Best Grooming Tool is the Least Expensive

By now, you probably guessed that Editor Cat is my sidekick. And I enjoy taking good care of her.

On May 21st, 2014, I published an in-depth Paw Mane Fin article called Hairballs in Cats: Prevention, Safe Remedies, and Warnings. In it, I shared a video of Editor Cat (Kady) trying out five different grooming tools.

When it comes to hairballs (trichobezoars), prevention is key. It's like brushing your teeth.

It's been close to 20 years that I've relied on this tool – a shedding blade – for three rescue cats (so far). I'm pretty sure my man-servant purchased it from Wahl® Canada, but he can't be sure. (Shows you how much I rely on him to fetch me this and that).

Take a peek at this product in action:

Fortunately, I found several shedding blades on Amazon. Here is the link to the Wahl® Home Pet Double-sided Shedding Blade (which I believe is the closest match). 

What impressed me about this Amazon product page is the handy chart (at the bottom) which shows six types of fur and the recommended grooming tool. I know shedding blades were designed for horses and dogs (initially) but they work wonders on long-haired cats too.

Bodum® French Press vs. $10 French Press

Recently, Editor Cat reminded me to tell coffee lovers to only purchase a Bodum® French press coffee maker. And she made some valid points.

Comparing a Bodum® French press to a $10 French press / © 2016 RoseWrites

Last year, we tried out a $10 French press and soon discovered how important top quality stainless steel is (along with good design).

In fact, the American Culinary Institute named Bodum® the "Best French Press Coffee Maker" in 2004. What impresses me the most is the durability of Bodum® coffee makers (I had one for over 20 years). And for safety, Bodum® can't be beat – their lids have a patented locking system.

When I checked out the Best French Press Coffee Maker Picks 2016, my Bodum® Chambord® placed third. The first place French press had a lovely design, but I was leery of the plastic housing for the carafe part. You'll see why in my video (shown next). The press that placed second uses a double screen (which may be more work to clean, I don't know).

To be fair, I always use coarsely ground coffee beans, so I've never had a problem with coffee grounds getting into my cup. But for those of you who sneak in a little "regular" grind when you are getting low on coffee beans, you might want to consider the SterlingPro French press coffee maker. 

I have never tried a SterlingPro French press coffee maker, but it looks almost exactly like a Bodum® French press.

Still, if you have anything that crawls at your feet (pets or kids), I feel safety is more important than stylish designs or double screens. 

Bottom line: Editor Cat gives the Bodum® Chambord® French press coffee maker four paws up because of its record for safety and durability.

If you have any questions about it, feel free to ask. [And no, this wasn't a paid endorsement. Bodum® is simply a product line that has served me well for over 20 years.]

Rubbermaid's Clear Countertop Mat Saved My Kitchen

For over 11 years, I've been using (and recommending) the same clear Rubbermaid drainboard to friends and family.

Rubbermaid drainboard protects kitchen counter seams / © 2016 RoseWrites

Water that pools around sinks or at the seams of countertops will eventually find its way into tiny crevices. Over time, you might end up with irreparable water damage and sometimes even mold. This is a health hazard. Not to mention the cost of having to replace your entire kitchen counter and possibly the cabinets underneath. 

Even if you use a dishwasher, there are times you'll need a drainboard. My parents always had a plain white mat but I prefer a clear one that shows the beauty of my countertop. Plus, I don't feel like I need to "hide" it somewhere out of sight.

In my comedic YouTube rant titled RoseWrites on Kitchen Counters (shown next) you can see my Rubbermaid mat and how it protects the corner seam of my countertop. If you only wish to see the drainboard, scroll over to the 3:30 mark:

Just a few more points about my Rubbermaid drainboard:

• Rubbermaid is a name I trust, the company has been around for almost 80 years.
• Rubbermaid drainboards are made with Microban antimicrobial product protection (that won't wear off). This inhibits the growth of bacteria and makes it resistant to stains and odours.
• Rubbermaid drainboards come in two sizes; small (14.38" x 15.38" x 1.3") and large (18" x 14.7" x 1.3"). They are available in four colours: clear, white, red, and black. And, they are made in the USA.

If you have any questions about it, feel free to ask me. [And no, this wasn't a paid endorsement. It's simply a product that has served me well for over a decade.]

Why I Love Toe Warmers® Brand Boots

I found the perfect winter boots for ladies.

Toe Warmers® are a Canadian brand that are guaranteed to get you through the harshest winter. They are waterproof, made with genuine leather or suede (usually in the upper), and urethane. The fleece lining is incredibly warm and the skid-proof soles are super grippy.

Wearing my Toe Warmers® booties and ready for winter / © 2015 RoseWrites

Mine have a genuine suede leather upper and a Warmtex™ fleece lining and are "waterproof below the zipper". Click to enlarge image above. NOTE: Quote in grey bubble is from The Friendly Giant (TV Series) created by Bob Homme.

Toe Warmers® are available in men's styles too. At Walking On A Cloud, a famous Canadian shoe store, my man-servant and I tried on several brands of winter boots last year. Remember last winter? According to Sam Colbert of The Star, February was Toronto's coldest month ever.

And this is where we first were sold on the Toe Warmers® brand. Plus, these boots wash up beautifully and last for years. So this year, I thought I'd tout these on my blog (and include an entertaining 1:30 second video). Fortunately, this brand is available on Amazon for an even lower price than what I paid here in Canada.

Last year, I didn't have the gumption to start a blog. I didn't want to bore people with my life. Now I do.

