On Writing by Stephen King

From the Amazon media review page:

"Stephen King's On Writing really contains two books: a fondly sardonic autobiography and a tough-love lesson for aspiring novelists."

"King also evokes his college days and his recovery from the van crash that nearly killed him, but the focus is always on what it all means to the craft. He gives you a whole writer's "tool kit": a reading list, writing assignments, a corrected story, and nuts-and-bolts advice on dollars and cents, plot and character, the basic building block of the paragraph, and literary model."





                                                
                                             
I have never been a fan of Stephen King's novels but I loved reading this book : On Writing.

As I mentioned in my recent book review of: Writing Fiction for Dummies, there are several writing guides that I have read over the years that I have found helpful and others, not so much.

In the case of On Writing, not only did I learn (or was reminded of) many helpful writing rules, lessons and tips from one of the best-selling authors in the world; I also enjoyed the captivating story of his life to date. The journey that has taken King from his lowly beginnings to the pinnacle of the writing world with millions of loyal fans worldwide.

Ironically (perhaps) many of the readers who love this book are not among the Stephen King fans who eagerly await the release of his latest novel. As I mentioned above, that would include me. It didn't matter though, this was a page-turner of a different kind.

His bio was fascinating including many things I did not know about his "rags to riches" rise to fame and his personal struggles with addiction and years of publishing rejections before his "big break" with Doubleday and his first published novel in 1974: Carrie.

In the writing guide portion of this book, there were many down- to -earth, easy to implement suggestions such as:  "Read a lot and write a lot", putting the manuscript away for a period of time and then taking it out to with a fresh and renewed perspective, the do's and don'ts of grammar. Some of the basics from Strunk & White's 'Elements of Style' but explained here in a much more accessible way. The importance of creating characters who will remain realistic and engaging  for the entire story. The list goes on and on...

A reference book for all writers: novice or more experienced. And for those who never plan to write anything themselves, it's still a book that I would recommend. If biographies are among your favorite type of books, you won't want to miss this one. It is an inspiring story that will ring true for most people, in particular anyone who has struggled against the odds in their own choices of creative pursuits.

Stephen King proves that it's not about where you are coming from or what you've been dealt with along the way, it just matters that you don't get discouraged. give up or give in. Through addictions, health problems, financial woes, a brush or two with death, and a stack of rejection letters that piled up year after year, the difference was just that. Stephen King was not a quitter and he never gave up.

I'm glad he took the time and had the interest in sharing his lessons on writing and his own personal journey in this book. And I'm glad that I wasn't swayed by my dislike of his novels and decided to read it anyways. A 10 year anniversary edition of On Writing, is now available. Maybe it's time for a re-read!

Overall rating for this book: Very Good. 4 out of 5. 

Writing Fiction for Dummies by Randy Ingermanson and Peter Economy

It's not very often that my opinion of a book is almost completely opposite to the reviews posted over at Amazon. In the case of: Writing Fiction for Dummies, that pretty much sums it up.

This book and it's authors have a loyal following. And I can understand why in some respects. It certainly delivers "the goods" if you are looking for a "technical breakdown" for lack of a better term on what it takes to write a novel in particular. What it isn't, in my opinion is an easy,engaging or "encouraging-for-the-aspiring- novelist" type of book to read.

It's been one of my goals, dreams, aspirations to write a novel for a LONG time. I gave it a constructive and lengthy try, a couple of times.

During one of those writing blitzes I even had the courage to share my finished pages (as the book progressed) with a friend who regularly read women's fiction along the same lines as what I was aspiring to create. This was also a friend known for "shooting from the hip" and definitely someone who would not hold back with her true opinion and feedback. And that suited me just fine. Her reaction to my weekly offerings  again and again were:

"this is just as good as anything else I've ever read" and "when will you have more ready to read" ...and other similar comments.

