A quick take-apart design for easy cleaning and a point-and-shoot action are two things you'll love about the SaladShooter®. This time-saving and compact appliance is the answer to quickly chopping nuts, shredding coleslaw or slicing vegetables.  And, the price is right!

Find out what you can do with it and why it's a great kitchen tool for the cheese lover, especially one who wants to minimize clean-up, in my Presto SaladShooter Model 2910 review.

Photo © Presto

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Electricity rates are on many people's minds these days and rightly so, because we love to power our gadgets and homes and can't stand being without it. But there's a cost to all that fun stuff and we hate to see that monthly bill. As someone who has worked in a hydro utility, I can tell you that it's not great being on the other side of the counter either.

I have a good understanding of how electricity is distributed and bills factored, but I've also seen a lot of nonchalant energy waste.  I also know there's room for improvement - on both sides of that fence.  So I couldn't help but chuckle when I read Compare Electricity Rates' article on 10 Slogans My Electric Company Should Adopt.  I can relate.

Another of their articles: Why I Don't Care How Much My Electricity Bill is Right Now is also a funny but realistic read. I find it hard to understand why so many take a lax approach to reducing their electricity consumption and hence, cut their hydro bills. Those that don't seem to care how much they use, are often the first ones to complain about their bill.

You don't have to declare an all-out family-imposed black-out two nights a week to realize some noticeable hydro savings. Each kilowatt counts. Take small measures to reduce consumption here and there. Such as use cold water to do laundry, upgrade that old beer fridge, cut phantom power, turn the heat down in empty rooms and educate your family about turning off lights, when they're not in the room. And you'll be smiling - at least a little, when you see that lower energy bill.

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Some grind their own coffee beans simply for the price savings over buying prepared coffee grounds, but I haven't seen much difference in coffee prices to warrant this buying decision.  In fact, in my neck of the woods, coffee beans are actually more expensive than grounds.  But most prefer to grind their own coffee beans to improve the flavor of their brew and that it does. You also can't ignore that wonderful aroma of freshly-ground coffee which sets the stage for what's to come.

Years ago, coffee grinders were rather basic in design and these economical units are still available today, but most now seem to gravitate to more sophisticated models that make grinding coffee beans an art that you can savor along with your freshly-brewed, rich and bold cup of java. Learn more about buying a coffee grinder and enrich your coffee experience.

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I love cooking but there's one food that I avoid like the plague and sad to say, it's not really because I'm nutrition minded.  Bacon has to be the most family-requested food item, but I've often turned a deaf ear to this request.  In fact, it often gets let off the grocery list, purposely. That's because I loathe having to clean the stove control panel every time we cook bacon.  Though some skillet meals can be pretty messy, this favorite breakfast food is the worst.

While I love gadgets and kitchen tools and that's probably an understatement, I resisted buying a splatter screen for a long time.  It wasn't price, they're dirt cheap for the most part, but it's because I tend to gravitate more to gadgets that I know will earn their keep (storage spot).

Well the splatter screen has earned its keep, from the very first use.  If you haven't used a splatter screen, this is one handy time-saving cooking tool that beckons to show you what it can save you from.  Learn more about splatter screens and why it made my essential Cooking Utensils List.

Photo © Mifflin

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