Reviews by Friends of markhylland

AnnaBanana says "Mashed potatoes which are convenient but delicious!" about Ore-Ida Steam N Mash Russet Potatoes

AnnaBanana — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 19:22:38 GMT

I can hardly believe that there was a time, decades ago, when nearly everybody who cooked ended up peeling and boiling potatoes at least two or three times a week. Those were the days ... when it just seemed a routine thing to do ... and the end results were almost always delicious. Nowadays, with busy two-income families or casual cooks like me, there are a lot of mashed-potato lovers who yearn for the homemade item but have neither the time nor inclination to make them. For those people, help has arrived -- Ore-Ida Steam n' Mash Potatoes.

Ore-Ida is the gold standard for potato convenience and quality and this product is no exception. You don't even have to puncture the microwave-safe bag to vent -- just stick the darned thing in there with the seam side up and microwave on high for ten minutes (meanwhile, there is one less boiling pot to take up a burner on your regular stove -- a fact which can mean a lot during the preparation of a big dinner). For safety's sake, wait a while...

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AnnaBanana says "A delicious way to cheat a little." about Kraft Stove Top Stuffing for Turkey

AnnaBanana — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 13:06:43 GMT

Now may be the time to confess all and share a shameful secret with the rest of you -- when I roast a turkey, I cheat a little and use Kraft's Stove Top Stuffing for Turkey. (Three packages is perfect for a 12 to 14 pound bird, with a little left over to bake in a separate pan.) Martha Stewart would probably cringe at the thought of this but that's okay because Martha Stewart I am not. Until yesterday, it never occurred to me that there could be anything of value (aside from sheer convenience and ease of preparation) in Kraft's famous (or infamous, depending on your outlook) product. Then I checked out the ingredient and nutrition information and it is not as disastrous as you may think. If you aren't a threat to Martha Stewart either -- and you just want to get the gol-darned bird in the oven -- then Stove Top Stuffing may be for you.

STATS:

Information is given for either the "dry mix" or "prepared stuffing" but ... because no one wants to eat the dry mix ... I will share the...

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AnnaBanana says "If you didn't try to depend on THIS, be thankful!" about Hoan Ten Inch Poly Turker Baster

AnnaBanana — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 13:05:22 GMT

I was fortunate enough to be invited to eat someone ELSE's turkey on Thanksgiving but yesterday what went around came around and it was my turn to cook. This year I tried my best to be organized, to avoid last-minute desperation runs to the store, misplaced items, etc. As part of this campaign to Be Prepared (as the Boy Scouts would say), I had made absolutely positively sure that I was equipped with a turkey baster -- the Hoan Ten Inch Poly Turkey Baster to be exact, which had cost $1.49 at Peapod. There I was in the morning with a 14 lb. turkey which nearly filled the roasting pan which was almost impossible to pick up (God gives us strength we don't know we have for occasions like this!) and only then did I realize that the Hoan Ten Inch Poly Turkey Baster didn't work.

You may be familiar with this type of device which consists of a plastic sheath topped with a rubber bulb. One squeezes the bulb, forcing air out of the bulb and the sheath, then plunges the other end of the...

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AnnaBanana says "Mail enhancement!" about photostamps.com

AnnaBanana — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 12:48:30 GMT

No matter how much you love exchanging gifts with a special person, it is easy to get into a rut where you keep buying the same things again and again. My favorite Auntie and I are a case in point -- after sharing nearly 68 holiday seasons together, we still look forward eagerly to each other's presents but my own contributions were beginning to get a bit routine -- surprises which weren't really surprises any more, i.e., the B&G Christmas Plate, books, cologne, apparel, etc. Those things will always be on the agenda, of course, but this year I decided to "live dangerously" and try something different too ... personalized postage stamps bought from Photostamps.com.

EASY AS ONE, TWO, THREE

Following the simple directions at Photostamps.com, just upload a photo, customize it as you wish and place your order. The cost of a sheet of stamps depends on the postage value, plus an additional fee. As it so happens, I had a cute Christmas Past picture of Aunt Tatty sitting by her tree,...

