One of the most recent sites I’ve come upon that CSN Stores owns is Swing Sets & More. With summer right around the corner plenty of parents will be planning some new toys and outdoor furniture to keep their kids busy and provide them with some healthy fun in the sun. This is just one way that Swing Sets & More will be helpful to shoppers as summer weather approaches.

While swingsets are the primary purpose of the Swingsets & More website (they offer metal, plastic, and wooden swingsets), there are plenty of other items available that your kids (and some adults) will be sure to enjoy! Along with the swingsets, you can find trampolines, playhouses, and even above ground pools!

Visit Swingsets & More today to find specials and sales on trampolines and sandboxes.

In the meantime, be sure to check back in the coming weeks to see our review of one of the many CSN Stores to find out what we picked for review and our thoughts on the purchasing and shipping process when you buy from CSN Stores.

Technorati Tags: CSN Stores, Swingsets and More, Online Shopping, Sandbox, Trampoline, Play Tent, Sale, Teaser, Review

Oneida Stainless Pro Series – Stainless Steel Multi-Pot
The Oneida Stainless Steel Multi-pot is such an awesome part of the kitchen that I wanted to use it as soon as I unwrapped it from the packaging. Whether you’re making pasta, steaming some vegetables, or making a delicious winter soup, Oneida and the Stainless Steel Multi-pot have got you covered. This is the first multi-pot I have owned and I knew I was going to love it from the moment I started using it. Cooking is a breeze no matter what you make with this pot. Just drop your pasta into the colander and you can cook and drain it all in the same pot. Steaming vegetables has also never been easier. Oneida gives you plenty of excuses to make family-style meals that the whole family can enjoy, all in one pot.

You can learn more about the Oneida Stainless Steel Multipot at the Oneida website. You should be able to find this where fine kitchen products are sold online or offline. It currently has a list price of under $70 on Amazon.

Cuisine Foundations: The Chefs of Le Cordon Bleu
It doesn’t seem to matter whether you know how to cook or you’d just prefer to eat, most people are familiar with the Le Cordon Bleu name and reputation. This is one of the reasons that I am thrilled to recommend Cuisine Foundations. Sold in a box set, you receive two books that will take any cook and make them a chef, if only for a meal. Not only that, but if you can’t cook this will be sure to propel you to at least a basic cook status.

If you have no cooking knowledge reading or looking through Cuisine Foundations can be a daunting task, but if you read and follow the basic instructions you will find that cooking is easier than you ever thought it could be. With a wide range of recipes you have the ability to start in your comfort zone and venture into the unknown once you are more comfortable. Each book offers plenty of full-color illustrations, step by step instructions, and the ability to look up cooking terms as you need them. The Cuisine Foundations set also includes a Chef’s Tea Towel.

Any foodie that likes to cook from recipe books needs this set. This will end up being the foundation for any gourmet meals cooked by new chefs at home, so if you’re buying for the person that loves to cook you should really consider this set for their present this year. Amazon has the Cuisine Foundations Set available for around $50.

Capresso Automatic Milk Frother – FrothPRO
The Capresso FrothPRO is the absolute perfect gift for the budding barista. Coffee drinks are incredibly popular these days, but they are also unnecessarily expensive. That being said, with a FrothPRO and a cappuccino, espresso or even a coffee maker there is no reason why someone can’t create the same amazing drinks at a fraction of the price. The froth PRO includes settings for hot, warm, and cold and you can choose to froth or just warm something up. While the froth setting will help to create delicious coffee based drinks, the warm setting is perfect for creating hot chocolate or just warm milk, if you like that sort of thing. The froth PRO is a standalone small appliance that won’t take up much space. It even includes an auto shut-off feature for safety. Two frothing discs and one heating disc is included. All parts are even dishwasher safe, so even cleanup will be a breeze.

I love our Capresso Froth PRO and use it often. While it may not seem to be the normal holiday gift, if you have a coffee shop fan in your family, this will be an invaluable present and they will love it!

The FrothPRO is also cost effective as far as presents go. You can order this through the Capresso website for $59.99. If you really want to splurge (or let your relatives feel like they live in a coffee shop) you might even want to consider the Capresso Impressa C9 One Touch Coffee Maker.

NuWave Oven
The NuWave Oven was something I had been curious about for some time. Whenever I see something on an infomercial I tend to write it off and move on, but I kept coming back to this intriguing item. The thing I liked the most about this was the convenience factor. Cleanup is simple and there is almost nothing that this oven won’t do. The NuWave oven will fry, bake, broil, grill, and dehydrate. I am sure it does other things, but you get the idea. You can cook poached eggs in the NuWave for breakfast and have ribs for dinner. You can even cook meat from a frozen state.

