These can be used for so much more than grilling. – LoveU.’s Extra Large BBQ Grill Mat – Oven Liner.

I am not new to grill mats. I am using a couple as stove liners as we speak, lol. It’s true though. I love these things. They are so useful, and in other ways besides grilling. This set of 2 from LoveU. on Amazon, meets my high expectations as well. I hate when I really like a product, and then you order a different brand, only to have your heart crushed. Well, not with this brand. They are a great quality and size. Each mat measures in at 20 inches x 13 inches. These mats are slick to the touch and are 0.23mm thick. These mats are made out of a 100% Food Grade Material, and are FDA and LFGB approved. They are non-toxic, and eco-friendly. They will not add any odd odors or flavors to your food at all. They are made out of a used glass fiber cloth and is coated with a 45% PTFE with special technology. This material cleans off so easily. Nothing really sticks to it at all. It has a great temperature range as well. It can go from -60F to a max of 680 °F. You can do candy making and chocolate making on these mats, easily. I love use them for meal prep. The size is larger than a cutting board, and I don’t always need to do a lot of cutting. It’s great to be able to lay all my food out in one area while preparing. Especially since these mats are so easy to clean. Today, I used one of the mats to prep the grilled cheese sandwiches for our soup and sandwich dinner. It was so much easier than stacking bread on multiple plates. I also love that since it is a nonstick mat, I do not have to add any oil or butter to grease it before putting my food down. That stops a lot of waste and calories too. These mats work really well on a grill. You can do fish and veggies on here beautifully. And again, easy clean up. I do love that part, lol. You can grill fruit, and even pizza on these mats too; anything you want. Besides food, you can use these for an arts and crafts surface for your children. These will definitely protect your table from markers, paint, glue, and glitter! And, yet again, these are so easy to clean up. Can you tell I love them, because I do. These are perfect for so much more than grilling. I think calling them Grill Mats really sells them short. This set even arrives with a free hair tie, to keep them bundled for easy storage. I thought that was so clever and perfect. I love everything about this product.

I was afforded the opportunity to review LoveU.’s Extra Large BBQ Grill Mat – Oven Liner – Twice as Thick, Twice as Strong – 20″x13″, set of 2, at a reduced cost, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.

If you would like to purchase this product, it can be found here on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/LoveU-Extra-Large-BBQ-Grill/dp/B019TYPZDO?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

Durable and long lasting. -Eco at Heart’s Reusable Metal Stainless Steel Wide Smoothie Straws | Pack of 5 Extra Wide & Straight Straw Set.

We made the switch to stainless steel straws at least two years ago now. We love them. We only use glass or stainless straws now. With these stainless steel straws, you do not have to worry about any chemicals leaching into your drinks. They clean so easily with the included straw cleaning brush, and are so, so durable. The 18/8 stainless steel straws from Eco at Heart, are thick and highly durable. You are not bending these, lol. You can even use them in your Tervis Tumbler. You could use them in your 30oz Yeti cup as well, if you ordered the new clear top that has the sliding closed lid. These are too wide with the regular top. These straws arrive in eco-friendly packaging; cardboard. It’s actually very attractive packaging. In your package you will receive 5 – 8 ½“ straws and 1 straw cleaning brush. The cleaning brush slides right through the straw, and really cleans the inside of them. These straws are dishwasher safe as well. The diameter of the straws is more than wide enough for smoothies and milkshakes. I have severe food allergies, and my main meals are smoothies, since my throat is always so swollen from frequent anaphylactic reactions. They are comfortable on the lips, and to drink out of. The very first time we used stainless straws, I think we only bumped our teeth once on them, and haven’t done it since. My youngest is a mad straw chewer, so these are really much healthier for him to use. He can’t chew these, and ingest all of those harmful chemicals. These straws were not coated in any chemicals, so they are obviously toxin free; BPA free of course, as well. Included with the straws is an informational sheet. On that is the link to download your free e-book on smoothies. You can’t beat that! They are metal and pick of the temperature of the drink. So, if you are hanging outside in the summer, make sure you touch it first, to make sure it didn’t get hot from the sun. I have never had this issue, but it’s a point I wanted to bring up. Overall, I love these straws. They are eco-friendly, safe to drink out, and will last a long, long time.

I was afforded the opportunity to review Eco at Heart’s Reusable Metal Stainless Steel Wide Smoothie Straws | Pack of 5 Extra Wide & Straight Straw Set + BONUS Cleaning Brush & Smoothie Recipes Ebook, at a reduced cost, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.

