Today's Kool Idea: Utensil Pot Clip by Trudeau

Cooking is a very popular but messy affair in The Daily Kool household. We tend to favor many one-pot wonders for our meals, like soups (especially from our Daily Soup Cookbook) and stews. Most of our dishes require lots of loving attention, and yes, plenty of stirring. There's only one problem. For some strange reason, we have always had an aversion to using a spoon rest. We hate the thing...who knows why. Just chalk it up to one of many, many little quirks that our psychologist would have a field day with...yep, we've definitely been avoiding him these days. Anyway, we usually just settle for setting our stirring utensils right there on the stovetop, cringing at the mess, but resigning ourselves to just dealing with it later. Okay, so we're a little strange.

Did you ever get one of those goofy little kitchen gadgets that you suspected doubted would ever rise above the bottomless pit of your junk drawer? We admit it, we were convinced the utensil pot clip by Trudeau completely fell into that category...until we used it for the first time, that is. It's colorful, it's cute and it's one of the "koolest" kitchen gizmos we've come across since um, the widget or something. Who knew this little guy could become so indispensable? Designed to clamp securely to the side of most saucepans and stockpots, the utensil pot clip features an arced slot to hold the handle of a spoon, turner or ladle. It is heat-resistant up to 600 degrees and prevents drips on the stovetop, keeps utensils handy and eliminates the need for that darn spoon rest.

Trudeau's utensil pot clip is such a simple, yet innovative solution to a common problem...we're just steamed that we didn't think of it first! We have a couple and we really use them all the time, especially when we've got a crowd coming for a big meal. Keep in mind that unless you find them at your local Bed Bath & Beyond or other kitchen store, the company selects the colors at random so you won't likely get your preference. Our pots are black, so it didn't make a difference to us. Also, though we've never, ever had this problem, we did come across one person who complained that the silicone bumpers kept coming off in the pot. Nouvelle cuisine, perhaps? Anyway, there's a whopping five-year warranty on this $7 item, so if you ever have a problem, Trudeau will take care of it.

The utensil pot clip by Trudeau is an absolute must-have for anyone who likes to cook, but dreads the traditional spoon rest. Okay, so it's great regardless of whether or not you have the same wacky pet peeves that we do here at The Daily Kool. It has truly become one of those practical, space-saving kitchen gadgets that we now wonder how we ever got along without. Easy to use, easy to clean and oh so convenient, the utensil pot clip has permanently found it's place of honor far, far away from our infamous junk drawer. Man, we really have to clean that thing out one of these days.

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Today's Kool Idea: TykeLight Portable GloMate by Mobi

When our youngest son turned three, he suddenly developed a huge fear of the dark. And we mean huge! He was nervous driving in a dark car at night, insisted on being carried at night (the moon was scary, also), and refused to go into any room that didn't already have a light on. He has always shared a room with his big brother...this helped him feel a bit more secure at bedtime, at least. Unfortunately, if he had to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, he would become hysterical crying when big brother refused to wake up to take him (our oldest is a very sound sleeper). Our poor son was having a very difficult time maintaining his typical independence and we had to find some way to help him.

Much of our son's fear of the dark (yes, he still has it) is a result of his overactive imagination. We didn't have this challenge with the first child..he's very "black and white" by nature. But our youngest one has always been more creative, telling us fanciful stories of magical creatures and faraway places almost from the time he started speaking. He sees unicorns and dragons in the shapes of the clouds...our oldest tends to envision the state of Missouri (go figure). So, it's not hard to understand that our little boy sees all sorts of scary stuff lurking in the shadows of the dark.

The TykeLight Portable GloMate from Mobi has become a lifesaver for us and our now four year old son. They don't come much cuter than this little guy! This portable nightlight is a cuddly plaything with a friendly, silky feel that he can snuggle up with on a dark night. Mobi has really done a great job with this one...our son hardly ever puts it down, even during the day. The kid-friendly, grab-'n-go design make it really easy. The different color options have actually made our TykeLight Portable GloMate a four-in-one toy for our son. "Greenie" checks hallways and dark rooms to make sure they're safe to enter. "Tiki" (she's a girl, and the solid red mode) loves to play with stuffed animals, often disciplining them when they deserve a time out. "Bud" (blue mode) likes to hang out and watch TV, while "Mobi" stays on the nightstand to cycle through the rainbow of colors to help him fall asleep at night. Seriously, folks...we have to be the only family that has a GloMate with a split personality!

