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: Cuisinart ICE-40 Flavor Duo Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt & Sorbet Maker

The Daily Kool family has always toyed with the idea of getting an ice cream maker for our home. As parents, we are often concerned about controlling the quality of ingredients in the food our children eat. Store-bought ice cream often has additives, so we often prefer the premium brands...hey, if we can't pronounce it, we certainly don't want to eat it. But, wow. Premium ice cream definitely comes at a premium price. An ice cream maker may seem like a perfect solution, but since no one in our household can ever agree on one flavor (heaven forbid), we always figured it would be a wasted investment...until now.

Check out the Cuisinart ICE-40 Flavor Duo Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt & Sorbet Maker...yep, it can make two different batches of ice cream at the same time. How "kool" is that? This sleek machine is fully automatic and can produce one or two quarts of frozen dessert in about 20 minutes. Cuisinart boasts the smoothest and creamiest ice cream, frozen yogurt and sorbet with this attractive appliance...all at the touch of a button. Made of heavy grade plastic (available in black or white) and brushed stainless steel, this just might be the ice cream maker we've been looking for. A control switch is easily set to activate both bowls or just one. We love having the option of simultaneously producing either one or two quarts of one flavor, or one quart each of two different flavors. Plus, the machine is easy to clean...a definite requirement in our family.

Making ice cream in the Cuisinart ICE-40 Flavor Duo Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt & Sorbet Maker seems like a breeze. Simply stick the double-insulated bowls in the freezer for 6-12 hours, then place them in the base. This is a critical step, since well-chilled canisters and cold ingredients are the key to success with this and any other ice cream maker. Insert the plastic paddles into the machine and place the cover units on. Select the one or two side option, turn on the motor and pour the mix into the unit through the easy pour spout. The plastic covers make it easy to see how the base is coming along. Voila...in about 20-30 minutes, it's time for dessert!

There are definitely a few things to keep in mind when deciding to purchase the Cuisinart ICE-40 Flavor Duo Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt & Sorbet Maker. Although it looks pretty sharp with its long, low profile, the dimensions of this machine make it just too large to sit out unless it's being used daily...though that is a possibility with the ice cream fanatics in The Daily Kool household. But most of us should plan on having a place to store it when not in use. Also, we understand that the machine is pretty loud when operating...just something to keep in mind with guests and children who are sensitive to noise. If there's space, it might be easier to just keep the bowls in the freezer all the time for an impromptu craving. Just make sure to keep the bowls in a plastic bag to avoid freezer burn when removing.

We love stuff in our ice cream..nuts, cookie bits, candy, fruit, pickles (just kidding). The Cuisinart ICE-40 Flavor Duo Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt & Sorbet Maker says to add any special ingredients in the last five minutes for best results and a truly individual concoction. Only one problem...if the pieces are any larger than a chocolate chip-sized small dice, they can jam up the mixer. This may be fine for the kids, but we adults like chunks in our ice cream...big, big chunks. For us, it'll just be easier to incorporate our mix-ins with a rubber spatula after the ice cream is made. We also prefer a firmer texture with our ice cream, so we will likely transfer the desserts to our beloved Lock and Lock storage containers and place them in the freezer for a couple of hours before enjoying. However, frozen yogurt should be eaten immediately or it might become a bit too hard and lose the smoothness commonly associated with it. The machine does come with a recipe book for ice cream, sorbets, sherbets, frozen yogurts and mixed frozen drinks (with or without alcohol), and there are countless lower-calorie recipes online for the more diet-discerning palette.

For anyone interested in experimenting with different flavors, making sorbet and ice cream at the same time, or simply satisfying everyone in the family with individual tastes, the Cuisinart ICE-40 Flavor Duo Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt & Sorbet Maker definitely seems like the way to go. What a pleasure it would be to know exactly what goes into our frozen desserts, eliminate processed ingredients and control the sugar content. Here's an easy recipe for vanilla ice cream that is perfect for kids and those of us who are kids at heart. Enjoy!

Quick and Easy Vanilla Ice Cream

Ingredients

• 1/2 pint light cream
• small can of condensed milk
• 1-2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (according to taste)

Directions: Place all ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix until smooth. Chill in the refrigerator, then transfer to Cuisinart ICE-40 Flavor Duo Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt & Sorbet Maker. Freeze according to manufacturer instructions.

