Simax Glass Bake/Storage Ware (and Pyrex Update)

 

 

**** A select, top- rated product at My Real Life Reviews: to order ****

 

___________________________________________________________

 

 

As some of my regular readers will remember, I previously wrote this review/post about my recent BAD experience with a Pyrex glass container that "exploded" on impact, when I dropped it a short distance, onto a kitchen counter.

 

Since that upsetting and potentially dangerous experience, I've been doing a lot of reading online about various glass bake ware options and also about the different types of glass used in popular kitchen glass bake ware that is available. You can read more about  borosilicate glass vs soda lime glass here.

 

 

I recently found out about Simax glass bake ware that is made from borosilicate glass, not the soda lime glass that is now used in Pyrex and also Anchor Hocking products, another popular glassware product line.

 

 

I decided to recreate a similar experiment to what happened the day I dropped the Pyrex storage container.

 

I dropped the Simax storage container (seen below) from approximately the same height (about 8-10") as I had dropped the Pyrex container previously (this time wearing safety goggles, just in case).

 

 

First drop:

 

 nothing.

 

I tried again, second time:

 

 nothing, nada...

 

The Simax container came through with flying colors! :<)

 

It just bounced slightly and landed on the counter completely intact, as seen here:

 

 

Unlike what I was left with, after dropping this similar sized Pyrex container, once:

 

Here are just s a few of the larger glass shards that I saved from that experiment.

 

The whole kitchen counter, floor and carpet in the room adjacent where covered with tiny, sharp glass shards that we were finding even a week later, embedded in the carpet fibers, under heat registers etc... A REAL MESS!

 

 

On the plus side, this experience with Pyrex has inadvertently been an education in itself.

 

 I've also been reading extensively online about many, many bad (and most a lot worse than mine) experiences reported by angry (and usually long-time)Pyrex users have had. Some lawsuits reported too, I'm not surprised.

 

It also led me to try a viable alternative for glass bake/storage ware: Simax Glass and as someone who uses glass in the kitchen whenever possible, that's been a real plus!

 

 

Here's just a small sampling of Simax's gorgeous bake ware/ glass products:

 

 

Nyko Pot 

 

 

Baking Dish

 

 





 

Eva Jug with Glass Insert

 

Isn't this beautiful? I want this teapot!

 

 



 

One of their many casserole dish options.

 

Simax Glass (Technical Information) from their website:

 

"By its chemical composition and properties Simax glass ranks among the types of glass of the group of clear „hard“ borosilicate glass „3.3“, which excel in a high heat and chemical resistance and which are defined by international ČSN ISO 3585 Standard. It complies to the full with the properties prescribed by these standards.

A wide range of technical and laboratory glass products, industrial equipment and household boiling glassware is made of SIMAX glass. Thanks to their properties and a high use value these products have become much-sought-for in many countries all over the world.

Owing to its properties SIMAX glass is utilized there, where the highest demands are made on the products with regard to the heat and chemical resistance and neutrality in relation to substances or preparations, which may be in contact with them. i. e. in chemistry, petrochemical, food and power energy industries, metallurgy, medicine, microbiology, pharmacy, machinery and laboratories,

Products made of SIMAX glass mass are smooth and imporous, perfectly transparent, indifferent to catalysts, corrosion resistant even in a heavy duty operation of up to 300 degrees Centigrade without a sudden temperature variation.

SIMAX glass is very much environmentally-friendly and in terms of environmental protection it is absolutely faultless."

                                                           

Simax is available from these online retailers:

 

 Amazon

 

Ebay

 

Kavalier Glass

 

 

I'm looking forward to trying more of Kavelier Glass/ Simax's bake, serving,storage...products, in the future. I'll keep you posted with my results.

 

So far, I'm impressed, not only by their beautiful and durable products but also their outstanding customer service team. They have been most helpful in answering all of my questions, promptly and completely. And that counts for a lot too!

 

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





U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton

 

 

 

I'm a late-comer reader to the Sue Grafton, Kinsey Millhone Mystery series.

 

Many years ago, I read G is for Gumshoe and although I enjoyed the book at that time, I didn't read any more of this series until the last couple of years. But I've made up for lost time, having now read almost all the books in this series to date which is currently at:  V for Vengeance.

 

What's been the biggest surprise reading this series has been how varied the style of story, Sue Grafton has written for each one. In some ways, that's been a good thing, keeping things fresh and entertaining. In other respects, not so much. I'll get into more about that in a minute...

