Reviews by Friends of JovialCougar

PattyTherre says "If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, what will two a day do?" about Kettle Valley - Frunola High Fiber Fruit Bars (All Flavors)

PattyTherre — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 05:06:50 GMT

Quick View: I personally love Kettle Valley Frunola High Fiber Fruit Bars (All Flavors) but everyone I have given one to try shuns them. My one son thinks they're gross, my other one says they're "not very good", and my sister says they're not edible. Maybe it's me but I like the idea of a bar that has two and half servings of fruit, nothing artificial, and is super high in fiber. I think they taste like fruit roll ups or fruit leather. Yummy.

About Kettle Valley Frunola High Fiber Fruit Bars (All Flavors)

Most people who know me - or even read my reviews - know that I put a lot of emphasis on fiber in my diet. Fiber is very filling and great for the digestive tract. I never get enough in my everyday diet because I don't eat a lot of, well, anything. I am not big into fresh fruit although I will eat it if it's in front of me. Same with fresh veggies. Love em but don't want to bother with them unless they're right there. So...I look for snack bars to help boost my fiber intake.

Kettle Valley......

Bryan-Carey says "Listen to Your Baby and the Neighbors at the Same Time" about Fisher Price Sounds and Lights Monitor

Bryan-Carey — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 03:33:56 GMT

Anyone who has infants and young toddlers likely has a baby monitor, both for reasons of safety and for the peace of mind a baby monitor brings. Monitors range widely in terms of price and capabilities and one of the more budget- priced devices available is the Fisher Price Sounds ‘N Lights Monitor, an inexpensive way to make sure your baby is safe and sound.

Monitor Commentary:

Fisher Price Sounds ‘N Lights Monitor is a simple device that consists of two main pieces: A Transmitter and a Receiver. The transmitter for the Fisher Price Sounds ‘N Lights Monitor has an on/off switch and a channel switch that offers two settings: Channel "A" and Channel "B". A few small openings at the top of the transmitter act as a microphone to pick up the sounds. The receiver has identical channel selectors and on/off switch, but with a few more features. The on/off switch is also the volume control on the receivers. Above this switch is a panel that features four arcs of light. As sounds take place...

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njchicaa says "LUSH Christmas Cake soap is not my idea of a holiday treat." about LUSH Christmas Cake Soap

njchicaa — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:36:46 GMT

LUSH Christmas Cake Soap was part of the company's 2008 holiday collection. I saw the whole rounds of it in the Atlantic City store and thought the fruitcake resemblance was impressive. I picked up a chunk of it to smell... and promptly put it back, dismissing any idea of buying a piece. The spicy scent didn't do it for me. A month later, I had a coupon code for several free holiday products. I added one Christmas Cake to the list because I was sure the scent couldn't possibly be as bad as I remembered. It was.

The piece of soap that I received was an unattractive block of translucent red/brown with yellow chunks in it. The appearance didn't strike me as that of a festive, Christmas product. The scent also didn't remind me of any type of typical holiday fragrance. Instead, it seemed to be a blend of clove, cinammon, and smoke and generally was unpleasant to my nose.

The performance of Christmas Cake wasn't any better. It produced zero lather, it melted away quickly,...

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this2shallpass19 says "Your baby will have so much fun in this, just watch the fingers!" about Graco Jumpster

this2shallpass19 — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:34:44 GMT

When my son reached the age when he didn't want to sit in his activity center anymore, but couldn't walk yet, I decided that was the right time to get him a jumper. I heard that these things have been around forever and kids loved them, so I was excited to try it out.

The Graco Jumpster is a jumper that you attach to a door frame. There is a spring that keeps the jumper securely attached when you place your baby in the seat. There is a tray in the front for snacks or toys. The seat is removable and washable.

When I placed my son in the Graco Jumpster for the first time, he was too young. He just sat there and didn't know what to do. I tried it again when my son was 5 months old and he loved it. He would jump up and down and laugh so hard!

My only problem with the Graco Jumpster is that there is nothing to protect your baby's fingers. Several times, my son has collided into the wall or door frame and smashed his fingers between the wall and the tray in the front of the...

