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Wednesday, July 6, 2022

The Best Keto-Friendly Chocolate Hazelnut Spreads With No Added Sugars

The original Nutella is a luscious, thick, milk chocolate hazelnut spread manufactured by Ferrero. It has been beloved by chocolate and hazelnut lovers worldwide since it was introduced in 1964. Unfortunately, it's also packed with refined cane sugar and carbohydrates! That means it's unsuitable for anyone who is trying to avoid added sugars, following a keto diet or embracing a healthy, low carb lifestyle.

After trying many different keto-friendly chocolate hazelnut spreads over the past three years, I can highly recommend my three favorites as excellent Nutella alternatives for chocolate lovers who are watching their carbs, trying to cut back on sugar or just trying to eat healthier without feeling deprived.

Today, I'll be comparing and reviewing these top three product picks, which also fit a variety of other dietary restrictions and special diets, such as gluten-free and soy-free:

Low Carb Keto-Friendly Chocolate Hazelnut Spreads No Added Sugar

These luscious keto-friendly chocolate hazelnut spreads are so good, you'll never miss the sugar!

Before I embarked on a keto diet in 2019 and decided to make the switch to a low carb lifestyle long term, I was a huge fan of the original Nutella chocolate hazelnut spread from Ferrero for many years. Unfortunately, Nutella has 22g of carbohydrates and 21g of net carbs, of which 19g are added sugars (cane sugar), according to the Nutella nutrition information on the manufacturer's website.

My favorite low carb Nutella alternatives with no added sugars are Livlō Zellō Keto-Friendly Chocolate Hazelnut Spread (2g net carbs), ChocZero Cocoa Hazelnut Keto Spread (1g net carbs) and ChocZero Dark Cocoa Hazelnut Keto Spread (1g net carbs). All three of these spreads are delicious, high-quality products. Which one(s) you choose will come down to personal preferences, price and dietary requirements.

For example, Livlō Zellō has the most pronounced hazelnut flavor and a somewhat sweeter taste than the ChocZero spreads. It has a thinner consistency and can be refrigerated to firm it up, if desired. It's also more expensive per ounce. Another difference is that you can purchase Livlō Zellō in a choice of jars or a 10-pack of convenient, portable, single-serving packets that you can pop in your purse, backpack, bag or lunch box to take on the go.

The ChocZero Cocoa Hazelnut Spreads (both regular and dark cocoa) have a more chocolate/cocoa-forward flavor and are a bit less sweet than the Livlō Zellō, especially the dark cocoa hazelnut spread. Both these ChocZero spreads have a thicker consistency that's more similar to Nutella, and refrigeration is not recommended. They are also significantly less expensive per ounce.

Although all three spreads contain no added sugars, the Livlō Zellō contains 1g of sugar, so it isn't considered "sugar-free" based on USDA nutrition information product labeling requirements. The ChocZero Dark Cocoa Hazelnut Keto Spread and the Livlō Zellō are both vegan and dairy free, whereas the regular ChocZero Cocoa Hazelnut Keto Spread contains milk.

Side-by-Side Comparison of Livlō Zellō and ChocZero Keto-Friendly Chocolate Hazelnut Spreads With No Added Sugars

Flavor, Size and Price

	Livlō Zellō Keto-Friendly Chocolate Hazelnut Spread	ChocZero Cocoa Hazelnut Keto Spread	ChocZero Dark Cocoa Hazelnut Keto Spread
Flavor, Sweetness & Consistency	Milk chocolate hazelnut flavor, hazelnut flavor is stronger than in the two ChocZero spreads, the sweetest of the three, thinner consistency (can refrigerate to thicken, if desired)	Milk chocolate hazelnut, nice balance of cocoa and hazelnut, medium sweetness, medium-thick consistency	Dark chocolate hazelnut, leans more toward cocoa than hazelnut, a bit deeper and less sweet than the other two spreads, thickest consistency
Size	10-ounce jar OR 10 single-serving packets	12-ounce jar	12-ounce jar
Amazon price (at publication date)	$12.55 OR $15.90	$8.49	$8.49
Amazon price per ounce (at publication date)	$1.26 OR $1.41	$0.71	$0.71
Free Amazon Prime delivery	Yes	Yes	Yes

