superdumb supervillain

Oxfam America Unwrapped

2009-11-24T21:59:00.007-06:00

I think the first time I ever really thought about charity and what it really means was in 1984 when the UK single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" was released. It was all over the radio and MTV that holiday season and the American counterpart, "We Are The World", was released soon afterward. I was still pretty young but had never contemplated the idea that people could be hungry, even starving, somewhere in the world. Shockingly, people are even starving in our own country. How could that be true?

Nowadays, the concept is never far from my thoughts, especially as holiday season rolls around each year. Of course, there are lots of high-profile charities to donate to these days and many of them make it especially convenient to help with online donation methods. One of the most well-reputed of these benevolent societies is Oxfam. Established in the UK in the 1940s, Oxfam is a secular group (unaffiliated with religious or government entities) committed to fostering independence and sustainable change in communities all over the world- at home and abroad. From Wikipedia: Oxfam International is a confederation of 14 organisations working with over 3,000 partners in around 100 countries to find lasting solutions to poverty and injustice.

Oxfam has a great way for you to give the gift of charity this holiday season: Oxfam America Unwrapped.

You select from a wide range of charitable gifts to help those in need and your gift recipient receives a card showing the gift. You can personalize cards online or have them shipped to you so you can write your own message. It's amazing to see the variety of gifts and the change they will foster within their communities: $20 will irrigate a farmer's land for two months, $25 will provide one child with a school lunch program, $1500 will rebuild a primary school…

If you have someone on your list who is hard to buy for or if you're in charge of a corporate giving program, Oxfam America Unwrapped is a unique solution with a long-lasting impact. I think it would be a great class holiday gift idea, too.

Disclosure: “I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Oxfam America Unwrapped and received a credit for a gift on the Oxfam site.”

Black Friday with JC Penney Giveaway

2009-11-22T00:20:00.003-06:00

Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is traditionally the busiest shopping day of the holiday season and most retailers are planning even more spectacular deals than usual this year. JCPenney is no exception, featuring bargains in every department for everyone on your shopping list.

To get the word out about their Black Friday sales, JCPenney is offering one of my readers a $150 shopping spree. Leave a comment on this post guessing the combined retail price for all the items pictured below - five of JCPenney's hottest-selling gifts this season. The closest guess will win!

Cooks 3-1 Grill

Kid’s Arizona Puffer Vest

Statement Bib Necklace for Her

Piano Gloves

Men’s American Living Half- Zip Sweater

To enter and win a $150 gift certificate to JCPenney, please comment on this post with your best guess at the retail cost of the items above.

Entries will be accepted through December 2nd and I'll pick the winner using Random.org. US readers are eligible.

For an additional entry (in case of a tie, I will pick the person with the most extra entries!), post my button on your blog (see code on sidebar), follow my blog, follow me on Twitter, fave me on Technorati or subscribe via email or subscribe via reader. Leave an extra comment letting me know what you did for each additional entry.

Make sure you leave an email address in your comment or that you have one accessible on your blog so you can be contacted if you win!

***Click Giveaways on my sidebar to see what else you could win!***

Disclosure: I did not receive anything in consideration for writing about this giveaway, aside from the chance to offer one of my readers some retail therapy. Sometimes it's better to give than receive. I read that somewhere once…

How to Break My Heart

2009-11-20T17:04:00.001-06:00

Roo brought this home from school today. She even drew the retractable leash. I miss Ludella.

Ludella

2009-11-20T08:21:00.005-06:00

Last night, I went to a charity dinner with my mom and Bob called around 8:30 to tell me that Ludella had run off. I guess she'd pooped in the studio and he'd put her outside, hooking her leash onto his carving bench, just while he cleaned up the mess and when he came back outside a couple of minutes later, she was gone. Of course, my mom and I hurried home and I changed into comfy shoes and we searched the neighborhood for our little puppy. So many of our awesome neighbors came out to help us, searching yards with flashlights and even driving around the outlying neighborhoods but she was nowhere to be found. We searched until almost midnight and I even made flyers that Bob posted in the hopes someone took her in to keep her safe overnight. She was only three months old and so tiny.

