Reviews by china-cat84

china-cat84 says "Just an average sweetener..." about PureVia All Natural Zero Calorie Sweetener

china-cat84 — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 19:55:18 GMT

I received a sample of PureVia in the mail in exchange for my (unbiased and truthful) review. Here is my experience with PureVia.

I've recently switched back to sugar from Splenda because of all the hype - my doctor actually showed me some studies that show some of the ingredients in artificial sweeteners cause health problems. So when PureVia came out, I was really excited to try an all natural, no-calorie sweetener. There has been a lot of talk about the Stevia plant lately and I was excited to try it.

I tried PureVia on my cheerios, in my coffee, and even as an experiment in my baking.

So far, I'm not super impressed. It's not better tasting than Splenda and it's much less sweet so you have to use more of it to obtain the same sweetness - though it's sweeter than cane sugar. It also has a funky after-taste that's much diiferent than regular sweeteners. It's not pleasant. It's also MUCH more expensive than any other sweetener out there.

My suggestion is to not waste your money on this...

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china-cat84 says "The only drug that works for me!" about Concerta Methylphenidate HCL

china-cat84 — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 06:02:20 GMT

I was recently diagnosed with adult ADHD. At first, I had a difficult time coping with the knowledge that I have this disorder. When I was in school, people made fun of kids who had ADHD and they made fun of the disorder as well. But people don't understand ADHD - especially when it manifests itself in adults.

I originally thought something might be wrong when I could NOT seem to study for my college Anatomy class.

Here are MY adult ADHD symptoms:

inability to focus on anything that doesn't seem particularly interesting to me
severe impulsivity (not dangerous behavior, mostly just NEEDED to have something right NOW without thinking of the consequences)
Hyperactivity - this manifests itself differently in adults than children. I do not wiggle and twitch and jump around. But I do feel "on edge" when something can't hold my attention and it used to be difficult for me to sit and watch an entire TV show from beginning to end without getting up. I don't like to sit still for long either.
Finishing...

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china-cat84 says "The best (and smallest) ferret collar I've found!" about Happy Paws Bakery & Emporium Ferret/Kitten Collar

china-cat84 — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:26:28 GMT

I recently adopted two ferrets - a silver 2 lb male and a chocolate sable .75 lb female. They're both fairly young - or so I was told - so I'm figuring that they're going to grow a bit more. However, most ferret collars and harnesses seem to be made for larger ferrets. I don't have a problem getting a harness to stay on my boy (though a collar won't) but my little girl aways manages to wriggle out of everything!

I like to have a collar on them with a bell because, unfortunately, I don't have a room dedicated to them. They basically get free reign of the apartment with a few exceptions. I have the kitchen, laundry room, bathroom, daughter's bedroom, and the upstairs blocked off. With the bell collars you can hear where they are all the time.
The sound also reminds the people of the house that the ferrets are roaming free and to be careful where you step and where you sit.

Unfortunately, the collars won't stay on my little girl. And both of them decided recently that they don't like nylon...

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china-cat84 says "Worst online banking I have ever dealt with!" about HigherOne - New Haven, CT

china-cat84 — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 04:29:51 GMT

HigherOne is a strictly online bank which caters soley to colleges. Basically, it offers the college an easy way to disperse loan refunds to its' students faster and easier so that they don't have to process a whole bunch of checks. The students also get their money faster, which is great. Sounds like a good idea, huh?

Well, it's not. At least with this institution.

First of all, the debit card they send you is horribly ugly. At least mine was. The background on my card is a close up of our school mascot - which is a "Reiver" - whatever the heck that is. Apparently, it's some kind of deranged pirate. (see photo). They also added my photo on the top of the card - which I normally wouldn't mind, sounds like a great security feature. However, the photo is the one from my student ID which is probably the worst photo I've ever taken! I was sick that day and about to fall asleep - so I look like a stoned Rudolf-the-red-nosed-reindeer. Lovely. But that's only the tip of the iceberg!

You only get...

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china-cat84 says "A great SECONDARY laptop" about Dell Inspiron 1440

china-cat84 — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 08:30:48 GMT

I bought this computer mainly for school - I HATE writing notes and when you're in a science college class (Anatomy and Physiology for me) you have A LOT of notes to write.

I wanted a laptop that was small and light but also had decent specs (CD writer driver, decent processor, expandable RAM, etc.) in case I needed to use it for something else.

All-in-all this computer is the perfect choice for that. It's lightweight and fairly small. If you go any smaller than 14", you risk sacrificing decent specs for small size.

The computer came with 4 GB RAM but can expand to 8GB which is great. The processor is fairly fast and the hard-drive is a decent size as well. I don't need a huge hard-drive, so it's no big deal.

