Category Archives: Product Reviews

Product review of family, living, cooking, fashion,kids,toys, healthy including Photography and honest reviews.

Philadelphia, Product Reviews, Travel

PA Renaissance Faire Tips

12 Comments

renaissance fairePennsylvania Renaissance Faire Tips and  If you don’t know what a Renaissance fair is it is when people get dressed up in a costume and the act out they are in the Renaissance.  It is a great time and a different fun thing to do as a family.  The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire has been operating for 33 years so it is a well established Renn faire.

I decided my 8 year old daughter would enjoy the Renaissance Faire more if she dressed up in costume.   The morning of I looked through my stash of fabric. She had a great time in a Renaissance Faire costume.  She was a little shy at first when everyone kept bowing to her.  She was not sure about it.  She said “Mommy why  do they keep stopping, bowing?  my knees are hurting for curtsying so much.   I have to show off you my creation.. Before I share my Renaissance Faire Tips:girl in a dressWe attended many Renn Fair  events  the Jousting, human chess match,  and Falconry show was some of the kids favorites.  The faire is filled with shows and many many vendors that are interesting and tied to Renaissance.  Expect mask, glass blowing, weapon vendors, period toy, and costume vendors.    It think it is the only fairs where you are allowed to walked around with your own weapons.  My son was particularly interested in the shield and swords.. he just wanted looks at them.   There was many more  shows and shops .. I think my family  would have loved (we really needed 2 days),  but we did not plan out or visit so we missed something, learn from what I did not know. jousting

Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire Tips:

  • Do stop and get Renaissance Fair discount coupons in our area, Wawa has them but sometimes towns have them
  • Do dress up you go from being a spectator to being part of the experience.
  • If you do dress up use a coupon and show your costume for and additional discount at the gate.
  • Tip check out what I wore for the Renn Faire on my other blog biggirlsguide  What I wore Plus Size Pirate
  • Bring CASH …Tickets and some shops take credit cards but the food vendors are all cash-  no Credit Cards Accepted-  there are ATMs
  • Bring water  the waters are $3 each so you might want to save yourself some cash
  • Food: If you get a turkey leg share it.. they are a lot of meat and salty
  • Chilli is very tomato based kinda tasteless though my daughter enjoyed
  • Bread bowls think thick store bought roll …not that good.. not worth getting them.
  • The funnel cakes were very yummy
  • Bring a small blanket to sit on.. many of the events Jousting, and Human Chess match you can sit on the lawn to enjoy the match if the seat is unavailable
  • Dress in layers and Bring a coat it is a long day and because it is fall you might get chilly when the sun goes behind the trees
  • Arrive early in the day and be prepared to walk ( the PA Renn faire built  is on a slight hillside)
  • Have a Plan ahead of PA Renaissance Fair events, shows you want to see the schedule is on line.  If it is your 1st time you might have a hard time finding the stages
  • Attend the Shows watch that some of the show are “Adult”  some of the later ones,  so be sure to check the schedule
  • Arrive 10-15 minutes before a show,  so you can get a good seat.
  • For the Human Chess match go to the match and avoid the walking parade so you get a seat.. (we had a hard time getting a seat at the chess because we followed the parade)
  • So much to do with kids and when you see something do it.   when we walked in we saw a knight battle kids with swords, my daughter want to pass and come back to it latter.. he was not there later, so take advantage of a hand on experience when you see it.
  • Do ask the Puppet vendors for a Raffle ticket for the Dragon giveaway at the end of the night (Hatchery.) You can win a Dragon and the kids get excited about the chance to win-  Giveaway is after the Jousting and Knight meet and greet,  right on the corner.dragon giveaway
  • Do spend $5 on a hatching a Dragon egg at the Hatchery.. It is an Experience Souvenir.  It is a Styrofoam egg with a prize ticket in the middle,  they hatch the egg with a machine that launches a heavy steel rolling ball.  The smallest you can win is a small statue of there choice (they are like a something you would get a dollar store) but you have a chance to win a $150 gift certificate for a Dragon also.  Watch the cost of the eggs.. when you enter the hatchery  they are marked different prices- the hatchery is located near the Jousting match .
  • Do think about going overnight because there is a lot to see in one day the 1st time.
  • If you plan to go 2 days do take advantage of the 2nd day return tickets.. the prices are way less the 2nd day 1/2 price.
  • NOTE :  The Renaissance Faire can be an eye full.  The weekend we went was pirate weekend and it was cooler.  So I did not notice the a huge amount of women with their chests on display.  But I will let you know from my other friends who have attended there can be alot of cleavage showing.

