Reviews by opus88

opus88 says "Wonderful lemonade!" about Lakewood - Organic Lemonade

opus88 — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 14:14:28 GMT

I'm so pleased to find a beverage I can enjoy as a treat that won't create health issues for me. Lakewood Organic Lemonade is not only healthy but delicious, and makes my taste buds dance!

Water is typically what I drink, purified whenever possible. I will also drink herbal teas, but rarely do I drink them cold. And I will admit, sometimes I just want something other than water or tea, but I refuse to drink the unhealthy sodas, flavored waters and sport drinks out there. But this past summer I discovered Lakewood Organic Lemonade, and therefore discovered an end to my beverage boredom.

The ingredients are: pure water, fresh pressed organic lemon juice, organic white grape juice, organic agave from concentrate. That's it! Fresh-pressed juice from fresh, ripe fruit. 60% fruit juice. No sulfites added, no artificial sweeteners, no additives, no gluten, no casein, no GMO products, no cane sugar. Calories are 65 for a 6-oz. serving, with 16g carbs (14g sugar) offering a low glycemic effect (meaning...

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opus88 says "Non-dairy? Wow - you'd never know it!" about Blue Mountain Cashew Creamery Cashew Cream

opus88 — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 20:49:00 GMT

Blue Mountain Cashew Creamery was a new company to me, and its gourmet cashew cream a new product. But I'm now their newest fan.

As one who has trouble with milk products, ice cream is one treat I rarely get to indulge in - and when I do, I end up with unpleasant symptoms.

Now that I've found Blue Mountain Cashew Creamery's delicious frozen treats, I can indulge without the side effects.

Made from raw and organic ingredients, this company uses only the best quality foods to create new products. With cashews as the base for their frozen concoctions, and including agave nectar, coconut oil, shea butter, sea salt, etc., they are truly watching out for our health while providing a welcome party for the taste buds.

We ordered a pint each of Blue Mountain Cashew Creamery's mint cacao chip and chocolate flavors. They suggest that a pint will serve 4, but we forced ourselves to stretch it to 6 servings just to keep us from gobbling them down in one sitting. But oh, it would have been SO easy...

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opus88 says "All-natural, hemp scrubber sponge." about Twist Ravioli Scrubby

opus88 — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 16:07:38 GMT

I recently reviewed the Twist Euro Sponge #10, and still feel very positively about it. The last time I was at the health food store I found another product by the same company - the Twist Ravioli Scrubby. Being pleased with the sponge, I had to try this new item.

The Twist Ravioli Scrubby looks like its name - a 4- to 5-inch burlap-like ravioli. The sponge inside is biodegradable, the outside "pasta" is an all-natural hemp burlap. It's rough enough to clean the stuck-on mess on your stove or countertop, yet gentle enough to not scratch the surface.

I do like this product, but not as well as the Euro Sponge. It's a little too fat and stiff for my hand to get a good strong grip. And I am not fond of so much extra material around the edges. It seems it would be more functional with a much smaller "ruffle" around the edges.

But I do like the all-natural materials, and it appears that this is a strong, durable product that won't need replacing very soon. I'm sorry I don't recall what I paid...

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opus88 says "HATED this. Don't waste your money!" about EnviroCurtain Recycled Polyester Full Size Shower Curtain

opus88 — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 15:45:29 GMT

I purchased the EnviroCurtain Recycled Polyester Full Size Shower Curtain a few months ago, after researching non-plastic, non-vinyl, non-toxic shower curtains. I had it narrowed down to 3 shower curtains (all from different companies), and finally decided on this one because I liked the idea of it being recycled as well as anti-microbial, therefore slowing mold and mildew growth.

