RudiXeno's Reviews

Clever design but is it worth the space?

Overall

Rated 4 out of 5

When I saw the Martha Stewart Over The Sink Cutting Board with Colander it struck me as a meal prep tool that would fit nicely into my kitchen and method of cooking. I like shortcuts, so combining a cutting board with a removable silicone colander seemed to make some sense. Good for rinsing and cutting or without the colander cutting and discarding trimmings directly into the garbage disposal.

After a few weeks of use I find myself conflicted with regard to a rating. If your sink is the right size and shape this can be a very useful addition to your cooking tools. My suggestion? Measure carefully.

Claritin D 24 Hour: My new favorite seasonal allergy med

Overall

Rated 5 out of 5

With only two or three weeks left to the allergy season I was going to purhase more Zyrtec D, but I had received coupons for Claritin D and thought I'd give it a try.

Surprisingly I found that I preferred the Claritin D 24 Hour medication. For me, the difference is that I find the Claritin D provides me pretty close to 24 hour relief without causing the vivid dreams I often experience with the Zyrtec D medication.

Krud Kutter: We're never without a bottle

Overall

Rated 5 out of 5

I was introduced to Krud Kutter Cleaner several years ago. Sleepless in the middle of the night I watched an infomercial for this "remarkable product". But then, aren't all infomercial products remarkable? By the morning, after several hours of much needed sleep I barely remembered my enthusiasm.

But then a couple of years ago I read a review from a highly thought of friend. The jist of the review was just how incredible Krud Kutter is at restoring a disgusting shower stall. Well, that just happened to be on my "Honey Do" list, so I lost no time picking up a spray bottle of Krud Kutter at either Home Depot or Lowe's.

Cutting to the Chase

Were never without this product. In fact,...

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunblock: Our daily sunblock

Overall

Rated 5 out of 5

As resident South Floridians, we've become more serious about skin protection particularly during the spring and summer months. While basking in the sun for countless hours may have been the cool thing to do when we were kids, now in our middle years both the health and the appearance of our skin get much greater attention.

And while we have a varied supply of different sunscreens and sunblocks, we have come to rely on Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunblock as our daily preparation.

This broad spectrum spray has several advantages over other favorites of ours when it comes to daily use.

It goes on as a very fine, dry mist that is almost immediately absorbed into our skin. We keep bot...

Coppertone Spray Sunscreen: Easy application, great performance

Overall

Rated 5 out of 5

Coppertone has long been a favorite brand of mine. Back in the '50s, Coppertone was synonymous with suntan lotion and oils.

This convenient, light spray goes on easy, doesn't run and gives a surprisingly long period of protection before you need to reapply.

Unlike earlier Coppertone products it comes in a convenient, any position spray that makes it extremely easy to apply even to the most difficult parts of your body to reach on your own.

Its SPF15 strength seems just right to me for us Florida residents who want a good degree of protection without having to remain pasty New England white.

I especially like that this is a PABA-free formula, so I don't end up with a collection of yellow...

Zyrtec Allergy Tablets: No substitute for Zyrtec-D

Overall

Rated 3 out of 5

Since moving to Florida, this once allergy-free happy-go-lucky guy usually reacts to some local pollen for a period of between 2 to 4 weeks every spring. The symptoms are generally more pronounced during seasons with above average humidity and rainfall.

Zyrtec Allergy Tablets were the first recommendation of my family doctor when I began complaining of these brief but annoying allergy symptoms.

In an earlier review I discussed my satisfaction with Zyrtec-D, a similar medication that adds the nasal decongestant, pseudoehedrine to the antihistamine Cetirizine 10mg.

Although Zyrtec-D is yet more expensive and requires you to get it from the pharmacy counter rather than the shelves in the Co...

Aussie Moist Conditioner: Excellent companion to the shampoo

Overall

Rated 5 out of 5

Left to their own devices my wife and daughter have no problem ponying up big buck on Nexxus Humectress Ultimate Moisture Conditioner. Ouch! But interestingly when I bring home Aussie Moist Conditioner along with Aussie Moist Shampoo I don't receive any complaints.

While my wife and daughter tend to use it daily, I find that I only need to use it 3 or 4 times a week. But then, my considerably shorter hair is only abused by the hot South Florida sun, while my girls subject their hair to the torture of a ceramic flat iron and an occasional hair coloring.

I find the consistency of The Aussie conditioner just slightly lighter but less waxy than the Nexxus conditioner. At least...

Seventh Generation Surface Wipes: Effective but nothing special

Overall

Rated 3 out of 5

Earlier this year when my father-in-law came to live with us for several weeks he asked me to bring over some cleaning products he had stored in his garage. Among them was a canister of Seventh Generation Surface Wipes. My in-laws have never shown any "Green" inclination so I have to assume they found these wipes at deep discount.

While I found these wipes to be competent performers, I don't find them any better than wipes from Clorox or Lysol, particularly when price is included in the equation.

