EZ Thoughts

Microwave Oven Ratings: The Top Nuker

Because I have an existing trim kit, getting a particular microwave oven size is extremely important to me. Unfortunately, Sharp microwave keeps changing its models. Fortunately, this one not only fits perfectly, but it has more features than the last one. And, it is less expensive. And, it works faster. The good: fast, attractive, lots of features, big. The bad: nothing really, except my wife wishes the buttons were slightly larger. I think microwave oven ratings are needed to know what of the few products that get better and cost less with time. Highly recommended ratings.

The thermostat on my stove died with a lukewarm casserole in the oven and dinner guests arriving. I had to transfer the potatoes, chicken and cheese into two round baking dishes and then I cooked each for 8 minutes in my new Sharp microwave. My Chicken & Potato Mexican Casserole was perfect, my dinner party was saved and I love my Sharp Carousel Microwave! Also, this is my third microwave and the first one that makes a perfect bag of popcorn – no scorch and all the kernels popped. Everything about this purchase was exceptional rating- it even arrived a day early.

Black Microwave Oven: Full Sized East Meal Preparation

With a 1-3/5-cubic-foot capacity and 1250 watts of power, this full-sized black microwave oven provides quick and easy meal preparation. The black microwave automatic 15-inch turntable ensures even heating, while its one-touch sensor cooking adjusts power levels and calculates cooking times automatically, making reheating and cooking a variety of foods easier than ever. A pulsing delivery of very low microwave power keeps food temperature at a constant level — without overcooking; the improved keep-warm menu now includes five items, so foods like stew, gravy, and desserts remain warm in the black microwave oven until they’re ready to be served.

In addition, the black microwave’s menu-action screen adds to the overall convenience. It scrolls step-by-step cooking instructions across the display in English, Spanish, or French, while the function key simplifies the programming of 10 useful, non-cooking functions. Just press the function key and the menu-action screen will display the steps necessary to complete the desired function.

Flexible Cutting Board: Plastic Chopping Boards From France

This package of flexible plastic cutting boards from MIU France protects your countertop, simplifies food safety, and stores in any narrow slot of extra kitchen space. Though the flexible cutting board are flat, they have ample surface area and can be used on either side. MIU France recommends designating the colors according to food category to prevent cross-contamination–yellow for poultry, green for produce, and red for raw meat. Once food is chopped or diced, you can pick up the flexible cutting board, curl it to contain the pieces, and transfer them cleanly to bowls or pots. Safe in the dishwasher, each board measures 11 by 15 inches.

Color coded for different food groups to minimize cross-contamination and to protect countertops. Blue for fish, red for meats, yellow for poultry, green for vegetables and white for general purposes. The flexible boards curl easily to transfer chopped food directly into the bowl, pot or pan. Each board measures 15-inches by 11-inches. Top shelf, dishwasher safe.

Slow Cooker Cookbooks: Your Mom Knew How To Cook In Crock Pots

According to the authors, 80% of American households own a slow cooker. This whopping collection of 350 recipes is reason enough to unearth that Crock-Pot from the attic or invest in one of the new high-tech models. The title, however, is a misnomer, and not just because the book includes a recipe for "Mom’s Beef Stew." Much of what Hensperger (The Bread Bible) and Kaufmann (coauthor, with Hensperger, of The Ultimate Rice Cooker Cookbook) present is exactly the kind of comfort food typically associated with childhood snow days or family gatherings. To use the word "hearty" in describing these slow cooker cookbooks recipes is to state the obvious. There are more than a dozen oatmeals and porridges, ranging from Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal to Creamy Cornmeal Porridge.

Cookbook recipes include Vegetarian Split Pea, French Onion, and White Bean with Bacon. Twenty-four types of baked beans are mere prelude for the 14 chili options, including "Senator Barry Goldwater’s Arizona Chili" (which gives new meaning to the phrase "bowl of red"). Other recipes are for poultry, meat and fish dishes, and New and Old World dishes are plentiful. The only letdown is the "Not-from-the-Slow Cooker Accompaniments" chapter, with its uninspired choices like Baked Rice, and Mixed Green Salad. But the concluding pages, full of puddings and fruit desserts, atone with sinful treats like Chocolate Peanut Butter Pudding Cake and Rum-Butterscotch Bananas.

