Review This Reviews!

Friday, May 19, 2023

Lipton Cold Brew Iced Black Tea Bags Review

A few months back, my husband's uncle invited us to dinner. He is an excellent cook and we thoroughly enjoyed the meal.

He served delicious tea with the dinner, which I drank without adding any sweetener. However, I did sweeten my second glass of tea. It was tasty both ways.

The brew was the perfect strength. When he told us how he made it, I was shocked. I couldn't believe it was cold brew, meaning it was made in cold water and not boiled.

When the uncle came to dinner at our home a few weeks later, he was sweet enough to gift me with a box of the Lipton Cold Brew Iced Black Tea Bags. I have made it several times since and my husband loves it.

The one thing I, personally, miss is the smell of brewed tea, but the taste is still delicious.

Iced tea is always a welcome and wonderful compliment for meals.

Lipton Cold Brew Iced Black Tea Bags

The 4.8 oz box contains 22 large (family size) tea bags. The box states that you use 2 bags in 8 cups of cold water. However, my glass pitcher only holds 6 cups of water and I still use the 2 bags. It is the perfect strength when made that way.

Allow it to "cold brew" for 5 minutes. My husband's uncle did tell us that he has left it for 15 or 20 minutes and can tell no difference for the longer time.

Cold brew tea does contain caffeine, but is generally considered to only have about half the caffeine of boiled black tea. There are no artificial flavors or sweeteners added to Lipton Cold Brew Tea.

It is also available in decaf.

Lipton, Cold Brew Family Size Iced Tea Bags (Pack of 4)Check Price Lipton Black Tea Bags, Cold Brew, Decaf, 22 ctCheck Price

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Oats Based Breakfast Ideas That Include Fruit & Vegetables

Images of oat based breakfasts like proats, overnight oats and oatmeal bake

Photos by Lou16, template by Canva

I absolutely love oats for breakfast, for years I had porridge every morning until I was introduced to proats. I think proats is probably my favourite breakfast, although I've recently discovered an oatmeal bake which is absolutely amazing.

Sometimes, in Queensland, it's too hot to eat proats so one of my alternative oat-based options is overnight oats.

I like to make sure I increase the nutritional content of these meals by adding a couple of servings of fruit and vegetables to them. Starting the day with fruit and vegetables helps you to hit your daily target. Let's review how you can do that with each of these three meal ideas.

Proats with Cauliflower!

Yes, you heard correctly and if you're anything like me when you read that you probably thought cauliflower for breakfast - you're crazy! I actually really enjoy it though so let me take you through how I make it.

First of all, I've been enjoying proats for years using just oats and when I was told I could substitute the oats for cauliflower I was NOT going to do that, however, I did decide I would try adding a little bit of cauliflower to my oats and take it from there.

2/3 cup oats
1/3 cup frozen cauliflower rice
2 scoops Arbonne protein powder (if you use a different brand then this may need to be adjusted, it's basically one serving)
1 2/3 cup water (you can use milk of your own choice and also adapt the amount if you prefer your proats a different consistency)
1 tsp nut butter (optional)

Add the oats and the cauliflower to a bowl next put the liquid and protein powder into a shaker and shake. This ensures you don't get lumps in your proats so please don't skip this step.

Add the protein shake to the oats mixture and mix well.

Pop into the microwave for 2 mins, take out and stir well, then put back in for 1 minute.

If you're adding nut butter pop it in now and then stir really well before putting it in a bowl to serve.

I top it with fruit and seeds ie cherries and pumpkin seeds or strawberries with sunflower and flaxseeds.

Now I wouldn't personally want to add more than a third of cauliflower to my oats and I will admit you can taste the cauliflower, but I actually don't mind the flavour I think it goes well together, especially for chocolate or mocha flavour oats. Vanilla oats don't disguise the cauliflower flavour nearly as well, in my opinion.

Overnight Oats

I love making my overnight oats, but most of my recipes only used to contain fruit and no vegetables, as I was scrolling Instagram one day I came across a carrot cake overnight oats recipe and had to give it a go. I didn't really like it to be honest, but I did love the idea of having carrots for my breakfast so I experimented and remembered that my husband's secret ingredient when he makes carrot cake is pineapple so...check out my carrot cake overnight oat recipe that I DO like.

