Today's Kool Idea: Bamboo Fabric Bedding Sheets

We at The Daily Kool have a confession to make. We have been having a really hard time getting out of bed in the morning lately. Yes, we know we have kids to take care of, places to be and readers to write for. But when the alarm goes off, we find ourselves stubbornly pressing the snooze button (over and over again) and snuggling deeper in our covers. Though we are admittedly a lazy bunch by nature, this is kind of over the top...yes, even for us. It's not our fault, though...really! We have a couple of dear, dear friends who are totally responsible for our recent indolence. We won't mention names, but they know who they are. Boy, are we grateful for them!

We were having dinner with our friends about a month ago and somehow got on the topic of bamboo fabric bedding sheets. Bamboo? We'd heard about the many environmental benefits of bamboo fabric, but we ignorantly assumed that there was no way this material could possibly be that comfortable to sleep on. Our friends insisted that their bamboo fabric bedding sheets were softer and more luxurious than we could ever imagine. Nope, we'd stick with our expensive European cotton sheets, thank you very much.

A couple of weeks later, we received a package from our friends with a note that said, "Just try them." Okay, fine. See the first paragraph of this post for the results. The feeling of these sheets against our skin is almost indescribable ...kind of like a blend of silk and cashmere, but definitely softer to the touch than our cotton ones. And, did you know that bamboo fabric can actually adjust to body temperature? Apparently, the very fast wicking properties allow it to be 3-4 times more absorbent than cotton. Our bamboo fabric bedding sheets will keep us cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Increased air between the body and skin prevent overheating, which is relief for those of us who experience the dreaded night sweats. There's a reason why bamboo fabric bedding sheets have been labeled "the first menopausal sheet."

As if the buttery soft comfort of our bamboo fabric bedding sheets wasn't enough, the organic and natural fiber properties make it naturally hypoallergenic. Bamboo is non-irritating to the skin, working extremely well for anyone with allergies, eczema, dermatitis or other skin sensitivities. We found several scientific studies online that demonstrate the antimicrobial and hypoallergenic properties of bamboo, resulting in sheets that stay cleaner and fresher longer. Apparently, the natural antibacterial properties of bamboo fabric come from an inherent quality of bamboo commonly called "bamboo kun." Bamboo does not require pesticides to grow because of this natural antifungal agent, which functions in the spun bamboo fibers as well. Okay, we know we got a little technical here, but the bottom line is that bamboo acts as a natural deterrent to bed bugs and mites, with a 99.8% antibacterial kill rate, making it an ideal bedding choice for children as well.

Here’s the kicker...bamboo fabric is completely biodegradable. Bamboo is one of the world's fastest growing, greenest, most renewable resource. It takes in five times the amount of greenhouse gases, and produces 35% more oxygen than an equivalent-sized tree. Plus, bamboo textiles are made from Moso bamboo, not the type of bamboo that giant pandas eat, in case you were wondering (we did). These bamboo plants can grow up to a foot per day, so deforestation is not a concern. Because it can grow so densely without the need for pesticides or herbicides, a bamboo forest has about 40% more biomass than a regular hardwood forest. Bamboo is truly one of the most eco-friendly materials around.

If you decide to try them, make sure that you only purchase 100% bamboo fabric bedding sheets...apparently there are blends out there that do not have all of the same properties and benefits. The real thing is a little pricey, but oh so worth it! We have ours from a company called SleepBamboo.com, but we have found a lower thread count on clearance from Bed Bath and Beyond that you might want to check out. There is a natural sheen to bamboo fabric bedding sheets that may not be for everyone. And keep in mind that they should always be washed on the delicate cycle (tumble dry low) and removed promptly from the dryer to minimize shrinkage and wrinkling, respectively.

There are so many wonderful things to say about our bamboo fabric bedding sheets. Hypoallergenic, environmentally conscious and heavenly to sleep on, these sheets are a perfect fit for any bedroom. Soft, supple and silky to the touch...so luxurious, we never want to sleep on another fabric again. We'll just have to start going to bed earlier in the evening...sounds like a "kool" idea to us!