Best Slow Cooker: Hamilton Beach Delivers A Digital Beast

Enjoy healthy, home-cooked meals even with a busy schedule thanks to this easy-to-use programmable 6-quart best slow cooker. Simply add ingredients to the unit’s oval-shaped stoneware pot, insert the pot into the electric base, and select one of three automatic-cooking options–program, manual, or probe–using the flat-panel push-button control panel with digital display. Especially convenient when away from home, program mode cooks for a specified amount of time, then automatically shifts to keep-warm so food doesn’t overcook. Manual mode allows this best slow cooker for selecting high or low heat settings–great for slow cooking the traditional way without setting the time or for heating up previously cooked food.

When slow cooking a large cut of meat or using a recipe that requires food to reach a certain temperature, use the probe mode. The included thermometer probe takes the guesswork out of slow cooking. After reaching the desired internal food temperature, the slow cooker automatically shifts to keep-warm. The thoughtfully designed slow cooker also provides attractive stainless-steel housing, power-interrupt protection, a clip-on spoon, a clip-tight gasket lid, and full-grip handles for safe transport.

Rival Slow Cookers: The Original Crockpots

When set on low for all-day simmering, this cooker from the makers of the original Rival Slow Cooker Crock Pot slowly tenderizes meat, turning even budget cuts into juicy meals. A modest 3-1/2-quart size, the oval-shaped crock holds enough chicken, beef, stew or soup for two to three people. The temperature knob has three settings: off, low, and high. The Rival slow cookers, which lifts from the base for cleaning, features a rinse-clean, lifetime stick-resistant coating. As long as extreme changes in temperature are avoided, such as placing in cold water when hot, the crock should give years of service. Both the Rival crock and lid are dishwasher-safe. Rival offers a one-year warranty that covers this slow cooker from defects.

Microwave Oven Ratings: The Top Nuker

Because I have an existing trim kit, getting a particular microwave oven size is extremely important to me. Unfortunately, Sharp microwave keeps changing its models. Fortunately, this one not only fits perfectly, but it has more features than the last one. And, it is less expensive. And, it works faster. The good: fast, attractive, lots of features, big. The bad: nothing really, except my wife wishes the buttons were slightly larger. I think best microwave oven rating reviews are needed to know what of the few products that get better and cost less with time. Highly recommended ratings.

The thermostat on my stove died with a lukewarm casserole in the oven and dinner guests arriving. I had to transfer the potatoes, chicken and cheese into two round baking dishes and then I cooked each for 8 minutes in my new Sharp microwave. My Chicken & Potato Mexican Casserole was perfect, my dinner party was saved and I love my Sharp Carousel Microwave! Also, this is my third microwave and the first one that makes a perfect bag of popcorn – no scorch and all the kernels popped. Everything about this purchase was exceptional rating- it even arrived a day early.

Black Microwave Oven: Full Sized East Meal Preparation

With a 1-3/5-cubic-foot capacity and 1250 watts of power, this full-sized black microwave oven provides quick and easy meal preparation. The black microwave automatic 15-inch turntable ensures even heating, while its one-touch sensor cooking adjusts power levels and calculates cooking times automatically, making reheating and cooking a variety of foods easier than ever. A pulsing delivery of very low microwave power keeps food temperature at a constant level — without overcooking; the improved keep-warm menu now includes five items, so foods like stew, gravy, and desserts remain warm in the best black microwave ovens reviews until they’re ready to be served.

In addition, the black microwave’s menu-action screen adds to the overall convenience. It scrolls step-by-step cooking instructions across the display in English, Spanish, or French, while the function key simplifies the programming of 10 useful, non-cooking functions. Just press the function key and the menu-action screen will display the steps necessary to complete the desired function.

Flexible Cutting Board: Plastic Chopping Boards From France

This package of flexible plastic cutting boards from MIU France protects your countertop, simplifies food safety, and stores in any narrow slot of extra kitchen space. Though the flexible cutting board are flat, they have ample surface area and can be used on either side. MIU France recommends designating the colors according to food category to prevent cross-contamination–yellow for poultry, green for produce, and red for raw meat. Once food is chopped or diced, you can pick up the best flexible cutting boards reviews, curl it to contain the pieces, and transfer them cleanly to bowls or pots. Safe in the dishwasher, each board measures 11 by 15 inches.