 

For any of you that aren't familiar with this mystery series: Kinsey Millhone, the main character, is a private detective living and working in the fictional city of St. Teresa, CA which appears to be loosely based on Santa Barbara.

 

The stories are set during the 1980's and Kinsey remains a single woman (with two marriages in the past) in her 30's throughout. Kinsey is small in stature but for the most part, a " tough cookie" not afraid to take on the bad guys and definitely suited for the life of an 80's gumshoe .

 

Working as a PI during that time appears to be a lot more low-tech and labour-intensive than would be the case for modern day detectives. IMO, setting the stories in that era is a good thing, adding to the appeal of the books. But I'm guessing for some younger readers, it might be hard to fathom the pre-Internet world that Kinsey inhabits.

 

U is for Undertow was published in 2009 and is one of my favs in this series. I like a lot of stories that feature two separate time lines running parallel throughout the story and this is the case in U is for Undertow set back in the 1960's and also the present day of 1988 for this particular book.  

 

The story begins with Kinsey being hired by 27 year old, Michael Sutton who has been haunted by a memory from his childhood in the 60's that he wants Kinsey to look into. One that he believes will lead to solving a kidnapping that's been a cold case for over 2 decades.

 

Sue Grafton found just the right balance in this story featuring intriguing and varied characters, many with dark secrets that will finally be revealed by the end of the book and just enough detail and description, to keep the pages turning.

 

What I've disliked in some of Ms. Grafton's previous books is when there has been too many insignificant characters brought into the story (and for no apparent reason even by the end of the book) and sometimes over-the-top attention to details about surroundings, clothing, food...the list goes on and on. Happily, not the case in U is for Undertow. 

Not once does Kinsey obsess about her lack of clean socks or less than stellar hair style in this story! There's not even a mention of the nail scissors coming out for a trim this time. And although Kinsey's "all purpose" black dress IS mentioned briefly, it doesn't come up again and again in U is for Undertow.

 

If you've been reading along with this series, you'll know of what I speak when it comes to Ms. Grafton's love of minute details! ;<)

 

Another thing I do like about this entire series is the fact that you don't have to read the book before the one you have to get into the story. Ms. Grafton does a great job of bringing the reader up to speed with Kinsey, recent cases if relevant and then it's onward to the story at hand, in short order.

 

So, even if you haven't read any previous Kinsey Millhone Mysteries, you could definitely pick up a copy of U is for Undertow and enjoy it, without the need for referencing earlier books in the series.

 

I'm looking forward to see what W brings!

 

Hopefully Sue Grafton has already got that one in the works.

 

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



Popular Nutritional Bars: A Hexane Watch List!

 

I recently found this extensive list of popular nutritional bars that includes information about the soy ingredients used in many of them and those that are derived using a: hexane vs hexane-free process.

 

And there goes another convenience/snack food that I enjoyed, off my list: Cliff Bars.

I was surprised and disappointed to see that this company (likely) uses hexane derived soy in it's snack bars. :<(

 

I'm going to find the time to make my own nutritional/snack bars from now on. I don't want to eat foods that have even traces/residues of hexane (click to read an in-depth report about the dangers of hexane) in them. More and more, it seems that "from scratch" is the only way to insure this isn't the case.

 

On a more positive note, here's a post from my cooking blog with several options for easy homemade snack bar recipes you might want to try. Plenty more recipes online too.

 

Fast and easy to make, healthier, taste so much better and fresher. And cheaper too!

 

All win-wins! :<)

 

 

Giovanni Hydrate Body Lotion (Cassifluer White Tea)

 

 

Right about now, I think most people are in need of some serious skin care moisturizing options. For me, it's my hands in particular that get dry and rough, this time of year.

 

I recently tried Giovanni Hydrate Body Lotion (Cassifluer White Tea) and I loved it right from the start!

 

 As my regular readers already know, I'm not usually a fan of fragranced products of any kind. But I received this lotion as a gift and given the light, pleasant scent I noted immediately I decided to give it a try; instead of regifting as I often do, when I receive any kinds of scented products.

 

I'm so glad I kept this one! ;<)

 

 

-This product does a great job of really hydrating the skin without it feeling greasy or oily.

 

-The lotion absorbs well into the skin. Very soothing.

 

-I note that even after repeated handwashings throughout the day, my hands still feel and look softer, after using this product. 

 

-As I've mentioned above, the white tea fragrance is lovely. Light and pleasant.

