my hair. The secret is the volcanic soil. Yum !

 Don Francisco's Kona Blend, 32oz Whole Bean Coffee Bag Family Reserve

Don Francisco Vanilla Nut Coffee, Whole Bean

If you love vanilla coffee, Don Francisco Vanilla Nut Coffee will blow your mind; it's VERY vanilla. In fact, it's so strong I mix it with unflavored coffee unless it's for dessert. All the Don Francisco flavored coffees are the strongest ones I've ever tried. No flavoring syrup is ever needed with their coffee. So if you like plain Colombian or a different flavor, just click the photo to see all the flavors.

 Don Francisco's Vanilla Nut, 32oz Whole Bean Coffee Bag Family Reserve

Ground Don Francisco Vanilla Nut Coffee

If you can't do the whole bean coffee experience, this is a close second. As is the whole bean, this coffee is VERY vanilla. For mornings when you are rushed, this is a shortcut you can take that will still give you fantastic vanilla coffee. 

 Don Francisco's Vanilla Nut, 12oz Ground Coffee Can

Braun KSM2-WH Aromatic Coffee Grinder, White

My favorite grinder, and mine has lasted since the 1980's so you know it's a good appliance! Braun stands behind their product and parts are still available if yours ever needs fixing. It is very strong and fast so be sure you watch through the top to get it the right grind texture for your liking.

 Braun KSM2-WH Aromatic Coffee Grinder, White

Enjoy Your Coffee! And for some sweet treats to go with it, visit Food, Decor, Kids Blog

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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White Vinegar For Cleaning Review

A Less Expensive Way To Clean: White Vinegar

We all have to have cleaning supplies in our homes but we do not have to always purchase the most expensive products. White vinegar has been a favorite cleaning supply in my home for years. Let me share with you some of the ways that I use this inexpensive product to do some pretty basic cleaning around the house.

You will find that it can be used in just about any room in your home to assist you in ways that you may never have even considered. I use it most in my kitchen, laundry and bathrooms but they are not the only areas where white vinegar can be your cleaning buddy.

In The Laundry Room: 

Do you ever encounter new clothes that have colors that "bleed" or run into the other colors? Fabrics sometimes do not hold the dye properly and when we wash our clothes that pretty red blouse just might make our white shirt become pink. There is an inexpensive way to stop that from occurring! The first time you wash an article that you think might not hold the dye well, wash it in cold water and use 1 cup of white vinegar in the load. The vinegar sets the dye into the fabric and it will not bleed or run onto your other clothes in the future. I recommend washing that article by itself that first time or at least with like colored items.

Distilled White Vinegar

Many Uses In The Kitchen:

I use white vinegar in my kitchen for more than just adding to a recipe from time to time. In fact, I probably use it more for cleaning tasks than I do for cooking. There is always a 1 gallon jug under my sink for cleaning purposes. 

We are plagued with extremely hard water in my area and the lime deposits are always an issue. When I boil water for any recipe there is often a residue left in my pans. It does not wash out easily with simple soap and water. So, I pour about 1/2 cup of white vinegar into the pan and let it sit for about 5 minutes. That dissolves any lime residue and then I can successfully wash the pan as usual. 

Got a faucet that isn't giving you the pressure it once did? Or worse it has started to spray water out the side instead of streaming downwards! If you unscrew the tip of the faucet and soak it into white vinegar for about an hour, you will get rid of those little rocky minerals that have clogged the faucet tip. Rinse it off and screw back on...your pressure is back and there is no more spraying where it isn't supposed to be. 

I also like to make a solution of 1 part vinegar and 1 part warm water to use to clean my counter tops and range about once per week. They get wiped down with soapy water after every use but once a week, I like to clean them with the vinegar solution to help get a deeper clean. 

I also use that same 1 to 1 ratio for my windows around the house. I just put it into a spray bottle and spray the glass and wipe it all off with old newspaper. There are no streaks and the windows are sparkling clean. It is also good to wipe off chrome and metal fixtures in your kitchen and bathrooms.

Clogged drains:

Got a drain that is running slow or is just plain clogged? You can use those products made for unclogging but a lot of those are toxic to breath and can harm your drains and pipes. Try this instead. Pour baking soda down the drain, then pour vinegar on top of that. Let it bubble and sit for an hour or two and then rinse it down with boiling hot water. Voila! Your drain has now been unclogged. If it is a really bad clog, you may have to repeat the process. This method is much less toxic to you and better for your drains.