Future psychological bills aside, the TykeLight Portable GloMate nightlight has really helped our son overcome his fears. It stays on the charger base, where he can take it off whenever he wants to play with it. We love that it doesn't need batteries or power cords...plus, the safe and efficient LED's keep it completely cool to the touch. It gives off just enough light to keep the monsters away, but not so much that keeps him awake at bedtime. Our only complaint is that the 15 minute timer only works with the solid blue mode...we would have liked that options with all of the colors (particularly the rainbow one). Regardless, the adorable TykeLight Portable GloMate is kid-tough, works great and is perfectly safe for even young ones. What a great gift idea for a baby shower or anyone with smaller children. Ours is definitely a welcome addition to The Daily Kool family.

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Today's Kool Idea: Snap Capp Reclosable Can Tops

We at The Daily Kool are huge soda drinkers. Oh yeah, we love them all...from Coca Cola to Orange Crush to Canada Dry Ginger Ale, each one of us has our own soft drink obsession. Are we the picture of good, healthy habits, or what? We're actually pretty good about drinking mostly water, especially since we've found Fiji, but sometimes, we just have have a can of soda with a nice meal. There's just something about the fizzy tickling sensation going down the back of the throat, coupled with just the right amount of sweetness...ah, instant satisfaction.

Because everyone has his/her own favorite, we tend to keep a variety of cold soda cans on hand in our fridge for family and company. Why cans, you ask? Yes, 2-liter bottles are much more cost-effective, but cans allow us to cater to everyone's tastes while monitoring intake at the same time...we make it a point to restrict ourselves to one can a day...with the exception of club soda. Cans of club soda (we like La Croix) are great for getting a healthier soda fix on the go.

Like most people, our biggest challenge with cans is keeping the soda from going flat...unless we drink the whole can at once, of course. We have no shame in admitting that we refuse to drink soda that has gone flat...we're kind of snobbish that way. We have tried out so many "fizz keepers" over the years, without much luck. A couple of weeks ago though, we came across these amazing Snap Capp reclosable can tops. Made in the U.S.A. (a big plus with us), plastic Snap Capps convert an ordinary 12 or 16 oz aluminum beverage can into a portable, recloseable and non-spilling bottle. Okay, we were definitely intrigued enough to try this one out.

We just love it when a product does exactly what it says! We purchased a sleeve of eight Snap Capps in different colors to test out at home. We chose Orange Crush for the test to make sure we used something that would clearly show up if the product leaked. After opening the can, we simply snapped the cap onto it. It took surprisingly little effort, and the Snap Capp made a clear "pop" when it was on correctly. We then twisted open the top cover, and drank from the soda as if it were a bottle. Wow, it really was a spill-proof seal...kool!

After a couple of sips, we put the can back into the refrigerator to let it sit for a few days. Our soda actually stayed fresh and fizzy for four days, which is about the same amount of time a two liter bottle will keep in our house. After enjoying the rest of our orange soda, we held onto the Snap Capp, squeezed the middle of the can, and popped it right off. A quick rinse with hot water, and we were ready to use it again.

There are so many things we like about our Snap Capp recloseable can tops. The assorted colors ensure that each person remembers which is his or her can...a particular advantage at some of our family gatherings. Spillage is much less likely, especially in the car or with the kids...as long as the cap is on, of course. Don't get us wrong. We didn't exactly shake the can vigorously for several minutes after putting on the Snap Capp...we're not sure we're all that interested in testing it that extensively, anyway. But, with normal use, we found the seal perfectly tight. Plus it makes drinking from a can safer; we don't have to worry about cutting ourselves on any sharp, metal parts. The best part is how much less soda waste we have...we no longer feel the need to polish off a whole can in one sitting. We just put the leftovers back in the fridge until later, without worrying about it going flat.

Snap Capp reclosable can tops are great for picnics, parties, in the car and even at the office. We even brought a couple to the zoo last week for when we treated ourselves to a couple of cans from the machine. The Snap Capp gave us the flexibility to walk around, without being encumbered with open beverage cans. We're definitely giving a couple of these to our fellow soda, energy drink and yes, even beer lovers!

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Today's Kool Idea: Done Right Multiple Cook Time Kitchen Timer

Fall is a busy time for The Daily Kool family. This is the time of year that we celebrate the season with large dinner parties. Oh, and we invite everyone! Ah, yes...food is definitely the catalyst that brings us all together. Always has been. It's nothing for us to expect 30-40 guests in our admittedly small home for an elaborate dinner. Over the past ten years of our marriage (yikes!), our household has truly become the destination for meals galore. We only have one rule...no one brings food. Bottles of wine? Sure. Soda? Absolutely. The food though, is our domain, and we always look forward to testing out new and exciting dishes on our more than willing company. Have we mentioned how much we love to cook?

