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Saturday, January 7, 2023

Bubble Bath Day – A January Holiday

Reviewing a bubbly holiday observed every year on January 8th.

Bubble Bath Day

No one knows who originally decided that January 8th should be a day to celebrate the 'Bubble Bath'. It was probably created by someone who needed to relax after a tough day.

If you are wondering how to celebrate this 'bubbly' day, it depends on how old you are.

Kids find it simple - fill the tub with bubbles and some water toys - then hop in and play!
For the ladies, a bubble bath is a time to relax! Fill the tub with your favorite bubbles and just enjoy the soothing waters. You can also set the mood with candles, some soft music and perhaps a glass of wine.
Guys don't need to feel left out on Bubble Bath day either. It's a good way to get in touch with your feminine side, as well as relaxing sore muscles!

*Interesting side note: Bubble Bath Day takes place within the same month (January) that is designated as Bath Safety Month!

A Few Bubbly Products

Most kids today know about and have used the original bubble bath for kids. Bath time is more fun with these biggest, longest-lasting bubbles with the original bubblegum scent. Bring back memories of your childhood and create new memories with your own family.

Mr. Bubble was invented in 1961 and has been popular ever since. In fact, it celebrated it's 50th anniversary in 2011.

For guys who need to soak in a tub of hot water and use Epson Salts to try and relax their muscles and relieve pain and discomfort, these bath bombs for men are marvelous and so much nicer than just Epson Salts alone.

Handmade by Natalia and Irina in Florida, these bath bombs for men are made with all natural ingredients using Relaxing Epsom Salt, Moisturizing Apricot Kernel Oil, and Scents for Aromatherapy! Check them out at the Relaxcation Etsy Shop on Etsy.

And as a self-care gift for HER, this Cocoa Butter Milk Bubble Bath Powder foams, fizzes and bubbles while releasing the benefits of cocoa butter into the water and fragrance into the air. Handmade by Valerie in Kentucky and available in her Etsy Shop SwankOnYa.

Benefits of a Bubble Bath

Most of us never take the time for this relaxing way of pampering ourselves. A quick shower in the morning – and it's off to work or school. Showers may be convenient and quick, but you can't relax standing up!

There are benefits to taking a bubble bath – or even a long soak in hot water. It relaxes your muscles and refreshes your skin. It can even help with any congestion you might have.

So allow yourself the luxury of a sudsy soak because everybody deserves a little me-time now and then.

Oh, and don’t forget your rubber duckie!

For more Holiday Reviews, Click on ReviewThisReviews: Holidays

*Bubble Bath Day review written by Wednesday Elf

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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Friday, January 6, 2023

Easy Cheesecake Recipe Reviewed

A Cheesecake Recipe for Success!

My family loves cheesecake, therefore, it is probably the most frequently baked dessert in my kitchen. I bake several each month and most recently baked a cheesecake instead of a birthday cake for my mother's birthday.

This easy cheesecake is most often what I make for dessert when we are entertaining. I can either make it the day before, or the morning of an event. It seems everyone loves cheesecake!

The only drawback is that it does take about 2 hours to make, bake & cool. Plus, it needs to set in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.

While it is very easy, it does take time. However, it is worth the wait!

Easy Cheesecake Recipe by Sylvestermouse
ReviewThisReviews.com

Prep Time	Cook Time	Cool Time	Total Prep Time	Fridge Set	Ready In	Yields
15 min.	50 min.	60 min.	2 hrs. 5 min.	Time 4 hrs.	6 hrs.	8 - 10 servings

Cheesecake Ingredients

For Crust:

• 2 cups graham crumbs (15 graham cracker sheets)

• 2 tablespoons sugar

• ⅔ cup butter melted (11 Tablespoons)

For Cheesecake:

• 24 ounces cream cheese softened

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla

• 3 eggs

Instructions

1. Wrap the springform pan with 2 layers of 18” heavy duty aluminum foil

2. Preheat oven to 350°F. (Convection Oven 325°F)

3. By hand, Mix crust ingredients until well combined.

4. Press into a 9" springform pan.

5. Beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until fluffy.

6. Add eggs one at a time, beating until incorporated (do not overbeat).

7. Pour cheesecake mixture into crust.

8. Place in

waterbath
   (Pour enough HOT water in the pan to reach half way up the foil covered springform pan.)
   Water Bath Pan is really heavy when filled with water. It is easier to set it in the oven and
   then add the water.

