Although I generally despise commercials, I found myself compelled to watch one that aired New Year's Eve 2012. A couple is sitting on their living room couch, watching TV, when up on the sofa leaps the family feline. With a loud pop! a pine-scented air freshener materializes in the air, followed by another, then another, then another. Ironically, I don't recall for which brand of kitty litter this commercial was, but obviously not for Fresh Step Extreme Odor Control Scoopable Clumping brand. I must qualify that since I do not have a particularly keen olfactory sense, my wife suffers from the overpowering aroma, which she maintains that our cat Rocky takes with him everywhere he goes -to the bed, on the window sill, on the chairs, in the bathroom sink (don't ask)! But although I don't smell it, I hear about it. Believe me, I hear about it!
My vast experience with the felidae family has shown me that the best litter on the market is the generic, clumping, unscented variety, in a 10 or 12-pound plastic container. There are several reasons for this conclusion: The generic is as effective as the name brand, and costs less (duh)! Without clumping litter, the cat's commode will soon reek of urine, which cannot be scooped out like solid waste. Even I can smell accumulated cat urine. The 10 or 12-pound container is much easier to carry and subsequently pour. As for the plastic container, it's recyclable.
Fresh Step Extreme Odor Control Scoopable Clumping Cat Litter is difficult to open, difficult to pour, and when the ponderous, 20-pound box is empty, said container won't fit into any household trash can. Thus, I am forced to schlep it to the trash bin behind our apartment complex. I used to break it down with a box cutter, which serves to release dozens of tiny, pungent gray granules which were lodged in between the folds of cardboard. And no matter how dust-free any brand of litter claims to be, there is always some respiratory irritant.
In summation, I would recommend that you buy the basic. Because you don't want your cat, or your house, smelling like a car air-freshener. (You don't, do you)?
© January 11, 2013 by Allan M. Heller
No Nylon Smile For Me
Dentists have long established that flossing is an integral part of oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth without a floss follow up leaves tiny, and sometimes not-so-tiny, pieces of food wedged between molars and incisors alike. Rinse, brush, floss, mouthwash. But don't use Dr. Fresh Aim Dental Floss refreshing mint wax nylon floss 100 + 20 yards. (Of course, you may do whatever you want; I just wouldn't recommend it).
Try as I might to floss carefully, I can't help fraying the length of Dr. Fresh Floss, sometimes so badly that I need to cut a fresh span. This is a waste of floss. Another cause of fraying floss is the insufficiently sharp blade around which one wraps and snaps one's preferred portion.
Waxed floss is supposed to slide easily between the teeth, cinching into those tight places where the vestiges of past repasts seek refuge. But not infrequently this is not the case with Dr. Fresh. Someone told me years ago that unwaxed floss was better, as it absorbed the dental detritus better. I still find this to be a matter of personal preference, though.
I don't detect even a hint of mint. I'm not accusing the manufacturers of false advertising; my gustatory sense may be as flawed as my olfactory one (see my review of Fresh Step Extreme Odor Control Scoopable Clumping Cat Litter).
The pros of this product? The case, which is shaped like a tooth (have to like that)! snaps open easily. Also, 120 yards of floss will last a long time, even with the frequent fraying. Still, the cons outweigh the pros, and when this is the case, forget it. Remember to floss nightly, but with a good brand of floss!
© January 11, 2013 by Allan M. Heller
Razor's Edges
Years ago I scraped up $65 for a beautiful, German-made, finely-crafted straight razor, the brand name of which was Solingen. The blade was sharper than anything I'd ever encountered, and the ease with which it folded open and shut almost as impressive. I had considerable difficulty wielding this German gem, until I watched Nigel Bruce (Doctor Watson in the old Sherlock Holmes movies) shaving with one. Still unable to use my new toy effectively, I inquired and was subsequently informed that I needed to hone the blade with a leather strop. However, after nearly severing my lower lip (a slight exaggeration), I retreated once more to the relative safety of a modern razor. I still have the Solingen. What a beautiful instrument!
