Lysol No-Touch Kitchen System

As a stay at home mom/housewife cleaning is part of my daily routine. And I wash a lot of dishes, especially since we don't have a dishwasher. Products that can make this job easier are always great to check out. Since dish washing is my least favorite chore, I'll take anything that truly helps and makes washing dishes and cleaning my kitchen simpler.

Lysol is a product name that goes hand in hand with household cleaning. They have many products with cleaning and healthy families in mind. Now they have a fun new product to help every family in the kitchen. It's multi-use purposes are great. The new Lysol No-Touch Kitchen System is a great addition to their product line.

Lysol discovered a contradiction. You keep multiple products around the sink to tackle all of your cleaning tasks--from greasy dishes to messy surfaces and germy hands. However, the more cleaning products you touch around the sink, the more dirt can spread around the kitchen and the more germs you can spread on your hands. 

Introducing NEW LYSOL No Touch Kitchen System - one solution for a clean kitchen and healthy hands. 

The automatic, hands-free dispenser is designed to fit your cleaning needs for a health home. 

Sparkling dishes: Powers through grease and food residues to leave dishes sparkling clean. 

Clean kitchen surfaces: Cleans all types of kitchen messes - from food spills to tough grease. 

Healthy hands: Kills bacteria on hands as it gently cleanses them.

The Lysol No-Touch Kitchen System is easy to install and begin using right out of the package. Once it's turned on, you just reach under the sensor to get the perfect amount of soap for washing your hands, doing dishes, or other cleaning chores. With the no-touch feature, you won't have to worry about spreading germs around with everyone touching the soap dispenser.

I set up our Lysol No-Touch Kitchen System at the back of my kitchen sink. It's very easy for my son to use. He's had problems with reaching the soap before when it's in the back, but with this he only has to put his hand under it and it works wonderfully. The Lysol No-Touch Kitchen System was especially handy during my holiday baking. I could wash my hands and wash up a few dishes quickly with a little soap and water. This is important for me, because there are some pans and cooking tools that I inevitably end up wanting to use over and over.

The only thing that bothered me a little about this was I had to be careful where I put it on the sink. If it was near the faucet or sprayer, it would sometimes trigger and dispense soap when I didn't want it to. Or if someone put a dish into the sink and got too close to the sensor that happened to. You just have to be careful of where you place it, so that it isn't losing soap unnecessarily.

You can find Lysol No-Touch Kitchen Systems in stores near you. Find out more about them on their website- http://lysol.com/cleaning-products/kitchen-system/no-touch-kitchen-system. The make 3 great scent varieties- Sparkling Tangerine, Shimmering Berry, and Sunkissed Lemon. I really enjoyed the tangerine one that we tried. The smell is very refreshing. The Lysol No-Touch Kitchen System is a great addition to your kitchen and something I think every family should have.



*Disclaimer: I received this product for review. All opinions are my own.*

Taste of Home Review + Recipes

I am always on the lookout for great recipes. Taste of Home magazine is a great resource for new recipes bi-monthly.

Here are a few of my favorite recipes from the August/September issue of Taste of Home magazine perfect for football parties or tailgating:

Baja Chicken & Slaw Sliders

Prep: 30 Minutes

Grill: 10 Minutes

¼ cup reduced fat sour cream

½ tsp. grated lime peel

¼ tsp. lime juice

Slaw:

1 cup broccoli coleslaw mix

2 tbsp. finely chopped sweet red pepper

2 tbsp. finely chopped sweet onion

2 tbsp. minced fresh cilantro

2 tsp. finely chopped seeded jalapeno pepper

2 tsp. lime juice

1 tsp. sugar

Sliders

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves

½ tsp. ground cumin

½ tsp chili powder

¼ tsp salt

¼ tsp coarsely ground pepper

8 Hawaiian sweet rolls, split

8 small lettuce leaves

8 slices tomato

1. In a small bowl, combine the sour cream, lime peel and lime juice. In another small bowl, combine the slaw ingredients. Chill the sauce and slaw until serving.
2. Cut each chicken breast in half widthwise; flatten to ½ inch thickness. Sprinkle with seasonings.
3. Moisten a paper towel with cooking oil; using long-handled tongs, lightly coat the grill rack. Grill chicken, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 inch from the heat for 4 to 7 minutes on each side or until no longer pink.
4. Grill rolls, cut sides down, for 30-60 seconds or until toasted. Serve chicken on rolls with lettuce tomatoes and slaw.