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Today's Kool Idea: Party on the Go Food & Dessert Travel Caddy with 4 Inserts

Every year, the summer is filled with picnics, barbecues and other casual gatherings for The Daily Kool family. Most of these get-togethers are pot-luck events where everyone brings a dish for the guests to share. Needless to say, tables are always filled with a ton deviled eggs, fruit platters, sandwiches and cupcakes galore. So much for shedding those last few (okay, or forty) pounds...sigh. Since most of us tend to bring homemade items as opposed to pre-made trays, we are always looking for convenient travel caddies to hold our food.

Check out today's special value on QVC...the Party on the Go food & dessert travel caddy with 4 inserts. Seems like a pretty "kool" idea, and just what we need to transport our munchies. The set includes four different interchangeable trays...a travel caddy with lid, cupcake/muffin tray, deviled egg tray, 12" round tray, and veggie/chip and dip tray. These inserts are perfect for customizing the carrier for the type of munchies we're bringing to the party. For about $26 (including shipping), the Party on the Go food & dessert travel caddy is not a bad deal...The Daily Kool would certainly get our money's worth.

We love that the Party on the Go food & dessert travel caddy has a lid (complete with handle) high enough to protect our goodies...too often, our food gets mushed on top from covering it with tin foil or plastic wrap. We also like that this product comes in five colors to choose from...we are partial to the purple and blue. Achem, excuse us...lilac and sky. The only thing we're not thrilled with is that the caddy can only accommodate one tray at a time. While we understand this for the food itself, it would be so much more convenient if it included some way to store the extra pieces we're not using at the time. At least all the trays nest together for compact storage when not in use, though.

Despite our little pet peeve about where to put the unused inserts, the Party on the Go food & dessert travel caddy is certainly worth our order. Our plan is to test it out with our basic (and kid-friendly) deviled eggs for the pool party we're going to next week (see recipe below)...good thing our QVC orders tend to arrive pretty quickly. We even picked up a few extra sets as hostess gifts...we're sure our friends will appreciate how easy it is to create an attractive presentation with this product. The smart and stylish Party on the Go food & dessert travel caddy can be used year-round and certainly seems ideal for any type of casual entertainment...a definite "must have"...at least for The Daily Kool family.


Our Basic Deviled Egg Recipe

Ingredients:

• 12 hard-cooked eggs, peeled and cut lengthwise
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise (we like Hellmann's)
  
• 1 teaspoon dry ground mustard
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black (or white) pepper
• Paprika for garnish

Directions:

1. Remove the egg yolks and place into a small bowl, mash with a fork.
   
2. Add mayonnaise, mustard powder, vinegar, salt and pepper and mix thoroughly.
   
3. Fill the empty egg white shells with the mixture and sprinkle lightly with paprika.
4. Select the deviled egg tray and place it in your Party on the Go food & dessert travel caddy.
   
5. Place deviled eggs in the caddy, cover with lid.
6. Refrigerate up to one day (but at least one hour) before serving.
   
   

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Today's Kool Idea: Drinkwear Attachable Flip Flop Coasters

Last Saturday, we had a mom's only rejuvenation gathering at a friend's house, courtesy of our husbands. They really went all-out for this one...the men hired a massage therapist, manicurist and a server to take care of all twelve of us for the day. It was amazing! We spent an entire day, relaxing and rejuvenating ourselves at the pool...while the men took over taking care of the kids. We drank fabulous wine, and enjoyed massages, manicures and pedicures...all without lifting a finger to do anything. Yep, it was absolute bliss.

One of our girlfriends showed up to the event with a couple of bottles of wine and the cutest drink coasters we've ever seen. These Drinkwear attachable flip flop coasters were the perfect party accessories for our gathering. Designed to fit on the base of most stemware, Drinkwear flip flop coasters stay appropriately attached to the "foot" of your glass. The EVA foam rubber material keeps stemware secure as you mingle and is easy to hand wash clean. The best part? Each one of us was able to identify our wineglass with our own flip flop style. They are simply adorable!

We just couldn't get over how fun and funky these Drinkwear attachable flip flop coasters are. Each set comes with four unique flip flop coasters, secured in a drawstring tote to fit over the neck of a wine bottle. Our girlfriend found this particular set for only about $10 (minus her 20% coupon, of course!) at her local Bed Bath and Beyond store. After some research, The Daily Kool was able to find a larger (albeit, more expensive) variety of styles online at Perpetual Kid. What a fabulous housewarming gift idea for any outdoor celebration, and a great way to protect your tabletop with style. Drinkwear attachable flip flop coasters are, without a doubt, a "kool" idea for a hot summer day.