The first thing I noticed when I opened the EnviroCurtain Recycled Polyester Full Size Shower Curtain package was the overwhelming smell. It was awful! I opened the curtain and draped it over the rail on the deck for three days, yet it still had a terrible stink to it. I finally hung it up anyway, but had much trouble doing so: The button tabs were so stiff and tight that it was very, very difficult to push the buttons through. And the material was too stiff to lie flat, so it made me feel a bit more crowded in the shower (I chose to use this as a liner).

The biggest frustration came when I noticed the mildew...

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opus88 says "We LOVED this product!" about Kraft - Philadelphia Spinach & Artichoke Cream Cheese Spread

opus88 — Mon, 11 May 2009 23:33:05 GMT

If I had a favorite spread - which I really don't because I don't usually eat such things - it would have been immediately replaced by Philadelphia Spinach & Artichoke Cream Cheese Spread.

We took a 4-day weekend and drove about 3 hours to the beach. We packed some healthy breakfast and lunch items for the condo, but needed some snack items. We stopped at the store near our destination for some nuts and yogurt, and also to pick up the free container of Philadelphia Spinach & Artichoke Cream Cheese Spread. (It just sounded better than the Tomato & Basil.) It was very easy to find - we quickly grabbed it and headed for the check-out.

Oh, my! From the very first bite, my husband and I both fell in love with this spread that is loaded with real spinach and artichoke. We generously scooped it on our Hazelnut Nut Thins crackers (wheat- and gluten-free), barely able to wait for the other person to relinquish the container for the next bite. (Yes, we were double-dipping - but it was just the...

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opus88 says "I keep it handy everywhere, in the house and in my purse." about Boiron Nux vomica

opus88 — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 02:42:51 GMT

Homeopathy is an amazing protocol of miniscule dosage based on the concept of "like cures like." Boiron's Nux vomica 30c is my magical homeopathic remedy.

While I do not suffer constantly with nausea, heartburn, etc., I do experience occasional bouts of indigestion. Never has this product failed to work for me, and typically I need only one dose of five pellets to calm whatever storm is brewing in my stomach.

The tiny round pellets of the Boiron remedy are hard, so they are perfect for carrying in your purse or backpack. I have nothing against Hyland's brand - in fact, I use those as well - but their quick-dissolve tablets disintegrate into powder when carried around.

I keep a supply of Boiron's Nux vomica 30c in my drawer at work, in my purse, on my nightstand, in the medicine drawer, and next to the couch in the TV area. My husband and I have learned to rely on this remedy for indigestion of many possible causes. It can be amazing if food poisoning is suspected. And it definitely helps...

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opus88 says "Don't bother!" about Debbie Meyer Green Bags

opus88 — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 15:39:36 GMT

Debbie Meyer Green Bags had been on my radar for a while before I finally purchased a package of them. About every two weeks we buy a large amount of produce for just the two of us, as we enjoy fresh veggie juice almost daily, and my husband eats a large salad almost every evening. As you can imagine, often by the end of the 2 weeks the little that is left is getting pretty wilted and soggy. But the only place around here to get true organic produce is an hour away, so shopping more often just can't happen. While we do supplement with some non-organic when necessary, there are certain foods we just won't buy if we can't get the organic harvest.

Naturally, the Debbie Meyer Green Bags would help retain the quality and therefore the nutrients, plus eliminate some of the waste. Or so we thought.

We tried it first with spinach, then with the variety mixture referred to as spring greens. Neither of us could see any difference in the longevity of these veggies - and we are so ingrained into...

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opus88 says "Can't live without it!" about Flavorwave Oven

opus88 — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 03:35:08 GMT

I'm on my second FlavorWave Deluxe Oven now. I used and used and used my first one, and it even survived the leaky, moldy mess created by hurricane damage. It took more than 3 years of almost daily use - and occasionally two or three times a day - to wear the poor thing out. I was so upset that I immediately called and ordered a new one, and impatiently awaited its arrival.