In The Bathroom:

I use the vinegar solution that I mentioned about to clean my sinks, showers and tubs on a regular basis. It helps to get rid of any soap scum that has built up and it helps with any lime scale that is starting to build up. 

I also use white vinegar in my toilets about once a month. Before I go to bed, I pour the vinegar into the bowl and let it sit overnight. In the morning I brush the bowl and flush. It helps break up any lime that may be forming and disinfects the bowl. 

Stains:

I use vinegar and baking soda to work on stains, also. I form a paste with the baking soda and a little vinegar. I apply the paste to the stain, let it dry and then wipe off. If it is clothing, I just wash the article and the stain is gone. I have used it on fabric on my furniture, too. In the case of furniture I just vacuum the dried paste up. It also works on carpets. Obviously with carpet or furniture you should probably test it first to make sure you don't remove the dye in the fabric. Honestly, I have never had a problem with discoloration when I use the vinegar paste method.

These are just a few ways that I use vinegar around my home. How about you? Do you have a cleaning tip using white vinegar?

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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Bodum Chambord Coffee Press Review

French Press Coffee Makers Make the Best Coffee!

Reviewing the Bodum Chambord Coffee Press

Coffee is one of life's greatest pleasures for me. I can't wait for that first cup in the morning so I will wake up and see the world through fresh eyes again. I drink a fair amount of it too, so it's very important to me how it tastes. 

I love the whole experience of making it too, and don't opt for the K cups or automatic coffee makers unless I'm having company and need a lot of it, or many flavors. No, I like to savor the experience and the flavors wafting through the house. 

In my travels I had seen coffee presses being used in fancy restaurants so I went on a hunt for one. In 1984 I found a Bodum Chambord coffee press in a little gourmet coffee shop in San Diego, California and have been using it ever since. One time in the 1990's the glass carafe broke and I was able to get a new one in another coffee shop for less than $20, so it definitely was a bargain for a real gourmet coffee maker. 

All stainless steel parts so it's easy to clean too. No more filters to buy either, just a one time investment so it's much less expensive in the long run than any other coffee maker.

And it's not that hard to use either. You just boil up some water, grind your coffee beans, (or use ground coffee) put them in the carafe, add the water, let it set a few minutes and press. Voila the freshest best tasting coffee ever!!

Click here to check it out and/or purchase it right now, or read on for more information. 

Best French Press Coffee Maker

Of all the French press coffee makers on the market, the Bodum coffee press is the one most often mentioned in recipes and videos about making coffee using the French press method. Mine is still going strong so if longevity were the only criteria for a coffee maker then this one would definitely qualify as one of the best ones ever. 

But I want way more than that from my coffee maker. I want it to make the best tasting coffee! And years later, after trying coffee from many coffee makers, I still prefer the coffee from my little Bodum Chambord coffee press to any other coffee I've ever tried, including the fancy coffee houses.

So if you like to make your own coffee, and want the freshest beans and taste, you cannot go wrong with a coffee press. This one is very well made and as you can tell from my experience, it will last you forever. Thumbs up for the Bodum Chambord Coffee Press!

 Bodum Chambord Coffee Press

The following are my favorite coffee grinder and 2 of my favorite coffees from my favorite coffee company. Well, one flavor, two types of it. I buy all whole beans and grind them right before I make my coffee for the freshest flavor.

But if you don't want to do that, the already ground ones from Don Francisco are the best I've ever tried, and I've tried a lot of coffee! To read more about Don Francisco coffee, read my Don Francisco Coffee review. Or check out my summaries below.

The Coffee Grinder I Use
Braun KSM2-WH Aromatic Coffee Grinder, White

I've had my Braun Coffee Grinder for at least 20 years and it still seems new. I love how fast it grinds! And with a clear top you can see how fine you are grinding so if you don't want it fine, check every few seconds. It's fast! I see that parts are still available for very old ones too; Braun has always been a quality company who stands behind their products.

 Braun KSM2-WH Aromatic Coffee Grinder, White

Don Francisco Coffee
My Favorite Coffee of All Time

Don Francisco coffee is my favorite and it usually only goes on sale once a year where I live so I used to stock up and put the bags in the freezer to keep them fresh. But Amazon sells it at a discount year round.