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jasyjen says "A comfortable exercise bike with adjustable seat." about Schwinn 235 Recumbent Bike

jasyjen — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 21:51:06 GMT

I hate exercising, I really do. Through the years I've tried different things, but I just can't stick to any of it. My mother had bought herself the Schwinn 235 recumbent bike after her knee surgery, and then gave it to me afterward. The bike was very comfortable to sit in, and the seat was easily adjustable, which was good because if my husband used the bike, he would always change the seat. The way that this exercise bike is designed, I was able to easily change the seat back to the place that was best for me.

I have a bad back and deal with a lot of pain and discomfort, however, the Schwinn 235 recumbent bike was actually supportive of my back. The padded hand grips made it easy to get comfortable and support myself getting into, or out of, the bike. And because the bike is recumbent, is takes a lot of pressure off of your spine when you exercise.

The bike has an electronic panel that displays the distance you've traveled, the speed you are going, and the calories you've...

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this2shallpass19 says "Absolutely perfect sippy cup - no complaints here!" about Munchkin Munchkin Mighty Grip 10 oz. Spill-Proof Cup Baby Bottle

this2shallpass19 — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 17:08:36 GMT

I bought my son his first sippy cup a couple months ago and it was the Munchkin 8 oz Mighty Grip Trainer Cup. Since then, he has been drinking more formula, so I bought him the bigger version - Munchkin Mighty Grip 10 oz. Spill-Proof Cup.

There are a couple differences between the Trainer Cup and this 10 oz. cup. 1) This cup holds two more ounces and 2) this cup is taller and does not have handles.

The Munchkin Mighty Grip 10 oz. Spill-Proof Cup is made from BPA-free plastic, so you don't have to worry about dangerous chemicals leaching into the liquid. The nipple is made out of a soft, bendable silicone spout. For some reason my son likes to chew on it and I'm sure it will not last as long as it could, but that's not Muchkin's fault.

This cup really is spill-proof! When I bought the smaller 8 oz cup, I didn't think a cup could be spill-proof. I did some experimenting and learned that it really was spill-proof. Since your baby has to suck on this spout, there is a valve that...

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jps246 says "I really like my Outfitter Wrap wristwatch from Columbia" about Columbia Sportswear Stainless Steel Outfitter Wrap Watch Large Watch for Men

jps246 — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 16:08:04 GMT

The Outfitter Wrap is a fairly simple wristwatch. There aren't a ton of features but it looks good, fits well and is easy to glance at and get the time.

The watch has a standard dial/analog face that shows the hours and the minutes. The hands are easy to see since the watch itself and the face plate are black, but the numbers, second marks and the hands are colored white, which allow them to stand out better. In addition to being able to tell the time, there's a date function that gives you the day. The watch is waterproof up to 100 meters.

I like how comfortable the strap is on this watch. The neoprene is smooth and comfortable against your skin. It's also stiff but has enough play that it'll conform to your wrist as you wear it.

I also like the look and the feel of this watch. It's fine to wear hiking without worry but even so, it wouldn't look out of place if you were wearing it to work or around town. I know I wear it pretty much everywhere.

My Take

If you are looking for a new watch...

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jps246 says "Wet Warming Lubricant works well but I didn't notice the warming" about Wet International Warming Water Based Personal Lubricant 5.1 oz

jps246 — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:53:32 GMT

While I've really not been able to notice the "warming" sensation from this lubricant, it has been a good lubricant that both my partner and I have enjoyed.

The Wet Warming Lubricant is a water-based lube that is clear and non-staining, warms on contact with skin, is safe to use with condoms and is gentle enough that most people shouldn't have any reaction to it. Another benefit I think is the fact that it has very little odor, unlike some other lubricants. You can use the Warming Lubricant directly on the skin, it's safe for condoms and you can also use it with any toys that you may be using.

The lubricant is easy to wash off and it doesn't leave any residue or much of a smell. Warm to hot water works best though, cold water alone doesn't seem to get all of the lubricant off of you. The warming part of the stuff is more personal. I really don't notice it, but my partner swears that it really warms up. Maybe it has more to do with your skin and your own senses.