9. Bake 50 minutes.

10. Turn off oven, open oven door slightly and allow the cheesecake to cool in the oven for 1 hour.

11. Remove from oven and from waterbath

12. Remove springform pan and cool completely in the fridge at least 4 hours or overnight.

Related Articles

Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil Roll, 18"Check Price Kraft Philadelphia Brand Cream Cheese CookbookCheck Price Calphalon Nonstick Bakeware, Spring Form Pan, 9-inchCheck Price Wilton W6516 Perfect Results Sheet Cake PanCheck Price

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Easy Cheesecake Recipe Reviewed Written by:

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Wednesday, January 4, 2023

My 10 Best Product Reviews of 2022 Revisited

Last year I published 18 in-depth, personal product reviews here on Review This Reviews. As I was looking back at them recently, I decided to revisit and share my 10 favorite products that I reviewed in 2022.

Check out the best products I reviewed in 2022 to find some great buys in 2023!

My Top 10 Product Reviews From 2022

I hope the reviews I've chosen to highlight in this "best of 2022" collection will help you find some new favorites of your own, as well as some terrific gift ideas for others to enjoy.

My Favorite Fashion Product Review

VIKIDEER Microfleece Lined, Ultra Soft Lambskin Leather Touchscreen Gloves

Winter here in New England is long and extremely cold. These VIKIDEER microfleece-lined, ultra soft lambskin leather touchscreen gloves keep my always-chilly hands and arms warm and cozy, even when I need to pull out my mobile phone, Kindle or other touchscreen device.

VIKIDEER long, warm, lined, lambskin leather touchscreen gloves

VIKIDEER Elegant Winter Black Long Leather Full Touchscreen Gloves for Women

They're also long enough to prevent any gap below the hem of my coat sleeves when I bend or raise my arms, so they stay nice and toasty even in the chilliest weather. Any woman who lives in a cold climate would love to receive these as a gift!

Check out my in-depth review of these Long, Lined Leather Gloves - A Luxurious, Affordable Gift She'll Love.

My Best Gift Review for Music, Audiobook and Podcast Lovers

SHOKZ OpenRun Pro Bone Conduction Bluetooth Headphones

My husband and I love listening to audiobooks or music while we are doing chores, relaxing, traveling, etc. We both love our SHOKZ bone conduction Bluetooth headphones and wear them all the time.

SHOKZ OpenRun Pro Open-Ear Bluetooth Bone Conduction Sport Headphones

He first introduced me to bone-conduction Bluetooth headphones several years ago, and I've never looked back! Bone-conduction headphones use a technology that transmits sound vibrations along your cheekbones instead of through the air into your ears. It's great for someone like me, who has difficulty with ear buds, and for my husband, who has itchy ears and doesn't like anything in or against them.

SHOKZ is the undisputed leader in bone conduction headphones. They make a variety of styles, but our favorites by far are the OpenRun and OpenRun Pro, which are both ultra lightweight. In fact, I often tease my husband about his SHOKZ bone conduction headphones being permanently grafted onto his head, since they are so comfortable that he forgets he's wearing them and almost never takes them off during the day, even when he's not listening to anything through them.

Learn more about why we're such hugs fans in The Best Bone-Conduction Bluetooth Headphones Review: Shokz OpenRun Pro.