Using three cooking methods (infared, convection, and conduction) the NuWave Oven offers a fast, easy, and simple way to get dinner made in a healthy, delicious way. The NuWave doesn’t take up too much space but it will hold plenty of food. It comes with an extender ring to allow it to hold more food, but to give you an idea, without the ring it will cook a ten pound turkey. If you add the extender, the turkey can be as heavy as sixteen pounds! After hearing about this I considered buying it just for the convenience during holidays. I don’t know about you, but I always need more room in my oven. Foodies might be shocked at this present, but everyone I know that has one loves it. It will just take one meal for them to be incredibly thankful (if they aren’t to begin with).

You can learn more about the NuWave Oven at the NuWave Oven Website. This is available through the website for $120 and you receive numerous free extras at the time of purchase.

Conserving Now – Bring Your Own – Family Starter Eco Kit
If you have someone in your family that wants to make shopping trips easier or that cares about the environment then Conserving Now needs to be on your radar. Offering a host of eco-friendly products including ways to educate classrooms on the environment, Conserving Now offers excellent products at fair prices. We received the family starter eco-kit, which includes two oversized cotton totes, a set of three market bags with a cinch bag for storage, a bag recycler, some door hangers, and some static clings. While things like the door hangers and the static clings have not really been used by us, I have found the bags to be invaluable. They are huge, hold a great deal and are incredibly well made. With that in mind, these make a fabulous gift for shoppers and people hoping to avoid plastic bags in the future. These bags would easily hold the contents created in a small to medium shopping trip.

You can learn more at the Conserving Now website. The Family Starter Eco Kit is available on the website for $40.99.

Green Ostrich – Preserve Recycled Plastic Large Apple Green Colander
Green Ostrich offers a host of products that are all eco-friendly. Offering everything from kitchen products to various school supplies, Green Ostrich has you covered. I was shocked to find out how much I loved the Preserve line they carry. We recently moved and I was missing some key kitchen essentials so we decided to focus on those things. We received one of the Plastic Large Apple Green Colanders and its been love at first use ever since. Not only is it sturdy and made to last, it’s also incredibly inexpensive. I have priced other (non eco-friendly) colanders of this quality and found then to be in the $20 range. The Preserve colander is $8 less than that. It’s also a vibrant, gorgeous color. If you’re looking for practical gift options, I highly suggest putting this towards the top of your list.

You can learn more about the Preserve line and the Apple Green Colander at the Green Ostrich website. The Preserve Apple Green Colander is available on the Green Ostrich website for just over $12.

Green Ostrich – Preserve Recycled Plastic Apple Green Tableware Pack
Preserve eco-friendly tableware made me consider switching to completely eco-friendly dishes. While I have yet to make the full transition I will say that for about the last month this set of dishes (cups, plates, and bowls) has been our main set. We use them for the majority of our casual meals and snacks. As someone that needs to diet, I love the plates because they are a tad smaller than some dinner plates, which means less food. I still end up getting enough, but find that I am not taking too much because there just isn’t room for extras. Cleanup is simple and these packs come in a variety of great, vibrant colors. We chose the green and I absolutely adore them! These would be great for young families, college students, and people considering the switch to eco-friendly products.

You can learn more about the Preserve line and the Recycled Plastic Apple Green Tableware Set at the Green Ostrich website. The Preserve Apple Green Tableware Set is available on the Green Ostrich website for just under $20.

George Foreman Healthy Cooking Smart Kitchen Multi-Cooker
One of the coolest brands for cooking with small appliances these days is George Foreman Healthy Cooking. I have used George Foreman products in the past and it seems that everything works fabulous for my needs. We have an Evolve Grill that we received awhile back and I use it often. I was thrilled to try the Multicooker because it’s not what you’d normally expect from the George Foreman Healthy Cooking name. However, it works just as well as other products in the brand. Sporting a 26-cup (5 quart) cooking space, the Smart Kitchen Multicooker can steam rice, cook vegetables and meat, and is the perfect space to make delicious soups and strews. Like other Smart Kitchen products, this Multicooker is nonstick so you do not need to use excessive amounts of butter or oil. It’s also a cinch to clean. The Intelli-Probe has cook settings for rice, steaming, and different temperature settings including searing for stews and other foods. A stainless steel steaming basket is also included for fish, vegetables and other foods. Best of all, when you’re done cooking you can remove the pan (which is quite stylish) and bring it to the table for some delectable family style meals. This makes an excellent gift for the entire family or your favorite foodie.