 

-An ingredient list that's far superior to most moisterizing lotions on the market and, includes several organic botanicals and essential oils and not a long list of questionable chemicals that is unfortunately, so often the case with these types of products.

 

***

 

Click through for additional information about this lotion from the Giovanni site.

 

 

This lotion also comes in a variety of other fragrances that sound amazing.

 

 Click here to check out all of them (I can't decide what to try next!)  and to browse Giovanni's complete product line, which is extensive.

 

I also previously reviewed Giovanni's (amazing) hair gel (click to read the full review).

 

I still think this is the best hair gel on the market. And again, with an ingredient list that is a lot better than other leading hair gels, including natural and (by a mile!) for the mainstream brands.

 

If you are need of a little pampering right about now as Februrary oh so slowly moves along (sigh...) you might want to try a bottle (and what a pretty bottle it is, love the shape) of Giovanni Hydrate Body Lotion.

 

Would make a great gift too, on it's own or to add to a spa/gift/shower/Mother's Day basket. And who doesn't appreciate a thoughtful and pampering little gift ? :<)

 

 

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

My New Blog Announcement

 

I have a new blog!

 

Woven Dreams Prompts is a creative prompt blog that welcomes participants each week (new prompts up on Sunday) to share their creative interpretations in whatever form they choose for that particular week:

 

poems, prose, photos, sketches, quotes...

 

 

Read more about Woven Dreams here.

 

 

Hope you'll come and join us soon.

 

 

Happy Week! :<)

Sol Cuisine Mushroom Rice Burgers

 

 

 

 

Although I've been making an effort to "cook from scratch" more and more, including the basics like: bread, buns, burgers, dressings....there are times when it's great to enjoy the convenience of good store- bought options.

 

 

I've been using Sol Cuisine Mushroom Rice Burgers for a couple of years now. A tasty, vegetarian burger patty with an ingredient list that's far better than many of the other meatless burger choices out there:

 

 

Ingredients for Sol Cuisine Mushroom Rice Burgers

 

for Canada:

 

Filtered Water, Vegetables (Portobello and Button Mushrooms, Onions, Carrots, Red & Green Bell Peppers, Potatoes, Garlic), Organic Cooked Brown Rice, Soy Protein Concentrate, Modified Cellulose, Sunflower Oil, Organic Wheat Free Tamari Sauce (Water, Organic Soybeans, Salt), Yeast Extract, Spice, Sea Salt, Organic Evaporated Cane Juice.

 

and for the U.S.

 

Filtered Water, Vegetables (Portobello & Button Mushrooms, Onions, Carrots, Red & Green Bell Peppers, Dried Potatoes, Garlic), Organic Cooked Brown Rice, Soy Protein Concentrate, Yeast Extract, Modified Vegetable Gum, Sunflower Oil, Organic Wheat Free Tamari Sauce (Water, Organic Soybeans, Salt), Spice, Sea Salt, Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Parsley, Onion Extract, Garlic Extract.

 

 

 

I LOVE mushrooms and these burgers have a definite mushroomy flavour.

 

I also appreciate that the vegetables are at the beginning of the ingredient list for these burgers, not at the end, as is the case with some of the other brands. Definitely not an afterthought with Sol Cuisine Mushroom Rice Burgers!

 

These burgers have a nice, meaty texture that doesn't get soggy or gooey after they are cooked. Don't you just hate when that happens? Some of the other brands I've tried over the years were inedible after they were cooked, for that reason alone.

 

 

These burgers cook up fast on the grill or stove top. 

 

 

Each burger contains only 90 calories, low in fat and sodium and provide 8 grams of protein.



Well, these were all good points about these burgers and I was feeling good about recommending them until I received an email from one of Sol Cuisine's company reps, yesterday:


Here is their email (emphasis/bolding is mine):

"All our products are hexane free however we do use hexane-extracted soy. We've thoroughly researched our alternatives and to-date have found that we cannot achieve the same great texture our customers love using non-hexane-extracted soy. That said, we are continuing experimentation at our plant… Stay tuned.


Several of our burgers use soy we extract here with a hexane-free process or do not use soy at all. They are our Almond Grain Burger and our (COMING SOON) Indian Masala Burger (called the Indian Aloo Tikki Burger in the US) and our Sprouted Quinoa Chia Burger.


