Quieting my Inner Cynic

If every cloud has a silver lining, every environmentalist has an inner cynic. We're the ones who say, "Earth Day? I do this kind of thing 24-7-365."  True to form, I had a field day today when I came home from school.

The weather outside was delightful, so I was able to walk to and from work. I brought my own lunch, refilled my own water bottle and coffee mug, and handled the workday in my usual green way. Then I came home.

A package was on the porch: a product review sample left by FedEx. While overnight shipping has a significant carbon footprint, I understand the need for marketers to get their products out to their bloggers quickly. I can swallow this one.

The mailbox had a book in it, a title I'd ordered from a swap site. This book will go to the little free library in front of my school building. Wrapped in recyclable brown paper, this secondhand book quietly and firmly channeled my inner Kermit the Frog green.

The newspaper had an article about reducing trash. A nearby city is considering a pay-by-the-bag policy instead of the current property tax billing. I laughed out loud. When we moved here 16 years ago, we filled our large garbage bin to the brim every week. Now we have a garbage bin that's half the size (and a fee of $0), and if we miss a weekly pick-up it doesn't matter. We generate very little garbage. Recycling, composting, and a sincere effort to reuse instead of disposing all contribute to our lack of trash. Charge by the bag? I'm so there.

Well, I opened the box to find a half-axed attempt at enviro-packaging. First, they'd sent me both items instead of the one I wanted. Hint: I didn't sign up to review a kids' product because my "kids" are grown-ups now. Second: the box was way, way over-packaged. I might have let this go if the only packaging had been the (reusable and recyclable) shredded paper, but atop the paper was a plastic sheath and underneath were two - 2! - layers of puffy plastic pillows.

Deep breath, Daisy, deep breath. Not everyone has the same eco-standards as the Okay Chorale. Finish supper, settle in with laptop, and relax.

My inbox had a note from a consulting group recruiting bloggers to try a program called the One Bag Party. Their goal is (are you ready for this?) to keep trash bags out of the landfill by making their bags stronger with less plastic. I stopped myself from snorting cappuccino out my nose at this one. This is supposed to be eco-sensitive? Make the bags bigger and stronger so people can throw away more garbage? People, check out the graduation party for Amigo and La Petite - a true One Bag Party. We didn't even use the lyrical Red Solo Cup.

Oh, sigh. I guess the world isn't ready for the Compostermom standard. Quiet, inner cynic, quiet.

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Zero Water Pitcher Review - How's your TDS?

I live in the Great Lakes basin where water is plentiful. In the Great Lakes basin, municipal water goes through mandatory primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment stages. Look it up. It's fascinating.

Even in the Great Lakes basin, unfortunately, water can contain particles that slip through the water treatment plant. People in the know refer to these as Total Dissolved Solids, or TDS. TDS can contain lead & chromium, among other metals; pharmaceuticals (unneeded medications flushed into the water supply), and more. These particles are tiny; they're measured in PPM, or parts per million. It's a wee bit scary, isn't it, to think of these microscopic dangers in our drinking water.

Enter the solution: the Zero Water Bottle for filtering water.

I have a water pitcher with a filter already, but I have no idea how much it filters out of my tap water. I offered to test the Zero Water brand filter because my current pitcher is an awkward shape for the refrigerator and because the Zero Water pitcher comes with its own water meter for measuring TDS. Before taking a sip, Chuck and I read the directions.

Chuck: This has more instructions than a broadcast camera!

Me: No problem. Clear instructions are good.

Chuck (reading enclosed pamphlet): Actually, it's not that bad. What is TDS? It's measured in PPM, parts per million.

Me: Total Dissolved Solids. See above for explanation of TDS.

Chuck: Why should I care?

Me: Those dissolved solids can be lead, chromium, medications... you name it.

Chuck: Ah. I get it.

Me: This will be fun. I don't get enough hands-on science any more. Hand me that meter.

Getting started using the TDS meter was indeed fun for me. I looked up the directions, made sure the meter started on zero, and then filled my new Zero Water pitcher. Meanwhile, I measured my tap water at 117 ppm.

You can find an estimate of your own TDS by entering your zip code at the Zero Water site. According to the site, my reading should have been higher: 275 ppm. I sent my own reading to the webmaster to help correct their data, something you can do if your reading is not the same as the one they have on record.

Now back to the pitcher. After going through the ion exchange filter in my new Zero Water pitcher, the TDS reading was an impressive 000. This process only took a few minutes.

So far, I'm impressed by the Zero Water pitcher. It fits nicely on my refrigerator shelf. It has a spout for pouring and a dispenser button at the bottom. In addition to these practical aspects, the filtration met, no, exceeded my expectations. I'm very pleased with this product.

Would you like to win a Zero Water filter pitcher of your own? You can, courtesy of MomCentral and ZeroWater. They're giving two readers a chance to own their own pitchers just like mine. Readers, leave a comment to be entered into the pitcher drawing. That's pitcher drawing, not picture drawing. Ahem. To make this even more interesting, leave your TDS reading from the Zero Water web site. It'll be fascinating to compare the data.