Well, you obviously know what comes next. Bob found Ludella this morning around 6:30 in the ditch on the street parallel to ours. I'd walked it twice last night looking for her and I honestly don't think she was there when I was. She'd been hit by a car and her poor, sweet nose was completely bloody. We made the decision to show the kids and Roo thought she looked like a clown. Her first question was "can we get another dog?" but I don't think she was trying to be callous. She watched as Bob buried Ludella. Jasper said "puppy hurt?" but I don't think he really understood. Roo was about his age when we had to bury our cat, Lum. I printed off the last pictures I'd taken of Ludella for Roo to put in her photo album to take to school. I'm putting them up here, I guess as some sort of makeshift eulogy.

Ludella was my first dog and it might sound a little insipid since we only had her for six days but she was such a good one. She slept through the night in bed with me and Bob and was very gentle with the kids and cats. She loved to play in the yard and sleep on the couch equally. I hate that the last thing I did with her was crate her before going to the charity dinner, since Bob was at the park with the kids. (He didn't take Ludella because she wasn't supposed to be around unvaccinated animals until she had her vaccines finalized. We actually had her first vet appointment scheduled for this morning after we dropped Roo off at school.) I wasn't looking forward to taking her on the big cross-country road trip for Thanksgiving but, then again, I'm not looking forward to spending that much time in the car with Jasper, either.

I hate that we won't have the chance to watch her grow up. I miss her already. Ludella was a great puppy and such a good fit in our family. She and Jasper had a great bond, too, I wish I'd taken more pictures of them together. She was the dog that Roo's been asking for over the last year and a half. Gone in six days. I have no idea what to do next. I can't imagine the Humane Society allowing us to adopt another dog in the future- we didn't even give this beautiful puppy a whole week of happy family life. I'm surprised I've managed to keep Piewackett relatively safe and happy for 17 years now. I feel like curling up and dying because we failed Ludella. And she was my girl, too.

Jillian Michaels Wii Fit Giveaway

2009-11-18T16:30:00.007-06:00

I'll admit it. I have a total girl crush on Jillian Michaels, the badass 5'2" personal trainer from The Biggest Loser. I suppose it's only natural since her 30 Day Shred DVD has been the only workout I have ever managed to stay on for more than a couple of weeks. I've been using it every day for about a month now and while the pounds aren't quite flying off (about 8 lbs thus far), I do feel stronger and my endurance has really improved. As in I am actually completing the circuits instead of laying on the ground panting while staring at the TV…

Anyway, I was excited to hear that Jillian Michaels is the featured celebrity at a special event showcasing Sports Authority's new fitness gaming collaboration with Nintendo tomorrow Thursday, Nov. 19 at Sports Authority in Torrance, Calif. (located at 3610 Torrance Blvd., Torrance, CA) starting at 9:30 a.m and running through mid-day. (Jillian will be there from 9:30-10, so I'd show up early if you wanted to see her.) There will be a ton of giveaways, including copies of her new Wii game Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2010 and Wii Fit Plus boards, as well as other prizes from Sports Authority, Nintendo and Nike.

If you're not in southern California, either, you'll still be able to check out the "We know fit. We know fun." experience at 102 Sports Authority stores across the country. Each will feature a dedicated area with a demo console and knowledgeable trainers so customers can try the Wii and Wii Fit Plus before they buy. Sports Authority hopes that this program will encourage workouts that engage and entertain the whole family.

To enter and win a copy of Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2010 and a Wii Fit Plus board, courtesy of Sports Authority, please comment on this post with your family fitness goal.

Entries will be accepted through December 9th and I'll pick the winner using Random.org. US readers are eligible.

For an additional entry, post my button on your blog (see code on sidebar), follow my blog, follow me on Twitter, fave me on Technorati or subscribe via email or subscribe via reader. Leave an extra comment letting me know what you did for each additional entry.

Make sure you leave an email address in your comment or that you have one accessible on your blog so you can be contacted if you win!