Pepperoni Pizza Casserole

1 pkg egg noodles

2 lbs ground turkey

1/3 cup chopped onion

1 jar (26 oz) meatless spaghetti sauce

1 can (8 oz) mushroom stems and pieces, drained

1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes and green chilies

2 cups shredded part skim mozzarella cheese

2 cups cheddar cheese

1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

3 oz. sliced turkey pepperoni

1. In a Dutch oven, cook noodles according to package directions; drain.
2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook ground turkey and chopped onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the spaghetti sauce and tomatoes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Stir in noodles.
3. Transfer to two greased 12 inch by 9 inch baking dishes. Sprinkle each with mushrooms, cheeses and pepperoni.
4. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degree for 30-35 minutes or until heated through and cheeses have melted. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

We enjoy finding things that we all will like to eat. And if you're getting the Taste of Home magazine bimonthly, you'll have seasonal recipes all the time. Warm casseroles in the fall, yummy holiday meals in winter, fresh garden dishes in the summer and more will keep your family happy. You never know, you might find some new favorite recipes that everyone loves.

You can find recipes and more at http://www.tasteofhome.com/. Plus you can order the magazine to be delivered to you and cookbooks as well. I can tell you from personal experience, these make great Christmas gifts too!


*Disclaimer: I received a copy of Taste of Home to review. All opinions are my own.*

Zeelytes (a natural moisture and odor reducer) Review + {Giveaway with Rafflecopter – Ends 8/23} (CLOSED)

This giveaway is closed. Congrats to #36 Erin Collins!




Zeelytes is something I’d never heard of before. But I was intrigued by it once I knew what it was. Briefly, Zeelytes is a moisture, mold and odor reducing product that is 100% non-toxic and natural. It helps reduce the spread of bacteria and cross contamination. It’s even better than putting baking soda in the fridge to keep food fresh.

Zeelytes is a package that contains Zeolites. What are Zeolites? That’s a great question. Here is the answer from the Zeelytes website:

Zeolite is a naturally occurring mineral that is mined from the earth. It is a very porous mineral making it the perfect material to absorb odor, mold & moisture in any area that it is placed. 

In nature, the minerals are created when volcanic ash and rock interact with a base such as alkaline liquids. Most commonly, this is seen under the ocean in marine environments with extinct volcanic activity from thousands of years ago. Zeelytes™ uses natural Zeolites mined in the U.S.A. 

Adsorption and Separation The shape selective properties of zeolites are also the basis for their use in molecular adsorption. The ability preferentially to adsorb certain molecules, while excluding others, has opened up a wide range of molecular sieving applications. Sometimes it is simply a matter of the size and shape of pores controlling access into zeolite. In other cases different types of molecule enter the zeolite, but some diffuse through the channels more quickly, leaving others stuck behind, as in the purification of para-xylene by silicalite. 

Zeolites and the Environment Zeolites contribute to a cleaner, safer environment in a gret number of ways. In fact nearly every application of zeolites has been driven by environmental concerns, or plays a significant role in reducing toxic waste and energy consumption.

Pretty interesting, aren’t they?!! You can get a Zeelytes bag to put in your refrigerator to keep food fresher. And you can use one to make your air conditioner run more efficiently. You can read more about it and answer more questions in the FAQ section of their website.

Zeelytes are great, because they are safe in homes with pets and children especially. You can order Zeelytes through their website. They have several different sized packages that you can order. So be sure to get Zeelytes to use in your home (or car, or RV, or boat) today. There are many different uses to use this natural odor absorber and moisture controller.

You can win a 1/2 lb package of Zeelytes to try for yourself. Just enter in the Rafflecopter form below.