Needless to say, I was encouraged. Did I ever finish that book? No I did not. Short version of a long story, mainly because the story line became too emotional and personally painful for me to continue.I'll leave it at that.

The desire to write a novel though, has never left me. Right now I have another story idea in mind that I am eager to pursue. I've been looking for some writing aids in my quest to start and keep on going this time, to see my "great Canadian novel" finally a reality.

So back to Writing Fiction for Dummies. Again, there's no doubt that the popularity of this book and the amount of detailed work that has gone into every chapter is evident. But every time I have gone to read another chapter, I've eventually found myself either nodding off or daydreaming about something more pleasant to consider.

Writing any kind of book, fiction or non-fiction; sure it's work and a lot of work to get it right but should it not also be a creative and satisfying experience along the way? Isn't that what writing or any type of craft is  all about? All I felt after reading through (most not all) of this book was discouragement and boredom.

When I write a story, well... I WRITE A STORY! The polishing, the editing, the re-writing it comes afterwards. I don't want to be weighed down with a lot of the do's and don'ts and attention to the smallest of details that are presented in this book when I'm just trying to type as fast as I can! My main concern at that point in the process is not to "lose the muse or the moment".

From the Table of Contents:

• Exposition: Explaining Cultural drivers through narrative summary.
• Finding Your Category's Requirements and identifying your story's emotional driver.
• Setting Up the Structure of Individual Scenes and following up with the reactive scene
• Fixing Proactive Scenes and examining final results
• Deciding whether to show and tell and following an example of decision making....

and so on and so on...and yawn, yawn, yawn....

I think this book may be a valuable resource for editing after the "meat and potatoes" process of actually writing a novel is complete or almost complete. Or for a writer with a definite analytical type of mind and style of writing. It's not what I'd call a "user-friendly" writer's resource and yes, I have read a few that I would categorize that way. I'll be posting some of my choices for writing guides I have found more helpful, here in the future.

Overall rating for this book: Fair. 2 out of 5.

Black & Decker 16C Rice Cooker Plus (RC426-C)

Being an avid cook and vegetarian-cookbook author, I'm always on the look-out for new gadgets and small appliances to check out and try. In the case of this Black & Decker 16 Cup Rice Cooker, I'm glad I did. Not only does this cooker make excellent rice, it doubles as a multi-purpose cooker for soups, stews, pasta dishes, chili...

At less than $20 (on sale when I purchased it several months ago) this has been a real bargain purchase. The large 16C. capacity is big enough for a large amount of rice to be cooked to perfection. And with soups and stews, several portions can be accommodated in one cooking session. Easy to use and to clean up too. Doesn't take up a lot of counter space either. For someone in a small apartment or a student just starting out, this would also be an excellent choice.

There are a few features that I think could be improved on this cooker. First of all, ditch the spoon holder on the side, I never use it and the spoon put in place there just gets in the way. Speaking of the spoon, well it's kind of a joke but it's tucked away in a drawer now so not a concern.

Another issue I have with this rice cooker is the steam vent on the top. It's rather small and isn't adjustable so when a soup or similar recipe is at full simmer, it's sometimes necessary to jiggle the lid to tilt it open it a bit (not a great idea safety wise), to allow for more steam to escape and to continue to simmer without boiling over. This could definitely be improved with a bigger and adjustable steam vent opening.

Another feature to add that would be helpful is a low and high setting, in addition to the warm. The two settings: Warm and Cook don't leave much in the way of options. If you are only using this for rice, it works fine but for other types of cooking, 3 settings would be very helpful. 

A measuring "cup" is included with the cooker and it's important to use this when measuring out rice, not a regular full 1 C. measuring cup. It's actually a 3/4 C. measure. Instructions for cooking different types of rice are included in the instruction manual. I've tried a various types of brown rice, all with good results but I now add more water at the beginning of the cooking process, to get better results and no sticking on the bottom of the pot.

