How many of us have knives in our kitchen drawers that won't even cut a tomato? I know I did until we bought a few really good knives.
According to Cook's Illustrated, they rated some of their favorites and you would be surprised at the cost of their first place choice. Below I listed their favorites and the price.
1. Victorinox Fibrox 8" Chef's Knife - $24.95
This lightweight knife can outperform heavier more expensive blades. It's pronounced curve gives it great maneuverability.
2. Wusthof Classic 10" Bread Knife - $109.95
This uniformly spaced, moderately sized serrations on this knife excelled at sliced through food quickly and easily.
3. Wusthof Classic with PEtec 3 1/2" Paring Knife - $39.95
The knife is nimble and precise with its thin, slightly curved blade, pointed tip, and comfortable grip.
4. Victorinox Fibrox 12" Granton Edge Slicing Knife - $39.95
This knife has a tapered 12" blade with scallops that prevent sticking. It's perfect for slicing large cuts of meat.
5. Masamoto VG-10 Gyutou -$18
Tis hybrid has a slim, sharp tip and a acutely tapered blade, which makes it feel especially light as well as slightly flexible.
The above comments are those of Cook's Illustrated. I personally think all you need is a good Chef's knife and paring knife. When you have a good knife, it sure makes being in the kitchen a litter nicer!
Now you have to keep those knives sharp. The best manual sharpener is the Accusharp Knife and Tool Sharpener -$7.99. This sharpener sharpened at a fraction of the cost of an electric sharpener..
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
VACUUM CLEANERS
Here's another Consumer Reports article on Upright Vacuums. How many times have you needed a new vacuum and you head to Walmart and pick one off the shelf only to have it shoot the dirt back at you! I have listed below the best uprights according to Consumer Reports and also listed their CR Best Buy. These blend performance and value.
Best Uprights for Most
Hoover WindTunnel Anniversary Edition U6485-900 - $230
Miele S7210 Twist - $475
Kenmore Progressive 31069 - $200
Eureka Boss Smart Vac 4870 - $160
All four bagged models are fine for pet hair. The first is self-propelled. The second is pricier but quieter and better on pet hair. The third weighs the least and the last costs even less but lacks suction control and gives up some airflow and handling ease. The last is in slot 13, while the Hoover was rated number one! I think it is worth it to spend a little more money and get the vacuum rated number one by CR.
FYI - The Dyson is a bagless vacuum and was rated 24th, 40th and 41st place depending on which model was tested. These range in cost from $430 to $600!! Doesn't sound like a great deal to me!
Best Uprights for Most
Hoover WindTunnel Anniversary Edition U6485-900 - $230
Miele S7210 Twist - $475
Kenmore Progressive 31069 - $200
Eureka Boss Smart Vac 4870 - $160
All four bagged models are fine for pet hair. The first is self-propelled. The second is pricier but quieter and better on pet hair. The third weighs the least and the last costs even less but lacks suction control and gives up some airflow and handling ease. The last is in slot 13, while the Hoover was rated number one! I think it is worth it to spend a little more money and get the vacuum rated number one by CR.
FYI - The Dyson is a bagless vacuum and was rated 24th, 40th and 41st place depending on which model was tested. These range in cost from $430 to $600!! Doesn't sound like a great deal to me!
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
DOES CANNED FOOD GO BAD?
If you've cleaned out your pantry and found yourself tossing outdated cans of food,, you may have screeched to a halt as another soup can hit the recycling bin, and wondered: Didn't canned foods used to last forever? Why do they have expiration dates?
When cans display calendar dates, also known as "open dates", to differentiate them from coded dates that only the manufacturer can decipher - they're usually "best if used by (or before)" dates. It is not safety related. It is simply eating the food for the best quality and flavor.
High-acid canned foods such as tomatoes and pineapple will retain peak quality on the shelf for 12 to 18 months if stored in a clean, cool dry place. Low-acid canned foods such as meat, poultry, fish and most vegetables will retain best quality for two to five years.
The above was taken from Consumer Reports.