Make sure I have your email in your comment profile or already in my address book so I can contact you if you're a lucky winner. The drawing closes at midnight on Wednesday, April 25. It'll be worth your while. Limit yourself to one entry, please, despite my enthusiasm.

While you're waiting for the contest to close, you might want to visit the Zero Water web site and their Facebook page. If you don't win, or if you want to buy one for someone else, you can use MC30 for 30% off on a 10 cup pitcher at this site.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of ZeroWater and received a water pitcher to facilitate my review, two pitchers to giveaway, and extra filters to thank me for taking the time to participate. Participation was fascinating and fun.

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Whipped, not Beaten - cooking up fun with a good book

Is a picture worth a thousand words, or is a good book worth a thousand -- whatever? I'd go with the second, really. Pour me a cup of coffee, and let's relax with a good book.

Whipped, not Beaten by Melissa Westemeier is a great read. It's smooth, it's quick, and it's quality. Melissa manages to hit all the right buttons for an enjoyable piece of pleasure reading.

The characters ring true. They dress casually, their friendship groups are realistic, and the dialogue is natural. This dialogue sets up characters and even directs the plot at times. The diverse group realistically could live in Madison, Wisconsin, the central location in Whipped, not Beaten. The studio apartments, the close-knit young people meeting at the corner coffeehouse or bar, the staff at Public Radio - all are based in reality. A reader could meet them on the street, or at least meet people just like them.

On the same note, the descriptions of Madison and the tiny town of Neillsville (a stop in the road late in the book) are spot on. College towns and university cities in Wisconsin often sport a small town atmosphere where everyone knows someone who knows someone else who knows you or your best friend. That tendency is comforting, but can get in the way, too. When Sadie needs a date for a party, she's a bit stuck because all those she knows are either inappropriate or already invited. She gets lucky by running into a handsome neighbor at (of course) the corner coffeehouse. No spoilers, but when he spills cappuccino down her front, it brews up a new adventure for our heroine.

The author has obviously attended a fair share of product parties and heard the recruitment pitches. She knows the structure and the lingo well enough to place Sadie in an entry-level sales position at Coddled Cuisine, a cookware line sold at home parties, and to grant Sophie a small but significant amount of success.

Sadie joins the Coddled Cuisine crew to supplement her income at Wisconsin Public Radio. I loved this placement. Amigo and I (and Chuck, too) are Public Radio junkies. We just had stuffed chicken for dinner, in fact, a heart-healthy recipe we heard on Zorba's show this morning. Amigo and I have trekked to Bayfield, Wisconsin, with other Public Radio junkies and some WPR staff members and interns. I understood the workload Sophie faced each day, her research requirements, and the fast-paced atmosphere. Her need for a second income is realistic, too, which led to the adventure of Coddled Cuisine. WPR's fundraising has slipped with the recent recession, and salaries probably resemble those of others employed in the public sector in our fair state. Okay, enough politics. Back to the story.

Too much detail would spoil the fun of reading this book. I wonder if Sadie's job changes and successful -- never mind -- will lead to a sequel? Melissa, if you write it, I'll read it.

I hope many of my blog readers will pick up Whipped, not Beaten, and read it, too.

Disclaimer: I bought this book; it was not donated. The review is honest and not compensated in any way. But maybe, just maybe, the author will let me pick raspberries at her homestead again next summer...?

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Hickory Farms Gift Baskets

Every year I create gift baskets for our extended family. I'm lucky; if I start early, I have time. My gift baskets are no match for the professionals, though. Hickory Farms, for example, sent me a gift basket to review and I was impressed.

When the box arrived, I was eager to open it and see what had come from Hickory Farms. It was like an early Christmas gift from Mom Central! The basket was a good size, wrapped well, and looked like it contained a lot of delicious treats. I emptied the top layer and stood back to look it over.

I noticed that the packaging was paper, shredded small and crinkled. The effect was a nice looking basket with a neutral background for the fruit, sausage, cheese, and more, and then a reusable or recyclable batch of packaging. This was a case of good packaging, keeping the pears and apples from bruising, and filling the basket as well. Within the layers of shredded paper fill were more pears and apples!


The fruits were delicious and fresh. One popular feature at Hickory Farms is their $3 - 3 Day shipping. Freshness matters when giving food. I recommend this shipping option because my fruit and cheese was just right and ready to eat when it arrived. See below for a close-up of the fruit. The racing sausage guys were a little jealous when I paid attention to the Hickory Farms sausages, so I let them join in the picture.

The cheese was fresh and flavorful, a smooth and tasty medium cheddar. The beef summer sausages sliced easily and tasted good with crackers and cheese as we watched our Green Bay Packers trounce the Detroit Lions. This was definitely a winner in my book - er, kitchen. I enjoyed the Hickory Farms basket, and so did the rest of my extended family.

I wish I could have found out exactly where the cheese and sausages were produced. In a state like Wisconsin, where cheeses abound and sausages even race around a baseball field, it's logical to want to trace the origins of these products. Product quality was excellent, and freshness a plus. Wherever the butchers and cheese makers are, they do their work well.

As for the basket and the packaging, there are two birthdays and the Christmas holiday coming up. I know I'll reuse these by filling them with my own homemade goodies.

I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Hickory Farms and received a product sample to facilitate my review. And what a generous and delicious sample it was!

