Review This Reviews!

Thursday, April 24, 2025

Reviewing Bob Ross Color Changing Mug

My husband is one of those people that is hard to find a gift for special occasions. He is well into his retirement years and really has most everything he needs or wants. My kids and I are always looking for something different that he would enjoy. As his birthday approached this year, I was again challenged to find a gift for him, when I was browsing on Amazon and found this Bob Ross mug.

My husband thoroughly enjoys watching "The Joy of Painting". On this program, Bob Ross, with his delightful sense of humor, instructs listeners on how to paint landscape paintings. Bob Ross has long passed on, but his program can be found in syndication on the television programming, and he has become a pop culture icon.

When I found the mug, I decided it would be perfect for my husband. The mug depicts a photo of Bob Ross with a solid black background, as seen in the photo below. When the cup is filled with hot liquids the black background becomes a beautiful landscape photo.

Here is the link to this unique mug on Amazon Bob Ross Mug

How Does the Color Changing Work

I checked online to find out how the color changing works. To put it simply it is done by using the principal of thermochromism which involves heat sensitive paint. In the case of the mug the landscape painting would be painted on the mug with heat sensitive paint. It would appear to be solid black until the hot liquid in the mug turns the black into a landscape painting.

More Bob Ross Products on Amazon

If you have a Bob Ross fan you would like to get a gift for a special occasion, then Amazon is the place to go. I found numerous different Bob Ross gifts on Amazon. Here are just a few:

A variety of different Bob Ross painting kits and painting supplies
Prints of Bob Ross paintings
TShirts
Socks
Bob Ross bobblehead
calendars
Books with step-by-step painting instructions

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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Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Self-Heating Mugs: A Wonderful Gift To Keep Coffee Or Tea Hot All Day

I received a self-heating mug as a thoughtful birthday gift from my husband, who knows that I always like to keep a hot beverage with me at all times. I like to have both ice water and hot water or tea within easy reach if I wake up during the night and when I wake up in the morning, before I get out of bed, since I have a hard time getting up. Even though I have been using insulated travel tumblers for a very long time for my hot beverages, the lids have multiple silicone gaskets that are a bit of a pain to remove, clean, and replace. More importantly, after several years of round-the-clock use, the gaskets no longer work as well as they once did and no longer keep the hot water or herbal tea by my bedside hot throughout the night and into the morning.

The sleek Kepwam 16-ounce Self-Heating Coffee Mug my husband gave me has quickly become one of my favorite daily comforts. It keeps my tea or hot water at the perfect temperature indefinitely and brings a small but constant, cozy joy to my daily life. In fact, my husband, who is a coffee drinker, likes mine so much he requested one in a different color for his upcoming birthday!

Here's my product review after putting this heated coffee mug through its paces for the past three weeks.

Why It’s a Daily Essential

With three temperature settings—113°F, 131°F, and 149°F—the Kepwam 16-ounce Self-Heating Coffee Mug lets me sip slowly throughout the day without losing any warmth. The Very Hot (149°F) setting keeps my tea or hot water quite hot, just the way I like it. If I wake up in the middle of the night, I can reach for a comforting sip of the hot water or herbal tea I often drink at bedtime.

Whether I’m reading, working, or relaxing, my tea or hot water stays delightfully hot from the first sip to the last. No more microwave trips and no lukewarm disappointments.

Less Expensive Than Better-Known Competitors

There aren't a lot of choices if you want a large-capacity self-heating one like this one. Others we looked at from better-known brands, such as the Ember Temperature-Controlled Smart Mug 2 and the Nextmug Temperature-Controlled Self-Heating Coffee Mug, have a smaller capacity and sometimes unnecessary features (like controlling the mug through an app). They also cost $100–$150, while my Kepwam self-heating coffee mug cost less than $60 on Amazon at the time of this review's publication.