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Today's Kool Idea: Weber's Way to Grill Cookbook

Summer vacation is finally here, and if you haven't done it already, it's definitely time to break out the barbecue grill. Many childhood memories feature Dad commanding our little charcoal grill, while the rest of us frolicked in the pool. Unfortunately, his skills were pretty much limited to puck...achem, hamburgers and hot dogs. The side dishes more than made up for it, though...particularly Mom's amazing pasta salad. Besides, it's more about the joy of being in the company of family than about the food, especially for the kids...yeah, right!

We were hanging out at our local bookstore a couple of weeks ago and came across the Weber's Way to Grill cookbook. A quick peek inside was all it took to determine that this was a definite "must have" in The Daily Kool household. Jamie Purviance, accomplished chef and teacher, has impressed us with this cookbook in so many ways. Diverse recipes, detailed instruction and beautiful photography are just the beginning. We love how Weber's Way to Grill focuses on culinary details to produce a winning meal every time, instead of settling for the mediocrity (sorry, Dad) that comes with just "winging" it. Clearly a lot of thought and effort went into the organization of this book. Weber's Way to Grill is chock-full of tips to maximize the flavor of your beef, chicken, pork, seafood, vegetables and even fruit, along with tempting side dishes to complement every recipe. Plus, there is an entire section on grilling basics that gives equal coverage to wood, charcoal and gas techniques. The resource section complete with rubs, marinades and sauces are worth the price of this amazing cookbook alone...not to mention the grilling guides that help to ensure cooking perfection...yes, even for Dad.

Weber's Way to Grill is one of the most comprehensive cookbooks on the market today....an all-in-one master class in every way. It is definitely an indispensable asset for novice and expert grillers alike. Dad is getting this one from the kids for Father's Day...a perfect gift, especially since we're planning on barbecuing dinner that night anyway. Okay, so the gift might be more for us than our father. Here's hoping we can get a medium rare steak out of the deal!

Check out this terrific recipe from Weber's Way to Grill. And, if all else fails, we've also included Mom's famous pasta salad. Enjoy!


Garlic-Crusted Rib-Eye Steaks
Paste Ingredients
4 large garlic cloves
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh Italian parsley
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

4 bone-in rib-eye steaks, 10 to 12 ounces each and about 1 inch thick, trimmed of excess fat

Directions:

1. On a cutting board, finely chop the garlic, then sprinkle with the salt. Use the side of a knife to smash the garlic into a paste. Put the garlic paste into a small bowl and add the remaining paste ingredients.
2. Smear the paste evenly over both sides of each steak. Let the steaks stand at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before grilling.
3. Prepare your grill for direct cooking over high heat (450-550 degrees F), and brush the cooking grates clean.
4. Grill the steaks over direct high heat, with the lid closed as much as possible, until cooked to desired doneness. For medium rare, this will be about 6-8 minutes, turning once. Remove from grill and let rest for a few minutes before serving.
   

A Different Kind of Pasta Salad
Ingredients
1 lb box tri-colored rotini noodles
1 small jar sliced olives
1 small red pepper, chopped
1 small green pepper, chopped
1/2 cup mayo
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
1/3 cup vegetable oil
salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Cook noodles until al-dente. Drain well.
2. Combine all ingredients. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or until ready to serve.
   

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Today's Kool Idea: Collapsible / Pop Up Mesh Food Covers

Once a month, The Daily Kool family gets together with a group of friends at the park for a great big picnic lunch. We have such a good time! We all split the cost of a pavilion, and each family is responsible for bringing one food dish and at least one game for the kids to play together. This has to be one of the best ideas we've ever had...an afternoon of fun in the sun, coupled with great friends, yummy food and our children's infectious laughter in the background. Did we mention the food? Imagine a picnic table filled with delectable delights...salads, dips, sandwiches, casseroles, desserts...the list goes on and on. The one thing that has always put a damper on our picnic though, is the sheer number of pests that inevitably try to horde in on our buffet. Seriously, folks...we're tired of constantly shooing flies away from our food...sure, it gives our arms a good workout, but this is just not the way we want to tone up our biceps. We needed to find a better way to protect our goodies.