How to Make a Paw Print Keepsake or Ornament (Only 3 Ingredients)

A few days ago, I saw the simplest way to make a DIY Keepsake Paw Print Ornament. And immediately I knew that it was the perfect, almost no-cost way to give a gift from the heart (or to keep the kids happy during the holidays).

Editor Cat has been nudging me to write a Christmas blog post, so she volunteered to help create this pictorial guide.

Editor Cat grabbed flour, salt, food colouring, cookie cutters, and measuring cup

Ingredients

1.5 cups all-purpose flour

1.5 cups salt

food colouring

1 cup water

Directions

In a med-large bowl, mix together flour and salt.

TIP: Add a few drops of food colouring to water first

Add a few drops of food colouring to 1 cup of water. 

Note: the video shows food colouring being added later on, but I found the colour to be more uniform if it is added to the water first.

Add coloured water gradually to flour-salt mixture until a doughy ball begins to form.

On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough until smooth. Then flatten it with your hands.

TIP: I used a sheet of wax paper and the side of a glass to roll the dough out. I aimed for dough to be about a 1/3-inch thick.

Flatten dough by hand or use my wax paper and glass trick / © 2015 RoseWrites

Next, ensure your oven racks are set so that the ornaments will bake in the center and preheat oven to 275 F (135 C).

Editor Cat allowing me to push her paw into salt dough to create a keepsake
© 2015 RoseWrites / All rights reserved 

Editor Cat insisted I gently push her paws into the dough. You could use a round cup to cut out the paw prints or cookie cutters. We tried a few different cookie cutter shapes. 

Use a cookie cutter, glass, or butter knife to outline paw print and poke a hole

Use a skewer or toothpick (or similar pointy thing) to create a hole for a string (or a nail).

Carefully lift (use a spatula) the paw print shapes onto a parchment paper-lined or foil-lined pan and bake for 10 minutes. Allow the ornaments to cool completely (I propped them up on the sides of forks).

After adding a decorative string, hang your keepsake up on the wall or Christmas tree or place in gift box.

Note: This works well with baby feet too.

Editor Cat Selects Her Favourite Paw Print Ornament / © 2015 RoseWrites

Editor Cat Puts Paw Print Ornament on Christmas Tree / © 2015 RoseWrites

Wishing You & Yours a Happy Holiday Season. Love, Editor Cat

Kicking Horse Coffee Sent Me a Freebie

Since the launch of InfoBarrel Author of the Week and InfoBarrel Newbie of the Month, I've been looking for a corporate sponsor.

Aug. 4th, 2015 Kicking Horse Coffee Arrives (Free Coffee)

I want to be able to provide my guests with a thoughtful keepsake or something that will boost their creative powers. The first thing that came to mind was my favourite coffee: Kicking Horse.

I've been hooked on 454 Horse Power (Dark) for about a year now. Even when my coffee goes cold, 454 tastes pleasant.

How I Learned About Kicking Horse Coffee

Roy MacGregor's September 19th, 2014 article in The Globe and Mail titled Small-town success Kicking Horse coffee brews bold move to the U.S., caught my eye.

What I learned (and liked) were these facts:

Credit: Niels de Wit (nielsautos on flickr) CC-by-2.0

Elena Rosenfeld's mother, Carol, always wanted her to become a chiropractor. Instead, Elena and her partner Leo headed west after university. (She got her degree in religious studies; he in anthropology and sociology). 

They bought some land and set themselves up in a rustic cabin with a garage. She had some cool wheels too, a 1972 orange Volkswagen Westfalia.

After working in the food industry (waiting tables and cooking) they took over a small cafe, sold it, and decided to go into the coffee business.

Elena's mother once snapped: 

"What are you two schmucks going to do, sell coffee out of your garage?"

And that was the quote that grabbed me. Elena actually posts the quote on her website and thanks her mother for saying it.

So, they decided to roast and sell fairtrade organic coffee. And it is excellent. Seriously. 

Those of you who follow me know that I will sacrifice anything (even my dignity) to get good coffee. I wrote the guide Foolproof Coffee (which has received 476 visits, so far) and I swear by my Bodum Chambord French Press.

The other thing that you should know is this: Kicking Horse Coffee has won numerous awards and they even won the title of Canada's Favourite Fairtrade Product this year (2015).

Since I'm Bold (and Annoying) Enough to Ask

I wrote to Kicking Horse Coffee to see if they were open to sponsoring my blog. The response I received was kind and generous. Antonella Sacconi, Director of Marketing, thanked me for writing and added:

We love to hear from our Kicking Horse Coffee lovers!

Regarding your query to sponsor your blog, we currently do not have program to do this, therefore we are unable to pursue your request.

We wish you the best on your blog and writing career! Please send us your address so we can fuel you with some coffee.

Have an awesome day!

And They Delivered on Their Promise

My Favourite Coffees: Kicking Horse 454, Kick Ass, and My Bodum French Press

My recommendations (U.S. residents will find it less costly & faster to order from Amazon) are:

Kicking Horse Whole Bean Coffee, Kick Ass Dark Roast, 10 Ounce Bag For dark roast lovers that enjoy a full-bodied, rich coffee. Not bitter or acidic either. 

Kicking Horse Whole Bean Coffee, 454 Horse Power Dark Roast, 2.2 lb. Bag My favourite, for deep thinkers and those with something to prove.

Kicking Horse Whole Bean Coffee, Three Sisters Medium Roast, 12.3 Ounce Tins (2-Pack) My choice for a dessert coffee (when dessert is the coffee). It's slightly sweeter than 454.