2/3 cup oats
1 small carrot, grated
1 tbsp chia seeds
a small handful of frozen pineapple
2 scoops Arbonne vanilla protein powder
2/3 cup DF milk (I like to use oat milk)
1/3 cup coconut yogurt
1 tbsp nut butter (I use almond)
dash of cinnamon

Topping

Yogurt & pumpkin seeds

Combine the oats, carrot, chia seeds, protein powder, cinnamon and pineapple together in a container and give a quick stir. Now add the milk and coconut yogurt and mix together really well. Place in the fridge overnight.

In the morning roughly spread your nut butter on the top and then add the yogurt or see below for the bonus recipe and use my protein-enhanced yogurt (this is what I prefer to use. Originally I tried using just one scoop of protein in the base layer and the other scoop in the yogurt layer, but one scoop in the base leaves it tasting a little bland it definitely needs the full 2 scoops).

Finally, sprinkle the pumpkin seeds on the top and enjoy!

Oatmeal Bake

There's no way I can think (just yet anyway) how to add any vegetables into this bake, but it does contain a couple of serves of fruit and it tastes delicious. I find it super easy to prepare and pop into the oven as I do a few other jobs before it's time to eat. Here's the recipe, let me know if you try it:

1 banana
3/4 cup unsweetened plant milk
1 cup oats
1/2 tbsp baking powder
1 tbsp chia seeds
1/2 cup frozen berries

I make this all in the pie dish that I am going to cook it in so that there are fewer dishes to wash! So, after turning the oven on to preheat at 180C, mash the banana then add the oats, baking powder, chia seeds and plant milk. Stir it all together well before adding your frozen berries and mixing them in well (I've tried lots of different versions and prefer using mixed berries).

When the oven has come up to temperature pop the oat mixture in for 20 minutes or until golden brown on top. Voila! It's finished and tastes delicious. You can eat it by itself or add a dollop of yogurt on the top - my personal favourite way is by adding some of my protein-enhanced yogurt (sometimes a few fresh berries on top as well).

Bonus Recipe

Well not really a bonus recipe, but here's how I make my protein-enhanced yogurt. I basically take a scoop of Arbonne's vanilla protein powder and a very generous dollop (or two) of coconut yogurt and mix them together. The result is a sweeter flavoured, protein-packed yogurt that is great on the bake above, or on top of pancakes or waffles. I have even mixed fresh berries through this and eaten it as a snack.

Image of a delicious bowl of proats, just one of the 3 oats based breakfast ideas mentioned

Photo by Lou16, Template by Canva

FOLLOW US ON:

Wednesday, May 17, 2023

Safety and Aging Go Hand in Hand ~ A Product Review

For anyone who has had to look after an aging relative or even an aging spouse, you know that the most important thing from day to day is a person's safety.

While our loved ones may still be able to do many things, there are also many that they can no longer do for themselves. So as their caregivers we need to make sure that their independence and safety come first and foremost.

We took my mother into our home at the end of February and since then have made many small changes that has resulted in her being able to do some things for herself . This helps her with her self-esteem! The more we can help her be independent, the less she will suffer from Depression.

One of the major things we needed to do was to make sure that her night-time routines would be easier for her and for us as well.

Nightlights became a "must have"! She has one in her bedroom and one in the bathroom. What I love about these nightlights is that they don't cast such a glow as to interfere with her sleep, yet when it is dark at night, they illuminate her surroundings enough that she can make out a clear path to her bathroom.

We were talking with many representatives about services and tools that are useful for seniors. They gave us a great list of things we could do to make my mother's situation as good as it can be.

The second part of this safety lesson for us, was having something that she can hold onto when getting up out of bed. It's difficult at the best of times for the elderly to get safely from their beds to the bathroom, but when they also have lightheadedness, it is even more critical to make their trip to the loo, an easy, and safe journey.

This may be of great help for you in whatever situation you might find yourself. It is a simple bed frame that is firmly attached to the box spring on the bed. It offers a rail that can be held onto until they get their feet under them. It stabilizes them until they can take that first step or two after getting up!