My Best Gift Review Pick for Recipients Who Are Hard to Buy For

DuraTech Tool Roll Organizer With 21 Pockets

My husband enjoys working on cars, scale models, and model trains. As a result, he has several collections of prized hand tools for both automotive and hobby use. Keeping not only his wrenches and sockets but also his fine precision tools organized and well protected is a high priority for him.

DuraTech tool storage organizer - rolled up and latched

After considerable product research, I chose this attractive, durable, well-designed and well-made DuraTech tool roll organizer as a Christmas gift for him and he absolutely loves it.

Here's a view of the interior, filled with his precision hand tools, including fine nippers, needle nose pliers, precision tweezers and X-ACTO knives:

DuraTech tool roll organizer, unrolled to show tools stored inside

DURATECH Tool Roll Organizer, 21 Pockets Tool Bag Roll

I'm planning to buy one for myself for my most-often-used jewelry making and crafting tools.

Find out more about why this makes such a terrific gift for anyone who relies on hand tools for hobbies, models, automotive repairs, etc. in my review of The Best Tool Roll Organizer To Store & Protect Your Tools.

My Best Health Product Review

Dnsly Ultrasonic Toothbrush Set With Travel Case and Extra Brush Heads

I've been using top name brand ultrasonic toothbrushes with fancy features from Oral-B and Philips Sonicare for most of my life. A few months ago, however, I switched to this much more affordable and equally effective Dnsly ultrasonic toothbrush set with a choice of five brushing modes (White, Clean, Sensitive, Polish and Massage). It also has ultra soft bristles that protect my gums from erosion as well as compact brush heads and an interdental brush that make it easier to get into hard-to-reach spots.

Dnsly electric toothbrush with travel case

Dnsly Sonic Electric Toothbrush with 5 Modes, 2-Minute Smart Timer, 8 Brush Heads, 1 Travel Case

The set I purchased includes a hard, fitted travel case, a clear plastic brush head cover (so you can toss it in your purse or briefcase without carrying the travel case) and seven brush heads, in addition to the tiny, pointed interdental brush. You can brush twice a day for 30 days on a single 4-hour charge, which makes it perfect for travel!

Check out this affordable, high quality set in my product review of The Best Dentist Approved, Inexpensive, 5-Mode Electric Toothbrush.

My Top 3 Kitchen Product Reviews

I enjoy cooking and baking, but not washing dishes. Three of my favorite product purchases for 2022 were kitchen items that have made our time spent prepping, making good food and cleaning up more efficient and enjoyable.

Adjustable Stainless Steel 3-Tier Over Sink Dish Drying Rack

The first was this fabulous three-tier 304 stainless steel dish drying rack that has gotten all our nonstick cookware, bakeware, oversized items (like the Vitamix blender jar and the large cake storage box in the photo) and other hand washable items off our countertops. (This large-capacity drying rack also comes in a smaller, two-tier version.)

Boosiny stainless steel, 3-tier over sink dish drying rack

BOOSINY Adjustable 3-Tier Over Sink Dish Drying Rack, 304 Stainless Steel

We love the adjustable-height shelves and moveable accessories, such as the hanging hooks, utensil holder, cup hooks, soap/sponge tray and cutting board holder, that we can configure to our needs and preferences. With the limited counter space in our old galley kitchen, this over-the-sink dish drying rack has been a godsend! And the convenience of being able to simply hang items to drip dry after hand washing them means we save electricity by running our dishwasher less often.

Read my full review of The Best Large, Sturdy, Adjustable, Over-the-Sink Dish Drying Rack to learn more about why it is one of my favorite product purchases of the past year.

Mueller Ultra-Stick 500 Watt 9-Speed Immersion Blender, Electric Whisk and Frother

My second favorite kitchen purchase from 2022 is this awesome Müeller Ultra-Stickmulti-purpose hand blender with a heavy-duty 500-watt copper motor and brushed stainless steel body. The comfortable handle with an ergonomic, non-slip grip makes this hand blender a pleasure to use, and the powerful motor offers 9 speeds and a Turbo Mode for a burst of extra power when needed.