My Take

I've...

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this2shallpass19 says "Ranch, bacon and cheddar cheese - what else do I need?" about Stouffer's Lean Cuisine Panini - Chicken Club

this2shallpass19 — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:00:32 GMT

Since Lean Cuisine is my favorite frozen food brand, I do not hesitate to try any of their meals because I know I will probably like them. I think they offer the tastiest flavor combinations for low calorie/low fat entrees. One of my favorites is the Stouffer's Lean Cuisine Panini - Chicken Club. It encompasses all my favorite things: bacon, ranch and cheese and it's all on sourdough bread.

Lean Cuisine says: "White meat chicken, bacon, tomatoes & ranch-style sauce on sourdough bread".

I was hesitant to eat a frozen sandwich fearing that it would be soggy. That's not exactly the case with the Lean Cuisine Panini. Although it's not as crunchy as I would like it to be, it's not necessarily soggy.

You place the two pieces of the sandwich on the "Grilling Tray" and pop it in the microwave. While it's cooking, wonderful smells are permeating my kitchen, making the the 2 minutes and 45 seconds that it takes to cook, unbearably long.

When you take the panini out of the microwave,...

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Katrena says "DISHONEST Sales Associate at Belks Dept Store in Statesville NC" about Belk - Statesville, NC

Katrena — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:48:48 GMT

I visited this Belks at Signal Hill Mall in Statesville, NC when I needed to exchange some pants that were too large that I had received for Christmas.

Upon entering the store, I found it to be clean and well-stocked. I noticed that quite a few associates were located in the various departments, and there were no more than two to three people waiting at each desk. The dressing room was roomy, but the door would not close completely in the one that I chose. Unfortunately, I could not find a pair of pants of the same style that fit properly, so I chose a pair that did fit in another style.

The pants I was returning had an original price of $44. The ones that I wanted to exchange had an original price of $29. The pants were currently on sale for 50% and 40% off. I did not have a receipt, so I understood that I would need to make an exchange for the lowest price on each.

Since the prices were not equal, another associate decided to "help" the one who was doing the exchange. She said "Just add...

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PattyTherre says "Killer abs? You may FEEL like you died after doing this workout." about The Bender Method of Core Training DVD and Ball

PattyTherre — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 03:35:56 GMT

Quick View: When I ordered my Crunchless Abs DVDs, I was offered The Bender Method of Core Training DVD and Ball for an extra 10 bucks so I said sure, why not? I never really stopped to think that I was ordering a crunchless program because crunches hurt my neck. Still, this method works pretty well but it isn't all that special. You could easily do the same exercises with any small inflatable ball.

About The Bender Method of Core Training DVD and Ball

The makers claim that using the Bender Ball makes crunches 408% more effective than regular crunches. If that were true, I would only have to do one a day and be done with it. The ball is flimsy. It needs to be inflated with a pump or straw and it's fairly hard to get it inflated the right amount.

After I got the ball inflated, I tried the DVD. The one included for the 10 bucks is the instruction one and it has three levels of difficulty - beginner, intermediate, and advanced. The beginner section is only three minutes long, the intermediate......

CyndiA says "Not Momma biscuits, but Grands southern biscuits style are good." about Grands Biscuits Southern Style

CyndiA — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 02:20:34 GMT

I make biscuits and may be behind the times, but I am OK with Grands Southern Style biscuits. They are not the same as the ones I roll and cut, but they are good. They are also quick, so I can handle farming out the bread to Pillsbury.

The Grands line are the big, fluffy biscuits in the tubes. If you've only had the low end canned biscuits, there's a difference. The Grands really are better, unless you want to make bread-on-a stick camping. Then, you want the cheap kind - small and not so much fat in there. Those work better over a fire. The Grands have too much fat in there and tend to burn over a fire.

Grands cook up big and fluffy in the oven, but the texture is not like home rolled biscuits. You just can't duplicate that. This is close enough, and my boys love the Southern Grands. It's much easier on me, so I'm not going to argue. They do prefer I make them, but some days do not work out for cooking up scratch biscuits.

