Product review: Wakefield Compost Hero Biochar Blend

The Wakefield compost blend comes in a very small bag. The weight of the bag is 4 pounds, but the volume of the bag is not shown on the product listing. I measured it and it contains 19 cups. This was a lot less then I expected for the price.

I have a container garden that consists of 20 pots of 12-14". To spread the small amount of compost between 20 pots I had to use 1 cup for the 19 pots and left one pot without compost. I don't know if such a small amount per pot will make any difference. This was a very expensive way to get compost.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★☆☆

Product review: Neptune's Harvest Fish & Seaweed Fertilizer 2-3-1

I have a friend whose tomato plants are so tall that he has to use a ladder to harvest them. When I asked him what is he doing to get these magnificent plants he told me "Neptune's Harvest".

Now I have been using Neptune Harvest for several years. Early in the summer, I use it every week, later in the summer every other week.

I just (June 28)  harvested my first cucumber, not too shabby for New England where I can only start my plants in mid-May.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: Hoffman 20505 Dehydrated Super Manure 4-2-3, 5 Pounds

Hoffman's super chicken manure comes in a compact 5-pound plastic bag.  I have container gardening set up of twenty 12" pots. Per instructions on the bag 6" pot takes 1 teaspoon, so I used 1 tablespoon for each of my 12" pots. Note that applying too much of a good thing can burn the plants.

The content is small granules, they do not smell bad.  There is a faint odor if I get really close to the bag, but I did not find it offensive.

The fact that each pot takes only 1 tablespoon left plenty of the product for future applications. Unfortunately, the bag has no snap closure, and I keep it closed with alligator clips inside a plastic tub so it does not spill out if the bag falls.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★☆

Product review: Tikduck Portable Neck Fan

Tikduck neck fan weights 6.3 oz and fits similar to Bluetooth headphones that have a piece that rests on your shoulders.  6.3 oz is not a lot and when they are distributed on my shoulders I barely feel the fan.  I like running it on the low setting.  It is very quiet on low seeing yet provides pretty good airflow.

It is good to have on hot days. Unfortunately, this fan is not ideal to wear with face masks during COVID-19 because it blows your germs towards other people, and people get upset at that.  However, it is great at home or outside when there are no people nearby,

The fan also has LED lights that change color.  The lights are optional and they can be turned off.  It is a cool looking feature, but just for fun, they have no useful function.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: PrawnHz 10-inch Ring Light with Stand & Phone Holder

This ring light exceeded my expectations. It has a well-made tripod stand with quick release leg.  The stand is solidly made and operates smoothly.  It can be expanded to 66" tall.  With this flexible height, I can use it both on the table and on the floor.  The ring light mounts on the stand using on regular 1/4 thread which means the stand can also double as a tripod for a small/medium size camera.  I like things that can do more than one job!

The ring light is 10-inches in diameter and provides bright light. I can change the color of the light from warm to cold via remote control.  The light is powered by USB power. It can run from an electric outlet or from an external battery pack for portability.

The ring light includes a phone holder that I can use to mount the phone and trigger the photo app with the included remote control.  The remote control paired easily with my Nexus phone, the remote control was visible as "AB Shutter3". Pressing the remote control once put it into the Bluetooth mode  (it blinks quickly with a blue light when it is ready to pair).


In the attached video, you can see both the operation of the light and the photos I took using the remote control.  I am pretty pleased with the results.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Book review: Best investment books for smart non-speculator investors

Avoid shark attacks in investment waters! Learn from the best advisors in this list of my favorite investment books:

John Bogle, The Little Book of Common Sense Investing: The Only Way to Guarantee Your Fair Share of Stock Market Returns
You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

John Bogle, The Clash of the Cultures: Investment vs. Speculation
You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Benjamin Graham, The Intelligent Investor: The Definitive Book on Value Investing. A Book of Practical Counsel
You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

William N. Thorndike, The Outsiders: Eight Unconventional CEOs and Their Radically Rational Blueprint for Success
You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

L.J. Rittenhouse, Investing Between the Lines: How to Make Smarter Decisions By Decoding CEO Communications
You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: Skelang Plant Pallet Caddy Plant Stand Plant with Lock Wheels Rolling Tray Coaster, Moving Plant Pot Saucer

 I purchased this set of dollies from Amazon warehouse, which means it was an item someone returned. I can see why someone returned them one of the dollies has wheel locks and the other one does not. Item description states these dollies have wheel locks. Fortunately, the wheel locks are not a deal-breaker for me, so I was very happy to get these two dollies for around 12 dollars.

