http://www.viewpoints.com/aboutme/KimberlyBrock Fri, 10 Aug 2007 17:52:50 GMT Reviews by KimberlyBrock http://www.viewpoints.com/Visine-A-C-Eye-Drops-review-4ff1 One of the things I've always been thankful for is that my seasonal allergies are very mild. I have friends that have full blown attacks and the suffering they go through can get pretty awful. Seasonal allergies can be very debilitating and if the allergies don't put you out of commission, the medications will. Well, much to my dismay, this summer my luck ran out. I still don't have full-blown allergies, but my eyes have been very sensitive to pollens and mold.  My eyes were a lovely shade of red and the itching and burning were driving me crazy. I didn't want a medication designed for a multitude of symptoms I didn't have, so I decided to give Visine A.C. Astringent Redness Reliever Eye Drops a try. — Visine AC claims to "Gets The Red Out®" and give "Seasonal Itching & Redness Relief". It is available in ½ fl. oz. (15 ml) and 1.0 fl. oz. (30 ml)  plastic bottles with a screw top. Application is easy; one or two drops into the eye, just like... Fri, 10 Aug 2007 17:52:50 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Visine-A-C-Eye-Drops-review-4ff1 KimberlyBrock 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Estee-Lauder-Stress-Relief-Eye-Mask-review-e3c5 When I don't get enough sleep or drink enough water, my eyes are the first telltale signs - puffy, swollen, dark circles - you know the signs. I don't care how well you take care of your skin, if the skin around your eyes looks bad, so does the rest of your face. I have tried several other eye treatments, everything from cold cotton balls to cucumber slices and creams and none of them work as well for me as Estee Lauder Stress Relief Eye Mask. — When I first came across this I wanted to try it but wasn't wild about the price. I don't mind paying for quality, but if the product stinks, you're stuck and no one likes to feel ripped off. After catching a glimpse of myself in the little counter-top mirror, I plunked down my money and crossed my fingers. — The Masks are actually pre-moistened eye pads, packaged in pairs. Estee Lauder promises that these pads will "hydrate and smooth your eye area for up to six hours, diminish puffiness and other signs of fatigue, and reduce... Fri, 03 Aug 2007 18:38:00 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Estee-Lauder-Stress-Relief-Eye-Mask-review-e3c5 KimberlyBrock 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Cloudy-Bay-1998-Sauvignon-Blanc-review-ff94 While New Zealand has been exporting wines for many years, much of the wine tasting community treated the wines with disdain until Cloudy Bay exploded onto the scene in the late 1980's.  In a very few years the wines from this vineyard achieved international success and it has become easier to find a needle in a haystack than a bottle of this wine. Almost 75 percent of the wine produced is destined for the international market before the grapes ever leave the vine. — The Bottle — I don't normally comment on, or pay much attention to the bottle, but the Cloudy Bay bottle design is very distinctive. The bottle color is a lighter green than usual and features gray neckware and a light colored label showing a scene in differing shades of gray that are supposed to depict the landscape around the Cloudy Bay area. I love the label...New Zealand is also know in Maori as Aotearoa - which loosely translated means ‘The land of the long white cloud'. It just all fits for... Thu, 02 Aug 2007 19:50:18 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Cloudy-Bay-1998-Sauvignon-Blanc-review-ff94 KimberlyBrock 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Compound-W-Liquid-Gel-Wart-Remover-review-9ca9 Chances are that at some point in your life you are going to have wart.  Warts are caused by viruses and it seems that eventually they find you. Many people go to their doctor to have their warts removed by cryotherapy (freezing) - It works but is time consuming and not covered by many insurance plans. Before you go through that expense, give Compound W Liquid Wart Remover a try. Compound W has several other products on the market, but I have seen the best results from the liquid and gel. — The Remover comes in a small glass bottle with an applicator attached to the cap. The active ingredient, Salicylic Acid, is mild and painless and this gives a safe and effective way to treat common warts at home. Application is easy. Just dab the liquid on the wart daily and let it dry. After a couple of days, you will notice the wart begin to turn dark and peel away. Continue to apply until your wart is gone - 7 - 10 days on average.  — Please NOTE: If you... Thu, 02 Aug 2007 18:59:33 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Compound-W-Liquid-Gel-Wart-Remover-review-9ca9 KimberlyBrock 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Body-Shop-Peppermint-Foot-Mask-review-9613 According to The Body Shop the Peppermint Foot Mask is supposed to "detoxify, stimulate and refresh your tired and aching feet." Does it work? You betcha! — After spending a long day in a pair of particularly uncomfortable heels, I couldn't wait to get those shoes off and my legs up...my feet were aching.  I had received a tube of Mask in a gift basket, otherwise I doubt that I would have ever even thought about a mask for my legs and feet. I had heard a lot about the benefits of peppermint oils though and this seemed like the perfect time to find out for myself. — Reading the tube, The Body Shop says that "special ingredients" in the Mask will work together to provide the benefits this mask delivers. Clay works to detoxify and lift out all impurities from your skin. The peppermint oil works to stimulate and refresh your skin leaving it very soft. Directions say to apply the Mask in a circular motion while massaging your feet. Next, elevate your feet for at least 10... Thu, 02 Aug 2007 17:41:24 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Body-Shop-Peppermint-Foot-Mask-review-9613 KimberlyBrock 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Chloraseptic-Sore-Throat-Lozenges-Honey-Lemon-18-Each-review-1653 We have had some really weird weather this summer, but especially this past month with swings from the upper 90s to the low 70s during the daytime to downright cold (to me) at night. This, along with a bit of public speaking, was enough for me to wake up with a scratchy throat on more than one occasion and I know when that happens laryngitis isn't far behind. I had more speaking ahead and I needed some relief - fast! I had a coupon for Chloraseptic Sore Throat Lozenges and figured now was the time to try them.  — Chloraseptic Sore Throat Lozenges come in a box of 18. The honey lemon flavor I picked up is a yellow-gold color with small green flecks inside. Don't let the flecks throw you - according to the package they are "cooling crystals". Menthol and cherry flavors are also available.  It should be noted that the lozenges contain Benzocaine which is an oral anesthetic. Do not use this product if you have an allergy to any 'caine' anesthetics. — As mentioned, I... Wed, 01 Aug 2007 18:06:26 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Chloraseptic-Sore-Throat-Lozenges-Honey-Lemon-18-Each-review-1653 KimberlyBrock 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Viactiv-Calcium-Soft-Chews-review-b4e2 Calcium is an important mineral that helps build and maintain bones and one that everyone should make sure is included in their daily diet. Remember you mother telling you to drink your milk? She was right all along! In 2004 the U.S. Surgeon General reported that for women of all ages and life stages, calcium, vitamin D and exercise are important to maintaining bone health and helping to prevent osteoporosis - a disease where bones become fragile and more likely to break. The good news is that you can decrease your risk of developing osteoporosis by taking a calcium supplement and doing at least 30 minutes of weight bearing exercise a day. Viactiv Calcium Soft Chews make it easy - and tasty - to meet at least part of that recommendation. — Soft Chews come in a purple box with a snap lid in either 60 or 90 count. Inside the Chews are individually wrapped in a foil wrapper. Each contains 500mg of calcium; half of the recommended U.S. Daily Allowance. The Chews also contain... Wed, 01 Aug 2007 17:02:26 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Viactiv-Calcium-Soft-Chews-review-b4e2 KimberlyBrock 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Solo-To-Go-Deep-Dish-Plates-review-db6b I am always making plates to send home with guests after parties or to send with my family for lunches.  When I saw the Solo To Go Plates and Lids in the store I was pretty excited, thinking that the days of paper plates, aluminum foil and never-to-be-seen-again Tupperware were over.  The fact that the plates are microwaveable was bonus and I didn't hesitate to bring them home.  However, before I even sent the first plate out of the house I was re-thinking my purchase. — The Good — Solo To Go Microwaveable Deep Dish Plates and Lids comes in a package of 5 plates and lids. The plates are black and according to the package, are a good 8.94" X 10.18" in size - lots of room. The lids are clear and designed to snap on and give a "tight leak proof seal".  