Lumosity.com

We all know how important it is to keep our bodies in the best condition possible, which includes regular exercise of various kinds. But how often do we consider giving our brain a regular "workout" to keep it functioning at peak performance, throughout our lives?

I recently took advantage of a 2 week trial offer for "brain training" with Lumosity.com. I was surprised and pleased by what this company has to offer.

Lumosity.com provides a progressive series of brain exercise programs, tailored to each individuals needs and also to provide ongoing challenges to improve.

From the Lumosity.com site: Improve Your Brain: Lumosity.com has been clinically proven to support brain health. Our users report profound results: faster name recall, greater attention to detail, better concentration, and quicker problem-solving skills.

                         
Areas addressed include: speed, attention, memory,problem solving, flexibility. In each specific category, online games/exercises are offered that are not only helpful and challenging  but a lot of fun too. Progress is individually tracked for each member so that you can monitor where you are doing well and also where there is room for improvement.

I thoroughly enjoyed most of the games I've tried so far, especially the Route to Sprout (helps with navigation skills when driving etc...), Bird Watching (for improving peripheral vision) and Lost In Migration (helps with focusing on one specific task at a time) to name but three of dozens of games to choose from.

What has been really exciting for me is that after only a couple of weeks of training, I have already noted improvement in real life tasks such as: easily remembering names, being more focused when working on a specific project, being able to perform calculations of all kinds quicker and more accurately...it's been significant.

Lumosity  has millions of members from around the world. Their easy to navigate and attractive website and simple sign-up process makes it easy to give their program a try, without risk or with no long-term obligations required.

They also don't swamp your inbox with a lot of emails you don't want. You can choose to have a weekly or daily reminder to "brain train" sent to you if desired. And their support team has quickly answered any questions I've had, with a personal email, not a form reply or the ever-popular "q and a" list. (don't you just hate when they offer those by way of reply?)

Two minor negatives about Lumosity. There were ongoing technical issues with one game I tried to play several times: Penguin Pursuit which last I time I checked still seemed to be acting a bit wonky. Also, the Assessment exams offered to also track progress should in my opinion record a member's latest scores and dates of exams taken. But these are minor in comparison to all the positives I have found over at Lumosity.com.

Definitely worth signing up for their trial offer. Monthly, yearly and family plan rates are all very reasonable too should you decide to become a long-term member.

Brain training can be fun and very rewarding too, thanks to Lumosity.com. And isn't exercising your brain (not just your body) important too?

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

 

Live Clean Argan Oil Restorative Conditioning Mask (for Hair)

A couple of months ago, I wrote a review for: Live Clean Apple Cider Clarifying Shampoo. Since I was quite pleased with that product, I recently decided to give another Live Clean product a try, this time: Live Clean Exotic Nectar Argan Oil Restorative Conditioning Mask. And I'm happy to report that this was another winner from this company's hair care product line. Over this past winter, my long, (very) thick hair had become very dry and hard to style. Normally, I don't have problems like this, my hair is usually quite healthy and shiny looking. Regular conditioners were not doing much to rectify the problem so I went looking for an more intensive hair conditioner/mask to try. Live Clean Argan Oil Restorative Conditioning Mask delivers on it's claims of long-term conditioning and shine. This is a very  thick, rich conditioner/mask and it is applied after your hair is shampooed, combed through and left on 5-10 minutes before rinsing out. It has already made a noticeable difference in the appearance and feel of my hair (I've used it about 4 times so far). And not just immediately after washing and styling my hair either. Even a couple of days later, my hair is much easier to style. The condition of my hair seems to be consistently improving and staying that way, which I am very happy about. This product has a very pleasant mild fragrance and contains Argan Oil which contains a natural source of concentrated vitamin E. You can read more about the properties of Argan Oil here. One tip when using this hair mask: take the time to thoroughly rinse your hair after using this product. It is very thick and rich as I mentioned above and a quick rinse of cool water wasn't enough to get it all out. A few extra minutes of rinsing does the trick. I didn't find this a disadvantage though. The conditioners that rinse out quickly are usually the kind that don't do much either! Here is some additional information about this product: From the Live Clean site: exotic nectar - argan oil conditioning mask

Exotic Nectar Argan Oil Restorative Conditioning Mask with certified organic grape seed and olive oils is a rich, creamy formula that revitalizes hair and restores shine, softness and manageability. Regular use can help restore elasticity and re-build. And do stop by the Live Clean site to read more about all of their products and more about their company and it's environmental initiatives etc... Overall rating for this product: Very Good. 4 out of 5.