You can learn more about the Smart Kitchen Multicooker at the George Foreman Healthy Cooking website. Some other great options (I have yet to try, but have my eye on) include the Skillite Searing Skillet and the Panini Grill. You can order the Smart Kitchen Multicooker at the George Foreman Healthy Cooking website. It’s normally $80, but is currently on sale for $40 so it’s the perfect time to buy one. We’re also giving one away so make sure to enter for your chance to win one!

TJ Maxx Kitchenware Products
I have been a TJ Maxx shopper for years. While the clothing section can always be hit or miss, I often find amazing deals on home products. If you’re looking for a brand name cookware set at the fraction of the price or you want some beautiful accent pieces to brighten up your kitchen TJMaxx is the perfect store to look. On a recent trip I purchased some glass canisters for around $12. They sit on my counter holding dried pasta, sugar, and flour. This is just one of the great finds that was available that day. From knife sets to gourmet pans, TJMaxx has just about everything your kitchen might need and could be missing. This makes TJMaxx an excellent option for holiday shopping. If you have any picky relatives or friends you’re buying for, TJMaxx offers such an eclectic range of products that you shouldn’t have a problem finding something for everyone. If you find you like what you see, but can’t find that perfect gift you can even consider a gift card, which would allow the gift participant to do the shopping for themselves.

You can visit the TJ Maxx website to find a store near you!

Novica Hand Blown Glass Products
We have had the pleasure of writing about Novica products in the past. We received a few items from them when we moved into our home. One of the items that we received, the Spirals of Thought Glasses in Blue were a huge hit. These handblown glasses are absolutely amazing. They are thicker than your average glasses and the art work involved in creating these offers something simple yet dynamic. The spirals running through the glasses are fabulous. Our friends love them and we use them all the time. Purchasing from Novica also allows you to support artisans from around the world. The glasses we purchased were made by a duo of artisans that are incredibly talented. The men hail from Mexico and offer a number of different products through the Novica website.

You can learn more about The Spirals of Thought glasses at the Novica website. You can currently purchase these glasses for under $40 and there are a host of other amazing products available on the site.

Noodle and Boo Reed Diffuser
I’m a sucker for any product that adds a light, breezy scent to the room. The Crème Douce scent of the Noodle & Boo Reed Diffuser is simply exquisite. It combines the scents of peach, water blossoms, mixed berries, clover honey, milk and vanilla beans. You’ll get a whiff of the individual scents, which combine to form a sweet, delicate flavor within the air. What I love about the Noodle & Boo Reed Diffuser is that the scent isn’t overpowering. Just the right hint of each scent combines to form a new, layered scent that gently wafts through the room or any other environment where you place it.

This gift is great for those who are looking for ways to make their home unique. This is definitely an original product. So many air fresheners do not last, but this reed diffuser is continuous, leaving the room smelling delicious. To find out more about Noodle and Boo visit the following website.

Don’t forget to visit our other holiday guides:
Food – Books – Toys

Technorati Tags: 2010 Holiday Gift Guide, Gift Giving, Ten Items, List of Ten, Home, Kitchen, NuWave, TJ Maxx, Novica, Recycled, Preserver, Capresso, Le Cordon Bleu, Oneida

Novica offers everything from furniture to kitchenware. Knowing that we needed some unique items for the kitchen led me to looking at everything from salad bowls to drinking glasses. I had $75 to spend, which is often not a lot of money when you’re buying for the home, but Novica does have a nice variety of lower priced items, so if you’re looking for something small or practical you can often make your money go a long way.

After much deliberation about what was going to make our new living space shine, we decided to go with some drinking glasses and a glass pitcher. To be more specific we ended up choosing, the Spirals of Thought Glasses in Blue and the Glass Pitcher in Aqua.

Javier and Efren are the artisans that made our Spirals of Thought Glasses. These glasses are far more beautiful than the picture gives these men credit for. You really do need to see them to fully appreciate them. Each glass is slightly unique due to the fact that they are actually hand blown. The glass is quite thick, which I enjoyed as I am used to the standard sets bought in stores that are plain and often break quite easily due to being lightweight. These two men have been working together since the 1990s and offer excellent products. We received a six glass set for $39.99, which was an incredibly fair price for the thickness and the beauty of the glasses. We couldn’t be happier with them.

Since we have had them, they have been put to the test. They have been used daily for our family and when we have guests. My big worry with them (as with any glasses) had to do with the staying power of the glasses. I don’t know how many times I have purchased a set of glasses only to see them break during washing or after daily wear and tear. We’ve had these glasses for quite a bit and so far we have only lost one. It actually had more to do with a pan slipping out of my hand while washing dishes, as opposed to actually breaking the glass for other reasons.