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Today's Kool Idea: Disney Pixar Movie 'Up'

Here in Florida, we have been experiencing consistent afternoon thunderstorms for the past couple of weeks, wreaking havoc on otherwise perfect temperatures for swimming...yep, it's summer all right. It's not easy keeping kids entertained in lousy weather, especially when you are trying to conserve costs in today's economy. After hours of playing family games, dancing to music and baking brownies, we decided to bite the bullet and splurge for a family outing at the movies. You guessed it...we took our children to see the new Disney Pixar movie Up.

The Daily Kool is a huge fan of Pixar, though no one in our family can ever agree on which is the absolute best of their movies...yes, they're all that good. Up is another brilliantly artistic film that certainly lives up to Pixar's reputation. Pixar has, without a doubt, found the secret formula for success, creating near masterpieces that encompass the perfect blend of heart and humor in a way that caters to children and adults alike.

The story of Up opens with the introduction of a young Carl Fredricksen who meets his soul mate (Ellie) and shares his love for exciting tales of adventure. Pixar sends us on Carl and Ellie's life journey in a wordless montage that is stunning and heartbreaking in its elegant reflection of love, joy and tragedy. Carl and Ellie dream of exploration to South America's Paradise Falls but, as often is the case, life gets in the way of their plans. After Ellie passes away and Carl finds himself a lonely widower, he pays tribute to her by tying hundreds of balloons to their little house to finally fulfill his lifelong dream of adventure. But, after discovering an eight-year old stowaway named Russell, the unlikely pair soon find themselves on a hilarious journey filled with danger and surprises.

As one critic aptly described, Up is "more about ideas and themes rather than action," and deals with adult ideas in a way that is acceptable to children, with an endearing depiction of how disappointment can sometimes reveal hidden opportunities for happiness. Admittedly, our kids could have done without the heaviness of the first third of the movie...however, as adults, we appreciated the insight provided by Pixar's carefully thought out character development. Plus, the Pixar team more than makes it up to the children with the always moving and optimistic Boy Scout wonder Russell, a whimsical and magical female bird named Kevin and the delightful talking dog Dug, who clearly stole the show for our little ones.

Up was absolutely worth the indulgence for our family. Though the rich color and lovely effects of the movie were no doubt enhanced in the 3-D version, a truly spectacular movie such as Up does not lose a thing on the regular screen. In fact, we suspect that the latest obsession Disney has with making their movies 3-D is more of a marketing ploy to justify a higher ticket price...3-D doesn't tell the story which is the backbone of any quality film. Up tells a wonderful tale, regardless of the number of dimensions used and is a definite "must see" for every family. Just remember that Up is rated PG for some peril and mild violence when taking very small children...our four year old found his way onto our laps for comfort toward the end). Dug, with his direct expression of doggie thoughts ("I just met you and I love you"), is worth the price of admission alone. Squirrel!

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Today's Kool Ideas: Aerobed for Kids and Aerobed Sports Overnighter

This Memorial Day weekend, our kids are having a couple of their close friends at the house for a sleepover for the first time. They've been planning it for a week. They've picked out games, snacks, movies, crafts...they are so excited! We do have a bit of a challenge, though...our entire downstairs has hardwood floors. Even though we have a regular sleeping bag in the house (our beloved Puff the Magic Dragon one from about thirty years ago), unfortunately, it is pretty much out of the question for this weekend. There isn't enough room in our kids' two twin-size beds for the four boys to share either. How can we have a successful sleepover when we have no comfortable place for the kids to sleep?

We were discussing our problem with our neighbor, and she couldn't believe that we didn't already have an Aerobed for Kids in the house. We never even thought about it...hey, it's our first kids' sleepover, remember? Luckily, she has two, so we went ahead and borrowed them to test out for this weekend. Let's put it this way...the kids thought the Aerobeds were so "kool," they insisted on sleeping on them the other night right on the living room floor. The Aerobed for Kids was a bit too small for our seven year old (not that he complained), but it was a perfect size for our four year old.

There are so many terrific things to say about the Aerobed for Kids. It inflates quickly and effortlessly, and has far exceeded our expectations for comfort. The four inch safety surround kept our kids snuggled in tight...they are not very restless sleepers, but it was still nice to know that we were unlikely to hear any thumping from children falling off of the Aerobed during the night. The stars and moon cover is really cozy...again a bit too young for our older son, but adorable nonetheless. We will say that the Aerobed for Kids actually takes up more space than we would have expected, mostly because of the safety border...our sons share a room, so it's a good thing we plan on camping out in the living room this weekend. So convenient, and yet so comfortable...this product is definitely an infinite number of steps above the traditional sleeping bag...yes, even a Puff the Magic Dragon one (feeling a little nostalgic here).