For example, for a 2 C measure (using their cup!) I fill the cooker to the 3 C. water line, not the 2 as stated in the instructions and it works much better. You will need to try it with your own favorite types of rice and adjust water accordingly. The tip to leave the rice in warm mode for 10-15 minutes at the end of the cooking process (it automatically clicks over to warm mode) is a good suggestion. It really improves the fluffiness and flavor of the finished rice.

For a very low price, this is a multi-use small appliance that is a real helper in the kitchen. I often have my bread-machine baking and this cooker filled with soup simmering away at the same time. And voila!!! a delish homemade bread and soup for dinner, ready in a hurry and easy-peasy cleanup afterwards!

The Amazon page featuring this cooker shows the U.S. model. The C in the model number I note on my instruction book, I'm assuming refers to the product sold in Canada. I bought ours at Walmart on sale but the one I've featured here appears to be exactly the same.

Overall rating for this product: Good. 3 out of 5. 

A Mr. Cheddar Review: Zuke's Hip Action Treats

                                                        

Amen to that Ched!

BTW, that's some text cloud you've got there! Impressive in a strange sort of way LOL Ok, all kidding aside and on with our review...

That's exactly what the Ched "says" when these tasty little morsels are taken out of his stash cupboard. And that in my opinion is the minus when it comes to giving these treats (which are available for dogs too). In small print on the package it gives feeding instructions. For a big boy like the Ched (he weighs in at about 14 pounds) he is only suppose to have 2 of these treats daily. Two!!! That's not a treat for either of us. He looks at me as if I'm being a cheap-o Meowmie, every time I dole these out. For smaller cats, up to 11 pounds, the news is even worse, just 1 a day!

And Ched LOVES the taste of these.

And he does want MORE, MORE, MORE.

I also wonder if a lot of people fail to notice the tiny printed feeding instructions and give these with abandon to their pets? These are supplements after all, not just treats. Each barrel-shaped portion contains 50 MG. of Glucosamine and 15 MG. of Chondroitin. Both ingredients are (as with humans) said to promote and improve joint health. They also do not contain any artificial colors, wheat, corn, soy or by-products according to the package.

All good, all pluses but again, how do you tell your pet: "that's it, that's all, see ya tomorrow"...when they want MORE?


From the Amazon product page:

Did you know that cats can suffer from achy and stiff joints just like people and dogs do? Cat Hip Action treats contain cat-specific levels of the same pharmaceutical-grade glucosamine and chondroitin found in our best-selling Hip Action dog treats. In addition to soothing aches and pains, recent studies show that glucosamine also can promote cat urinary tract health. Made with real chicken and salmon, plus vitamins and minerals, Hip Action treats are a delicious way to keep your cat agile and healthy.

So for Ched it was a mixed blessing finding a couple bags of Zuke's Hip Action treats  in one of his Christmas goodie bags. He loves the taste of them but he doesn't love the limited portions he is allowed each day. Perhaps the company that manufactures these could try a lower-dose version that would allow more portions per day. I know it will make Ched's day if they do.

PS: I debated about what rating to give this product and decided on Good. Except for the portion concerns, I still think it's better than a lot of cat treats/supplements that are currently available.

An update with additional product information from the folks at Zuke's:
"Thanks for this! Fun indeed. You should check out our Natural Purzz treats too! They are the same taste/look/smell as the Hip Action, but
they don't contain the glucosamine or chondroitin, so they can be fed as
much as you want. Mr. Cheddar would be happy to know that!
Thank you for your support."
                                        
Overall rating for this product: Good. 3 out of  5.

Oral-B Cross Action Power (Duel Clean) Toothbrush

                                          

For years, I've been buying and trying various types/brands of toothbrushes, including some expensive power toothbrushes (battery and rechargeable types) and several manual ones too.