Events the kids will love :  This is what we saw .. I am sure we missed some.

  • Learning sword play to be a knight
  • Being put in the stockade and the jails boy in a stockade
  • Royal Falconry
  • Don Juan & Miguel early shows are comedy that is fun .. later shows are adult
  • Untrained Dog Showuntrained dogshow
  • Jousting match  –  My daughter thought it was a real story line
  • Meeting the Knights  The Knights were great my daughter loved meeting each one originally she was rooting for the Queens knight but then she met the Pirate King .. whose moto is “Cheat to Win”  He gave her a token of the joust and then kissed her hand.. And said she was a Beautiful Princess .. so she was swooning as much as a 8 year old can be when a King kisses her hand. Knights of the Pa Renfaire
  • Pirate walk to the Dragon house /hatchery for the Dragon raffle  it is after the jousting match .. My daughter got to pull the raffle ticket for one of the Dragons  This is one of the last events,  if you go to this you will miss the final song.

PA Renaissance Faire Ticket Cost

Adults Online: $25.95 – No Convenience Fee!   ($29.95 at the Gate)  (be sure to read my tips above on ticket cost)
Children (Age 5-11): $10.95
Children (under age 5): Free

Royal Pass: $170.00
Season Pass: $100.00
Child Season Pass: $45.00

The PA Renn faire is Saturday and Sunday  from Aug thru October and they change the schedule an performers every weekend so every time is different.

We are excited to return next year and I plan to make my husband and my self a costume as well.  My 12 year old son he said he will take a sword.   Have a great time and All Hail the Queen.

Visit PA Renaissance Fairs website

 

Product Reviews

Walgreens Healthcare Clinic: What to Expect

11 Comments

Disclosure This post is a Sponsored post for Walgreens Healthcare Clinic  and Collective Bias on healthcare options that are convenient and affordable.  I am being compensated for this post but the opinion are all my own.healthcare clinic

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Walgreens Healthcare Clinic.  If you are not familiar with the Walgreens Healthy Care Clinic you should be because they are a re a great alternative to an emergency or even your doctor.  The clinic are open 7 days a week and they are always staffed with trained licensed professional.

Think it is a weekend your doctor is closed and you feel terrible.  Lets face it your not at the point that you want to head ot the ER and be stuck waiting hours. Walgreens Health Care Clinic are a great option.  The Healthcare Professionals are in store every day except for Christmas and New years.  So you can go get the help of a medial professional everyday!  If you work non traditional hours, are new to an area,  because they are open nights and weekends it is a great option.

A great feature of the Walgreens Website in the Healthcare Clinic area  you can look to see how long of a wait time it is to see the doctor so you have an idea before you head over.

How Much does a visit to Walgreens Healthcare Clinic  cost?  they take most insurance and the cost can be a copay amount.  Also if you don’t have medical insurance the cost is $89 .. to see a doctor or nurse practitioner.  I noticed on the web site they are currently offering a special of $39 for back to school physicals.   My doctor charges way more  for a office visit without insurance..like  $165,  and I have to wait to see her over a hour when I had an appointment.  Walgreens Healthcare Clinic are a great option for my family because it is affordable  and convenient .  For family without insurance it is a no brainer,   I myself have been without health care and the Healthcare clinic have been a life saver for my family when it was needed.healthcare clinic

What services does Walgreens Healthcare Clinic offer?