Javier and Efren also make the Glass pitcher in Aqua. Unlike the Spiral glasses, which have a blue rim and spirals of blue running along the clear glass, the glass pitcher is clear with the exception of a thick aqua colored rim. I cannot say how invaluable this has been to me. We tend to make a lot of frozen juice and this pitcher is the perfect size for that. It sits in the refrigerator with no problem and it makes any flavor juice we want with room to spare. We’ve had friends comment on how much they like it, and we have to agree, we are big fans of it, too. The pitcher was available for under $30, though the last time I checked the website it was not currently available.

With every purchase you make, the artisan that creates your item includes a story card so you can learn more about them and the process behind making your items. This was a nice added touch that I enjoyed seeing in the package. Due to the fact that most items are handmade, shipping can take between one and three weeks. While this could be seen as a deterrent for some, the quality is certainly worth the wait. It’s safe to say you won’t find anything like what you can find at Novica during a local shopping trip! So, if you’re in the market for a great holiday gift or need some unique home furnishings you should give Novica a look, chances are you’ll find just what you’re looking for and a whole lot more.

Technorati Tags: Novica, Hand Blown Glasses, Moving Feature, Product Review, Kitchenware, Drinking Glasses, Artisans, Unique Gifts, Spirals of Thought, Javier and Efren

For this experiment we got to test out how Wisk does with Oil stains. To handle the review, we were given a nice washcloth, a makeup bag with a compact mirror and some hot pink lipstick, and a bottle of the new red bottle of Wisk. The goal was to pretty up with the lipstick, stain the washcloth with a saucy lip print, pre-treat with Wisk, and rinse it off to see the final result.

The lipstick didn’t have any trouble sticking to the white washcloth that was provided. It was just a quick smack to the cloth with a press to make sure it would be visible enough and then we were ready to pre-treat. The pre-treat phase lasted for about ten minutes. We just poured enough Wisk to cover the lip marks on the stain and let it sit to work on the lipstick.

Once the pre-treating was done, my young assistant was kind enough to rub the soap into the cloth so that it would get deep into the fibers. From there, we entered the bathroom and he washed the cloth in warm water until the soap was completely off of the washcloth. We gave it a few minutes to dry after ringing the water out, though by this point we could already see that the stain was all but gone. Naturally, washing it in the washer would have made sure that every part of the small stain had disappeared, but I didn’t notice much of anything left after the hand washing. I thought I noticed a slight pink outline at first, but looking back I cannot seem to find it.

I have to admit, by the time we did this experiment, I figured out how the outcome was going to go. We tackled grass and ketchup with glowing results, so I figured lip gloss would not break the winning streak that Wisk seemed to be on.

You can see our other Wisk experiments with pictures and videos by clicking the following links:

The Grass Stain Experiment
The Ketchup Experiment

Visit Wisk.com to:

* Learn more about Wisk’s Stain Spectrum™ Technology and the different categories of stains
* Download a coupon
* Also, remember to visit Wisk at www.Facebook.com/Wisk
* Follow @Wisk on Twitter

Note: This post was compensated as part of the Wisk Campaign with One2One Network. I was paid to write this post, however the information, details, and thoughts are completely my own and were not purchased.

Technorati Tags: Wisk, Lipstick Stain, Oil Based Stains, Laundry Detergent, Experiment, Pre-Treat, Wash, Rinse, Product Review

I was sent three main products, one from each brand, to test out and help keep my bathroom and kitchen neat and clean. The one I was most excited about was the Swiffer Sweeper Vac. Accompanying the new sweeper vac came the Mr. Clean Disinfecting Bath Cleaner and Febreze Set & Refresh Room Deodorizer. All of the products except the Febreze Set & Refresh were used in the bathroom and kitchen. The Set & Refresh was used in the bedroom.

In addition, my mom purchased us some of the Limited Edition Febreze fall scent canisters. I believe the scent is cinnamon & sugar. If you can find those in your area, I highly recommend picking them up because they smell divine and they are only around for a short time.

SweeperVac

I was thrilled to receive a Swiffer Sweeper Vac for this review. While I did not know what the PR team would be sending, in my teaser post I specifically mentioned that I was hoping for one of these. The thing that I was most fond of is that you can mop up small messes like with your normal Swiffer, but after a brief charging session you can use this as a vacuum, as well. This comes in handy when you just want to give the floor a quick and efficient sweeping.