We use organics in many of our burgers – for example the Mushroom Rice uses organic brown rice. Our Almond Grain Burger is 67% organic. We use organic and local ingredients wherever possible, while keeping our products at a price point our consumers find accessible.


Our new Sprouted Quinoa Chia Burger uses a base of organic quinoa and we have 3 organic certified SKUs: our Falafel with Sauce, BBQ Tofu Ribs and Veggie Crumbles.


The Mushroom Rice Burger's a great SKU to review because it's an elevated take on the traditional mushroom rice burger, which uses field mushrooms, white rice and often cheese. Ours uses portobello and button mushrooms (we recently doubled the quantity so you get great mushroomy flavour in the product) and organic brown rice, in addition to red and green bell peppers… Yum."

 

Oh, oh....there goes the alarm bells!!!

 

 

Seems to be some definite double-talk (to put it politely) when it comes whether there is hexane in these burgers.

 

I was under the impression from previously checking into Sol Cuisine products that they were ALL hexane free. But if they are using hexane-extracted soy in these burgers, I wouldn't personally consider this a hexane- free product.

And based on what's being said in this email, their IS a way to extract soy without the use of hexane!

 

If you aren't aware of the dangers of hexane in foods, you can read more here.

 

  

And as I wrote about here some other popular vegetarian burger options leave a lot to be desired too. It really is worth it to do some research online before deciding on what brands you want to buy and consume.

But based on this experience, I realize now that sometimes you have to dig deeper, to get ALL the pertinent facts/details.

 

I also previously reviewed Sol Cuisine Original Burgers (click for full review). Looks like I'm going to have reassess that review/rating, based on the information I'm now being told by this company.

For now, it's back to making and freezing homemade veggie burgers for me. I don't want to have to worry about picking the right variety (ie: hexane-free) of a veggie burger, from any product line!

I can live without the convenience factor of store- bought veggie burgers, if I can't feel good about eating them. And I'll keep checking for other better brands/products too.

On a more positive note and related topic, I'm re-posting my recipe for Bread-Machine Rosemary Flax Buns over at my cooking blog today.

These are the best burger buns I've ever tasted and that's not because it's my recipe! ;<) This is a  very popular recipe from my cookbook.

And without a good bun, any kind of burger is just a burger! LOL

If you've never made your own burger and hot dog buns, this is a quick and delish recipe to get started.
 

 

Overall rating for this product: Unsatisfactory. 1 out of  5.



Erzulie Gentle Eye Make-up Remover

 

 

 

 

 

I'm always on the look-out for more natural alternatives to mainstream products (including cosmetics) that still do what they're suppose to do, with no compromise.

 

 I recently tried Erzulie Gentle Eye Makeup Remover and this one's definitely a product that not only stacks up favorably compared to mainstream eye makeup removers, it actually exceeds all the brands I've tried in the past. And there's been quite a few, over the years.

 

-Erzulie Gentle Eye Makeup Remover comes in a generous 2 ounce sqeeze bottle.

 

-It has a pleasant, mild fragrance, definitely not over the top in this respect, and that's a good thing.

 

-A little goes a long way.

 

-Non-greasy, it has a soft, gel consistency.

-Very reasonably priced at $6.

-An ingredient list that's hard to beat:

"Organic Ingredients:
Olive Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Vegetable Wax, Sunflower Oil, Castor Oil, Citricidal (Grapefruit Seed Extract), Lavender Essential Oil."

 

 And best of all, it really works!

 

I don't wear eye shadow but I do wear mascara and eyeliner on a fairly regular basis and with one swipe of this product on a warm washcloth, voila....it's all gone. And no red, runny eyes afterwards either.

 

Here is some additional information about this product from Erzulie Cosmetics:

 

"This highly effective, moisturizing eye makeup remover really works!! It easily takes off all eye makeup. Liner, waterproof mascara, eye shadow, ect. A small amount goes a long way and its all natural, organic and vegan. I was having trouble finding a formula that actually worked and I hate putting chemicals in and around my eyes.

Who said oils were bad for you?All these oil- free formulas are loaded with chemicals. Oils help new lashes grow and keep them healthy.

So here it is my dream eye make up remover formula. creamy and super soft. Restores beautiful lashes. Great as an intense moisturizer too!!

 

2 oz malibu squeeze bottle super gentle no stinging or burning".


I've been a fan of Erzulie Cosmetics for years. I previously reviewed their liquid foundation and eye depuffer balm (click to read my complete reviews) which are two of the many Erzulie Cosmetics that I use on a regular basis.