  • Vaccines
  • Wellness visitsSport Physicals
  • Blood pressure screening & counseling ages 18+
  • Cholesterol screening & counseling  ages 18+
  • Diabetes screening & counseling  ages 18+
  • Health screening  ages 18+
  • Health screening with health risk assessment  ages 18-65
  • Influenza A & B testing4
  • PPD/Tuberculosis testing
  • Illness, Aches & Pains
  • Skin Conditions
  • Minor Injuries

Check out the full list here on the Walgreens site Healhcare Clinic Service :

So what to expect at a Walgreens Healthcare Clinic:

When see the Walgreen from the street ,  you will notice a Health Care Clinic sign on the side of the building. walgreens outer building

Then you head inside You can see the Healthcare clinic from the front of the store.   Headback to the clinichealth care clinicHeadback to the clinic.  You check in at the check in kiosk  if needed you can ask for assistance,  if there is a registration helper at the desk.   It is a simple screen to fill out. sign in at a health care clinic

Have a seat someone will be with you. seats at the clinic

If only the Health Care professional is work with a registration helper you might see this sign to tell you someone is there working in the Clinic. sign

So when the Licensed Healthy Care Professional calls you in to see you. What do the rooms look like?   Like any Doctors Office healthcare clinicscale

During my visit I was able to speak with the Registration helper and Nurse Practitioner on staff and I have to say she was a lovely lady.  She let me know she spends about 20 minutes with each patient after  they are registered.  That is great she really takes the time to assess the problem properly.

Other Walgreens Healthcare Clinic Information:

  • Walgreens Healthcare clinic can also forward any information to your regular doctor.
  • If you need a prescription filled you can get it filled else where if you prefer
  • Vaccination are or standard immunization done require  and office visit so you just pay for the shot.

I have to say I was really impressed with the Walgreens Healthcare Clinic It is great to know there is an option for my family in health care when needed.

Parenting, Product Reviews

BJ Wholesale Back to School Deals

BJ_wholesale_001 (104 of 22)Recently I attended BJ Wholesale Club Back to School event.  It was a great day learning about how BJs Wholesale Club can get my family ready for heading back to school.   I was really loving the things I  learned at BJ’s,   Did you know they are the only wholesale club that accepts coupons.  Also you can stack your coupons,  meaning that you can use the BJ offer coupons with your manufactures coupons for dbl savings.. Great right.  The BJ’s coupons are located right near the front door of the store.

Disclosure: BJ was very nice to provide us with great lunch options and a nice backpack filled with marks and back to school items all the opinions in this post are my own.

I also learned that Bj has a ton of healthy options,  like organic and gluten free.organic chips

Bj Wholesale also offer smaller quantity items so if you are buying for the college dorm room or stocking their middle school locker BJ can accommodate your need with the stock items they have.   I love this for a dorm room vintage style ice maker. mini fridge

They also have some great kits for your kids lunch.   The one shown below from Rubbermaid has a cooler pack between the containers. sandwich holder

This lunch kit is Eco lunch kit is collapsible priced $9.99.   I love the idea  for easy storage. eco lunch kit

I love these erasers pencils as a teacher start the year off right gift.. look erasers.earasers for the teachers

For me there was some much need back to school items.  Like there great Deco lint rollers.  At BJ they were$10 for 4 and Target they were $7 for 2 lint rollers.  They are  great keep on in your purse near the front door.   They also had a great pair of boots for $29.99.. lint rollers

Whether you are preparing to head back to school or you have gone back already, BJ’s wants to see your “Back to Cool” top picks – for a chance to win a $250 gift card. Head to the BJ’s Facebook page and choose what you’re preparing for: K—12, college or teaching. Then click and drag six items that you want most in your bundle. After you submit, be sure to enter our BJ’s Wholesale Club contest. They  giving out a $250 gift card each week for 5 weeks.

https://www.facebook.com/bjswholesaleclub/app_49055986436672

Disclosure: BJ was very nice to provide us with great lunch options and a nice backpack filled with marks and back to school items all the opinions in this post are my own.