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Beside Still Waters book review

It started with tragedy and ended with a question: will she or won't she?

Marianna Sommers is nineteen years old and facing the usual challenges of being an Amish teen. Should she experiment with the outside world, the Englisch? Or should she stay within her boundaries, follow the guidelines of Amish life, and formally join her church? It's no spoiler to say that Marianna is very devout and has no desire to stray from the Amish way. She has other constraints, though. Born on the day of a terrible accident, she feels pressured to be all things to all people, to make up for the losses her family suffered the day she entered the world.

Marianna, wrapped up in the courting rituals of a young man in the community, doesn't realize that her parents are also suffering. Their solution is a major change: a move from Indiana to a smaller, more intimate Amish group in Montana. Marianna breaks out of her usual quiet to beg to be left in Indiana, finally agreeing to stay in Montana for at least six months to give the move a fair chance. After six months, she may return to Indiana and the man she's loved for most of her life.

The family finds many differences not limited to the landscape. Montana Amish are less bound by the traditions and rules of the church, often by necessity. They befriend outside of their faith, working and socializing with Englisch people. It takes Marianna a while to adjust to interacting with people who do not follow the Amish way, but she finds her skills as baker and quilt-maker to be useful in both cultures. She also finds peace in Montana in the mountains, in the woods, and beside the still waters of a beaver-made pond.

Author Tricia Goyer did her homework before writing Beside Still Waters. The Sommers family is true to the faith and culture. Bits of Pennsylvania Dutch language are sprinkled in, as are Amish methods of farming and cooking and completing basic household chores. The family isn't perfect; each member, from parents to the youngest child, has faults and doubts to confront. Goyer takes readers inside the thoughts and emotions of Marianna, especially, as she reaches adulthood and faces difficult decisions.

Beside Still Waters is only the first. Goyer plans more novels to follow Marianna, her friends, and her family. To follow Tricia Goyer on Twitter, look for @triciagoyer.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of the Beside Still Waters Campaign and received a copy of the book and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

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Cheese! Glorious cheese! Sargento Fridge Packs

Being part of Mom Central Consulting is a lot of fun. The current fun is cheese. Yes, cheese. This cheese is good quality (it's from Sargento), and the product itself is all about the packaging. Speaking of packaging, I was very excited to open up the box when it came. Look at all this cheese!

Below is the cheese as it fits in the refrigerator. Sargento Fridge Packs are made for convenience. As much as I prefer bulk packaging for most of my foods, I have to admit I liked these. Each cheese stick is vacuum wrapped to keep it fresh.

I opened the box of Colby Jack first. It didn't take long before all three boxes were open. La Petite and Chuck dipped in immediately. This is a good sign for Sargento; we're cheese snobs. We like our cheese real and we like it fresh. This cheese, thanks to its packaging, was very fresh and very delicious. Chuck packs a stick or two in his lunch. La Petite eats it any time of day, including breakfast. My favorite time to dip into the Fridge Packs is mid-afternoon to keep me from nibbling later while making supper.

Did I say it went quickly? It was a blur, honestly. Who needs junk food? When something healthier is this convenient, the family will eat it.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Sargento and received product samples and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate. No, it wasn't a cheesehead. I already have one of those. This product review was tasty and fun; thanks for including me, MomCentral and Sargento. The family thanks you, too.

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Treasuring Simple Pleasures & Everyday Joy

MomCentral calls this blog tour in honor of Mother's Day "Treasuring Everyday Joy." I added Simple Pleasures to the title because the everyday happy moments are often simple.

My little darlings are entering adulthood; Amigo is 19 and La Petite is 24. Chuck and I are gradually getting tastes of what the home will be like as an Empty Nest.

Since my children are not home every day, I treasure the days and nights that they're here - mostly. I'm sure we'll reach the point where we love it when they arrive, and we like it when they leave. We're not there yet. I still get a tug on my heartstrings when my young adults leave for school and work in other cities.

Simple pleasures include eating supper together at the table, watching Jeopardy as a group, and exchanging stories of our time apart. Simple pleasures might be shopping with La Petite; we're both bargain hunters. Amigo is a fan of Public Radio, and listening to Old Time Radio Drama is his favorite Saturday night routine. When I join him, I might listen, or I might just relax with my laptop and work while we enjoy each other's presence.

Simple pleasures are different when the "kids" are gone. La Petite and I email, text, and chat online when she's not busy. Amigo emails me or calls me with news. He called last weekend as his bus left the site of their forensics meet; he'd earned a first place medal! Thanks to cell phones, we were able to share the celebration right away.

Yes, my babies are gone. They haven't been babies for a long, long time. If I need to fulfill the urge to snuggle a small one, our bunnies are usually willing to step up. Hop up. Okay, I pick them up.

In honor of Mother's Day and babies everywhere, Johnson's is contributing $1 to the March of Dimes for each "promise" (like) on their Facebook page. They are also hosting a series of photo contests on Facebook; check out the page for details.

This was not a typical product review blog tour. I wrote this post while participating in a blog tour sponsored by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Johnson's. I will receive Johnson's Baby products and a promotional item as a thank you for my participation.