I have Amazon Prime so it's free shipping too. How cool is that? Now I can get it at the low price all year round and save freezer space. Meanwhile, it's way cheaper than the trendy brands which shall remain unnamed and it tastes wonderful. 

Don Francisco Family Reserve
Vanilla Nut Whole Bean Coffee, 32-Ounce

The Vanilla Nut coffee pictured here is my favorite flavor. It's really strong vanilla flavored too, no wimpy wisp of a flavor, this is serious vanilla! I like it as is for desserts, but for everyday, I actually mix it with Colombian coffee. A little vanilla goes a long way. 

 Don Francisco's Vanilla Nut, 32oz Whole Bean Coffee Bag Family Reserve

Ground Don Francisco Vanilla Nut Coffee  

If you don't have a coffee grinder, this Vanilla Nut coffee is the best you can get. Very strong vanilla flavor!

 Don Francisco's Vanilla Nut, 12oz Ground Coffee Can

Make French Press Coffee

Learn how to make French Press coffee. It's really easy once you get the hang of it. And once you taste the flavor you will probably never want your coffee any other way!

Enjoy your coffee! And for some sweet treats to go with it, visit Food, Decor, Kids Blog

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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Lego Big Bang Theory Reviewed

Fun Legos Set For Grown-ups and Kids

Close-up of Lego Big Bang Theory Box

I just treated myself to the Lego Big Bang Theory set. No, I didn't buy it for the grandkids, I bought it for myself! I am a huge fan of the TV series The Big Bang Theory and I have loved Legos since my kids were little and we played with the plastic bricks together. When my girls were small there were no sets of Legos like there are now. We had to use our own creativity to make things. Once the grandchildren came along, Legos got even more interesting with the wonderful sets to complete. Trust me, this Grandma has purchased loads of those sets for the granddaughters! Suffice it to say, Grandma had just as much fun with the building as the girls did!

As I mentioned before, I am an avid fan of The Big Bang Theory on television. Just about every night in the hour before prime time viewing begins; my husband and I watch the syndicated reruns of the show. I started noticing that they were doing promos using Lego characters to promote the Lego Batman movie and one evening I said to my hubby, "I wish they had a real set for the Big Bang Theory." My husband replied in his logical way with, "Well, they must have one because they are showing them like they do." After rolling my eyes just a tad, I picked up my cell phone and looked it up on Amazon. Much to my delight, there is one! Ask me how long it took to hit the "buy" button! If you said, "No longer than it takes to log in." ... you would be correct!

Just opened Lego Big Bang Theory box

So, it came yesterday and of course I had to build it! The picture on the right is right after I opened the box and was ready to start building. If you haven't purchased a Legos set before, you might not know that the pieces are in numbered bags and you get an instruction book to follow. The instructions are simple for a child to follow. Basically pictures with no text are provided on each page. The page shows you a picture of the pieces that you will need for that step and then how to place them together. 

The fun thing about the instruction book for the Lego Big Bang Theory set is that there is a page that tells about the television series and a page that identifies each of the main characters of the sitcom with a picture and a short little bio. As I began building and went from page to page; I was tickled to see that every once in a while there was a small image of one of the characters with a quote from one of the episodes of the series. That was a fun little surprise!

It took me about 2 1/2 hours to completely build the set. There are a lot of little pieces to sort through but it was easy to follow the directions on each page. My only disappointment in the set is that it isn't very big and there are so many little things to build and place that it looks cramped. Because it is so small, it is really kind of hard to see everything. Then again, that is kind of fun because you have to take your time to find all of the hidden little treasures.

Lego Big Bang Theory Set

I think it is fun that they included all of the main characters in the set. There is Sheldon, Leonard, Howard, Raj, Penny, Bernadette and Amy along with Raj's little dog. All in all it was a fun set to build and it is fun to have it setting out as a conversation piece in our home.

This would make a wonderful gift for the Lego fan on your gift list, especially if they also happen to be a fan of the show The Big Bang Theory. In fact, I plan to order another one to give to my son-in-law for his birthday this year. I know he will get a real kick out of it!

View of my completed set

I thought you might enjoy seeing a view of my set on display in our living room. As you can see there is a lot of detail in this little set.

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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