I am using these dollies on the deck so the pots do not rest on wood and cause damage, and they work fine for that purpose. They roll well. The outside measurement of the base is 11.8", the inside measurement is 10.6". The caddy is made out of black plastic. There is no drainage hole in the middle (I have a similar set with a drainage hole). So far I have not felt like I needed the drainage, but since it is plastic it is easy to drill a hole if it ever becomes necessary.

Overall, despite the wheel lock issue, I am very pleased with these caddies.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: Mother Earth Products Dried Broccoli, Quart Jar

I really like the flavor and texture of Mother Earth's dried cabbage. And was hoping that Broccoli would be as good in taste. Unfortunately, Broccoli is not as good.  Some reviewers said that they can eat it straight out of the container... I tried it and it was on par to eating a piece of paper. No flavor at all, just unpleasant stuff in your mouth. When Broccoli expands it provides substance to the soup and is acceptable. It just not bursting with flavor. It is just roughage.  I will not be buying it again.

Ali Julia review

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★☆

Product review: Homecube Large Tote Lunch Bag

I often work long days in the office and bring both lunch and dinner with me to work.  I often have two containers for each meal, the main entre, and a salad, or main entre and some desert. This bag is perfect for me, as it fits four glass containers sized 6.9" x 5.2" x 2.5" (22 oz capacity) on top of each and even has room on the side to add an apple or a soda bottle.

The outside is oxford fabric. I got the blue color and it has the color of light blue jeans.  On the inside, it is covered by a white plastic material that is easy to clean if the content spills.  The top has a double zipper, that operates smoothly.

The bag has a shallow but large pocket that would fit napkins or utensils if I was taking this bag for a picnic.  It also has mesh compartments on each side, which are big enough to fit a bottle of water.

The bags exceeded my expectations for roominess and I am very pleased with it.  The only thing that could have made this bag better if it had a shoulder strap so I could wear on my shoulder and have a free hand when I also carry my purse and a computer bag.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: Adjustable Height Cell Phone Standby, foldable, by licheers

The first I noticed about this stand is how well it is made.  The stand expansion mechanism works very smoothly. The stand feels sturdy and is well balanced in every configuration.  The cradle has 90 degrees of freedom moving, and the stem has three settings (4.9" high, 6.9" high, and 9" high).  The thickness of the lip is 0.59”, I was able to use my tablet with the case on as you see in the video.

I am using the stand with three devices:  5.5" cell phone, 9.25" tablet, and 10.5" tablet.  The cell phone works well in both horizontal and vertical orientation.  The tablets worked best in a horizontal orientation.

When not in use the cradle folds into its stand.  This is handy for travel, it the folded configuration nothing sticks out, so nothing can break off.  The stand comes with a cloth carrying case.

I am very pleased with this purchase.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: Knorr Parmesan Pasta Kit - Amazon groceries - Home groceries during COVID-19

Over the last two months, I ordered a variety of pasta and cheese products to have in the pantry during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Knorr Parmesan Pasta was one that I liked least.   The flavor was somewhat artificial, cooking instructions required adjustments (I had to add a bit more water and cook a bit longer than the package indicated).  I added my own vegetables and overall the pasta was edible, just not great.  Out of the pasta and cheese kits I have tried so far, Annie's pasta kits have been the closest to homemade from scratch.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★☆☆

Product review: CovidClaw Deluxe Keychain Tool – 22” Expandable Hook Clip and Stylus

The claw works for flushing toilets, pulling doors, pushing buttons.  It is less convenient to use than your own hand and you need to clean it after use, but sometimes I feel better using it.  It is too long for me to wear on a keychain (7" in the contracted state), but it clips to a ring on my purse. It has a retractable wire which gives me enough length to use the claw without unclipping from my purse.  The claw is made out of aluminum painted black. The edges are smooth and not sharp.  It is not flimsy and not light (1.8 oz).

The claw itself cannot be used on the LCD screen of ATM machines, but the included stylus works well for that purpose.  I was not able to find a pen, I am guessing something in the stylus unscrews.  I did not try too hard to find a pen, because I have several pens in my purse and don't need another one.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.
Ali Julia review ★★★★☆

Product review: Olangda Disposable Face Masks, 3 Layers Breathable and Comfortable Elastic Ear Loop,

Three days after I received Olangda Face Masks that particular listing was removed from Amazon.  When I contacted Amazon to find out if the product was fake they told me the issue was with the seller, not the product, but I was still worried that my masks were fake.  Fortunately, I found five tests to tell apart fake surgical masks and real surgical masks and performed three of the tests.  Since the masks passed those tests, I did not do the burn test so I would have to destroy the mask.