Our children slept through the night beautifully on their borrowed Aerobed for Kids. So, we went ahead and purchased two new Aerobeds for our home. Since our older son has definitely outgrown the Aerobed for Kids and our younger one is getting bigger every day, we decided on two twin Aerobed Sport Overnighters (one red, one blue). This way, we can use the borrowed Aerobeds this weekend for the younger boys and the larger beds for the older ones. The lightweight backpack will make the Aerobed Sport Overnighters so easy to take on road trips and camping...we can even take them on an airplane for our visits to relatives up north.

The Aerobed for Kids and Aerobed Sport Overnighter are wonderful products to have on hand, especially for a family with children. They are so convenient for vacation travel, family visits, and yes...even sleepovers! We can see getting a lot of use out of our Aerobed Sport Overnighters, and are very grateful to our neighbor for letting us borrow her Aerobeds. Assuming the company lives up to its reputation for quality, ours will hopefully last for many, many years. Definitely a "kool" idea!

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Today's Kool Idea: Misty Mate Hand Held Personal Mister

Memorial Day weekend is coming up soon, and it seems like almost everyone we know is taking a family vacation to Disney World. What's wrong with you people? Are we the only ones who think that it is going to be much too crowded...not to mention, blistering hot? Okay, we confess...there have been times that we've also given in to the lure of our Magic Kingdom addiction during almost unbearable climate conditions. How on earth are we supposed to stay cool in the blistering heat of the Florida sun?

For our last Disney trip, we borrowed the Misty Mate hand held personal mister from a friend of ours. All we can say is "aaaahhhh." What a lifesaver! Our friend has the least expensive Misty Mate personal mister, which is the 10oz. pump model. This product really made a big difference in our comfort at the amusement parks, and the kids really loved the feel of the mist on their overheated faces and bodies while waiting in the long lines. We liked that we never had to worry about the Misty Mate hand held personal mister running out of battery power...it doesn't use batteries. Just pump and spray for a gentle mist without drowning. Misty Mate ensures a quick temperature drop by up to 30 degrees below the outside temperature...perhaps it wasn't that drastic a reduction for us, but it was certainly refreshing enough for our needs. We also appreciated the portability of the Misty Mate... it fit right in our stroller cup holder and was a snap to refill whenever we needed to throughout the day. Oh, and the Misty Mate was so lightweight, it was a breeze (yeah, we love puns...sorry) to carry when we needed to.

The Misty Mate hand held personal mister really made our last summer trip to Disney much more tolerable. Yes, we realize it's still spring, but the weather is already really hot. We love this product so much, we purchased one to keep on hand for trips to the park, ballgames and other outdoor activities or events we have coming up (there are a lot of them). We may even test out the Misty Mate Sport Breeze, which includes a mini fan that can be used with or without the pump. So, if you are headed out to battle the Disney crowd, check out the Misty Mate hand held personal mister...and remember to drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration! Definitely, a "kool" idea if you're headed outdoors this Memorial Day weekend.

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Today's Kool Idea: Seaora Dead Sea Bath Salts

Okay, today is Friday, and boy has it been a long and hectic week! We at The Daily Kool have all been complaining about our sore, tired feet and aching backs for the last couple of days. Every year that we have lived seems to be stamped into our bodies in the way of arthritis, muscle tension, spasms, and stiff muscles...boy, are we getting old!

Before we pass out tonight in sheer and utter exhaustion, we are going to take some time out for some much deserved pampering. Aahhhh...nothing could be more soothing than a long, hot soak in the bathtub. Seaora Dead Sea Bath Salts are an especially luxurious addition that we plan to indulge in. This is not the first time The Daily Kool has touted the benefits of these amazing Dead Sea products...check out our feature of Seaora's Sea Salt Scrub from a previous post.

We love that with over 70 scents, 13 colors and several sizes, Seaora Dead Sea Bath Salts are completely customizable to fit everyone's need. The ladies at The Daily Kool are partial to the lavender scent, while the men (hey, they deserve to smell good, too!) like the musky scent of sandalwood. We choose colors that complement our bathroom and keep them in decorative jars on the counter for visual appeal.