My mother loves this rail and uses it even through the day when she feels the need for a little extra support. It has a non-slip covering that is soft on "old hands". This is the Amazon Choice for bed rails, but in our case it was also the one most recommended by Senior's Occupational Health and Safety. It is not terribly expensive and gives us so much piece of mind. Because of the relative costs for her safety and depending on your own situation, you could install these rails on either side of the bed or on both sides for that little bit of extra safety and security.

In our case one rail was enough as her bed is on a wall on the other side. There is only one way into her bed and one way out! We are so pleased with this purchase because it makes our lives easier knowing that she is safely tucked into her bed at night, but that should she need to get up, she can do so in a manner that doesn't put her at risk of falling!

In the description of this item it says that it takes 2 minutes to install and I thought to myself, that for sure it was an exaggeration. Well, I was wrong! It really did only takes a few minutes to have this bed rail installed and ready for use. Over all both my husband and I are so pleased with this purchase and my mother loves it as well.

Aging is not easy as every day brings some new challenges, but with the right tools, everyday life can be made easier!

Here's to keeping our loved ones safe and secure in their later years.

You can read more about safety and seniors in my other review:

Wonderful Tools to Help You Age Gracefully

FOLLOW US ON:

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

Reviewing My Experience Of Bamboo Sheets And Bedding Sets

We started using bamboo bedding a couple of years ago. Prior to this, we had cotton sheets in summer and fleece bedding in winter.

However, since I had a severe skin allergy and perimenopause my skin has become super sensitive and I cannot bear anything but the most silky soft materials next to it.

So I was finding our old cotton sheets a bit too crisp and a little irritating and even itchy. The winter soft fleecy sheets were still OK but too warm and unbearable to use in the spring and summer.

People often skimp on good bedding as it is not something people usually see but it is vital for our health. A good comfortable sleep is so important to our emotional and physical well-being. So I started researching alternatives and found that Bamboo bedding has become increasingly popular in the last ten or so years. Given the benefits of Bamboo bedding, we decided to try them.

Our Experience of Sleeping on Bamboo Sheets and Pillowcases.

I was incredibly happy the very first night with the bamboo sheets, duvet cover and pillowcases. They are so silky soft to the touch and did not irritate my skin at all. The pillowcases were lovely so soft and comfortable and had a nice cool feel to them against my face.

It was a real pleasure to get into bed and an added bonus was that they seemed to regulate heat better.

My husband sleeps naturally cold and in recent years I have been throwing sheets and covers off me in the night due to getting too hot.

However using Bamboo bedding for the sheets, duvet cover and pillowcases my husband is warm enough and while I cannot say I am completely cured of the night heat, it is significantly better.

We have bought them gradually and currently have two sets consisting of a duvet cover, a fitted sheet and two pillowcases, one is a light grey and one dark grey. Over time I would like four sets a white one and another dark grey or a soft colour so I can mix and match them.

Why Is Bamboo Bedding A Good Choice

If we are concerned about sustainability and being friendly to the planet bamboo bedding can be a sensible choice.

It grows very quickly and is a renewable resource that needs little water to grow. So if recurrent drought is going to be a factor in our future this is helpful.

Being naturally pest resistant it does not require harmful pesticides to grow as a crop which is helpful to the creatures in nature and ourselves.

Bamboo is resistant to dust mites, mildew and mould which is great for those of us who have to deal with sensitive, allergic skin or asthma.

I have found that the sizes easily fit our bed, duvet and pillows and with the Bamboo being so lightweight and easy to handle it is an easy task to make the bed. Ours came with a zip to close the duvet which is quick and easy and the sheets have an additional elastic strap and elastic edging, making it simple to fit and they never slip during the night. The pillowcases are a simple envelope fitting large enough to cover our pillows easily.

Our Bamboo bedding is very lightweight and folds into a remarkably small package so even in a larger King size it does not take up much room in the linen cupboard.

Also now I have found bedding that works for us, if like me, you like to take your own bedding with you on trips away and holidays it is possible to do that.

Tafts Bamboo Sheets Queen Size Bed Sheet Set, Pure 100% Organic Bamboo Viscose, 17 Inch Deep Pockets – Luxuriously Soft, Silky, Cooling Sheets, Double Stitched, Lifetime Quality Guarantee (Green)

Care Of Bamboo Bedding

As I change our bedding at least once a week I need sheets and covers that are quick and easy to wash and dry all year round.