*Disclaimer: I received this product to try in my house. All opinions are my own.*

Read more »

George Foreman Knock Out the Fat Review

The new George Foreman GRP4B Next Grilleration™ Removable Plate Grill is all about “knocking out the fat”. Grilling is a wonderful part of summer. (And believe me, even though the calendar doesn’t say it’s summer yet, the 95 degree temperature today did!) You can have burgers and steaks with a lot less fat using this grill. They say, “New results of independent testing show that the George Foreman Grill removes up to 42% of fat from quarter-pound burgers made with 80/20 ground chuck beef, translating to a reduction of approximately 89 calories per burger!”



So, we put the George Foreman GRP4B Next Grilleration Grill to the test. I bought 80/20 beef burgers from my local grocery store. These were large, so I was only able to put 2 on the grilling surface. (That worked fine for us, because I can share with my son anyway.) The grill is very easy to use. First plug it in and let it heat for a few minutes. It has an indicator light that lets you know when it’s heating and goes off when it’s ready. Once the grill is ready, you simply place the burgers on the grilling surface and close the lid. 

There is no need to put any oil or anything on the grill surface. In fact they say to definitely not use cooking spray, because it’s bad for the grilling plate. So the burgers just cook themselves for about 4-6 minutes. Right away I could see all the fat dripping off into the drip pan. For only 2 burgers there sure was a lot of it. I prefer my burgers well done, so after 6 minutes I took it off. It was perfectly cooked and ready to eat.



I was amazed at how much fat the grill took away. This is a much healthier burger. I can feel good about giving my family burgers and other foods without all the fat. My husband would rather have a juicy burger with the fat in it, but I know that this is a healthier option. The burgers did dry out a bit with all the fat gone, but with the right toppings you can still get the great flavors and enjoy the burger as usual. I can't wait to try this with more things like tuna steak (have one waiting in the freezer), chicken, sausage, and more.

Here are a few of the great features this grill offers: 

72 square inch grilling surface lets you cook for 4

2 dishwasher-safe removable grill plates for easy clean up

Temperature indicator light indicates plates are at grilling temperature

Integrated handle is ergonomic & compact

George Tough™ Triple non-stick coating is durable & eliminates need for oil

Patented sloped grill design knocks out the fat

1 ½" floating hinge works to accommodate thick cuts of meat

Embedded heat elements provide consistent heat & rapid recovery time

Dishwasher-safe removable plates with cool-touch handles for easy clean up

2 Plates included: 2 ribbed grill plates

2 drip trays catch run off liquids for no-mess clean up

2 spatulas are customized for grill

I do not have a dishwasher, so I was not able to try out the easy clean feature. But they are very easy to hand wash. I even let the leftovers sit on it overnight. The plates are easy to take off. Then I just used some warm soapy water and a soft sponge. All the grease and food washed right off with no problems.

You can learn more about the George Foreman GRP4B Next Grilleration™ Removable Plate Grill on their website. And if you’re interested in learning more about the claims to reduce 42% of the fat in burgers, be sure to read and watch the video on this site. You can also order your own grill on the sites listed above.



Right now you can get in on the Lean Mean Burger Challenge recipe contest on the George Foreman Cooking Facebook page with the Meal Makeover Moms. You submit your best original burger recipe that has been prepared on any George Foreman Grill. One grand prize winner will receive $1,000 and five finalists will receive $100 gift certificates to GeorgeForemanCooking.com!  Visit http://www.facebook.com/GeorgeForemanHealthyCooking to access the contest and all of the information necessary to enter. This contest will close for entries on June 6, 2011.

*Disclosure: This post was written for Family Review Network & George Foreman who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions.*

Ziploc/Robin Miller Summer Grilling Review + {Giveaway – Ends 6/9} (CLOSED)

Even before joining this campaign, I knew that Ziploc is a brand that I love and trust. This is a product that I already buy and use for my family. In fact, I must admit that I have tried off-brand Ziploc bags, but they are never as good. I always come back to Ziploc and wonder what I was thinking.