Discover the Gift by S. Aziz and D. Lichtenstein

Discover the Gift. It's Why We're Here is co-authored by Shajen Joy Aziz and Demian Lichtenstein, who are a brother and sister.

I borrowed this book from the local library. After getting it home and starting to read the book, I was glad I hadn't shelled out any of my own cash for it.

It appears that the spin-offs and knock-offs of The Power and The Secret are continuing to be churned out, judging by this book. The similarities throughout are hard to miss. First of all, the presentation. This book is printed on smooth, heavy stock paper (recycled content of any kind, I doubt!) and with bright blue text and glossy photo page additions. So much for honoring Mother Earth!  That kind of (or lack of) regard for the environment does counts these days. And in this case of this book, against. And it certainly does brings to mind the glitzy presentation of The Secret and The Power. (click to read that book review).

Then there are the celebrity quotes sprinkled liberally throughout. Some of these quotes had some merit but again, filling pages with the thoughts and opinions of other people, is that really authoring a book?

I found the brother/sister tale that they had to tell, rather strange to say the least. All about resentments and sibling bickering that in later years magically transformed into peace, love and harmony when the two patched things up and started working together on this book, other projects and I'm guessing making a fair bit of cash for their efforts along the way.

                        

So many things didn't ring true, reading through their personal stories. Parents and family members portrayed as such loving, caring individuals and then a bit further along leaving both of the authors (as children) in need of security and love. It got to be all a bit too much to waste my time on but again, the lack of consistency is what came through.

So what in a nutshell is The Gift suppose to be for the rest of us? Here are some quotes from the book by way of example:

"If you take away every thing and you are left with no thing,then what is possible? Anything."

"Unity consciousness. It's a quantum physics concept reflecting the idea that we are all just part of a unified field of energy. Put more spiritually, we are all part of a divine essence, and once we realize this we are one step closer to discovering our Gift and sharing it with the world."

"To release the shackles around my heart and unchain the extraordinary miracle of my existence, I had to be open to the possibility of experiencing my life as a Gift."

Oops sorry, nodding off again......Enough said. And on and on and on....A lot of double-speak that's been rehashed and re-written, again and again.

I don't know who is taken in by this kind of self-help book. I think it's sad to realize that so many people still are. As I said at the beginning of this review, I'm glad I only borrowed this one from the library. It's going back on the shelf very soon.

Overall rating for this book: Bad. 0 out of 5.

The Goodbye Quilt by Susan Wiggs

                                                               

You know those days when you've already put in a busy, busy morning and happily, the afternoon is free? The sofa beckons invitingly, to curl up for the afternoon with an entertaining book. And one with a story that's not too much work by way of  plot twists and turns.  Well, I had one of those days yesterday and I completed: The Goodbye Quilt by Susan Wiggs before it was time to start supper.

I enjoyed this book for many reasons: Ms. Wiggs  has a true gift for bringing her characters and their surroundings to life adding to the story with each turned page. And I have always loved quilts and the (idea of!) making one. A very special quilt plays a key part in this story of a middle-aged mother (Linda Davis) and her teenage daughter (Molly) who together embark on a trip across the U.S. to arrive a week later at the college town where Molly will soon begin a new and exciting phase in her life. It was an engaging read that continued to entertain to the last page, complete with a happy ending!

A lot of memories and thoughts from the past came back to me, reading this book. Some good, some sad... My own relationship with my dear mom when I was in my late teens. The "I know it all and so much more than you do" attitude that we (my friends and I) all seemed to have in regard to anyone over 30, our parents especially. The gentle coaxing (to no avail) of my parents when they could see I was heading in a direction (I left university to get married) that I would live to regret years later. It all came flooding back as I came along for the ride with Linda and Molly.

If I had to pick out the strongest point of Susan Wiggs' writing style, it would definitely be her ability to breathe life into each character and make them believable throughout the book. One downside: I did feel that the repetitious "whinny" tone of daughter Molly a bit much by the end of the book. True to life I'm sure, for many families with teenagers but it did get to be a tad tedious.

