By Jessica Williams
CVS has embarked on the quest that many other companies have: becoming eco-friendly. The green movement has spread across the world, sparking companies to consider more environmentally conscious materials for their products. CVS Earth Essentials is a line of household necessities that are made from 100 percent recycled materials. While their prices may be higher than those of products that are not as eco-friendly, the buyer does get the benefit of keeping their carbon footprint small. Toilet paper not made from recycled is also bleached with harmful chemicals that are known to pollute the environment. Eco-friendly toilet paper is not bleached in harmful chemicals, reducing the hazard to the user and the environment.
The one-ply sheets are completely translucent, meaning you may have to use half the roll just to blow your nose. At that rate, the entire eco-friendly ploy may be lost. Each roll also features a lovely assortment of tiny black flecks of unknown materials. Needless to say, the texture of the toilet paper is very much like a cross between sandpaper and tissue-paper. It is so scratchy that it might turn out to be a really great exfoliator. In fact, about ten different household uses could be found for this toilet paper. These include removing built-up, cooked-on food in your oven and scrubbing away soap scum from your shower.
This is not be the most comfortable product to use. If being eco-friendly ranks higher in your priorities than soft toilet paper, CVS Earth Essentials may be the toiletry line for you.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Pringles sure do "pop"
By Jessica Williams
Pringles are known for being the potato crisp that “once you pop, you can’t stop”. Many varieties have been created recently, including Pringles Stix, Pringles Gourmet, and Pringles Extreme. Pringles Stix are in a rod form instead of a flat crisp. Pringles Gourmet feature more mature flavors that include prawns and beef. Pringles Extreme are known for having names that may scare away even the most open-minded of eaters. One of the most interesting of the Extreme flavors is “Screamin’ Dill Pickle”, which delivers a taste as powerful as its name.
Just opening the bright green can, which is made of 50 percent recycled material, gives off the immediate odor of pickles. One serving, which equals 15 chips, has 150 calories and 10 grams of fat. The crisps have the normal shape of original Pringles, and the typical powdery flavoring on both sides. One bite of a Screamin’ Dill Pickle Pringle is enough to make your eyes water and your face scrunch up. They are surprisingly bitter, even for pickle-flavored chips. The taste is very similar to dill pickles, despite the Pringles not including one single pickle-related ingredient. How the flavor of pickles was captured is still a mystery.
While this flavor may be not for the casual snacker, it’s a fun chance to take. If you’re adventurous, have a love for pickles, and need a good kick in the taste buds, Screamin’ Dill Pickle Pringles may be the next thing for you to try
Pringles are known for being the potato crisp that “once you pop, you can’t stop”. Many varieties have been created recently, including Pringles Stix, Pringles Gourmet, and Pringles Extreme. Pringles Stix are in a rod form instead of a flat crisp. Pringles Gourmet feature more mature flavors that include prawns and beef. Pringles Extreme are known for having names that may scare away even the most open-minded of eaters. One of the most interesting of the Extreme flavors is “Screamin’ Dill Pickle”, which delivers a taste as powerful as its name.
Just opening the bright green can, which is made of 50 percent recycled material, gives off the immediate odor of pickles. One serving, which equals 15 chips, has 150 calories and 10 grams of fat. The crisps have the normal shape of original Pringles, and the typical powdery flavoring on both sides. One bite of a Screamin’ Dill Pickle Pringle is enough to make your eyes water and your face scrunch up. They are surprisingly bitter, even for pickle-flavored chips. The taste is very similar to dill pickles, despite the Pringles not including one single pickle-related ingredient. How the flavor of pickles was captured is still a mystery.
While this flavor may be not for the casual snacker, it’s a fun chance to take. If you’re adventurous, have a love for pickles, and need a good kick in the taste buds, Screamin’ Dill Pickle Pringles may be the next thing for you to try
iDog is cute, but not mind-blowing
By Jessica Williams
Yet another accessory for your iPod is available nationwide for as little as 20 dollars. The iDog, a small robotic dog made by Hasbro, can connect to your iPod and dance along to your favorite tunes. His face features a screen with multi-colored, flashing lights that flash in time with the beat in different patterns. The iDog comes in a variety of colors from lime green to hot pink. It is even available in patterns such as “butterfly” or with a face decorated to look like any one of the four members of the 80s metal band, KISS. Accessories for this little dog are available for about 10 dollars, and include knit scarves, hats, vests and even totes to carry your iDog in.