Müeller Multi-Purpose Ultra-Stick Hand Blender model MU-HB-02

Mueller Ultra-Stick 500 Watt 9-Speed Immersion Multi-Purpose Hand Blender

The three attachments make this three, high-quality, small kitchen appliances in one: an immersion blender, an electric whisk and a milk frother. We use ours all the time for blending soups, making fresh whipped cream and frothing milk for our coffee (or making frothy bulletproof coffee or silky-smooth hot cocoa).

Read my detailed review of The Best Powerful, Lightweight Stick Blender With Versatile Attachments.

Astercook 15-piece German Stainless Steel Kitchen and Steak Knives Set With Wooden Storage Block

My third kitchen product purchase from last year that my husband and I have really been enjoying is our Astercook kitchen and steak knives set.

Astercook 15-piece stainless steel kitchen and steak knives set in a wood storage block

Asktercook 15-piece German high-carbon stainless steel kitchen & steak knives set with storage block

This 15-piece set includes an acacia wood knife block fitted with a full set of the most useful kitchen knives, including an 8" chef knife, 8" slicing knife, 7" santoku knife, 8" serrated bread knife, 5" utility knife and a 3.5" paring knife; a set of six 4.5" serrated steak knives; a pair of kitchen shears with a handy built-in bottle opener; and a sturdy sharpening steel for honing the sharp, German stainless steel blades to keep them "in good nick."

My husband and I have been extremely pleased with the quality of these knives, especially considering the extremely low price (less than $45 as of this post's publication date)!

Learn more about this excellent, inexpensive knife set that would be a great addition to any kitchen, and a welcome gift for anyone outfitting their first kitchen, in my in-depth review of The Best Affordable, Super Sharp Kitchen and Steak Knives Set.

My Favorite Low Carb and Keto Food Reviews

Scotty's Everyday Keto Pizza Crust Mix With 0 Net Carbs Per Slice

My husband and I both love high-carbohydrate foods like breads, rolls, cookies, cakes and pizza. We have chosen to cut back substantially on both carbs and highly processed foods because of the health benefits we have both noticed when we eat a very low carb, largely whole food diet. Even though my husband is quite slim and has to make sure he eats enough calories to avoid losing weight, we both have experienced significant improvements in mental clarity and focus, reduction in joint pain and inflammation, and other health benefits by eating this way. However, neither of us is willing to give up our favorite foods, so I invest time and effort researching, trying out and evaluating healthy, low carb alternatives for foods like pizza crusts and burger buns.

I have tried several low carb pizza crust mix products and recipes, and one of my favorites so far is Scotty's Everyday Keto Pizza Crust Mix.

Pizza made with Scotty's Everyday Keto Pizza Crust Mix

One of the reasons is convenience, since this mix calls for only olive oil and water, both of which we always have on hand. Others include speed (just mix, roll and bake), fairly clean, healthy ingredients), high in dietary fiber, low in calories and 0 net carbs per slice, and a surprisingly good taste and texture considering the nutritional profile.

This mix makes a pizza crust that, unlike some low carb options, is crisp on the outside, slightly chewy on the inside, and sturdy enough to pick up and eat with your hands. We love being able to eat pizza for dinner once a week again and have fun changing up the toppings to keep things interesting.

Check out my full review of The Best Keto Pizza Crust Mix With 0 Net Carbs including some of our favorite low carb, keto friendly pizza toppings.

KetoBakes Best EVER Sandwich Buns Keto Bake Mix

Update July 2023: Sadly, KetoBakes has gone out of business.

