Thanksgiving Must-Haves in the Kitchen!

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The LARGE GRAVY SEPARATOR is a must-have!

 

To create rich and flavorful gravy liquid fat must be separated from the drippings. Luckily, separating liquid fat is easy to do with this specially designed and chef approved (voted # 1 by Rachael Ray, Christopher Kimble, and the professionals at Cooks Illustrated) fat separator. This pitcher style has a large mouth and angled sprout for easy pouring (it holds a hefty 4 cups of liquid stock). Separators work for two reasons: one, because fat and water do not mix, and two, because fat always rises above the liquid in the container. Simply pour pan drippings into separator and watch the fat rise to the top while lean gravy settles to the bottom.

I can’t wait to try this one on Thanksgiving!

 

Here are Trudeau’s quick tips for making the perfect gravy using a Gravy Separator:

  • When the liquid settles in the container, pour it off slowly stopping just before the layer of fat floating on the liquid’s surface reaches the opening for the spout.
  • Using the integrated strainer is helpful when defatting pan drippings that are still mixed with chunks of aromatic vegetables, herb sprigs, or other flavorings, separating them ensures a smooth, rich gravy.

Retail price $16.99.

 

The Potato Masher is a new favorite of mine! 

I tried this one out this past week because I just couldn’t wait until Thanksgiving! I mashed sweet potatoes with it and was impressed with how easy it is to use! It also seemed like it took a lot less time!

 

The Trudeau Potato Masher reduces strain on hands and joints and is ideal for those with arthritis or limited hand dexterity. From its extra wide comfortable horizontal handle providing more leverage and less effort to its dual sided integrated bowl scrapers this product makes the task of mashing potatoes and other vegetables faster and easier than ever.  Perfectly designed for deep pots and dishwasher safe.

 

Here are Trudeau’s quick tips for using a masher:

  • Be sure potatoes are thoroughly cooked
  • Use a press and twist motion with the masher
  • Add a little liquid (milk/cream) a little at a time
  • If you like the skins in your finished product, a masher is the best way to go.

Retails for $14.99.

You can find both at Trudeau!

 

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

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Self Disclosure: I received free product samples to facilitate this post. Photos were provided. Quick tips were also provided.

Trudeau’s Rotary Grater is a Kitchen Tool Must-Have!

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Grate your ingredients safely and effectively with Trudeau’s multiple use Rotary Grater. This dishwasher-safe grater is constructed of a stainless steel drum grater in an impact resistant white plastic frame. The handle holds food in place while the soft touch, non-slip revolving knob arm controls grating. Disassembles quickly for cleaning.

I absolutely love how easy this is to use! My favorite thing to use it for is to grate cheese for pizza and pastas! It truly is user-friendly and also easy to clean! I love how lightweight it is and no need for using any other graters!

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BEST FOR: Achieving a perfect dusting of cheese over pasta or chocolate shavings over cappuccino. Trudeau’s Rotary Grater works for anything from food prep or individual food service, to grinding superfine and delicate nuts for baking. This indispensable gadget delivers better grinding results than a food processor and is easier and more manageable to handle.

BEST PLACE TO BUY:  Available nationwide and at https://www.trudeaucorp.com/us_en/

MSRP $12.99.

 

Self Disclosure: I received a free sample product to facilitate this post. Photos were provided.

A New Unique Cooking Tool that You Must-Try! The Smartbowl!

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Does cooking great meals for one take a long time? Not anymore! You can make easy and quick meals in your Microwave with The Smartbowl! What is Smartbowl? A technologically advanced set of bowls that turn your microwave into a stove.  You will now be able to do more than reheat. You can actually cook delicious, healthy food in minutes as well as use the Smartbowls to freeze, store, and even put on top of an open flame as well as broil. I love how super easy these are to use! Cooking is so much easier now!

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The bowls are made in Japan by the Hario factory (heat-resistant glassware company since 1921 known for quality coffee gear) from borosilicate glass and come with silicone lids.  This combination creates a cooking environment in the microwave that works like a pressure cooker—speeding up your cooking while keeping great taste and texture.

I also love the recipe book that is included! My favorites are the Poached Egg and the Garlicky Shrimp Scampi! It takes less than 5 minutes to make some of these recipes! The Poached Egg only takes about a minute! Now, how cool is that?!