As part of the Ziploc/Robin Miller Summer Grilling campaign, I received several Ziploc products to try out for myself. We got some freezer storage bags and slider bags in assorted sizes. I love the quart-size bags for quick, every day things. And the freezer bags are handy for storing leftovers and portioning out food to freeze. One of my favorite features was the expandable bottom bags. This is a great feature for storing things that you need to stand up in the fridge/freezer. Everything I tried was wonderful.

Here are some more tips from Ziploc:

Just in time for summer entertaining, Ziploc® Brand has partnered with Food Network contributor, cookbook author, nutritionist and mom Robin Miller to help  families get more out of their summer festivities, while saving time, money and resources.
Whether prepping tasty meals for the grill, offering creative treats for guests, or packing on-the-go snacks, these time-saving and budget-friendly tips from Miller offer quick and hassle-free storage solutions to make summer entertaining a breeze:
• Marinate It — To get the juicy, grilled flavors families love, don’t forget to marinate before cooking, which tenderizes meat, fish and poultry while adding great flavor.
Skip messy bowls and additional clean-up by using Ziploc® Brand Freezer Bags to marinate chicken, pork, beef and fish. Meat and poultry can marinate up to 24
hours, so when you’re ready to grill, simply take the bags from the refrigerator straight to the outdoor grill. A delicious dinner will be ready in minutes!
• Dip It — For a fun spin on outdoor entertaining, create a dipping station so guests can put their personal twist on grilled favorites. Get creative by making several
unique dips and serve them with grilled staples like fish, vegetables or meat. Try Miller’s grilled beef kebab recipe with three complimentary dips: chipotle-lime mayo, wasabi soy sauce and roasted red pepper. To offer your guests even more variety, try making the kebabs with beef, chicken, shrimp or portobello mushrooms.
• Prep It, Store It, Take It — Prep ahead for barbeques or block parties and make your side dishes and desserts days in advance. Seal in freshness by storing treats in Ziploc® Brand Containers with the Smart Snap™ Seal, which can go from the refrigerator to the cooler to the party with ease. Serve crowd-pleasing savory options like Miller’s spiral pasta with pesto, sundried tomatoes and pine nuts or homemade dips served with chips and pita wedges or sweets like cookies, brownies and bars.
• Cool It — With a little planning, the whole family can enjoy nutritious foods throughout the day while enjoying outdoor activities. Before heading out to campgrounds, the beach or the park, pack your cooler with fresh treats for the family. Make cooler space count by organizing like-items together, such as sandwiches on the left and fruits and veggies on the right to maximize space and
make finding treats a snap. Finally, add in sunscreen and a spray bottle filled with water. They’ll feel refreshing to the skin and keep the whole family sunburn free
and feeling cool on a warm day.
• Pack It — For no-fuss, budget-friendly outdoor meals and snacks, try packing a picnic for the family instead of purchasing expensive theme-park meals. Make cleaning up a cinch by storing tableware, tongs and serving spoons in Ziploc® Brand Slider Storage and Freezer Bags with the Smart Zip™ Seal for easy access. Prepare for any spills or mishaps by pre-moistening paper towels and storing them in Ziploc® Brand Freezer Bags. Reserve the bags to bring the dirty items home so you can pop them straight into the sink or dishwasher.

SC JOHNSON – A FAMILY COMPANY
Make Summer Meals Sizzle with Entertaining Tips from Ziploc®
Developed by Cookbook Author and Nutritionist Robin Miller for Ziploc® Brand
For more grilling recipes and tips from Robin Miller on how to make the most out of summer meals and activities this season, visit www.Facebook.com/Ziploc. Join the Ziploc Facebook community and share your resourceful summer entertaining tips.
About Ziploc® Brand Bags and Containers Ziploc® Brand Bags and Containers provide smart, quality solutions that help moms get more out of the things they do every day for their families. Ziploc® Brand celebrates the magnificent moments of mom, her expertise and brilliant ideas that keep households running smoothly, by offering food and home storage solutions. Ziploc® Brand products are available in grocery, mass merchandise and drug stores nationwide.

I took our Ziploc bags along on our beach vacation. They were very handy. We had somewhere to store our leftovers. And they were perfect for taking snacks to the beach for the afternoon. (The seagulls loved the pretzels my son brought!)

