Everyone loves a pool during the steamy summer months. There is no more refreshing way to cool off then dipping into the cold waters of a clean swimming pool; but nothing ruins that fun more than a dirty pool full of leaves, bugs, and other debris. Manual cleaning is always a good option, but manual cleaning is a time consuming task that takes all the fun out of owning a pool. The Hayward 500 Aqua Bug Above-Ground Automatic Pool Cleaner makes owning an above ground pool fun again because it takes all the hassle out of cleaning a pool by doing the work for you. The Hayward Pool Cleaner moves quietly and efficiently along the bottom of the pool.

It effectively cleans the bottom and water at the same time. The Aqua Bug’s SmartDrive steering system ensures the bottom of the pool is cleaned efficiently and with no effort on behalf of the owner. The unit also pulls water from the bottom of the pool as it moves along, improving circulation in the pool and keeping the water cleaner without the use of harsh chemicals. The best part is the Aqua Bug attaches to and works with most existing filter systems. The majority of users found the Hayward Automatic Pool Cleaner to be a great buy, taking much of the time consuming labor out of pool cleaning. A handful of users found the Aqua Bug Pool Cleaner disappointing because even though it worked and cleaned their pools, it also damaged some pool liners. Overall, the Aqua Bug is a solid buy that will work for most and might require oversight by some users.

Some of the tastiest meals that people can make for themselves don’t require an open flame, but they do require a long time to prepare. Using a smoker is one of the best ways to lock in taste and succulent flavor, but using a smoker can be tremendous pain at times. In addition to the nearly eight hours it can take to smoke meats and other foods, it takes time to get the smoker up and running and clean up afterward can be a nightmare. Enter the Bradley Electric Smoker, the answer to all your prayers. The Bradley Automatic 4-Rack Outdoor Food Smoker is an electric smoker that can do it all, providing hot and cold smoke, slow roasts and slow cooking.

The Bradley features four slide-out shelves inside of its aluminum interior. On the outside is a durable, powder epoxy steel exterior and the unit is powered by a 500-watt heating element and a 125-watt smoking element, allowing for heat as high as 280 degrees. The Bradley’s briquettes burn reliably for 20 minutes before advancing off the burner, and the system is capable of sustaining heat for up to eight hours. Other electric smokers do exist on the market, but some of them sell for upwards of $4,000 while others sell for less but have been found to be less than reliable by users. This makes the Bradley Electric Smoker Grill one of the top products available. Online reviewers have been amazed by the Bradley Original Fully Automatic Food Smoker.

Nutiva Organic Hemp Protein Powder plus Fiber is a healthy supplement for those looking to increase their daily fiber intake. Made from USDA-certified organic hempseeds, this tasty protein powder can be stirred into fruit smoothies, juices, yogurts, cereals and batters. The organic protein powder contains 50% protein and 50% fiber and is perfect for athletes with rigorous workout routines. Although there are plenty of protein powders on the market, few contain organic hempseeds like the Nutiva product. This makes it a popular option for athletes who only want to add pure, natural ingredients to their lifestyle.

Another option is Living Harvest, a company that also uses organic-certified hempseeds from Canada. Although a great choice, reviewers prefer Nutiva’s product, as it contains more for the money while staying true to USDA-certified ingredients. Not only does Nutiva come with two 16 oz. jars, but it also contains the extra boost of fiber. Most reviewers love the taste of this organic protein powder and say that it’s tasty enough to be eaten off the spoon! Yet others disagree and find the texture to be gritty and foul tasting. For those reviewers that found the texture to be grainy, the protein powder ended up sinking to the bottom of the cup, then getting stuck in the teeth afterward. Fortunately, most online reviews are positive and urge others to use certain mixes to reduce the chance of the powder being gritty, such as mashed bananas or dried fruits. Overall, the organic protein powder is affordable, healthy and pleasant tasting, with all the benefits of more expensive organic powders.

The Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition Pressed Finishing Powder gunmetal and champagne custom compact even has a Naked-embossed push button. The top compartment includes a full size mirror perfect for on-the-go touch ups. The compact has a second compartment underneath holds the applicator sponge. Naked Skin Finishing Powder gives you a radiant complexion and […]

Yogurt is a great snack for both kids and adults, yet most people forget that store-bought yogurt isn’t the only option. With the Salton Electric Yogurt Maker, you can whip up your favorite yogurt flavors in the convenience of your own home. Not only is this cheaper, but you reap the benefits of making yogurt that is free of artificial additives and preservatives. Experiment with different types of milk and flavorings to find the blends that suit your taste buds. The Salton Yogurt Maker makes up to 42 ounces of fresh yogurt at a time and comes with 7 6 oz. glass jars with lids. The maker also features a clear cover, timer reminder and easy on/off switches.

With the popularity of making natural foods, there are several electric yogurt makers on the market. Customers prefer the Salton brand to the Yogourmet Electric Yogurt Maker, as it comes with 7 jars for individual storage. However, both the Cuisipro and Euro Cuisine makers come with individual jars for the same price and carry positive reviews. Still, many customers enjoyed their Salton maker more, as the Cuisipro was found difficult to use, with some customers getting a soup-like texture for their recipes. What reviewers did say about the Salton Yogurt Maker was that the glasses break easily, a major flaw considering the glasses are stored in the fridge. Most reviewers agreed that while the yogurt maker is of good quality, the glasses deserved more attention. All in all, the Salton Yogurt Maker is an excellent way to whip up healthy, all natural treats for the whole family!

When you are in need of crushed ice, nothing is more frustrating than a machine which doesn’t work. With the Waring IC70 Ice Maker, makers claim that can turn ice cubes into crushed ice any day. With a sleek, no-nonsense design, this crushed ice maker can create pea-sized ice pellets from whole cubes in a matter of moments. It is a great accoutrement to any party or hot summer afternoon. Freezing your favorite beverage in an ice tray and then placing it in this machine provides a fun-filled treat for any children’s party or poolside event. The ice machine crushes ice cubes perfect for munching or soft drinks, bar drinks or other delightful treats.

The portable ice maker is simple to use. You plug it into the outlet, turn it on, put your ice cubes inside the tray, and that is the end of it. The ice cubes are fed into the chute on the top of the machine and then a plastic bin at the bottom catches the crushed ice which is sent out the bottom. It is stainless steel on the outside which gives it a cleaner, more complete look. The size is not incredibly small but it is manageable. Compared to other products of a similar fashion, such as Deni which specializes in sno-cone style ice, this ice maker is far superior as it is more stable than other versions. There is less work required than a hand-cranked ice crusher.

The Ninja 4 In 1 6 Quart Multicooker is a very versatile machine that can do the cooking of an oven, stovetop, slow cooker, and steamer–right on your countertop. No hassle of pots and pans as well as heating up the house, this machine will cook frozen meats to vegetables without making a mess. The […]

One of the best ways to jump start one’s sedentary lifestyle is to carry a motivating device called a pedometer. It allows you see how much daily exercise you get in a normal day of work, including errands, trips to pick up the kids and other tasks. As a result, you can clearly see and measure the number of daily calories burned during your daily routine. Then you can add in specific workout sessions as needed to meet your weight loss goals. I suggest a pedometer that is sensitive enough to allow you to place it in your pocket, bag, purse or belt and yet it can stil track your daily exercise output. A nice feature for doing urban walking.

A pedometer called the Omron HJ-112 Digital Pocket Pedometer does just that and has some nifty features also. It comes standard with a large easy-to-read LCD display that can separately display aerobic steps connected to minutes walked. Plus it has a 7 day history so you can review your exercise week and it’s able to display calories burned, distance and also has a built in highly accurate clock. It can be fun to begin one day with the unit and then try to see if you can maintain or even beat your previous step record the next day. Give it a try as it’s getting rave reviews for weight loss help – you can do it!