Parenting, Product Reviews

Sea of Monsters : Movie Review & Book Giveaway

9 Comments

Sea of Monsters : Movie Review This is my family’s review of Sea of monsters. The Character of Percey Jackson returns in the 2nd book and movie of the series  Sea of Monsters. Giveaway of Rick Riordans Books,   National Center Learning Disabilities  has provided me with a box set of the First 3 books of the Percy Series.

PercyJacksonThe basic premiss is that the Half Blood son of Poseidon : Percy  is sent to discover a prophecy and  to save his home camp half blood.  He and his 3 faithful friends head off on a quest to find the gold fleece and save the world.    They travel to the Sea of Monsters on their quests. Along the way, they are met with many characters  from witches, zombies, Cyclops and more  in hopes to find the fleece, save the world and the Olympus gods from destruction from a pre-olympus god.

I have to so say my kids are in love with Rick Riordan books.  So they could not wait to see the Sea of Monsters  movie.  The enjoyed the 1st movie of the series Lighting Thief , Sea of Monsters is the  sequel.  The same actors returned for the lead roles.  Their has been a 3 year span between the original and this movie in the series.  I was concerned the actor Logan Lerman could not pull of a 17 year old boy.   He did not disappoint,  he still had an innocents that made him still prefect for the role.   The actors did look older but it was appropriate, based on the movie story line.

My daughters favorite character returned Alexandra Daddario returned as Annabeth  which made her happy,  For girls Annabeth is a strong character,  she is the daughter of the Goddess of Wisdom  Anabeth  smart, feisty, and beautiful.   In the books she saves the boys from a cursed life ,  that was left out of the movie and both my kids were excited to see her save them,  so yes a little disappointing.  Riordan wrote a strong character my daughter could relate to and the screen writers left her heroism  out to be Saved by a boy in the end.. so read the books.   I did explain to my kids why their favorite part would be left (movie budgets, SGI concerns, movie length) I used it as a teachable moment.. see that is why the book is always better.  (

Many of your others favorite characters return  Like Brandon T Jackson as comic relief satyr  Grover and Percy’s newly found half Cyclops Brother Tyson played by actor Douglas Smith from HBO series Big love.  Smith is loveable and innocent as Tyson and you could not help to love his boyish tendency.

I was pleasantly surprised to see Nathan Fillion  as Hermes.  Fillion is one of my favorite actors on tv Staring in Castle.   He was charming as Hermes and I like seeing him make the jump to the big screen.

Movie Review Sea of Monsters :

All and all the movie was good,  entertaining, and fun to watch with the kids. The effects are great and it is not slow moving at all.  I would say spend your money and see it on the big screen.  GO and SEE IT

Kid it does have fighting, but no real guts.  So I would err on kids under 8 or 9.  I took my son 12 and daughter 8 .. both have read the books,  so it brought the pictures in their heads on the screen. .

Here is my daughter video review of the Movie:

Also here is a trailer of the movie..

So Since I think this is a great book series.  Since Rick Riordon has turn both my kids in to big readers.  I want to offer your kids to read the books. The character of Percy Jackson has dyslexia so does the author of the series Rick Riordan.  Both have inspired children to read. National Center Learning Disabilities  has provided me with a box set of the First 3 books of the Percy Series.

If you suspect your child has a learning disability.  Please visit National Center Learning Disabilities  that are a great place to start learning how to work with schools to get the proper test and help you need to have your childs succeed.   Like a Learning check lists to help  you make the best decision you can and explain the maze that is learning plans.

percy jackson booksI will be sending the books out to the winner.  Contest for a 3 pack Rick Riordan: Percy Jackson series books.    Contest ends Aug 20th. 2013.

HOW TO WIN: Leave a comment on this post to enter the giveaway.

Cooking, Product Reviews

Udis Gluten Free and Meal Planning

14 Comments

udisI was recently asked to try Udis Gluten free products.  When the Udis people sent me the baked products to review,   I was able to try Udis muffins, cookies, bread, fajitas, and pizza dough.  I was not  sure what to expect of gluten free product, I have heard from my gluten free friends that well some gluten free food can be well unpleasant.  I was pleasantly surprised by Udis the food was delicious  and flavorful.