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TunefulGal says "Yours for a song. Fluff up vivid World Market throw pillows!" about World Market Indian Throw Pillows

TunefulGal — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 00:37:48 GMT

I enjoy my frugality and my seasonal change of throw pillows with the generous selection found at World Market. I bought the World Market pillows pictured above at two for $10 on an in-store special. As you can see, I don't mind mixing prints with patterns just as long as everything is lively and there's some commonality of color.

World Market imports many of its pillows from India. Fabrics and sizes vary. Some are embroidered, others have woven stripes or applied paints. In the case of my new ones, the fabric is cotton, there are no zippers, and dry cleaning is recommended. Dry cleaning is usually a number one put-off for me. In this case, though, I protect the pillows with a spraying of Scotchguard and, at the least, get months (if not years) of wipe-down wear. These pillows are about 14 X 14 inches square.

Because of their tiny price, I'll eventually toss my pillows in a cold water wash at "gentle" and hope for the best. The fill is polyester, and the greatest negative...

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AnnaBanana says "It may not exactly taste like Fannie May, but HEY!" about Viactiv Calcium Chews

AnnaBanana — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 04:30:50 GMT

We all enjoyed our Thanksgiving feast today at my friend's house in Brookfield and afterward, as I was chatting with my hostess in her kitchen, I noticed a box of Viactive Calcium Chews sitting on a countertop. I had been curious about this product for a long time and as it just so happened, I had forgotten to take my morning dose of my usual CVS Pharmacy Calcium 600 + D Supplement so I waded right in and asked my friend for one of her Viactiv Calcium Chews.

I won't lie to you and say that these chews are as good as Fannie May caramels. They aren't but they are delicious just the same with no hint of an aftertaste or calamitous digestive side effect. I thought they were QUITE chewy and I suggest -- unless you really have 100% confidence in your teeth and fillings -- that you suck on a Viactive chew to soften it a little instead of chomping right down. Viactiv Calcium Chews come in an assortment of flavors including Milk Chocolate, Caramel, Mochaccino, Raspberry and Orange...

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AnnaBanana says "Don't look now, but I think I'm being seduced!" about Tastefully Simple Seasoned Salt

AnnaBanana — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:44:11 GMT

For most of my life, I have been a fan of Lawry's Seasoned Salt and I must say that I still think it is delicious. I may never give up on it totally but recently I have found a rival for my affections -- Tastefully Simple All Natural Seasoned Salt. This product is very much like Lawry's signature product and has almost exactly the same nutritional values -- 380 mg. sodium per 1/4 tsp -- but it also has a character all its own perhaps because it contains sea salt, along with red and green peppers (in addition to the garlic, onions, spices, paprika and other good things found in Lawry's as well).

MY VIEWPOINT:

Today I tried Tastefully Simple All Natural Seasoned Salt with a little cottage cheese and enjoyed it very much. This is more than just a knock-off of Lawry's famous seasoning. I probably will never totally give up on my first love but definitely find myself being seduced by Tastefully Simple's entry into the seasoned salt race. I bought this delightful seasoning from This2ShallPass19...

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AnnaBanana says "I couldn't have bought a better toaster than this at any price!" about KitchenAid Two-Slice Extra Wide Slot Toaster Model KTT340WH

AnnaBanana — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:59:08 GMT

I won't lie to you -- I am a sucker for a great piece of toast, a personality trait which has become more pronounced since I retired and have been eating more breakfasts and lunches at home. For more than eight years -- through good times and bad -- my dear old Krups Sensotoast Compact Model 288P has been at my side, faithfully browning my bread until recently when I began to have trouble getting the bread rack to stay down. Occasional flashes were another ominous sign that trouble was brewing. Then I remembered those old Home Depot gift cards that I had accumulated for the kitchen redecorating that never happened. On a hunch, I poked around in the H.D. site and found just the ticket for a toast lover -- the KitchenAid Two Slice Extra Wide Slot Toaster Model No. KTT340WH which cost $49.99. There are probably more upscale toasters out there but no amount of money could have bought an appliance that makes better toast than this.