***Click Giveaways on my sidebar to see what else you could win!***

Disclosure: I did not receive anything from Sports Authority for this post but I thought it was an awesome giveaway for my readers – I know I would like to win this prize!

Wordless Wednesday- Crowning Around

2009-11-18T08:34:00.008-06:00

Kathleen sent us the beautiful crowns.
(Look for a tutorial for the fall harvest crown at Katydid and Kid soon!

Share your own pictures this week at Wordless Wednesday HQ!

Before you leave, have you entered all of my giveaways?

Coming Attractions

2009-11-17T21:50:00.003-06:00

This week has already been crazy hectic and I am way behind on blogging. Never fear, I have a ton of stuff to post before embarking upon our Thanksgiving road trip. Giveaways, people- lots of giveaways! I promise, you will be subjected to an outpouring of bloggity blogging shortly.

But for now, content yourself with this really random branding I encountered at Target: yes, they really are High School Musical mini cucumbers. I can think of so many inappropriate jokes but I'll let you ponder them yourselves…

Go, Wildcats, Go!

Oh, Yes We Did…

2009-11-13T17:20:00.004-06:00

Please welcome the newest member of our family, miss Ludella Black (or Bone Cupcake… we're going to give it a few days to see what sticks.)! The cats are alarmed but I think they'll come around.

Two More Days for Genesis Today Contest

2009-11-12T16:39:00.004-06:00

Just a gentle reminder… you have two more days to submit your social media marketing proposals in the $10K Genesis of a Good Idea contest.

I'm sure you can come up with 250 words on the best way to spread the word about Genesis Today and their roster of nutritious (and delicious! really!) superfruit juice blends. The entrants with the five best suggestions will be flown to Austin to present their ideas in person.

If you're culinarily adventurous, why not try your hand at one of the Genesis Today recipe contests? Personally, I think Goji Berry juice would be an excellent base for a hearty fall squash or pumpkin soup and Resveratrol juice would make a nice glaze for pork. Visit these blogs to read more about the Genesis Today recipe contests:

Crafty Mama of 4 is making smoothies
OrganizerSandy is making cocktails
Moms Favorite Stuff is making holiday dinner
Coupon Princess is making desserts
Adriennes House is making everyday dinner recipes

Don't forget to submit your big social media idea at Genesis of a Good Idea before Midnight CST on Sunday!

Naartjie Mommy & Me Dresses

2009-11-12T14:37:00.005-06:00

I'm not usually a big fan of mommy & me fashion but when I got the email about Naartjie's more-comfy-than-prissy cotton knit dresses, I have to admit that I immediately envisioned Roo and I holding hands and skipping through a field of wildflowers…

Not too fluffy for mommy and not too boring for Roo. I think I'd pick the truffle dress for me:

And the aloe dress for Roo:

They're all on sale for 30% off right now, so I might even be able to justify getting it in a couple of other less-subdued colors for Roo…

Lands' End One Day Sale is Today!

2009-11-12T13:37:00.005-06:00

Have you gotten all your winter clothes ready yet? November 12th is the Lands' End Family & Friends Event. Today only, save 25% and get free shipping on all regular-price items online at Lands' End (use promo code LESHOP and PIN 7142 at checkout).

While you're shopping, remember that for every FeelGOOD Sweater purchased, Lands' End will donate FeelGOOD yarn to One Heart Foundation’s Warming Families project. (For more information, read my post about the project.) I love this saddle/iris stripe FeelGood V-neck Sweater, which is conveniently available in regular, plus and petite sizes (for shorty girls like me!)

Scarry Stories on TV!

2009-11-11T13:07:00.007-06:00

I've always been enthralled with the fanciful world of Richard Scarry. His anthropomorphized critters made the Little Golden Books come alive for me as a kid and I've been thrilled to rediscover them with Roo and Jasper. I especially loved the books that featured all the hustle and bustle of Busytown, with its charming neighborhoods and funky cars. I always wanted an apple car like Lowly Worm's someday…

Busytown Mysteries, an animated series based on Richard Scarry's beloved characters, is coming to network TV! Busytown Mysteries will be part of CBS kids' weekend lineup, Cookie Jar TV. Click here to see when it will show in your area!