Smartbowl has also worked with Celebrity Chef Art Smith to create 80 recipes for a companion Smartbowl Cookbook. Within minutes of opening the box, you can get Smartcooking with such super-simple recipes as:

  • Smart Start Blueberry Oatmeal (90 seconds to what chef Art credits to getting him on the path to healthy)
  • Salmon & Kale (2 minutes and your daily dose of brain-boosting omega-3 fatty acids)
  • Ooey, Gooey, Mocha Chocolate Cake (4 minutes and kids can make this one for themselves)

 

Available exclusively online at https://smartbowlsystem.com/buy-now/

Everyone on your holiday shopping list will want one of these!

 

Self Disclosure: I received a free sample to facilitate this post. Photos were provided.

Must-Haves for the Fall!

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Primal Essence Super Teas! I love how favorable these are and how you only need to use a small amount at a time. Chai is my favorite! Overflowing with flavor derived directly from whole plants, teas and coconut oil from Primal Essence (www.primalessence.com) are helping redefine some of our favorite beverages and foods.

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SEA SALT FROM THE STILL-PURE WATERS OF NEW ZEALAND – David Noll, CEO of New Zealand importer Pacific Resources International (www.shoppri.com) is on a mission to help consumers discover the superior attributes of New Zealand Pacific Sea Salt as compared to traditional table salt.   This one has been a big hit with my husband who loves to BBQ and he’s a great cook too! 

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GOIN’ BANANAS! Edward & Sons (www.edwardandsons.com), the company that first introduced organic coconut milk and Miso-Cup instant soup mix to American consumers, has just debuted a new line of Banana Flour that’s a perfect alternative to wheat flour. I was hesitant to try this Banana Flour but am really impressed!  I also had the opportunity to try the Miso-Cup and the Gluten Free Ice cream cones.

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I recommend all! But, my favorite is the Banana Flour! It is wonderful for baking! It will be great for the upcoming holiday season!

But..my all-time favorite is the MANUKA HONEY Caramels! These were a hit in my house and did not last long at all!

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FINE MANUKA HONEY CHOCOLATES & CARAMELS – Holidays and chocolate go hand in hand, so why not try some of New Zealand’s tastiest and freshest Manuka Honey chocolate and caramel varieties (www.shoppri.com). Everyone in my house loved these especially the Caramels!

Don’t forget to check all of them out this Fall!

 

Self Disclosure: I received free samples to facilitate this post. Photos were provided.

Presto Makes For a Safer House!

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Looking to make your laundry room a safer place for young children?  Presto has created the new child-resistant Child-Guard closure designed for resealable flexible packaging, such as that used for laundry pods, to give parents more time to react to potentially dangerous situations. And, not to mention, more piece of mind.

I received a sample and I have to admit that I am pretty impressed! I almost couldn’t open it myself! I like that it definitely is child-proof! 

Child-Guard ™ is the first ever child-resistant closure system designed specifically for products that use flexible packaging.

Why is Child-Guard important to moms everywhere?

Flexible packaging represents approximately 18 percent of the total packaging market and it’s the fastest growing type of packaging in all consumer goods markets.

 

That means common household products such as laundry detergent, dishwashing soap, pesticides, herbicides, pool chemicals and lawn and garden products will sold in flexible packages without a child-resistant closure, could be very easy for children to open and get into and resulting in accidental poisonings.

 

Just last year the Centers for Disease Control and Prevents received more than 1.3 million calls involving poison exposure for children.

 

The makers of Child-Guard™ knew there was void in the flexible packaging industry for a child-resistant zipper and committed themselves to developing a solution that would satisfy this critical market need.

 

Child-Guard meets industry packaging and federal Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA) standards.

How does it work?

Great lengths were taken to create a package closure that designed to keep children safe, yet also easy for adults to operate.

To open the package, the consumer must first move the slider to left point of the zipper. Next the consumer should push down on the slider’s tab and at the same time pull the slider to the right along the track. I mentioned it is tough to open but once I did open it..I easily was able to get used to it and it is not that difficult for adults!

What consumer products currently have Child-Guard™ on their package?

Tide PODS® recently debuted a new ad campaign featuring the Child-Guard™ closure.

Child-Guard ™ can also be found on Hex Detergent.

 

Where can I learn more about Child-Guard?

Visit child-guard.com to learn more about this important innovation. This website offers parents household safety tips and advice for keeping kids safe.

 

Who are the makers of Child-Guard™?