Summer is just beginning. One of my favorite parts is being about to grill and cook outside. Ziploc has partnered with Food Network’s Robin Miller and brought us some great recipes. Check out one of these great ones below. And keep reading for information on how to win some Ziploc bags and containers for yourself.

Spiral Pasta with Pesto, Sundried Tomatoes and Pine Nuts
Serving Size:
•4
Ingredients:
• 1/4 cup pine nuts
• 1 pound rotelle pasta, or any spiral-shaped pasta
• 1/2 cup prepared basil pesto
• 1 cup frozen green peas, thawed
• 1 cup finely chopped oil-packed sundried tomatoes
• 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Directions:
1. Place the pine nuts in a small, dry skillet and set pan over medium heat.
2. Cook for three to five minutes, until the nuts are golden brown, shaking the pan frequently. Once done, set aside.
3. Cook the pasta according to the package directions and then drain and transfer to a large bowl.
4. Fold in the pesto and stir to coat the pasta.
5. Fold in the peas and sundried tomatoes.
6. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
7. Top the pasta with the toasted pine nuts and Parmesan cheese just before serving.
Tip:
To make this a complete meal, top the dish with grilled chicken strips or grilled shrimp. You can make this dish up to 48 hours in advance and refrigerate in Ziploc® Brand Freezer Bags until you’re ready to serve. (Do not
freeze pasta.)

Beef Kebabs with Three Dips
Serving Size:
• 4
Beef Kebabs
Ingredients:
• Cooking spray
• 1 1/4 pound lean steak, such as London broil or sirloin (cut into 2-inch pieces)
• 24 cherry tomatoes
• 1 yellow onion (cut into 2-inch pieces)
Directions:
1. Coat an outdoor grill, stovetop grill pan or griddle with cooking spray and preheat to medium-high.
2. Alternate steak pieces, cherry tomatoes and onion onto metal or wooden skewers (soak wooden skewers in water for 5 minutes before using to prevent burning).
3. Season the steak, tomatoes and onion pieces all over with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
4. Place the kebabs on the hot grill and cook for 5 to 7 minutes for medium-rare to medium, turning frequently.
5. Serve with any or all of the following dips:
Chipotle-Lime Mayo
Ingredients:
• 1/3 cup of light mayonnaise
• 1/2 lime, juice and zest
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 teaspoon smoked chili powder, such as chipotle powder
Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients into a small bowl
2. Mix all ingredients well.
3. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Wasabi Soy Sauce
Ingredients:
• 1/3 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 1 1/2 teaspoons wasabi paste
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl.
2. Mix all ingredients well.
Roasted Red Pepper Dip
Ingredients:
• 1 cup chopped roasted red peppers from water-packed jar
• 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil or basil-flavored olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt-free garlic and herb seasoning
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil (optional)
Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients but the basil in a blender and puree until smooth.
2. Fold in basil if desired.
3. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Tip:
For a fun spin on outdoor entertaining, create a dipping station with Ziploc® Brand VersaGlass Containers so guests can put add their personal twist to
grilled favorites.

Prize – 1 reader will receive an array of Ziploc products, including Ziploc Freezer and Storage Bags and Slider Bags as well as Ziploc Containers.

To Enter – Tell me how you and your family can use Ziploc products this summer or which of the recipes above you'd love to try. 

Extra Entries:
-Subscribe by RSS feed or feed reader
-Subscribe by email
-Follow by Google Friend Connect
-Post my button on your blog/website
-“Like” my Facebook fan page
-“Like” Ziploc on Facebook 
-Be my friend on Facebook
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-Enter another giveaway here
-Comment on a non-giveaway post
-Follow me on Twitter
-Post about the giveaway on Twitter – Enter the Ziploc Summer Grilling giveaway from @psmomreviews – http://tinyurl.com/3v79u4q #giveaway

This giveaway is open now through Thursday, June 9th. I will post the winner on Friday, June 10th.

Open to USA only!

