CVS Ultra Skin Therapy Lotion

 My husband loves this lotion.  It was offered through our over-the-counter benefit in our Medicare Advantage plan so on a whim to use up the benefit I ordered this.  He has never been one to use a hand lotion regularly - only when the skin on his fingers start cracking.  But he likes this stuff so much that he's using it everyday because he has NOT had any skin cracking this winter.  And to my dismay, he's actually using it on his face too.  Tried to tell him that's not what it's for - but as I said, he loves it so much he's using it that way too.  Uff da.  2 thumbs up!

Native Deoderant

 I first leaned about Native deoderant from my daughter.  She's very conscientious about natural products.  So a couple years ago I decided to try it.  And I love it!  I am older, and like many who no longer perspire like we used to I don't need to use deoderant every day.  But when I use it, I love this one.  It's natural, smells great and does the trick.  I just ordered a 3-pack - on sale right now.  It will last me a long long time. Not what the company would like to hear, but maybe someone who uses it on a daily basis will see this review.  And BTW their order confirmations and order status emails are very creative and believe it or not fun to read!  I highly recommend this product.  2 thumbs up!

Dove Bar Soap for Feminine Hygiene

 Many years ago, a female gynocologist told me that I should only use Dove soap for feminine hygiene.  Over the years, I used other soaps, bath gels, etc. and never had a problem. But after I stopped using estrogen patches, I noticed that I didn't feel clean enough anymore even soon after a shower.  So I went back to using Dove bar soap for underside - and voila - I am back to my clean feeling lasting much longer than before.  So that doctor was right!  

Aldi Potato Chips and French Onion Dip

Since a new Aldi opened in our neighborhood about a year ago, I've become a HUGE fan.  There are many things that I buy there that are really good.  This post is about their ruffle potato chips and here's why.......they are SO GOOD!  They have become my favorite brand of potato chip and they are very inexpensive.  They have the right amount of grease and salt.  Yes, they are bad for me.  But when I need a salty, "bad for me snack" I like these.

And the French Onion Dip?  MMMM MMMM good.  It is as good as Top the Tater (which I love) at almost half the price in my market.  It's a large 16 oz. container that has a long shelf life.

Chips and dip have never tasted better.  Two thumbs up!

Aldi - Fresh Seasoned Tilapia Fliets

I tried Aldi's fresh tilapia filets this week - they were seasoned with herbs and came two large filets to a package.  I've already thrown the packaging away so the information I have on the seasoning is no longer available to summarize here.  But I'm blogging about it - then I wouldn't feel like I was making two meals.  But it's so fast and easy it's another reason I'm blogging about it.  I didn't have to season it since it was already done.  A little cooking oil (I used a canola/olive/grape seed blend) and fry for a few minutes on each side and voila - it's ready to eat.  And as I mentioned before, it was as good reheated as when I first made it.

This earns two thumbs up from me.

America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses - NOT RECOMMENDED

I purchased a pair of regular, progressive lens glasses and a pair of sunglasses (also progressive lens) from America's Best.  I am compelled to submit this opinion because I've never had such poor quality glasses!

The lenses on the regular pair scratch very easily.  I was so disappointed and felt sure that there was simply an incidental quality problem with them that I had no qualms about going back to America's
Best and asking for a new pair.  After much back and forth - me being told that I scratched them by washing them incorrectly, and me getting more and more frustrated - the woman who was helping me finally agreed to give me a new pair free of charge.  Honestly, the lenses looked like someone had taken steel wool to them.  At first I thought I was starting to get cataracts.  But one day the glasses were just so bad that I knew it wasn't my eyesight.

The representative told me that the glasses could only be cleaned with water or a cleaning solution and a soft cloth. So for example those microfiber lens cloths that everyone else sells couldn't be used.  Also can't use soap on them.  What??!!  I've worn glasses for literally 55 years - and have never, ever, had this kind of scratching problem.

So I got my new pair - and guess what?  One year later and there are so many scratches and smudges that need soap that I can't stand to wear them. I've been using pre-moistened cloths because I can't stand the smudges.

Adding to this quality problem is the fact that I've had these glasses adjusted 3 times including the when I first picked them up.  I know it's due to the lack of knowledge, experience, training, etc. of the technicians. They were all very pleasant but don't know what they are doing.  The glasses seem to fit while I'm there, but a few days later they don't. They are very ill-fitting, never had this problem either!

I didn't realize that the quality of the lenses could vary like this.  And these are obviously at the bottom of the quality ratings.  Two thumbs down for America's Best (if I had four thumbs I'd add the other two in on this rating!)

Honest Organic Healing Balm

I purchased this sunscreen from Costco and am very disappointed to report that it's the worst hand balm/lotion I've ever used.

It is excessively greasy, but the worst part is that it smells really bad.  It's actually an offensive odor - not just an organic or natural odor.

It takes a long time to soak in, and if you use too much you're in for very greasy hands.

As far as effectiveness - it seemed to work as well as Aquaphor - maybe.  But due to the greasiness and the odor this earns two thumbs down from me!