The Sweeper Vac spends most of the time in our kitchen. We have small tiles in our bathroom and are more inclined to mop it, but find that the Sweeper Vac is perfect for use on the smooth tiles in the kitchen. When you take it out of the box, it needs to charge for about 12 hours, but after that you’re good to go without a charging for quite some time (assuming your house isn’t huge/mansion-like). I use the SweeperVac almost daily and am always amazed at the gunk that it picks up. It has become an invaluable cleaning tool for me since we’ve moved.

The standard Swiffer pads are required to use the Sweeper Vac. Two come in the box to get you started. From there, standard pad refills will work out. This is especially nice if you have more than one Swiffer, as the pads are interchangeable. As for the stuff that does not stick to the pad, that collects in a vacuum pod that you can remove and clean out so that it is clean for the next time you need to brush up your floors.

You can pick the Sweeper Vac Starter Kit up for around $35, which is well worth it considering how much use you will be able to get out of it. This is one of those products that takes the work out of cleaning.

Mr. Clean Disinfecting Bath Cleaner

Mr. Clean Disinfecting Bath Cleaner is a multipurpose cleaner that can be used on any hard or tile surface. We use it in the sinks, to clean the tubs, and when I mop the bathroom floor or clean the tile walls. When we moved into our apartment, I found out how glad I was to receive this Mr. Clean product. You see, unfortunately, our apartment was not very clean when we moved in. I am not sure what the people were like that lived here before us, but at best, the cleaning crew did a slight surface clean and nothing else. This left soap scum on the tile in the bathroom and on the walls. Needless to say, the bathroom really needed to be clean.

The cleaning process with Mr. Clean Disinfecting Bath Cleaner is similar to any other disinfecting cleaner on the market. You spray the area that you would like to clean and after a few minutes you wipe the area until the soap is gone and the area is clean. It’s as simple as that. When wiping up the soap we used Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Thanks to the addition of the Febreze there is no chemical cleaning smell like you might receive with some bathroom cleaners.

The best thing about this Mr. Clean product is that a little goes a long way. A few squirts cleaned one entire wall. So, you pay a few bucks and this will last you months. Again, this is well worth the purchase. You should be able to find Mr. Clean Disinfecting Bath Cleaner wherever household cleaning products are sold.

Febreze Set & Refresh

This was my favorite décor product of what we received. I was not sure if they would send anything that qualified, but I knew of the Febreze at Home line, so I was hoping that they would. The Set & Refresh sits upright on a desk or other flat top surface. We have ours sitting in our bedroom on an end table. Before placing it where you’d like it to sit, you just pop in the fragrance stick and pull the bottom of the Set & Refresh open. That’s it. Once it’s open a nice, subtle scent (depending on the scent you purchase) will remain in your room.

This isn’t going to be so powerful that it is all you smell. Instead, it will waft around you occasionally and you will get pleasant hints of the scent. Of course, it’s working even when you can’t smell it in abundance. It always manages to block any unpleasant odors whether it’s noticeable or not. We’ve had ours sitting in our bedroom, open, for about a month and can still smell it as much as we could the first day. Considering what these types of air fresheners usually cost, the Febreze Set & Refresh are definitely a good, cost effective option for someone looking to spruce up their home in style and smell.

Final Thoughts
All in all, I was incredibly happy with all of the products that I tested from Mr. Clean, Febreze, and Swiffer. I was already a customer of those brands, but having experienced these new products just reiterated in my own mind why I shop these brands in the first place. All items are beating my expectations in keeping my home clean and smelling great. I couldn’t be happier!

Technorati Tags: Mr. Clean, Swiffer, Sweeper Vac, Febreze, Set & Refesh, Moving 2010, Home Review, Product Review, Cleaning Supplies

We have reviewed water pitchers before. I enjoyed the one that we previously used, but soon after the review, I stopped using it. I did not have a problem with the water so much, but I just don’t drink water. Most water pitchers are bulky and our refrigerator really didn’t have much room so we stopped putting it in there and stopped using it as a result.

Since then, I have had a glass of water here and there, but generally have avoided it, until we received the 3M Filtrete Water Pitcher. When we get something like this for review, I try it whether or not I think I will end up using it in the long run. Part of the reason is because I want to ensure that it works the way it should and that it offers a good quality. I can appreciate most things even if I do not feel they are right for me.

We unpacked the Filtrete and had it together in less than a minute. You just pop the top filter on and that’s pretty much all you do. The cover is placed on after you’ve filled the pitcher with water. Aesthetically speaking, the Filtrete is adorable. The base is small and it scoops upward to a much wider mouth. The base is clear to allow you an unobstructed view to see the water level. Meanwhile, the handle and base of the mouth is white and the cover/lid is blue. If you have the lid off you will notice a filter meter that lets you know when you need to replace the filter.