We live for the moment when our guests marvel at the sheer genius of our culinary skills...not that it happens often. Okay, we admit it...we always mess a couple of things up with every dinner. We have so many dishes in various stages of preparation, cooking and plating, at least a few of them always fall through the cracks. Over-boiled soup, scorched veggies, mushy risotto and dry (we sometimes forget to baste) turkey are just a few examples of the disasters we've encountered over the years. It's not easy staying on top of everything all at once.

Thank goodness for our cousin. Last time she came over, she gave us this absolutely adorable Done Right multiple cook time kitchen timer as a hostess gift. Check it out...there are five (count them) separately functioning timers in one oven-shaped package. Each of the five timers gives off a sound flashes with a light when ready. This little guy is just what we need to stay on track! We love how we can correspond the stove top timers with each of our burners, while the front timer reminds us when to check the oven. We were actually amazed how easy the Done Right timer was to program, even for us technically inept folks. Just press the 1 or 5 minute increment button until the desired time is reached and press start...it's that simple. Seriously, how great is this little gadget? And, why didn't we think of it first, darn it?

There are a couple of things that we've noticed with our own Done Right multiple cook time kitchen timer that we wanted to pass along. First off, the alarm itself is fairly low, which is why they've added the flashing light component, we suppose. It would have been nice to have a volume adjustment option. Honestly though, it's not much (if at all) lower than our regular oven timer. Plus, one of us is always in the kitchen, so it's not particularly a problem for us. Also, we always use the company's suggestions for prolonging battery life. When we aren't cooking up a storm, we remove one of the four AA batteries, and usually make sure to stop the flashing light before its one-minute automatic shut off. You can find this kitchen timer at several websites, including Amazon, Target and Walmart. Our research though, shows that QVC seems to currently have the best price at just under $20 (plus shipping)...this the the main link we've provided throughout the post.

We love our Done Right multiple cook time kitchen timer so much, we leave it out on our stove top, even when we're not using it. Sure, it's a little larger than your standard kitchen timer, but talk about a fabulous conversation piece. What a wonderful novelty gift for anyone who spends oodles of time in the kitchen...particularly those of us who need a little help with the orchestration and execution of our larger dinner parties. Form and function are definitely the right combination with this super "kool" idea. Of course, we've just eliminated our best (and most plausible) excuse for a not-so-perfect meal. Aargh...the pressure!

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Today's Kool Idea: Dog and Cat Staple-Free Staplers

Yesterday, The Daily Kool took a family trip to shop for school supplies. Trust us, that was not easy, even at Staples...no matter how often we pressed that darned button. Anyway, a whopping $80 later (no joke), we still had to go online to get a couple of things the stores didn't seem to carry. One was a staple-free stapler. Call us dopey (that's okay...many people have), but we didn't know that staple-free staplers even existed. Apparently, this requirement is just one of many "earth friendly" solutions that our son's Pre-K teacher is trying to bring awareness to. That's what we get for putting him in private school, we guess. Don't get us wrong...we are big supporters of going green. It would have been nice though, if we had been given a clue as to where to get a staple-free stapler...it's only Pre-K for goodness sake! So, naturally we went online to continue our search.

Okay, once we saw these adorable dog and cat staple-free staplers, can you blame us for getting them? Thank goodness our four year old son doesn't have a macho image to maintain. After we did some reading, staple-free stapling is actually a very interesting concept. Simply put, these dog and cat staple-free staplers cut out tiny strips of paper and use them to stitch and collate up to five pieces of paper together. Staples are a thing of the past, at least for the smaller jobs...we'll stick to our traditional Slimline for the big ones. For children, the dog and cat staple-free staplers are not only environmentally friendly, but safe as well.

The dog and cat staple-free staplers are not just for kids, though. What a great gift they'd make for any environmentally conscious pet lover! Our son is going to be the "koolest" kid in his Pre-K class when he brings in these whimsical little guys. Okay, now where's our Sharpie? We are definitely going to put his name on them in permanent ink.

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Today's Kool Idea: Micro S'mores - Microwave S'more Maker

Guess what The Daily Kool found out? There is actually a National S'mores Day, and it's today (August 10)! Ah, s'mores...the delicious gooey campfire treat that is made up of graham crackers, chocolate and marshmallows. These are even worse than those potato chips (sorry, Lays). There is no way we can eat just one...we need "s'more, s'more!" Hence, the name. Bet you didn't know that, did you?

We have to admit that we're a bit confused, though...it happens to us often, we're afraid (must be the sugar high). Why on earth is National S'mores Day in August when National Camping Month is June? Darn it...now we have yet another excuse to indulge in this decadent dessert. Our taste buds might be cheering, "Hooray," but our ever-expanding waistlines are shouting "No way." No doubt about it, taste buds win hands down. There's only one problem. How do we make s'mores at home without the benefit of a roaring campfire?

