Life Perspective: Reviews & More

  ~ Bigalow Variety Pack Teas Stayed Fresh for 13 Years ~ In May 2010, we had the Flood of the Century in Nashville. I watched the water pour into my crawl space but had trouble convincing my insurance company, which back then unfortunately was Farmers, that there was a problem. They didn’t investigate crawlspaces. It wasn’t until an issue with a washing machine leak a few months later that they finally looked under the house and discovered I had moisture wicking up into the walls from the May flood. My house was subsequently gutted for repairs and I was sent to live in the local Microtel for 9 months while my house was repaired.  There were not a lot of perks to living in a tiny hotel room for so long, but I did enjoy the little refreshment station where they served hot chocolate and the Bigalow Tea Variety Packs. It provided a small space outside my room to visit daily and sometimes socialize, but mostly enjoy a warm beverage.  I grew very fond of my daily tea or hot ch...

L'Orenta Stroopwafels, Wafer Cookies for Dunking In Coffee - Authentic Dutch Recipe  I had read about stroopwafels and how they are good with coffee and tea. The article I read talked about setting your stroopwafel on top of your steaming cup to heat it, so I was a bit leery about eating a  L'Orenta Stroopwafel  fresh out of the box. However, I wanted to try these as soon as the box arrived so I popped one in my mouth.   My first bite was nothing special, but by the 2nd and 3rd bite, the delicious caramel flavor came through. Not quite as sweet as most cookies, the stroopwaffel has a slightly chewier consistency and makes a unique treat for those who have never tried one.  There are 16 stroopwafels in the box I purchased. Each stroopwafel is individually wrapped to keep them fresh. This also keeps each one uncontaminated during a pandemic which is a timely feature. L'Orenta Stroopwafels Review I give the  L'Orenta Stroopwafel s 4 out of 5 stars for flavor,...

  Wasatch Candy Co Peanut Brittle- Handmade Old-fashioned Top Shelf Quality with Premium Ingredients. 16 oz. Peanut brittle was a much loved treat in my family growing up in Tennessee. We all loved the crisp, sweet candy with its nutty flavor, so I ordered a box of Wasatch Candy Co. Peanut Brittle recently to share with my own family.  My box of peanut brittle arrived in the mail three days earlier than expected, just in time for our family Easter party. E veryone enjoyed its nice mild flavor and crisp consistency. Wasatch Candy Co  Old-fashioned Handmade Peanut Brittle --  Review I give the  Wasatch Candy Co Peanut Brittle 4 stars for pleasant flavor, crisp consistency, super-f ast delivery. A couple of family members commented on the mild flavor, wishing the candy was more flavorful, so I have subtracted one star. However, if you enjoy a mild, sweet flavor in your peanut brittle, this Wasatch Candy version is just the ticket. Note for the health conscious: A...

Greater Goods Digital Food Kitchen Scale, Perfect for Cooking, Baking, Meal Planning, Multifunction Scale Measures in Grams and Ounces This is a great scale for the kitchen. It is lightweight and easy to use. The high-contrast LCD screen is easy to read.  The versatile scale measures grams, pounds/ounces, and milliliters and measures weights up to 11lb/5kg. I measured the accuracy with a nickel, which weighs 5 grams, and the reading was accurate.  Product Highlights 4 precision weighing sensors ensure accuracy within 1 gram or 0.1 ounce High-contrast LCD screen Scale shuts off and calibrates automatically Smooth plastic surface and hygienic touch-sensitive buttons are easy to clean Large weighing surface (6x6 inches) supports up to 11lb/5kg. Tare     Greater Goods Digital Food Kitchen Scale Review I give the   Greater Goods Digital Food Kitchen Scale five stars for lightweight,ease of use, appearance, accuracy, and price.  *****

If you haven't heard of Boozy Bites by Prim Improper , you are not alone. The cute little party treats are a brand-new new product, dubbed "The Champagne of Jello Shots." Boozy Bites is a female-founded and female-led brand, designed specifically to bring the fun to every occasion.  The little gelatinous treats are 15% alc/vol, vegan, and currently offered in 4 cocktail inspired flavors, Rosé, Moscow Mule, Mojito, and Citrus Punch. They ship right to your door in the Boozy Bites patent-pending push up cup. The pictures show a little of how they work, but to see just how the cups work, check out the cup in action here:  https://youtu.be/ BX6Q5JKOGx Boozy Bites Review Boozy Bites are cute as a novelty at parties or a fun gift for a friend. They can be stored for up to 30 days without refrigeration. However, they are much better served cold. The flavor is sweet and not very strong and the gelatin texture, which is made from seaweed, ...

In March as COVID-19 was beginning to close communities across the country, I went to WinCo in Oklahoma City where I was living temporarily, and purchased some canned goods and dried foods to take back to Nashville with me, including several cans of WinCo Golden Sweet Corn. My plan was to stock up on groceries before heading home to Nashville for isolating. On May 18, I opened a can of WinCo Golden Sweet Corn and found what looked like a bloated dead fly in the corn. I immediately called the phone number on the can and reported it to their answering machine since no one was answering calls at the time due to Coronavirus.  Some time later a representative from the company left me a message and asked that I provide more information. I tried calling back but once again, a message informed me that due to Coronavirus, response might be slow. After a few more tries,  I looked up the WinCo website and filled out the following form on May 31: Three weeks later, a representative of Win...

There is a lot of hype from the aggressive "all-natural" movement about how bad canned foods are for you, but is all that fearful rhetoric really true? In spite of health fears about preservatives and BPA in canned goods, some new studies have surprising information to add to the controversial debate. A new study released by Del Monte Foods answers the question: Do families who eat canned veggies get more nutrients than those who don't? Read more about the controversy at:  Is canned food bad food? New study says no

Every October American Indians from around the Nation gather in Tennessee to share part of their culture and crafts. This year's Native American Indian Association Pow Wow and Fall Festival took place on Oct. 19 and 20 at Long Hunter State Park.  One of my ancestors was one of the Long Hunters -- Benjamin Drake, and the park is in the area where my mother and father grew up in the Murfreesboro Road-Hamilton Church Pike area. It was a bit nostalgic to be back in the area with my friend Pam. We were at the Pow Wow for several hours, watched the dances, saw the crafts, ate the food. I should get at least three articles out of it! Here's the first one: Indian dolls at 31st Annual Native American Indian Association Pow Wow The Native American Indian Association Pow Wow serves several functions. It is a reunion of family and friends as well as a celebration of culture nurtured by the some 10,000 Indians who call Tennessee home. Booths were full of N...