*Disclosure: This post was written for Family Review Network & Ziploc who provided the complimentary product for review (and giveaway) in exchange for my honest opinions.*

Isabella Water Bottle Review

Why use wasteful plastic water bottles, when you can have a sleek looking reusable one? I have no idea. I choose the reusable one every time. I love having a water bottle with me almost every where I go. Being able to fill one up at home and easily take it along for a refreshing drink of water when I need it is great.
Not only is Isabella Water the producer of a great stainless steel water bottle, but they are a giving company with a world vision. The Isabella Water Bottle is a stainless steel bottle with a sharp looking design. The bottle features a wide mouth for easy drinking and large enough for ice cubes. It is BPA free and made with 18/8, the highest quality stainless steel. It is toxin free and 100% recyclable. You can get the bottle in white or blue.

The Isabella Water company was started with the idea that everyone needs and should have fresh water. When you purchase the water bottle for around $20, $10 of that goes to help funds wells that provide clean drinking water to people in Africa and Asia.

I like the large size of the bottle. It’s perfect to take on the go. The lid is easy to open and even had a nice handle to carry. It’s also very easy to clean out. Plus you know your money is helping others with a simple purchase like this. I think it’s great for everyone in the family, my son can carry it around thanks to the great handle. And it would make a good gift for family, loved ones, and any eco-conscience person in your life.
You can purchase the Isabella Water Bottle from their website. And if you want to hear more from them, you can connect on Twitter and Facebook.


*I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.*

Artisan Bakeware Review

I love having quality products in my kitchen. (I think I’ve mentioned that before.) When I cook and bake I want things that are easy to use and help my bake/cook better. I recently got to try the Artisan Bakeware small loaf pan in my kitchen. I am familiar with clay/pottery baking. I sold Pampered Chef for years, and my kitchen is filled to the brim with stones. I use them all the time and love them too.

Artisan Bakeware is a product of Emerson Creek Pottery. Their bakeware is lead-free, handmade ceramic that is also unglazed. Having an unglazed ceramic is great for baking. It allows the bakeware to become seasoned which makes subsequent baking easier and better. Emerson Creek Pottery carries a big variety of ceramic items. In the Artisan line they have everything, such as, the oval baking dish, loaf pans, pie plates and bread pots. And they are all handpainted with their original Creeping Thyme pattern. There are other lines of products with so many other options. I could go on and on with all they have. Great things!

I found the Artisan Bakeware small loaf pan to be the perfect little gift-maker. You can easily make a small bread recipe and bake it in this pan to give and share. In my past experience with mini-loaf pans, a regular bread recipe is enough for 4 small loaf pans like this. So if you make a recipe, you’ll want to cut it by ¼. This is a great housewarming gift. You can bake a little loaf of banana bread in the pan and just give them the bread and the pan. I think that would be a great gift for anyone. You’ll enjoy this great little pan for yourself as well.

If you’re interested in purchasing anything from Emerson Creek Pottery for yourself, you can use this code for a discount they’re offering my readers.  Enter the coupon code: ss489 to receive 15% off any order over $25. The code is good through 4/29/11. And if you'd like to connect with them you can find them on Twitter and Facebook.

Buy It:  You can purchase the Artisan Bakeware small loaf pan at their website.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

SKOY Cloth Review + {Giveaway – Ends 3/7} (CLOSED)

Reusable and green is what it’s all about in our modern time. I’m excited about all the products that we have available to us to help in keeping things simpler. Learning to recycle and reuse has been fun for me. I’m not an extremist, but I am a work in progress. I love my reusable shopping bags, even if it does embarrass my husband at the mall. I’m happy to have green cleaning products and chemical-free garden products. I’ve not found the right product, but I would love to switch to cloth table napkins only.

Right in line with my families need is this latest product I reviewed. SKOY Cloth is a paper towel replacement. The earth-friendly cloths are thick yet small enough to work well where a paper towel is normally used. SKOY was the invention of two stay-at-home moms from California who were looking for a product to replace all the used paper towels they were seeing. The SKOY cloth is reusable and machine washable. It can take place of 15 rolls of paper towels! And it can absorb 15 times its own weight.