Udis Gluten Free Review

Vanilla Muffins we amazing buttery, moist, and yummy.  I have to let you know the Udis Vanilla muffins were like eating a pound cake they were some of the best muffins I have had a in sometime. udis blueberry muffins

The blueberry muffins we very tasty and my kids really enjoyed the very generous amount of blueberries.  The Udis Snicker Doodles are super yummy.  I allowed the kid to have a few cookies.  I have to admit I hid them so the kids would not eat them all. udis gluten free rolls

My husband has sever psoriasis and it is recommend to go gluten free to help his condition.  We decided to try the  Udis bake goods and try to convince him there are options of great food options when you go gluten free.  The Udis brownie bites defiantly helped to seal the deal.   The Udis brownies are rich and thick and fudge.

I have heard many gluten free people say this is amazing  when referring to something (personally I think they have been eating tasteless food for so long they don’t know what good food is. )  I have to say the Udis food developers really came through, delivering  a great bake good that would make a gluten free person or  any baker proud.   So if you are gluten free or thinking of the option of just plan great tasting bake goods I can recommend Udis.

Meal Planning:

  • Monday: Fish and Rice
  • Tuesday Pasta with meat sauce
  • Wednesday: Grill Night shcaboobs
  • Thursday:  Pizza kids return
  • Friday: tator tot casserole  I am using “crown or flat round”  tater tots

I am linking up to Organizing Junkie Menu Planning Monday

mpm chalkboard

What are you cooking this week?

Crafting, Product Reviews

Crafts: How to use a Rainbow Loom

28 Comments

Crafts Rainbow loom is the latest quick easy kids craft. How to use a rainbow loom, we are going to tell you how and recommend Rainbow Loom Patterns?   Rainbow Looms are the latest trend for kids this summer you use rubber bands, loom, and crochet hooks to make jewelry.   It is a great craft for your kids to make. The kids inner loop small little colorful rubber bands to make crocheted patterns.  The kids are trading the rainbow loom bracelets, think the new type of friendship bands.   Disclosure:this post contains Rainbow Loom Affiliate linksrainbow loom My daughter is loving playing with a rainbow loom it made for hours of fun.  All summer I have watched the girls at the pool use the Rainbow loom.  The child over laps the the small rainbow loom bands in a criss cross pattern, the length of the loom. Then pull the lower rubber band  with the crochet hook, through the upper rubber band causing an interlocking pattern, and use small little c hook to close the bracelets.

Rainbow loomSo on YouTube you can find some great videos of how to make all different Rainbow Looms Bracelets.  You will be amazed with the little girls that do these videos.

My favorite channel is Twistz bands .. which is now owned by Rainbow looms

Here is the link for a Basic Rainbow Loom Single Strand Bracelet Pattern

I love this fishtail pattern Rainbow Loom Bracelet

I made this Bracelet Liberty twist the blue and green one  rainbow_loom bracelet

This is a really  cool butterfly bracelet is fun to make.

My kids kids really loved the Glow in the dark Rainbow Loom Bands.  My daughter keeps on going in the closet to see if the bands glow.  My son has also enjoy making them.  The rainbow loom makes and excellent gift recommend ages is 8+.  I can also recommend visiting AC Moore for a case for the bands the case cost me $1.99, great way to organize your bands.  AC Moore also sells the bands, but they do not carry the Rainbow Loom,  yet.   You can order them through My Amazon link below for Rainbow Looms  and I have also found them at at Hallmark Stores.

