Today's Kool Idea: EatSmart Precision Pro Digital Kitchen Scale

Well, judging by the weather, summer is definitely just around the corner here at The Daily Kool, and boy, are we in big trouble. Bathing suit season is almost here, and we have totally been neglecting our healthier eating habits these past few months...yikes! Time to get back on track and start watching what we eat. Thank goodness we have The Biggest Loser finale coming next Tuesday for inspiration. Those contestants are amazing...an absolute inspiration to everyday people like us who want to improve our health and increase longevity. And, while The Biggest Loser contestants have had many tools at their disposal to help them shed those extra pounds, one of the most important has undoubtedly been an old standard...a kitchen scale.

Believe it or not, there are several features you should consider when purchasing a kitchen scale. Capacity, precision and price are our top three. There are so many choices for a kitchen scale on the market today...The Daily Kool believes that no one does it better than EatSmart. For our home, the EatSmart Precision Pro digital kitchen scale is hands-down one of the best investments we've ever made...and it definitely gets more of a workout than we ever do (unfortunately...sigh).

With an 11lb capacity, amazing accuracy and approximate $25 price tag, the EatSmart Precision Pro digital kitchen scale is a terrific value. It is compact, yet the extra large LCD display makes it easy to read...plus, it's attractive enough to keep on our kitchen counter. We love the tare (zero) feature which allows us to automatically subtract the weight of a plate or container holding our food. Even better, it uses standard AAA batteries (as opposed to the more expensive CR2032 button ones) which we always have lying around the house. Add the four measurement mode (grams, ounces, kilograms and pounds) and a stable platform with five rubber feet to eliminate sliding, the EatSmart Precision Pro is a simple, yet effective digital scale for any kitchen. The only problem we've ever had with this product is when we want to measure ingredients in an extra large bowl or plate. They will partially cover the display, making it a little difficult to read...this is such a minor issue, though, it's hardly worth mentioning (but we will anyway, of course).

Not only is the EatSmart Precision Pro digital kitchen scale invaluable as a tool for measuring food for weight management, but it is an absolute must have for any home baker. Precise measurements are the difference between success and failure in baking. Dry ingredients such as sugar and flour should always be measured with a kitchen scale, instead of standard measuring cups. There are too many variables (air pockets, compression, etc) that can intefer with pastry perfection...regardless of how much flour you get into your scoop, you can ensure better accuracy with a quality digital kitchen scale like the EatSmart Precision Pro.

Though the EatSmart Precision Pro digital kitchen scale is perfect for our household needs, the company has taken technology one giant step further with their latest innovation. In addition to traditional food measurement, the EatSmart Digital Nutrition scale also analyzes the nutritional content of ANY food by portion size, and is the only scale on the market that allows you to calculate nutrients for any food with a USDA Nutrition Facts label. For those of us who need a more comprehensive educational and behavioral modification tool, the EatSmart Digital Nutrition scale is definitely worth checking out.

Healthy eating choices, regular exercise and controlled consumption are the keys to proper weight loss and management. We never have to guess about portion sizes with our EatSmart Precision Pro digital kitchen scale. Putting our food on this scale today will help keep us off The Biggest Loser one in the future. Summertime, here we come!

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Today's Kool Idea: Master Lock TSA Approved Luggage/Baggage Lock

Last week, there was a breaking news story about one of the larger baggage theft rings ever seen at Oregon's Portland International Airport. Baggage handlers literally stole hundreds of items from travelers' checked luggage...one of them even sold some of the property on eBay. Think about how easy it is to gain access to someone's luggage...you don't even have to be an airline passenger to go to the baggage claim. With crime in general escalating in today's tougher economic times, it's no wonder that baggage theft is on the rise as well...it's certainly one of the easier crimes of opportunity.

The Daily Kool family travels often by airplane. Although we would always prefer to carry on our luggage, we have to face the reality of traveling with young children. We need to be as unencumbered as possible, so that we can focus on keeping our most precious assets (our kids, of course) safe in the chaos of the airport. That said, we are often left with no choice but to check some valuable items, particularly for trips lasting longer than a few days. Locks are a great theft deterrent, but a waste...since 9/11, TSA agents can (and likely will) cut them right off your bags risking damage to luggage. We cannot count the number of times our baggage was selected for inspection by the TSA.