Check out the Micro S'mores microwave s'mores maker. We came across this nifty little gadget while watching the cooking show on QVC yesterday...Sunday's cleaning day, and we do need some non-cartoon entertainment every once in a while. Anyway, Micro S'mores (complete with recipe book) claims to make the most delicious s'mores you've ever had in ten seconds or less. The process is simple...just load the Micro S'mores with a graham cracker, chocolate and one marshmallow (don't forget to top with another cracker), pop on the lid and microwave on high for 10 seconds. The domed cover is apparently designed to ensure even microwave energy distribution from the inside out, keeping the graham cracker crisp while completely melting the chocolate and marshmallow. At the same time, the auto-plunger applies just the right amount of pressure to form the perfect s'more.

While it is unlikely that the Micro S'mores will yield that true roasted marshmallow flavor of a traditional s'more (really, how could it?), it certainly offers a yummy alternative. Plus, if it works as well as it seems to on television, The Daily Kool is absolutely sold. The overwhelming positive reviews suggest that the Micro S'mores is just as great as it seems. Sure, we could probably produce passable results with a simple tea light and save the $22 or so. But the Micro S'mores seems like a lot of quick, kid-friendly fun. Plus, it'll give us a great opportunity to experiment with different s'mores flavors, right in our kitchen. How "kool" is that?

We love that the order actually comes with a set of two individually boxed items. We'll probably give the second one as a housewarming gift. Think of how impressive it would be to fill a large basket with the Micro S'mores, surrounded by packages of graham crackers, cookies, marshmallows and different types of chocolate. Oh, yeah...our friends love us. In the meantime, try this twist (albeit extreme) on a genuine classic. Enjoy!

Caramelicious Cookie S'mores
Ingredients
two oversized chocolate chip cookies
1 caramel-filled chocolate piece, your brand of choice (we like Ghiradelli)
1 large marshmallow

Directions: Place the caramel-filled chocolate piece on one cookie, top with a marshmallow, and top with the second cookie. Put it into the Micro S'mores and cook for 7-10 seconds.

Note: If you're going the traditional way, heat your marshmallow over a fire. Place the chocolate onto a cookie. Top one cookie with your toasted marshmallow and close like a sandwich.

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Today's Kool Idea: H2Glow Temperature Sensitive LED Faucet Light

We been having an ongoing challenge these days in The Daily Kool household. Our boys are at the age when we have to constantly remind them to wash their hands. It's not as if we are obsessive about cleanliness (well, maybe just a little). We do have rules, though. Washing hands after coming in from the outside, after meals and certainly after using the toilet shouldn't be too much to ask, right? Apparently, it just might be...at least for our boys. You should just hear some of the arguments and excuses coming out of our two little guys...everything from "My leg hurts and I can't stand by the sink" to "My hands aren't that sticky from the breakfast syrup." Our favorite of course, is the ever-popular "Hey, we stand up anyway...what's the big deal?" Imagine our embarrassment when our four year old proudly confessed to his grandmother how often he and his brother try to "trick us" into thinking that they've washed their hands (as if we didn't know). Seriously, they expend more energy trying to avoid washing their hands than it would just take to do it already. Sheesh!

Yesterday, we visited a friend that we hadn't seen in a while. She had just renovated her guest bathroom with a more modern motif. She opted for one of those glass sinks sitting on a pedestal and colorful mosaic tile along the walls. Perhaps the "koolest" feature however, was the H2Glow temperature sensitive LED faucet light she had installed. H2Glow works by illuminating the water as it comes out of the faucet. The water glows deep blue when it is safe to touch and automatically switches to red when it starts to get too hot. How great is this? H2Glow seems to be just what we need to help encourage our kids to wash their hands more often. Adults clearly think it's pretty terrific also (our friend doesn't even have children). We want it! We want it!

After doing a bunch of online research, H2Glow really seems to be the highest quality temperature sensitive LED faucet light available. This fully automatic gadget comes with the faucet attachment, two adaptors, batteries, a spare filter screen, water flow restrictor and a manual. We took a look online at the installation instructions, and they seem pretty easy and straightforward...just seven steps. We would anticipate our kids using a lot more water with the H2Glow (hey, that's kind of the point, right), so the built in flow-limiter takes a load off of our environmentally conscious (and thrifty) minds. Plus, not only has H2Glow received overwhelmingly glowing (we couldn't resist) reviews, but Sector Labs (the company who makes it) has a great reputation for ensuring customer satisfaction. We never know when we might have an issue, so a company who guarantees their products is a big draw, especially when we are ordering online.