My husband makes the best burgers and, for many years, we have had a tradition of him making his special Friday night burgers (or, as we like to call them, Friday night "burglars") to celebrate the end of the work week and kick off the weekend. Although some people enjoy using lettuce as a burger wrap, we much prefer ours on a nice, soft, lightly toasted bun. And, although we love Natural Ovens Bakery Keto-Friendly Buns and often keep a few bags in our freezer, they contain a few ingredients that aren't strictly "clean keto" and are not gluten-free.

So, unless I'm pressed for time, I prefer baking fresh burger buns using KetoBakes Best EVER Sandwich Buns Keto Bake Mix, which lives up to its name as far as keto-friendly buns are concerned.

KetoBakes Best EVER Sandwich Buns Keto Bake Mix

This mix has clean ingredients, the same ones I would use if I were baking keto buns from scratch, and makes soft, pillowy, yummy buns that are perfect for burgers or sandwiches. They also freeze beautifully, which I do in my favorite Stasher reusable silicone 1/2 gallon food storage bags, which open and seal incredibly quickly and easily (I love them!).

Get the 411 on this excellent baking mix in my product review of The Best Low Carb Keto Sandwich and Burger Buns Mix.

ChocZero Regular and Dark Cocoa Hazelnut Keto Spreads and Livlo Zello Keto-Friendly Chocolate Hazelnut Spread

These low-carb chocolate hazelnut spreads with no added sugars offer three excellent, healthy (and keto-friendly) alternatives for people who love Nutella.

ChocZero and Livlo ZELLO keto chocolate hazelnut spreads

ChocZero Dark Cocoa Hazelnut Keto Spread, Livlo Zello Keto-Friendly Chocolate Hazelnut Spread and ChocZero Cocoa Hazelnut Keto Spread

I've provided a detailed side-by-side comparison of the flavor, size, price, nutrition facts, ingredients, dietary restriction / special diets information and other considerations in my review Comparing the Best Keto-Friendly Chocolate Hazelnut Spreads - No Added Sugars.

I hope this recap of my 10 favorite products that I reviewed in 2022 helps you find some gift ideas or new favorites of your own for the coming year.

Wishing all our Review This Reviews readers and my fellow contributors a healthy, happy, peaceful and prosperous 2023!

My 10 Best Product Reviews of 2022 Revisited

by Margaret Schindel

Tuesday, January 3, 2023

Cleaning Leather with Saddle Soap

As long as I can remember my father always had a can of saddle soap handy for cleaning leather. Since I grew up with saddle soap, I still use it today to clean my leather boots.

Saddle Soap - Reviewed

We live in Western New York where the winters can be pretty brutal. If you have been following the news and weather recently, then you know that Buffalo New York was hit with what they are calling the storm of the century over the 2022 Christmas holiday weekend.

With all this bad weather the roads and sidewalks are salted heavily. This is bad news for your leather boots. The dirt, grim, and salt stains on your shoes and leather boots are unavoidable.

Saddle Soap was originally marketed for cleaning horse saddles. Since we didn't have any horses, therefore, we didn't have any saddles to clean we use saddle soap to clean our leather shoes and boots.

Saddle soap cleans by pulling dirt, grim, and stains out of the leather. It also will pull out the much-needed wax, and oils from the leather. Although saddle soap does contain some oils it really doesn't put enough back into the leather.

After I clean my boots with saddle soap I always apply a generous coat of original mink oil leather waterproofing or petroleum jelly (Vaseline) works just as well. Either one will help add back oils to keep the leather soft and waterproof.

Saddle soap can also be used on leather luggage, handbags, and belts. Saddle soap should not be used on suede products.

How to use Saddle Soap:

First, remove any excess dirt with a brush or damp cloth. Use a moist cloth to apply the saddle soap to develop a lather and rub it into the leather. Then, wipe off the excess lather with a damp cloth. Buff with a soft cloth when the leather is dry.

After the leather is dry is when I apply the mink oil. It adds oils back into the leather and waterproofs and helps prevent stains.