Thank goodness for our Master Lock TSA approved luggage/baggage locks. We never travel without them. Master Lock joined with TSA and Travel Sentry™ to use the special Travel Sentry symbol on luggage locks that meet the requirements of the TSA. Airline check-in staff are trained to recognize the Travel Sentry™ mark so they understand that baggage with this special mark is permitted to remain locked. The TSA agents have access to special tools that allow them to open TSA-accepted locks in the event that your bags must be opened for inspection. If necessary, TSA will simply open your locks, inspect, and re-lock your bags.

We love that the Master Lock TSA approved luggage/baggage locks are affordable (we paid around $12 for the set pictured) and dependable. Master Lock is well known for their quality, and they don't disappoint here. We also like the variety of options that Master Lock makes available for their customers. Be aware, though...we have heard the occasional complaint of TSA agents removing even Master Lock TSA approved luggage/baggage locks and neglecting to replace them. We have never personally experienced this problem, and feel that the minor risk is well worth the extra effort to protect our valuables.

Remember, even the slightest deterrent can make a thief think twice about taking a bag. Though, we absolutely recommend keeping your most valuable and/or irreplaceable items in your carry on bag, a Master Lock TSA approved luggage/baggage lock is definitely a great way to stay "kool" if you have to check your luggage at the airport. Now, the only thing to do is sit back, relax and concentrate on entertaining the kids for the next several hours. Did we say relax? Oops. Oh, never mind...enjoy your flight anyway!

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Today's Kool Idea: Purell Instant Hand Sanitizer

Every Saturday, we take our youngest child to a gymnastics class with a group of five friends that he's been with since his four-month old Mommy and Me class. This past weekend, three of them canceled because of influenza concerns, particularly the swine flu. Sure, a children's gymnasium is indeed a breeding ground for germs...after all, we are constantly telling our own children to keep their hands out of their mouths and nose (picky, picky). But unless you are willing to put your child in a bubble, he or she is undoubtedly going to be exposed to germs. As parents, the best thing we can do regarding the swine flu and other influenzas is to make sure that we take reasonable precautions to prevent infection, and call our pediatrician at the first signs of illness.

The primary modes of transmission of infection are the mouth, nose and eyes. Therefore, parents should constantly enforce good personal hygiene habits in their children...particularly frequent hand washing with soap and water, especially after being out in public. Who are we kidding, though? There are many, MANY times that hand washing with soap and water is just not feasible. In these cases, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is an extremely effective alternative. Major health organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have recommended the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers when soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty. CDC recommends that children in school may use alcohol-based hand rubs as an alternative to hand washing.

Purell Instant Hand Sanitizer is the one The Daily Kool family uses. It is also the hand sanitizer of choice at our kids' schools. With its unique formulation of 65% alcohol (anything lower than 60% isn't enough, according to clinical studies), Purell breaks down the germs' cell walls, causing them to die. Though we always recommend supervising children when using the Purell Instant Hand Sanitizer, it's also nice to know that according to the APIC, "alcohols applied to the skin are among the safest known antiseptics."

Though we realize that alcohol is a safe antiseptic, we still feel better knowing that once hands are rubbed dry, the alcohol in the Purell Instant Hand Sanitizer evaporates completely in seconds, leaving no harmful residue. Our kids love using it, particularly the foam formula, so there is never an argument when we take it out. They have several handy versions, including these cute, portable ones. Purell Instant Hand Sanitizer works great, smells decent and doesn't dry out our hands. We also like the way our hands feel after using it...Purell really leaves them clean and refreshed.

While nothing beats washing with soap and water (get them to wash through an entire rendition of the ABCs or Happy Birthday), Purell Instant Hand Sanitizer is a very convenient and inexpensive alternative when a sink isn't available. Hey, check out the Purell sanitizing hand wipes also...they are a particular favorite of ours, especially at restaurants or the park...hands down (no pun intended) the best wipes around! With so many wonderful products, Purell is definitely a "kool" way to help prevent infection from the swine flu and other influenza viruses.