If you would like to purchase these straws, they can be found here on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Reusable-Stainless-Smoothie-Straight-Cleaning/dp/B00K7VGAMO?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

The perfect pizza cutter. – Checkered Chef’s Pizza Cutter.

I have insane food allergies and cook almost everything from scratch. That includes my pizza dough as well. I have finally got my pizza dough down pat, and it’s fun to make for my family. I have the usual wheel type pizza cutter, so I was very intrigued with this one. This Checkered Chef pizza cutter will make you feel like a professional. It’s a solid piece of stainless steel, and makes cutting a pizza a breeze. The blade on this cutter is actually pretty sharp for a factory edge. It sliced through my pizza so easily. You just rock it through. This pizza cutter is 14.4 inches long, and 4.2 inches tall. It is made out of 18/0 stainless steel. It’s a breeze to keep clean. Stainless doesn’t naturally harbor mold, fungus, or bacteria. That is one reason why it’s so popular with professional chefs. It can take a beating, and go through the dishwasher. It should last you a very long time. You can cut thinner cakes with it as well, like cheesecake, coffee cake, and the like. One big difference I noticed is that when I was cutting my pizza, it didn’t pull the cheese like my wheel pizza cutter does. Sometimes the wheeled one will almost pull the pizza off a slice of pizza, and I have to push it back on. I did not have that issue with this one yet. I definitely believe the claims that it won’t pull off your toppings. It’s a very well made pizza cutter. It even comes with a great sheath to keep the blade protected. I am very comfortable recommending this product.

I was afforded the opportunity to review Checkered Chef’s Pizza Cutter, at a reduced cost, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.

If you would like to purchase this pizza cutter, it can be found here on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Pizza-Cutter-Checkered-Chef-Protective/dp/B01A7PYVS4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

The fun way to keep your drinks cool. – Kollea Drinks’ 6PCS Stainless Steel Chilling Reusable Ice Cubes.

Adult drinks are yummy, but are not usually chugged on down. I love my drinks cold, but regular ice can and does, water my drinks down. Adding stainless steel ice cubes, a.k.a., Whisky Chillers, can really be helpful. They help keep your drink cooler, for a longer period, without watering your drink down. The stainless steel version, is the new updated version from the soapstone ones. This particular set arrives in a great storage case with 6 stones and a pair of stainless serving tongs. I store mine in the freezer, but if you don’t want to do that, just remember to place them into the freezer about an hour before using them. When my gorgeous set by Kollea Drinks arrived, it came with a plastic storage case, 6 stainless steel chilling cubes, and a pair of stainless steel serving tongs. I washed my cubes and tongs, and placed the entire set into the freezer. Now they are perfect anytime I want to use them. These can be used with any type of drink. Even with your children and their apple juice. First off, these do not add any chemicals to your drinks. They do not add any weird flavor to your drink either. Each ice cube has a nontoxic gel inside of it, which is what freezes and keeps your drinks cooler. These are not ice cubes, and won’t cool your drink as much as they do. They definitely help keep your drink cooler than without them though. It’s a fantastic alternative. To really cool and keep your drink cool, I recommend using 4 -6 of the cubes, depending on your drink size. I am really happy with this set overall. They work perfect in my glass of wine. Overall, I love this set. I already had one set, and now I don’t have to share, lol. This are perfect for pulling out when company is over. They are definitely attention getters.

I was afforded the opportunity to review Kollea Drinks’ 6PCS Stainless Steel Chilling Reusable Ice Cubes for Whiskey Wine Drinks, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.

If you would like to purchase this product, it can be found here on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Kollea-Stainless-Chilling-Reusable-Whiskey/dp/B00EWAWZAC?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

A modern edge in the kitchen. – The Checkered Chef’s Stainless Steel and Silicone Utensils.

I am a big fan of stainless in the kitchen. It is such a durable material, and so easy to keep clean. Unfortunately, not all pans love stainless. So this silicone/nylon and 18/10 stainless combination is perfect. Aesthetically, I love the modern, clean look. You get 1 holder, 1 spatula, 1 tongs, 1 slotted spoon, 1 spoon, and 1 ladle in this set. I love the stainless holder with the square cut outs. It is really sharp looking, and pretty sturdy as well. There is even room for more cooking utensils in this container as well. Which I find very handy. All of the tools are stainless but the ends have a thick coating of silicone coated nylon on them. They are all a good usable size and are comfortable to hold and use. The tongs do not have a lot of resistance built into them. They are very easy to use, and grip well. Even though you get the holder, each utensil even has a loop to hang them from. I am personally not a utensil hanger, lol, so I am loving the actual holder. Only the very tips of the utensils are soft. Just shy of the edge of the utensil is just silicone coated nylon, but the actual body is solid with the interior stainless body. These are full size, quality made cooking utensils. Overall, there are all approx.. 13” tall. They are even a good size for a man’s hand. They say the nylon gives the strength for the coating, while the silicone give the utensil a strong heat resistance, so there won’t be any worry of it melting. Silicone has a very high heat tolerance rating. I have a set of pans that have a ceramic nonstick coating on them. I love them, and this set of cooking utensils ae perfect for my pans. They are gentle on the finish, but are very sturdy utensils, and do not bend or flex on me. The can handle any meal you throw at them.