To use the SKOY cloth you simple dampen it with a little water. Then you have a perfect scrubber for all the dirty jobs around the house. I used mine in place of a sponge I usually clean my countertops with. It has a great texture that makes it thin, yet thick enough and sturdy enough to scrub and get everything clean without much effort. I did have a problem with it staining when I used it on something colored that had spilled on the counter, but I’ll admit that I didn’t wash it right away. It sat on the cloth for a while. I think prompt washing would have helped that problem.

When it’s dirty you can machine wash it or microwave it to keep it germ-free. I washed mine in the washing machine and then stuck it in the dryer. It went through with my other towels. It holds up great in the wash. It seemed to shrink up a little when it dried, but once you get it wet again it’s back to it’s old self.



The SKOY cloth is small and when dry they hardly take up any room in my kitchen at all. I can just keep my little stash of them handy and out of sight when they aren’t in use. Since the SKOY cloth is made of natural cotton and wood-based cellulose pulp it is 100% biodegradable. You can use it over and over, and when it’s seen its better days you can toss it without worries. It will break down in only 5 weeks. And the colors and inks are chlorine-free; they use a water-based color and ink instead.

SKOY cloths are available in several varieties. You can get a 4-pack of mixed colors with flower print, 4-pack white with flower print, and a few other print options as well. See below to find out where you can buy your own.

Buy It:  SKOY Cloths are available through their website and Amazon.

Win It:  I have one 4-pack of SKOY Cloths for a lucky reader to win.

To Enter: Tell me something that you like or found on their website.  Be sure to include your e-mail address, so I can contact you when you win. (If I can’t find an e-mail address in your profile or in your comment, I will draw a new number for the winner.)

Extra Entries: If you’d like to, you may earn extra entries for doing each of the following. Be sure to leave a separate comment for each. You must do the above (main) entry first, and then you can do these others.

*Post about the giveaway on your blog and leave the link here. (2 entries)
*Subscribe to this blog by RSS feed or feed reader.
*Subscribe to this blog by e-mail.
*Become a Google Friend Connect Follower (or you already are). (2 entries)
*Grab my button and post if on your blog. (2 entries)
*“Like” my fan page on Facebook. (2 entries)
*Be my friend on Facebook. (2 entries)
*Follow me with Networked Blogs (2 entries)
*Enter my other giveaways, then come back here and let me know which ones you entered. (Each good for an extra entry, so you could get as many extra entries as giveaways you entered.)
*Follow me on Twitter.
*Post about this giveaway on Twitter and leave the link here. You may do this once a day until the giveaway ends. I’ve made it easy, just Cut & Paste:

Enter to win a 4-pack of SKOY cloths (reusable paper towels) from @psmomreviews – http://tinyurl.com/2vhp2ta #giveaway

This giveaway is open now through Sunday, March 6th. I will post a winner on Monday, March 7th.

>Open to USA only!<

*I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.*

Sponsored by Tomoson.com

Hefty Basics Paper Plates Review + {Giveaway – Ends 3/7} (CLOSED)

Love the convenience of disposable plates, but hate the waste? I know that’s who I feel. I have to hand wash our dishes each and every day. Let me tell you, that gets old after a while. Some days I just want to forget all the dishes and use disposable plates all the time. But, I know that can be really wasteful, so I refrain and stick my hands back into the suds.

Hefty, who is already well known for their disposable products, is now giving us better options. Enter the Hefty Basics Paper Plates. These are a sturdy, disposable plate that is better for the environment. The price is still great, but now the plates are biodegradable in-home composting and free of inks, dyes and coatings.

Hefty sent me the new Hefty Basics Paper Plates in both their sizes. The have a large dinner plate that is 10-1/4” and the other a bit smaller at 8-5/8”. We used the 45 pack of 8-5/8” plates for our Super Bowl party. We ordered pizza for our guests and they brought along desserts and snacks. The plates held up really went for our food. And the clean up was a snap. Their natural brown color lends them to any theme, which is nice.

I can’t wait until spring, so we can try putting the plates in our compost pile. I was excited when I saw they are great for that. We’ll put them in with our other compost and see what happens. Not only do I not have to wash them when we’re done, but they don’t even have to take up room in my garbage can. I think that’s wonderful!