All things considered, when I finished the canister of wipes I wasn't inclined to purchase another.

Aussie Moist Shampoo: A superior shampoo easy on hair & budget

Overall

Rated 5 out of 5

Aussie Moist Shampoo is one of very few "non-high-end salon brands" I can safely bring home and know that my long-tressed beauties will actually use it and its companion conditioner.

I don't mind confessing that I'm horrified when my wife or daughters come home with $30+ bottles of shampoo or conditioner that empty quickly and litter the floor of our shower. We find that Aussie Moist is as gentle on our hair as it is on my wallet. Price aside, this is a shampoo that's perfect for dealing with the stress of the hot Florida sun, not to mention the torture of a ceramic flat iron.

Like most men I can be more easily pleased than the women of the house when it comes to finding an effective...

Biotene Mouthwash: Relief for my dry mouth

Overall

Rated 5 out of 5

Following a series of heart operations during 1999 - 2000, I wash given an extensive medication regimen to follow. I was happy enough to still be on the right side of the grass so I didn't immediately associate the dry mouth I was experiencing to the medications I was taking. I just made it my business to always have a large iced tea with me. It helped some.

As the years went by though I started to experience serious dental problems. Following some extensive oral surgery last year my dental surgeon recommended that I start using Biotene products, specially intended for those experiencing dry mouth.

Biotene Mouthwash - My Take

I now make a habit of using Biotene as soon as I awake,...

Zyrtec-D: One of the few allergy meds I can count on for relief

Overall

Rated 5 out of 5

Allergy season has started a little early this year. Although I've never been diagnosed with a specific allergy I find that since relocating to South Florida almost 15 years ago there is a pollen or pollens that become present usually in mid-late April that raises a mild allergic reaction.

My symptoms usually include long sneezing jags, watery eyes, nasal congestion and sinus pain. Typically the symptoms last about 2 - 3 weeks then disappear as suddenly as they appeared.

My family doctor suggested I try one of several previously prescription and now OTC medications. His view was if they provide relief there's no need to do any allergy tests.

So, I've tried several of these medication...

Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus: More useful than I would have thought

Overall

Rated 4 out of 5

When my father-in-law who is staying with us again suggested that I take his Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus I initially felt that I had no need for this appliance. We own a Cuisinart DLC-5 7-Cup Food processor and a 10 speed Oster blender that sit on our counter-top. I didn't see the need to take up yet more valuable counter real estate with another appliance. But, he insisted. Glad he did.

Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus Food Processor DLC-2

This 3 cup capacity mini processor has surprised me with its performance. It features a 3-cup work bowl, reversing stainless steel blade and a simple pulse system for chopping and grinding.

Although I've used the larger DLC-5 for many of the same choppin...

Kirkland Lamb & Rice: Virtually Super Premium & inexpensive

Overall

Rated 5 out of 5

In a previous review I discussed finding a more budget-friendly premium dog food than the Wellness CORE Dog Food that our Miniature Schnauzer, Brandy had become accustomed to. Doing our homework, we chose Costco's Kirkland Lamb & Rice Dog Food manufactured for Costco by Diamond, known for its manufacture of its own line of Super Premium dog foods.

Since we were switching the primary protein source from turkey to lamb, we introduced this food gradually mixing it with her usual dry food (Wellness CORE) over a 10 day period.

Brandy loves the lamb taste and has adapted to the food eagerly.

Dollars & "Sense"

If it weren't for budget issues I doubt we would have made the switch but th...

Wellness CORE Reduced Fat Grain Free Diet Dog Food: Excellent

Overall

Rated 5 out of 5

For most of our Miniature Schnauzer's 7 years we've fed her Wellness CORE Original Grain Free Dry Dog Food. It's a food and a manufacturer we've come to trust.

Brandy seems to enjoy it as well; sometimes just a little too well. Although big for a Miniature, Brandy's weight should be about 18 lbs. About once a year we'll note that she's gained some weight to say, 24 lbs. While it doesn't sound like much it's a 33% increase!

That's when we switch to Wellness CORE Reduced Fat Grain Free Diet Dog Food. By eliminating the usual Chicken fat from the food it reduces both the fat content and the calorie count, but not the bulk of the food. Usually after a couple of months her weight...

Pet Armor Plus: Frontline Plus performance at half the price

Overall

Rated 5 out of 5

Flea & Tick season has started early this year in South Florida and we lie in what appears to be a hot spot for fleas & ticks. A few years ago after a very scary experience with BioSpot that left our Miniature Schnauzer, Brandy, seriously ill we made a switch to Frontline Plus, the highly recommended flea & tick preventative that relies on a completely different and safer chemical formula. Brandy tolerates Frontline Plus extremely well and we've had no issues at all with it.

If there is a downside to Frontline, it's one of cost. A 3-month supply typically costs almost $50. In this economic environment that's a pretty lofty price.

Last season we discovered Pet Armor Plus for almost half...