My Excellent Choices

This is one of the most versatile counter-top appliances I have ever encountered. It claims a total of fourteen cooking functions in addition to: to “Air-Fry” mode, “it can function as a “pressure cooker” and a “steam crisper“.

Let’s talk chicken. We can place 6-8 of these prepped chicken tenders on the air fry rack, and the Ninja Air Fryer (on the “air fry” setting) will cook them to perfection in 6 minutes at 390 degrees. Preparing the chicken is quick and easy. We coat the tenders in olive oil, lay them flat and sprinkle just a little of Tutu’s Pantry’s Hawaiian BBQ Seasoning. Of course, if you like extra spicy you can add more – but just a light sprinkle is enough for my palate.

The removable cooking container is easy to clean, and typically is used with the inserted cooking rack or the crisping basket. After cooking, I let it cool a bit and carefully remove the cooking container, rack and basket. I add a little soap and water to soak a bit and then rinse.

Ok. About that crisping backet. Every so often, I really want a few fresh and hot fries. So, I’ll slice two or three potatoes – sometimes thin and sometimes a little thicker. I’ll let them swim in just a little olive oil and a dash of salt to coat, and then into the Ninja on “air fryer” mode at 390 degrees for about 25 – 30 minutes.

The Ninja will beep about halfway through the timer setting to remind you to shake the crisper backet, but the basket is quite hot. So, I have a cooking spoon that I use to reach in and toss the fries three or four times until they are done.

The pressure cooker mode is activated by locking the lid, adjusting the pressure relief valve to the proper position and setting the timer. Steam crisp settings are for air frying other vegetables that you would prefer crisp, yet still moist.

We bought this complete Anova Sous Vide Immersion Circulator Kit, and it changed the way we think about food preparation. (Be sure to check out the demonstration video when you click the link.)

Whether it is steak, chicken or fish, cooking is a delicate tradeoff between time and temperature. While it may be true that doubling the temperature cuts the time, the results are not always that great! Why not try something different?

Sous Vide is low temperature cooking – compared to baking, grilling or stove-top cooking. That means it takes a bit more time than other methods, but the results are worth it. Low and slow means no “watched pots” or pans that might boil over or burn a steak when you are not watching. Sous Vide just quietly works and only needs attention when prepped and then when you are ready to eat.

We just prepared two two-pound roasts in our Sous Vide. At 140-145 degrees Fahrenheit they came out a perfect medium to medium well. Steaks, Chicken, roasts and even small turkey breasts sit in vacuum-sealed bags in a water bath until done. Done for roasts means fork tender, with all the flavorful juices and seasonings contained in the cooking bag. (See how to bag and seal here.)

Need to wait 30 minutes while the side dishes finish? Sous Vide cooking is very forgiving – and steaks can remain at a perfect temperature for serving until everyone is ready to eat.

Check back, and I will post our recipe for seasoning a sous vide roast. All the ingredients go in with the roast and flavors the meat during the entire cooking time.

From the cooking bag, I captured about a quart of Au Jus from this completely cooked roast. It did not need to be prepared separately, and the flavorful liquid is a wonderful combination of the natural beef flavors, and the Barbeque sauce added at the start of cooking. This flavorful liquid can be served on each portion of roast when it is finished cooking

UPDATE: Here is the recipe for the homemade BBQ sauce we add to seasoning a sous vide roast. Prepare in advance, and when you are ready to cook that roast, add some of this delicious sauce into the vacuum seal bag along with the roast. You can even take the roast right out of the freezer, no need to thaw in advance. Just seal it up and place it in the sous vide at 140-145 degrees for 72 hours. (Yep. Three days. Just set and forget. Trust the process. Top off with a little water if evaporation should occur. The results are tender, not overdone and delicious!)

From the cooking bag, I captured almost a quart of Au Jus from this completely cooked roast. It did not need to be prepared separately, and the flavorful liquid is a wonderful combination of the natural beef flavors and the Barbeque sauce added at the start of cooking. This flavorful liquid can be served on each portion of roast when it is finished cooking.

If we freeze 4 to 6 ounce portions for a quick reheated meal, we add some of this liquid in each vacuum-sealed bag. Check out our vacuum sealer and supplies here.

DO NOT BUY THIS, UNLESS…

Chainsaws are not toys, right? Only if you are willing to put in the time and effort to learn how to use these powerful tools safely and correctly… only then should you consider the EGO 16 Inch battery-powered chainsaw. But if you are ready to make that commitment, I think this is the one to get. I bought one and have zero regrets

I did all my homework. I watched you-tube videos. How to adjust the chain tension. How to properly fill the lubricating oil reservoir for the chain. How to top cut, undercut and notch cut. After several “clean-up” projects with some very large fallen trees, I am even more confident that I made the right decision to purchase this product.

There are safety features, but you have to learn how to use them. Electric is instant start when you pull the trigger and instant stop when you release it. There is no “pulling on a string” to start it up and no engine heat from combustion exhaust. (Don’t forget though – the chain is always sharp even when the saw is not operating.)

A lightweight battery lasts me about 30-45 minutes and recharges in about the same amount of time. I would rather have two of the smaller EGO Lithium batteries instead of a single heavier one with high capacity. They only take a few seconds to remove and replace.

The tool is easier to handle with the lighter battery, and let’s face it – A short break every so often to swap a battery and drink a little water is not a bad thing when you are working outside in the summer sun.

This saw was my first purchase of an electric yard tool. I knew that the first purchase of a battery powered replacement for the old “oil and gas” powered tools was important. Each manufacturer has their own proprietary batteries and charging systems.

My time spent in brand research paid off. The EGO saw performed exactly as I expected. I then felt confident enough in the EGO product line to buy two more of their compatible products that use the same battery/charger system as the chain saw. (See this: EGO Cordless Electric Variable-Speed Blower EGO Cordless Electric Variable-Speed Blower ‣ My Excellent Choices)

UPDATE:

After four years our two Sanitizing boxes are still working! Some newer models are battery powered, but a small recharging cord hasn’t stopped us from taking the smaller unit with us when we travel.

May 27, 2020

“Sunlight is the best disinfectant” is more than a metaphor. For for past generations and for many people today, “spring clean” means open windows, fresh air in the house, and a few hours in the sun for hard to sanitize items.

We brought sunlight indoors and bought two  UV Sanitizers from Amazon. The small items in pockets and purses that go out in the world with us everyday

The smaller unit is ideal for a small wallet or cellphone, a large unit works perfectly on tablets, eye glasses, keys & wallets and other irregular shaped objects.

We routinely place items that we frequently touch in the boxes for a quick ten minute exposure to the UV light.

It’s so simple to use! Just open the door, place your keys, wallet or phone inside and close the door! We are happy with a 10 minute exposure and those items we touch every day are ready to go again!

This is a very competitive and rapidly changing product category, so follow the link at the top let me know if you find a better value! 

UPDATE:

This is still working after four years. I just changed the battery, and I can’t remember the last time I did that. This Radon monitor just works for months at a time!

August 31, 2020

We ordered a couple of “sample and mail” radon kits for Radon surveillance from a highly recommended company with an excellent reputation. . This battery powered Radon detector was placed in the same general area at the same time as samples were collected for lab processing.

When the commercial lab results came back, we were pleased to see that the results from this electronic Radon detector were comparable, and provided a continuous 24×7 monitoring solution.

It is small, and is placed on a wall at eye level in an area that is not exposed to drafts. The batteries last for months and the light weight allows it to be placed almost anywhere with only a small picture frame tack.