Well, guess what...those little buggers better watch out, because their days of crashing our party are definitely numbered. We first came across these collapsible / pop up mesh food covers on QVC. After reading the reviews on both QVC and Amazon, this is definitely the answer we've been looking for! Check it out...this set is much better than the angled food domes we've seen. The sides go straight up (8 inches high), giving us more room to pile food high on each serving plate without worry. These food covers also seem much sturdier...the wired bottoms look like they'll even keep the crawly bugs away. The mesh makes it really easy to see what's underneath the food covers, and the three sizes make it easy to accommodate all types of dishes. We love how these pop up mesh food covers collapse down to practically nothing when not in use...it will be a cinch to find a place to store them. The only complaint that has been fairly consistent across the reviews is that the collapsible / pop up mesh food covers are unlikely to hold up on windy days. This is not much of a surprise, since ease of lifting them to get to the food is a major selling point. It should be solvable with a simple tablecloth weight, though...definitely not enough of an issue to prevent The Daily Kool from buying them, but something to keep in mind.

Amazon and QVC seem to have slightly different versions of the collapsible / pop up mesh food covers. Amazon's comes in a set of three...costs less, but the shipping is higher, so it evens out (both Target and HSN are higher priced). However, this version uses a nylon mesh ring to uncover the food instead of the full length strap found on the QVC model. The centered ring might actually make it easier to keep the food covers steady when lifting up and putting down. Also, QVC's five piece set only comes with one of the largest size. So, we decided to place our order with Amazon for this one. We purchased three sets, so we can easily accommodate our large gatherings...the reasonable price (about $10 per set) was certainly worth it.

We can absolutely see getting a lot of use out of our collapsible / pop up mesh food covers. They are a great idea for picnics, barbecues and even camping trips. They are also ideal for indoor use...the food covers should be a useful deterrent to prevent pets and little children from getting into the dishes unsupervised. What a fabulous gift idea! Hopefully, these "kool" food covers are as terrific as they seem. We can't wait to try them out at our next park get together!

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Today's Kool Idea: Appetizer on Ice Serving Center with Vented IceTray and Lid

Last year, we were having an outdoor birthday party for our oldest son at the local city pool. His parties are always a hit, not because we go overboard, but since his birthday always falls on Labor Day weekend, it's inevitably the first party of the school year. And since he's in a smaller private school where all the kids know each other, we make sure to invite all of the children in his class...26 kids and everybody showed up, with siblings and both parents in tow. Seventy-five people were coming...yikes! We needed food...lots and lots of food. Fruit and veggie platters were a must...plus plenty of candy (our son loves M&Ms) to keep the kids on an energetic sugar high. There was only one problem...how would we keep everything fresh in the scorching Florida heat?

We had seen the Appetizers on Ice serveware at our local Bed Bath and Beyond, and thought it might be the perfect solution. Then, we came across an even better version of this innovative product on QVC. When we saw the Appetizers on Ice serving center with venting ice tray and lid, we absolutely had to buy one...or three, actually. Wow...this was one purchase that absolutely exceeded our expectations. How often does that happen, and why didn't we think of it first? The large, revolving server holds vented food trays over a bed of ice. The bottom tray holds the ice, while the vented food trays rest on top and hold the food. There are three double section food trays (six in all) and a dip holder, complete with three fitted lids...all on a lazy susan base. We particularly appreciate that it's made of break-proof polycarbonate and is top-rack dishwasher safe. Fabulous!

The serving possibilities are endless for the Appetizers on Ice serving center with venting ice tray and lid, but we pretty much stuck to the basics. We had one fruit tray, one veggie tray and one for chips and dip. The center tray was a little too small for the dips and salsa for our huge party...so we used a couple of the larger sections to accommodate both, and put our son's beloved M&Ms in the center trays. This wouldn't be a problem for a normal sized event, though. To prevent the dips from leaking into the ice, we took QVC's recommendation and lined the bottom of those trays with large lettuce leaves. Instead of buying pre-cut produce, we saved a ton of money by cutting up our own, and kept extra in a large cooler so we could easily refill each individual tray as necessary. The covers certainly helped keep our food even colder, and also protected it from any little critters (the bug kind, not the child kind) who decided to crash our party. We loved how the lazy susan base ensured easy access to everything on the tray. The Appetizers on Ice serving center worked so well, we only had to refill the ice trays once...which was a breeze to do.

The Daily Kool is so impressed with the Appetizers on Ice serving center with venting ice tray and lid, we have given several of them as house gifts for friends and family who enjoy entertaining. We cannot imagine how we would have done without this product for our son's birthday party. It's durable, convenient and affordable...a must-have for any household. We would like to see serving center in other colors, but the clear acrylic certainly works with any decoration. An absolute value and terrific investment for any gathering. Our Appetizers on Ice serving center was the best way to keep our food "kool" in the hot summer sun.

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