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Spring, Summer, and good health

Late spring and early summer are sometimes the hardest seasons for eating fresh and local. My freezer is emptying of last summer's bounty, the Farmers' Market hasn't opened yet, it's too early and too wet to plant, much less harvest, and we're in the midst of time-consuming events that signal the end of the school year.

We're hoping and planning to put up more of our own garden produce and local goodies from the Farmers' Market as soon as local food comes into season. I'm preparing in several ways.

• I picked up a food saver to replace my hand pump. I liked using the zipper bags for vegetables, but pumping the air out of each bag got tiring. Pushing a button and "zip!" sucking the air out will make it easier.
• I've set aside good containers for freezing fresh fruits and fresh peppers. It's so nice to reach into the freezer and pull out a jalapeno pepper from last fall's garden instead of buying one from the store, a pepper probably imported over a great distance.
• The tomato and pepper sections of our garden will be bigger and more varied. The family requested more salsa this year; last year's stock only lasted until December. More salsa means more pulp tomatoes and more peppers.
• We'll continue to plant spinach; adding spinach to soups and stews and salads and omelets, to name a few, can increase or maintain a decent amount of iron in my diet.
• Herbs! Seasoning with fresh herbs is tasty and helps us resist adding too much salt to our food. The chives are right outside the dining room door, making them easily accessible.

In the meantime, I can stock the kitchen with good foods made from scratch. I keep baking bread, adding flaxseed or local honey or other healthy additions to the recipe. The slow cookers (yes, plural, I have several) provide another method for easily cooking from scratch. It's easier to keep meals low salt and low calorie when I have control over the ingredients.

When I don't have time or energy to cook from scratch, it's time to pull out something simple, yet healthy. Weight Watchers Smart Ones is making it easier to stay on track with a healthy meal plan without spending time on prep work beforehand. Their products provide a variety of delicious, convenient and portion controlled meals and snacks that contain lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. And now they are offering two new breakfast items - like the new Egg, Sausage & Cheese Wrap and the French Toast with Turkey Sausage. If you're keeping track, the packaging tells you the Weight Watchers PointsPlus values in each serving, allowing you to conveniently plan for the day. Visit www.eatyourbest.com for more information.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Weight Watchers Smart Ones and received a promotional item and coupons to facilitate my review.

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Bausch and Lomb Bio-True

The prefix bio- means life or living. Biography. Biology. Biodiversity. Bioluminescence. I hear you: bio what? Look it up. Bioluminescence. It's cool. Bausch and Lomb set some pretty high standards for their new contact solution BioTrue.

BioTrue gets its name from the research involved in creating the product. By studying how the eye itself works, how it naturally cleans and hydrates and keeps itself healthy, researchers created BioTrue contact lens solution. Like my previous contact solution, BioTrue can clean and store my contacts. I only need to bring one bottle along if I'm traveling. Unlike my previous solution, BioTrue is exactly the pH of human tears and contains a lubricant that already exists naturally in human eyes.

I once asked an eye doctor about the importance of the brand name on contact solution. He told me, "For a lot of people, it matters very little. For a few people, it matters a lot." My experience with store-brand contact lens products led me to believe that I'm one of the latter category; quality of solution makes a big difference to me and my contacts. I found BioTrue to be an excellent storage solution for my contact lenses and to clean them as well. It really does keep my lenses, and by association my eyes, wetter, er, better hydrated. This is a product I can buy again, even with my sensitive eyes.

I wrote this review while participating in a Mom Central Consulting blog tour on behalf of Bausch + Lomb Biotrue. I received a Biotrue sample and a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate. They sent a collapsible shopping bag, too; it's already in my purse and ready for use.

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In with the good air, out with the bad air

Last fall MomCentral sent me a Filtrete water pitcher to test and review. We're still using it. I filter water for my coffee, to make juices from concentrate, and Chuck used some last weekend to mix up a delicious rum punch with fresh nutmeg grated on top. Oops, I'm getting off the subject.

The Filtrete water pitcher is good quality. I replaced the filter on top and kept using it; it's really working out well for us, providing filtered water for many uses and reducing the amount of bottled water we purchase.

Home air filters should be replaced regularly, too, and Filtrete (a 3M company) makes a high performance filter called the Elite Allergen Reduction Filter. Clean air is just one healthy home tip found on Filtrete's Clear Advantages site. If you're like me, you'll visit a site like this once, gather tips, and then forget to go back. Filtrete makes it easy, though; just subscribe to their eNewsletter. It's seasonal, so it won't clutter your inbox. The eNewsletter offers seasonal tips for air quality and even a reminder to change air filters regularly.

I did not get an air filter to test for this review. However, I did have a good introduction to the brand from my water filter experience. The Filtrete web page is full of good information and opportunities to buy their products if you can't find them locally. I found a Special Offers page, too, offering mail-in rebates and more. Filtrete is also on Twitter as (you guessed it) @Filtrete.

Thinking about allergens is making me sneezy. Just staring at my friendly pet rabbit, that loving and shedding little source of animal dander, and remembering the mold season coming soon (begone, snow!).... it's probably time to change the air filter at my house.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Filtrete and received a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate. Now I'm thinking about the allergens to come as the temperatures rise and the snow melts; I'd better put down the computer and get the air filter changed.

