Reviews by Friends of squeegeebeckenheim

AnnaBanana says "A great treat but -- Chocoholics, don't hold your breath!" about Skinny Cow Low Fat Fudge Bars

AnnaBanana — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:03:02 GMT

Just in time for Thanksgiving, I found another "alternate" dessert since one cannot live by Pumpkin Pie alone. If you've eaten a big dinner or it is getting late in the evening and you just want a light sweet snack, you might want to try Skinny Cow Low Fat Fudge Bars which are delicious big hunks of ice cream firmly grounded on a sturdy stick for convenient indulging. These frozen bars don't really taste like a low-fat product -- alas, they do not really taste much like chocolate either! To all the Chocoholics out there, I can save you a lot of time and disappointment by advising you to look somewhere else for your true fudge fix.

STATS:

A 74 gram frozen bar is considered to be a single serving containing 100 calories with 10 calories from fat. There are 1 gram Total Fat, a half a gram Saturated Fat, zero Trans Fat, 3 mg. Cholesterol, 45 mg. Sodium, 22 grams Total Carbs, 4 grams Dietary Fiber, 13 grams Sugars and 4 grams Protein. Also included in each bar are 2% (D.V.) Vitamin A, 4% Iron,...

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AnnaBanana says "I could get used to this!" about Progresso 100% Natural Reduced Sodium Chicken Broth

AnnaBanana — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:24:12 GMT

There I was the other day, rudely shoving the last leftovers from Thanksgiving around, when to my horror I discovered MORE leftovers in my freezer compartment. Apparently the last time I had bought a roast chicken from Dominick's, I had not finished it and just stuffed what was left in the freezer for "later." Now here I was, with some leftover chicken and also -- as fate would have it -- most of the Del Monte convenience cut onions and celery (which I had used for my stuffing), a half a pound of baby carrots, a half a bag of egg noodles and -- most importantly -- almost an entire 32 oz. carton of Progresso 100% Natural Reduced Sodium Chicken Broth. If ever there was a time to make Chicken Noodle Soup, this was it but first I tried a little of the broth.

A BETTER IDEA

Progresso means what they say when it comes to "All Natural" as this ingredients list bears out: chicken broth, autolyzed yeast extract, sugar, sea salt, carrot puree, salt, natural flavor, chicken powder, chicken...

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Jolie says "buyuggsboot.net is a scam! Ugg Boots from China that are fake." about www.buyuggsboot.net

Jolie — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 05:22:46 GMT

Background on Buyuggsboot.net

A friend of mine at Viewpoints recently passed along a site called www.buyuggsboot.net. She found it online. www.buyuggsboot.net is a web site that sells all styles of Ugg Boots at discounted prices.

We werent certain if www.buyuggsboot.net were the real or not. But after a thorough review of the site, we thought it was legit. Buyuggsboot.net looks like a reasonable reseller of Ugg Boots. The page is designed well, the pictures look authentic and they make claim to having the real deal. They also consistently site throughout the web site having customer satisfaction commitments.

To add to the thought it was authentic, the pricing seemed good but not amazing. As you probably know a typical pair of Ugg Boots cost about $110. On Buyuggsboot.net the cost was $89.00- approximately a $20 savings. Seemed like a good deal, but they werent so cheap that I thought it could be scam. As an aside, last year Nordstrom had a similiar sale on Ugg boots so the pricing seemed...

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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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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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mom2acat says "Quick, simple, and very tasty" about Betty Crocker Homestyle Creamy Butter Instant Mashed Potatoes

mom2acat — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:53:33 GMT

Betty Crocker Homestyle Creamy Butter Instant Mashed Potatoes

This mashed potato mix comes in a 3.3 oz pouch. All you have to add is water.

Ready in just 3 minutes in the microwave, and just a few minutes longer to make on the stove, the method I prefer. To make on the stove, you just boil the water, pour the potato flakes in and stir, then remove from heat and let stand for 2 minutes, then whip with a fork.

You aren't going to fool anyone that these are "made from scratch" mashed potatoes, but for a mixture that you only have to add water too, they have a very good flavor. I really like to keep these mixes on hand for the times I am not feeling good and can't eat a lot. These are quick are easy, and it's a nice hot comfort food.

Each pouch makes 4 servings, and each serving is only 80 calories. They are also low in fat, just 1 gram per serving. They are a bit high in sodium, but most packaged foods like this are. Each serving has 460mg of sodium. They also have 10% of the RDA for fiber,...

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stef42678 says "Great Sequel and Great Characters" about New Moon

stef42678 — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:10:08 GMT

I am a huge fan of the Twilight series of novels by Stephenie Meyer, so I couldn't wait to check out the new movie sequel New Moon. My first reactions to this sequel of the Twilight saga was amazing! I absolutely loved the plot, the characters and the scenery was fantastic. I had previously read all four of the novels in the series so I was anxious to find out if this movie followed along with the novel, and it followed it to a tee. There was only one scene that went off on a new tangent, but it was done well and fit the movie. I really loved the characters of Edward, Bella and Jacob in this movie and the Volturi characters were displayed just as I had pictured them in the novel. Edward seems to take a secondary role in this movie to the mysterious Jacob, but there is still a lot of romance and tension between the characters of Bella and Edward. As Edward leaves the area to save Bella from the world of Vampires, Bella spirals into a depression only to be saved by her friend...