Recently, I had enough points to go on quite a "spree" at our local Shopper's Drug Mart and since the bristles on the manual toothbrush I had been using were looking a bit sad, thought I'd give one of these battery-powered brushes from Oral-B a try. Being on sale for less than $7. was a nice plus too. And for me it cost only points that day. Free is my favorite words (LOL) when it comes to shopping!

Don't be fooled by the very low price of these brushes, they work like a charm. The brush head replacements (2 pk.) are also very reasonable, about $4. that day. A real bargain especially when compared to the  $100 and over for a power brush and $20 plus for a set of 2 replacement heads (which are suppose to be changed every 2-3 months) that I'd used in the past. Needless to say, this kind of repeat buying gets rather pricey.

The great thing is, the result are just as good, maybe even better with these newer, lower-priced versions of power toothbrushes compared to the higher-priced ones I'd tried in the past. The Oral- B Cross Action Power Duel Clean has two bristle heads (one round, one cupped) and that's what really makes a difference with results. Instead of just going over the surfaces of teeth, the cupped, lower bristles "cradle" each tooth and do a very good job of getting them smooth and clean, including the gum line and between teeth. Impressive!

Here's some additional information from the Oral-B site about this particular toothbrush and tips on brushing, oral health, coupons etc...

If you're like me and thought that these toothbrushes couldn't possibly be as good as the high priced "bells and whistle" types with the price-tags to match, give one of these a try. And compared to manual brushes, well... there is no comparison!

I also find that the vast array of choices of these power brushes can be a bit overwhelming at the stores. It's nice to narrow it down to a brand/type that you really like and will want to stay with. And stock up on replacement heads when they are on sale! I know I've found a keeper. It's nice to be pleasantly surprised when a lower-priced version of any must-have item proves to be a winner. In this case, that's exactly what happened.

Overall rating for this product: Excellent. 5 out of 5.

One-Yard Wonders by Rebecca Yaker and Patricia Hoskins

This book was part of a gift package that I recently received. I was happy to finally check out and review a copy of One-Yard Wonders. In keeping with the continued  and growing popularity that the craft of home-sewing is once again experiencing (and for people of all ages and skill levels) it's easy to understand why this has been such a popular book.

As a long-time crafter (with sewing being close to the top of my list of crafts that I love) craft instructor, author and columnist, I have some positive and not so positive things to say about my impressions of this book.

On the plus side: I love the concept of 1 yard or less fabric required for each of the 101 projects in this book. That's not a lot of fabric to work with but the editors/authors of this book (and the many designers who also contributed to the book) have done a good job of providing a wide variety of fun, practical and for the most part, very easy to make projects.

Some of the projects included (to name but a few) that I found attractive

 and worth considering were:

• Collapsible Shopping Tote
• Simply Beautiful Sundress
• Obi-Inspired Hot and Cold Pack
• Granny's Clothespin Apron
• Bird Mobile
• Checkers to Go
• Not-Ugly Car Trash Bag
• Smocked Pillow in the Round

                                                                       

Other good points about this book:

Detailed instructions for each project, with diagrams and some projects also include paper pattern templates to use as well. A very attractive presentation, large color photographs of each project.A good range of project categories including those for the home, clothing for everyone in the family (including several items for the pets too), lots of interesting bags and totes, and some tech related items including CD and lap-top sleeve....there really is something for everyone. There is also a good, basic instruction section at the beginning of the book, outlining the skills and general notion supplies required for using the book. The handy ring-binder (on the inside of sturdy cover where it should be) is also a nice touch, the book lays flat and stays that way!

Now to the not so positive points. As many Amazon readers of this book mentioned, for the most part, these are very easy projects not really for an experienced seamstress or crafter if they are looking for a challenge. Personally, although I've been sewing for over 20 years, sometimes a simple, quick project is exactly what I am looking for so in that regard, simple can be a plus or a minus, depending on what you are looking for and the time you have to make something. Most of these would definitely be doable in an afternoon/day. There were also quite a few comments about the projects that were simply covering objects with fabric, with minimal sewing such as book covers and wall boards. Again, I agree these are rather easy but if it's what someone needs to be inspired and the item is something that would fit their immediate requirements, especially for beginners that can be ok too. A lot of these are also not terribly original and yes, many of these patterns/projects (or very similar items) could be found elsewhere or simply designed as you go.