One of my favorite things about the Filtrete water pitcher is how fast it fills. With other water pitchers filling them up can be a process. With the Filtrete I was able to put it under the faucet with a medium heavy stream of water and have it filter the water fast enough to ensure that I didn’t have to turn the water off. Even when I turned the water pressure up to full strength, I rarely had to turn the water off. The filtration process to create a full pitcher of water took at most, about two minutes. This beats out the other pitchers we’ve owned or reviewed by at least three to five minutes if not more.

The taste is what caused me to really be impressed though. People often look at me like I’m crazy when I say that I don’t like the taste of water. I know that in most cases water doesn’t really have a taste. However, some water offers a slightly metallic taste or even an aftertaste. This is off-putting to me and tends to keep me away from most waters and even the filter pitchers. Filtrete water is the cleanest tasting water I have ever experienced. There was no real taste and no aftertaste. It just felt cool and refreshing! Since trying this, I have had at least one glass of water a day and I don’t think that will be changing anytime soon.

You can pick the 3M Filtrete Water Pitcher up at most local discount stores and online at stores like Amazon, where it retails for around $32. The box includes one of the filters you will need, but you can purchase additional filters for under $15. We’ve been using our Filtrete for close to two weeks and it’s large enough to ensure that you get around 8-12 cups (depending on size) out of each full pitcher. It takes us about 2-3 days of use before we need a refill. So far we have not had to seek out a new filter and the levels are not high enough for us to have to worry about it for a bit.

Thanks to such a good experience I am considering checking out the Filtrete Water Station that lets you fill water bottles for on the go use. The station is under $45 on Amazon and would get enough use that it would definitely be worth it to us.

If you’re interested in learning more about Filtrete products there are numerous ways to do so. You can sign up for the Filtrete E-Newsletter, check them out on Twitter (@FiltreteWater) or like them on Facebook.

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Filtrete and received the water pitcher to facilitate my candid review.”

Technorati Tags: 3M, Filtrete Water Pitcher, Filtrete Review, Product Review, Water, Filtered Water

This is our third post and second experiment working with Wisk. The first experiment went fabulously well, but when I got this package I have to admit, I was skeptical. You see, this package contained a hamburger press, a cooler, a basting brush, a White t-shirt, and ketchup (I bet you can see where this is headed). That’s right, the goal of this experiment is to see who is mightier – ketchup or Wisk. My apprehension was not in assuming that Wisk couldn’t handle it because in the last few weeks I’ve become a huge Wisk fan. It’s actually because, growing up, I was never allowed to wear white for fear of the dreaded stain possibilities (including ketchup).

I am happy to report that our little Wisk party/cookout went well. The burger press was a favorite, but my little helper ended up partiying herself out and before I knew it I was left to do the experiment on my own. I am glad to report she is feeling all better and when doing the experiment, we made sure she painted her design on the shirt. From there, like most kids, she left the cleaning to the mom in the room.

As you can see a big X was painted on the brand new, white t-shirt. The goal was to paint a design on the shirt, pre-treat it with Wisk, wait five minutes, and then rinse it out until all the soap was off the shirt. From there, it was just a matter of seeing how much of a stain remained. We have one post left. So far we have tackled protein (with our grass patch in our first Wisk Experiment) and now Carbs (ala ketchup stains). The final one will include an oil base of some sort, because Wisk can handle those stains, as well.

After covering the stain in Wisk, we let it sit for about five minutes. Naturally, the only difference at this time is that the stain changed from strictly red to red and partially blue (the Wisk). The ketchup was muted by the Wisk due to it getting wet with the soap. As I waited I hoped that it worked. I was pretty confident (I haven’t found a stain that Wisk couldn’t tackle since I started using it), but I am used to years of ‘don’t spill the ketchup on your clothes’ fear.

During the rinse phase, which took about three to five minutes to wash the soap away in the sink, I noticed the cleaning process began immediately! I definitely was relieved about that. I don’t normally wash my clothes in the sink even though the basic elements of washing are the same. Once the soap was out, I rung out the shirt and opened it up to find the ketchup almost completely gone. There is an extremely light tint to it that is really only noticeable because I knew where the ketchup was on the shirt. I have a feeling that if the shirt is (or had been) tossed in the washer for a thorough cleaning that it would have come out completely.

As usual, thus far, I was thrilled to see the results from this Wisk experiment. It’s nice to know that the usual disasters that come with kids (and some adults) wearing white are a little more bearable thanks to the right detergent. At the beginning of our Wisk campaign we received a bottle of Wisk with our first package. I’ve done quite a few loads since August when we received it, but I should have enough to finish out the last post later this month. Even if I don’t, it won’t matter too much because at this point I am sold and will be picking up some Wisk when this bottle runs out!