We received a two-episode Busytown Mysteries preview DVD and Roo and Jasper loved it so much that they wanted to watch it over and over again. They call it the Huckle show, after the lederhosen-clad kitty protagonist. I got a big kick out of watching them sing along with the Who! What! When! Where! Why! song that helps the gang use deductive reasoning to solve everyday mysteries in Busytown.

Kids can also experience Busytown on the computer at BusytownMysteries.com, an interactive website that features 14 different games and activities specifically designed for preschoolers. They can pick their own animal and silly car to use as they navigate through the neighborhoods of Busytown and interact with their favorite characters.

Disclosure: We received a two-episode DVD of Busytown Mysteries to review. By writing this post, I will be entered into a contest to win a gift card, but honestly I was just curious to see the show. And, yes, it is very cute.

Wordless Wednesday- My Rock Stars

2009-11-11T12:40:00.003-06:00

Share your own pictures this week at Wordless Wednesday HQ!

Madeline Giveaway

2009-11-10T20:37:00.009-06:00

One of the best things about having having kids is being able to share the things that you loved as a child with them. I remember reading about the “twelve little girls in two straight lines” who lived in Paris under the watchful eye of the benevolent Miss Clavel… the Madeline books were utterly charming and are still timeless today. It's hard to believe that Ludwig Bemelmans' beloved character is 70 this year!

Bemelmans' grandson is carrying on the family legacy with the first new Madeline book in nearly 50 years. Madeline and the Cats of Rome find Miss Clavel and her charges escaping the dreary drizzle of Paris for the bright skies of Rome. The story and artwork are very true to the original series and I was pleased to be able to share it with Roo.

Award-winning toy company Kids Preferred has launched a special collection to celebrate Madeline's 70th birthday. There are plush versions of Madeline and Genevieve, plus additional outfits and my personal favorite, the Talking Madeline Doll (a Toys R Us exclusive!).

This huggably-soft 17" Talking Madeline Doll says four phrases in both French and English. Roo's kindergarten class is learning French so it seemed like a particularly auspicious time to introduce her to Madeline. She likes practicing her French with Madeline and she has already surpassed the horrible accent I learned as a freshman in college. (Roo suffers the same brain lapse in the video below that I had in an oral exam cassette I came across recently… eek!)

To enter and win your own Talking Madeline Doll, please comment on this post with your favorite Madeline memory.

Entries will be accepted through December 2nd and I'll pick the winner using Random.org. US readers are eligible.

For an additional entry, post my button on your blog (see code on sidebar), follow my blog, follow me on Twitter, fave me on Technorati or subscribe via email or subscribe via reader. Leave an extra comment letting me know what you did for each additional entry.

Make sure you leave an email address in your comment or that you have one accessible on your blog so you can be contacted if you win!

Disclosure: we received a free copy of Madeline and the Cats of Rome and a Talking Madeline Doll to facilitate this review and giveaway, mes amis.

***Click Giveaways on my sidebar to see what else you could win!***

Enlighten Up!

2009-11-10T13:46:00.003-06:00

I've always been fairly skeptical about yoga, primarily because of my inherent aversion to sweating but also because the trendy new age vibe kind of creeped me out– there is something decidedly un-punk rock about carrying a mat into a room full of lycra-clad meditating folks. Well, my pal Hannah (who happens to be the mom of three girls under 4 and a hot-to-trot personal trainer) finally coerced me into taking some yoga classes a couple of months ago and I was surprised at how much I loved it, both from a physical and mental perspective.

Enlighten Up! is a film showing another skeptic's serious immersion into the world of yoga. Journalist Nick Rosen was chosen to be documentary filmmaker Kate Churchill's "guinea pig"- a novice yogi who could partake in various practices around the globe while trying to define the elusive "it" that yoga provides to its proponents: spiritual enlightenment, physical fitness or something else entirely. Kate wants to see Nick transformed by yoga the way she has been and the pair visit celebrity yogis and exalted gurus, busy urban practices and laid back devotees.