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Today's Kool Idea: Nomie Baby Waterproof Car Seat Cover

Last month, we carpooled with a friend and her children to meet a group of four other families for a quick (but crazy) weekend trip to the Florida Keys. Thank goodness for the invention of the minivan...we just put four car seats in the Honda Odyssey, strapped the kids in, and away we went. We all had a wonderful time, but wow...you should have seen those car seats when we got back! Imagine the coagulated mess...apple juice, chocolate milk, mushed M&Ms, cookies, crackers, chips...the list goes on and on. Combine all that with the sand, ocean water and tar from the beach, and we had a serious mess to clean up. Oh, and did we mention the projectile vomiting incident that spanned across the entire second row?

Cleaning the kids' car seats has become the bane of our parental responsibilities. Don't get us wrong...we absolutely love our Britax car seats, but the hassle of taking the cover off the base and putting it back on again is an absolute nightmare. In fact, the process is complicated enough, Britax actually felt the need to add an instructional video on their site. Our other favorite brand, Graco is no better...and they even recommend drip drying the car seat rather than using the machine. There has to be a better way!

We found the Nomie Baby waterproof car seat cover through our Twitter connections. The company's promise of no more disassembling straps was just too intriguing to pass up. So, The Daily Kool contacted Nomie Baby and asked them to send us a sample to test out. We received the navy blue (one of six color options) Nomie Baby waterproof car seat cover and immediately took it out to test on our Britax seats. The first thing we noticed is how soft and cool the quilted material is...this was a definite plus, especially with the summer season on its way. We have to admit that we did look for instructions and were surprised that there weren't any included with the product...that is, until we realized just how easy it was to install. The Nomie Baby has Velcro openings for the harness shoulder straps and two slits for the bottom buckle. We didn't have remove the car seat, or unbuckle a single strap...so simple, and yet so genius! Plus, the elastic edges fit securely and comfortably on our standard Britax Marathon seat, although it was a bit too tight for our other, Husky version.

The next step was to test its durability...and boy, did we ever! We selected a panel of five moms to abuse our Nomie Baby waterproof car seat cover over a 10 day period. This poor thing has gone through the mill...formula spills, potty accidents, vomit and all of the dirt, grime and gunk a typical toddler gets into. It has already gone through several machine washings and has held up beautifully so far. Even better, the kids absolutely loved the Nomie Baby. They all thought it was soft and comfy...one even threw a temper tantrum when her mom had to give it back to us.

The Nomie Baby waterproof car seat cover is absolute dream come true and a must-have for every mom (and dad, of course!). It's comfortable and affordable, attractive and durable. It does such a great job, it will undoubtedly extend the life of your car seat. What a great gift idea! We like that there are versions for both an infant seat and toddler seat...we would like to see a Nomie Baby stroller and/or booster seat (with back) cover soon, though. We cannot recommend this product highly enough. In fact, every one of our moms said they would love to have their own Nomie Baby waterproof car seat cover...sorry, ladies...you'll have to get your own, because we're keeping ours!

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Today's Kool Idea: Caramel Apples for National Teacher Day

Tomorrow is National Teacher Day, and is part of a week-long celebration honoring our teachers. It is our children's opportunity to thank the special teachers in their lives for their hard work and dedication throughout the school year. Few professionals impact our lives as teachers do...each of us has undoubtedly had at least one teacher who profoundly affected and inspired us as children (and adults). Though we believe that teachers should be recognized every day, National Teacher Day is indeed an ideal time to join together with other communities and acknowledge how much we value and respect their contributions to our children's future.

National Teacher Day is met with much anticipation in The Daily Kool household. Our kids aren't satisfied unless they give presents to all of their teachers...homemade, of course. So, every year, we grab a bunch of extra-large Granny Smiths and make a perennial favorite...caramel apples. One of these delectable creations in a gift bag complete with ribbon and a handmade tag makes a perfect token for National Teacher Day. Trite? Perhaps, but seriously...these are incredibly well received by every teacher our kids have given them to. Plus, making caramel apples is a great way to bond with our children in the kitchen.