Color coded for different food groups to minimize cross-contamination and to protect countertops. Blue for fish, red for meats, yellow for poultry, green for vegetables and white for general purposes. The flexible boards curl easily to transfer chopped food directly into the bowl, pot or pan. Each board measures 15-inches by 11-inches. Top shelf, dishwasher safe.

Swiss Army Pocket Knife: Delivers The Goods

From the renowned company that created the Swiss Army Knife a century ago comes the Swiss Army Classic pocketknife, a compact set of tools for campers, hikers, and boy scouts. Measuring 2-1/4 inches long, the Classic is stylishly cased in a timeless solid-colored housing with the familiar Victorinox logo on the side. More importantly, the unit contains all the classic Swiss Army tools, including a small blade for cutting, a pair of mini scissors, a nail file with a screwdriver tip, a toothpick, tweezers, and a key ring. As with all Victorinox items, the Swiss Army Pocket Knife is made to exacting standards, with dozens of steps going into its construction. Victorinox attends to every detail, from selecting the finest materials to performing the final inspection. In addition, each individual tool has been hardened in a different way to stand up to its designated use. As with all Victorinox multi-tools, the Classic carries a lifetime warranty.

Coffee People K Cups: Tasty, Rich And Bold

To cut to the chase, this produces a very good MEDIUM roast style cup of coffee…period. Some folks tend to compare all coffees to one another no matter what the bean is and how it’s roasted. I do roast my own green beans (home roaster) when I brew a pot of coffee every morning and use the K-Cups when only a single cup is needed. If you don’t like that ‘in your face’ dark roast, dense, heavy style of coffee in the morning (or any time for that matter) this is definitely the coffee for you. It’s not bitter, a bit floral, with a true pure coffee taste. Does it match Dunkin Donuts style coffee in taste? I’d say YES to that when using the middle cup size setting on the Coffee People K Cups Keurig brewer….which I use for folks that take milk in their cup, I use the larger cup setting because I drink my coffee black and like that taste profile.

Toaster Egg Poacher

Make delicious egg-and-muffin sandwiches at home in about four minutes with this multi-function toaster. The appliance can toast up to four slices of bread, English muffins, bagels, or croissants, while it simultaneously steam-poaches eggs and warms pre-cooked meat. It can also hard- or soft-boil up to eight eggs at a time thanks to the included egg basket. In addition to heating up pre-cooked meat, the two included meat trays can be used to heat slices of tomato or pineapple to accompany toast or a breakfast sandwich–the options are endless. The toaster egg poacher dual control panel allows for selecting from egg/toast, toast, and egg functions; bagel and defrost settings; and light to dark shade control. Other highlights include self-centering guides, a high-lift function for safely removing smaller bread types, a cool-touch exterior, a crumb tray for quick clean-up, and cord storage to help keep countertops tidy.

Breville BJE200XL 700-Watt Compact Juice Fountain

Enjoy an 8-ounce cup of juice in just five seconds thanks to the unique cyclonic system of this full-function juice fountain. Its 700-watt motor operates at 14,000 RPM for maximum extraction and fast results. The unit features a stabilizing dual knife assembly, which centers fruits or vegetable over the cutter and filter, minces them into minute particles, and forces them against the stainless-steel micro-mesh filter, all of which increases yield by 30 percent and produces results 10 times faster than other juice extractors. The filter and cutter system are so powerful that pineapple can be juiced with the rind on. Another thoughtful detail includes the Breville BJE200XL 700-Watt Compact Juice Fountain extra-large 3-inch centered feed tube that allows for juicing whole fruits and vegetables. Plus, the unit’s easy-to-clean internal pulp container assembles in seconds and juices 1-1/2 quarts of apple juice before it needs to be emptied.

