Review and CSN Stores Giveaway

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to choose a product from CSN stores to review. They have a huge selection of kitchen stuff as well as practically everything else under the sun. I was looking at getting some decor or a new fancy kitchen gadget, but then my trusty blender broke. I can't go very long without a blender, so that's what I ended up ordering. Below is the review I submitted to CSN of my new, 12-Speed Osterizer Blender.

And now for the fun part! I have a $20 gift code to give away to one lucky reader.

Here's what you have to do to enter:

• Leave me a comment telling about your favorite simple, HEALTHY, kid-friendly meal. I want to do a whole bunch of advance meal planning the next month or so, and I want it to be simple stuff. And I'm hoping this will jump-start my planning.
• Leave your email address in the comment so I can contact you if you win.
  
• That's it. You don't have to subscribe or tweet or anything like that. :)

Good luck! I'll close the giveaway Friday at midnight.

Here's a link to all of CSN Stores. And here's a link to the kitchen stuff.

Originally submitted at CSN Stores

Features:

• 12 speed blender
• 450 Watts
• Sleek slope design for attractive counter display
• 5-Cup scratch resistant and dishwasher safe glass jar
• Exclusive All-Metal Drive system for power and extra durability

12-Speed Osterizer Blender

Great Blender!

By Janell from Soutwest, USA on 3/29/2011

4out of 5

I got this blender to replace my other Oster blender when the motor burned out (after several years). I am pretty hard on blenders--I use them a lot to make smoothies. I really like the glass jar and so far I'm just as pleased with this one as my old one. It blends quickly and uniformly. Does great with ice. I don't know if there's a blender out there that would last me more than a few years. But so far this one is working great!

(legalese)

Attack of the kitchen gadgets

So, I'm a little excited about my first ever giveaway coming up soon! Stay tuned for a review of something kitchen-y from CSN stores, and for your chance to do a little shopping there yourself. CSN sells just about everything, from flooring to wood swing sets to book racks (love!) to decor to of course, kitchen stuff.

About that kitchen stuff. I'm all for appliances that make my life easier and meal prep faster in the kitchen. But sometimes I feel like there are so many "useful" gadgets that if I got them all they would quickly take over my house. Space is at a premium in my kitchen. If I'm going to be an appliance that only has one function, it better be either small, or so convenient that I just can't do without it. Thus I don't have a salsa maker, a fondue pot, or a hot dog toaster (ha!).

I am very fond of certain appliances. I use my bread maker constantly. My cooking world opened up so much when I finally bought a food processor. My blender gets a lot of use too, as does my rice maker. (I know it's easy enough to cook rice on the stove, but I just love the "push a button and forget about it" approach.)

Currently on my wish list? A new wheat grinder; I have an old stone grinder but would like to upgrade to something smaller and more convenient eventually--maybe this one? And also, a new Bosch mixer. Mr. J, in two strokes of thrift-store good luck, actually purchased our wheat grinder and our Bosch mixer secondhand. I loved the Bosch while it lasted--I used to make huge batches of cookie dough in it.

Also, I'm really debating the usefulness of a tortilla press. On the one hand, it looks a little bulky and it only has one function. Plus, I wonder how well they really work? On the other hand, I made tortillas last night and it really is a very manual, time-consuming process. A press might be worth it.

I think I'll do a little more kitchen gadget window shopping!

The Witching Hour

This morning at 6 a.m. I was checking my Google Reader from my iPhone on the couch while 11 month old Mouse played on the floor (much too energetically for 6 a.m.). I came across an article on Simple Mom called "How to Bring Peace to the Witching Hour" - the witching hour, of course, being that hour before dinner when kid neediness is at its peek and adult patience as at its low.

The article was just what I needed after yesterday's very cranky witching hour at our house. I spent way too long in a steamy kitchen (cursing the heat and the never ending summer) making food that it turned out none of us liked, all the while three kids were having meltdowns about various things.

Not good.

I'm realizing that now is not the stage in my life for fancy dinners. I'm realizing that I need to not only plan the meals a week in advance (simple meals at that), but I need to do some of the dinner prep earlier in the day, and I need to spend the witching hour giving my kids the love and attention they need most during that time.

I love food and experimenting in the kitchen, but not at the expense of peace in our home. Hopefully I can find a balance! If you have any tips on what works for you, I'd love to hear them.

P.S. If you're wondering which recipe I made last night, it was the sweet potato ravioli. I liked the filling, and I liked the sauce, but together and with the ravioli, it just didn't work for us!