Find more product reviews here: ReviewThisProductReviews.com

These are the two products that I have been using on my leather boots for many years.

Kiwi Saddle Soap, 3.125 Ounce Mink Oil for Leather Boots,SALTY FISH Leather Conditioner and Cleaner 3.52oz-Waterproof Soften and Restore Shoes,Saddles,Jackets,Purses,Gloves and Vinyl

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Monday, January 2, 2023

Book Review: All the Forgivenesses by Elizabeth Hardinger

All the Forgivenesses is a debut novel set in early 20th century Kentucky featuring young Bertie Winslow. The story is told from Albertina's (Bertie's) perspective and we follow her through a difficult childhood in Kentucky and into adulthood onto the oil fields of Kansas. The story was written based on stories about oil fields life in the early twentieth century told to the author by her mother and aunts. "The voice of this novel is my recollection of the speech of my maternal grandmother" the author writes. It was Bertie's voice that took me away to another time and land.

The story begins in 1906, at a Sweet family gathering in Kentucky which serves as both family reunion and pig killing day. Bertie is a six and a half year old who is in charge of her three year old brother, Timmy, while the women work with the pig meat. Her dad and brothers go with the men to the woods to hunt. Mama bounced baby Dacia on her hip until naptime. Then Bertie was given the chore of putting Dacia down for a nap.

Bertie carried baby Dacia into Grandma Sweet's and placed her in a crib. Then made a pallet for Timmy and he fell asleep too. Later in the day Bertie discovers that Timmy is missing from the pallet and is missing from the area around the house. The search begins for Timmy but it is too late. His body was found in the creek the next morning.

With that tragedy, the already difficult family situation becomes worse for the four remaining children.

Mama is less able to emotionally care for the children fully and Bertie becomes increasingly responsible for the household. Mama becomes pregnant, becomes physically ill, and young Bertie has more siblings to care for while Mama spends her days in bed. Their father comes and goes and the children do their best not to attract his attention while trying to survive.

We follow Bertie through her adolescence, her marriage, and adulthood. Like so many people, she carries her childhood experiences into her own marriage. Her husband, Sam, is a better provider for the family than her father was and a kind, patient man. They move to the oil fields in Kansas for work.

"Inspired by the stories told by the author's mother and aunts, All The Forgivenesses is as authentic as it is lyrical -- a captivating novel of family loyalty, redemption, and resilience" quote from Goodreads

I feel that I am having difficulty writing the kind of review that explains how much I enjoyed this book without giving spoilers. I agree whole-heartedly with the description of "authentic" and "lyrical". We watch as Bertie is forced into the role of caregiver as a child and how she continues in that role as an adult woman. Parts of her story are heart-breaking. She's the heroine but she's not perfect or superhuman. Bertie carries both her strengths and her flaws into her marriage. Despite the hard conditions and difficult relationships there is something beautiful unfolding for this family; not only does Bertie keep children alive, she is able to help them thrive.

This book reminded me a bit of the Winter's Bone story in that a young girl is responsible for siblings while the adults are absent in one way or another and is making the best life they can for their siblings in an impoverished, isolated setting.

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Sunday, January 1, 2023

Happy New Year from The Contributors of ReviewThisReviews

Happy New Year - 2023!

Happy New Year to You and Yours

On behalf of ReviewThisReviews, we send you positive energy and all the ingredients needed for a balanced life in 2023. Body, mind, and spirit!

The year 2022 is officially in the books. Historians have compiled their notes for future generations; some hearts have been fulfilled, while others have been broken.

Whatever your story, we're sending you a bright light of hope for a peace-filled 2023.

A Quote for the New Year:

"For last year's words belong to last year's language, and next year's words await another voice" - T.S. Eliot, Four Quartets

May You Tackle Life with Hope and Bravery - Here's a little musical inspiration:

"Say what you wanna say, and let the words fall out, honestly, I wanna see you be brave with what you want to say and let the words fall out..." A Song by Sara Bareilles

With kindness, hope, and love as your guide, let this year be a year of bravery, strength, faith, and grace ... for all of us.

