Sorry Cuisinart, but I Don’t Like It.

Ya’ll have to know by now that I don’t normally post bad reviews.  Generally I don’t have very many bad product experiences because I only choose to review things that I am pretty confident I can use.  Tote Buddy?  Yes.  Hoover Vacuum? yes.  Organic Make Up? yes.

Counter top water filter? Yes.  but sadly… no.  After two attempts to get a machine that worked properly I just have to admit that I wanted to so badly to like it, but I don’t.

I was using Cuisinart 2 Gallon Counter Top Water Filtration Machine.  It has a cold, room temperature and a hot setting.  My first complaint, is that it was a really big PIA to set up twice and have the machine not work to my standards twice.  I really have no idea if it was just a coindence that I recieved two that didn’t work right? But because it is a filter, you have to run tons of water to through it to get the carbon taste out?

I never did get the carbon taste out.  I could still smell it.  My next complaint? The Hot water never got more then a little warm.  Not warm enough for tea, cooking Ramen Noodles, nothing.  Basically for me, that aspect was just a waste.

The Machine also runs a lot.  A lot.  And it is pretty loud.  We have an open kitchen, living room space and it was pretty dreadful.  And now I just feel like I am being picky, but that is just how it is.

So now I have cold carbon tasting water.  fail!

I will say in the defense of Cuisinart, that several other bloggers have tried the machine and really liked it.  Cat at 3Kids and Us liked hers.  and it even gets a 4 of 5 stars on Amazon

I could have fluffed it, reviewed and driven traffic here by giving one away, but I hope this post proves my honesty and integrity.  Save your $147.00 and use it to purchase an Aquasana counter top kitchen faucet water filter.  We have one, I love it to pieces.  Granted it also doesn’t get the water hot enough to make tea, but it does clean our water, and then all I have to do is refrigerate it!

The counter top filter I have is only $124!  And if you use this link, you can save 20%.

Karissa Gindling™ for Prissy Green™ ©

Homedics Restore

If you still purchase bottled water, I sincerely hope you have a really good excuse!  There are so many ways around buying plastic land material filled with water!

We actually have a filter our our kitchen sink.  Aqusana makes it and I love it!  BUT we don’t have access to icy cold water and Craig will not drink it unless it is really cold.  So he normally gets water from our fridge but the water filter on that is a piece of junk!  I replaced it as soon as we moved in here, and with in 4-5 days it stated it needed replaced again.

So I was really happy when I was approached to do a review on the Homedics Restore!

The Restore Clean Water System utilizes UV Clean Technology purifies and removes: 99.9999 percent of bacteria, 99.99 percent of viruses and 99.95 percent of microbial cysts. The filtration system also reduces heavy metals, chlorine, industrial and agricultural pollutants. BPA free.

Features:

• System includes: 8 cup capacity pitcher with built in UV lamp, 1 replaceable filter and one adaptor
• Restore is California certified for microbiological water purification – a first for a major brand in an easy to use consumer product.
• Restore treats tap water so its both cost effective and eco friendly
  BPA free
• UV technology purifies and removes 99.9999% of bacteria, 99.99% of viruses and 99.95% of microbial cysts

It is really simple to use.  Just fill with water.  Give it time to drain through the filter and then switch the button to “Purify” and plug in.  You only have to wait maybe 1 minute.  And do yourself a favor, divert your eyes.  The UV light is powerful!

The water tastes extremely clean and so nice having cold water.

It is also made really well.  Everything is nice and thick, not like most filter pitchers I have used.  This will stand the test of time, and frequent washings!

It looks like they retail for about $99.99 just about anywhere and the filters are a steal at $6.99.

Purchase at Amazon.com and Drugstore.com.

ftc disclosure: I did receive a sample pitcher for review.  this did not have any bearing on my review good or bad.  In fact I was asked to review it no matter whether I liked it or not.

Karissa Gindling™ for Prissy Green™ ©

Aqusana Water Filters Review

Craig and I stopped the water bottle habit years ago. I hope most of you have stopped that bad habit by now too. Not just for the landfills, but the plastic can leech awful chemicals when it is subjected to extreme temperatures.
I first got off the bottle wagon with a Brita Pitcher. The main problem for me, was that I would fly threw it, and then not have enough water cold. I also made ice cubes with it, my water at my condo (where I lived before now) was awful.
So then Craig and I moved here, and we purchased a PUR water filter for the sink. It worked great, no issues at all. It just seems to cost a lot to replace the filters. We had it on our kitchen sink, and used it for any amount of cooking, drinking etc. Then one of the plastic pieces seemed to get corroded and the threading became stripped. That was that for PUR.