Features I Love Most

Modern matte design with a stainless steel build
Spill-resistant lid that is easy to put on and take off, keeps heat in, and slides open and closed with one finger
One-button operation with color-coded lights to indicate temperature setting; just push the button repeatedly to cycle through the temperature settings
Long-lasting 3000 mAh lithium battery allows the mug to maintain a temperature of 113°F up to 3 hours off the base with a full charge, and longer if you keep the lid on and closed, as I do.
Smart charging base that doubles as a warming coaster (although the base does not get warm)
Easy to clean (hand-wash)
The temperature of the hot beverage is true to the temperature setting (we used an instant-read thermometer to check the hot water in mine after the mug had been sitting on the charging base overnight and it registered exactly 149°F).

I keep my mug on the charging base overnight, then carry the mug with me to whichever room I want to be in. Whether it’s my second steep of herbal tea or just hot water, this mug keeps my drink piping hot and makes hydration feel like a comforting ritual.

Kepwam self-heating mug temperature indicator lights

Perfect for Tea and Hot Water Lovers

This mug isn’t just for coffee drinkers. Whether you enjoy:

– Hot coffee

– Hot tea (black, green, herbal—pick your pleasure)

– Hot cocoa

– Plain hot water

…then this is an everyday luxury you’ll truly appreciate, especially if you enjoy sipping hot beverages slowly throughout the day without having to reheat your drink.

Kepwam self-heating mug power and temperature setting button

Things to Know

Although the stated capacity is 16 ounces, I have found that it holds only 14 ounces of liquid when using the lid.
There’s no app to fuss with—just one intuitive button.
The mug is hand-wash only, but easy to clean.
While not officially discouraged, it’s wise to avoid using milk-based drinks for extended periods to prevent buildup or spoilage.
Additional charging bases are not sold separately.

A Gift That Keeps on Giving

Kepwam Self Heating Coffee Mug, 16oz Smart Heated Coffee Mug, 150 Min Battery Life - Hot up to 149℉ Temperature Control Coffee Mug Warmer, Gifts for Women and Men

The Kepwam Self-Heating Mug has truly changed the way I enjoy tea and hot water throughout the day. It’s more than just a gadget—it’s a thoughtful gift that brings comfort, convenience, and a little extra warmth into my life.

It comes in a range of colors including Graphite, Steel Blue, Black, Burgundy (which looks brown in the product images), Lilac, and Sage Green. My mug is Graphite (deep gray) and the one I purchased for my husband is Steel Blue.

If you or someone you know prefers sipping hot drinks slowly and hates reheating them repeatedly throughout the day, this mug is a simple joy and a daily pleasure.

Best for: Coffee, tea, cocoa, or hot water drinkers and anyone who wants to keep their hot beverages hot without a hassle.

Kepwam Self Heating Coffee Mug, 16oz Smart Heated Coffee Mug, 150 Min Battery Life - Hot up to 149℉ Temperature Control Coffee Mug Warmer, Gifts for Women and Men

Excellent Customer Support

Update: Less than a month after I purchased the second Kepwam Self-Heating Mug for my husband’s birthday, the lid broke when he was removing it to wash it. I contacted the seller through Amazon, and after providing photos of the broken lid, they quickly and courteously sent us a replacement lid. Great customer service is one more reason to choose this self-heating mug over a competitor’s model.

Self-Heating Mugs: A Wonderful Gift To Keep Coffee Or Tea Hot All Day by Margaret Schindel

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

A Review of HotPop Microwave Popcorn Maker

Last fall my husband and I started eating popcorn for a snack in the evening. It was less calories than chips or cookies! We started out buying microwave popcorn because we didn't have a popcorn popper. Some brands were better than others, but one day I was going to make a bag and I took a look of the ingredients. From there I went on the internet to investigate further. What I found was not good:

A few reasons microwave popcorn is not healthy to eat:

1. Oil. Many microwave popcorns use hydrogenated oils, a type of trans fat that is bad for your heart and raises your cholesterol.

2. Preservatives. Most microwave popcorn use preservatives that prevent the ingredients from going rancid and to extend shelf life. Some of these preservatives have been linked to vision, lung and behavioral problems, and while concrete proof has not been found yet, it is something to think about.