I've had this computer for a little over 2 weeks and I love it. I haven't had any problems with it so far at all. I wouldn't recommend it to someone as a primary computer or as a desktop replacement computer though. The screen is a lot smaller than you think and it takes some getting...

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china-cat84 says "A great product if you want to cut down on laundry time!(UPDATE)" about Bounce Dryer Bar

china-cat84 — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 20:05:32 GMT

First of all, the main reason I bought this was because I received a coupon for $2.50 off any size (2 months or 4 months). I was also mildly curious because it sounded really interesting but it wasn't something I thought I NEEDED. I'm so cheap that I probably wouldn't have bought it without the coupon. I ended up buying the 2 month size - it was regularly $3.74 and with the coupon it was $1.24 - not bad.

How I Installed It

From other reviews on other websites (I haven't read any of the reviews on this product on this site yet) I noticed that a lot of women were having problems with the bar falling off while their clothes were drying and also some women had problems with the bar breaking a apart, making a huge mess, and staining clothes. So I decided to take a few extra precautions - just in case.

When I went to install the bar, instead of just slapping it on the dryer drum, I cleaned the area with rubbing alcohol to remove any residue left over from previous loads. It didn't look like there...

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china-cat84 says "The BEST laptop bag I have ever seen or owned!" about Dakine Laptop Backpack

china-cat84 — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 03:05:41 GMT

I just started class on August 17th. I only go part-time in the evenings but I am taking Anatomy and Physiology and there are a LOT of books. And I just started using my laptop to take notes during class - it's much easier for me because when writing notes, I tend to fall behind and I lose them. On my laptop, I'm always ahead of everyone else when taking notes, my hands don't cramp up, and I don't lose my notes because they're saved on my computer.

That being said, I obviously was NOT prepared for the amount of stuff I'd have to lug around. My laptop is an older Toshiba Satellite A205 model with a 15.4" screen. It probably weighs a good 8 lbs and it's a little on the chunky side. My text book is enormous - at least 10 lbs, probably more, and very awkward. I also have a lab manual which is even more awkward because it's not a hardcover and it's floppy - it's probably 7 lbs and more prone to damage. And then, of course, there's all the usual school supplies - pens, pencils, calculator, binder,...

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china-cat84 says "Great Dinette Set - Even Better Price!" about OTHER 5 Piece Merlot and Black Dinette Set

china-cat84 — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 05:27:34 GMT

I purchased this set for our new (and last - hopefull getting a house soon!) apartment. We moved into a bigger space and now we can finally eat dinner at a table and not on the couch in front of the TV (so bad for you!). It is very important to me to raise my daughter properly - and teaching her that it's okay (fun, even) to sit in front of the TV while eating is a good idea. As we all know, it contributes to weight gain and even obesity. The dinner table is also a great place to catch up with family members who have been at work or school all day.

So we finally decided to purchase this set at Nebraska Furniture Mart (www.nfm.com). It was relatively low in price - $179.99 at the time, on sale - and they were able to deliver it for us which was great because we don't have a vehicle to haul it in. The delivery fee was a little large but the only place selling furniture in my town would have charged me much more than the price + delivery.

We were finally able to set the table up - there...

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china-cat84 says "Poor customer service and poor quality products!" about One Step Ahead

china-cat84 — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:27:34 GMT

I didn't used to mind One Step Ahead...until my most recent experience with them. Their products are a little bit on the pricey side, but many of them are very innovative and different from the products you can find at Wal-mart, Babies R Us, and Target. But after my recent experience, I've realized I can probaby find similar products online somewhere else...and if not, I can live with out it because it's really not worth it.

How It All Began...

I was looking for a battery operated, toddler friendly, clip on fan that I could clip on to the stroller. I wasn't going to use the fan to cool my daughter, but to cool myself! lol. When pushing a stroller around the zoo in 90 degree weather, I tend to sweat. A lot. My daughter doesn't much mind the heat so she's fine. I wanted a toddler friendly fan just in case she got a hold of it - I didn't want her to be able to get her fingers in it or anything. I found quite a few but most of them were junky-looking (the blades were made from foam and...

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china-cat84 says "Better than some, worse than some. Not great but not awful." about Cover Girl Outlast Lipstain

china-cat84 — Thu, 28 May 2009 06:04:32 GMT

I bought the CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain because the summer is now here and lipsticks and glosses don't hold up in the high heat and humidity of Iowa. I'm also a mother of a 2-yr-old girl and it's a pain-in-the-you-know-what to reapply your lipstick or lipgloss every 5 minutes. I also really hate the feel of most lipsticks after it has been on my lips for awhile. It either gets really dry and makes my lips feel sandpapery or it feels goopy and gross and it smears all over the place.