Nutrition Facts

	Livlō Zellō Keto-Friendly Chocolate Hazelnut Spread	ChocZero Cocoa Hazelnut Keto Spread	ChocZero Dark Cocoa Hazelnut Keto Spread
Serving size	2 Tbsp	2 Tbsp	2 Tbsp
Calories	170	160	190
Total Fat	16g	10g	16g
Sat. Fat	2g	4g	6g
Trans Fat	0g	0g	0g
Cholesterol	0mg	<5mg	0mg
Sodium	70mg	35mg	0mg
Total Carbohydrate	8g	17g	17g
Dietary Fiber	3g	16g	16g
Total Sugars	1g	1g	0g
Added Sugars	0g	0g	0g
Sugar Alcohol (Erythritol)	3g	N/A	N/A
Protein	4g	2g	1g
Net Carbs (Total carbs-dietary fiber-sugar alcohols=net carbs)	2g net carbs	1g net carbs	1g net carbs

Ingredients

Livlō Zellō Keto-Friendly Chocolate Hazelnut Spread	ChocZero Cocoa Hazelnut Keto Spread	ChocZero Dark Cocoa Hazelnut Keto Spread
Hazelnuts, Almonds, Erythritol, Cocoa Powder (processed with alkali), Dark Chocolate Chips (unsweetened chocolate, erythritol, cocoa butter, stevia extract, sunflower lecithin), Sunflower Oil, Sunflower Lecithin, Natural Flavors, Sea Salt, Monk Fruit Extract	Fiber Mix (non-GMO resistant dextrin, allulose, fructooligosaccharide), Vegetable Oils and Fats (sustainable palm fruit oil, coconut oil, cocoa butter), Roasted Hazelnuts, Skim Milk Powder, Cocoa Powder, Sunflower Lecithin, Monk Fruit Extract, Natural Vanilla Flavor	Fiber Mix (non-GMO resistant dextrin, fructooligosaccharide), Vegetable Oils and Fats (sustainable palm fruit oil, coconut oil, cocoa butter), Roasted Hazelnut, Cocoa Powder, Sunflower Lecithin, Monk Fruit Extract, Natural Vanilla Flavor

Dietary Restrictions / Special Diets

One of the great things about these three chocolate hazelnut spreads with no added sugars is that they can accommodate a variety of dietary restrictions for people on special diets.

	Livlō Zellō Keto-Friendly Chocolate Hazelnut Spread	ChocZero Cocoa Hazelnut Keto Spread	ChocZero Dark Cocoa Hazelnut Keto Spread
Keto-Friendly	✔	✔	✔
Low Carb	✔	✔	✔
Gluten-Free	✔	✔	✔
Sugar-Free	𝗫	✔	✔
No Added Sugars	✔	✔	✔
No Sugar Alcohols	Contains erythritol	✔	✔
Uses Only Plant-Based Sweeteners	Erythritol, stevia extract and monk fruit extract	Monk fruit extract, prebiotic fiber and allulose * **	Monk fruit extract and prebiotic fiber *
Soy-Free	✔	✔	✔
Dairy-Free	✔	𝗫	✔
Vegan	✔	𝗫	✔
Food Allergy Awareness Info	Contains hazelnuts, almonds May contain a trace amount of peanuts and other tree nuts because of processing on shared equipment.	Contains coconut, hazelnut, milk. Produced in a facility that processes peanuts and tree nuts.	Contains coconut, hazelnut. Produced in a facility that processes milk and peanuts.
* Check out ChocZero’s answer to the FAQ, "Is ChocZero keto friendly?" to learn why monk fruit extract and prebiotic fiber can be considered healthy, keto-friendly sweeteners.
** Read the Healthline article “Is Allulose Keto-Friendly?” to understand why allulose can be an excellent sweetener for someone following a low carb or ketogenic diet when used in moderation.