We can truly envision our bathroom soon becoming the most popular room in the house with the H2Glow temperature sensitive LED faucet light. We love the safety element with this...what a great way to avoid burning little hands with scalding water! We must point out though, as parents, we would seriously caution our kids to always be careful and not to completely depend on it to determine how safe the water is to touch. We just love the entertainment value...H2Glow would definitely change the way we experience water every day. Just imagine how amazing the LED faucet light must look in the dark! Might be a nice addition to a kitchen faucet also. H2Glow is definitely one "kool" gadget we can't wait to get.

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Today's Kool Idea: As Seen on TV EuroSealer Bag Sealer

Our wedding ten years ago (yikes!) was a beautiful Victorian affair with rich fabrics, bold colors and flowers in every corner. We even found these beautiful jewel-toned potpourri pillows at a local flea market. Each pillow was an actual picture frame, and we decided to use them for place card holders/party favors. Thank goodness they were all individually wrapped or the scents would have been overwhelming! Anyway, we spent the last night before our wedding carefully cutting open each pouch, putting the place card in the holder and resealing the plastic wrap. It was a long and tedious process, but the results were truly magnificent.

We have the As Seen on TV EuroSealer to thank for making our little wedding project work. Designed to provide an inexpensive and easy way to perfectly reseal unused portions of food in seconds, the EuroSealer was a perfect solution to reseal the plastic bags for our place card holders. Talk about thinking outside of the box (thanks, Mom...for everything). Believe it or not, the EuroSealer was about the same price ($9 or so) ten years ago as it is today, and is just as innovative an idea for creating an airtight seal along the edge of any plastic bag in just seconds.

Our EuroSealer lasted up until just a few months ago. That's right, we got almost a decade of use out of this little guy. We've used it on just about every plastic bag we could think of, including frozen fruit and vegetables, crackers, chips, even frozen waffles. There is a little learning curve to adjust to each type of bag, depending on the flimsiness of the plastic bag, but we've never had a problem getting the right seal. The trick is to find the right balance of pressure and speed. Our wedding project gave us enough practice to become experts with the EuroSealer.

When the little strip that holds the heat finally wore off after literally thousands uses, it was as if it marked the end of an era in our lives...okay, so we're a little sentimental. We were so happy when we saw the As Seen on TV EuroSealer display at our local Bed, Bath and Beyond. Needless to say, now that we have one back on our fridge, the EuroSealer has definitely earned its feature on The Daily Kool. Imagine our surprise at the mixed reviews we came across on Amazon...we just can't understand why anyone would have an issue with the EuroSealer. It's not fancy, but it gets the job done, locking in freshness and flavor quickly and conveniently. Apparently, many complaints have come from people who didn't realize that it takes two AA batteries to work. Once they figured that out, problem solved.

Maybe we're biased because of our history with the EuroSealer, but this is one As Seen on TV investment that has really paid off over the years. Our new one works just as well as the original, and we use it almost every day. The bag cutter works great, and is a nice extra. We love that although it uses heat to seal the bags, it cools off immediately. Overall, the As Seen on TV EuroSealer is a great alternative to plastic clips and twist-ties. Plus, it really cuts down on the need for storage bags. Easy to use, convenient and inexpensive, this is one "kool" idea that is definitely worth trying out.

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Today's Kool Idea: MIMOBOT Designer USB Flash Drives

When we got this year's required school supply list the other day, we had a bit of a start. Where on earth has the summer gone? School is just kind of sneaking up on us, and we're definitely having a tough time seeing our little babies grow up so fast. If we are so emotional about pre-school for goodness sake, we can just imagine what the parents of new high school and college students are going through right now. Our congratulations (yes, and commiseration) go out to each and every one of you!

We have to admit that we were pretty surprised when a USB flash drive was on the required list for our friend's high school daughter. Things have really changed since our 9th grade days of electronic typewriters...are we dating ourselves, or what? Then again, our third grade son hasn't even mastered cursive writing, and yet his teachers already have him working on Microsoft Word and PowerPoint presentations. That's what we get for putting him in private school, we guess...sigh. Anyway, at least our friend's can now give their daughter a USB flash drive that reflects her personal style. These MIMOBOT designer USB flash drives are becoming quite the collectibles for kids and adults alike. Okay, so designer flash drives do not exactly fall within the "must have" category. But, still...how cute can a little piece of technology get? We can definitely see the appeal of these little guys.