Visit Wisk.com to:

* Learn more about Wisk’s Stain Spectrum™ Technology and the different categories of stains
* Download a coupon
* Also, remember to visit Wisk at www.Facebook.com/Wisk
* Follow @Wisk on Twitter

Note: This post was compensated as part of the Wisk Campaign with One2One Network. I was paid to write this post, however the information, details, and thoughts are completely my own and were not purchased.

Technorati Tags: Wisk, Ketchup Stain, Hamburger Press, Carb Stains, Laundry Detergent, Experiment, Tailgate Party, Pre-Treat, Wash, Rinse

The thing I was most excited about was the various grill plates that are available with the Evolve grill. Each grill comes with four plates. You get your top plate, which is a cross cut grill plate (making steaks and paninis with that nice cross cut), a bottom grill plate for steaks, burgers, and other meats, and two other plates that will vary based on the unit that you purchase. We received a deep dish plate that allows you to make baked goods or casseroles and the muffin insert, which handles all of those delicious muffin options.

We’ve only used this once since unpacking it about ten days ago. We made burgers for some friends. We had burgers and hot dogs and surprisingly enough, almost everyone, except the three year old that was visiting, wanted a burger. The burgers came out crisp around the edges and grilled to perfection. The burgers had virtually no grease on them thanks to the Foreman drip tray and sloped design that removes most of the grease/fat from your meat, ensuring that your food is juicy, but not sitting in fat. I would put these burgers up against any burger joint or family restaurant we’ve been too lately.

This week we will be testing out the deep dish baking tray to make some Rocky Road Brownies and I am sure it won’t be long until we attempt some lasagna. As far as the muffins go, it’s getting to be fall and I cannot wait to try out something pumpkin or perhaps something caramel apple. I’m even considering seeing if these might work for some mini-cheesecakes that our guests can personalize during parties. As for the grill plates, between chicken, burgers, steaks, and grilled sandwiches I think we will be all set. I have to say that I am quite impressed with all of the things that you can do with the Evolve Grill. It’s so versatile that it vastly cuts down on the need for cooking on the stove or in the oven. This is not only healthier for you, it also cuts down on energy as it takes more to power up your oven than it would the much smaller, George Foreman Healthy Cooking Grill.

Even though I say it’s smaller, the cooking space is actually impressive on the Evolve Grill. We put down four nice sized burgers and they weren’t touching. You could also fit a nice sized Porterhouse or two smaller Strip steaks on the grill or possibly three nice sized chicken breasts. There is plenty of room to cook for the family. It’s no longer a grill just for one or two people.

One of my favorite things about the Foreman Healthy Cooking Grills is the non-stick feature. So often, even with non-stick surfaces, I have gotten used to using cooking spray, butter, or something else to make sure that whatever I am cooking doesn’t stick. This isn’t an issue with the Evolve. Granted, I have only made burgers with this grill so far, but with my past experience I have never had anything stick. I will be sure to amend this after our brownie experience, though something tells me I won’t need to do that.

Cooking with the Evolve Grill is amazingly simple, so even if you don’t know how to cook you will be able to cook with this grill. On the other hand, if you know how to cook you will love it even more! The instruction booklet included with the grill offers common cook times and temperatures for a variety of foods. You can also find this information on boxes (if you’re making baked goods) or from the recipes you’re using to make the things you’re cooking. Once you use it once or twice you will get the hang of it and learn how well it cooks and if it cooks a little faster or slower than the suggestions in your recipes. This will make cooking easier for future meals, though I am going to guess that thanks to the temperature settings and timers that things are pretty on the money.

You can pick up the George Foreman Healthy Cooking Evolve Grill through the George Foreman website for $129.99. You can also find this in stores or in other online marketplaces such as Amazon.com. I highly recommend the Evolve grill just for the versatility that it offers. I couldn’t be happier with mine and I am sure that I will get tons of use out of it.

Next up on my George Foreman Healthy Cooking wishlist is the Panini Grill and the Smart Kitchen Multicooker. Of course, I can’t wait to get my hands on the other Evolve plates too!

Stay tuned for more personalized pictures of our Evolve Grill and videos of us showing the cooking process!

Technorati Tags: George Foreman Healthy Cooking, Evolve, Evolve Grill, Muffins, Deep Dish Pans, Moving 2010, Grill Plates, Healthy, Drip Tray, Product Review, Cooking Review, Healthier Meals, Burgers

Lil B was more than excited about being involved in this video. He loves when we make videos! He did have some questions (and a few demands, too!) and those were answered before we began. The exchange went a little something like this:

Lil B: “Why do we have to do this experiment?”