I do not use Grands biscuits when I make biscuits and gravy. That...

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awlafon says "Queen & King get Royal sleep on Tempurpedic ClassicBed" about Tempurpedic Classic Mattress

awlafon — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 02:10:49 GMT

Tempur-Pedic Mattress

ClassicBed

I am quite sure that if the royal family had put the pea under a Tempur-Pedic mattress then the Princess from the "Princess and the Pea" would have never felt it, never married the Prince and would be still be wandering around bed hopping.

The King in my fairy tale had surgery several years ago followed by complications and long term therapy. We had a fairly new King size Sealy mattress that we both really liked just fine but several helpful folks in the medical field suggested considering a Tempur-Pedic mattress. With the 90 day money back guarantee, we decided to try one out and may I say that we have slept happily ever after.

It is important to know that there isn't one Tempur-Pedic mattress. Tempur-Pedic has a whole line of mattresses with varying details that all feature the unique Tempur foam material.

Tempur-Pedic Sleep Systems:
GrandBed
BellaSonaBed
AlluraBed
CelebrityBed
RhapsodyBed
BellafinaBed
DeluxeBed
PrimaBed
ClassicBed
AdvantageBed
OriginalBed
ClassicBed......

Jo says "Garmin c320 Pilots us onto the wrong Streets" about Garmin - Street Pilot c320

Jo — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:58:04 GMT

We finally got a GPS system for our SUV and for our current Florida trip. I did the research and chose the Garmin Street Pilot c320. Price was really the number one factor in our choice since my Lexus has a GPS as does my Blackberry. We spent about $100 on the Street Pilot - we got a great deal - sort of.

The Garmin StreetPilot has detailed maps throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. There are close to 6 million updated points of interest. It allows turn by turn navigation and it gives you postal code support for Canada.

The Garmin StreetPilot c320 has text and voice-guided directions. There is an SD slot and it comes with a 128MB SD card.

Pros

My husband and I are still together in spite of Gertrude the Garmin Street Pilot c320.

Garmin Street Pilot c320 is easy to read at night

The suction is good. We have not had it fall off the window.

The voice is easy to understand and adjust. We've listed to the English voice and the British voice and found them very clear.

We can touch a button...

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this2shallpass19 says "Excellent lotion moisturizes and hydrates your skin." about Skindecent Soft As Silk Hand & Body Lotion - Satsuma Savvy

this2shallpass19 — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:49:48 GMT

Since falling madly in love with Skindecent Bath Truffles, I ventured out and tried something new - Soft As Silk Hand & Body Lotion.

Skindecent products are bath & body products made almost completely from natural ingredients. They are hand-made and custom scented by the owner of Skindecent, Marliss. She offers over 100 different scents to choose from. You just tell her what product you want and she will make it with the scent that you choose.

I absolutely love citrus scented products, so I opted for the Soft As Silk Hand & Body Lotion in the Satsuma Savvy scent. It smells like a creamy blend of oranges, mandarins and tangerines. My husband says it smells like a frozen orange creamsicle. The scent is heavenly - so much so, I plan on getting several Skindecent products custom scented with the Satsuma Savvy scent.

The Soft As Silk Hand & Body Lotion is a perfect body lotion. It fully moisturizes and hydrates your skin without leaving you greasy or oily. It rubs in completely,...

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LisaCarey says "Have Children? Need Exercise? Get Fit Together and Have Fun " about Get Fit Together

LisaCarey — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:32:53 GMT

Mom and Tot Fitness presents, "Get Fit Together" an 80 minute DVD with three parent and child workout options; Cardio, Toning and Abs and a combination of Cardio and Toning and Abs. This DVD is to help moms find time to have fun with their children while still getting and staying healthy, as well as teach children the benefits of exercise and fitness, and healthy bodies.