Yes, we love our Friday baths...but, we especially love the healing properties that Seaora Dead Sea Bath Salts have. Believe it or not, they offer many added benefits that you might not expect from so simple a product. Bath salts open the pores to purify the skin, cleansing away dirt, sweat and toxins. They can actually help improve your circulation and reduce tenderness. Salts aid in the healing of dry skin, making it softer and more supple. They can even help improve common irritations such as insect bits, minor rashes and calluses and more serious conditions like acne, eczema and psoriasis. With the option of essential oils, Seaora Dead Sea Bath Salts offer the added benefit of aromatherapy to help induce calmness and promote relaxation.

For centuries, people have traveled great distances to bathe in the salt rich waters of The Dead Sea. Though nothing can truly compare to the actual experience of the Dead Sea (and we speak from experience), we can reduce pain, repair damaged skin and literally wash away stress with Seaora Dead Sea Bath Salts in our own bathtub. Perhaps it's the 20 all-natural essential minerals that infuse the skin, but there truly is a difference between this "kool" product and over-the-counter bath salt. And though you can usually find Dead Sea salts in your local shopping mall, we have found the best variety at the lowest cost online. Check it out...it's truly worth it. We want to wish everyone a wonderful holiday weekend...happy bathing!

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Today's Kool Idea: Blokus

We at The Daily Kool are always looking for terrific family games that encourage creativity, challenge the mind and can keep the attention of both our children. Believe us, this is no easy task! Our children are three years apart, and it is especially difficult to find a board game that can engage both of them without being too easy or overwhelming for one.

A family member gave us Blokus as a holiday gift. Of all the presents we received, this is by far our favorite! It is not surprising that this game by Educational Insights has been deemed the most awarded one of the 21st century. The object of Blokus is simple...place as many of your pieces on the board as possible. The trick? When placing one of the odd-shaped pieces, it may not lie adjacent to the player's other pieces, but must be placed touching at least one corner of their pieces already on the board. The strategy comes in planning future pieces and blocking your opponents.

Easy to understand by the youngest player (ages 5 and up), yet complex enough to challenge adults, Blokus has become our family's number one choice for game night. Our children are developing logic and spatial perception while learning tactical play. And they are have so much fun doing it! When we see our children laughing and complementing each other on a particularly brilliant move, we are reminded just how much game night encourages relaxation, healthy brain activity and just plain family togetherness. Blokus is brilliant in its simplicity, and quite possibly, the "koolest" game around.

Today's Kool Idea: Seaora Sea Salt Scrub

Do you feel that no matter how much moisturizer you apply your skin remains dry and flaky? Is the winter season winning in your battle for soft supple skin? Well, then check out this "kool" Sea Salt Body Scrub from Seaora.

Many of us have heard of the legendary benefits of the minerals from the Dead Sea. People travel from all over the world to experience the "biggest natural spa on earth." The Dead Sea's heavy mineral concentration of over 21 different minerals is believed to help with skin problems, like eczema and psoriasis, plus aching joints and even fluid retention. Although most of us cannot travel all the way to the Dead Sea, there is a wonderful way to experience the spa benefits in the comfort of your own home.

We at The Daily Kool are obsessed with the Dead Sea products and have tried them from several companies over the years. Therefore, we will probably be featuring some individual favorites several times on this blog site. Our absolute, all-time favorite product is by far Seaora's Sea Salt Body Scrub. The scrub combines dead sea salt and minerals with natural oils for silky smooth skin. The salt acts as a natural exfoliate, removing dead skin cells and opening pores to gently soften, stimulate and cleanse the skin. The scrub comes in a few different fragrances and also unscented...the Lavender scent is our favorite.

This scrub truly feels marvelous all over the body. As with most high-quality products, the scrub is a little pricey (it is less than a trip to the spa), but we have to say that a little truly goes a long way. We use the scrub in the shower/bath for an all over body treatment 1-2 times per week. However, we absolutely recommend using it once a day on your hands...you won't believe the difference after just one use. A great product and a great value.

VERY IMPORTANT WARNING: Watch out for cuts and scraps on your body (from shaving, etc.) when using this product...remember, it's a "salt" scrub!