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stef42678 says "Adds Life to Hair" about Dove Intense Damage Therapy Shampoo for Accumulated Damage

stef42678 — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:00:26 GMT

I work outside all day so am prone to weather conditions of strong heat and winds, so my hair suffers a lot of damage. I am also in and out of the pool a lot so the chlorine can make my hair dry, so this is a great therapy for my hair. I love the Dove Intense Damage Therapy Shampoo for Accumulated Damage because not only is it a high quality shampoo at a low price, but it always improves the condition of my hair. I found this Dove shampoo for four dollars and it is so easy to use and like first aid for your hair. The shampoo has a soft, and fresh scent that is long lasting and it really works on my dry and damaged ends. It adds a lot of moisture to my hair and seems to make each lock a little stronger and takes away those ugly split ends. The shampoo pumps out easy of the bottle and forms a strong lather that rinses out easily leaving clean and fresh hair. My hair gets a little shine and feels fuller, and healthier everytime.

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stef42678 says "Great Confitioner and Softer Hair" about Herbal Essences hydralicious reconstructing conditioner

stef42678 — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:54:32 GMT

I really love Herbal Essences line of hair products because not only do they work great, but they always have a unique and great fragrance. I found this Herbal Essences hydralicious reconstructing conditioner on sale for under five dollars and it is my new favorite conditioner because not only does it soften my hair and add shine, but it makes my hair look and feel healthier. I use a blowdryer constantly throughout the week as well as suffer from dry and damaged ends on my hair, so this is definite hair therapy. I love that it adds so much moisture to my lock and everytime I use this product, my hair is easier to manage and has a little more shine. It makes my hair look fuller and thicker and if you have hard to manage hair, it works great as a frizz control or style holder. The scent of this conditioner is fruity and delicious and long lasting. It is refreshing to use, and has a great lather that rinses out cleanly. This is a great conditioner for your hair and makes your...

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stef42678 says "Great for Hydrating Hair" about Biolage Hydrating Shampoo

stef42678 — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:49:36 GMT

I shampoo my hair almost everyday, and I am constantly looking for products that not only fit my small budget, but also that add health to my hair. I truly love this Biolage Hydrating Shampoo because it always leaves my hair looking great and it isn't expensive. Biolage is a high quality brand and always makes my hair health improve. This is perfect for anyone with dry and damaged hair because it adds a large amount of moisture to your hair and keeps it healthy. I love that it has a great fragrance that is not too strong, and it is long lasting after you dry your hair. I use a blowdryer throughout the week, and this shampoo helps protect my hair from heat damage and adds a better fullness to it. If you have frizz proned hair, this shampoo also helps make hair more manageable and stay styled. Once applied to your hair, you will love that it deeply conditions and lathers up softly and smoothly. The lather rinses out cleanly without leaving a residue and will leave your locks...

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stef42678 says "Great Cleanser and Acne Control" about DHC Deep Cleaning Oil

stef42678 — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:44:44 GMT

I work outside a lot and am a highly stressed person around my job, so I need a cleanser that not only works to keep my face clean and not dry, but also controls breakouts and blemishes, which is what this DHC Deep Cleaning Oil product does. It is a little expensive at around thirty dollars, but it is definitely worth the splurge because it is a great cleanser and it doesn't dry your face or make your pimple problem worse. This solution is a thin liquid oil, but works great to clean your face and doesn't require any harsh scrubbing. The oil doesn't feel heavy or greasy. You can apply it to just your breakout areas, or your entire face and it starts working fast to cleanse your pores and blemish areas. Once rubbed on, it rinses off cleanly in a soft lather and it doesn't have a harsh drying effect. I think this is a great product for dry and sensitive skin because it will leave your face soft and not overdry it as it cleanses. I love that I can feel the difference in my skin...

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stef42678 says "Long Lasting Color" about China Glaze Nail Polish

stef42678 — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:38:56 GMT

I really love painting my nails because it is a great way to express my style, so I was thrilled when I found this China Glaze Nail Polish on sale. It comes in great color, and every color has just a little shimmer and is very bold. The nail polish was on sale for under five dollars and it is definitely worth its value because it added a bold color to my nails and was long lasting. I work around a lot of water and outside where there are so many opportunities for my nail color to chip, but this color withstood everything and lasted for almost two weeks. I liked that the bottle was clear so you could see the exact color you were buying, because it went on in a nice thick coat of color. The brush is easy to apply color and doesn't drip or smear. I loved that it had a nice shiny tone and made a great statement on my nails. This nail color is a true winner and the perfect way to show off your fashion style on your nails. I also loved that the color served as an amazing nail hardener so it not...

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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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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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