Omron HJ-112 Digital Pocket Pedometer

The Omron HJ-112 Pocket Pedometer is an advanced, high-tech pedometer that–thanks to unique dual sensor technology–can be carried in your pocket or bag. Now you can just drop your digital pocket pedometer in your purse to find out how much exercise you get in a typical day of work, errands, and other tasks. Of course, you can also attach it to your belt like a traditional pedometer. The Omron pedometer large, easy-to-read LCD display can separately display aerobic steps and minutes walked more than 10 minutes continuously, so you always have the information you need right in front of you. Meanwhile, a seven day history lets you review a full week of exercise. The Omron HJ-112 Digital Pocket Pedometer also resets at midnight automatically so it’s ready to go every morning. Of course, the device can also function as a handy and highly accurate clock. It also comes with a detachable belt holder and security strap so it’s always close at hand.

Nike Tour 2 Mixed Recycled B-Grade Experienced Professional Golf Balls

Mid to high handicappers are often reluctant to buy high-quality golf balls because they know they’ll lose a few during any given round. Enter this Nike Tour 2 Mixed Recycled B-Grade Experienced Professional Golf Balls bag of mixed, recycled B-grade balls, which lets average players play the best balls at a fraction of their original price. Each of the 60 balls in the bag is in fair to good condition, although they may be slightly off color or have small cosmetic abrasions. As a result, the balls play almost as good as the brand-new versions, but won’t hurt your wallet each time you drive one into the drink. (Your pride may be a different story, however.) The balls–which blend an assortment of Nike Tour 2 Professional Golf Balls different models–come in a reusable mesh drawstring bag.

Bushnell Powerview 8×21 Compact Folding Roof Prism Binocular

Bushnell PowerView binoculars offer the best of both worlds, combining contemporary styling and design with traditional Bushnell quality and durability. This particular Bushnell PowerView binocular offers an 8x magnification and a 21mm objective diameter. The fully coated optics, meanwhile, guarantee superior light transmission and brightness, helping you see just about any target, whether you’re searching for birds or trying to get a better view of the stage. And users will love the easy-to-use center focusing system, which adjusts quickly to keep your subject in sharp view. Additional features include in the Bushnell Powerview 8×21 Compact Folding Roof Prism Binocular, a nonslip rubber armor housing that absorbs shock while providing a firm grip, a neck strap and a carrying case for easy transport, and 9mm of eye relief.

Allen Tension Bar Bicycle Cross Bar Adaptor

Very handy bicycle cross bar item for multiple bikes on a rack. Keeps from having one bike tilted at an awkward position from the other(s). Very easy to use, just be careful as the spring tension can fool you and you can get a finger pinched. It only took one pinch and now I can set the bikes up like a pro. This Allen Tension Bar Bicycle Cross Bar Adaptor is very stout and capable of staying in place. I use it to mount two expensive Treks and feel confident the bikes will stay in place at 70mph on highway. When I picked up my new Treks, the service tech commented on the quality of the bar and asked who makes it, (Allen of course)where I got it etc…he was impresssed of it’s quality. The rubber end coatings interface well and won’t harm bikes’ finishes. Both my treks have different frame configurations, the bar adjusted easily. A tension bar cross bar adaptor that lives up the hype.

Speedo Women’s Vanquisher Swim Goggle

Make a fashion statement as you cut through the water with the competition-quality, pastel-colored Women’s Vanquisher swim goggle from Speedo. The anti-fog, polycarbonate lens is shatter-resistant, has a pearlescent mirrored finish, and is UV protected. The soft silicone lens gaskets sit in a low profile on your face and offer cushioned protection. For a more comfortable swim and to avoid water intake, choose the right size of nose piece from the three provided. Speedo Women’s Vanquisher Swim Goggle line of competition swim speedo goggles are designed for the serious competitor. Made from the highest-quality materials available, their low-profile design will give any swimmer the competitive advantage. Check these speedo women’s goggles out today.

Schwinn Air Driver 1000 Floor Pump

Since this is just a floor air pump, I guess there is not much to say except that it works well. I use it to pump air into my bike tires, which have been getting flat a lot lately. It works perfectly fine. Nothing bad to say about it. It doesn’t tell you how much air is in what ever you are pumping in, so it may not be perfect for basketballs and such. But I suspect most people can just get the feel of their tires or balls and pump accordingly. For me, it’s simple and good enough for my Schwinn Air Driver 1000 Floor Pump needs. This Schwinn Air Driver 1000 arrived unusable, so I can’t comment on it’s performance. I can say that the hose end fitting is made of plastic. It was received broken, snapped off at the pump base.