Dual Julienne and Vegetable Peeler Review

Most of our meals are home cooked. Daddy's peels veggies to steam on one counter, and I peel veggies on the other counter to make a salad. We use peelers a lot in our kitchen.

Either both peelers are in use, or both peelers are dirty.

I just got a fancy peeler to review. It's Dual Julienne and Vegetable Peeler made by: Priority Chef.

I've never used such a fancy peeler. All the peelers I've ever used have been a side peeler. It did take me a minute to get used to something that has different sides, and peels from the front. Once I got the hang of it, it was handy. I know I wouldn't let Mica or Isaak use it. Mica peels his own veggies sometimes. We haven't attempted this step with Isaak. It's very sharp. Certainly an adult utensil.

• One side of the kitchen tool has a vegetable peeler that can peel in both directions. 

• The other side has a julienne tool that create julienned vegetables in seconds.

 

You can peel in thin slices, big slices, and it has a little thing on the side that will remove eyes out of potatoes.

The Priority Chef dual julienne and vegetable peeler has ultra sharp blades and can peel vegetables quicker than ever.

• The tool is made of stainless steel.

• Is dishwasher safe, although it will last longer if it is washed by hand. I did think it was a little difficult to wash. Peelings were stuck in the sharp blades.

• Included with the purchase is an eBook that gives instructions, and a list of recipes to get started.

• It's $19.95, but on sale for $9.95 on Amazon.

So far we've used it to peel potatoes, and make potato ribbons.

Then I've used it to peel, and make carrot ribbons for a stir fry. I'm big into throwing carrots, onion, snap peas, and pepper in a pan with a little oil, adding raw cashews, and a little ginger for a quick side. It's good, and takes little time to do it.

What kind of peeler do you have?

A) A Front One - Like the one shown with different capabilities

B) A Side One - With only peeling as an option

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Stainless Steel Veggie Steamer Review

We've had a steamer for about 12 years now. It was looking run down. It's been accidentally left in the water too many times. We have another steamer that came to fit inside a big pot. We often times use more than one steamer when it's breakfast time. One to boil some eggs, and another to steam some greens. It seems like one, or both steamers are always in use.

I've been wanting to replace the smaller steamer that we've had for 12 years. It's served it's purpose.

Luckily I got a new Sunsella Stainless Steel Vegetable Steamer to review. 

It folds up smaller than my other one. I love that it's more compact, and expands to fit a lot of different sized pots. The diameter 5.3" - 9.25", and the height range (legs included) 2" - 3.35".

Things You Can Make in a Steamer:

• Vegetables
• Fruits 
• Eggs
• Seafood (fish, mussels, crabs, and clams)
• Dumplings
• Meat and Chicken   
• Some Desersts
• Making Baby Food
• More...

  
About Sunsella Stainless Steel Vegetable Steamer

• It's 100% high-grade stainless steel. That includes the legs.
• It wont rust like the cheaper aluminum versions. 
• The center post and legs are attached. No assembly is required.
• It's easy to remove from many sizes of pans with a custom designed central ring. The ring on our old one was not as nice as this one.   
• Your veggies stay tender, and have a perfect crunch at the same time. 
• It's $24 and it's marked down to $11.99 on Amazon. That really is a steel in my book; for how much we use a steamer in our house.

What We Thought 

I thought it worked great! I used it to make broccoli, and hard boiled eggs. I want to use it to make gluten free chicken and dumplings soon. Will it just sit in our kitchen and not get used? Nope! We'll used it a lot. The only difficulty I had was getting pictures for my readers - you. The broccoli kept steaming up my lens. I just waited a bit, and got a photo.
 

Do you use a steamer in your kitchen? What do you use it for?

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

WW: Indie Birthday Party {Linky}

My son Mica loves Indiana Jones. For his 9th birthday party along with the other birthdays close to his, I made an Indie poster. Mica is Indie, my sister Terra is Willie Scott, and my husband Travis is Short Round.

Mica got all in character. He was dressed to look just like Indiana Jones at 7 AM, when the party didn't start until 12 PM. It took a few test shots (his words) to make sure his hat was just right.

Mica was a little irritated that his Dad wouldn't dress up like Short Round, and his Aunt wouldn't dress up like Willie Scott.

He put the movie in just to have the intro play in a loop. You could say I was sick of hearing that after 30 minutes. It did make me smile though.

As soon as my parent's got there Mica posed at the door. My Dad opened up his trap and said, "Who are you a cowboy." He just about crushed Indie's little heart.

The kids were of course playing Indiana Jones in the backyard. They were pretending Natzi's were after them.

My Aunt Becky got him an Indiana Jones book, and activity book. She was excited that she found them for a $1 each. Then she put money in the pages. Mica said, "I really am rich now." They were dollar bills. He got a few Lego sets, and some books he wanted.

Here's part of the family:

I couldn't even fit them all in the shot. My small house + 19 people = fun and chaos. It's a good thing it was warm outside. The kids ate outside, and played on the Slip n Slide.

Usually I decorate an elaborate cake with the kid's theme on it. Not this year. Mica wanted Cheese Cake. Hey less work for me. :)

Please enter this low entry giveaway a DVD giveaway for Nebraska Land and Sky.