I won't tell you what Nick and Kate conclude in Enlighten Up! but suffice it to say that yoga is different for everyone who practices it. This is certainly the case among the very different teachers they visit, each of whom has a very different outlook on yoga and what to expect from the practice. Interviewees include B.K.S. Iyengar, Pattabhi Jois, Norman Allen, Sharon Gannon, David Life, Gurmukh, Dharma Mitra, Cyndi Lee, Alan Finger, Rodney Yee, Beryl Bender Birch, Shyamdas, and many more! One of the more light-hearted yogis profiled is Diamond Dallas Page, an ex-pro wrestler who discovered yoga after suffering multiple injuries in the ring and created his own method: Yoga for Regular Guys. Hilarious, if not entirely politically correct…

Enlighten Up! is available everywhere on DVD starting November 10, 2009.

Disclosure: I received a copy of Enlighten Up! on DVD so I could let you know what I think about it. Go take a yoga class and let me know what you think. If you're near Wichita, these yoga classes are only $5 with no contract to sign. Heated floors, dude. Nice.

Moxie Girlz

2009-11-07T20:57:00.003-06:00

Looking for a fashion doll that is trendy enough to appeal to your fashion-conscious daughter but also not quite as, umm, street-savvy as a certain brand that features tattoo parlors and tropical drinks among their themes. (You know what I'm talking about, moms!) Meet Moxie Girlz, doe-eyed leggy beauties who espouse positive attitudes, confidence and courage. Their outfits are funky but modest and age-appropriate to the girls who will be playing with them. No crazy high heels or freaky lingerie to worry about with Moxie Girlz; they're more interested in bicycles or skateboards and tricking out their outfits with custom markers. Roo likes her new pal, Lexa! She plays guitar and rocks a flowing lavender wig that ended up on one of Jasper's robots.

Disclosure: we received a Moxie Girlz doll to review. She has very pretty hair (I wish mine was so mermaid-like!) and no bad attitude, as far as we could tell. Roo would like to receive several more Moxie Girlz, just to make sure.

Meet Norman Phartephant

2009-11-06T16:42:00.006-06:00

I had some misgivings about agreeing to review a stuffed toy called Norman PhartEphant, a cuddly elephant plushie that farts when you squeeze his tail. (Eight distinct phart sounds!) Having a five year old and a two year old guarantees that we talk about bodily functions about a million times more per day than I would really deem necessary… but still, he looked pretty cute (just look at that plaintive gaze…), so I said "okay, bring on the PhartEphant."

Can you tell just how much Jasper loves his new pal, Norman PhartEphant? Surprisingly, Roo felt a bit too mature for the likes of him and said that Jasper could keep him after giving him the sniff test. I kid you not! I've caught her pushing the button on several occasions, though her little brother delights in chasing her around the house with him. Kind of like a stampeding elephant…

Norman PhartEphant is available online and has his own picture book and coloring book coming out this week! A portion of Norman PhartEphant sales are donated to childrens' charities Smile Train, which provides cleft palate surgery for kids in developing nations, and Half the Sky, which provides help for special needs orphans in China.

Disclosure: We received Norman PhartEphant free of charge in order to write this review, however the deep, abiding love Jasper feels for him could not be bought. Well, maybe with a LOT of robots. But no one offered us any.

Win a Kindle from Noobie!

2009-11-06T13:19:00.002-06:00

I just entered a contest to win a free Kindle from Noobie (worth $259!) and I wanted you to have a chance to win one too!

All you need to do to enter is to click the button below:

Beauty Tip of the Day giveaway

2009-11-04T21:09:00.006-06:00

***WINNER PICKED 11/19 WITH RANDOM.ORG***

***CONGRATULATIONS, #9 Andrea V (non-blogger)!!!***

Hopefully you've had a chance to check out the Beauty Tip of the Day widget in my side bar over the past month or so. It looks a lot like this:

When you click on it, you get a daily dose of clever hints and information about beauty- body, face and hair– plus opportunities to receive free samples and coupons for some of your favorite Unilever brands. My favorite tip so far, being a low-maintenance kind of girl:

Rescue Your Vanity Area:
Simplify your beauty routine and space - stick to five beauty essentials: tinted moisturizer, a multi-purpose makeup stick for eyes, cheeks and lips, concealer, one tube of mascara and one of Q-tips® cotton swabs four new beautifully designed Vanity Packs help apply your makeup.