Caramel apples can be a fickle business...they are definitely not for the faint of heart. The biggest obstacle that most of us face is keeping that $@%&! caramel from sliding off the apple. Trust us...we empathize. After all, we have certainly had our share of unsuccessful caramel apple attempts. That's why The Daily Kool is here to help you create this delicious treat with minimal glitches and optimum success. Be aware, though...they won't necessarily be picture perfect...if you're unwilling to settle for anything less and are willing to pay a premium, feel free to leave it to the professionals at your local gourmet chocolate establishment, Mrs. Prindables or Amy's (award winning and our personal favorite). Don't worry...we won't judge.

The key to preventing the caramel slide is in the preparation of your apple. We use room-temperature apples only, washed thoroughly and then dried completely. This is extremely important...if your apple is not dry, it will not hold your caramel. Another trick is to make sure that there is no waxy residue on your apple. A quick scrub with a veggie brush has always worked for us, but you can always dip the apple in boiling water first...be careful to do this very quickly, though...otherwise it will be disastrous.

Once you get over the caramel hurdle, it is really incredibly easy to create scrumptious caramel apples. We have put the recipe we use below...don't expect homemade caramel from The Daily Kool here, though...remember, we are doing this with the kids, so we stick to the basics...and Kraft wrapped caramels, of course. Making caramel apples is a fun and rewarding activity to do with the kids. It is just a small way of expressing our gratitude for the difference teachers make in our lives every day. So, please take a moment to thank your teachers on National Teacher Day for bringing passion and a commitment to educating, inspiring and empowering our children. They deserve it!


Slow Cooker Caramel Apples

Ingredients:

• 2 packages (14oz each) Kraft wrapped caramels
• 1/4 cup water (or milk)
  
• 6-8 medium (or 3-4 large) apples (we like Granny Smith, but McIntosh, Gala, or Fuji work fine also)
  
• sticks for apples (we prefer craft picks with a pointed edge for better insertion)

Directions:

1. Prepare apples as described above. Insert pick (or stick) into stem end of each apple and set aside.
   
2. In slow cooker, combine caramels and water. Cover and cook on high for 1 to 1-1/2 hours, or until melted, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. When melted, switch setting to LOW.
   
3. Line a baking pan with parchment paper...butter or spray with Pam.
4. Dip apple into hot caramel, turning to coat entire surface, spooning caramel over apples if necessary...please supervise your children carefully if they are helping with this step...the crock pot will be hot and caramel can scald.
5. Holding the apple above the pot, allow excess caramel to drip off, then scrape bottoms of apples and place on prepared pan.
6. Put the pan of coated apples in the refrigerator at least one hour to set thoroughly.

Note: Though we prefer to use a slow cooker for our caramel apples, you can also get great results with a large saucepan on medium low.

Another Note: We sometimes get more creative with this recipe by rolling the bottom of each freshly dipped apple (before refrigeration) into one of the following: crushed Oreo cookies, chopped nuts, sprinkles, mini M&Ms, etc. We wear latex-type gloves for this step to help firmly press the toppings. We have also drizzled dipped apples with melted milk, white and/or dark chocolate. The possibilities are endless!

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Today's Kool Idea: Waterpik Shower Head for Mother's Day

As much as The Daily Kool family loves to take baths, most of our days are just too hectic to indulge in anything other than a quick shower. Our showers serve a purpose...get in, get clean, get out and move on with our day. We don't think much about our practical shower head (some generic brand we bought at The Home Depot)...as long is it does the job and rinses the shampoo out, we're fine. But when we think about it, why settle for just fine, especially for a household item that we use every day? More importantly...why should Mom?

A couple of years ago, we were strolling through our local Bed Bath and Beyond, desperately seeking inspiration for our mother's birthday. It is not easy trying to find the perfect gift for our mom...she has this ridiculous aversion to her children spending money on her, even on holidays. But we digress...we came across a display of the Waterpik Aqua Fall combo shower head system, and immediately had one of those "eureka" moments. The combination system has a 6" fixed head that give a rainwater shower effect for full-body drenching, plus a handheld that offers six settings. Exclusive to Bed Bath and Beyond, the Waterpik Aqua Fall seemed to have the perfect combination of settings to ensure a luxurious shower experience.