Made in Nature Review

Awhile ago I won a box of healthy snacks from Made in Nature on Facebook!

Sometimes when I win something I'm excited about, I ask if the company would like for me to review their products on my blog?

They wanted me to feature their products.

Last week I got the box of snacks on my doorstep.

I'm the dried fruit lover in our house. It's not something I get often. I think Organic Apple Cinnamon Fusion is really good!

The box comes with individual serving sizes. I like when snacks are broken up this way because I don't eat more than I should. When a full box, or bag is sitting there with a snack in it, I eat more than I should. It isn't until I'm done snacking that I think about how many calories I just ate.

One thing I've been really good about at work is eating nothing from the vending machine. Carbs that people bring in as treats are a no no to. Organic Apple Cinnamon Fusion is a great snack that I can have on days when I'm at work. It seems like 3:30 rolls around, and I'm just ready for something to snack on.

About Organic Apple Cinnamon Fusion: 

• 5-Pack for $6.99 and 18-Pack for $23.99 1oz. Bags
• USDA certified organic
• Non-GMO Project Verified
• No Sugar Added
• No synthetic pesticides or herbicides
• No Sulfur Added
• No Artificial colors, flavors or additives
• No Gluten
• No Nuts
• Vegan
• Kosher OU
• A great snack for work, or for the lunch box
• Their packaging rocks

I now can snack without guilt. 

Made in Nature also sent me two kinds of Purely Elizabeth Granola.

I've been serving a small ramekin with Purely Elizabeth for each of us at breakfast.

The first time I served it Daddy rolled his eyes. All three boys were complaining that I had granola at their spots.

The next thing I heard was, "WOW this is really good!" from all 3 of them. It is really good. 

I got Cranberry Pecan and Purely Elizabeth's Original granola.

About Purely Elizabeth Granola:

It's great alone, or on top of yogurt, or ice cream. I've only had it alone, and on top of rice milk ice cream.

• Quinoa is an ancient grain that is in the ingredients. It's a grain loaded with protein
• Amaranth is high in b vitamins
• Chia Seeds have omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and fiber
• Raw Virgin Coconut Oil contains medium-chain fatty acids that get used as energy rather than stored as fat. Plus it's anti-viral and has anti-microbial properties
• Gluten Free Certified
• Vegan Certified
• Non-GMO Project Verified
• Free of Refined Sugar
• Soy Free
• Organic Ingredients When Possible - Made with Over 70% Organic Ingredients - Certified Orgaic Through Organic Certifiers
• Good for you Fats
• Sweetened with Organic Coconut Sugar, a Low-Glycemic, Nutrient Rich Sweetener
• No Artificial Colors or Flavors
• Hand Baked with Artisan Love
• 12 oz is $7.99/bag, and one case: Six 12 ounce bags is $40.00

Check out Made in Nature:

• On Facebook
• On Twitter
• On Pinterest
• Their Blog

 They have healthy recipes posted on their blog. You have to check it out.

Thank you Made in Nature for the products!

Disclaimer: The opinions on the post are my personal take on the product. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review. I did get products to help with this review. 

As Long as They are Good

My boys are getting better with shopping.

They no longer pretend the cart is The Polar Express. They used to yank the seat belt and say, "Stop the train! We're on ice!" Then make train sounds all throughout the store. At first that was cute. It didn't take long before that was annoying! Especially when they'd yank the belt, while I was trying to push. Strangers would walk by, and giggle at the boys.

They've generally been good with not having tempers in the store. If they ever wanted anything I would say, "Ok that does look like a nice toy. Let's put that on your birthday list." Then after their birthday it was a Christmas list. I would actually get paper out, and write it down. They seemed satisfied of the idea that someday they'd get that toy. Soon enough they'd forget about that toy anyhow.

There was a time where Mica was in general careless about where he went, and would run away. I had to watch him like a hawk. I was so worried he'd run into a little old lady, or a little old man. He would sometimes yell out, "You can't catch me I'm the Gingerbread Man!" I'd run over, and grab him in the football hold.

They would pick on each other in the stores sometimes. This summer that to got better.

I think over all compared to other kids, my kids are pretty well behaved. There's no crying, or yelling in the stores. Sometimes there was singing. That's better than crying, or yelling in my book.

For awhile I'd give the boys packaging for things we buy. I'd cut out just the title/label out of a box. They were their coupons. They'd have to look for those things. They liked to feel important.

It's nice when there's small carts for them to put things in. I absolutely hate the big gigantic car carts. My kids would see other kids ride them, and whine to me that they wanted to ride one to. I was firm with my, "NO!" They are hard to steer, look germy, and most of the time they have signs on them that tells you, you can't leave them outside. How's that going to work with kids? "Ok you stay here in the car, while I go take this monster of a car cart back in the store." I don't think so!

Yesterday when we were waiting in line the boys were trying to show me how to jump, and twist. Daddy thought it was crazy I was letting them twist jump. I was just happy they were happy. There was no body behind us. If there was, I would have told them to knock it off right away.

I think as a parent you have to choose your battles sometimes. Kids are going to be kids.