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Fiber Choice

Long ago, Chuck's doctor tried unsuccessfully to convince him that a fiber regimen would help ease his, er, um, stomach discomfort. I tried, too, as shown in a post one Saturday morning. The dialogue went something like this.

"Here, dear, I found a jar of Metamucil for you."
"I'm not ready."
"Not ready?"
"I like my Saturn. I don't want to drive a Buick yet."
"I took it years ago when I was pregnant with Amigo."
"And look what you drive now!"

My minivan -- he'd dissed my minivan! The minivan that took us on more than a few vacations, moved La Petite to and from college, brings big batches of yard waste to the brush dump every summer, took my carpool to graduate classes for two years, and more!

Well, now that we're both 50, fiber isn't such a taboo topic. Whether Chuck knows it or not, I sneak wheat germ or flaxseed into a lot of the food I serve. Both of us eat vegetables regularly, but I'm the only one that nibbles on fruit. MomCentral offered a chance to try Fiber Choice, I decided to participate, whether Chuck does or not.

Here are a few basic facts about Fiber Choice products.

• Fiber Choice supplements are prebiotics, which nourish the probiotics, or "good bacteria" that live naturally in the digestive system.
• Probiotics help maintain the balance between the good bacteria and the bad, keeping the body systems functioning well.
• Fiber Choice comes in packages of 10, 90, and 220 with prices ranging from $2.49 to $19.99.
• Available flavors include orange, pomegranate, assorted berries, and a sugar free assorted fruit mix. Chuck likes pomegranate: maybe he'll try it.
• I like the assorted berries flavor.
• Fiber Choice is available at local pharmacies and many times in the health aisles of the grocery stores.
• You can follow @FiberChoice on Twitter.

Fiber Choice is an easy and even tasty way to work more fiber into a diet. And that minivan? It's still in the garage, still my main vehicle. So there.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of FiberChoice and received a coupon to facilitate my review and a gift code to thank me for taking the time to participate.

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May all your holiday photos be lovely - Adobe Photoshop Elements can help

I'm fortunate to live with an aspiring professional photographer. She does more than take pictures; she makes pictures. She uses her artist's eye, knowledge, and experience to set up the photo and edits it, crops it, makes it work. I learn from watching her, even though I know I'll never be at her level.

I do take pictures for my blog(s) and for the school slide show. If I ever give in and open a Facebook page, I'm sure I'll post pictures there, too. But anyway, back to the topic at hand: here's my list of five tips for making a good digital photograph.

1. Set up the photo before taking it. Look at the background and the lighting. A clean photo setting in the first place is easier than editing out clutter later.

2. Know your camera and its settings. I'm still learning mine. When I think it through and set it up thoughtfully, the pictures turn out much better.

3. Know your editing software. I'm looking into Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 for myself. I do not need the professional level Photoshop software, but I do want my end result to look good. La Petite uses a professional version of Photoshop, and she does wonderful work.

4. Keep the camera charged. I know, that's a "Doh!" piece of advice. I turned up at the Homecoming parade ready to take pictures only to find I had enough charge for one. One picture of my students in their school colors. I haven't made that mistake again.

5. Organize. My photos are in file folders by date and by topic. I delete those I no longer need, such as photos intended for the blog but never used. I also save them in compre

ssed size for blog use; if a photo might be needed in its full resolution, I save it twice: once compressed, once not.

One summer evening, Amigo and I were sitting outside reading in the backyard swing. La Petite hovered with her camera, making pictures of Amigo's graceful hands reading Braille. She eventually left us alone with our Harry Potter and went inside to download and edit her work. The final result was a contest winner titled "Touching Words." The photo is lovely, but my favorite part is the back story. Amigo had a spot of marinara sauce on his hand from the lasagna we'd had for supper. She had to edit out the sauce with Photoshop before printing and displaying the picture.

Was it worth it? I think so, but I'll let you be the judge. Here it is: La Petite's photo of her brother, titled "Touching Words."

For more information on Adobe Photoshop Elements 9, click on the Photoshop Home Page, follow AdobeElements on Twitter, or follow Photoshop Elements on Facebook.

I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Adobe blogging program, making me eligible to receive a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

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Lulu.com Custom Photo Books

Making gifts personal is a special and important part of Christmas. When Lulu asked me to try out their site by making a photo book, I thought of Christmas gifts right away. With La Petite's photos and editing assistance, I put together a lovely book of her work.

Uploading the pictures was easy, although it took time. La Petite uses a professional quality camera, so her photos were quite high resolution. The time was worthwhile to make sure the book was good quality in the end.

Placing the photos in the book was a mixed success. The drop and drag function was simple, but many of the layouts were odd sizes that required cropping of the original photos. I would have appreciated the option to resize the space on the page rather than resizing the photos themselves.

I recommend choosing a theme right away. I made the mistake of placing photos in the book and then choosing a theme with the end result of changing photo dimensions. Had I chosen the theme first, I might have avoided some of the problem mentioned above. Themes are varied and can compliment any photo set from any occasion.

When the demo book arrives, we're going to consider ordering more for gifts. Some people are hard to buy for; personal photo books are a great way to handle the gift dilemma.