Let us tell you...two years later, our mother still loves her Waterpik Aqua Fall combo shower head system. She says that the fixed head feels like a soothing rain shower, but still has enough pressure to get the shampoo out. Keep in mind, though...she has very thin, fine hair, so it wouldn't take much. There are a couple of features that could be improved. Mom doesn't like that she has to get up high to change the setting from the fixed head to the handheld. It would be easier for her if both heads could work simultaneously. Hey, we're a vertically challenged family...it's not easy for us, you know! Otherwise though, our mother is absolutely delighted with her Waterpik Aqua Fall.

Aside from the Waterpik Aqua Fall, there are a couple of other shower heads that might be worth considering. The Peerless 2-in-1 shower system offers a space-saving combination, operating as a hand shower, shower head or both at the same time...this interlocking system certainly addresses our mother's lone issue with the Waterpik Aqua Fall. Keep in mind, though...the Peerless 2-in-1 shower system is not a rainwater shower head, if that is what you are looking for. Also, reviews have suggested a slight, but solvable leaking issue...read what customers have to say before making a decision. We have also heard wonderful things about other Waterpik shower head systems, particularly the AquaScape series. Other notable companies are Speakman (makers of the Anystream Shower Head) and Oxygenics. However, if you are looking for a truly magnificent shower head that is almost a decorating showpiece in itself, check out a site called RainShowerheads.com for one of the most exotic collections we've has seen.

When The Daily Kool did research on other types of shower heads, we were amazed at how personal a choice it could be...keep this in mind if you decide to give your mother a new shower head for Mother's Day. Some women prefer a delicate rain shower effect, some like the pummeling feeling of a monsoon in southeast Asia. Most shower head systems come with a flow regulator that can be removed if the default pressure is too weak. Some women like a fixed head, while others cannot do without their handheld. Also, make sure that the shower mode toggle is pretty easy to adjust, regardless of what model you choose. Finally, make sure to consider the size that would be most appropriate for your mother's shower.

A shower should accomplish more than simply cleaning your body and washing your hair...it should be able to offer the best combination of relaxation and invigoration, for an ultimate spa experience at home. The Waterpik Aqua Fall was a perfect gift for our mother, one that she enjoys every day. This was definitely one of our "koolest" and most successful ideas for Mother's Day ever!

We hope you have enjoyed our Mother's Day gift idea week. The Daily Kool would like to wish all mothers a wonderful holiday with their loved ones.

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Today's Kool Idea: Flameless Candles for Mother's Day

We at The Daily Kool love candles...they create a welcoming, relaxing environment and are a beautiful edition to any home decor. What could be a more perfect Mother's Day gift? Whoa...wait a minute. Candles? With kids in the house? Are we crazy?

Perhaps, but not in this case. Now, every mom can have it all with flameless candles for Mother's Day. We came across the most amazing selection of fashionable candles from CandleImpressions on QVC (gotta love them!) and ordered a set of three paisley flameless ones for our mother last year. We liked this particular set because of the color selections (the blue one went perfectly in our mother's home) and dual timer modes (5 or 10 hour automatic shut off options). Imagine enjoying the sight and scent (depending on your preference) of real candles without the hazardous flame or messy wax. No open flame, no soot...total safety. We were particularly amazed at how the flameless candles recreated the flicker and glow of real ones. Seriously, folks...each candle is made from wax and is so realistic, you can hardly tell the difference. There is a patented embedded LED light that flickers randomly and the batteries are hidden for a lifelike look.

Imagine the decorating possibilities that flameless candles can help you create. You can display them near curtains, next to the bed and around the pool...all without worry. Place one in the center of a floral arrangement for a stunning centerpiece. Line an outdoor stairway with flameless votive candles in glass holders. Best of all, they're safe enough to keep around kids and pets. And with each candle lasting for at least 350 hours, flameless candles last much longer than traditional ones. Beauty, safety and value...what more could mom want for Mother's Day?

Though the set of three paisley flameless candles were our choice, we want to let you know that these particular candles are on a wait list, unless you choose the white ones (shown above). But there are so many gorgeous options, you are bound to find several that will absolutely thrill mom on Mother's Day. The set of two dried flower flameless candles (vanilla scented) are particularly pretty. There is also an 8" tubular flameless mosaic candle that looks spectacular. We can't say enough about flameless candles...what a great alternative to traditional candles. Definitely one of the "koolest" Mother's Day gifts of the year!

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