Be sure to checkout Myscraps post Rainbow Looms not just for the Girls rainbow loom
girl using Rainbow Loom

Rainbow loomdisclosure affiliate
Get top beauty brands delivered to your door every month with Beauty Box 5. Click Here!
Little Passports

Product Reviews

Nokia 920 vs Iphone 5 Challenge

7 Comments

nokia_920_001 (101 of 9)disclousure statement So recently I had the opportunity to review a Nokia Lumia 920 Windows phone.  Since I currently have a Iphone it was an enlightening comparison. I have to say I really like the Nokia 920.  Most people use their  phones for talking, texting, emails, and as a camera.   They also use it update facebook and maybe twitter.   This phone has what you need and more.  aquarium

Basics it is large than my iphone5.  So the keypad is larger and  Screen is larger.  The Nokia Lumia 920 Touch screens you can use it if you have nails and want to hit it the screen with your nail (front of your nail, side or finger),  so no fumbling to readjust your finger.  The iphone tip of nail works  but not the hard front part of you finger nail it does not.

My first thing I am interested in is the phones camera.  I tried out a Windows phone last year and I have to say I love the actually way you physically  take a picture.  You can use the standard push button but the best thing is the fact you push any where on the screen you want to focus .. it focus simultaneously  takes the picture.  Instead of lining up the shot touching the screen to focus and then push the other button below on the screen to take the picture,  like on an Iphone (be honest I think it is a down fall of the I phone, I don’t like the dbl tap on an iphone).   The picture on the Nokia Lumia 920 are crisper because of the lack of moving your finger to get the shot, one press focus and shoot like a normal camera Point and shoot.  For moms it means when Little Tommy does something just tap the screen and get the shot,  quick and in focus.  Check out my video and I explain further.

Image area is larger when you take a shot: because the Nokia Lumia 920 camera has a Karl Ziess Lens (so you know he makes the best camera lens in the world.) The picture area is larger sharper and better color than my I phone 5.   The Nokia 920 Lumia captures all the colors that are in the picture,  the subtle warm tomes and little details. sand castle

See the gains of sandboy on a beach

Your see the warm tones in the sky and vivid colors int he sky.

I found that the Night pictures without a flash are amazing the Nokia 920 camera reads the light and then adjust to get a great shot.building at night

The Nokia Lumia 920  allows you to use windows apps that will enhance your pictures.

Camera apps:

·         Phototastic(Free) – Create a collage using classic frame borders or choose from one of the film templates like Polaroid, photobooth or filmstrip or try out the new Facebook cover photo frames.

·         PhotoGrid(Free) – Convert your photo collection into amazing collages and share them via Facebook, twitter, email or Weibo.

·         Photosynth (Free) – Photosynth for Windows Phone is the panorama app that makes it easy and fun to capture and share interactive panoramas of the places, people, and events that are important to you.

·         Camera Roll Sync(Free) – With Camera Roll Sync app you can literally do just that – sync your camera roll folder to SkyDrive in high quality.

·         Fhotoroom (Free) – Fhotoroom is a pro camera, photo sharing network and professional mobile photo editor. “Community App Awards Best Photo App of 2012” with over 1.5 million downloads.

·         Pic Stitch($1.49) – Quickly combine multiple photos into one beautifully framed picture. Pic Stitch packs a simple design with a powerful editor to give you everything you could possibly want to make your photo’s simply amazing. Share your masterpiece with all your family and friends with tons of in-app sharing options. Use Pic Stitch to create a before-and-after sequence, combine great photos of each of your kids.

·         Apict ($0.99) – Exclusive to Windows Phone, Apict is a unique app that creates polaroid-inspired images. You can input captions and share with their family and friends on Twitter and Facebook.

 

For  me these pro features have made me rethink whether I am going to carry my big DSLR camera when I go to an event. I like using the Nokia 920 because it small and I put it in my pocket but still get similar quality to my large quality dslr.   Plus the night pictures are better than my Nikon 3200.lavendar

Please see my video,  I did a side by side comparison between the I phone and My Nokia Lumia 920 Windows phone.