Almost every morning I cook an organic, grass-fed beef burger patty in the FlavorWave Deluxe Oven. I typically put the frozen burger in the fridge the night before, but sometimes I forget. No problem - you can cook it from frozen in no time! That's because it uses a 3-way cooking process of conduction (as in a regular oven), convection (to circulate the air) and infrared (harmless, effective light used in 5-star restaurants).

This little machine looks like a mechanized cake dome, small enough to set on your counter. It uses up to 85% less electricity than a conventional oven, and does not heat up your kitchen. Living...

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opus88 says "Easier to apply than liquid, creamier than powder, feels natural" about Nicole Miller Creme Rouge Wheelto-Powder Foundation

opus88 — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 02:32:38 GMT

Nicole Miller's Creme-to-Powder Foundation was an entirely new concept to me two years ago. Now I can't imagine being without it.

The first thing that impressed me is the company's use of natural products. You won't find dangerous ingredients in Nicole Miller's products. In fact, Nicole developed these products with the help of Melaleuca, a direct-to-consumer company known for high-quality products that use natural ingredients, and selling them at a lower price than most national brands.

Next I learned that it contained natural lipids and hyaluronic acid (to attract and bind moisture), plus vitamins A and E for soothing conditioning. I liked that I was wearing something that would help my skin, not just give even out my color.

Having switched from liquid foundation to just powder as a base many years ago, I wasn't sure I would like this. I thought it would feel heavy and make me worried that I'd smear it if I touched my face. And I was concerned about matching my skin tone, especially...

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opus88 says "Well worth it if you are serious about your nutrition!" about Breville Juice Fountain Elite

opus88 — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 03:49:59 GMT

The Breville Juice Fountain Elite is our 4th or 5th juicer over the past 18 years or so. None of the others compared to this one for ease of assembly, ease of use and ease of cleanup.

This is Martha Stewart's favorite juicer. That doesn't mean diddly to us, but maybe it does to some of you out there. Perhaps it speaks to the simple operation and quick results of this heavy-duty machine. After all, she's a busy lady who wants to do what needs to be done and then move on.

The base unit of the Breville Juice Fountain Elite is die cast metal surrounding a strong 1000-watt motor that spins at a whopping 13,000 revolutions per minute at the high speed - nearly triple the speed of most other juicers. And the low speed (6500 rpm) works well for those softer fruits or leafy veggies. A "smart chip" adjusts the power as you press the food down, keeping it at the optimum speed for best results.

Everything your food comes in contact with is stainless steel, which is also dishwasher safe. The micro-mesh...

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opus88 says "Large capacity, but a little behind the technology times." about Coby - PMP-3520

opus88 — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 03:56:33 GMT

The Coby PMP-3520 appealed to me first for its 20GB capacity. Wow - I can fit a LOT of songs on there! I got it at a great bargain (retail was just under $400), brand new, but I realize now that it must have been a discontinued model. It plays movies on a 3x2" screen, records your voice, acts as a photo frame, and includes an SD/MMC card slot.

Now that I've been using it for about 3 months, I'm not quite as pleased as I hoped. Not that it's a bad machine. And very possibly, some of the issues are user-induced. But it seems outdated in a number of ways. And while the Coby PMP-3520 is portable, it's too heavy and clunky for a shirt pocket.

First, you have to rename almost every file you want to include - it only allows 15 characters. If it's longer than 15 characters, rather than truncate the title, the file just won't appear as an option, even though you can see it on your PC. It will not give you any info regarding the song, album, artist, etc. If you don't know that info off the top...

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opus88 says "Yummy, yummy, yummy - and easy!" about Cooking with Coconut Flour

opus88 — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 02:58:55 GMT

"Cooking with Coconut Flour" - huh? Never heard of coconut flour? It seems odd - flour is made from grains, right? But this is made from a fruit! If you've never had a dish made with coconut flour, it's time you did!