Lulu.com will offer one reader a free photo book: a 8.5 X 8.5 in. 20 page hardcover book. If you're interested, leave a comment and make sure I can contact you by email! I'll put all the comments in a hat and pick one winner. Contest will close Friday, December 3, to give the winner a fighting chance and completing the book and getting it by Christmas.

Full disclosure: Lulu.com gave me one free photo book so I could experience the service and write a candid review. We're considering buying a second copy if we're pleased with the end result. There was no other compensation. Frankly, making the book was fun; it was enough compensation in itself!

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Money Management and Teens

My "kids" are growing up and handling their own money, when they have it. The recession and its credit bust, especially the sub-prime mortgage crisis, made me think again about the importance of growing up money-smart.

La Petite had to manage her budget as soon as she moved into a college apartment. We paid the rent, she split the utilities with her roommate, and she and her roommate handled the daily expenses such as food, toilet paper, and cleaning supplies. Oh, yes, I almost forgot - and bunny food and litter box refills.

La Petite had a summer job when she was in high school, babysitting a young girl during the parents' workday. She worked at a big box store's garden center when she was home from college. These jobs provided a chance to develop a work ethic and a chance to handle a bank account. Her checking account is held jointly with me - mainly so I could handle deposits and withdrawals while she was gone to college in a different city.

Amigo's situation is a little different. Teens on the autism spectrum sometimes have a hard time understanding the value of money. He has a bank account (again, jointly held with me, the mom-type person), and uses his own money for a few things. He doesn't have rent or food expenses because he lives in a dorm weekdays, so we parents have to give serious thought to finding ways to help him learn to handle money.

Money management practice needs to be authentic. Playing games, holding discussions, and teaching him scripted money lessons are not very useful. He needs to plan the shopping trip, load his wallet, and go. Last weekend he took his girlfriend to McDonald's. Simple, yes, but a perfect way to find out how much a fast food meal costs and decide if it's a worthwhile use of his dollars.

Debit cards and especially credit cards can strike fear into the hearts of parents of teens. American Express PASS program can help. A PASS card is a reloadable prepaid card that parents can obtain for their teens. It looks like a credit or debit card, so teens won't stick out socially by having a "different" card in their wallet. Since it's prepaid, there is no danger of overspending. The Amex PASS card is accepted anywhere that takes American Express. Parents have control over loading funds, monitoring spending, and even disabling/ enabling the use of ATMs if necessary. Gradually weaning teens from the parental control, letting them make small but correctable mistakes, can be part of the learning process.

My teen is 18 going on 19, older than the target age, but this kind of card would be a useful tool for him. He could learn to keep track of his money online, a more accessible option than a print statement (he's blind). He couldn't overspend, so we'd need to talk over budgets and priorities before hitting the stores. Timing is good right now, too; Amigo loves Christmas and everything involved, including gift shopping.

American Express PASS card has made me think. And when it comes to teaching money management, thinking is an important first step.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of American Express and received a gift code to thank me for taking the time to participate. I did not receive an American Express PASS card as part of the review process; they provided the information and the link to their web site. Check out the site; it's easy to navigate and full of useful information.

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Dunkin' Donuts Coffee

Me and my big mouth. I mentioned the latest product review for my blog and the lovely package (pictured below) that had just arrived in the mail.

Minutes later, I was surrounded by fellow coffee-loving teachers suggesting that I really needed to expand the pool of taste-testers. They offered the art teacher's coffeepot.

I gave in.

The vanilla nut flavor made a home in the school office with our incredibly more-than-competent secretarial staff. They're wonderful people, and they've helped me out so much this year that there's not enough coffee in the world to say thanks. After I made a couple of pots of vanilla nut at home (I had to try it out myself, of course, or where's the integrity?) I delivered the rest of this delicious blend to the divine Ms. M and superior Ms. K.

The mocha mint flavor tastes like Christmas. The first time I made it, I kept looking outside and expecting snow, not leaves awaiting my rake. I felt like wrapping presents and decorating the tree. I shared about half of the package with my teacher friends, but I'm setting the rest aside for December. They had a similar reaction, invoking statements like "I think I'll go home and find my Christmas music!"

Pumpkin Spice is perfect for November. Harvest-style flavor, just sweet enough, and an aroma that brings Thanksgiving into my home - what more could I want? Well, someone to clean up after the turkey is carved, maybe, but I'll settle for Pumpkin Spice Coffee for now. The P.E. teacher was especially excited to try this flavor because she had seen it in the grocery store, but didn't want to buy a full bag until she knew it was good. Well, now she knows.

My professional colleagues understand the role of a good cup of coffee in maintaining teacher sanity. I predict more of these lovely blends will find their way into our school building's coffeepots.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Smuckers and received necessary products to facilitate my review. In addition, I received a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate. All that and a chance to share with my friends, too - now that's the holiday spirit. Thanks, Dunkin. Thanks, MomCentral. I hope your holidays are delicious and enjoyable.

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Making Choices about Health

I'm lucky. I have good health insurance coverage through my job. I'm also lucky that my insurer is focused not just on illness, but on wellness. The organization's leaders remind us that while we cannot control medical costs, but we can control our own healthy choices.