Stop by Erzulie Cosmetics over at Etsy or at the Progress in Health site that offers not only Erzulie Cosmetics but many other outstanding natural product lines. This is a company that  provides consistent quality, reasonable pricing and customer service that is hard to beat.

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

A Mr. Cheddar Review: Jiffy Cat Grass Kit

Mr. Cheddar here.

 

Yes, I'm baaaaaack....finally!

 

 

It's been a long, dreary winter here and Meowmie has been spending even more time on the computer these days, making it difficult for me to get my own work done.

 

But today, I've finally commandeered (how's that for a swanky, big word) the keyboard and have another fav feline product to share with all my cat and human admirers.

 

 

I'm a big fan of the Jiffy Cat Grass Kit.

 

 

Meowmie and I have tried many brands of these kits over the years. Truth be told, a lot of them stink, big time!! Even though the instructions were followed to the letter (And I make sure to supervise the humans here with any delicate operations such as this) many times, they have refused to produce even the minimum of green, verdant grass as expected.

 

 

Not so with the Jiffy Cat Grass Kit. This product is the real deal.

 

As you are probably already aware, house-bound felines in particular (and my outdoor pals in winter too) all need a source of greens provided to nibble on, to keep us at our best.

I like to think of my Jiffy Cat Grass Kit as my own personal salad bar! But without the heavy, fattening dressings that the humans seem to crave with their own salads, of course.

 

 

Here's how easy it is to use this handy kit:

 

 

 

 

First, the attractive package!

 

 Note the sensuous kitty on the front.

 

I just KNOW that's a female. And yet another of the fairer sex that I LOOOOONG to meet. So many gals out there and so little spare time!!! Sigh....sorry, I digress.

  

 

 

 



 

 

 

Next step, the big "burgery" chunk of soil stuff is then placed in the growing container and watered until it expands to mammoth proportions!  Well... maybe not mammoth, but it sucks up that H2O real good! Sluuuurp!!! ;<)

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

After that, the soily stuff is spread out just like cake batter snort....and the seeds are inserted, one by one. This is the part my Pawmie likes to do with a chopstick. What can I say, he doesn't get out much......

 

Then the plastic dome goes on top and the little seedlings get to take a rest in a dark place for a few days. When they start to shooost up and we see the green of their eyes (make that roots) it's time to put them in the sunshine to finish the process.

 

 

 

  

Then it's time to chow down! Yummm-O!

 

 

I love a few good chews a couple of times a day, to keep myself ahhhem...oh so regular and feeling fine. Also helps with any furball issues. Heh, we all need greens, not just the humans. So if by chance your human hasn't provided you with your own salad bar yet, make sure they read this review and get one of these kits real soon.

 

They can also read this info. about the need for greens in our feline diets.
Cats do NOT live by kibbles alone! No sir reee Bob! Snort.

 

 

We usually buy these kits at the local pet store but Meowmie also did a search for me over at Amazon today and found this kit in an organic form. And you know how much Meowmie loves organics, if you've been reading here for any length of time. The kits I get do not have any chemicals added to them and that's the main thing. But this is another Jiffy option that's a goodun too!

 

 

Well, it's long overdue that I bedded down for my morning nap so I'll bid you a wonderful day for now and I promise that my absence from this blog will not be so long next time. I know how much my fans miss me, based on the thousands of emails and letters I receive every week from adoring felines around the world. Just joshin...it's probably only hundreds but who's counting. Snort.

  

And in case you've missed it, I have a new employment sideline, you can read about here.

 

 

 

Yes, I'm also a Private Eye these days:

 

Ched Perkie: Feline PI!!!!!

 

Talk about a babe magnet profession. There's some real perks to this gig I'll tell ya! Wink, wink!

 

That's 50 kibbles a day, plus expenses.

 

Just the facts maaaaam!!!!

 

***

 

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

Practical Conscious Creation by Jackie Lapin

 

I've always been interested and believed in the concept of manifesting and the law of attraction. I've seen it's power come to fruition many times in my life already.

 

Over the years, I've read many books on this topic, including the mega-popular: The Power by Rhonda Byrne (click to read my 2 star review of that book).

 

What I've found lacking in so many of these other books is truly practical advice how to implement the power of manifestation and to enjoy it's many benefits and at times, seemingly miraculous results.

 

Author Jackie Lapin has written: Practical Conscious Creation a resource book that demystifies the art of manifesting. Each page is filled with practical, positive and (easily) doable suggestions how to enjoy the power and magic of manifestation in our daily lives.