3. The Bag. Strangely enough one of the worst things about microwave popcorn is the bag that it comes in. They have chemicals in them that prevent the grease from soaking through the paper. Chemical like PFCs (perfluorinated compounds) that melt down into an acid that is a known carcinogen and has been linked to cancer according to the United Stated Environmental Protection Agency Report in 2017.

There are more reasons, why premade microwave popcorn is not good for you, but I think you get the idea. I was very uncomfortable eating it after that, so I decided to find another way to make our popcorn that would be more natural. I had decided to buy a free standing popcorn making machine because I thought it was the only way to go, other than cooking it on the stove, something I did not want to do. I knew there was going to be a problem with finding counter space for the popper, as my counters were pretty full already, but I could not see any way around it.

I was shopping around on Amazon, surprised at how much the poppers cost. Most were between $35 and $50, some as high as $70. I had made my choice and was getting ready to order it when I saw a silicone popcorn popper that you put in the microwave, at the bottom of the page. I remember thinking, that would be so much easier. It even folded down so it was easy to store!. I clicked on it and went straight for the comments. That's where you find out the real info on anything you buy on Amazon.

First of all, it got 4.6 our of 5 stars from 33,562 reviews, which is excellent. Reading though the comments, I was pretty impressed, there were almost no bad reviews! Most people highly recommended it! The best part was it was only $12! I was sold, and I ordered it.

HotPop Popcorn Maker

When it arrived, we tried it out. There are circles on the inside that show you how much popcorn to put in it for half a bowl or a full bowl. It had a lid that you put on (make sure it is not fitted air tight as it needs air to pop) and easily folds down to about 3 inches tall, so it is easy to store. You can use oil, butter or nothing when you are making your popcorn. We use a little oil or butter because it helps the salt to stick to the kernels more easily. So we put it in the microwave and hoped for the best......

The popcorn was delicious!

We were amazed at how good it was. It was buttery, lightly salted and crispy. I felt like we had hit the jackpot! There were no burned pieces and at the bottom there were very few uncooked kernels.

We have used it most evenings since then, for about two months and it has never failed to perform perfectly. After experimenting with different oils and popcorn brands, we have found that these are the ingredients that we love best:

Pop Secret Jumbo Popcorn

Orville Redenbacher's Butter Flavor Popcorn Oil

Kernel Season's Popcorn Seasoning Variety - Pack of 8

I really cannot recommend this popcorn popper highly enough. It's awesome! If you fill it to the top, it makes 15 cups and that's enough for you and some friends. It's dishwater safe, and unbreakable. It really is a wonderful item and also makes a great gift, perfect for parents looking for a healthy snack to make for the kids! You really can't beat it for the price!

If you would like to see this popper in action, below is a how to video you may want to watch:

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Monday, April 21, 2025

Book Reviews: The Complete America's Test Kitchen TV Show Cookbook 2001 - 2024

I finally ordered The Complete America's Test Kitchen cookbook. I am glad I waited because I ended up being able to order the most recent edition. This HUGE cookbook is full of amazing recipes, all of the extra tips and information they include in the show, and many photos of the finished dishes. I highly recommend this 1,200+ page cookbook.

photo with text of America's Test Kitchen cookbook

The Complete America's Test Kitchen TV Show Cookbook 2001 - 2024: Every Recipe and Product Rating From the Most Watched Cooking Show on Public TV

America's Test Kitchen has been a popular food show on the PBS channel for many years. They've been described as using "culinary science" and familiar cooking techniques to create delicious recipes. While I don't understand culinary science, I can agree that this is what they do. I just watched an episode this morning where they discussed the benefits of overcooking certain vegetables (eggplant, beans, and broccoli) to release certain properties and to bring out certain flavors. Each of those vegetables were releasing different ingredients. I don't understand that. But I love that they explain it briefly, while giving a delicious recipe that even I could make.