This is a Windows phone so it is compatible with your PC computer, and surface tablets.  The other wonderful feature is that is runs Microsoft office so if your files are on the cloud you can update files from your phone and it will update your pc and Microsoft tablet. So seamless coexistence. I think that is an amazing one file 3 places.   What it means is outlook, excel, power-point on your phone.  Seamless compatibility.french toast

Easy to use, it is an operating system that you are familiar  with.   I think the live tiles are practical and you can set the main screen the way you choose, 2nd page apps are alphabetical order,  so easy to find with no digging.  I find lately in the past year..  I don’t use Itunes .. I am a huge fan of Pandora which is in the Windows Store.  All your kids favorite games are also available.  The screen size is large so you enjoying viewing your favorite videos.

Ok so this  a windows phone  it does not have the apps of an Iphone.  Microsoft is quickly working with developers on apps, and have many already. So for a heavy social media user who runs Instagram, Pinterest, Vine, Social Cam –  these apps are not available yet on the windows platform.  But …  I ask again what is you phone being used for? A Phone, texting, searching the web, gps, facebook/twitter updates, games,   camera, Pandora,  and video camera.   Windows Phones have everything you need  with the better camera. As a mom I really want a phone that captures my life.  I think the Windows Nokia Lumia 920 does that better than an I phone. girls on a beach

I have to say I was really impressed about the Nokia Lumia 920.  It is a great phone with an outstanding camera   Many people both moms and dad I showed the Nokia Lumia too Love the idea of using microsoft office seamless, and a great camera.   I think for the everyday cellular phone user the Nokia Lumia 920 is the best option for capturing life.   Because kids are bright and vivid shouldn’t your photos reflect that.

swans kids at a race track girl in a lavender field

Please note that the Nokia 920 and 928 have the same camera.

 

Cooking, Product Reviews

How to Make Mozzarella and Weekly meal Planning

8 Comments

 

How to make Homemade MozzarellaHow to Make Mozzarella . I love cheese.  I would eat it on everything is possible. So I decided to learn how to make cheese. I goggled how to make it and came across many sites.  My favorite was New England Cheese Making Company. It is a small company that prides themselves on the art of cheese making.  The New England cheese making company was nice enough to send me a cheese making kit to review to try making my own cheese.

The kit is great 30 Minute Mozzarella and Ricotta Kit arrived and I was so excited to try.  I used a gallon of whole milk. and tools provided in the kit.   I made the cheese on vacation don the shore  and it was super easy.  The kit contained everything I needed to make cheese except for milk, water and pots.   The kit contained Dairy Thermometer (E3), 1yd re-useable Butter Muslin, Citric Acid (C13), Vegetable Rennet Tablets (R4), Cheese Salt (S1) and Recipe Booklet.  The instruction book was very well done and easy to follow.  Below is a glimpse of my experience. I do recommend buying the kit to start and check in out the New England Cheese making site  Cheesemaking.com  for full details and the science on the art of cheese making. cheese making kit It was great seeing the curd separate fro the whey, it looks like custard. curds and wheyI thought when I drained off the whey the curds were not done but I continued.  Turned out not to be a problem. cheese making curdsThen you have to dip the Curd in hot water 185 degrees then pull the curd while hot to make the long stringy fiber and add salt while doing so this is the part I opted to do smaller batches,   because it was hot hot.. I have no pictures of this step because no one was there to take pictures (my husband slept on the couch it was late) .  Rickis the NewEngland companies owner  instructions cover the cheese pulling this step, very throughtly. making cheese

It took me about an hour because the pot of water did not heat up quickly and I made 2 small batches since I was worried I could not make it all at the same time. How to Make Mozzarella. Also  I did not add salt to the 1st batch and it needed it.  The 2nd batch  was supper yummy,   Such a fun treat to have with your summer tomatoes.

I can really recommend the New England cheese making kit.  It has everything you need and great instruction how to make cheese.  The Basic Cheese  kit I use cost $24.95 and it makes up to 30 lb of cheese.  The tablets keep forever if stored in the freezer. cheeseHave you every tried making your own cheese?  How did it turn out?

Weekly Meal Plan :

Monday Chicken BBQ with salted potatoes

Tues: Mozzarella pizza with fresh basil and tomatoes

Wednesday: Spaghetti  and sausage

Thursday:  4th of July picnic

Friday Making cookies and pickles for weekend picnic so fend for yourself night.

