One food product that Costco sells that I particularly like is Rojo's Authentic 6 Layer Dip Classic. The dish is composed of a layer of re-fried beans, a layer of spicy Rojo's salsa, a layer off guacamole, a layer of tangy taco cream, a layer of seasoned sour cream and a layer of jack and cheddar cheeses hence the name 6 layer dip. The product comes in a 2 pound 12 ounce plastic container and sells for $8.49 (the price I paid at the Arundel Mills Costco May 12th and May 30th, 2013). The product has a reasonable shelf life depending on how fresh it is when you buy it at Costco or some other store that sells it. The one I bought on May 30th states it should be used by June 30th which is just over a month. The product should be refrigerated as it is highly perishable. Due to considerable quantity of the dip you get in the 2 pound 12 ounce size, this would be ideal for parties, potlucks and other big gatherings. The dip is somewhat spicy but no overly so. It shouldn't burn your mouth though you will notice some zing to it. Those who wanted a bit more heat could always put a slice of jalapeno on top of the dip.
Overall, I think this is an excellent product who want something a little different from the standard salsa or cheese sauce. It has a lot of really good things in it like the cheeses, guacamole and re-fried beans. Also, I think it comes at a very reasonable price considering how much you get. I'd definitely give it 2 thumbs up. Bon Appetit all!
Friday, May 31, 2013
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Dasani Strawberry Flavored Water
As I like collecting My Coke reward points but, I don't need all the calories from their sodas, I decided to try some of their Dasani flavored waters. Dasani offers 3 of them - strawberry, lemon and grape. Each of the of the flavored waters has zero calories. They do that by using aspartame and sucralose. The strawberry flavored water does have a decent enough strawberry flavor to it. The bottle states it comes with other natural flavors as well as strawberry. Why does the strawberry flavored water need other flavors besides strawberry in it? The water comes in 20 fluid ounce plantbottles (plastic bottles that have up to 30% plant material in them). A 20 ounce bottle of the water costs $1.69 at the Crofton, Maryland Wegmans store. I've found a number of stores DON'T carry the Dasani flavored waters for unknown reasons (the plain Dasani drinking water is widely available). I had to search to find them at the Crofton store. I believe you can get the flavored waters from the Coke Freestyle machines. My Coke reward point wise, you'll get 3 points for a 20 ounce bottle of the flavored water. One thing I don't understand is why Coke doesn't offer the points on the bottles of regular Dasani water (the exception being the 24 pack which you'll get 20 points for).
Overall, I thought the Dasani strawberry flavored water was good, not great. Some folks might not be wiped out that the water is just twice filtered vice being spring or mineral water. Another drawback to the water is that as far as I know, it isn't widely available. You'll have to really look around to find this product. Happy Drinking All!
Overall, I thought the Dasani strawberry flavored water was good, not great. Some folks might not be wiped out that the water is just twice filtered vice being spring or mineral water. Another drawback to the water is that as far as I know, it isn't widely available. You'll have to really look around to find this product. Happy Drinking All!
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Energizer Glow Stick
While shopping at my local base exchange, I noticed that had Energizer Glow Sticks for sale for $4.99 each. I thought they seemed pretty neat so, I bought one. This is a product review on their glow stick.
The Energizer glow stick comes in at least 3 colors - red, green and blue (those are the ones I remember seeing). It offers 3 different light functions. Click the power button the first time and, the standard flash light at one end comes on. Click the power button again and the glow stick comes on in whatever color the stick has. Click the power button one more time and the glow stick flashes on and off. Click one last time and, the glow stick turns completely off.
The glow stick uses 3 A76 (now called 357) cell batteries. Changing the batteries on the glow stick is a bit of chore. You must have a very small Philips screwdriver which you use to unscrew a single small screw in the glow stick. Then, you unscrew the glow stick from the handle. After you've detached the glow stick, you lightly tap the handle while pointing the open end down so, the part of the assembly that has the glow stick light and battery holder can fall out. The assembly holding the cell batteries has an opening to where you can push one of the batteries out making it possible to get the other 2 out. Make sure you put the 3 new batteries in the same direction with the negative end facing away from the glow light end. Put the assembly back in the handle, screw the glow stick back into the handle and screw the small screw back into the handle.
Note: I bought 3 new 357 cell batteries at a Weis Supermarket and, they cost $4.99 so, it could end costing you as much to buy a new glow stick as it would to replace the batteries on your old one.
Overall, I found the Energizer Glow Stick a nice product which should help someone in the dark with an emergency or to make sure they're seen in the dark. I thought the $5 price tag reasonable. I don't have any idea how long a set of batteries would last on the glow stick. This is a product you might want to carry in your emergency road kit. Safe travels all!