This leads us somewhat circuitously to the present day, January 12, 2013, and an eight-pack of Schick® Xtreme3® razors for sensitive skin. There is one major disadvantage to these so-called "safety razors:" they are not nearly as luxurious as their rugged, handsome, deadly forebears! But the risk of a severe shaving accident is too great with the latter.
Single blade disposable razors are useless. They irritate the skin without effectively removing the whiskers. Twin blades are better, but still require several passes to eliminate unwanted facial hair. The dawn of the triple-bladed razor arrived more than a decade ago, and even though mankind has developed four and five-bladed shavers, they are arguably excessive.
Schick® Xtreme3® disposable razors are indeed easier on the skin -much more so than my gleaming Solingen- and reasonably tough on whiskers. Saturated strips of material above and beneath the three blades deliver a dose of Vitamin E and Aloe, resulting in additional skin protection and a smooth shave. The pivoting head (the razor's, not mine) also makes the shaving process easier.
The spaces between the three blades could be a millimeter or so wider, which would facilitate removal of accumulated whisker residue. I frequently have to tap the side of the Schick® Xtreme3® razor very hard against the interior of the sink to unclog the razor.
The sealed plastic package is difficult to peel open, particularly difficult to peel open quietly. Aside from this, and the aforementioned disadvantage, Schick® Xtreme3® razors are inexpensive, efficacious and fairly safe. Still, Nigel Bruce as Doctor Watson just wouldn't look right shaving with one!
© January 12, 2012 by Allan M. Heller
Should Be a Staple of the Office or Home
The Accentra PaperPro®® 500 Spring-Powered Compact Stapler, 15-sheet capacity, is stylish, functional, and ergonomic. The back of the device is slanted upwards; as a result, the base occupies a mere four and a half inches in length and one inch in width, and fits snugly between my printer and my computer screen. I keep the stapler's front facing towards me, so that I can easily extract it when needed. The cost I do not recall, but am certain that the PaperPro® runs more than the conventional model.
Its design could be a little more intuitive. I still occasionally forget how to open and load the PaperPro® and I keep trying to separate the black plastic top part from the translucent pink staple holder underneath. There is, however, a yellow stick on the base which depicts in simple illustrations the proper loading procedure. When correctly opened, the top and the bottom sections should line up at a 180 degree angle. At this point, the thin metal loading bar pops out compliantly, allowing the insertion of approximately three inches of staples. I don't know how may individual staples this comprises, but enough to last for a while.
A slight risk of injury goes with the PaperPro®, and a small, inconspicuous warning on the underside of the base reads "OPEN ALWAYS AWAY FROM FACE." You should keep your fingers clear, as well; my wife stapled her index finger once!
The PaperPro® is lighter than metal staplers, yet sturdier than most other plastic models on the market. Two drawbacks are that it is fairly noisy, and that it doesn't quite staple 15 pages. How do I know this? Because just yesterday, in fact, I attempted to staple a 15-page document, without success. Also, this stapler jams sometimes, even when tasked with fewer than 15 pages. Overall, the PaperPro® is a good stapler.
© January 13, 2013 by Allan M. Heller
Simplicity Sans Style. But Who Needs Style?
The Sunbeam® 6170 Hot Shot® Hot Water Dispenser makes up in practicality what it lacks in style. Clearly this half-pound plastic apparatus has not the quaint charm of a whistling teapot or the nostalgia of a Russian samovar. But for a reasonable price, the Hot Shot® fulfills a necessary culinary function, is compact, and is easy to use.
The water reservoir, which is accessed by opening the thin, hinged lid on top of the unit, does not have a large capacity. For my household, consisting of two people and one cat, 16 ounces are sufficient for two cups of coffee or tea. If my in-laws come to visit, however, I need either a larger container or to frequently refill the Hot Shot®. Having gone through two tea kettles in a relatively short space of time, I am loath to purchase a third. But I can't host my in-laws very often with only a Hot Shot®. (Perhaps that's actually an advantage)!