I've had some major health issues lately, most recently gout. In addition to treating the gout (thanks, Doctor! The medicines are working well!), I make sure I rest and put my feet up each night, and I'm looking into diet changes that can help prevent further problems. Staying hydrated, minimizing certain foods and alcohol, gradually building strength in the weakened joint, are all choices under my control. With two disabled family members (my hearing loss and Amigo's blindness & autism), I have to choose our open enrollment options carefully. When I'm due for new hearing aids, I set aside money in a pre-tax medical sub account so that this major purchase doesn't hurt the family finances.

Aetna asked bloggers to take time to review this article and share five tips based on what we read. Here's my tip list:

Daisy's Tip #1: Determine your priorities. Prescriptions? Glasses/ contacts? Hearing aids? Face these priorities honestly, and then figure out the best plan for coverage.

Daisy's Tip #2: Ask questions. My favorite way to do this is to bring a list to medical appointments. Should I get a flu shot? If so, can I get it today? If the doctor says "surgery," ask for details. If the doctor says, "medication," ask how that medicine will react with others that you take regularly.

Daisy's Tip #3: Keep track of spending. Some of the costs not covered by insurance can be tax deductible. Keep receipts; the dollar amounts are important, as are the receipts that prove it. Tracking dollar amounts can also determine the amount you'll deposit in a medical sub-account. Remember my hearing aid example? Exactly like that.

Daisy's Tip #4: Plan ahead. This is my personal goal. I plan a physical every August, but I need to schedule dental cleanings, mammogram, and hearing aid maintenance -- all around my teaching schedule. Getting these on the calendar keeps me on top of my own basic health care.

Daisy's Tip #5: Take care. Really. Remember my opening - wellness opportunities? This is one area that's under my control. I can read the monthly wellness newsletter and take its advice. I can cook from scratch, controlling the ingredients and preservatives in my family's diet. I can exercise - when my ankle finally heals. I can get off the computer (as soon as I'm done with this post!) and spend time outside putting the garden to bed for the winter. Informal exercise with a shovel and a pile of dirt: it feels good.

These common sense tips and more are in this article from Aetna, but the tips are not limited to one insurance carrier. Taking control of health care is a personal challenge, and not an easy one. Making changes in coverage, sub-accounts, and wellness are long term investments in your health, your life, and your family's future.

I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Aetna blogging program, making me eligible to get a $30 Target gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

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Filtrete Water Pitcher; can it break the bottle habit?

I volunteered to test the Filtrete Water Pitcher in the hopes that it might break or at least reduce our family's bottled water habit. I understand that Chuck grabs a water bottle for the convenience of it on the road. But do La Petite and I really need to drink water from these ridiculous bottles around the house? I have a new BPA-free water bottle and an extra that La Petite can claim as her own, and now that I have a Filtrete pitcher we can simply refill the good quality water bottles with filtered tap water.

The big question: will we do it?

The first thing we noticed was the awkward shape and size of the pitcher. It's a little top heavy, making it tough to fit on the refrigerator shelf without moving several items. It doesn't fit in the door. Chuck (yes, he's giving it a good try!) mentioned the top-heavy shape made it a little uncomfortable for pouring.

The filtered

pitcher is definitely more economical than buying bottles. I can replace the filter every three months (there's a little button on the top that will remind me when it's getting old), and the pitcher itself will last for years. I wish I had tried this out in the summertime when I was weeding and pruning outside, a water bottle by my side. But wishes aside, I really like the concept that I can get cold, tasty water without spending a bundle and using piles of plastic with limited recycling capabilities.

So, you ask, is it working? So far, so good. Chuck still grabs a plastic bottle or two on his way to work, but I have a new BPA-free bottle on my bedside table filled with filtered water. If I don't drink it all, I water the plants. I'm actually drinking more water now that it's so convenient; reaching for a glass and filling it takes no time at all. The downside is still the size and shape of the pitcher; only time will tell if the convenience, pennywise nature, and the eco-consciousness of it will overrule the refrigerator space issue.

Need more information? You can follow Filtrete on Twitter (@FiltreteWater) or "like" them on Facebook. Filtrete also has an email newsletter to which you can subscribe. Just check out their web site.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Filtrete and received the water pitcher to facilitate my candid review. The review is up today, but the pitcher will stay in my refrigerator for a long, long time.

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Random Dental Thoughts

If you've been following my plurks or tweets lately, you know I've spent several weeks in pain from an unexplained ankle problem. I realized the ankle pain was serious when I was in the dentist's chair getting work done. Yes, the dentist.

I'm a wimpy dental patient - the kind who wants every kind of painkiller and relaxant available. Our dentist is kind and understanding. He doesn't call me a wimp; he says "We want you to be comfortable. Would you like some tylenol before we start, too?" And then the assistant hooks up the nitrous oxide and I take a deep breath.

Back to the ankle. I was breathing in the nitrous and relaxing, finding a focal point on the ceiling (Lamaze style), and realized with a Woodstock-style tone "Wow, my ankle doesn't hurt. For the first time in a week, my ankle feels good." This thought was followed by my logical self saying "Wow, that's not good. Self, call the doctor when you get home."