Happy 2023!

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Saturday, December 31, 2022

Goal Setting Guides: Reviewing Ways to Get Organized

As the year ends and the New Year approaches, one's thoughts turn to items needed for a new beginning. The setting of goals becomes a priority and, in aid of that, certain items lend themselves to the task.

These include calendars and planners. While sounding mundane and ordinary, today's planner products are anything but. So many choices are available that there will always be that certain style that will appeal to you. And if you are pleased with the calendar/planners you are working with, you will be more apt to follow through with 'getting organized' and 'tackling life ambitions'.

Here are a few suggestions for a calendar or planner for a truly organized life!

Calendars

Calendars come in many sizes and in a large variety of styles.

There are large desk calendars with ample space to write your schedule in ruled daily blocks. Some also have spaces for notes and to-do lists.

There are wall calendars which come in a very large style containing all 12 months at a glance (excellent for a board room or a home office). And wall calendars with large writing blocks to keep your schedule current.

There are medium size ones with wire binding and hanger so that you can hang it up in your office, bedroom, or kitchen. They come in cute patterns and designs that pair well with your home décor.

Then there are the popular daily desk calendars in designs that fit every personality, whether it's your favorite hobby, pet, places, sport, etc. There are motivational ones, inspirational ones, jokes and funny calendars, plus trivia or fun facts. They are called Daily Desk Calendars, Page-a-Day, or Year-in-a-Box Calendars.

Planners

In addition to regular calendars, to become truly organized, one needs a planner. The one I get each year has to be a Weekly/Monthly Planner with the year's dates on the pages and tabs for each month. I've tried blank ones, but never seem to remember to fill in the correct dates! :) But there are Planners that suit anyone's style and way of keeping track of tasks, holidays, birthdays, appointments, errands and chores. Anything and everything fits well into a Planner.

I also prefer the 8-1/2” x 11” Planners that fit well next to my computer. I can quickly see what I have scheduled or planned on any given week/month and easy to add things as they come up. But Planners also come in a variety of sizes (from pocket or purse size to large desk size) to suit your way of doing things.

Summary

So, whatever you need in a calendar or planner, the size, style and designs are endless. It's such fun to choose the ones you like best, which makes getting organized for the New Year easier than ever.

Happy (Organized) New Year!

*Calendars and Planners for your New Year goal setting - review written by Wednesday Elf

Click Here for Amazon Links to Calendars and Planners such as these featured in this Review:

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Friday, December 30, 2022

How to Make a Water Bath for Cheesecake Baking Review

There are benefits to preparing and using a water bath when baking cheesecakes or custards. For one thing, it will keep your cheesecake from cracking and will prevent the filling from drying out. Plus, it will prevent the cheesecake springform pan from leaking in your oven.

A water bath is simply a pan of hot water, which will low boil when baking your cheesecake. It will be very hot! Be sure to leave your cheesecake cooling in the oven, in the water bath, for an hour after the baking is complete. Just turn your oven off, leave the oven door slightly open and walk away for an hour.

Since you will be setting your filled cheesecake springform pan in the water bath, it is important to select a pan that your springform pan can easily sit in without tilting it or forcing it. I have an oversized cake pan that I use. The size of your springform pan will determine what size you need for the water bath.

For instance, I use a 9" springform pan and an old 18" x 12" sheet cake pan. (that is all I use that cake pan for now because the coating is ruined)

How to Make a Water Bath for Cheesecake

When you have used a water bath for the first time, you will realize how very easy it is to set up.

Since I have been asked the "what" question several times, I realize that just saying "bake your cheesecake in a water bath" is lacking in information. Therefore, I'll share exactly what to do to make a cheesecake water bath here.