Bamboo bedding fulfills these criteria easily. I simply put them in a 30-degree delicates machine wash. They are beautifully clean and washing at this low temperature saves electricity costs.

For drying I hang on the washing line whenever it s not raining or hang over a clothes horse inside with the window open or our dehumidifier on and they dry very quickly.

I have also put them in the tumble dryer on occasion on delicate and they come out lovely, though I do not do this often due to the cost of running a tumble dryer these days!

Whichever method you use to dry them there is no need to iron them which is a welcome bonus and they come out perfectly silky soft and gorgeous.

We have had our two sets for a couple of years now and they still look like new. Granted they are more expensive than our other sheets but they are stronger and look and feel significantly better for longer. They have not developed any holes or uncomfortable bobbles. If anything they feel softer now than they originally did and look beautiful on the bed.

Pure Bamboo - Sheets Queen Bed Sheet Set, Genuine 100% Organic Bamboo Viscose, Luxuriously Soft & Cooling, Double Stitching, 16" Deep Pockets, Lifetime Quality Promise (Queen, Ivory)

So in my experience, Bamboo bedding is a great find and something we will continue to use for our sheets, duvet covers and pillowcases.

It is one of the more eco-friendly choices, easy care, good for allergy sufferers and sensitive skin, beautiful to look at and feels so gorgeous against the skin.

They are incredibly comfortable and soothing to sleep on and have made a huge difference to our sleep comfort.

Find More Product Reviews On Review This Reviews Here At

ReviewThisProductReviews.com

FOLLOW US ON:

Monday, May 15, 2023

Book Review: You Let Me Go by Eliza Graham

I recently finished reading You Let Me Go by Eliza Graham and am still thinking about the characters and setting. Beloved grandmother Rozenn passes away quietly and while knowing that she is leaving a will that she could not explain to her two precious granddaughters. Rozenn leaves her beautiful home on the Helord estuary in Cornwall to Gwen and it appears nothing is left to Morane. Why would their grandmother, who clearly adored them both, drive this wedge between them?

"It's not the first time Rozenn has torn her family apart. Something heavy and round presses into her palm. The silver compass. Her guide through the next leg of her voyage? A mist lowers over her eyes. For the last time she looks out of the window at the water - green, grey and blue all at once, glittering in the sunlight."

The story begins with Rozenn quietly passing in her home Vue Claire. Then the story line alternates between Morane's life in the present and Rozenn's life in the 1940s. Both voices are strong and take us into their world.

Morane struggles mightily with her current situation - a broken relationship, starting over, and trying to salvage her business. Her career. Then adding to that the heartbreak of her grandmother's passing with all the second-guessing that might come from being left out of a will. Morane tries her best to be strong and to accept her grandmother's wishes. But it weighs on her and she wants to understand what caused her grandmother to make this decision.

Rozenn's story starts in Paris with her parents, brother, and eventually her twin sister joins the family. Her father is a doctor and they live in financial comfort and privilege.

"Maman was in the salon with a magazine, distracting herself with photographs of clothes, one of many Parisiennes trying to persuade themselves that early June in Paris was just as it had always been."

Paris was occupied by Germany at that time and things were changing for everyone. Resources were becoming scarce. Young men were forced into labor and Jewish families were taken away. Rozenn's family relocates to Brittany, trying to hide her brother Yann from the Germans.

I LOVED this story. The stress of the occupation, the sadness of a grandmother's passing, and the difficulties caused by family secrets were present but somehow lightened by the descriptions of the settings and the love family members had for one another. Sometimes dual storylines can become confusing. But in this case Ms. Graham pulled me in to each setting so completely that I swore I could smell the water and hear the waves crashing in that coastal village. And feel the peaceful setting of Vu Claire - designed by an adult Rozenn.

FYI for Book Lovers - Readers Coffeehouse on Facebook

I had won this book during one of the Great Big Giveaways at Readers Coffeehouse. Readers Coffeehouse is a Facebook group page for people who love reading. The page organizers enforce a "positive" atmosphere where readers are encourage to share what they currently are reading or recommend. Negative reviews are highly discouraged (frankly, I don't see that they are allowed at all).