Jars of Livlo Zello and ChocZero regular and dark cacao chocolate hazelnut spreads with swooshes of each

The ChocZero Dark Cocoa Hazelnut Keto Spread (left) is the thickest; the original ChocZero Cocoa Hazelnut Keto Spread (right) is slightly thinner; the Livlō Zellō Keto-Friendly Chocolate Hazelnut Spread (middle) is more fluid and spreads out more (unless you refrigerate it after stirring well).

Additional Considerations

Here are a few other considerations to help inform your product choices.

	Livlō Zellō Keto-Friendly Chocolate Hazelnut Spread	ChocZero Cocoa Hazelnut Keto Spread	ChocZero Dark Cocoa Hazelnut Keto Spread
Non-GMO	✔	✔	✔
Also Available in Single-Serving Packets	✔	𝗫	𝗫
Small business brand	✔	✔	✔
Recommended Storage	Can be stored at room temperature, May be refrigerated (after stirring well) for a firmer texture, if desired.	Store in a cool, dry place, preferably at 63-68 °F (17-20 °C). For best results, do not refrigerate or microwave.	Store in a cool, dry place, preferably at 63-68 °F (17-20 °C). For best results, do not refrigerate or microwave.

Note: In my experience, refrigerating the original or dark cocoa ChocZero Cocoa Hazelnut Keto Spread makes it quite stiff and hard to mix or spread. However, during the cold winter months, I often scoop out a tablespoon or two into a custard cup and microwave it for a few seconds to gently warm it slightly and thin it out, and then drizzle it over keto-friendly berries, ice cream or other low carb desserts.

Comparing the Best Keto-Friendly Chocolate Hazelnut Spreads - No Added Sugars by Margaret Schindel

Posts About My Keto Diet Journey

My First Year on The Keto Diet

Preparing to Succeed on the Keto Diet, Part One

Preparing to Succeed on the Keto Diet, Part Two

Low Carb Muffins & Cupcakes: Treats to Enjoy on a Keto Diet

Low Carb Keto Chocolate Yogurt Granola Chip Pudding Recipe

Good Dee’s Keto Cookie Low Carb Baking Mix Review

Hamama Microgreens Growing Kit Review & Success Tips

My Favorite Hamama Microgreens Seed Quilt Accessories

Keto Cheddar Cheese Biscuits With Chives Recipe

The Ultimate Keto Hot Chocolate Recipe

The Best Low Carb Keto Gift Ideas: Keto Gift Guide

The Best Low Carb Keto Cinnamon Muffins

Wholesome Yum Keto Bread Mix and Yeast Bread Recipe

The Good Chocolate 100% Organic No Sugar Dark Chocolate Review

The Best Advice to Maintain Your Keto Diet Weight Loss

My New Irresistibly Delicious Keto Cheese Crackers Recipe

Luscious Low Carb Keto Triple Peppermint Cheesecake Brownies Recipe

Quick & Easy Livlo Blueberry Scones Keto Baking Mix Review

Snack Better With The Best Healthy Keto Cookie Dough Bites

The Best Quick and Easy Low Carb Keto Pizza Recipe

The Best Quick and Easy Low Carb Keto Shortcake Cupcakes Recipe

Comparing the Best Keto-Friendly Chocolate Hazelnut Spreads - No Added Sugars

The Best Low Carb Keto Sandwich and Burger Buns Mix

Blueberry Biscuit Scones — New, Easy, Low Carb Keto Recipe

The Best Keto Pizza Crust Mix With 0 Net Carbs

An Unusual, Delicious Strawberry Chocolate Tea With 0 Calories

Delicious Sugar-Free Keto Cookies That OREO Fans Will Love

Healthy Pistachio Cherry Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cereal Treats Recipe

Easy, Decadent, High Protein, Sugar-Free Rocky Road Cottage Cheese Ice Cream

The Best Quick & Easy Low Carb Sausage and Ricotta Calzones

How to Make Refreshing Vanilla Italian Soda (With or Without Cream)

Reviews of the Keto Diet by Barbara C. (aka Brite-Ideas)

My Personal Keto Testimonial

How I Stayed Committed to the Ketogenic Way of Eating

Tuesday, July 5, 2022

Wholesun Electric Pressure Washer

My new Wholesun Electric Pressure Washer Reviewed

For so many years I have wanted to buy a pressure washer. A pressure washer is just one of those things that you don't think you need but there are so many times when you need one. When I needed one I found myself borrowing one from a friend.