There are handles on both sides of the plate which allow you to take the plate out of the microwave without burning your fingers.  — The Bad — Before I starting filling plates, I... Wed, 01 Aug 2007 07:48:11 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Solo-To-Go-Deep-Dish-Plates-review-db6b KimberlyBrock 1 http://www.viewpoints.com/Reynolds-Fun-Shapes-Baking-Cups-and-Cake-Pans-review-48d1 I enjoy baking and its a good thing, as I have done more than my share for school bake sales and party treats. With the next occasion always in the back of my mind, when I came across Reynolds Fun Shapes they were too cute to be left on the store shelf. — These tins vary in size and are designed to be used once and then thrown away.  Each package contains one shape such as a heart or star and the box has a clear window on the front so you can see the exact size and shape of the foil tin. Packages for cakes have just 1 tin, while cupcake size contain 24 per box. The package has directions for baking brownies, cupcakes, cookies and making Jello jigglers. However, I have used the tins for shaped Rice Crispy treats, individual cheesecakes, to make part of a cake for a baby shower and even to hold flower 'moss' to make centerpieces for an outdoor party. — The only problem I have encountered is that baked items will stick to the tins unless you use a non-stick cooking or... Wed, 01 Aug 2007 05:16:59 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Reynolds-Fun-Shapes-Baking-Cups-and-Cake-Pans-review-48d1 KimberlyBrock 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Dr-Konstantin-Frank-Salmon-Run-2001-Johannisberg-Riesling-review-a404 Salmon Run, from the respected Dr. Konstantin Frank winery is an excellent introduction not only to Riesling but also to the wines of New York State. "Johannisberg Riesling", sometimes called "White Riesling", is simply another name for Riesling - they all mean the same thing. — I can hear you questioning already - "New York??" Not exactly the first place that comes to mind when you think of vineyards is it. It wasn't for me either and I eagerly took notes at my last class.  With 140 (give or take) wineries within its boundaries and annual wine production second only to California in the United States, New York State is a major producer.  Most of us seldom see New York wines and those that do have tended to stereotype the products - especially those from the Finger Lakes region - as mediocre, grape-jelly flavored wines. — There is some truth behind the stereotype: Upstate New York's hard winters and short growing season are a far cry from the gentle... Sun, 29 Jul 2007 07:17:47 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Dr-Konstantin-Frank-Salmon-Run-2001-Johannisberg-Riesling-review-a404 KimberlyBrock 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Villa-Maria-Private-Bin-1999-Sauvignon-Blanc-review-4f9e If you want a good Sauvignon Blanc then you have to take a look at New Zealand wines. New Zealand has been producing top white wines for many years now but it is almost impossible to find any of the better vineyards represented in stores near me.  Therefore, when I recently saw the name Villa Maria on a restaurant winelist, I was shocked and felt like I had found a long lost friend. — Maria, Maria, Maria..... — In the glass, the wine is a clear pale yellow with a slightly green tinge. The aroma is of a quite fruity wine.  My first impressions are of fresh, ripe pineapple with a little vanilla and some ripe gooseberry in the back. I love gooseberries and had first tasted them a few years ago when a former colleague who was born in New Zealand gifted me with a jam. Green gooseberry are very similar in taste to currants - just slightly tart and wonderful in jams and jellies.....and wine! — A swirl broadened the tropical fruit and revealed a bit of a... Sat, 28 Jul 2007 07:04:05 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Villa-Maria-Private-Bin-1999-Sauvignon-Blanc-review-4f9e KimberlyBrock 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Buitenverwachting-Beyond-Sauvignon-Blanc-2005-review-8e980 A recent trip allowed me the pleasure of being able to taste a variety of South African wines.  One of my favorites was Beyond Sauvignon Blanc. The winery promises it will be "beyond your expectations" and they were right. — In the glass, the wine was pale yellow in color. A sniff gave hints of green apples, peaches and citrus - possibly grapefruit and in the mouth there was plenty of fruit up front, with the peach and fig across the mid-mouth and a hint of toast.  