I know that Ms. Wiggs has a large fan base of readers and I can understand why. I plan to check out some of her other novels in the future too.

If you are looking for a light read that will especially appeal to empty-nesters, soon to be empty nesters and quilt-lovers too, you might want to check this one out.

                               

From the Amazon product page: Linda Davis's local fabric shop is a place where women gather to share their creations: quilts commemorating important events in their lives. Wedding quilts, baby quilts, memorial quilts—each is bound tight with dreams, hopes and yearnings.

Now, as her only child readies for college, Linda is torn between excitement for Molly and heartache for herself. Who will she be when she is no longer needed in her role as mom? What will become of her days? Of her marriage?

Mother and daughter decide to share one last adventure together—a cross-country road trip to move Molly into her dorm. As they wend their way through the heart of the country, Linda stitches together the scraps that make up Molly's young life. And in the quilting of each bit of fabric—the hem of a christening gown, a snippet from a Halloween costume—Linda discovers that the memories of a shared journey can come together in a way that will keep them both warm in the years to come….

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

Patons Pure 100% Organic Cotton Yarn

                         

This is my new favorite organic cotton yarn to knit and crochet!

I recently purchased 3 skeins of this yarn: in Fern, Sea and Blue Grass for a project I'm including in the beginner's crochet book I am currently working on.

Sea

Blue Grass

The photos do not do this yarn justice. It has a beautiful sheen. Doesn't fray, split or shred when working with it. It is soft but not too soft as some cotton yarns tend to be. It has a nice stability when working with it.The texture of this yarn is exceptionally nice.  A definite stitch definition (and I was only using a simple single crochet stitch for the most part). And another bonus: it's organic cotton which is always my preference. Very, very pretty!

I plan to make a short cardigan or shrug in this yarn too, as soon as I can.

The only downside I just noted online was that several sites selling this yarn only have limited color choices available and others have discontinued it. I've included the Amazon link on the left sidebar here to one of the sellers I did find. Local stores may have this available too. I bought mine online some time ago from Herrschner's Canadian site but today I didn't note this yarn available there. This yarn is definitely worth looking for!.

Here are some of the basics about this yarn:

Weight Category: 4; 100% USA grown cotton; 2.8oz.80g; 117yd/107m. Gauge: 20st x 26r = 4in/10cm on size 7/4.5mm knitting needles and H8/5mm crochet hook. Care: hand wash; tumble dry low or dry flat; do not bleach; do not iron; do not dry clean.

Re: care instructions. I'm guessing that if a garment or other item made in this yarn was put in a laundry/lingerie bag or pillowcase on delicate cycle it probably could be washed by machine. I haven't tried this yet. I do know I've gone this route before with other "hand wash only" yarns and it worked fine. But again, it would be a test to find out, in your own washing machine. I wouldn't chance it on a larger, irreplaceable item though!

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

The Happiness Is...Prize Winners!

                                       
Here's the link to the Prize Winner's List for the Happiness Is...Contest!

               

Congrats to all the winners!


All of the entries were wonderful. If you missed them, well worth stopping by to check these out too.

I'll be back with some new reviews very soon. I'm working on several right now.

Happy Week! G :<)

See You In August!

I'm taking a short break from blogging.

You can read more here.


In the meantime, I hope you will enjoy some of the many reviews in the archives.

Thanks for your continued support and comments, all appreciated.

See you soon....G :<)

Just Pure Minerals Vegan Lipstick

I have finally hit gold when it comes to finding a really great lipstick that is made from natural ingredients and is vegan too! Just Pure Minerals  sells the best of the best, in my opinion when it comes to a natural and vegan lipstick that actually "walks the talk".

I've checked out dozens of products/websites over the past couple of years and tried several so-called "natural" lipsticks. For one reason or another, none of these brands met my expectations.

Sometimes the textures were not actually what I would consider a lipstick, more like colored lip gloss. And speaking of colors, there are some really strange ones out there (whatever floats your boat I guess) all the way from the darkest brown to an almost colorless pink. I don't want to look like I've got chocolate icing on my lips or that I'm not breathing any more, thanks all the same! I thought lipsticks were meant to make you look better LOL.

 And last but certainly not least, the ingredients. For example, I guess you could call carmine (click this link for more information) a natural ingredient if you want to stretch that definition a bit but do you really want to have a dye made from dried up dead bugs smeared on your lips??? I don't.