The Energizer glow stick comes in at least 3 colors - red, green and blue (those are the ones I remember seeing). It offers 3 different light functions. Click the power button the first time and, the standard flash light at one end comes on. Click the power button again and the glow stick comes on in whatever color the stick has. Click the power button one more time and the glow stick flashes on and off. Click one last time and, the glow stick turns completely off.
The glow stick uses 3 A76 (now called 357) cell batteries. Changing the batteries on the glow stick is a bit of chore. You must have a very small Philips screwdriver which you use to unscrew a single small screw in the glow stick. Then, you unscrew the glow stick from the handle. After you've detached the glow stick, you lightly tap the handle while pointing the open end down so, the part of the assembly that has the glow stick light and battery holder can fall out. The assembly holding the cell batteries has an opening to where you can push one of the batteries out making it possible to get the other 2 out. Make sure you put the 3 new batteries in the same direction with the negative end facing away from the glow light end. Put the assembly back in the handle, screw the glow stick back into the handle and screw the small screw back into the handle.
Note: I bought 3 new 357 cell batteries at a Weis Supermarket and, they cost $4.99 so, it could end costing you as much to buy a new glow stick as it would to replace the batteries on your old one.
Overall, I found the Energizer Glow Stick a nice product which should help someone in the dark with an emergency or to make sure they're seen in the dark. I thought the $5 price tag reasonable. I don't have any idea how long a set of batteries would last on the glow stick. This is a product you might want to carry in your emergency road kit. Safe travels all!
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Cheerwine Review
At the Columbia, Maryland Wegmans store, I noticed Cheerwine for the first time. I'd never heard of the soft drink before. I had no idea what kind of soft drink it was. Finally, a week ago, I decided to try it and see if it's any good. I found out it's a cherry flavored soft drink. I probably should've guessed that as the company has 3 small cherries made into the old fashioned glass bottle they sell the drink in. The soft drink first came out in 1917 when a man named L.D. Peeler of Salisbury, North Carolina came up with a unique soft drink that included cherry syrup. The soft drink was a hit and slowly spread through out the state and on to other parts of the United States.
I found that Cheerwine has a nice cherry taste to it. It is a little more expensive than more mass produced soft drinks like Coca Cola. A four 12 ounce bottle pack will cost you $3.99 or a cold one from the cold drinks section at Wegmans will cost you $1.69. Still, the drink uses real sugar vice corn syrup. One drawback I found to it is the drink does have caffeine added which probably gives the customer a little energy boost. The drink also comes in a diet version and may be available in cans though I've only seen it in glass bottles at Wegmans.
Overall, Cheerwine is a good soft drink with a nice cherry flavor. If you like cherry soda, this is a drink you should try. As near as I can tell, you should be able to find the soft drink at Wegmans supermarkets. I haven't checked to it if it's available at other stores.
I found that Cheerwine has a nice cherry taste to it. It is a little more expensive than more mass produced soft drinks like Coca Cola. A four 12 ounce bottle pack will cost you $3.99 or a cold one from the cold drinks section at Wegmans will cost you $1.69. Still, the drink uses real sugar vice corn syrup. One drawback I found to it is the drink does have caffeine added which probably gives the customer a little energy boost. The drink also comes in a diet version and may be available in cans though I've only seen it in glass bottles at Wegmans.
Overall, Cheerwine is a good soft drink with a nice cherry flavor. If you like cherry soda, this is a drink you should try. As near as I can tell, you should be able to find the soft drink at Wegmans supermarkets. I haven't checked to it if it's available at other stores.
Monday, May 13, 2013
Grandeur of the Seas
This past Friday, I returned to Baltimore after spending 16 consecutive nights on Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas. I enjoyed myself so much, I didn't want to leave and, I'm already working on my next cruise on Grandeur. That'll be to Maine and Canada in either September or October of this year.
Concerning the ship, I found it in outstanding shape. The ship's crew is doing a great job of maintaining the ship. When we were in port, I saw them touching up spots with a fresh coat of paint. The décor of the ship was very nice and, there were a number of pieces of art placed throughout the ship. All areas of the ship were very clean and, there were lots of hand sanitizer dispensers so people could avoid catching and spreading norvovirus (I think that's its name).
I stayed in an inner cabin for the first time because of a good deal I was offered on the cabin. I found the cabin small but, I managed fine in it. My room attendant Hylton was outstanding. At the end of the 2nd cruise, I gave him an extra tip on top of the regular one because I was so pleased with the job he did.