Some authors choose to give copies of their books away on this page. However, once a year there is an enormous book giveaway. For the day, authors make a post about their book and members leave a comment. The winner for each book is chosen from the comments. Hundreds of books are given away in this manner. It is in this way that I won a copy of You Let Me Go by Eliza Graham.

If you use Facebook and would enjoy an upbeat place to see what others are reading, I encourage you to check out Readers Coffeehouse.

FOLLOW US ON:

Sunday, May 14, 2023

How to Prevent a Door Handle From Hitting a Mirrored Closet

Anti-Collision Bumpers for Door Handles into Mirrored Closets

In 2015 I featured this door-stop hinge as a solution for preventing a door handle from crashing into a mirrored closet door.

We've used the hinge since then; however, over the years, we've discovered that pushing the door too hard leaves marks and slightly gouges the door.

While repainting all the bedrooms, we opted for a different anti-collision solution.

These two simple items don't require any installation or assembly.

These Door Bumper Gadgets Are Ideal for Most Lever Style Door Handles Only

Bumpers to protect mirrored closets from doors hitting them

As noted in the above photo, I discovered two gadgets to replace the door hinge stopper I was using.

1. Suction Cup Slide On Silicone Door Bumper:

This bumper slides onto your lever door handle and offers enough distance to stop the handle from crashing into the mirrored closet.

It's a suction cup, so yes, it does suction onto the mirror. If you prefer to always have a door held open, then this is the better option.

A slight tug will easily break the suction so you can close the door.

Yes, it will leave a slight suction cup mark on your mirror, but honestly, it was barely noticeable. I used it for over a month until I switched to the other non-suction bumper featured in the picture.

Why did I switch? With people opening and closing that door quite often, I didn't want it suctioning off and on the mirror all the time.

Check it out in more detail in the photo featured below:

Available on Amazon

2. Smaller Silicone Lever Door Bumper to Protect Mirrored Closets (Without a Suction Cup)

This bumper is smaller but works very well.

It's easy to use; simply slide it onto the lever-style door handle using one of the holes.

Our lever handles aren't waved or curled, so I used the smaller hole to ensure it was snug and wouldn't slip off.

Despite the smaller bumper, it still fully protects the door from hitting the mirror.

Note: The ones I purchased from Amazon Canada were slightly bigger (one of the circles was .9inches versus .8inches in the Amazon link provided below).

Check it out in the photo below:

Bumpers to protect mirrored closets from door handles

Available on Amazon

Another Option I Could Have Done, But Opted Against:

You can get longer door stops; you know, the door stop that all walls have to protect door handles from hitting the wall.

In this case, you would install the door stop on the door itself, and when someone opens the door, the stop will extend passed the door handle and stop against the mirror.

No, I didn't want door stops slamming into the glass. So "no" to this one!

Added Bonus: A Handy Headboard Hack Using the Silicone Suction Cup Bumpers

The headboard on one of our beds always wiggles and bumps the wall. We've adjusted it several times, but it still happens.

I solved the problem by estimating the distance between the headboard and the wall, then cutting the suction cup bumper to fit and putting it between the wall and the headboard. It acts as a barrier. It's solid! The bed no longer bangs the wall when you turn over!

Tips for the Headboard Hack:

If you do this, be sure to cut them longer, then trim them to fit - make it so you have to force it in a bit
Put the suction cup portion on the wall
They don't have to be in the same spot on both sides of the bed - walls may not be level, so simply put them where they will best grab the bed and the wall on each side.

Check it out in the photo below:

Warning: If you have little kids or pets, be cautious with these smaller gadget suggestions. In fact, if I had little kids and/or pets, I would stick with my original suggestion, a door hinge stopper.

FOLLOW US ON:

Saturday, May 13, 2023

Visit Your Relatives Day – A Holiday Review

National Visit Your Relatives Day is celebrated yearly on May 18.

A Holiday Celebrating Family

Having recently returned from a visit to two of my grown children in two different states, along with their families, I was intrigued to discover the delightful holiday known as Visit Your Relatives Day. And I highly recommend visiting family, both your close nuclear family and extended family.

So many events occur in family life – weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, new baby, graduations, etc. - each become more special when family can celebrate together.

Grandson and his G-Ma

On my recent visit, not only did I get to see my daughter and her husband in one city, but my daughter & I then traveled together to a nearby state to visit her brother and his family. The main feature of the trip was to celebrate my grandson's 21st birthday.