A pressure washer is a great tool for cleaning patios, decks, walks, driveways, the siding on your house, grills, and your car.

I finally bought one of my own and I am so glad that I did. Our deck was in need of a makeover, and I knew that I needed a pressure washer to remove the loose paint. I did some research to find out how much PSI (Pounds per square inch) I needed to remove loose paint.

I found that between 2500 and 4000 PSI was good enough to remove loose paint. I also knew that I didn't want a gas-powered one, I wanted an electric one. So, I found this Wholesun electric pressure washer on Amazon. The reviews I read were all positive.

Features of my new Wholesun Pressure Washer:

3000 PSI

2.4 gallons per minute

4 adjustable nozzles

20-foot pressure hose

Long electric cord

Detergent Bottle

Easy connect water and pressure hose

When my pressure washer arrived I found it very easy to assemble. I had it together and ready to use in about 10 minutes.

The very first project I used it for was our deck. There was so much winter dirt to clean up and I really needed to get that loose paint removed. As you can see, my new pressure washer worked like a charm. It removed the loose paint down to the bare boards.

We have a small front porch, we don't use our front door entrance at all so this has not been cleaned in a couple of years. This little pressure washer cleaned the dirt build-up off with ease. This is a photo of the porch railing halfway cleaned. The porch now looks like it is brand new and is ready for a fresh coat of stain.

I am so very happy with my new Wholesun electric pressure washer, and would highly recommend it to anyone for their outdoor cleaning projects.

Find more amazing product reviews here:

ReviewThisProductReviews.com

WHOLESUN 3000PSI Electric Pressure Washer, 2.4GPM 1600W High Power Washer Machine with Spray Gun & 4 Nozzles for Cars, Homes, Driveways, PatiosCheck the Price

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Monday, July 4, 2022

Reviewing Sugar Birds: A Novel by Cheryl Grey Bostrom

One way to describe Sugar Birds is to call it a coming of age story. Which it is. But it is also a look at parenting, families, relationships, survival, and faith. Each of these characters were unique. However, their common bond (for the most part) was having gone through some hard times then deciding how they would treat others. All of this while they are on a search and rescue mission to locate poor little Aggie. I was completely absorbed in this book from the beginning.

The story is told by Aggie and Celia in alternating chapters.

Aggie

Agate Esther (Aggie) is a just-turned 10 year old girl who lives with her parents and her brother. She is consumed with bird-watching. She is familiar with the forest around her and just cannot follow her mother's directions to stop climbing the trees to observe the birds. Aggie documents the birds in her notebook and is encouraged by her father to do so. However, she defies her mother's directions to stay out of the trees. After they have conflict about the issue again, Aggie decides to try to get back into mom's good favor by making kindling as a gift. Unfortunately, she inadvertently causes a house fire.

"Her chest clenched, wringing her insides hard, like a dishcloth. Dad. Mama. She killed them with those sticks. With her fire. She beat her legs with clenched first, bit her cheeks, tasted blood." - Sugar Birds

Believing she has killed her parents and will be arrested, she panics and flees to the forest to hide. She has plenty of survival skills but will she survive the predators?