Here are the five tests to tell part real surgical masks from fake ones:
1. Light penetration
 the real mask does not let the light through, fake mask lets the light through

2. Blow out a flame
 you cannot blow out a flame through a real mask, you can flow out a flame through a fake face mask

3. Hold water
 the real mask holds water, fake mask leaks

4. Burn test
 the filter in the real mask melts but does not burn, the filter in the fake mask burns with a flame

5. Electrostatic attraction test
 real mask attracts particles, a fake mask does not


Olanga masks are three-ply masks with a nose clip. They fit comfortably over my face, do not pull on ears too much, and breathing in them is very easy. I have a couple of real N95 masks I bought 10 years ago, so I can compare the two types of masks and the N95 masks feel much different. 

These dust masks are a tool to prevent the wearer from spreading infections by sneezing or coughing (very important!), however, it provides only a small amount of protection to the wearer. 

As another experiment, I wore this mask when I sprayed garden fertilizer which has a distinct smell.  I hoped I would smell it less with the mask on, however, I could smell it just as well as without it. 

On the positive side, I took the mask on and off a number of times while testing it and the loops stayed attached and did not snap off which appears to be a common issue with some of these masks.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★☆

Product review: GreenPig Solutions 60 Accelarator Compost Accelerator

I am using this accelerator in the tumbling large Envirocycle composter. I am not sure this accelerator made any difference compared to just adding a gallon of water on a regular basis.  I did not see the super-fast breakdown I was hoping for.

This package contains 12 packets.  Instructions say to dissolve each packet in 1 to 2 gallons of water.  The packets are sealed (i.e. you cannot split them in half) and dissolve in water.  The mixture needs to be used within 15 minutes to keep bacteria alive.  Instructions recommend using the liquid weekly or when a large amount of the new material was added to the compost pile.

The description states that 12 packets treat 108 cubic feet. One packet treats 9 cubic feet.  1 cubic foot is 7.5 gallons. This means one packet treats 67.5 gallons. The large Envirocycle that I use is 35 gallons, this means one packet is more than enough to treat its content.  In fact, I wish I could split each packet in half to make it more cost-effective. 

To manufacture: I would have preferred a non-dissolvable bag with a zip closure so I can control how much I use for each treatment. 

concentrate

Product review: Chocolate covered zefir, Russian Marshmallow Classic

This item includes three boxes, each box has 10 chocolate covered zefirs.  I was introduced zefir by Russian friends on my trips to Moscow.  Zefir in this product has the right texture, the chocolate is very good, but the flavor of the zefir itself has a flavor that was not quite right from the desert I had in Moscow version of this dessert. It is not bad, just not as good as the ones I had in the past (it is not the traditional apple flavor).

Russian zefir can only be described as an American marshmallow as an approximation.  Zefir is a type is made by whipping fruit and berry purée ( apple puree or strawberry puree) with sugar and egg whites. It is less chewy than a marshmallow and has a lot more flavor, not just sugar.

The price of this item fluctuates widely. I purchased it for around 20 dollars about a month ago, next time I looked it was almost 30 dollars.  I might have considered another order for 20 dollars, but not for 30 dollars. Instead, I found another zefir (HolanDeli) that had the flavor I remembered, although it is not chocolate covered.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★☆

Product review: VAN CAMP'S Pork and Beans, 15 oz can / Amazon deliveries / groceries deliery during COVID-19

This is good pandemic food! Very reasonably priced, stores for a long time, and tastes just fine.  The cans do not have easy to open tops, so it is important that they come undented so they are easy to open.  Mine came with slight dents so I could only open it in two semi-moons, but it was enough to get the content out with a spoon. I added some hot dogs and it made for a good dinner.

The label says that one can is 3.5 services.  This is not realistic, the attached photo shows the entire content of the can.  For us, it made two modest servings.  Each official portion is 120 calories, which means 420 calories per can.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★☆

Product review: REOTEMP Backyard Compost Thermometer, 20" Thick Stem

I fairly new to composting, so having a thermometer has been very helpful to me to see that my compost pile is not heating up as it should be.  Adding more water got the temperature up.  Without the thermometer I probably would not have spotted the problem as quickly as it felt a little warm when I just put my hand over it.

The thermometer has a thick 20 inches stem and feels sturdy.  When it showed for several days that my pile has the same temperature as ambient temperature I put the thermometer into hot water just to make sure it works, and sure enough, it works perfectly.  The problem was with my compost not the thermometer.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★