I do appreciate seeing yet another step in the right direction in terms of recycling and re-thinking fabrics and other types of craft materials and seeing them for what they can be, treasures just waiting for someone's creative touch and a bit of hobby time. And that's always a good thing. The relaxation factor of crafting is worth considering too! This book might be a good reminder to many (it was for me) to once again find the time to include sewing and all it's rewards, as part of their leisure/hobby pursuits. 

The projects in this book can take the remnants that you may have been stashing for a LONG time and finally transform them into something you can be happy that you took the time to make. And when it comes to gifts, creating a hand-sewn item can bump it up a notch in a big hurry, usually for a very small investment of money and time. Who knows, you might end up making a treasure that will be passed down for years to come and enjoyed again and again. 

The book would also be a great gift for the crafters you know or wannabees just starting out. A nice add-on gift with a new sewing machine perhaps? Very reasonably priced at Amazon right now.

Overall rating for this book: Good. 3 out of 5.

Green and Black's Organic Chocolate Bars

                               

     I admit it, I am a chocoholic. A big time CHOC-O-HO-LIC!!!

What the world needs now (besides love sweet love ...) is more chocolate of the superior kind. And recently I think I found the ultimate in chocolate bars: Green and Black's Organic Chocolate Bars.

So far I've sampled and enjoyed the Cherry  (my favorite. bittersweet dark chocolate and plenty of luscious cherries), Almond (loaded with almonds), Raisin and Hazelnut (a Fruit and Nut Bar only 10 X better than the "regular" variety) and Espresso (oh, la la...if you appreciate a good cup of java you are going to LOVE this one).

The fact that these bars of  yummy delight are also organic and fair trade is merely "icing on the cake". Let's face it, we all want to buy with the "big picture" in mind these days, if at all possible. But when it all comes down to it, especially for chocolate and other treats, it's still all about TASTE as the number one must-have factor.

And delicious, rich taste ohhhhh yes, these bars have plenty of that and then some. Luscious, creamy texture, a just-right sweetness (not too sweet or bitter) and loaded with other yummy ingredients like fruits, nuts, liquors... to add to the enjoyment of each 100G bar.

 As far as calories are concerned, not too bad either considering the quality and richness of each delectable bite. For example a 40G portion (ample for 1-2 people) of the Espresso bar is a mere 200 calories. Not bad, not bad at all. This is a treat after all, not a main course for a meal. We all need our indulgences don't we? And if I'm going to splurge on the calories and fat, I want to make it worthwhile.

Another thing I appreciate about these bars is their relative low cost, considering the quality you are getting. At our local food co-op, these bars sell for less than $4.CDN each. Definitely reasonable. And over at Amazon, in addition to single bars,10 and 5 packs of bars are also available at a discount IF you dare to keep more than one of these luscious bars in the fridge at any given time!

Here's some background information about how the Green And Black's company began, from their beautifully designed website:

"It all started back in 1991 when Craig Sams, founder of Whole Earth – the UK's pioneering organic food company – was sent a sample of dark 70% chocolate made from organic cocoa beans.
His wife, Josephine Fairley, environment columnist for The London Times and confirmed chocoholic, found the half eaten bar on Craig's desk and sampled some herself. The bold, rich flavor was unlike anything Jo had tasted before, and she was convinced other chocolate lovers would appreciate it in the same way.
Jo and Craig set out to bring to the masses the world's first organic chocolate. The result was a high-quality, bittersweet dark chocolate bar, packed with 70% cocoa solids - enough to make chocolate fans sit up and take notice.
Not surprisingly, the brand began to build a loyal following. Then in 1994, while Jo and Craig were vacationing in Belize, they discovered how local cocoa farmers were being harmed by decreasing cocoa prices. They agreed to pay the farmers a fair price for their crops and created the flavor of Maya Gold®, which was inspired by the ancient Kukuh drink traditionally enjoyed by the Mayan farmers.
This way of doing business didn't seem different to them - it just seemed right and came naturally – and in the process, the Maya Gold brand earned the UK's first Fairtrade mark."