The KitchenAid Two Slice Extra Wide Slot Toaster...

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AnnaBanana says "Destined to brighten the corner where they are." about Colonial Candles of Cape Cod Hand-Dipped Tapers

AnnaBanana — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:48:11 GMT

I am second to none in my appreciation of electricity and the illumination it has provided us so faithfully at the flip of a switch. With that said, I must admit that I am also a sucker for candlelight as well ... and if you like candles, you will love Colonial Candles of Cape Cod. They are expensive but well worth the money, delivering clean, extensive and smooth "burn time." I have bought the Classic Tapers (8") in a beautiful Amber (or "rust" color) but my favorites are the 6" Hand-Dipped Tapers which were available in a delicate shell pink color which matched the Winter Peach painted walls in my bedroom perfectly.

Colonial Candles of Cape Cod Hand-Dipped Tapers (6" size) cost $27 for a box of 12 and fit perfectly into the "hurricane lamp" candle holders on my bedroom dresser. They have helped to get me through some dark electricity power outages and they lend a cozy ambience to any occasion. Colonial Candles of Cape Cod Hand-Dipped Tapers come in 44 colors and...

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AnnaBanana says "Beautiful glassware that you don't have to worry about." about Libbey Charisma Hoops 24-Piece Tumbler Set

AnnaBanana — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:52:37 GMT

This all started last year when Linens 'N Things announced that they would be going out of business during the first part of 2009. Their store here in Oak Park was quickly picked to the bare bones but clearance fever (with all sales final) ratcheted on up at the LNT website as I grabbed new towels, a roasting pan which proved to be a lemon, and lastly, a set of 24 Libbey Glass Charisma Hoops Tumblers for $7.95. The glassware was the last thing I ordered on clearance from LNT and when they arrived, I signed for them, took them in, shoved the box to one side in my hallway, and there they have sat ever since until a couple days ago! That box was the last thing I saw when I left for the West Coast in May and the first thing I saw upon my return. Meanwhile, I continued to make do with the weird assortment of glassware remnants composed of survivors from other matched sets and garage sale finds from the old days.

Recently, I finally worked up the ambition to clean out my kitchen cabinets...

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OldHippie says "Grade "F"" about President Obama

OldHippie — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:18:37 GMT

Everything stated here will be backed up with FACTS! First of all, the National Debt has tripled under the Obama administration. "The National Debt has increased about $1.6 trillion on Mr. Obama's watch." "It gets worse. The same document projects that by the end of the decade, the National Debt will hit $24.5 trillion - exceeding the Gross Domestic Product projected for 2019 of $22.8 trillion." wellsy.wordpress.com/2009/11/17/national-debt-now-over-12-trillion

Let's talk pork: As ABC reported - the newly designed web site, recovery.gov cost 18 MILLION to redesign. "ABC News' Rick Klein reports: For those concerned about stimulus spending, the General Services Administration sends word tonight that $18 million in additional funds are being spent to redesign the Recovery.gov Web site." So 18 million of your tax dollars are being spent to redesign a misleading web site.

Misleading?: From the Associated Press... "A Colorado company said it created 4,231 jobs with the help of...

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AnnaBanana says "A nice breakfast that provides energy all day." about Starbucks Sunrise Lowfat Red Raspberry Muffin

AnnaBanana — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:38:44 GMT

There I was in that "new" Starbuck's at 711 Lake Street, clutching my Fruit and Cheese Plate and waiting for my beverage order. I've got to admit that nobody held me down and made me check out the pastries but I wanted to take something home for breakfast the next day ... a Sunrise Lowfat Red Raspberry Muffin.

This is a lovely, medium-sized muffin made of basic yellow batter. It looked like the baker had put a little batter in the bottom of the muffin pan, topped it with a generous helping of fresh raspberries, another spoonful of batter and a little streusel topping. The fresh berries provided a nice tart flavor which complemented and enhanced the muffin's sweetness.