In Get Fit Together, Allie and her son; two other mothers one with a tot and one with a baby exercise with you and your child to easy to follow instructions and entertaining music, normally based on nursery rhymes and songs. The mother with an infant is our "easy" routine while the other mom is a more experienced exerciser. Allie is our fearless leader who provides easy to follow instructions as well as not to corny encouragement.

The Get Fit Together DVD there is a getting started section, with the standard consult a physician before starting any exercise program and a few other pieces of information about the DVD and...

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this2shallpass19 says "Teaches you to live life to the fullest!" about Last Holiday (2006)

this2shallpass19 — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:06:59 GMT

I really can't tell what the appeal to this movie was. I think I heard somewhere that it was about food and that piqued my interest. But then I learned what the movie was really about and then I was genuinely interested in seeing it.

The movie Last Holiday is both funny and sad at the same time. The broad range of emotions is nice since it is actually a comedy. Georgia (Queen Latifah) works in a department store in New Orleans, sings in her church choir and adds items to her "Possibilities" scrapbook. Her possibilities scrapbook is filled with things on her life to do list. She is very passionate about cooking, so naturally her possibilities scrapbook is filled with culinary passions and travels. She takes pictures of all the gourmet meals she makes - even though she won't eat them. No, she is on a diet. She cooks just for the love of it and gives the gourmet dishes to her neighbor to enjoy.

Something else that fills her possibilities scrapbook is the man of her dreams...

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Katrena says "Read "Henri, Egg Artiste" and learn about famous artists" about Marcus Pfister - Henri, Egg Artiste

Katrena — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 19:22:12 GMT

After reading "Henri, Egg Artiste" by Marcus Pfister, I felt a bit more educated about several famous artists. I do not recall learning very much about these artists in school, but I am always looking for new learning opportunities for my children and myself. My 7-year-old was particularly drawn to this book and requested that I read it several times when we checked it out at our public library.

Henri, a rabbit, has been coloring eggs each year for Easter, but this year he is bored. After all, how many ways can a person possibly decorate an egg? After a bit of coaxing, Henri finally decides that he will paint the eggs this year with an artist's eye.

Each egg is different and distinct and attempts to capture various artistic styles. They resemble works by famous artists. One egg resembles the precise tints and true to life portrayal of a woman that is reminiscent to Leonardo d Vinci's Mona Lisa. Another perhaps searches for an emotional reaction not unlike Edvard Munch's The Scream. One looks...

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steve9631 says "The spectacular volcanic Canary Island" about Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain

steve9631 — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:37:14 GMT

The greenest of the Canary Islands because they have to be. Unlike many of the other Canary Islands which are lush and forested and abundant with palms, Lanzarote is the volcanic isle and has volcanoes and lava flows whichever direction your head seems to turn. Add to this it only gets a couple of days of rain a year, and you have a truly unique setting for being an inhabited island. Why would anyone live here you might ask? Why would it be such a popular vacation destination? Because it is flat outright one of the most strikingly beautiful places on the face of the earth.

White sand beaches with turquoise water, a perfect warm weather climate, and the most dramatic landscapes of anywhere I have ever been in my life. The island gets it's water from home and business rainwater collection when it rains and a series of desalination plants. It gets it's power from solar, being in the perfect spot for it, and from geo thermal energy, as it's a truly volcanic hot spot. When you...

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AnnaBanana says "What a great place!" about Office Depot

AnnaBanana — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:48:10 GMT

Well, here it is -- January again and time for another bonanza "trip" to Office Depot, one of my favorite places. Of course, they are open for business all year long and I'll probably be back for something else before long, but it has become a tradition for me to stock up on paper, ink cartridges and other desk supplies when ordering my new annual TurboTax software each year.

I first discovered the Office Depot website through MyPoints and I have been hooked ever since (although I have found that Staples is also a good place and a better bet for Lexmark Printers). Sometimes I print my own greeting cards and was able to find card stock and special envelopes for them through Office Depot, in addition to fine inkjet paper, cartridges, business envelopes, pens, scissors, Crayolas (for my kiddie friends), floppy disks, a desk lamp and even the very computer chair on which I am sitting as I write this review. Last year, I even invested in a two-drawer file cabinet made of...

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