The opening 40 pages of this 160-page paperback cookbook is filled with excellent (and often surprising) information by Bruce Fife, N.D., about coconut flour and its positive health ramifications, including why it can be a welcome alternative for those who cannot tolerate wheat or gluten, or for those who require or desire a low-carb or grain-free manner of eating. (And it's MUCH better tasting than soy flour!) He also includes a very helpful segment on how cooking with coconut flour is different from other flours.

All recipes included in the book use only ingredients that are free of wheat, gluten, soy, trans fat, artificial sweeteners and yeast. Most recipes are also low sugar and low carb. The author explains that most suggested sugars in the recipes are interchangeable...

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opus88 says "GenTeal Lubricant Eye Gel does bring relief to severe dry eyes" about Genteal Lubricant Eye Gel

opus88 — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 02:03:03 GMT

Do you know that you have tear ducts not only at the lower, inner corner of the eye, but also about halfway up the upper lid, above the better-known tear duct? Well, I didn't know it was there until my eye doctor worked me in last-minute for a problem I was experiencing. I was sure I had a grain of sand trapped in both eyes - I live at the beach so it seemed to make sense. After a few days of struggling with the nasty pain of having my eyeballs continually scratched and eye drops not helping, I learned that I had chronic dry eye, and I was being injured by my own tear ducts!

They say that if you work at a computer all day, you need to make yourself blink - something about the activity seems to bring on almost a staring behavior.

Well, if you have dry eyes AND you work at a computer all day AND come home to practice an instrument or read or participate in any hobby that requires close work, you know how miserable your dry eyes can make you. Honestly, there have been days when I couldn't...

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opus88 says "I won't miss my old sponge!" about Twist Euro Sponge #10

opus88 — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 01:07:40 GMT

I purchased the Euro Sponge #10 from Twist around the beginning of the year. Silly me, I didn't open it until last week because I had stocked up on my regular kitchen sponge - you know the kind: encased in cloth on one side and a scrubby mesh on the other. I don't know if I unknowingly changed brands or if they changed their product, but lately the inside sponges have flattened within just a few days of use and then disintegrated quite rapidly. I had become disillusioned, to say the least.

During a trip to the natural foods co-op that we frequent, I stumbled upon the Euro Sponge #10 hanging on a display. It's a pleasant minty-green color (maybe referring to "eco-friendly"?), looks rather dense and flat like a pad instead of fluffy like a regular sponge, and is biodegradable - and it says it's durable. Hmm. Maybe it's time for a change.

Even though I still have 2 of my old sponges in an unopened package, I was rather disgusted with the short life of the last one, so I thought it was time...

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opus88 says "Made my beautiful shoes fit perfectly and comfortably!" about Foot Petals - Killer Kushionz, Heavenly Heelz

opus88 — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 16:35:55 GMT

I stumbled upon Foot Petals and ordered 3 items: Heavenly Heelz (to fit around the back of the heel or can also be used across the upper band near the toes), Killer Kushionz (to use as an insole) and Tip Toes (place under the ball of the foot when wearing heels). Silly me, I neglected to use them right away. Boy, am I sorry I waited!

I purchased a beautiful pair of heels for a performance outfit, and they fit great. Unfortunately, I found them after about 2 hours of walking the mall on a warm day, so my feet were swollen. Come time to wear them in performance and they are too loose, so I can't really walk in them. I stuffed them with Dr. Scholl's-type insoles, then cut up another pair to double up under the ball of the foot, plus used a portion of that one to also put something around the back of the heel. Still, I had to squinch my foot back and up before I walked, and that effect only lasted a short while - more than a few steps later I'm walking with an awkward gate to avoid stepping......

opus88 says "Not fast-paced with lots of excitement, but well worth viewing." about Letters From Iwo Jima

opus88 — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 04:24:45 GMT

We saw this last night after DVRing it last week. I don't know what was edited to fit the time frame, but it was about 3.5 hours.

The most disappointing thiing was the subtitles. No, not because it was subtitled, but the actual words on the screen. They were too small to read easily, and they too often changed before we could finish reading the dialogue. Good thing it was DVR so we could rewind as often as necessary.