Jo and Craig, you've made a happy customer for life! Thanks for the real (chocolate) deal.
                           
Overall rating for this product: Excellent. 5 out of 5. 

The Secret:The Power by Rhonda Byrne

I recently read The Secret and also The Power by Rhonda Byrne. What struck me after reading both of these books is that Ms. Byrne has simply taken timeless wisdom, quotes, beliefs...that have been around for centuries, thanks to prophets,teachers,inventors,artists... and ended up making a bundle of money for herself by packaging this information in two beautifully presented books.

On the plus side, I think there is a lot to learn in the pages of these books. Yes, we have the power to attract goodness into our lives (to a point). Yes, love is (usually) the answer. Yes, we can manifest many things that do come true (but not always). Yes, being positive and putting a positive spin on life is helpful, supportive and can change a bad day into a good one (sometimes).

What I really object to is the implications throughout both of these books that everything that comes into our lives is due to our own "law of attraction". That we manifest bad things that happen, through our own thoughts and actions. As many reviewers over at Amazon expressed and I totally agree, this kind of "doctrine" is a slap in the face to every innocent person who has been the victim of crime, abuse,neglect...and that's just wrong.

In terms of manifesting, it appears that Rhonda Byrne has been doing some rather negative manifesting in her own life, based on the court battles and controversies she has been embroiled in. Check out this article at the Huffington Press for more about this. This is just one of many online about where Ms. Byrne has headed in her own life, after the publications of these books and the release of The Secret movie. Sadly it appears that greed has once again reared it's ugly head.

There are good lessons to be learned in both of these books but they are the eternal messages that have been written about again and again, in other books and since the beginning of time. The Golden Rule still applies. Love can and still does transform lives, there is power in Positive Thinking, Knock and the Door Shall be Opened, Seek and Ye Shall Find....and many, many more.


If nothing else, maybe Rhonda Byrne has at least reminded many of us to heed these truths and to think about them, once again. And how they can impact our lives every day, in significant ways. And for me, that's been the good result of reading these books. Her work is flawed but still has some merit.

Overall rating for this book: Fair. 2 out of 5.

Earth Balance Original Buttery Spread

 As an avid cook, vegetarian cookbook author and cooking instructor, I've tried many butter-substitutes/margarines over the years. A spread to use on toast in the morning is one thing. But when it comes to baking, it takes a winner to stand up to the challenge of being just as good as regular dairy butter for flavour, texture and consistent excellent results. Let's face it, butter IS a tough act to follow. If you prefer a non-dairy choice for health, ethical or other reasons and still want to turn out great tasting baked goods, Earth Balance Buttery Spread is definitely a good alternative to try.


From Earth Balance website: "As deliciously satisfying on morning toast as it is a baking ingredient, our Earth Balance® Natural Buttery Spread is an excellent all-around butter alternative. It was the 2010 Winner of the American Tasting Institute award for best tasting natural buttery spread, and all you have to do is taste its smooth flavor and creamy, silky consistency to see why."
                              

Stop by their website for a fun browse and links to ingredients for all their products, they've got quite a few including various types of spreads and some new beverage options. There are also recipes, reader's community options, contests etc...Check it out if you are looking for more information or inspiration for perhaps healthier food options for you and your family when it comes to these types of staple products.The kind of food choices that most of us make on a daily basis so the implications to our health are considerable too.
                            

Speaking of inspiration, how's this?