Crew wise, I found every one very helpful. I was particularly impressed with Francis Vasconcelo, the ship's fitness center director who I took 3 yoga and 3 pilates classes with. There was a charge for these classes but, you got your money's worth from Frances. By the end of each class, you were sweating and knew you'd gotten a work out. Another person I'd like to commend is Pumza, the Ionithermi treatment specialist. This was the first time I'd ever used one of Royal Caribbean's spas and, I was very impressed with it. Pumza was very professional and really strove to help me reach my health goals.
Food wise, I found myself unimpressed with the main dining room. They didn't serve anything that really wiped me out barring the lobster tail on the fisherman's platter. I was particularly disappointed that they didn't have escargot like they normally do. I found it more convenient to eat at the Windjammer Café as I could get my food immediately. The Windjammer Café offered a good choice of entrees and desserts. The only problem I encountered with the Windjammer was trying to get a table at times.
Excursion wise, the shore excursion desk was very helpful and, the ship offered a good selection of excursions at what I thought were reasonable prices. I got to do a number of firsts for myself on these 2 cruises. I rode a Segway, an ATV and a jet ski for the first times. I did a walking tour of Labadee, Haiti that was particularly good as I learned a good bit about Haiti from the tour. The drive around tour of Tortola offered some great views of the island. The 5 hour bus tour of Bermuda was extremely good. The group I was with got particularly lucky in that the person driving the bus was the bus driver's union vice president who was driving a bus for the first time in 6 months. Normally, he's busy dealing with paperwork. This driver/guide was particularly awesome as he was very knowledgeable and funny. Plus, he seemed to know every one of the 65,000 people who live on Bermuda!
Ports of call wise, I thought the itinerary on my first cruise, the re-positioning cruise was particularly good as we made port 6 days in a row before spending 2 days at sea en-route to Baltimore, Maryland. The Bermuda cruise was interesting in that it was the first cruise I'd ever overnighted at a port. The dockyard facilities were very good and, there were regular ferries that would take you to the capital Hamilton for a charge (I don't know how much it was)
Baltimore Cruise Ship Terminal wise, I found it very convenient. It's easy to get to and, the people processed you very quickly. The people at the terminal were courteous. The ship was late boarding (Noon) the 2nd of my 2 cruises and yet, the terminal got them through so quickly, we were still able to depart on time i.e. 4 p.m. I was surprised how close the ship gets at high tide when it sails under the Francis Scott Key Bridge. I swear we made it by just inches. There's no way they can bring in a bigger cruise ship unless they move the terminal some where past the bridge.
One unique highlight of my 1st cruise was as we were sailing in to Baltimore. Grandeur of the Seas was returning for the first time since departing Baltimore in 2009 (I think) and was given a special welcome. Baltimore's one fire fighting boat shot off its 4 water cannon as we sailed in and supposed the state's governor welcomed the arrival of the ship. News helicopters repeatedly flew around the ship. I don't know if they got the best side of my profile.
I only had 1 persistent problem during my 2 cruises. Twice, I submitted my discount coupon for the ship's WiFi service and both times, I wasn't credited my 15% (I'm a Platinum level Crown & Anchor member) discount. I caught the problem both times but on the 2nd time, the officer spoke with at Customer Service didn't keep their word about fixing the problem. I forgot to double check my final account statement at the end of the 2nd cruise until I got home and found out she failed to solve the problem. I would recommend people watch out for this. I know I will be when I sailed on Grandeur in September/October.
Overall, I had a fantastic time on Grandeur of the Seas. I'd gladly sail on this ship again (and I will be) and would recommend it to others. It's a very nice ship with a great crew. Baltimore is a very convenient port to sail out of barring it can take you a while to get to the Caribbean or Bermuda (1 and 1/2 days out, 2 days coming back).
Update July 27, 2014: I didn't end up doing the September cruise on Grandeur. I will be doing a cruise up to Maine and Canada this September on Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas, the same ship I did the Panama Canal cruise on. I hope to cruise on Grandeur again in 2016 to Bermuda with a couple friends I've made at the Extended Stay Hotel I live at.
Concerning the ship, I found it in outstanding shape. The ship's crew is doing a great job of maintaining the ship. When we were in port, I saw them touching up spots with a fresh coat of paint. The décor of the ship was very nice and, there were a number of pieces of art placed throughout the ship. All areas of the ship were very clean and, there were lots of hand sanitizer dispensers so people could avoid catching and spreading norvovirus (I think that's its name).