Boston-based design house Mimoco has fused the art of contemporary characters with the functionality of personal data storage devices making its name known in both the pop-culture driven Art Toy underground and the savvy high-tech 'tronic world. Ranging in price accordingly, the distinctive character-based MIMOBOT line offers from 1GB to 8GB of flash memory storage and transport for all your finest and most precious music, docs, pics and other personal data bits and bytes. These MIMOBOT designer USB flash drivesare as "kool" as they come. The Star Wars freaks in our family (okay, fine...we admit to being amongst them) are going nuts over this new Darth Vader Unmasked one.

We appreciate that the MIMOBOT designer USB flash drives have passed rigid consumer electronics testing as required by the government and are FCC/CE certified. Think about how much data you can store in one whimsical and convenient little package. For example, a 1GB drive can hold a whopping 256 MP3 songs (on average). The Daily Kool actually has several MIMOBOT designer USB flash drives...we use them as backup for digital pictures, scanned documents and other important files. Owsley Owlbert is our all-time favorite collectible character, and we use him all the time for day to day business...he's definitely a great conversation piece in the office.

MIMOBOT designer USB flash drives are adorable, functional and just plain fun! Throw practicality out the window and pick up one of these colorful characters. They are definitely worth it, especially for the light-heartedness they'll bring to your day. These collectibles make a great gift idea, especially for that person who has everything. Plus, we can't imagine anyone not appreciating them for the extra storage space alone. MIMOBOT designer USB flash drives are the "koolest" creations we've seen in a long time.

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Today's Kool Idea: Lehman's Best Cherry Pitter

One of the most wonderful things about the summer is the abundance of fresh Bing cherries. Dark and sweet, this cherry is one of our all-time favorite fruits. We've been known to go through bushels of them in a sitting. Another funny story about our older brother growing up (we've told a few of them!)...our grandmother somehow convinced him that if he ever swallowed a pit, a real cherry tree would grow in his tummy. Talk about traumatizing a child...gotta love it, especially as a younger (and often tortured) sibling! Hence, our poor brother, though he loved them, hardly ever ate cherries for fear of what would happen...what a wuss!

Our children also love cherries, but have no qualms about recruiting us for cherry pit removal. So, being the ever loving parents that we are, we spend lots and lots of time sitting in front of the television hand-pitting cherries with our sharpest paring knife. Anyone who has kids can probably appreciate our misery. Dissecting cherries one at a time by hand is...well, the pits. There has to be a better way, and so we just decided that it might be time to find ourselves a cherry pitter.

After doing a bunch of research, it looks like Lehman's Best Cherry Pitter is just that...the best. The company boasts how effective it is at removing pits quickly without bruising or crushing the cherries...we're all for less mess and no wasted fruit! It's actually pretty reasonably priced at around $35 also. Basically, the stainless steel punch rod forces the pit through a gasket into the see-through waste container, then automatically lifts the cherry and drops it into the bowl. We love being able to place several cherries into the feed tray, instead of handling them one at a time. Imagine effectively pitting dozens of cherries in just minutes..what an amazing time saver. Plus, the parts are dishwasher safe...who could ask for more?

There is only one possible catch that we can envision with Lehman's Best Cherry Pitter. It's unreasonable to expect perfection each and every time, so we can imagine a cherry or two sneaking into our bowl unpitted. And, assuming that each pitted cherry really does come out whole and virtually undamaged as the company claims, it might be easy to miss a particular cherry that still has a pit inside. Not a huge problem when just eating cherries for their simple enjoyment, but definitely a consideration when baking fresh pies and cobblers for dinner guests. So, we'll just have to put out a small disclaimer, and pray that everyone's dental work is up to date.

Regardless, Lehman's Best Cherry Pitter is worth the risk of an occasional escapee. We'll probably keep a pretty close eye on the hopper to make sure each pit does indeed come out. The best part? This pitter looks safe and easy enough for children to use. Anyone who reads our blog knows we're always looking for ways to put our kids to work...under the guise of fostering independence, of course (sneaky, sneaky)! Ideal for canning, freezing, dehydrating and baking, Lehman's Best Cherry Pitter is a definite "kool" idea for enjoying one of the summer's sweetest treats.

Refreshingly "Kool" Cherry Soup Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1/4 lemon, peeled and seeded
• 1 3/4 cups water
• 1/2 cup sweet red wine
• 2 cups pitted sweet cherries
  
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch

Directions:

1. Chop peeled and seeded lemon into small pieces and blend with water until it forms a smooth pulp.
2. Put the lemon pulp, cherries, sugar and cinnamon in a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 5 minutes.
3. Dissolve the cornstarch with a little water and add with the red wine to the soup mixture.
4. Stir constantly over low heat until slightly thickened.
5. Cool to room temperature in an ice-water bath, then chill for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
6. Remove cherries with a slotted spoon and blend until coarsely chopped.
7. Stir the cherries back into the soup mixture and serve.
   