I was afforded the opportunity to review the Checkered Chef’s Stainless Steel and Silicone Utensils with Metal Holder, at a reduced cost, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.

If you would like to purchase this product, it can be found here on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Checkered-Stainless-Silicone-Cookware-Dishwasher/dp/B01A7QSSZK?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

Beauty in a cup. – VizCása’s 8 Ounce Double-Wall Insulated Glass Coffee & Tea Mug.

Ok, I have to admit, I am a fan of VizCasa’s cups. I have a few of them and I love them. The construction is top notch. I like to describe their aesthetics as simplified beauty. They are simply beautiful cups, and they function just as well. This mug is and 8oz mug. You can pour about 6oz in here comfortably without having to worry about it overflowing. It is a double walled, insulated glass cup. It is microwave safe and freezer safe. You can put it on the top shelf of a dishwasher, but they strongly recommend hand washing it. I have only ever hand washed mine. The double walled insulation works well. It does not build up condensation, and your hands do not get hot holding a hot cup of coffee either. It is comfortable to hold and use. The edges are well rounded, and this cup is quite comfy on the lips. It will soon become a favorite in your home. I think it’s the perfect size for espresso, specialty teas and even juice in the morning. I am very comfortable recommending this product. Just be careful washing it. I just dropped mine cleaning it, and it shattered in my sink. I was so upset, because I really love this mug.

I was afforded the opportunity to review VizCása’s 8 Ounce Double-Wall Insulated Glass Coffee & Tea Mug Cup, at a reduced cost, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. This product arrives as shown.

If you would like to purchase this product, it can be found here on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/VizC%C3%A1sa-Double-Wall-Insulated-Coffee-Individual/dp/B00X2NYRFQ?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

Portion control – Fit Simple- 7 Piece Portion Control Containers.

This fun set of containers is a set of 7 from Fit Simple. Besides food storage, and traveling with food, their purpose is for portion control. A lot of diets have portion sizing. That can be hard to do, so people like to use containers like these to help manage their lunches for work, on the go, and even at home. This set has locking lids, but they can be tricky to do. When locked properly, these are also leak proof, which is highly handy. The lids literally push down, and lock into place. The trick is, getting all four tabs to lock in. I can always get three, but the 4^th is a little harder. Hopefully they will get easier with use. You just need to push down hard on each corner, and you will hear and see that they are popped in. When they aren’t, you can see one corner sit up higher than the others. There is no not knowing with this set. That I like, especially when storing liquid items. Opening them is a breeze. You literally just push in the grey tabs, and the lid comes right off. The sizes of these containers are: “Vegetables- 10oz. , Fruit- 10oz. , Protein- 6oz. , Carbs- 4.25oz. , Health Fats- 2oz. , Nuts, Seeds and Oils- 1oz.” The names of the foods are printed right on the lids. I like how they broke the sizes down with food ideas. I find it very helpful. These containers are BPA free, DEHP-free, and dishwasher safe. You will get a little flyer with this set that gives you a recipe too. If you are on a diet that requires strict portions, these will be very helpful. Calorie counting will still be up to you though.

I was afforded the opportunity to review Fit Simple- 7 Piece Portion Control Containers, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.

If you would like to purchase this product, it can be found here on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Simple-Portion-Containers-Comparable-Included/dp/B011X7G9IA?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

Yea, food storage! – Be-Lighthouse’s Portion Control Food Containers with Lids.