I stayed in an inner cabin for the first time because of a good deal I was offered on the cabin. I found the cabin small but, I managed fine in it. My room attendant Hylton was outstanding. At the end of the 2nd cruise, I gave him an extra tip on top of the regular one because I was so pleased with the job he did.
Crew wise, I found every one very helpful. I was particularly impressed with Francis Vasconcelo, the ship's fitness center director who I took 3 yoga and 3 pilates classes with. There was a charge for these classes but, you got your money's worth from Frances. By the end of each class, you were sweating and knew you'd gotten a work out. Another person I'd like to commend is Pumza, the Ionithermi treatment specialist. This was the first time I'd ever used one of Royal Caribbean's spas and, I was very impressed with it. Pumza was very professional and really strove to help me reach my health goals.
Food wise, I found myself unimpressed with the main dining room. They didn't serve anything that really wiped me out barring the lobster tail on the fisherman's platter. I was particularly disappointed that they didn't have escargot like they normally do. I found it more convenient to eat at the Windjammer Café as I could get my food immediately. The Windjammer Café offered a good choice of entrees and desserts. The only problem I encountered with the Windjammer was trying to get a table at times.
Excursion wise, the shore excursion desk was very helpful and, the ship offered a good selection of excursions at what I thought were reasonable prices. I got to do a number of firsts for myself on these 2 cruises. I rode a Segway, an ATV and a jet ski for the first times. I did a walking tour of Labadee, Haiti that was particularly good as I learned a good bit about Haiti from the tour. The drive around tour of Tortola offered some great views of the island. The 5 hour bus tour of Bermuda was extremely good. The group I was with got particularly lucky in that the person driving the bus was the bus driver's union vice president who was driving a bus for the first time in 6 months. Normally, he's busy dealing with paperwork. This driver/guide was particularly awesome as he was very knowledgeable and funny. Plus, he seemed to know every one of the 65,000 people who live on Bermuda!
Ports of call wise, I thought the itinerary on my first cruise, the re-positioning cruise was particularly good as we made port 6 days in a row before spending 2 days at sea en-route to Baltimore, Maryland. The Bermuda cruise was interesting in that it was the first cruise I'd ever overnighted at a port. The dockyard facilities were very good and, there were regular ferries that would take you to the capital Hamilton for a charge (I don't know how much it was)
Baltimore Cruise Ship Terminal wise, I found it very convenient. It's easy to get to and, the people processed you very quickly. The people at the terminal were courteous. The ship was late boarding (Noon) the 2nd of my 2 cruises and yet, the terminal got them through so quickly, we were still able to depart on time i.e. 4 p.m. I was surprised how close the ship gets at high tide when it sails under the Francis Scott Key Bridge. I swear we made it by just inches. There's no way they can bring in a bigger cruise ship unless they move the terminal some where past the bridge.
One unique highlight of my 1st cruise was as we were sailing in to Baltimore. Grandeur of the Seas was returning for the first time since departing Baltimore in 2009 (I think) and was given a special welcome. Baltimore's one fire fighting boat shot off its 4 water cannon as we sailed in and supposed the state's governor welcomed the arrival of the ship. News helicopters repeatedly flew around the ship. I don't know if they got the best side of my profile.
I only had 1 persistent problem during my 2 cruises. Twice, I submitted my discount coupon for the ship's WiFi service and both times, I wasn't credited my 15% (I'm a Platinum level Crown & Anchor member) discount. I caught the problem both times but on the 2nd time, the officer spoke with at Customer Service didn't keep their word about fixing the problem. I forgot to double check my final account statement at the end of the 2nd cruise until I got home and found out she failed to solve the problem. I would recommend people watch out for this. I know I will be when I sailed on Grandeur in September/October.
Overall, I had a fantastic time on Grandeur of the Seas. I'd gladly sail on this ship again (and I will be) and would recommend it to others. It's a very nice ship with a great crew. Baltimore is a very convenient port to sail out of barring it can take you a while to get to the Caribbean or Bermuda (1 and 1/2 days out, 2 days coming back).
Update July 27, 2014: I didn't end up doing the September cruise on Grandeur. I will be doing a cruise up to Maine and Canada this September on Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas, the same ship I did the Panama Canal cruise on. I hope to cruise on Grandeur again in 2016 to Bermuda with a couple friends I've made at the Extended Stay Hotel I live at.
Update: August 4, 2021 Grandeur of the Seas was moved to a port in Texas by Royal Caribbean. Their ship Enchantment of the Seas which was previously homeported in Baltimore will move back to Baltimore when Royal Caribbean starts sailing out of Baltimore again. I haven't seen a date when that'll be.
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