These delicious Bread-Machine Rosemary Flax Buns (click link for recipe)  from my cookbook: Not Just for Vegetarians are a perfect example of a recipe I've made many, many times with Earth Balance Original and always with consistently good results.

I also use Earth Balance when baking: pie crusts,cookies,breads, scones, muffins etc...and of course it tastes great on toast too!                        

Overall rating for this product: Excellent. 5 out of 5.
Updated rating as of Feb. 12 (see my comment below) Good. 3 out of 5.

Auction Buddies

This is a review that I wrote some time ago, over at my cooking and craft blog: Veggies, Yarns & Tails.

I'm re-posting it here as it appears from the continued comments and visits to this post that Auction Buddies is still causing a lot of people, nothing but grief. They certainly added to my stress level at the time.

You be the judge! And if you've also had problems with this company, please leave a comment, thanks.

Overall rating for this company: BAD. 0 out of 5.

Erzulie Cosmetics: Eye Depuffer Balm

I am a big fan of all things Etsy the online marketplace that truly is different.

If you aren't a member of Etsy or have ever shopped there before, you are in for a treat. I've been on Etsy for quite a while as a member (it's free and very easy to sign-up to shop or set-up shop). I also recently started my own Etsy shop: Catgirl Creations where I sell handmade earrings and some other items too.

One of the best things about visiting Etsy are the sellers you meet and the amazing variety of unique (most handmade, lots of vintage too) products you can find.

If I can buy it on Etsy, I'm a happy shopper!

On a recent browse for natural lipsticks there, I came upon this shop and product: Erzulie Cosmetics Eye Depuffer Balm. 

I've spent a lot of moola over the years for eye gels, creams etc...so I wasn't really sure what to expect for the low, low price of $5. a tube. Well I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of this all-natural Eye Depuffer Balm and the results (after only a few days) have already been as good or better than after using some of the commercial eye gel offerings like: Estee Lauder. Yes I admit it. One of my favs for too many years, at about $40. a pop for a tiny jar, as I remember!

Stop by Erzulie Cosmetics if you are looking for quality natural cosmetics with a difference. I've tried the lip gloss as well and it was good too. Not exactly what I was looking for in terms of coverage/texture but it is a gloss and it is color-true based on the photos at the shop. And a gloss, is a gloss right and not a lipstick which I still prefer.

As far as this Eye Depuffer though, I am very pleased.If you are bothered by puffiness or dark circles around your eyes, you might want to give this one a try. Pleasant to apply, nice mild scent, all natural ingredients and the next morning, voila! smoother skin under the eyes and noticeablely reduced puffiness.

So long "baggy" eyes! This product is a keeper!

Overall rating for this product: Very Good. 4 out of 5.

Posting Update for My Real Life Reviews

Hello readers,

Thank you for your continued support and readership here at My Real Life Reviews. I have been very encouraged to date by the stats, feedback, emails and comments from readers all over the world! 


I have been focusing on posting/writing at my other new blog: Take A Happy Break in the past couple of weeks and have gotten behind with posts/reviews here. I will be back to MRLR soon. I have a LOT of product reviews in the works that I hope you will enjoy and find helpful.

In the meantime, I hope you will also stop in at Take A Happy Break where I am posting on a regular basis . Happy, inspiring posts to add some good energy and vibes to the day.


Stay tuned and BFN, Geraldine

Green Beaver Natural Toothpaste

Have you checked the ingredient list on a tube of toothpaste lately? 


The manufacturers don't seem to want to list them online  (I wonder why!!!) I checked several popular brands. I did find this interesting article with an overview  about commercial toothpastes that you might want to check out. I wasn't surprised by what this article had to say.

I've been trying/buying several of the more natural toothpastes available for several years ago. So far, the best by far has been from the Green Beaver Company, located in Ontario Canada. They also offer a wide range of other natural, personal care products for children and adults. Stop by their website it's a fun and very colorful browse! Informative too.