Celia

"We're on track for the cabin by eight tonight, Daddy" I flipped down the visor mirror and twisted the stud in my infected earlobe, my teeth set against its sting." - Sugar Birds

Celia is a 16 year old young lady, who thinks she's going to the family lake cabin in Washington state with her dad. Her mother, not the most warm and attentive on any day, has left them. Celia is trying to move on from that betrayal when her father discloses that he's not taking them to the cabin. He's taking her to her grandmother's home while he goes on a remote work assignment for several months. Celia is furious that her father is also leaving her and she immediately starts to formulate a plan to runaway. She believes that she'll find a way to return to Texas on her own and will stay with her friend Meredith. The very same friend that her dad doesn't approve of.

I hope that I'm not making Celia sound like a run-of-the-mill ungrateful adolescent character. She is not. Celia is a high school math nerd, cross country runner, compassionate young lady who helps her grandmother rescue and rehabilitate birds. However, with Meredith's tutoring, she has just begun to catch the attention of boys.

"Dancing flames didn't cause those astonished stares when I walked through that crowd in Meredith's hand-tooled cowboy boots with Luke hanging on me. I swear Meredith sensed that I was about to ditch him and run to the ladies room to scrub my face and calm my hair down a little. She trotted up beside us, looped her arm in mine and whispered that I was a Harrison County version of Sandy in Grease." - Sugar Birds

After her father drops angry/hurt Celia off with her grandmother, she quickly catches the attention of Cabot.

Mender

Marta Burke a.k.a Mender a.k.a Gram is an aclaimed biologist who has retired but who is active rehabilitating birds. She gardens. She prays. And she cares deeply for others. Mender has taught Celia the skills needed to handle and rehabilitate birds; raptors being Celia's favorite. Will Mender be able to keep Celia from being the prey?

Burnaby

Burnaby. Aggie's older brother and Loomis' employee. Burnaby has difficulty with interactions, eye contact, and affection. But his is a good employee, following rules and routines. He too loves the natural world and is very specifically drawn to bird and animal bones.

I absolutely loved Burnaby's character.

"Mama says I give speeches when I should be conversing. Misplaced monologues are selfish, she says. Talking should be reciprocal. Unselfish. Like tossing an apple back and forth so each hearer can catch it. She says I should listen without having a speech ready. Consider. Respond. Listen again." - Sugar Birds

Harris & Bree

Harris is Aggie and Burnaby's father. He moved them to the area, after he left the Alaska Forest Service, in order to be close to family. He nurtured the children's love of the outdoors and knowledge base; such as foraging for edible plants and water that is safe to drink. Bree also loved the outdoors. And once-upon-a-time, she collected Agates from a cliff. And this is how they chose Aggie's name. Bree struggled with mental illness and Aggie resented the change.

Loomis & Nora

This couple is Aggie's Aunt and Uncle and Mender's neighbors. They own a dairy farm. They employ Burnaby and Cabot.

Cabot

Twenty-year-old Cabot likes Celia. As have the others, twenty-year-old Cabot has been through some rough times and he has chosen to hang on to his anger and lash out at others. He is the villain, and his behaviors are a perfect example of a budding abusive relationship.

I LOVED Sugar Birds: A Novel by Cheryl Grey Bostrom

I am rarely able to read a book in a matter of 2-3 days. Not only did I read this in 2 days, I stayed up last night after 2:00 am trying to get to the end. I wanted to learn who survived and whether or not some of them didn't. Granted, I'm on vacation so it was an easier decision to stay up many hours past my bedtime. But I'm not so sure I would have put the book down even if I had to work the next morning. Not only were the characters interesting, but the descriptions of the setting painted the picture perfectly.

I do not feel that I've been able to review this book as it deserves. I hope you will take a peek at it on Amazon for not only the long list of awards this book has received, but the reviews from the other readers.

If you read Where the Crawdads Sing and loved it, you'll enjoy this story.

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Sunday, July 3, 2022

Affordable Warm Sherpa Comforter and Shams - A Personal Review

Recently we had to add another sleeping area to our home. We have five bedrooms already, and hadn't anticipated needing a sixth!

Our basement isn't finished; it's only partitioned and has all the electrical hooked up. I decided to use one of the unfinished basement rooms to create an extra sleeping area.