So I had hear of Aquasana, and their filtering shower heads. So I went their to browse their home water filters. And purchased a Counter Top Water Filter. The AQ-4000 to be exact. Craig installed it, with no major issues, and it maybe took him 30 minutes. We have fresh flowing water at any time, for food, the dogs, drinks etc. We need to replace the filter, only every 6 months, or every 500 gallons of water. I tend to think we could go longer then that, as it is just the two of us. But the filters are only $47.99. Aquasana has figured it out, that basically it will cost $8 a month for all the fresh water you need. That is pretty much 1 1/2 cases of water, right? If you get it on sale. =)

Here are some other benefits of Aquasana filtered water.

* Reduces up to 99% Chlorine, Lead, Mercury, VOC’s, THM’s, MTBE and 100 other common tap water contaminants!
* Sub-Micron Filtration
* Filter out 99.99% of Cryptosporidium and Giardia (chlorine resistant parasites)
* Leaves in the natural trace minerals
* Improves taste and smell
* Lasts up to 500gallons or 6 months
* Removes Turbidity
* Compact design (7″Wx9″Hx4″D)-Installs in seconds
* 60 Day Satisfaction Guarantee!
* Only 9cents a Gallon for Better than bottled water quality!
* Made in the USA!

And use the link below and save 20%~  The counter top filter I have is on sale right now, for $99!

Karissa Gindling™ for Prissy Green™ ©

Super Natural Home Review and Giveaway

I have another great book to review and a chance for you to win today. This book is titled Super Natural Home: Improve Your Health, Home and Planet-One Room at a Time and is written by Beth Greer. The author had been living what she considered a healthy lifestyle when a medical crisis prompted her to reevaluate everything — from the food she ate to the personal care products she used and the environment she lived in. Now, in Super Natural Home, she shows the alarming extent of the dangerous chemicals we unwittingly expose ourselves to every day. As she did in her own life, she invites readers to put their lives under a microscope — to scrutinize what Americans put in and on their bodies and bring into their homes — and to make personal choices that will enable them to “live clean” in a toxic world.

The straightforward, solutions-based approach of Super Natural Home — complete with quizzes to help identify and correct potential toxic hot zones speaks directly to what environment-conscious consumers really need: ultra-practical advice on what they can do right now to limit exposure to the poisons that are endangering them and their children. At a time when impeccable scientific research points to an alarming correlation between common chemical compounds and cancers, allergies, psychiatric disorders, and birth defects, among other serious health concerns, Super Natural Home gives consumers the tools to start protecting themselves and their families.

About the author: Beth Greer, Super Natural Momâ„¢, is an award-winning journalist and holistic health advocate. She is also the founder of SuperNaturalMom.com, a website dedicated to providing healthy, natural strategies and advice. As former President and co-owner of The Learning Annex, the largest private alternative adult education company in the U.S., Beth has helped thousands see new possibilities and feel empowered to make changes in their lives. Visit http://supernaturalmom.com/.

This book is so practical and so needed as a work through in today’s society. Remember the time before plastic? umm, I don’t. But I rarely use it in the home, i save all of my glass jars and reuse them for food storage. This book really sheds a bright light on the hidden dangers that probably are lurking in your home. From Indoor pollution, to drinking water and foods and so much more in between, this book realy is a must have for anyone trying to live a healthier and greener lifestyle. Yet this book was great for a person like me who thinks I already have a pretty detoxed home, I learned that even though we use a filter (by aquasana) I should still have my water tested, and I do really need to get rid of my non-stick pans. Even if they cost me a bundle!

Would you like a chance to win Beth Greer’s book? To enter tell me something you do that isn’t quite green yet, that you would like to change. EASY!

Extra Entries! Please leave a separate Comment for each!

**Be sure to check out my other GIVEAWAYS**

Contest will conclude on 8/9 at 11:59pm EST. Winner will be drawn by random.org and validated per rules. US Only.