STATS:

Each muffin is a single serving containing 340 calories with 50 calories from fat. There are 6 grams Total Fat, 1.5 gram Saturated Fat, zero Trans Fat, 50 mg. Cholesterol, 500 mg. Sodium, 65 Total Carbs, 2 grams Fiber, 37 grams Sugars, and 7 grams Protein along with 2% (D.V.) Vitamin A, 25% Vitamin C, 8% Calcium...

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AnnaBanana says "Very refreshing!" about Starbucks Fruit and Cheese Plate

AnnaBanana — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:03:38 GMT

The other day I shopped a little at our Trader Joe's in Oak Park and walked back home, only to discover along the way a Starbuck's I had somehow been overlooking. Good grief! I had never realized there was a Starbuck's at 711 Lake Street and was frankly a bit surprised since there is ANOTHER Starbuck's on the other side of Lake Street down near the Lake Theatre. Having two such shops that close together is unusual and I couldn't resist entering this "new" one to have a look at what they were offering.

After ordering a beverage, I peeked at their chilled food selections and was a bit disappointed. What they had to offer in the line of salads and sandwiches was somewhat less than an overflowing cornucopia (on the other hand, it was late in the afternoon which may have made a difference). I did see something I hadn't tried before ... the Starbucks Fruit and Cheese Plate.

This is a rectangular covered dish containing 220 grams of apple wedges, green and purple grapes, a package...

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AnnaBanana says "Part of the same family, but a different character altogether." about Campbell's Select Harvest Garden Recipes Zesty Tomato Bisque

AnnaBanana — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:19:09 GMT

A few days ago, I did a review of Campbell's Select Harvest Chicken Noodle Soup. There were some good things about that product but basically I was underwhelmed. Imagine my chagrin then to discover more of the same family of products on my shelf. Yes, not only had I bought two of the chicken noodle microwaveable bowls but in a weak moment I had also been suckered into buying a couple cans of Campbell's Select Harvest Garden Recipes Zesty Tomato Bisque Soup. (What some people won't do to save a dollar when something goes on sale!)

At first, I was going to craftily save it to donate to a holiday food drive but curiosity got the better of me and I tried this soup. I'm glad that I bought this (and I will be giving something ELSE to the food drive). I like the flavor of this soup which is basically a bisque which gains character from chunks of tomato. It has a lot of body to it and did not seem to be a bit bland (one of the major complaints in the reviews about the Select Harvest...

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OldHippie says "Welcome to "The Village"" about The Prisoner

OldHippie — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:34:01 GMT

This must be the season to resurrect old TV series and mini-series. First, ABC did it with "V". Now, AMC is doing it with The Prisoner.

For those too young to remember, The Prisoner was a 17 episode cult classic from 1967, starring Patrick McGoohan as Number 6. Walking out on his job in the British Government, McGoohan is gassed, taken to "The Village" and held against his will. But it's such a lovely place...peaceful & tranquil.

This year, it's Michael (Jim Caviezel) who quits his job at Summakor, a company that collects surveillance data. Waking in the desert, Michael comes across an escaping older man - his first clue of things to come. The old man dies, and Michael stumbles into "The Village", dazed & confused.

AMC does keep fairly true to the 1967 version in one aspect; Rover, a balloon-like orb that patrols the Village and enforces discipline. This Rover isn't for petting - like a dog. If I keep going, I'll give away too much. Just remember..."I am not a number. ...

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AnnaBanana says "At last, a bran muffin for people who don't like bran muffins!" about Starbucks Apple Bran Muffin with Omega 3's & 7 g Fiber

AnnaBanana — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 07:16:54 GMT

I must confess that as a rule I tend to look askance at cereals, muffins or breads which contain BRAN. It's not that bran tastes BAD as much as overwhelmingly nutritious, virtuous and BORing! When I do eat bran foods, I usually do so grimly and feeling rather proud of myself for choking down something which is good for me. In case you feel that way about bran, I have good news. Now there is a bran muffin for people who don't think they like bran muffins -- namely, the Starbucks Apple Bran Muffin with Omega 3's & 7 g Fiber.