I am linking up to Organizing Junkie Menu Planning Monday

mpm chalkboard

 

 

Product Reviews, Travel

Caesars and JerseyLove

3 Comments

So if you recall  in the other post I wrote I went to Ac for the Jersey Love trip.  You know that the team of women donated $5k to the Belmar displaced families.   The trip could not be possible if it was not for our generous sponsors.

Caesars Entrainment sponsored all 40 of the women on the trip I want to show.  Why you need to visit the NJ shore.  Many of the small business are hurting  from Hurricane Sandy  like I expressed in my other posts.  Take note Also the large companies to need to make sure their business stay strong the reason is because the employee many people in the New Jersey area.

So if you want an amazing Adult weekend   Caesars AC does not disappoint.  One of the most accommodates AC resorts with top notch service and amenities.   Here is a glimpse of the rooms we stayed in .

The food at Caesars  represents the best the world has to offer.   I dined at the Atlantic and had Diver sea scallops that were the best I have ever had.  My dinning partners had filet mignon that  they said was like butter and cooked to perfection.

We also were treated to a sampling of Atlantic City Food and Wine Festival.  In the Harahs night club space at the Pool.  Which is rated as the one of the top best clubs in the US. We danced there one night and I have to say it is an amazing space See the picture below. The Festival will be held July 25-28th.  Headlined by Rocco DiSpirito.  Tickets are still available for the Wine and Food Festival.  During our Tasting  We will were able to try to a variety of different food samples.   Like Red velvet Cake pops, Crab cakes, ceviche,  Black Bean Empanadas.

jerseylove_001 (136 of 64)
jerseylove_001 (139 of 64)

So if you want to pick a great weekend to visit Ac the Food and Wine festival is a great event to eat and drink.

The other amazing meal I had was the Sunday Morning Brunch at Atlantic in Caesars.  Let talk the best brunch I have every had.  Crêpe Station, Omelet station, Crab and seafood station, Sushi, Prime rib, chocolate fountain and more.. I was in Heaven.. foodies dream because it was not your typical brunch.

jerseylove_001 (119 of 23)jerseylove_001 (117 of 23)jerseylove_001 (121 of 23)jerseylove_001 (120 of 23)

So if you would like to experience a great fun Adult weekend.  I highly recommending visiting Atlantic city for the beach, pampering and food.  If you would like to see all the Photos from my trip to AC and Belmar  check out my Flickr Page for JerseyLove.

Thank you to Caesars Entertainment for allowing all of us to come to AC and give back to the Jersey Shore. It was a wonderful experience.

Product Reviews

Weird and Wacky Contraption Lab Review and Giveaway

2 Comments

kids gameWeird and Wacky Contraption Lab is a great toy.  It kept my kids entertained for hours.  I took it out the 1st time to entertain my nieces, nephews and my children. The played in teams and each team had about 1/2 each to play with it. The ages were from 8-15 and all wanted to build.  Think of the old game mouse trap but build on a vertical and it actually worked.  It is all about the building no board game play required.kids came peice

The Kit comes with 2 boards that stand about 2 feet and 60 pieces and 4 balls. The pieces attach with a loop and stick (velcro type substance to the felt boards) .  You build the ball puzzle trying to get the flying pig launch in the end. We left he set up in the living room and my kids would make slight modification over the week.flying pig game peice

Here is a video my son did explaining how it works.

The Cost is $39.99 at smartlabtoys.com or amazon.

Winner of top toy Pick 2012!

Ages 8 up –  My daughter loved it as much as my son!

You have to push the pieces on firmly and also it takes time to get the peices lined up to shoot so that is why I do recommend following the age level and 8 on up.

Note: Watch the metal balls with younger kids.  the ball tend to roll fast under stuff.  Like the fridge. (try a maganet on a ruler to get the balls out from under the fridge- my sons advice)

Best thing no batteries need for this toy just problem solving skills.

Smart Labs is giving-away one of my readers just fill out the Rafflecopter form.
a Rafflecopter giveaway