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Today's Kool Idea: Windshield Wonder, As Seen On TV

The Daily Kool family does a lot of driving. In fact, between work, school and enrichment activities for the kids, it often seems as if we practically live in our car. By the end of the week, our poor Saturn looks like a bomb has hit it...snacks, juice boxes, papers and toys are strewn all over the place. We've seen people recoil from the shock, shake their heads in wonder or, if they're parents, simply nod in commiseration at the mess of our car....yep, it can be pretty embarrassing! So, Fridays have now become the official "car cleaning" day in our household, and everyone has a job. No one ever complains...except whoever is responsible for window cleaning. The fingerprints and dog snot (Pepper loves taking rides in the car) are not such a big deal. The windshield, however, is another matter altogether. Our car has a pretty deep slope in the front, requiring us to drum up our best contortionist skills to clean it deep down. We admit it, our flexibility is quite pathetic...thus, so are our windshields.

We came across the As Seen on TV Windshield Wonder in our local Walgreens a couple of weeks ago...somehow we missed the infomercial for this one. This is by no means a complicated product, and since we admit to being a little more simple-minded than most, it seemed perfect for our windshield cleaning needs. Why oh why didn't we think of this first? The Windshield Wonder boasts a combination of a microfiber cleaning cloth, long ergonomic handle and pivoting head to make windshield cleaning fast and easy. We have to admit, Telebrands has a winner with this one. The Windshield Wonder's 16" handle really helps reach all the way down to the dash, all while sitting comfortably in the front seat. It even folds for easy storage in the glove compartment (though we keep ours in the front door pocket). The curvature of the unique pivoting head is similar to the windshield, providing even pressure across surfaces for a streak and smudge-free clean every time. Plus, the microfiber cloth/bonnet is uniquely suited for cleaning windows and other glass surfaces, with fibers that open up to grab particles of dirt and dust. Yes, yes, yes...we know that the supposed benefit of a microfiber cloth is the ability to use plain tap water for outstanding results. Call us inept (and trust us, many people have), but plain water just doesn't work for us. So, we simply put our Method Best in Glass cleaner in the little spray bottle that came with our Windshield Wonder...perfect!

Since we don't have to strain from the driver seat to use the As Seen on TV Windshield Wonder, it has been terrific for handling the fogginess that hinders our vision when driving in the rain. We simply wait until we're at a red light and give our windshield a couple of quick swipes to clear the glass right up...no straining, and no flexibility necessary. We even bought an extra Windshield Wonder to keep inside the house. It works wonders (no pun intended) on the high glass mirrors in the bathrooms...have we mentioned that we are vertically challenged? Yes, that means short! The bottom line is that the As Seen on TV Windshield Wonder by Telebrands is one of those products that does exactly what it says for a price that won't break the bank...we love it when that happens. Plus, it's easy enough for the kids to use...we especially love that! Definitely a "kool" idea.

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Today's Kool Idea: BirdieBall Limited Distance Golf Practice Ball

Golf is one of those sports that has earned much respect in The Daily Kool household over the years. There is just something about the mental and physical challenge, combined with getting out in the fresh air on a beautiful grassy course, that is both relaxing and stimulating. We admit it, though...our original motives for playing golf were not entirely pure. Yep, we used golf as a front to establish potential (and often profitable) business connections...we're so ashamed! There was only one problem...we didn't account for how hard it is to stick to the green. Oh, that darn Tiger Woods...he makes it look so easy!

We received a BirdieBall limited distance golf practice ball at a marketing convention we attended last year. We were intrigued by the idea of a limited flight (about 40 yards) practice golf ball with a long hang time, true-feel trajectory. Okay, we know it looks weird...but honestly, the BirdieBall is the best golf training aid we have ever owned. Because of the limited distance, we can create an impromptu driving range in our backyard or even at the park without worry. BirdieBalls are much safer than hitting real golf balls, with far better performance than you would ever get from a perforated practice ball or wiffleball. We love how the BirdieBall spins and flies exactly like a regular golf ball...just far enough to show ball flight, but short enough that you can hit and retrieve it with minimal effort. Plus, there is nothing quite as satisfying as the turbine hum that results from a perfectly executed swing.

The BirdieBall limited distance golf practice ball really performs just like a regular golf ball...hook, slice, chip and yes, even a worm burner (sigh). Regardless of whether your are giving a full swing or are in the chipping realm, you can count on the BirdieBall to behave appropriately. Experiencing the "true feel" and seeing the "true flight" of the amazing BirdieBall has dramatically improved our ability to control a real golf ball with only 15 minutes of practice per day. Not that the practice is a hardship anyway...BirdieBalls are amazingly addicting and have never failed to offer us a pleasurable, challenging and rewarding experience. Regardless of handicap or experience, this is quite possibly the "koolest" gift for any golf lover.