                                           

 

A small sampling of topics explored (and in depth) in  Practical Conscious Creation:

 

- The Magic of Changing Your Perspective

 

-The Gift of Risk

 

-Twenty Ways to Trigger Abundance

 

-Clear Your Cache

 

-Fear: The Siren Call to Change

 

and many, many more.

 

This book is the most comprehensive and enjoyable book I've read about manifestion/law of atraction to date. There is actually enough material in these 250+ plus pages for more than one book!

 

My only "complaint" (make that suggestion) to the author is regarding the inclusion of : Practical Conscious Creation Tips throughout the book, which highlight particular suggestions. I found that these detracted a bit from the flow of each chapter as I was reading along. I would have appreciated these tips being included only at the end of each chapter, not interspersed throughout the book. A small change but one that I think would add to the overall enjoyment of this book.

 

Jackie Lapin (click to visit her wonderful website) is a world leader in educating, mentoring and coaching people on manifesting, providing ways for all of us to incorporate changes in our lives that can reap long-term, positive benefits. She certainly held my attention throughout this book and I'm looking forward to reading more of her books and information at her website, in the near future.

 

I've already been using some of the suggestions in this book with good results. I find that re-reading a few pages or a chapter on any given day, is what works best for me. That way, I can focus on these suggestions in particular and use what I can in a conscious and meaningful way.

 

 

One of the reviews at the beginning of this book that stood out for me was written by author: Don Baron. Here's an excerpt:

 

"Law of Attraction. Blah-blah-blah, it's a lovely idea, but ideas without practical application have left large groups of disillusioned people in their wake. Finally someone steps up and gives you the nuts and bolts of Practical Conscious Creation...."

 

 

 I couldn't agree more.

 

This book does not leave the reader "high and dry" wondering why manifesting and the laws of attractions are not working in their own lives; even though they may have diligently tried numerous, popular approaches (I can so relate)!

 

What I really object to in so many other books on this topic is the implication that everything that comes into our lives is due to our own "law of attraction". That we always manifest bad things that happen, through our own wishes, thoughts and actions. 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.

 

Practical Conscious Creation stands out from so many other books written about the laws of attraction and manifestation, from start to finish. If you read one book this year on this topic, make it this one. You won't be sorry. Available in paperback and Kindle versions.

 

 

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



Pyrex Bake/Storage Ware

As any of my regular readers already know, I am an avid cook and cookbook author.

 

(My cooking/craft/cat blog can be found at: Veggies, Yarns & Tails if you'd like to take a look!)

 

 

With all the time I spend in the kitchen, I have definite likes and dislikes when it comes to bake and storage ware. Up until the past couple of months, I was a big fan of Pyrex ware, but no longer!

This is one of the bowls (lid colors have recently changed) that came in a set of Pyrex that I've had for about 2 years.

 I used these bowls on a fairly regular basis but ONLY for food storage.

I have never used any of them for cooking or baking, not even for heating anything up. And when I've stored anything that was hot that needed to go in the fridge, I always made sure that it was cooled before I did, to insure that the temperature change wouldn't be a concern for breakage.

  

One of the things I always liked about Pyrex was that if a piece was dropped (in the past) it usually didn't even break/crack. Well, Pyrex isn't what it used to be. I found that out a few weeks ago when I dropped this same size container a short distance, onto our arborite kitchen counter and....

 

BAMMMM!!

It shattered like a piece of fine china!

 

Shards of glass everywhere, most of them so fine that they needed to be vacuumed up, which I did in a big hurry as Mr. Cheddar was curious to check out what was going on! I wish I had a photo of the mess from that day, but I did save a few of the bigger shards:

How I didn't end up with some of this glass in my eyes is a miracle. It just exploded on impact.

 

Even days later, after several vacuuming, there were tiny shards of glass in the hall and living room, adjacent to the kitchen. On the day the container broke, I had a large pot of soup cooking on the counter and that all had to go in the trash too. WHAT A MESS but it could have been so much worse.

 

 

Somewhere along the way, Pyrex has changed in terms of durability/formula although according to their company website, that never happened. This is not the same quality that I remember from years ago. My mom used Pyrex in the stove and for food storage for years and never had anything break like this container did.

 

 

This was a very upsetting and unexpected experience and a few days later, I decided to contact the Pyrex company to let them know about my experience. I filled in a customer service form at their website, explaining what had happened. Then I waited....and waited.