Read the fine print, that is if you can find it. Remember, if they don't want to share the ingredient lists up front with the products, there is usually a very good reason why. Even some of the very popular "natural" lipsticks out there in the mainstream marketplace use a lot of questionable ingredients including carmine that I just don't think belong in a product that is called natural.

From the Pure Minerals website at Etsy:

"Our Cerise lipstick is a smooth, vibrant shade of raspberry. Our lipsticks are handcrafted in small batches and with all natural ingredients! The cleanest, safest, prettiest lipstick for those who love lipstick. A simple healthy formula of vegetable waxes, oils, and mineral pigments that go on creamy and last. Just Pure minerals lipsticks moisturize your lips just like a lip balm. No synthetic dyes or fragrances, no animal by-products, parabens, or other nasties you don't need or want on your lips all day! Just Pure Minerals. Purely beautiful, Beautifully pure. "

I have tried several of the shades of Just Pure Minerals lipstick and the Cerise (as described above) one of the newer shades offered there is my absolute favorite. A lovely, medium raspberry shade. Not over the top but with some ooomph to it at the same time. A beautiful soft texture too but one that still stays on the lips. A pleasant light fragrance. And best of all, ingredients that you don't make you cringe when you read them.

Did you know that over a lifetime, most women ingest POUNDS of lipstick? I think back to some of the junk I've consumed in that respect over the years and that is something that makes me cringe!

The price for Just Pure Minerals lipsticks are very reasonable too. A full size lipstick is only $9.00. Compare that to others on the market that can go as high as $35-40 a tube. This is a real bargain!

Just Pure Minerals also sells a  wide variety of mineral foundations, concealers,blushes, lip gloss...and the customer service is excellent. Very personalised assistance in my experience. Above and beyond to insure that customers are truly pleased with their purchases. Definitely worth a visit. And if you've also been searching for that elusive natural lipstick that you will want to purchase again and again, maybe your search is finally over. I know mine is!

 

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

Turtle Island Tofurky Jurky

I previously reviewed Tofurky Beer Brats Vegan Sausages, here at My Real Life Reviews a few weeks ago, you can read the complete review here.

I recently found out about another Turtle Island product Tofurky Jurky (yes that is the correct spelling) and I was again impressed by the quality of their products.

I should mention first of all that I am not normally a fan of jerky of any type. I've been a vegetarian for 20 years and most jerky is traditionally made from meat-based products. And even when I did eat meat, a long time ago, I was never a jerky-lover. But I had received some samples of these Tofurky Jurky products which are vegan (the Original and Peppered flavours) so I thought I'd give them a try.

Well, they were actually quite good. I thoroughly enjoyed them. A firm, chewy texture ( a good workout for teeth!) and a  bold and spicy taste, for both flavours.The Peppered Jurky in particular would be a good choice if you like peppery-flavoured foods of any type, this would probably be very appealing.

From the Turtle Island site:

Tofurky® Jurky

Now exclusively sold online - Order here !

Tofurky® Jurky is the first great tasting vegetarian jurky made in a real smokehouse. First we marinate our jurky in GMO-free soy sauce, garlic, lemon juice and organic evaporated cane juice, then slowly smoke it over red hickory chips where it obtains the unique, natural smoky flavor of real jerky. Smoked and dried to perfection, Tofurky Jurky is a great snack on the trail, at work or for lunches.

• High Protein/Low Fat Snack
• 100% Vegan
• Smoked in a Real Smokehouse, No Liquid Smoke
• Perfect for Camping or School Lunches
• No Preservatives or Genetically Engineered Ingredients

Our "Jurky" is vacuum-sealed to ensure freshness. We are proud of the result and feel this product is equal or superior to any competing product of animal or plant origin.
Shelf life is 6 months unrefrigerated.

                          
What I also noted with these snacks is how satisfying they are. If I eat 2-3 pieces of these, I don't feel hungry for several hours.  With 4 pieces (they are cut in circles) only containing 100 calories and with 12 grams of protein, this is a good bang for the buck if you are looking for a snack to take on the go. For hiking, long walks or bike rides...ideal.  Or anytime you want a quick and satisfying snack. No refrigeration required either.

Whether you are a jerky fan or not, meat-lover or vegetarian, Tofurky Jurky is definitely worth a try.