When this promotion started, I received samples of several of their products to try: Pond's wipes, Vaseline, Dove deodorant, QTips (in the cutest countertop box, ever!). I have been particularly impressed with the Dove Clinical Protection Antiperspirant Deodorant, which truly keeps you dry even through the most sweat-tastic workouts. Here's a picture of the booty:

To enter and win your own Unilever Beauty Tip of the Day care package (similar to what I received but products may vary), please comment on this post with your favorite beauty tip.

Entries will be accepted through November 18th and I'll pick the winner using Random.org. US readers are eligible.

For an additional entry, post my button on your blog (see code on sidebar), follow my blog, follow me on Twitter, fave me on Technorati or subscribe via email or subscribe via reader. Leave an extra comment letting me know what you did for each additional entry.

Make sure you leave an email address in your comment or that you have one accessible on your blog so you can be contacted if you win!

***Click Giveaways on my sidebar to see what else you could win!***

Wordless Wednesday- Halloween and a Tiger

2009-11-04T11:20:00.004-06:00

Share your own pictures this week at Wordless Wednesday HQ!

Halloween Tricks or Treats from Babeland

2009-10-31T13:32:00.003-05:00

The following review/giveaway is for adult eyes only because it involves sex. Mommy and daddy sex. (Everyone under 18 just clicked away, right?) No super explicit stuff here but the links might contain NSFW content. Consider yourself warned.

Trick or Treating isn't just for kids! Get a free Candy Vibrator with any purchase made today (Halloween) at Babeland.com. If you're lucky enough to live by one of Babeland's retail stores, stop by between 6-9pm tonight and say "trick or treat" to get your free Candy Vibe.

Maybe you would like to try the Flower Balm, a tingling massage lotion that smells like minty citrus and warms wherever you rub it in, be it achy shoulders or engorged nethers. (Bear in mind it should not be used with latex products.) If you're not feeling very frisky, I also find it makes a pretty spectacular cuticle creme…

Disclosure: I received a tin of Flower Balm to review and if you click on any of the links and buy something, I will earn a commission on the sale. Feel free to spend away… (The Sasi is on my holiday wish list!)

Kodak Zi6: Take a Movie, It'll Last Longer

2009-10-29T13:04:00.006-05:00

Possibly the most coveted piece of swag from BlogHer last year was the Kodak Zi6 pocket video camera that was featured in the to-die-for SocialLuxe Lounge goody bags. I got a pink one, which is awesome because it pretty much ensures that Bob won't try to steal it. Roo, on the other hand, monopolizes the thing whenever I try to film her with it. It's compact (about the size of a 1st gen iPod) and easy enough for a kid to use, plus it runs on rechargeable AA batteries and comes with a handy wall charger so you never run out of juice. Its screen is big (2.4") and bright enough to see what you're filming even in bright sunlight.

What's really great about the Zi6 is that you push a button to release a USB toggle that allows you to upload your videos without hassling with cords. It comes with proprietary Kodak software that is supposedly very easy to use (and allows you to splice in music and still photos) but I didn't install it because my Mac automatically uploads the videos to iPhoto. And it's not Mac-compatible. You can also use it to take still photos but I think the Zi6 is particularly handy for capturing kids who are a little too fast for still photos! And for documenting every new song they learn:

Disclosure: I received the Kodak Zi6 digital video camera in a goody bag, in case you didn't read the first sentence. I was not asked to write about it but I think it's pretty cool. I hear the newer Kodak Zi8 is even cooler. I can't vouch for that although it looks pretty sleek and possibly more intuitive. But it doesn't come in pink!

Wordless Wednesday- At Home

2009-10-28T11:53:00.005-05:00

Share your own pictures this week at Wordless Wednesday HQ!