The finish was very clean. — Cost and Availability — $6 per glass, though this wine was part of a "flight" so the actual price is only approximate. — Only a small number of cases were exported, making this wine hard to find. If you do come across it, either by the glass or bottle, don't hesitate to partake! — Recommendations — An excellent, light accompaniment to a number of exotic meats and sauced fishes that were served. — The Bottom Line — "Beyond your... Thu, 26 Jul 2007 23:09:06 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Buitenverwachting-Beyond-Sauvignon-Blanc-2005-review-8e980 KimberlyBrock 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Frog-Hill-Rose-2005-review-fb56 On a recent trip, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to sample several South African wines.  — Frog Hill Rose 2005, is 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot and quite dry.  In the glass , the wine was a beautiful bright pink in color and a sniff  revealed strong citrus.  The first sip followed up on the citrus smells beautifully with orange, lemon, mango and another taste I couldn't quite identify. The mouth-feel was full and rich with a pleasant, lingering aftertaste. — Cost and Availability — $6 per glass, though this wine was part of a "flight" so the actual price is only approximate.  This wine should still be fairly easy to find at shops that carry a wide range of offerings from other countries, although according to the sommelier 2005 is a very desired year for this rosé and cases are "going fast".  (I didn't follow-up on where he got his information from.) — Recommendations — Frog Hill Rose made a... Thu, 26 Jul 2007 21:29:09 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Frog-Hill-Rose-2005-review-fb56 KimberlyBrock 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Drop-Stop-Wine-Pourers-review-d9c7 What a great idea - and one of those "Why didn't I think of this?" gadgets. — Drop-Stop Wine Pourers are 3" round mylar discs that you roll to fit inside the mouth of a wine (or any other) bottle. That's it....and they do exactly what they say: stop those annoying drips that inevitably ruin your good tablecloths. Whenever I use them, people comment on their effectiveness. — Cost — $5 for a CD case of 3 — Availability — Hard to find. I bought mine about a year ago at Williams-Sonoma, but haven't able to find them there since.  Your best bet may be to purchase on-line. — The Bottom Line — Simple and effective.  If you find them, stock up. — ... Tue, 24 Jul 2007 16:19:36 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Drop-Stop-Wine-Pourers-review-d9c7 KimberlyBrock 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/VacuVin-Concerto-3-Piece-Wine-Saver-Set-review-2a95 I must admit, I tend to finish what I start and a bottle of wine is no exception. But on the days when I can't finish a bottle, or use just a little for cooking, I certainly don't want to just throw out the rest.  — Exposure to oxygen ages wine and the more oxygen it is exposed to, the quicker it ages. During the aging process, the flavors will open and change, and you can have a completely different wine 48 hours after you open it, just from oxygen exposure. — More years ago than I care to admit to, I worked at a restaurant that served wine by the glass.  Great for patrons, not so great for the restaurant that is faced with the problem of that (sometimes very expensive) bottle being open and having to be dumped after three days if it wasn't completely sold.  In the restaurant, we had a large, wall-mounted oxygen removal device...can you say expensive and complicated? Very few people have either the space or money for such a system. Since then,... Sun, 01 Jul 2007 17:38:36 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/VacuVin-Concerto-3-Piece-Wine-Saver-Set-review-2a95 KimberlyBrock 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Santa-Rita-120-Chardonnay-1998-review-6c9f Chilean value wine producer Santa Rita uses grapes that come from the southern most vineyards south of Santiago in Central Chile, from the Lontue Valley (between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean). This wine is 100% Chardonnay grape composed, is partially fermented in oak, and aged entirely in stainless steel tanks. — According to the winery, 120 is "Brilliant yellow-green colour, of medium intensity. Intense citric aroma with butter and vanilla notes. To the palate it is a fresh, tasty and nicely persistent wine". It sounded worth a try... — When I opened the bottle, the first thing I noticed was that the oak was clearly present and along with the aroma of ripe green apple, pineapple and pear.  The nose was intensely ripe and fresh and I was looking forward to my first sip. — Sadly, the taste was all wrong.  My thoughts immediately turned to salt - pleasant when standing on the beach on a windy day, but not in my wine.  