When cans display calendar dates, also known as "open dates", to differentiate them from coded dates that only the manufacturer can decipher - they're usually "best if used by (or before)" dates. It is not safety related. It is simply eating the food for the best quality and flavor.
High-acid canned foods such as tomatoes and pineapple will retain peak quality on the shelf for 12 to 18 months if stored in a clean, cool dry place. Low-acid canned foods such as meat, poultry, fish and most vegetables will retain best quality for two to five years.
The above was taken from Consumer Reports.
BOGO COUPON FOR PEI WEI
I received an email from Pei Wei, one of my favorite lunch restaurants. Go HERE and watch the video and they will email you a BOGO coupon that expires on February 15th. That gives you plenty of time to use it!
I already watched the video and will be expecting a coupon within 24 hours!
The closest restaurant is at the St. John's Towne Center.
I already watched the video and will be expecting a coupon within 24 hours!
The closest restaurant is at the St. John's Towne Center.
CHEAP POISE TOWELETTES AT WALGREENS AND FREE DEODORANT AT CVS
In yesterdays SS we saw a coupon for FREE Poise Body Cooling Towelettes, 20 ct. This coupon has a max value of $4.99 and are available at Walgreens. I don't know what these actually go for but I found another coupon for $1 off which should make these free or close to free. Go HERE to print the coupon. You can go under the Personal Care Tab to access it quicker.
When you are done at Wags, head over to CVS to pick up your FREE deodorant. Simply stack the $1/1 in the 2/3 SS and print the CVS coupon HERE for $.99. If you use the $1/1 coupon you will get it for free!
Monday, February 4, 2013
SOME HELPFUL TIPS
I hope you guys enjoyed the SuperBowl yesterday. I didn't make it to the end as I was falling asleep in my chair so I went to bed. All I was interested in were the commercials anyways!
I thought I would pass along these two tips I did this weekend that I thought might help you.
I have stark white tile in my shower. It shows everything. When it started to accumulate a little soap scum at the bottom tiles, no cleaner seemed to cut through it. I could still feel it. That is when I brought out the Magic Eraser and it took it all away. Now I want to maintain it.
I bought a hand-held brush that you can put dish soap in. It is really meant for your dishes but I knew it would work for me. I had already mixed a solution of BLUE Dawn Dish Detergent and vinegar in a spray bottle. I put that mixture in the brush and used it on my shower after I was done showering while I was still in there. I then used a squeegie to remove any extra water.
When it dried, my tiles were sparkling clean with not a water mark on them. I plan on keeping the brush in there and doing it every few days to keep the shower clean.
BLUE Dawn is something I also keep above my washing machine. When I have a stain, I reach for my blue Dawn (it has to be the blue variety) and just give it a squirt and rub it in. It seems to do the trick better than most stain removal products.
I thought I would pass along these two tips I did this weekend that I thought might help you.
I have stark white tile in my shower. It shows everything. When it started to accumulate a little soap scum at the bottom tiles, no cleaner seemed to cut through it. I could still feel it. That is when I brought out the Magic Eraser and it took it all away. Now I want to maintain it.
I bought a hand-held brush that you can put dish soap in. It is really meant for your dishes but I knew it would work for me. I had already mixed a solution of BLUE Dawn Dish Detergent and vinegar in a spray bottle. I put that mixture in the brush and used it on my shower after I was done showering while I was still in there. I then used a squeegie to remove any extra water.
When it dried, my tiles were sparkling clean with not a water mark on them. I plan on keeping the brush in there and doing it every few days to keep the shower clean.
BLUE Dawn is something I also keep above my washing machine. When I have a stain, I reach for my blue Dawn (it has to be the blue variety) and just give it a squirt and rub it in. It seems to do the trick better than most stain removal products.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
HUGGIES COUPON
For those of you who use Huggies Diapers, go HERE and watch a short video and print a coupon for $3. Even if we don't find an awesome sale, this is a high value coupon! There were still diapers left at Target. Print the coupon off their website for diapers and wipes and get a great deal
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