In years past, families generally lived near each other, making spending time together fairly easy. Today's lifestyles tend to take family members in many directions, with siblings and parents, aunts & uncles, cousins and grandparents living vast miles apart. Therefore, having a holiday to celebrate visiting family is a nice reminder to find ways to spend time together.

Family Visits

With today's technology of cell phones, video calls, and the internet, it is easier than ever to 'keep in touch' with family on a regular basis with video calls and email.

But there really is no substitute for actual face to face interaction. Physical contact with our relatives both near and far is important to our health and well-being. It is also marvelous to be able to reconnect with each other and celebrate our memories and shared history.

Summary

Virtual communication is a long-distance treat between real-time visits, but there is really nothing that replaces an actual hug from a grandparent, holding your sibling's new baby in your arms, or being there in person to share your grandchild's birthday.

So, on National Visit Your Relatives Day, reach out to a relative in any way you can, and always keep in touch.

National Visit Your Relatives Day
May 18

For More Holiday Reviews, Check out ReviewThisReviews: Holidays

The Relatives CameCheck Price Visiting FamilyCheck Price

*Holiday Review of National Visit Your Relatives Day is written by Wednesday Elf

FOLLOW US ON:

Friday, May 12, 2023

SentrySafe Safe Box Lock Box Review

When our daughter went to college, we made sure she had a lock box for her spending cash and jewelry.

One of our biggest concerns about dorm living is that she wouldn't know all of her roommates. She was allowed to request one roommate, but the other two would be assigned. Plus, they would all have guests visiting the dorm room. Again, they would be students they had just met on campus.

Our daughter didn't have expensive jewelry or a lot of cash. Mostly, she had her class ring and cash for the laundromat. We made sure she had several rolls of quarters so she could use the washing machines. Ironically, the quarters were highly sought after.

Something we did not think about in advance, was is the need to lock up her wallet, car keys and computer flash drives when she went to the swimming pool or gym. That little lock box turned out to be an essential item for her dorm room.

Yes, someone could carry off the entire box, but they would not be able to slip it in their pocket like you could keys, cash, or flash drives.

After graduation, she was able to continuing using that box for her passport, birth certificate, etc. The SentrySafe lock box adds the additional protection for those documents by being fireproof and waterproof for an hour.

The only downside that we have found with the box is that it is heavy. However, since she rarely lifted it, that was not a problem. Better to have the fire and water protection than to have a lighter weight lock box.

Because she had so many uses for this lock box at college and afterwards, we also purchased one for our son when he went to college.

SentrySafe Fireproof and Waterproof Safe BoxCheck PriceSentry Safe Lock Box

We opted for the smaller lock box since it was plenty large enough for their needs.

Key Lock
Exterior: 14.3" depth x 15.4" wide x 6.6" high
Interior: 12.8" x 8.5" x 4.4"
Fireproof for 1 hour (depending on temperature)
Waterproof for 72 hrs. of submersion
Approximately 27lbs.
Made in Mexico
Great for Dorm Rooms or Home
Perfect for Under the Bed Storage

For a full college dorm room checklist, click here!

Thursday, May 11, 2023

Review of Spring Flowers 2023

I love photography and, in the springtime, flowers make particularly great subjects. Each year I have been trying to post some of my favorite flowers from that year. In this post I will highlight some of my favorites from 2023. The photo above is of some daffodils in one of our city parks. It was taken in early March when they were just starting to bloom and since it was a rather cloudy morning the blossoms were "bowing down" waiting to be warmed by the sun.

A Few Tips for Photographing Spring Flowers

Cloudy days are great for showing off the colors in the flowers.

Right after a rainstorm you can get some great photos including raindrops on the flowers.
Be sure to get some closeups and some wider shots of a grouping of flowers.

Look for unusual angles.
Set your aperture to blur out the backgrounds.
Don't forget to photograph the beautiful blossoms in trees as you see in the photo above and the one below.

I like taking photos of the buds of a flower and then of the fully opened bloom.

Flowers around my Neighborhood

The great part about spring flowers for me is that I don't even have to travel far. I can find lots of spring blooms in my own yard or on my neighborhood walks.