Otherwise we found it engaging even though the pacing was a little slow. And we did feel connected to the main characters.

Overall, I'd recommend it if there is any interest in the WWII era. Since it was not in high color, the potential goriness of such a film was drastically reduced, making it easily watchable.
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opus88 says "Clean, fair price, friendly staff." about Springhill suites - Peoria, IL

opus88 — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 20:24:16 GMT

Check-in was easy, front desk staff friendly. We had a problem with the TV and somebody came up right away, apologized profusely for the inconvenience and said he would return with a different TV. We were headed out and when we returned shortly after, he had just finished the installation of the new TV and was testing it to be sure everything worked and the problem was no longer an issue.

The breakfast was typical fruits, juices & milk, cold cereal and pastries, plus sausage patties and make-your-own waffles. This was all fine, but the molded (same size as sausage patties) scrambled eggs were like rubber, and the eggs and sausage were not very hot. The 4 containers of hot drinks (coffee, tea, water) were not replenished often enough throughout the day and night, and were therefore lukewarm or cold 3 of the 5 times we attempted to get a hot drink.

There was a small fitness room, free newspaper, pay-per-view movies, microwave, fridge, coffee maker with supplies, iron & board, hair dryer. Although......

opus88 says "Everyone was friendly and helpful." about Hollywood Casino - Tunica, Mississippi

opus88 — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 19:58:42 GMT

From the initial phone call asking for information to the next call to make the reservation, then from check-in to questions to check-out, and even when bumping into the maid or security people, the "worst" person was very professional, up to the majority being personable and helpful. We were there Thanksgiving afternoon and stayed that night, and there was never a big crowd - so different from what we are used to in a casino hotel. This, along with 2 other casinos, is off the path from the other casinos in Tunica/Robinsonville, so maybe that is a plus. We enjoyed our stay, the room was clean and certainly adequate for our needs. Parking was free and convenient to the entrance. With all the old movie photos and memorabilia (including the Batmobile!), there was plenty to keep us occupied during non-gaming time. We dined onsite in a 50s-60s themed restaurant with tableside juke boxes - food was good and prices were reasonable. We'd definitely return there should we head that direction again.......

opus88 says "So entertaining!" about Pet Senegal parrot

opus88 — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 17:22:50 GMT

Senegals are great fun. They are known as the clowns of the parrot family; they love to do tricks, they love to learn, they love to please their owners. We laugh at our Senegal all the time - sometimes for the tricks we've taught her, often for just the natural personality that shines through.

Not known as the best talkers, they will learn to mimic in a squeaky voice. But there is such a desire to please that teaching them tricks is very easy. They love rewards of treats, but can be just as desiring of excited praise from their owner once they start to learn the trick.

We love everything about our Senegal except the screaming. Being a very social creature, she just has to be part of the commotion. If we have a loud conversation, if hand-washing dishes or clanking dishes together (such as emptying the dishwasher), or if putting away the groceries, she has to be a continual part of the noise. Their natural habits include calling to each other, so when we are not visible to her, she screams......

opus88 says "Lives up to the claims." about Carlson Labs Cod Liver Oil

opus88 — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 15:28:08 GMT

This particular product comes with high recommendations from many of the fanatical health writers and researchers. The brand is old and trusted. If you are looking for a cod liver oil product for whatever reason, this is the one to use.

We've used this for a few years, and enjoy the pleasant taste. The worst part is having to keep it refrigerated - the "out of sight, out of mind" phrase does apply here, so it's very helpful to just make it part of your breakfast routine (or whichever meal is best for you).

A word of caution: If you get daily amounts of sunshine, you will not want to use as much of this due to Vitamin D toxicity potential. Without a blood test there really isn't a way to know where you stand with this. Those who live in warmer climates and enjoy the outdoors may only want to use this sparingly....