Also from their website about this product:

Quick Overview:
 - Available in 5 different Flavours Frosty mint, Green apple, Zesty orange, Cilantro mint, Star Anise

- Vegan, biodegradable, gluten free, nut free
- Star anis toothpaste is mint free thus homeopathic friendly
- Can be safely used by children
- Green apple and Zesty orange toothpastes are kids favourites

Ingredients:
Calcium carbonate, sorbitol, aqua, glycerin, sodium bicarbonate, aroma, illicium verum (anise) oil, xylitol, silica, citrus medica limonum (lemon) extract, calcium ascorbate, melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil, sclerotium gum, coco glucoside, xanthan gum.

 Many of the Green Beaver products are also available at Amazon, including their various flavours of toothpaste. 

And what a great toothpaste this is! The Star Anise flavour is absolutely yummy. Another plus I've noted with this toothpaste, it actually does improve the whiteness of your teeth, without harsh ingredients used in some of the whitening toothpastes on the market. 

If you are looking for a more natural choice when it comes to your toothpaste, Green Beaver brand is definitely one to try. I'm a big fan of the Star Anise flavour but the others are pleasant too. Happy Brushing!

Overall rating for this product: Very Good. 4 out of 5.

West Bend Stir Crazy Popcorn Popper

UPDATE RE: RATING as of Nov. 15:

After using this popper for a longer period of time, I am now downgrading my rating for a few reasons. 

It started scorching popcorn and left too many not popped. 

The stir-wand started to scratch the surface of the popper, when going around. 

And worst of all, it started to give off a WEIRD, chemical smell (LIKE RAID bug spray!!!) at times when it was heated up. Must be something in the plastic composition for this product. Not something I want in contact with food I'm going to eat. 

It is on it's way to the recycling center now. :-(

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I LOVE popcorn!

It's probably my favorite all-time snack, especially fresh and made at home.

 I've tried several types of popcorn poppers over the years. Sometimes, I've just reverted back to the basics: stove-top and a big pot. Just recently though, decided to give another commercial popper a try after receiving a Home Hardware gift card as a gift.

The West Bend Stir-Crazy Popcorn Popper came highly recommended.

It has a rather unique design (we think it looks like a small flying saucer!!) but still takes up a minimal amount of counter space.

It's fairly easy to use although I've made some slight modifications to avoid burning any corn kernels. By heating up the vegetable oil on the cooking surface for a minute BEFORE adding the popcorn kernels, I've been turning out lighter, fluffier popcorn. The instructions state that you should put the oil and popcorn on the cooking surface at the same time. I found that this resulted in soggy popcorn.

Also, when the popcorn is starting to slow down at the end of the popping process (which is very quick) I unplug the popper and allow the last few kernels to pop, without the unit being plugged in. There's enough heat to finish off the popping and this helps to avoid any burnt popcorn. Again, this was a problem with the first try.

One thing I think is poorly designed on this appliance is the butter-melt feature. The clear dome/serving bowl has holes around the top, some for steam to escape and some to place butter on to melt down into the popcorn as it finishes popping. These holes are flat, no slant inward and they tend to trap the butter or margarine along the top edge. I usually push the butter through with the end of a spoon but it's rather messy. Not the best in design ideas here.

The key with this unit is to have everything ready before you start: popcorn, oil,butter...and then place the oil on the cooking surface and plug in and heat up BRIEFLY just before adding the popcorn and the dome lid. It goes very quickly and as with any appliance, caution is required. I wouldn't recommend allowing small children to use this unit unattended,that goes without saying, doesn't it?

This is a much quieter popper than some of the poppers I've used previously and it is quick and relatively easy to operate. Reasonably priced too, especially over at Amazon. 


Updated rating (as of Nov. 15): Unsatisfactory. 1 out of 5.

Previous (initial) rating: 3 out of 5.