I love the containers that have locking lids, like these. I have a knack of dropping things, and I have been known to knock a container or two out of the fridge. That always creates such a mess. The same goes with traveling with food. I’ve sent food with my guys when they head out for work and I’ve had to hear back about lids coming off, and food leaking in their cars. That is always a messy and smelly scenario, which is also never a fun experience. This set contains three containers: 1-41oz, 1-17oz, and 1-6oz container. They are leak proof, microwaveable safe, dishwasher safe, and freezer safe. I had no trouble filling mine with water and shaking them all about either. Not one drip leaked out. The lids lock down on all sides. They are simple to do. If you are on a special diet, and need to know your portion sizes, the smaller two will be perfect for lunch on the go. There are no BPA worries with these containers either. They are also FDA approved, which I always find funny when you’re dealing with containers. They are also air tight, which helps keep your food fresher, for a longer period of time. If you are looking for a solid set of leak proof containers, I am comfortable recommending these.

I was afforded the opportunity to review Be-Lighthouse’s Portion Control Food Containers with Lids, at a reduced cost, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.

If you would like to purchase these containers, you can find it here on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Portion-Control-Containers-Microwave-Dishwasher/dp/B015H4OXFG?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

Loving my Copper Moscow Mule Mugs from Kangaroo!

I love Copper Moscow Mule Mugs. I love the look, and we are copper fans. These are a little different than some on the market. They state 100% Copper in their name, but they are not copper, nope. These are stainless steel mugs, plated with real Copper. The handles are solid brass though, and quite handsome at that. It annoys me when labeling is misleading. Their real product description is on their packaging though. These mugs are 16oz mugs, and are a great size for a traditional Moscow Mule drink, or any other drink you would like. Just remember, with all metal mugs, they pick up the temperature of the drink you put in them. So, unless you like holding hot mugs, like me, I would stick to cold drinks in these mugs. I also recommend hand washing them with a non-abrasive soap and sponge. They do give you the Moscow Mule recipe on the packaging. I tweaked it a bit for what I am used to. They do not give an amount for lime juice, and I stated one. Here is it:

1oz lime juice

Ice

2oz Vodka

4-8oz of Ginger Beer they state 4 – 6, but most recipes say 8.

Then garnish with a lime slice.

These mugs are very handsome. Aesthetically, they are spot on. I do not feel that the metal alters the flavor of my drink at all. I use stainless steel straws all of the time as well. The rim is rounded, and comfortable on the lips. The inside opening of the handle is on the smaller side, but is comfortable to slide your fingers through it, and cradle the mug in your hand. Overall, I like these mugs. There are no chemical worries with these mugs. Copper is actually healthy for you, and is recommended to drink water out of one daily for health benefits. They will need some gentle care to them to make sure the plating doesn’t come off. These style mugs always impress. They are perfect for entertaining.

I was afforded the opportunity to review Kangaroo’s 100% Copper Moscow Mule Mug; Copper Mug; Hammered, Stainless Steel Interior, Brass Handle (2-Pack), at a reduced cost, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.

If you would like to purchase these, they can be found here on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01A97XCTO?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

There’s nothing like homemade pizza! – Kit-Chef’s Round Cordierite Pizza Stone.

Stoneware has been a big part of my kitchen for around 15 years now. I love cooking on stones. I needed a new pizza stone though, so I am thrilled about this new one from Kit-Chef. It is wonderful. This stone is also the thickest stone I have ever had. It is 14” in diameter and ¾’s of an inch thick! That is thick. It is quite substantial in weight and size. It works like a dream too. I can’t wait to see how much better it gets with seasoning. Seasoning occurs over time. The more you cook on it, the better it gets. This is definitely a product that gets better with age, just like us cooks, lol.

When you first use this stone, you need to rinse it thoroughly with water only. Never, ever, use soap on this stone. It will soak it up, and your food will taste off. Then, let it dry overnight. The next day, cook it in your oven at about 450 degrees, for up to 2 hours. They state as high as your oven can go. Now, you are free to cook on it. Don’t rub oils on your stone, they can end up smoking a little in the oven. If you want to put something down on your stone so your food doesn’t stick, place some cornmeal on it. My pizzas came out beautifully on this stone. I need another one now, lol. I cook two at a time. Of course, you can cook anything on a stone. I just have fresh made pizza on my mind. Included in the box with the stone, is a great instruction sheet. To get a crisper crust, you can preheat your stone, and then place you pizza down on it, or rolls, breads, etc.. Do not place a hot stone into water though. It will crack on you! You need to make sure it cools off before you wash it off with water only. I love how evenly stones cook. They really do add a special something to baked goods.

I was afforded the opportunity to review Kit-Chef’s Round Cordierite Pizza Stone 14″ x 3/4″ – Thick Sturdy Stone, at a reduced cost, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.

If you would like to purchase this stone, it can be found here on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011FNLO6Y?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

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For the Kitchen