The simplicity of this device is its greatest virtue. I've owned the Hot Shot® for years and have never read the instructions; there's no need. You plug in the unit, fill the top half with sufficient water for your coffee, tea, hot chocolate or Cup-a-Soup, then press the lever on the left, marked "HEAT." When the red LED turns on, you press the lever on the right, marked "DISPENSE." Even filled to capacity, the Hot Shot® takes about 30 seconds to heat the water, and automatically turns off when finished. Since the Hot Shot® has no beep, whistle or alarm to notify you when the water is hot, you just have to wait. There is no danger if you walk out of the kitchen and forget, though.
The cord for the Hot Shot® is supposed to coil easily underneath the unit, but does not. Since I keep mine on the kitchen counter, this is usually not a problem, but if you travel with your Hot Shot®, you would do well to secure the cord with a rubber band.
If you are a coffee drinker, you are obviously limited to the instant variety with the Hot Shot®. I haven't used my coffee maker for years, but some people prefer freshly-brewed coffee. This leads to another disadvantage: you will have to frequently wipe off the accumulating coffee stains under the top section. To do this effectively you must turn the thing upside down and hold it in place, as the top is not flat and the Hot Shot® will not rest upside down during cleaning. If your Hot Shot® is black, brown, or some other color than white, then the coffee stains will not be as obviously, but this doesn't mean that you don't have to clean it. I do not if this particular model comes in anything but white, though.
Often I underestimate how much water I need, and I have to unplug the Hot Shot®, wait until the water cools, and then either dump it or put an empty cup under the dispenser. After emptying the reservoir, you should leave the lid open so that the excess water evaporates. You don't want mildew.
Another limitation is the height from the base of the unit to the opening where the heated water is dispensed: five inches. A 16-ounce glass will not fit, but just about any ceramic mug will.
© January 15, 2013 by Allan M. Heller
Ready In Four To Ten (Hours, That Is)!
If you want a well-cooked, sizeable, tasty and wholesome meal in a relatively short period of time, then the Rival® 38501-W 5-Quart Slow Cooker is not for you. If, however, you are prepared to wait either four, six, eight or 10 hours, then this ponderous piece of kitchenware is perfect. I should qualify the term "perfect:" if you use inferior ingredients, or add too much of a particular spice or ingredient, this slow cooker cannot save the meal. But for basic fare, or even slightly fancy food, the Rival® 38501-W
is very handy.
I often use the Rival® 38501-W for recipes that call for oven, skillet or pot preparation, with mostly good results. An ideal example is Tender Onion Baked Chicken, which I discovered on page 165 of tried & true quick & easy top 200 recipes (Allrecipes, 2002). This simple, delicious meal is "supposed" to be prepared in a 9" x 13" baking dish, but I have had great results dumping the 10 chicken breast strips, ¼ cup margarine, a dash of salt and pepper, and 1 ½ ounces of dried onion soup mix into the Rival® 38501-W's spacious ceramic basin and setting the timer for four hours. This takes considerably longer than the recommended 40 minutes in the oven, but give me extra time for other tasks (like writing product reviews). Those who work nine to five, or eight to four jobs, might feel inclined to prepare their dinners before going to work.
Soups, roasts and stews turn out well when prepared in this slow cooker. I tried my hand at various types of chili, with only one minor mishap, and that was due to a major blunder on my part!
Rival® 38501-W 5-Quart Slow Cooker is pretty safe, although care should be taken in a household with small children. An unassuming, warm container sitting on the countertop can invite curiosity. The fire risk is negligible, unless the electric cord is frayed or not fully inserted into the outlet, although the latter seems an unlikely source of potential catastrophe. When the specified number of hours elapses, the Rival® 38501-W 5-Quart Slow Cooker automatically shuts off. With the heavy glass lid in place, your meal will stay hot for a long time.