Right now when you “like” Hefty Basics on Facebook, you are helping to plant tress. They have partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation to plant 10,000 trees across the US. For every 10 “like”s they get, they will plant a tree. So, help them out and become a Hefty fan on Facebook now.

Buy It:  Hefty Basics Paper Plates are available in stores now.

Win It:  I have a coupon for a free pack of Hefty Basics Paper Plates for one lucky reader.

To Enter: Tell me what you like best about the new Hefty Basics Paper Plates.  Be sure to include your e-mail address, so I can contact you when you win. (If I can’t find an e-mail address in your profile or in your comment, I will draw a new number for the winner.)

Extra Entries: If you’d like to, you may earn extra entries for doing each of the following. Be sure to leave a separate comment for each. You must do the above (main) entry first, and then you can do these others.

*Post about the giveaway on your blog and leave the link here. (2 entries)
*Subscribe to this blog by RSS feed or feed reader.
*Subscribe to this blog by e-mail.
*Become a Google Friend Connect Follower (or you already are). (2 entries)
*Grab my button and post if on your blog. (2 entries)
*“Like” my fan page on Facebook. (2 entries)
*“Like” Hefty Basics on Facebook. (2 entries)
*Be my friend on Facebook. (2 entries)
*Follow me with Networked Blogs (2 entries)
*Enter my other giveaways, then come back here and let me know which ones you entered. (Each good for an extra entry, so you could get as many extra entries as giveaways you entered.)
*Follow me on Twitter.
*Post about this giveaway on Twitter and leave the link here. You may do this once a day until the giveaway ends. I’ve made it easy, just Cut & Paste:

An environmentally friendly disposable plate! Really! Win Hefty Basics Paper Plates @psmomreviews – http://tinyurl.com/4fr65gf #giveaway

This giveaway is open now through Sunday, March 6th. I will post a winner on Monday, March 7th.

>Open to USA only!<

*Disclosure: I was not paid to post this, but a product was provided to me for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.*

Oneida Multicooker Review

Being in the kitchen is something that I enjoy. It is a part of being a wife and mom that is fun. Preparing meals that my family loves is an adventure. And to go on that adventure I want the right equipment. For several years I was a Pampered Chef Consultant, so I have lots of wonderful cookware, bakeware, and tons of kitchen gadgets that I love to use.

I'm always on the lookout for great kitchen tools to add to my collection. And I really like when I find things that are functional. Oneida is a company that makes wonderful items for the kitchen. We have a knife block with a knife set from Oneida that we love. They also make things from glassware to dinnerware and great kitchenware too.

My cookware collection includes two different sets from two different companies. And one of the sets was a wedding gift (from over 10 years ago). So, when I had the chance to try a new Oneida Stainless Steel Multicooker, I was very excited. I don't have anything that will do all of this in one. And I've always thought another stockpot would be handy.

The Oneida Stainless Steel Multicooker is an 8 quart size, which is perfect for soups, sauces, pasta, and so much more. They also have a 12 quart one available. The stainless steel gives it a sleek look, and it has a high mirror finish that is easy to clean. It includes the 8 QT stockpot, steamer, strainer and a tempered glass lid. All of these fit together for easy storage. It has "an encapsulated aluminum base" that helps with uniform heating, which I think is an essential for cookware. The stockpot and steamer both have handles that make it easy to use too. It is recommended to only hand wash the multicooker (which isn't a problem for me, since I don't own a dishwasher). And it does come with a 10 year limited warranty.



I think the Oneida Stainless Steel Multicooker would make a great addition to any kitchen. It's so easy to use and easy to clean. I have made soups, pasta, and other things in it. My favorite features are the handles and everything that stacks together. It's great to have several tools in one to use.

Oneida has this on sale on their website for almost half price, and on Amazon.com for even cheaper! If you're interested in a new stockpot/multicooker, you should jump on this now. It would also make a great gift, especially for the upcoming spring/summer wedding season!


 
Buy It: The Oneida Stainless Steel Multicooker is available in stores, from their online store, or other places online.


 
*Disclosure: I was not paid to post this, but a product was provided to me for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.*