The "Hippie Bedroom"

That's what we call it; the Hippie Bedroom. It's genuinely a hippie room, with comforters nailed to all the walls and extra furniture that gives the space a bedroom feel. We've also added a TV, Fan, and Portable Heater.

It's a funny-looking mish-mash, but it solves a problem and, believe it or not, is actually cozy.

A Warm Comforter with Matching Shams

Since the central air conditioner can make that space quite cool, even cold, I wanted a comforter that looked sleek but had warmth.

I wasn't seeking anything decorative; however, as you can see from the photo below, it's pretty.

Warm Sherpa Comforter with Matching Shams

At the foot of the bed is an extra blanket, purchased separately

I Do Recommend This Soft Micromink Sherpa Comforter Bed Set - It's Good Value for the Money

This set comes with a comforter, and two shams (1 Sham for twin sets, I presume)
It's available in multiple color choices
For us, it arrived quickly
It's available in sizes Full/Queen, King, and Twin
It's a nice quality
It's warm

Make shift hippie bedroom with warm sherpa comforter set

Check out this make-shift Hippie Bedroom! The Sherpa blanket adds more warmth
The blanket at the end of the bed is an extra blanket, purchased separately

This bedroom set would be ideal for a guest room or a room that's not particularly warm. It would even be suitable for a child's room. Since it's not that pricy, it's a set that can safely take a little bit of use or overuse without too much risk.

You can find this set on Amazon here.

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Saturday, July 2, 2022

The World of Granny Squares – a Craft Review

Granny Squares are a popular crochet motif worked in rounds from the center outward.

Each motif is created separately, then joined together to make a finished item. Traditionally, granny squares were used to make afghans, but they also make great patchwork scarves, purses, shawls and a wide variety of items.

The traditional granny square was designed by a Mrs. Phelps in 1885. It was published in the Prairie Farmer, which is the oldest magazine publication in America. Based in Chicago, it has served the Illinois farmer for over 175 years.

The Traditional Granny Square

This square motif has many variations. The traditional one is a double-crochet square made by using a series of chains and double-crocheted blocks. The most familiar granny square is, of course, square. But by using different stitch types, other geometric shapes, such as hexagons, can be produced. Crocheting granny squares are also a fun and quick way to try out different crochet stitches.

Dozens of books, articles and YouTube videos are available to teach you the variations of this familiar motif.

Examples of Granny Square Garments:

The most well known granny square example is the traditional afghan. I can well remember the one my grandmother had (made by HER mother; my 'Banny'). The granny squares were joined together with black yarn, which was the traditional way originally. That afghan sat on the back of my grandmother's couch for my entire childhood. I can recall many a visit where I would curl up on the couch with that afghan. An example is shown below:

Granny square afghan

This retro Granny Square afghan is a 1970s crochet pattern featured by Pearl in her Etsy Shop PearlShoreCat. This vintage pattern is available as an instant digital download. Give your home décor a vintage look-from-grandma's-time with this classic blanket throw.

Purses are a popular way to use granny squares. ….

Shoulder Bag created in crochet in a granny square pattern

Lauren of MoonageCrochet on Etsy used the hexagonal style of granny squares to create this gorgeous shoulder bag.

Shawls are also a well known way to use the granny square motifs.

Granny squares were used to create this colorful long patchwork-look winter scarf. It is featured in the Etsy Shop MyCottonAccessories.

Summary

As you can see in the featured items above, you can create just about anything using crocheted Granny Squares. A time-honored technique that is always stylish.

The World of Granny Squares Craft Review was written by Wednesday Elf

For more Craft Reviews, check out

ReviewThisCrafts.com

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Friday, July 1, 2022

Clear Bathroom Countertop Tray Review

When Barbara (Brite-Ideas) recently reviewed her cosmetic storage holder, I was reminded of my own difficult search for a clear bathroom countertop tray. Over several days, I looked at different products seeking the right size. I was surprised at how hard it was to find a simple countertop tray deep enough to hold bottles & containers.