The lid and interior ceramic basin are very heavy, and care must be taken when washing them. These parts are also slippery when wet, and I have nearly dropped them on a few occasions. The fluted exterior surface of the basin, ostensibly designed for ease of lifting and carrying, makes cleaning more laborious than would be the case with a smooth surface. The part of the Rival® 38501-W that actually contains the circuitry is fairly light, but also should be washed. The surfaces of the three components can be wiped off with minimal effort; hauling them into and out of the sink is what is problematic. A dishwasher eases the process considerably, but my humble kitchen is not so lavishly-endowed.
Emptying the cooking basin of residual oils and liquids is difficult, commensurate with the quantity produced. In the aforementioned case of Tender Onion Baked Chicken, the liquid produced is minimal. Disposing of the remnants of my disastrous vegetarian chili was another story! Some things cannot be poured down the sink of flushed down the toilet.
The Rival® 38501-W is too clunky to be constantly taken out and put back into the pantry, so if you use this crock pot frequently, find a good, safe spot on the kitchen counter.
© January 17, 2013 by Allan M. Heller
Formidably Foaming
Numerous dental hygiene products I have tried, tested, tossed, and reviewed. As might be expected, most fall somewhere between atrocious and outstanding. Sensodyne® Whitening Toothpaste with iso-active® foaming gel makes a momentary mess of your mouth, kind of like the soapy mop renders your kitchen floor temporarily unsightly before restoring to the linoleum tiles their pristine sheen. (I'm told that I have a penchant for hyperbole).
This brings up the primary drawback of this toothpaste: the whitish-blue, strongly medicinal-tasting substance literally bursts into foam upon contact with the surface of your teeth. Have you ever mixed baking soda and vinegar? Try this and you will see what I mean. The idea is that Sensodyne® is supposed to not only permeate the enamel of your teeth, but seep relentlessly into the manifold dental nooks, crannies and interstices. The ostensible objective is, I supposed, accomplished, but you will likely have to wipe your mouth, chin, and shirt!
Ironically, I find this disadvantage to be an advantage when I use my Oral-B Pulsonic electric toothbrush, which causes ordinary toothpaste to sink impotently between the violently-vibrating bristles. Sensodyne® iso-active® makes a strong stand against this shaking onslaught, obstinately transforming into its nigh-invincible plasma form. Again, hyperbole, but somewhat reality-based. What I mean to say is that Sensodyne® clings tenaciously to the bristles, and therefore, attacks the plaque more effectively.
Viewed without eyeglasses or contact lenses, or in poorly-lit, otherwise inferior visual conditions, the upright, self-standing six-inch aluminum container might be mistaken for a slender can of shaving cream. In fact, I did mistakenly shave with Sensodyne® once, with very good results. (I'm kidding)! More imaginative minds might see a miniature rocket, while those inclined toward prurient ponderings . . . Let's not go there!
This super-concentrated gel goes a long way, so you should only use a modest quantity on your toothbrush, and an even more modest quantity on your electric toothbrush (should you possess this wonder of dental technology). If you brush your teeth every night prior to retiring, your can of Sensodyne® iso-active® might last a year! Were a toothpaste such as this marketed for children it would, I believe, be very popular with its target consumer base. Why? Because brushing with Sensodyne® iso-active® is fun! It should be noted, however, that the label instructions cite that this product is for "adults and children 12 years of age and older."
I never had a serious problem with sensitivity prior to a recent root canal. Strangely, the actual root canal was painless. I can't really say whether Sensodyne® works in this regard. The two active ingredients are potassium nitrate and sodium fluoride, five and .15 percent, respectively. Brushing the area of my root canal does not produce discomfort, but flossing does. Maybe someone will invent an "iso-active" dental floss!
© January 20, 2013 by Allan M. Heller
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