I've tried MILLIONS of different lipstains over the years and I have yet to settle on liking one enough to keep buying it. The best ones I've tried had the marker-like felt tip applicators. They're the easiest to apply on the go and the likelihood of product dripping and staining something besides your lips is pretty low. So I decided that this one would be good to try. It's difficult to find lipstains in your local mega-mart store so I thought it was awesome that such a widely known (and widely sold!) brand...

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china-cat84 says "The Best Digital Camera I've Ever Had!" about Nikon - S230 Digital Camera

china-cat84 — Thu, 21 May 2009 03:19:31 GMT

What first drew me to this camera is the fact that it has a touch screen. There aren't many cameras out there with touch screens that perform well...but after using my iPod Touch so much and loving its touch screen, I couldn't help but be intrigued.

First of all, I bought my camera in a bundle which included the usual camera junk (the camera, instruction books, software, and various cables) and also a case, a 2GB memory card, a Li-Ion battery pack, and a battery charger. It cost me a total of $170 before tax at my local Sam's Club (Costco). On Wal-Mart, the bundle sells for $199. So you're basically saving $30. So if you have a membership or know anyone who does, I would suggest looking there for cameras first. I also suggest going to a store with several cameras on display so you can play with them before you buy them to know FOR SURE if they're for you. I was researching cameras online, and I wrote this one off as being a piece of crap because of a few reviews on it. I played with the...

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china-cat84 says "A little expensive but it actually works!" about Avon Anew Rejuvenate Flash Facial Revitalizing Concentrate

china-cat84 — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 02:21:33 GMT

I bought this product to help with the size of my pores on and around my nose and to help even out my skintone. I got it on sale, so I didn't pay the huge price tag for it. I'm not sure that I would ever buy it at full price - when I run out, I'll wait until it goes on sale again.

When you first use the product, it feels very cool on your skin. It made my skin feel instantly tightened and smoother. Little blemishes and scars looked much less visible. However, these immediate results do not last. You have to keep applying the product every morning to get long lasting results.

I have been using the product for nearly a month now. My pores look much smaller and even some small lines by my eyes have disappeared. I have a few sun spots across my cheek bones and those have dsappeared as well.

All in all, I'm pretty happy with this product. The only real problem is the price tag. The product works wonders, but you don't get very much for what it costs. Wait for it to go on sale before you buy...

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china-cat84 says "Finally - a fruity cough drop that isn't mentholated!" about Halls Fruit Breezers Throat Drops Cool Creamy Strawberry 25 Per Package

china-cat84 — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 02:09:44 GMT

I have suffered from severe sinus infections ever since I was a little kid. I get one about once a month, sometimes more. I always get an awful sore throat and I can barely swallow anything - so I'm stuck with cough drops.

I hate the fruity flavored mentholated ones - mint and fruit really don't mix. So I was stuck with the minty flavored mentholated ones which made it difficult to eat or drink anything since the mint flavor left-over in my mouth made everything taste awful.

When these came out, I was a little skeptical. How would they help with the pain if they aren't mentholated? Wouldn't it be the same as sucking on hard candy?

They're much better than candy. The pectin in them cools your throat much like menthol. However, they don't numb as well as menthol does so if your sore throat is really awful then you may opt for the mentholated drops. The fruit flavor is amazing.

The only thing that really irks me is that they're 20 cents more and you get 5 less drops than the regular halls....

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china-cat84 says "Wow...A must have for any breast feeding mom!" about Medela Pump in Style

china-cat84 — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 01:58:27 GMT

When I was pregnant with my daughter, I had my heart set on breast feeding. I bought a cheap Avant manual pump because I was a stay-at-home mom and I figured that the baby would be feeding from the breast 99.9% of the time - so why would I need an expensive breast pump?

Turns out, many new moms forget to take their new baby's personality into account when they make plans! You may think your baby will breast feed, wear clothes, and sleep (during the day OR night) but you may be wrong lol. My child absolutely would NOT breast feed at all. I really wanted her to have the benefits of breast milk so I tried pumping with the manual.

Needless to say, it did NOT work well. My hand nearly fell off trying to get a decent amount. It was even slightly painful. However, with me not working, finances were very tight and I couldn't afford an electric breast pump. I spoke with my doctor and the local WIC office and I was able to receive a FREE Medela Pump In Style breast pump! So, if you're on WIC and...

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china-cat84 says "Not a sewing replacement!" about NPI Mighty Mendit

china-cat84 — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 01:44:29 GMT

I bought this mostly because I absolutely HATE sewing. I have a sewing machine but I'm always fighting with the stupid thing and it's more trouble than what it's worth. I don't mind hand sewing but it just takes so looong. So I thought I might try this for if a seam comes undone or if part of a hem falls or maybe for rips and tears and things.

Well...this isn't as good as how they portray it on the commercial. I should have known it wouldn't be, rarely things are. but it was still a disappointment.