I wanted something clear because I wanted it to compliment any decor changes I might make. Plus, clear won't discolor if it gets wet and I can easily see the contents at a glance.

Since I wanted to place hairspray, lotions and cleaners in it, I needed higher sides than most bathroom countertop trays have. I wanted to simply be able to pick up the entire tray with contents when cleaning the countertops without spilling or dropping anything.

When I finally found one, I was so thrilled with how much easier it made my cleaning life, I purchased a tray for my husband and our son. They need to be able to keep their daily used deodorants, shave cremes, aftershave, and colognes handy too without making cleaning a harder task. It is so easy to just pickup the tray and wipe underneath everything all at once.

The trays I selected are listed as drawer organizers. I have no doubt they make excellent drawer organizers, but they are also fabulous bathroom countertop trays. The 2" sides are just tall enough to keep the contents stable when I pick up the tray, but short enough that intentional removal is easy.

The iDesign Clarity Organizer Tray

iDesign Clarity Plastic Drawer Organizer, Storage Container for Silverware, Utensils, Kitchen Gadgets in Pantry, Cabinets, & CountertopsCheck PriceThe trays are available in several sizes, but I chose the trays that are 12"W x 4"D x 2"H.

This size is perfect for my hairspray, daily face cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen, and a few other hair and make-up items. The tray is long, which is really nice, but slender enough that it is pretty much out of the way, leaving a neat, open countertop appearance.

The trays are also easy to wash or wipe clean when needed.

There are many places throughout the house where these trays would be handy, not just the bathroom countertop. I'm sure they would be wonderful home office organizing trays, kitchen trays, or even craft room organizers.

This clear bathroom countertop tray would be the perfect companion for the cosmetic storage holder previously recommended by Brite-Ideas here on Review This Reviews.

Thursday, June 30, 2022

How to Recharge Auto Air Conditioning

Holy heat wave, Batman! On the hottest day of the year so far here in the Desert Southwest, I discovered something I never want to do again: drive for twelve hours straight without A/C (with the temperature right at 100 degrees). There's nothing that will melt your superpowers faster (and I was on a rescue trip at the time).

What's a girl to do? Thankfully, you don't need to call in a superhero, aka mechanic, when you can easily solve the problem with an affordable, easy-to-use A/C Pro air conditioning recharge kit. Best ten minutes and $37 I have spent this summer. Here's a quick DIY tutorial on how you, too, can beat the heat by knowing how to recharge your vehicle's air conditioning system.

AC Pro for recharging auto air conditioning

Step 1: Purchase the right kind of A/C refrigerant for your vehicle. Most vehicles after 1990 use R-134a (which complies with the EPA Clean Air Act). Check your vehicle's maintenance manual, or find the sticker under the hood, to verify. After reading online product reviews, and watching YouTube videos, I decided to go with the bestselling A/C Pro recharge kit. This kit is sold at automotive stores, Amazon, Walmart, and many other retail locations.

find the low pressure service port on your vehicle

Step 2: Find the low pressure service port in your vehicle's engine. If you're not sure where to look for it, download the A/C Pro app for specific information linked to your car or truck model year. Mine was easy to find (a blue cap with an "L" imprinted on it).

Step 3: Start your engine. Set A/C to its maximum cooling level and recirculation mode (with fan on highest setting).

Step 4: Place hose coupler on low pressure service port and press down. It will click into place and lock down securely.

Step 5: Check gauge to determine if your vehicle's A/C system is low on refrigerant. My gauge reading indicated I needed a major fill (it was on zero).

Step 6: If low, remove coupler from the service port. Unscrew gauge/hose assembly from the new can of A/C Pro. Unscrew the protective shipping tab on the top of the dispenser. Screw gauge/hose back on the refrigerant can. (Be sure to wear protective gear: gloves and safety goggles.)

Step 7: Affix hose coupler to low pressure service port. Hold can upright. Squeeze dispenser trigger to begin filling A/C system with refrigerant. While squeezing the trigger, move the can from a 12 o'clock position back and forth to a 3 o'clock position (to keep the contents mixed and flowing properly). Release the trigger after about ten seconds.