This medium-sized muffin contains many ingredients, including: whole wheat flour, brown sugar, water, whole eggs, apples, wheat bran, honey, dried cherries, soybean oil, dried cranberries, raisins, rolled oats, unsalted butter, quick oats, molasses, nonfat milk powder, salt, baking powder, calcium carbonate, ground cinnamon, sodium bicarbonate, natural flavor, vanilla extract, ground ginger, ground nutmeg and rosemary extract. This muffin is so moist and...

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AnnaBanana says "Waking up with an old friend again!" about Lavoris Mouthwash - Original

AnnaBanana — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 06:51:51 GMT

While it may not be true that "everything old is new again," it still seemed exciting to me to revisit the spicy refreshing flavor of Lavoris Original Cinnamon Flavor Mouthwash this week. Yes, they still sell this stuff ($3.92 for 32 ounces at Drugstore.com and other places). For more than a hundred years, people have been rinsing their mouths with this bright mixture of its signature ingredient, Zantrate (a combination of zinc oxide, sodium hydroxide, and citric acid) flavored and empowered with cinnamon and cloves (spices which have been used fror thousands of years in Chinese herbal medicines to combat bad breath). Most of us who grew up in the 40's and 50's remember the dentist giving us a small paper cup of Lavoris to "rinse with" after dental cleanings.

With the passage of time and a more sophisticated point of view, many of us came to believe that anything which didn't taste horrible couldn't possibly be doing a good job as a mouthwash. In the intervening years, I have...

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AnnaBanana says "It was the house brand, but HEY THERE!" about Safeway Select Raspberry Sorbet

AnnaBanana — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:32:15 GMT

There I was again, at Dominick's the other day, ready to spend down a $50 gift card. What a great feeling and God forbid that I should blow the whole thing on useful, nutritious stuff which explains why I ended up in the frozen desserts aisle, staring through a window at premium ice creams, yogurts and sorbets which still cost a King's ransom even if they were on sale. As it turned out, there WAS something there which cost "only" $3 a pint ... Safeway Select Raspberry Sorbet. With a furtive glance to the right and left, making sure that no one noticed me lowering my standards and going for the "house brand", I grabbed two pints ... the Raspberry flavor and also Tropical Fruit.

Upon my arrival home and hasty stowing away of my gift groceries, I tried a scoop of Safeway Select Tropical Fruit Sorbet. It was okay but alas, it tasted like the house brand. I felt that it contained way too much sugar but this is my complaint about most sorbets.

It wasn't until later on, after dinner,...

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OldHippie says "Don't Look For Anything Great Here" about Crackle

OldHippie — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:36:38 GMT

Crackle is an on-line sight to watch free movies & old TV shows. Some of the movies are not even full length...just clips; such as Spider-Man - all 3 episodes. What's the use? They do have a few good movies in full length - very few.

Examples are:

Tommy
Taxi Driver
The Valachi Papers
The China Syndrome
Ghostbusters

Some of the old TV shows include:

Barney Miller
Bewitched
The Three Stooges
Charlie's Angles

If you have time to kill, you may or may not find something you like here. Personally, I didn't find much here worth my time.

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TunefulGal says "Grimy relatives? Fill their holiday stockings with LAVA!" about Lava Heavy Duty Hand Soap Bar 5.75 oz

TunefulGal — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:32:13 GMT

That great, gray, gritty bar. I saw my first Lava Soap in my little Swedish grandma's bathroom when I was about five. To wash with it was to experience the I-Mean-Business tingle of volcanic pumice. Why, there was even a volcano on the wrapper. Awesome!

Today, Heavy Duty Lava's been slicked up a bit colorwise. Moisturizers have been added to both the bar and Lava Liquid. But, just as it was a favorite with coal miners and oil-rig workers in the 1890s, Lava Soap remains the province of dirty people.

Dirty people like me, always grubbing around in the garden without gloves. People like my friend Tom, a former auto mechanic who now tinkers with race cars. Painters, craftspeople covered with glue, kids sliding into home base, printers forever picking up ink on their hands and arms -- you name dirty, and Lava spokesmen talk back. "Whatever You're Into, Lava Gets It Out."

The WD-40 Company, multiple generations removed from the original owners, intends to keep Lava Soap and...

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