This product isn't such a bad idea for items that are difficult to sew, like upholstery, but if it is something that needs washing, I wouldn't use this to repair it unless it's an emergency. It says it can be washed, but you shouldn't put the item in the dryer so it's not really worth it. I really don't see how this product could withstand lots of wear and tear! For example, it you used it to repair a rip in the seat of a sofa, I don't think it would hold up to people constantly sitting on...

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china-cat84 says "Better than ProActiv!" about Avon Clearskin Immediate Response Acne Cleanser

china-cat84 — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 01:24:24 GMT

I am 24 years old and I suffer from moderate acne - especially around that time of the month! I get all kinds - blackheads, whiteheads, and those awful below-the-skin-bumps that are so painful!

I've tried almost everything - just about every product/brand sold in the average megamart or grocery store, ProActiv, even a few very expensive cleansers. Basically, the expensive ones aren't worth your time and money - most of them contain the same active ingredients that the grocery store brands have. And ProActiv is great...at first. But many users report that, after continued usage, the product doesn't work very well any longer. It worked for me for a few months and then it was no longer effective and I was forced to find something that actually DOES work.

So I turned to Avon Clearskin Immediate Response Acne Cleanser. It was on sale and I figured, "Why not?" It's not expensive at all - even when it's not on sale.

The first thing I noticed was the scent - it was very clean and crisp, not...

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china-cat84 says "One of the BEST series I have ever read...and I've read a lot!" about The Twilight Saga: The Official Guide

china-cat84 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 02:49:32 GMT

First of all....I LOVE to read. It's one of my favorite hobbies. I'm not able to do it as often as I'd like being a mother of a near two-year-old. And sometimes I'm also a little afraid to read, to get too into the story because I've been known to become obsessed with a book or a series of books. I won't sleep. I won't eat. And it's the only thing on my mind. It's all I can think about! I dream about it. It's a little scary, actually! And sometimes, I'll fall so in love with the story, with the characters that when the story ends I feel like I've lost my best friends and I mope around the house for a week and I feel sad for awhile. These books were like that for me...almost more than that.

I know, I know...I'm not really the demographic. I'm not a "young adult". I'm not a young girl obsessed with soppy romance novels. But remember...Harry Potter was originally geared towards younger readers as well and look at all the people obsessed with him! Now, I'm not saying these books will have the......

china-cat84 says "One of the BEST Cases for the 2nd Gen. iPod Touch (Video Link!)" about PDO - TopSkin for Second Generation iPod Touch

china-cat84 — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 04:01:04 GMT

I have been searching FOREVER for a case for my iPod that not only protected the iPod itself, but the docking port and headphone jack as well! I also wanted something stylish. Most of the cases out there that offer this type of protection come in only a couple colors; usually black and white. I am a girly girl and needed something in pink...or at least purple or a pretty blue. I finally came across PDO's website (http://www.pdostore.com) and saw the PDO TopSkin Case for Second Generation iPod Touch.

The best thing about the case is that it's one of the few that offer both headphone jack and docking port protection. You may ask, why do I need this protection? Well, if you ever put your iPod in your pocket, in your purse, or in your bag, lint and dirt could make its way inside the ports and cause irreparable damage. Also, it can help protect from minor liquid damage. One way that a person can tell if the iPod has suffered some sort of liquid/water damage is by looking in the headphone jack.......

china-cat84 says "The best Mexican food I've ever had!" about El Jimador - Denison, IA

china-cat84 — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 21:36:46 GMT

The service is fast and friendly. The atmosphere is warm and inviting. The price range is decent - for 3 people it was $35 including tip. They have a lot of variety on their menu and they have items everyone will enjoy. I ordered the beef chimichangas and they were to die for! The best Mexican food I've ever eaten....

china-cat84 says "For a FREE app, this is amazing!" about FitNow, Inc - Lose It! App for iPod Touch/iPhone

china-cat84 — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 21:29:49 GMT

UPDATE: August 21st, 2009, 10:10pm: I have been using this app for awhile now and so far I have lost 40 lbs! Yay! So it really does help - you just have to stick to it and add in an exercise regimen. I recommend it to everyone who needs to lose weight. I'm still using it to help keep me in line.

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I decided to try out this app because it's free and I'm still trying to lose the baby weight from having my daughter 19 months ago (ugh!). I figured, "What the heck - it's free!"

Well, this is the best free app I've ever downloaded! It tracks everything - your weight gain/loss, your calories, exercises and the calories they burn, and even your nutrients such as minerals and vitamins! It also tells you the percentages of carbs, protein, and fat you consume everyday and also weekly at the end of the week.

It has a large database of food that is supplied via http://www.esha.com. You do sometimes have to enter in your own foods but it's so easy that it's no big hassle. When you enter in an item...

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