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

Contest Announcement for Take A Happy Break

                                                      
For the month of July, I am hosting a contest at one of my other blogs:

Take A Happy Break.

Stop by to join in the fun and have the chance to win several prizes too!

Spread the word, share the contest button/link if you'd like to and hope to see you there. :<)

Stacy Garrett Jewelry Designs

As I have mentioned previously, here at My Real Life Reviews; I am a big fan of all things Etsy.
                  

If you've never checked out Etsy before (and even if you already have) you are in for a real treat when you stop by Stacy Garrett Jewelry Designs one of the best Etsy shops I have visited and shopped at.

Stacy Garrett Jewelry not only offers beautiful handmade and unique jewelry, they are sold at amazing prices!
                               
A current sale offer at Stacy Garrett Jewelry Designs is for earrings. 

Buy 5 pairs of handmade earrings for the incredibly low price of only $20!
                             

                                                   

Some of the gorgeous choices now available.


These are just a few of the many, many earrings to choose from:

                

Grasshoppers

 ( I love the names too)

                                

Jamie

                               

Jawbreakers

                        

Evening Sunset

                           

Hot Sauce

Stacy Garrett Jewelry Designs also sells other types of jewelry: necklaces, bracelets...but the shop is mainly filled with a beautiful variety of earrings. All lovingly handmade. There are frequent new additions so definitely worthwhile stopping by on a regular basis.

I have purchased several earrings from Stacy Garrett Jewelry already and it's always a pleasure shopping there. The jewelry is first rate as is the customer service provided.

If you are looking for a special treat for yourself or want to buy some gifts that will be enjoyed for years to come, stop by Stacy Garrett Jewelry at Etsy. It doesn't cost a dime to join Etsy and registering there as a buyer or seller is easy peasy. Only takes a couple of minutes and then it's time to hit the shops and enjoy a truly unique shopping experience.

Etsy is all about handmade treasures.  And Stacy Garrett Jewelry Designs is truly a treasure of an Etsy shop!

Overall rating for this Etsy shop: Excellent. 5 out of 5.

Catelli Smart Pasta

                   

As an avid vegetarian cook,cookbook author and "big time" pasta-lover, I've tried many brands and types, over the years. Fresh pasta, homemade (when time permits) and of course the convenient dry pasta choices. I have yet to find any that I like any better than Catelli Smart Pasta.

Not only does this pasta (that comes in many shapes) have a pleasant, mild flavor, it's also nutritionally superior to regular white pasta, for a number of reasons, including more fibre and a slower-releasing type of carbohydrate composition. You can read all the details about this pasta at the Catelli site. Make sure to check out the numerous printable product coupons and plenty of recipes too.

Speaking of pasta recipes, here's one from my cookbook Not Just for Vegetarians that I hope you will enjoy. My version of an old family favorite: Yummy Mac and Cheese, With a Twist.  This is comfort food at it's best. And Catelli Smart Pasta works great in this recipe.

See the complete recipe at the end of this post, page 2. 

                                     

If you haven't tried Catelli Smart Pasta yet, I think you will be pleasantly surprised. And if there are any finicky eaters in your family who still won't touch any of the whole grain varieties of pasta, this is an excellent option too. They won't know it's more nutritious, they'll just appreciate that it's delicious!

I hope that Catelli will add some more pasta shapes along the way too, such as wagon-wheels, animals,shells etc. I know that a lot of children love fun shapes in their foods. And Smart fun shapes for pasta, would be even better!

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

More... Extraordinary Uses for Ordinary Things from Reader's Digest Books

 I love books about saving money and using every day "around the house" items for double, triple and more duty. I was so pleased to receive a copy of More Extraordinary Uses for Ordinary Things from Reader's Digest Books, as a gift. It's been a fun and worthwhile read and a book that I have referred to several times already, in the past couple of months.

This is a book jam-packed with all sorts of useful tips and a few, kind of strange but still entertaining.  Brown eyeliner as an emergency lipstick NOT!!! For the most part though, some really good information shared here, all in one nicely presented, large format book over 300 pages in total.