Child-Guard™ is made by Presto Products Company a market leader in the private label and flexible packaging industries.

  • Like the Facebook page to show support for Child-Guard™
  • Share the “What is Child-Guard™ educational video” and Don’t forget to  spread the word hashtag #GuardIt

Self Disclosure: I received a free sample to facilitate this post. Photo/Info was also provided.

 

“Feelings”- Matching & Memory Card Game is Great for Teaching Children about Feelings!

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Looking for a great way to teach young children about feelings? or maybe you have a child who needs to learn more about social cues such as reading different facial expressions? This is a great teaching tool! The Feelings Matching & Memory Card Game is simple but I like that there are adults on the cards so if you have a child that is not really young..they will not feel this is only for very little kids. I like that there are even a couple of cards that are slightly hard to identify the exact expression/feeling. I think this is especially helpful for those on the Autism spectrum. I highly recommend!

 

You can purchase on Amazon.com.

More info:

  • Contains: 20*2 easily recognizable, colorful matching pieces – photos of diverse facial expressions. Large, sturdy pieces made of extra thick cardboard.
    Effective and useful in processing emotional and verbal & non- verbal communication. Help kids recognize and identify emotions in others – critical for social development! Develops the ability to pay attention to the feelings of others & learn to express them.
    Designed to be Fun, Educational and Promote Cognitive Skills for All ages. Collecting sets of 2 cards & the one with the most sets wins!
    This Card Game is useful to speech and occupational therapists, social workers, educators and fun for all family members. Perfect classroom activity for early learners or special education classrooms. Learning Game and toy for kids with Autism, Aspergers, ADHD and Special Needs.

Self Disclosure: I received a free or heavily discounted item to facilitate this post.

Baby Girls Fur Winter Coat is a Must-Buy this Upcoming Holiday!

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Looking for an adorable Winter coat for your little girl this Holiday? I just love this really cute pink one by Jxstarandperfashion. It is simply adorable! I like this one because it is just perfect for this time of the year and for Winter holiday photos! It is super soft and too cute for words! It is available in different sizes for 6 Months to 3 Years. It has a Silk Ribbon & Ball in the front and I highly recommend this one!

Sizing:

6-12M – Length:29cm(11.4in) | Sleeve Length:18cm(7in)
12-18M – Length:30cm(11.8in) |Sleeve Length:20cm(7.9in)
18-24M – Length:32cm(12.6in) | Sleeve Length:22cm(8.7in)
2-3Y – Length:34cm(13.4in) | Sleeve Length :24cm(9.4in)

You can find it on Amazon.com.

 

Self Disclosure: I received a free or heavily discounted item to facilitate this post. Photo was provided.

Children’s “Bumble Bee” Pajamas Jxstarandperfashion are a Must-Buy this Holiday season!

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Looking for some super cute pajamas for your little one this holiday? I love these Bumble Bee ones from Jxstarandperfashion. Also available in a Ladybug style. This set is just adorable with a cute Bumble Bee print on the top and yellow and black striped bottoms. This is a really cute sleep set and would be perfect for Christmas pajamas! I like that the set id colorful and that the top has long sleeves!

You can purchase on Amazon.com.

Sizing:

Size for 18 Months to 7 years.
18-24 Months – Height:90cm(35in) | Chest:49cm(19.3in) | Top Length:38(15in) | Waist:40(15.7in) | Pants Length:46.5(18.3in)
24 Months – Height:95cm(37in) | Chest:54cm(21.3in) | Top Length:40.5(16in) | Waist:42(16.5in) | Pants Length:49.5(19.5in)
2-3Y – Height:100cm(39in) | Chest:59cm(23.2in) | Top Length:43(17in) | Waist:44(17.3in) | Pants Length:52.5(20.7in)
3-4Y – Height:110cm(43in) | Chest:62cm(24.4in) | Top Length:44.5(17.5in) | Waist:46(18in) | Pants Length:55.5(21.9in)
4-5Y – Height:120cm(47in) | Chest:66cm(26in) | Top Length:46.5(18.3in) | Waist:48cm(18.9in) | Pants Length:60(23.6in)
5-7Y – Height:130cm(51in) | Chest:70cm(29.5in) | Top Length:50(20.7in) | Waist:50cm(29in) | Pants Length:65(25.6in)

Self Disclosure: I received a free or heavily discounted item to facilitate this post.