Step 1: Wrap your springform pan in aluminum foil to prevent the water leaking into the cheesecake pan. I use heavy duty 18" wide aluminum foil, but you can use two pieces of standard, everyday 12" aluminum foil by folding them together with a seam that will not leak to create one large piece of foil.

Step 2: Set your filled cheesecake springform pan in the wider cake pan.

Step 3: Add hot water in the wide cake pan, about 1 inch of water. No more than halfway up the outside of the springform pan.

Step 4: Place in the oven & bake according to recipe.

Step 5: Turn off the oven and leave the cheesecake in the water bath in the oven for one hour to cool.

Note: The cheesecake and hot water together can be very heavy. You may prefer to set your cheesecake in an empty cake pan in the oven, then add the hot water using a oven proof measuring cup.

Click Here to See My Cheesecake Recipe Published on Review This Reviews!

Wilton W6516 Perfect Results Sheet Cake PanCheck Price Calphalon Nonstick Bakeware, Spring Form Pan, 9-inchCheck Price Reynolds Wrap Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil, 18 inch, 37.5 Square-Foot Roll (Pack of 1)Check Price

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Wednesday, December 28, 2022

Year End Traditions and Goal Setting for 2023: A Product Review

Hopefully you have all had a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends! Now, we are in the last few days of 2022 and it's time to reflect on the year past and make some plans for the New Year to come!

If you don't make plans, then maybe it's time that you started a new tradition in your own life.

You are never too old to change paths if the path you are on no longer fits your views of the future., But you must take some time to reflect on the changes that you might need to make.

I know from experience that my diet and activity levels were not where they should have been. So a few years ago I decided to make a few changes. I had to plan my strategy just like I would have planned a big business idea.

It started with getting more active. My mobility was suffering and something needed to change. I started small, but made sure that I could do what I set out to do. I started walking around the block! It doesn't sound like much but when you have been fairly sedentary for a long time, around the block may be all that you can do! Make sure your goal is attainable and sustainable!

After a little while you will find that your stamina will let you walk a little further. When it feels right, increase your distance, again making sure it is an attainable goal.

There are many ways to help yourself with those goals and one that I have found very useful and helpful are my Nordic Walking Poles. Sometimes my balance isn't all that it should be and these walking poles really help me feel much more confident when walking outdoors. They just give me that little bit of stability and they make my walk much more effective in distance covered and calories burned. After 2 years of walking I am now working my way to 10kms a day. If I can do it, you can too!

The other part of walking that I love is the quiet! Sometimes you just need to get away from everything that keeps your mind jumping all over the place. Getting out in nature is a wonderful way to let go of the "stuff" that keeps your mind going around and around. As Raintree Annie wrote yesterday, getting out in nature and really observing all the changes in our world can be very cathartic and wonderful. Check out her Review right here!

Now if you need some help with making your plans, maybe you could use a workbook to help you center yourself and help you create a way forward for 2023. Barbara Tremblay Cipak, another writer here at Review This Reviews has taken a path to writing about our emotional and mental well-being. Her book, "I Need Help Thinking Positive" would be a great help in marking out a new path for you to follow in 2023!

A Gratitude Journal might be another way for you to hone in on the changes you'd like to make or give you some direction in where your interests lie.

One thing is certain, there are unlimited ways in which to make changes in your day to day lifestyle if that is what you are interested in doing.

The World Wide Web is a resource for learning all kinds of new things. Broaden your horizons by learning a new language, visit another country virtually, take a course on hobby that you have been thinking about or check out a university and see what kind of on-line courses are available. Many of them are free to join and you could learn about something that twigs your interests. 2023 is unmapped territory and you can make some plans to make the New Year a whole lot more interesting, just by preparing a path.

Might I suggest that you take a walk, think about some things that would interest you and then when you are back home, check out what the internet has available. You just might find something that really adds a whole new dimension to your life.

Happy New Year to All and may all your plans be accomplished as you take a new step forward!

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