Just a few of the hundreds of suggestions/tips included in this book:

•  use indelible markers to cover up minor nicks in furniture
• use a small piece of two-sided velcro as a temporary fix for a cupboard that won't stay closed
• sooth chapped lips with a drop of olive or canola oil
• cuticles, try a drop of olive or sweet almond oil for discouraging hangnails
• mist a hair-covered (pet) garment with water, put in the dryer with a damp towel and air dry for a few minutes to remove the hair
• repair a sole with a hole with a duct tape as a temporary fix
• tie up a garden hose for winter storage with lengths of cut old panty hose
• repel caterpillers from your garden with onion juice
• reuse an old briefcase as a toolbox. great for car tools for the trunk

The list goes on and on and on....

From the Amazon product page: "The thirteen chapters focus on an integral part of everyday life. For the Cook: Learn how to extend the life of vegetables, tried-and-true methods for baking bread, and 10 kitchen uses for salt. For the Housekeeper: Discover faster, easier cleaning ideas, such as remove carpet stains with peanut butter, and 10 ways to clean with lemon. For the Handyman (or woman): Silence squeaky hinges with shaving cream, remove rust from tools by rubbing them with a slice of raw potato dipped in salt, and 10 neat home-repair uses for nail polish."


Yes, some of these tips I already knew about such as cleaning with vinegar, baking soda, reuseable washable wipes etc. But even for those, it's nice to have them all available in one, big reference book.

This would make a great gift for yourself. Also for students or young couples just moving/starting out. New home buyers as a thoughtful housewarming gift. A lot of money to be saved here and also a fun read too.

A book bargain at Amazon right now, on sale for less than $7! Check it out here.

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

Hamilton Beach Aroma Express 5 Cup Coffeemaker

As I wrote in this previous post  I am a huge coffee fan. Lately I have been making an effort to cut back on the java but sometimes, it's still gotta be the "real thing" to fit the craving.

As my previous coffeemaker had gone kaput quite some time ago and I had been drinking instant or coffee substitutes since then (more about a wonderful coffee substitute here) I recently decided to invest in a small coffeemaker to once again enjoy the full-brewed experience occasionally, at home.
                                
The Hamilton Beach Aroma Express is small, doesn't take up a lot of counter space and cost less than $20 at the local Save-On store. I have also purchased other Hamilton Beach products in the past that performed very well. Brands do count, don't they? I know it's always a consideration for me.

And best of all the results: a really full, rich-tasting and hot cup of coffee. This unit seems to brew coffee at a higher temperature than many of the other coffeemakers that I've tried in the past. Add to that spring water and freshly-ground organic coffee, viola bliss!!!  I really savored that first cup of brewed coffee, after a long hiatus at home. And let's face it, restaurant coffee isn't all that great usually, unless you are visiting the coffee bars and putting out the big bucks for a truly satisfying cup of brewed java.
                           
What I didn't like about this coffeemaker? Well, the Hamilton Beach Aroma Express is suppose to make 5 cups of coffee. It is called a 5 cup coffeemaker. So what does that actually mean? Last time I checked a cup was still an 8 ounce measure. This actually refers to 5- 5 oz. cups of coffee and not really even that as it has to be filled to the top of the carafe with water to make the full  5 "cups". And as we all know, filling a coffee carafe right to the top is NEVER a good idea, unless you like cleaning up a big mess afterwards with spilled coffee all over the counter.

I don't know why manufacturers of these products do this. Who actually drinks 5 oz. cups of coffee? For me, that's just a sampler. Most coffee mugs hold about 10-12 oz. now that's more like it. But to make it accurate and easy to understand, why not stick with a 1 cup measurement= 8 ounces. I think this is so misleading.

The picture on the box is also misleading, it looks like a fairly good-sized carafe. I didn't take the time to start undoing the box and packaging at the store. I always feel a bit weird opening boxes up to any real extent when I'm shopping and I was in a hurry at the time. So, the sorta surprise came when I unpacked the unit at home. Yes, I could have returned it at that point but for the price ($18. on sale) I thought, let's just give it a try.

It makes about 3 average-sized mugs of coffee when the carafe is ALMOST full of water. For the present, it will work out fine. And I do have a larger coffeemaker (with all the bells and whistles) in a storage unit right now so that's available when we get moved and back to having more room for all our appliances, in the near future.

For now, the Hamilton Beach Aroma Express (but not really 5 cup) coffeemaker makes a delish cup of coffee. Just not a lot at one time.

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