The Complete America's Test Kitchen TV Show Cookbook 2001 - 2024: Every Recipe and Product Rating From the Most Watched Cooking Show on Public TV is a HUGE cookbook. It is advertised as:

nearly 2,000 recipes from 24 seasons
updated shopping guide for equipment and ingrediants
notes and tips from the Test Kitchen Chefs
1280 pages
Weighs 8 lbs and measures 8.63 x 2.38 x 11.25
approximately 4.6/4.7 out of 5 stars review on Amazon/Goodreads (at the time I am writing this). It seems that deductions were related to damage during shipping and those who do not like the size of the book.

Did I mention that this book is HUGE? Some of the reviews on Amazon state that they don't like the size and weight of the book. I don't mind that. I love that all of the recipes from 24 TV seasons are included. I like the print size (not too small), the paper quality (glossy and thick), and that there are photos on almost every page (either of the recipe or the instructional, how-to photos).

Personal Thoughts:

I love watching America's Test Kitchen. I am not good in the kitchen so I appreciate how they explain what they are doing and why. I appreciate that many of their recipes are made with ingredients that I can find versus more exotic or hard to find ingredients.

America's Test Kitchen does use many gadgets at times: food processors, certain pots or pans, etc. And I don't have those things. But, there are many, many recipes that utilize the things that I already have in my kitchen.

I finally ordered this book, the newest edition, after watching a show with the Vegetable Bibimbap recipe. This is an "iconic Korean dish". Or, in my thoughts, a rice dish with good flavor and lots of vegetable options; vegetables I hope to grow in my garden this year. In the cookbook (page 572), the paragraph "why this recipe works" talks about the origin of the recipe and substituting a cast-iron dutch oven for the traditional stone bowl. I can hardly wait to try this recipe! I enjoy rice and vegetables, one-pot meals, and I like to try easy - but different - flavors.

I am so thrilled that I finally purchased this cookbook. And that by the time I purchased it, the newest edition was available. I am not bothered by the weight and size of the book. I am very happy that the tips, notes, and substitutions discussed on the show episodes are included in the book.

I hope to use this book to do more garden-to-table cooking and become more successful in the kitchen. I highly recommend this cookbook.

The official America's Test Kitchen website which includes information about joining and what their membership includes.

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Sunday, April 20, 2025

Ladies, This Is the Garden Hose You’ve Been Waiting For

Still the Best Garden Hose I've Ever Used - Here's Why

Back in 2020, I first reviewed one of those retractable, expandable lightweight garden hoses—and let me tell you, it was love at first spray.

Fast-forward to today, and it's still the only type of hose I'll use. Once you experience the freedom of not dragging a heavy, stiff, tangled mess around the yard, there's no going back.

This year, I picked up another one for the backyard, and the moment I hooked it up, I was reminded why I fell for it in the first place.

If the marketing teams behind these things aren't focusing on women, especially women who enjoy yard work, they're seriously missing a golden opportunity.

Here's why this hose continues to be a garden essential for me:

1. It's featherlight

Dragging around a traditional hose used to be a full-on workout. This one? I can carry it with one hand while sipping my coffee with the other. It's that light—and yes, that matters.

2. It stores like a dream

When you're done, it shrinks right up and hangs easily over the hose holder. There is no fighting with coils, no awkward loops falling off, and no grumbling required.

3. It saves space

Our 50-foot hose for the backyard takes up a third of the space the old one did. It practically disappears when it's not in use, which is great if you're tired of looking at a messy hose heap.

4. It looks tidy

I never thought I'd describe a hose as "not ugly," but here we are. It's sleek and minimal and doesn't distract from the garden or patio like those bulky green beasts we used to have.

5. No need for bulky wind-up holders

We've got one of those old-school hose boxes in the garage for the front yard, but we didn't want that eyesore cluttering up the backyard. With this hose, you just drape it over a hook or holder and call it a day.

6. Mornings are more leisurely now

One of my favorite parts of the day is watering the plants first thing in the morning. With the old hose, it felt like a chore before I even had my coffee. Now? I pop outside, grab the lightweight hose, water everything in minutes, and actually enjoy the moment.

There are plenty of lightweight expandable hoses out there, and they come in a range of lengths to suit your yard or patio size.