Putting the Ninja to Work

2009-10-27T11:54:00.002-05:00

I know some of you have been waiting to hear more about the Ninja Master Prep that I was lucky enough to be whisked away to NYC to see being demonstrated this time last month. I received a truckload of boxes from Euro-Pro a couple of weeks ago and have been slowly but surely trying everything out so I can tell you about the products from my own point of view. I had kind of hoped everything would trickle in over a couple of months but instead I received three vacuum cleaners, two steamers and, of course, the Ninja Master Prep all at once! I was a bit overwhelmed initially but I have finally gotten the chance to use everything so I will write up my thoughts soon.

First off, the Ninja Master Prep. We've used it several times already to make pesto (using the end-of-season garden basil) and salsa verde (using the end-of-season garden tomatillos and tomatoes). I finally remembered to take some pictures while using it to make zucchini/banana muffins for Roo's class. (I am on the healthy snack committee and the kids especially like home-baked goods, even if we use whole grains and less sugar!)

If you're like me, you are probably wondering why it's called the Ninja. After using it at home several times, I think I know. Witness the twin blades of doom:

These things are razor sharp and come apart from the shaft for easy cleaning. I think they look a bit like ninja throwing stars when they're assembled and they certainly do their job efficiently. The zucchini from our garden didn't stand a chance when pitted against the Ninja Master Prep:

Nor did these walnuts:

In fact, when you're using the Ninja Master Prep, you have to be careful to use short pulses instead of pushing down on the button because it will completely pulverize whatever you put into it within a few short seconds. Since I didn't want walnut meal, I only pulsed once or twice.

One of the things that I especially like about the Ninja Master Prep is that the motor is housed in a unit that you attach to the tops of the chopping containers. It does not power on unless the lids are locked and everything is in its place, which is comforting since the blades are incredibly sharp. I haven't been a victim of the Ninja yet but Bob managed to slice his hand a bit, I think when he was pulling the blades out to rinse. You'd think he'd know better than to mess with a Ninja!

The Ninja Master Prep made the zucchini totally disappear into lovely moist muffins. I peeled them before chopping so there wouldn't be any sign for the green-phobic six and under set. See? They just look like normal banana-walnut muffins:

I like the versatility that the Ninja Master Prep offers with its two cup bowl and 48 oz pitcher. Having two containers that you can attach the motor unit to means you can work on different items at the same time without stopping to wash and dry vessels. The pitcher has a hinged spout lid which is nice because it can vent when you're blending hot things. It's hard to beat the Ninja's ease of cleaning since the blade assembly comes out and apart for hand or machine dishwashing. I also like the fact that it comes with storage lids that you can pop off if you decide not to use everything all at once. Replacement parts are readily available, so you could also stock up on extra bowls or pitchers if you do a lot of chopping and blending. The price is also pretty reasonable: $59.85, including shipping.

Disclosure: I received a Ninja Master Prep to try out and my flight and one night of hotel accomodations were paid for during the NYC launch event. However, Euro-Pro has not asked me to write this review and has nothing to do with my opinions. If the Ninja sucked, I would say so.

Crystal Clear

2009-10-26T21:42:00.004-05:00

I received an amazing cake serving set from Accent Furniture Direct that even makes my feeble baking attempts look pretty spiffy:

Unfortunately, the rounded dome cake server I received is not on their website anymore but there is a similar design available. The William Bounds - Grainware Serving Necessities Cake Plate with Dome is a more formal looking serving piece that would be perfect for presenting fancy bakery cakes.

I am really intrigued by the entire William Bounds Grainware collection which looks like elegant partyware, both sleek, modern glassware and traditional cut crystal, but it is actually incredibly practical since it is made of easy-care acrylic. I can think of a dozen things that would look better just by virtue of being placed upon these Grainware Pedestals!

I am not a very prolific hostess but I am hoping my mom will buy a bunch of William Bounds Grainware pieces since she entertains a lot indoors and out.

Disclosure: I received the cake dome in the first photo and was asked to write my opinions of it. I was not paid to bake the cake pictured, thank goodness!