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Today's Kool Idea: The Swerve Neck Razor and Full Body Groomtool

A couple of weeks ago, we were waiting outside our favorite Mexican restaurant for our table to be ready, when our father started examining the back of his neck. Noticing that it was time to shave it again (yeah, Dad's a pretty hairy guy), he asked our mother if she could do it before his business meeting the next day. After some grumbling about last minute requests and a few Homer Simpson cracks, Mom said fine...after all, she's been shaving the back of his neck in between haircuts for the past 40 years.

Another one of life's strange coincidences. It just so happened that our friends at the Swerve were in the process of mailing us a sample of their product to review for The Daily Kool. We had come across the Swerve the day before, and thought it sounded like an unusual Father's Day gift. Weird, huh? We just can't make these things up...well, we could, but we really didn't.

The Swerve neck razor and full body groomtool is actually a pretty nifty little $5 invention. It has a patent-pending, ergonomic design that allows it to fit comfortably in the palm of your hand. The Swerve contains a triple-action blade for swift cutting precision and a lubricating strip designed to help it glide smoothly along the contours of your body. Our tester loved how the Swerve gave him complete control when he used it to shave the back of his neck and upper body. He could definitely see purchasing one for himself...we gave him the sample to keep in the meantime.

There are a couple of things to keep in mind with the Swerve neck razor and full body groomtool. It is disposable, so expect to replace it every 4-6 weeks or so when the blade gets dull. The price is more than reasonable, and the company offers a three-pack of the Swerve if you want to save a couple of dollars on the individual cost. We would really like to see an interchangeable blade system sometime in the future. We would also like a more convenient storing solution for our Swerve (maybe something to snap it in)...we are not confident that the plastic tube it comes in, though convenient for travel, will prevent the blade from rusting. Also, remember that you may still have to trim the back of your neck before using the Swerve, depending on how much hair growth you have...this would be the case with any razor, though.

The Swerve neck razor and full body groomtool is a simple solution to unwanted hair growth. We love when products work as well as advertised...seriously, how often does that happen? We are definitely buying one for Dad (or is it for Mom?). A unique gift idea that any man would appreciate. The Swerve is absolutely worth the purchase and a great way to easily maintain your "kool" appearance. So tell us...do you have Swerve appeal?

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Today's Kool Idea: Oxo Good Grips Flexible Vegetable Brush

Have you ever noticed how it's the simple things in life that give us the most pleasure? A child's laughter...a morning sunrise...the Oxo Good Grips Flexible Vegetable Brush. Okay, call us crazy (and trust us, many many people have), but we at The Daily Kool absolutely love it when a kitchen gadget gets the job done right. Those of us who own anything by Oxo know that their products usually do. Yep, we admit it...we are big Oxo fans, and have been since we got our first kitchen gadget about ten years ago (yikes, has it been that long?).

The Oxo Good Grips Flexible Vegetable Brush may not be our first kitchen gadget by this top notch company, but it certainly is one of our favorites. In our humble opinion, this vegetable brush is, without a doubt, the best on the market today. Perfect for use on root vegetables such as potatoes, carrots and beets, the Oxo Good Grips Flexible Vegetable Brush's strong and sturdy nylon bristles dislodge dirt deep in the nooks and crannies, regardless of how round, bumpy or odd the surface. Don't be deceived by the term "flexible"...there is nothing flimsy or floppy about this product. The handle is all Oxo Good Grips, ergonomically designed to comfortably fit the palm, while providing an outstanding, non-slip grip with less tension on the hands than a traditional vegetable brush.

We love how the Oxo Good Grips Flexible Vegetable Brush follows the contours of our vegetables for a thorough clean, without damaging the skin...all with surprisingly little effort. Keep in mind that this brush was designed for use with firmer vegetables...we do not recommend using it on the delicate ones, like mushrooms or tomatoes. We do find that the Oxo Good Grips Flexible Vegetable Brush is perfect for removing wax off of our apples and other fruit from the supermarket. Also great for removing the silk from a corn husk...just be careful not to scrub too hard.

It's truly amazing how much thought and effort has gone into the design of such a little gadget...no wonder the Oxo Good Grips line has earned the Tylenol/Arthritis Foundation Design Award and is regarded as on of the icons of Universal Design. The Oxo Good Grips Flexible Vegetable Brush is one of the most frequently used kitchen tool in The Daily Kool household and well worth the $4 price tag. How "kool" is that?

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