Two weeks later: The ankle still hurts, but the teeth are doing great. No pain, easy cleaning, and the final crowns go on in next month. The dental assistants are really good at giving practical advice, too. They show me how to brush better, how to floss, and how to make sure the temporary crowns stay in place until the final pieces go in. Somehow, they're polite and professional and non-judgmental the whole time.

When is dental floss not a floss? When it's a Bryton pick. It's small, reusable (wash it after each use, it's quick), and easy to handle. Bryton sent me two samples, and I tried them out during a busy season: sweet corn on the cob season. The little pick worked for me: less waste than traditional floss, tiny and easy to store, and effective in getting rid of the residue from the delicious farmers' market corn.

Now if only I could get rid of this ankle/foot pain as easily....

BrytonPick sent me a sample product in order to do this review. Yes, it honestly came in late August when we were buying and cooking and eating sweet corn every week. Perfect timing, as far as I'm concerned. I was not otherwise compensated for this review.

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Healthy Choice steamed meals

I'm all about fresh foods whenever possible, cooking them from scratch whenever we have time. When Mom Central offered a blog tour sponsored by Healthy Choice, it took a little thought before I signed up. I'm glad I did. In their new steamed meals, Healthy Choice worked hard to minimize the ingredient list and keep those ingredients identifiable to ordinary people like you and me. They created packaging to steam cook each meal, maintaining the quality of the frozen-fresh vegetables. No mushy cafeteria beans!

Many of my teaching colleagues stock up on microwave meals for their school lunches. They'll pick out five at the store on Sunday, drop them in the lounge freezer on Monday, and continue on with their teaching week with no worries about lunches. These are really handy, and not just for teachers, I'm sure.

Healthy Choice sent me two of their new Steamed meals to try: Rosemary Chicken and Sweet Potatoes & Garlic Shrimp. Here's a snatch from the back of the Rosemary Chicken box:

"Steaming is one of the freshest ways to prepare food... it locks in fresh taste and unlocks the vibrant flavors and colors of quality ingredients." Agreed. The vegetables looked delicious and colorful; the "Eat the Rainbow" crowd would have approved. Cooked in the microwave under their special steam film, the meat and vegetables were cooked well, but not overdone. I followed the directions precisely (are you proud of me?) and even checked the temperature with a meat thermometer to make sure my slightly weaker microwave had cooked the meat through. The meal wasn't burn-your-tongue hot, though. That's a serious consideration when you have a lunch period like mine, with limited time to "cook" and eat before meetings and prep times begin.

The back of the package also has nutrition information in a form that requires little thought. That's okay, folks; if you're calculating calories, exchanges, or Weight Watchers points, it's all there for you.

My impression? Overwhelmingly positive. Microwave meals usually leave me unsatisfied, wanting to make a PBJ on the side. This one was delicious and satisfying. I could eat it for a school lunch and not worry about my stomach growling before the dismissal bell.

I usually cook Rosemary Chicken by reaching outside the door for my herbs. But in the middle of winter when I'm hunting for good and easy lunch options, I'll look to Healthy Choice and steam it up for lunch. Before that happens, though, I'm going to try the shrimp option. It looks simply delicious, too.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Healthy Choice and received samples of their new steaming entrées to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central also sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate. Healthy Choice has a Facebook page if you're interested in more information.

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Mad Science and Me

I often tell my students that my favorite scientists are Bill Nye and Ms. Frizzle. They remind me that Ms. Frizzle isn't real, and I concede the point. If I try to tell them I want to be Ms. Frizzle when I grow up, they remind me that I AM grown up. Darn. But I do enjoy teaching science, and I hope my students absorb that enthusiasm.

Mom Central began a blog tour reviewing Mad Science KNOW Magazine, and I said "Wow! This sounds like fun! Maybe they'll let me do it!" Mom Central said yes and will send a 6 month subscription, which includes 3 issues of this bi-monthly magazine. Readers, you know me. As soon as I browse each issue myself, it'll go straight to school, where the issue will probably live on a shelf for a few minutes before a student says, "Cool!" and brings it over to her desk for silent reading time.

If you're interested in browsing, Mad Science KNOW Magazine has a free online issue. KNOW is geared toward ages 6-9, which fits my class nicely. My students are 9 and 10, but many are still struggling readers. A magazine like this, very graphic, with a slightly easier reading level than they're used to, will appeal to many in my class. Features include Know-It-All, a Q&A column; Experiments - this month features math and science in string art; and this month's title feature on Patterns and Shapes. I predict my students will enjoy the patterns and shapes articles and pictures, including photos. I'm happy to see patterns introduced in a unique way; students who recognize and understand patterns have an easier time learning and memorizing math facts and concepts.

I'm going to set up the web site so that my students can browse it when we're in the lab. There are some fascinating videos that connect well to our curriculum and increase their motivation and enjoyment of science. When I'm in my role of Ms. Fourth Grade Science Teacher, that's what it's all about: science learning is so much stronger when it's fun.

There is a companion magazine for older kids. It's called YES Mag, and it's aimed at ages 10-15. KNOW Magazine is just right for my students right now.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Mad Science and received the products necessary to facilitate my review. In addition, I received a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate.

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