Step 8: Check the gauge to see if the needle is in the green filled section. Do not overfill! If the level is still low, repeat step seven. If filled to the mid part of the green section, you are done. Check the air temperature coming out of the vents inside your car. My air was perfectly chilled at this point.

Step 9: Remove the coupler from the service port. Replace the port cap. Turn off your engine and close the hood.

I cannot even begin to express the satisfaction I felt to have solved this common air conditioning issue so quickly and so cheaply. You should have seen the big smile on my face. Not only did I save at least $100 with this DIY fix, but I learned how to keep myself out of a dangerous situation in the future.

It would be smart for all of us to keep a canister of A/C Pro in our vehicles' emergency supply kits. I am totally sold on this product and highly recommend it. It's not just about comfort. Heat kills. I have lost count of the number of heartbreaking articles I have read this week about individuals, especially children, who have died in hot vehicles. Incredibly tragic.

You never know when you might be called upon to provide assistance with something you keep in your vehicle for emergencies. My recent rescue trip was all about rendering aid to a young family broken down roadside in excessive heat (in a remote area without services). With this weighing on my mind and heart, I wanted to share a product that I now consider essential. Let's all be safe out there!

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Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Summertime and Playtime Go Together For the Whole Family

For most of us Summertime is just what we need to get us moving a little bit more! That being said, it's also a time when family's get together more often for BBQ's and some fun!

We spent the last weekend at my son's cottage and had some really good time with two of our three grandchildren. The third one was busy at a Horse Show.

So we made the most of the time we had with the two younger ones!

Cottage life is so different from everyday life in the city. It's time to relax, enjoy the outdoors and just reconnect with our loved ones.

My son makes sure the kids have more outdoor time and less "electronic" time especially when at the cottage. Plus sometimes the power goes out, so there is no electricity to run those hand held games. That is exactly what happened when we were there. No power, so we had to make our own brand of fun.

Enter Granddad's great idea for a fun time without the need for power.

We are always looking for things that the kids can do while at the cottage. Things that make them think, explore, observe and best of all move out into the wilds! Board games are great, but sometimes you just need to get some of that pent up energy released!

We found a great way to do just that with a Badminton Set that is so easy to set up and take down again.

No need to bang in posts or mark out where those posts should go. Just set it up and you are ready to go! Of course I'm talking about recreational badminton and not professional status. This is meant for fun only!

Do you want to see how easy this set is? Well I'll tell you I was impressed with how quickly this was done! Granddad checked out the instructions just to see if there was a hidden surprise in there. Like some difficulty that was NOT expected. Well I'm happy to report that there were no hidden surprises of any kind and it was as advertised, easy to set up!

The net is pressure fitted onto the frame and stands up on it's own in minutes. Just put the base together (everything slides together), attach the net and you are ready to go! Grab a racket and shuttlecock and you are ready to play. Make up your own rules if you really want to have some fun! (Like first one to get a rally of 10 or more hits, gets the first popsicle) You get the idea....

The beauty is that all you need is a flat surface to set up on and when you are done, it goes back into the box as quickly as it was set up or you can make it into a self caddy. Not only good at the cottage, but if you go camping or to the beach this Badminton set is a great take along. It comes with 4 rackets and 2 shuttlecocks, the net and the frame. It has instructions as well, but even a child could put this together in minutes.

What has us so excited about this set, is that even in our apartment, we could take this set outdoors and play on the grounds around our building. I bet that when our neighbors see us having some fun, they would be interested in joining us for some great outdoor fun and exercise time.

Badminton when played at a recreational pace is not so tiresome that us "older" kids can't join in the fun. It might even do our older bones some good to get them moving about! Just think about all the stretching and bending to get our joints moving! Of course after all this playing is done, you can relax with your favorite beverage (you deserve it now)!

Don't let this summer pass you by without making some time for some fun in the great outdoors.