Me: “Wisk asked us to try it out and make a video for them.”

Lil B: “Okay…but I’m keeping the lab coat…and the Wisk.”

Me: “You can keep the lab coat, but we’re negotiating the Wisk. I think I need it more than you do.”

Lil B: “We’ll see….”

Then it was video time. You can see for yourself how well Wisk worked. We were all quite impressed. Lil B was even thrilled to get some green “potion” out of the deal.

Wisk is available at major retailers nationwide, such as Walmart, Target and Kroger for a Suggested Retail Price of $5.99 for 50 fl oz. bottles that cleans 32 loads. I am looking forward to seeing how Wisk tackles other stains, but I have to say, if it handles everything else the way that it handles grass, I won’t be surprised. Wisk has always been a valued brand in our household, but with the new stain busting technology it’s becoming even more important to us.

Visit Wisk.com to:

* Learn more about Wisk’s Stain Spectrum™ Technology and the different categories of stains
* Download a coupon
* Also, remember to visit Wisk at www.Facebook.com/Wisk
* Follow @Wisk on Twitter

Note: This post was compensated as part of the Wisk Campaign with One2One Network. I was paid to write this post, however the information, details, and thoughts are completely my own and were not purchased.

Technorati Tags: Wisk, Stain Fighting Technology, Video, Braxton, Lil B, Grass Stain, Scientist, Laundry Soap

Speaking of dining tables, Dining Rooms Direct offers hundreds of tables for any possible dining situation. Whether you are looking for a kitchen table or one for the dining room, there is a good chance that Dining Rooms Direct has just what you are looking for to enhance your family dining experience.

For most people, the hardest part of any furniture shopping is finding a price that you can afford. I know this is especially true with a lot of the dining room tables that we have looked at recently. With that in mind, I visited Dining Rooms Direct to create the top 5 under $400. These are the top five tables that I like for under $400.

Please note, these tables were chosen on style alone. I have not used any of them personally so I cannot speak of the fabulous nature of any of them. I chose them because if I were in the market for a table, I would choose one of the following.

Wildon Home West Hollywood Dining Set in Cappuccino:

The West Hollywood Dining Set by Wildon Home is small enough to fit into any nice sized kitchen or apartment dining area, but trendy enough to add to your home in the simplest of ways. The darker wood allows it to blend with a majority of settings and offers a more classic, sophisticated look to it. The lighter fabric on the chairs also offers a nice contrast from that of the table. This would be a great choice for any apartment dweller.

Standard Furniture Brentwood 5 Piece Leg Dining Set in Honey and Black

I love the darker finishes so it’s no surprise that the Brentwood Dining Set in Honey and Black made my list. The honey wood offers a gorgeous finish and it looks great with the black on the chairs. The set is a perfect size for a small family or for anyone living in an apartment. This would work well for small groups and for those days when you want to have friends over to play cards. It’s big enough to get the job done, but small enough to remain versatile.

TMS Virginia 5 Piece Dining Set in Black

This Virginia set is the only set I picked with a lighter wood. The light finish reminds me of a summery, warm day. It provides a feeling of warmth and would go perfect in lighter, airier kitchens and dining rooms. If you want to create a more open, comforting space this would be a great option. It would also work well for small families or people sharing a small living space, as it seats a few people, but extends if needed.

Wildon Home Peyton 5 Piece Retro Dining Table with Black Cushion Dining Chair in Chrome

I am an absolute sucker for anything retro and diner inspired so this table fits the bill on every single level for me. The white table-top with the black chairs and the chrome surrounding all of the surfaces just makes me giddy. I have always wanted to have a dining room that was reminiscent of a diner. When I start designing that room, I am certain that I will be picking up a table just like this one to complete my motif.

Linon Michele Corner Nook with Table and Chairs in Walnut

Beyond the retro look, I love the comfy appeal of the nook. When I was in high school a friend’s parents redid their kitchen and had a nook-style corner table with bench in their kitchen. We had some great times hanging out and eating at that table. I love everything about this model. I love the darker, walnut finish and the family-style setting that it stirs with the design. This wouldn’t be effective for most apartments but if you have a larger dining area and want a homey feel to it, this would be a perfect choice.

So now that you’ve seen my top five picks for inexpensive dining furniture why don’t you check out Dining Rooms Direct and tell me what your favorite piece is?

Technorati Tags: Dining Room Furniture, Dining Table, Dining Room Direct, CSN Stores, Teaser Review