All the wonderful... Thu, 28 Jun 2007 19:02:07 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Santa-Rita-120-Chardonnay-1998-review-6c9f KimberlyBrock 1 http://www.viewpoints.com/AZO-Yeast-Natural-Prevention-Tablets-review-c566 It a fact of life that many women have to deal with frequently - yeast infections. Any number of conditions, alone or in combination; taking medication, stress, a change in diet or sexual contact with someone that is infected, can lead to an infection.  — In my office, one of the most frequent complaints women had was not wanting to take a needed antibiotic because they knew they would get a yeast infection.  For those women I recommended AZO Yeast Natural Prevention Tablets. While there is no guarantee that you will not still get a yeast infection, I have seen the use of these tablets significantly reduce the possibility. — Price — $8.99 for 60 tablets at local pharmacies. — The Bottom Line — AZO Yeast Natural Prevention Tablets can make a real difference for those who tend to get recurrent yeast infections. —... Thu, 28 Jun 2007 17:34:27 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/AZO-Yeast-Natural-Prevention-Tablets-review-c566 KimberlyBrock 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Primatene-Mist-and-Tablets-review-f2d8 Primatene Mist and Primatene Tablets claim to relieve shortness of breath, wheezing and tightness in the chest within 15 seconds. While they may indeed accomplish that, this medication is not an effective asthma treatment and may actually do more harm than good. — While some people have used these products without problem, they can be dangerous and both have the potential for serious side effects. The active ingredient in Primatene is epinephrine, commonly known as adrenaline. Adrenaline does open airways, but it also effects the heart and blood vessels leading to increased blood pressure, heart palpitations and any number of further complications stemming from these. — Doctors prefer to treat asthma with medications known as bronchodilators to provide fast relief with fewer side effects, while at the same time being long lasting. Anyone suffering with a difficulty in breathing should not be self-diagnosing or medicating. Asthma is a disease that... Sat, 23 Jun 2007 18:44:38 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Primatene-Mist-and-Tablets-review-f2d8 KimberlyBrock 1 http://www.viewpoints.com/Ravenswood-Vintners-Blend-Merlot-1999-review-57a9 After such an enjoyable experience with the Vintners Blend Zinfandel (and reading that Libby is going to visit the winery), when I came across Ravenswood Vintners Blend Merlot I didn't hesitate to pick-up a bottle. — "No Wimpy Wines" is the slogan of Ravenswood Winery. They have built their reputation on big, hand-crafted wines that should be aged seven to ten years before reaching their prime. Some wines, like their Vintners Blend series, however, are produced with the intent that it is ready to drink as soon as it is bottled. A Vintners Blend is made by combining a small-lot wine that Ravenswood vints itself and then blends with other small-lot wines vinted by other wineries, chosen just for this purpose. Success depends on the winemaker (vintner) blending all of the various lots to produce a wine with character and flavor. These are considered to be "Introductory Quality" wines and are Ravenswood's most affordable. — A Successful Blend — This Merlot pours with a... Wed, 20 Jun 2007 16:43:25 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Ravenswood-Vintners-Blend-Merlot-1999-review-57a9 KimberlyBrock 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Dry-Creek-2000-Fume-Blanc-review-a934 I have been on a quest to find a great California dry wine. I wanted something in the style of a Sancerre wine that was still affordable - priced under $15 a bottle. Tonight, my quest came to an end! — Learn With Me — For anyone unfamiliar with Sancerre (sahn-sair) wines, they are simply white wines from the Loire Valley in France and only those wines that are produced in and around the hilltop town of Sancerre can bear the name.  White wines from the Sancerre region are made from the Sauvignon Blanc grape variety. — Here's the fun one and where 'they' try to confuse you. Fumé Blanc (foo-mae) is nothing more than a U.S. synonym for Sauvignon Blanc. The term was invented by Robert Mondavi in the 1970s as a marketing ploy and has been copied every since. Originally the term was supposed to refer to a very dry style, but for the most part, any distinction between Fumé and Sauvignon has been lost. Some, like Dry Creek, call their Sauvignon Blanc -... Wed, 20 Jun 2007 06:25:32 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Dry-Creek-2000-Fume-Blanc-review-a934 KimberlyBrock 5