 

 

After sending this third detailed email:

 

DECEMBER 19th,

 

Third attempt to contact your company! No one is getting back to me. Here's the previous email I sent last:

I wrote about an product issue I had over a week ago and haven't had an answer, it was in regard to this set:

http://www.pyrexware.com/index.asp?pageId=14&CatID=380&SubCatID=1169&upc=71160223691

one of the bowls in this set shattered into a million tiny pieces, when I recently dropped it a short distance to the kitchen (arborite) counter. It was very upsetting and unexpected and we were picking glass shards out of the carpet in the next room for days afterwards, they flew that far. Also, I had a large batch of soup cooking on the counter at the time, and this all had to be thrown out, with the risk of glass having landed there too.

These bowls were never even used for cooking, just for storage. Very unexpected and upsetting as I said above. I expect something to be done by way of compensation for the lost bowl, wasted food, wasted time and the shock of having this happen. It could have been even worse, if one of these shards had hit my eye.

 

Sincerely,

Geraldine Hartman

PS: This set is a couple of years old fyi

I AM NOT GOING TO STOP ASKING FOR SOME COMPENSATION FOR THIS. THIS WAS NOT A CASE OF HEATING UP THIS GLASSWARE WITH HOT WATER ETC, IT JUST SLIPPED OUT OF MY HAND AND SHATTERED INTO A MILLION PIECES. I AM GOING TO START POSTING THIS EXPERIENCE ONLINE AT MY PRODUCT REVIEW BLOG, AMAZON ETC, IF YOU DON'T GET BACK TO ME AND SOON. THIS IS VERY POOR SERVICE AND i AM NOT IMPRESSED. GH

 

 

 

Finally, I got a high priority email in reply to this one, with apologies and an offer of a credit for more Pyrex by way of compensation.

 

Funny that it took three emails AND mentioning my upcoming reviews to get any response! ;<) Well, not really funny, I'm guessing they get a lot of complaints to respond to, these days.

 

The last thing I want or need at this point is more Pyrex!

 

 I explained the whole experience in detail, repeatedly and asked for a small monetary credit in lieu of the shock of what had happened, all the cleaning, wasted time, wasted food....and was told I would have to submit a detailed, written complaint and send in some of the broken glass to be analysed and they would consider my request.

 

 

More delays, more wasted time, several emails back and forth and LOTS of forms (customs, labels, incident report....) to print again and again and fill out. Then, for over  a week this package was suppose to be picked up but never was.

I finally gave up in frustration. This whole fiasco had been going on since the early December with no resolution in sight.

 

 

I won't be buying anymore Pyrex in the future and I'm now in search of a safe, reliable alternative for glass bake/storage ware.

 

If you've been using Pyrex with a sense of security when it comes to it being safe/shatter-proof, think again! This was a very unexpected and upsetting experience and as I said above, it could have been so much worse!

 

Here's just a sampling of the Pyrex horror stories  I recently read online. What I think is even more frightening in my own experience is that these containers were NEVER even heated for cooking or baking, not once and this one still shattered like china.

 

This is not safe bake OR storage ware. Buyer beware!

 

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

The Best Meditations On The Planet by Dr. Martin Hart and Skye Alexander

 

 

 

 

I've been interested in the practise of meditation for a long time.

 

I can't say that I've been faithful to meditating on a daily basis over the years. But I know that when I do meditate; I feel better, sleep better, feel calmer...and the small investment in time required has always been worthwhile.

 

I recently read: The Best Meditations on the Planet by Dr. Martin Hart and Skye Alexander and I was impressed by this book for a number of reasons.

 

For many people, meditation seems like something that is just too much of an effort, time consuming, hard to understand and perhaps even a bit too "new age" to appeal.

 

The Best Meditations on the Planet demystifies the practise of meditation so that anyone can try it and find out just how much it can impact their lives in positive and long- term ways. And unlike a lot of books and articles on meditation that I've read previously, this book provides many ways to meditate and for dozens of purposes.

                                            

 

Some of the varied and interesting meditation topics included in this book:

 

-Improve Your Athletic Ability

-End Ties that Bind

-Focus on Forgiveness

-Quiet the Voice of Fear

-Release Stress at the End of the Day

-Release Performance Anxiety

 

 

and many more, providing a range that will be of interest to people of all ages, depending on their own particular needs.

 

The book is well organized. It's easy to find a meditation that's just right  at any given time in life.

 

This is a user-friendly approach to meditation that will be especially of value to anyone who's ever considered or perhaps tried meditation in the past but gave up when they couldn't seem to "get it". With this gentle, easy-to-understand approach, meditation is something that anyone can now experience and enjoy, for years to come.

 

A visually attractive book, making it a great idea for gift-giving too. And who doesn't know someone who is super-stressed and would appreciate a truly, thoughtful gift like this book? And one that provides numerous ways to easily facilitate and incorporate much needed "me" time into their daily routine.

 

The authors make the suggestion to record favorite meditations if this helps with the visualization process that is part of most meditations. I think that is a great idea.

 

I have also suggested to author: Skye Alexander that a CD to accompany this book or to be sold separately with some of the meditations recorded on it, would be most helpful too. Hopefully this is something that the authors will consider adding in the future, as a valuable tool for enjoying this book to the fullest.

 

If you've always meditated or even if you've never tried it before but always wondered about meditation; this is a book you won't want to miss.

 

Stop by Skye Alexander's site to read more about this book and to browse her many other wonderful books and articles, written on a wide range of topics. Also available at Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle formats.

 

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

 

 

11/22/63 A Novel by Stephen King

 

 

I don't usually read Stephen King novels but when I heard about 11/22/63 I decided to make an exception. With the 50th anniversary of JFK's assassination coming up this year (and possibly more from the Warren commission report finally being revealed)  it sparked an even greater interest for me in reading King's take on this historic event. A day in history that continues to captivate and intrigue so many people, and many of those not even born at the time.

 

 

First of all, don't even consider reading this book if you're not in for the long-haul. This is one BIG book. The hardcover copy I have is 849 pages! I'm a fast reader but it still took me a couple of weeks to get through this book.

 

 

I wanted to love this book, I really did. It had all the makings of a page-turner, based on the title and several blurbs I had read about it online.

 

The story begins in Maine, about a teacher: Jake Epping. The year is  2011. Epping, through a series of personal events finds himself on an unexpected journey back in time, presumably to save JFK from being assassinated. And in the process altering the history of the U.S. from that time forward (hopefully) in a positive way.

 

Well, if you're thinking that this is all centered around the assassination of Kennedy and the back stories leading up to that fateful day, think again.

 

When Epping first passes over into the past, it is not in 1963 or even 1962 but rather all the way back to 1958! There are many, MANY sub-plots in this book and it is only around page 700 that the reader gets to the day of the assassination itself.

 

Yes, some of the details are related to the shooting before that point in the story and there's quite a bit about the background of Lee Harvey Oswald the alleged assassin of JFK. But there is also a lot of twists and turns that for the most part only detract from the book.

 

Stephen King goes into minute (ie: tedious,boring,repetitious) detail about many events and characters that Jake Epping encounters along the way that have little to do with the actual assassination of JFK and don't add much to the overall appeal of the story.

 

 

Here's an excerpt from one  reader's (1 star review) from over at Amazon that I think sums it up in a nutshell:

 

"And then, about 550 pages in, it occurred to me. JFK's assassination is not the point of the book. The half cracked romance is. It would've been better if he'd titled the book something more pertinent to the theme...like "Romance Across Ages...oh, and a president."

Moreover, the book dragged on and on until the last fifty pages where he inserted characters that had no explanation
As for me, all of the above where the heck did the color coated time-police come from? and then summed up the changes to the present (made by meddling with the past) as Armageddon. Because that is OBVIOUSLY the ONLY conclusion that we could've jumped to here.

As long as the reader KNOWS going into this book that the plot against JFK is a sub-plot and not the point, they might not feel duped."

***

Duped indeedy! ;<)

And there are plenty of 1 and 2 star Amazon reviews for this book!

 

I don't even know why I kept on reading this book after the first 2-300 pages. As I said above, I wanted to love this book and I kept expecting that the next chapter would finally get to the real point of the story and move things along. It didn't.

 

I was very disappointed by this book. I think it could have been wonderful and memorable. Instead, I just wanted to get it over with.

The title is very catchy and Mr. King certainly grabbed my attention and millions of other readers with it. But things steadily go downhill from there. All the way to the ending that is just plain lame.

 

A waste of paper, time, eyestrain....a story that probably could have been told (and for the better) in about 400 pages, not this bloated "doorstopper" of a book.

 

Overall rating for this book: Unsatisfactory. 1 out of 5.