While this toy is cute, its usefulness and entertainment factor are seriously lacking. The dog is supposed to “dance” along with the beat of your songs, but all the movement it seems to make is a slight tilt of the head and raising of the ears. Since the iDog actually plays your music like a tiny boom-box, it has a speaker. The sound quality is not fantastic and could be compared to a car radio playing a station that is experiencing a bit of static. Rather than a dancing robotic dog, the iDog is like a miniature light show, since that seems to be the only consistent feature of the product.
While this gadget may not be exciting to the tech-savvy iPod carriers who expect a miniature sound system, the iDog could be a great gift for kids who just got their first mp3 player. It could also be useful as an inexpensive, portable speaker. While the iDog isn’t as exciting as expected, it’s not a total waste of money.
Yet another accessory for your iPod is available nationwide for as little as 20 dollars. The iDog, a small robotic dog made by Hasbro, can connect to your iPod and dance along to your favorite tunes. His face features a screen with multi-colored, flashing lights that flash in time with the beat in different patterns. The iDog comes in a variety of colors from lime green to hot pink. It is even available in patterns such as “butterfly” or with a face decorated to look like any one of the four members of the 80s metal band, KISS. Accessories for this little dog are available for about 10 dollars, and include knit scarves, hats, vests and even totes to carry your iDog in.
While this toy is cute, its usefulness and entertainment factor are seriously lacking. The dog is supposed to “dance” along with the beat of your songs, but all the movement it seems to make is a slight tilt of the head and raising of the ears. Since the iDog actually plays your music like a tiny boom-box, it has a speaker. The sound quality is not fantastic and could be compared to a car radio playing a station that is experiencing a bit of static. Rather than a dancing robotic dog, the iDog is like a miniature light show, since that seems to be the only consistent feature of the product.
While this gadget may not be exciting to the tech-savvy iPod carriers who expect a miniature sound system, the iDog could be a great gift for kids who just got their first mp3 player. It could also be useful as an inexpensive, portable speaker. While the iDog isn’t as exciting as expected, it’s not a total waste of money.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Draco and the Malfoys
Draco and the Malfoys: "My Dad is Rich"
By Jessica Williams
Draco and the Malfoys is a wizard rock/indie band that draws inspiration from the popular Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. The duo is made up of half-brothers Brian Ross and Bradley Mehlenbacher, both of Rhode Island. The band was formed by the two Potter fans in 2004. The lyrics of their songs are written from the antagonist of the series, Draco Malfoy. Draco and the Malfoys have released two albums, including their self-titled debut and “Party Like You’re Evil!”. The band often tours with other wizard rock parody groups such as Harry and the Potters.
One of the 12 songs on the album “Draco and the Malfoys” is titled “My Dad is Rich”. The lyrics are easily understood by Potter fans, and poke fun at Harry Potter and the fact that his parents were killed. The tune is surprisingly catchy, and features a chord progression that is vaguely remeniscent of the Beach Boys. While the vocals can sound whiny at points, it only seems fitting because of the character that the words are supposed to be coming from. The balance between vocals and instrumental could be better, but it does not alter the sound to a point of ruining its integrity.
Any Potter fan that is looking for a good laugh would appreciate Draco and the Malfoys. Those who have never picked up a book in the series may not understand the lyrics or the point of the songs, but will find themselves singing along by the end of one song. It’s safe to say that listening to a Draco song is a good time.
By Jessica Williams
Draco and the Malfoys is a wizard rock/indie band that draws inspiration from the popular Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. The duo is made up of half-brothers Brian Ross and Bradley Mehlenbacher, both of Rhode Island. The band was formed by the two Potter fans in 2004. The lyrics of their songs are written from the antagonist of the series, Draco Malfoy. Draco and the Malfoys have released two albums, including their self-titled debut and “Party Like You’re Evil!”. The band often tours with other wizard rock parody groups such as Harry and the Potters.
One of the 12 songs on the album “Draco and the Malfoys” is titled “My Dad is Rich”. The lyrics are easily understood by Potter fans, and poke fun at Harry Potter and the fact that his parents were killed. The tune is surprisingly catchy, and features a chord progression that is vaguely remeniscent of the Beach Boys. While the vocals can sound whiny at points, it only seems fitting because of the character that the words are supposed to be coming from. The balance between vocals and instrumental could be better, but it does not alter the sound to a point of ruining its integrity.
Any Potter fan that is looking for a good laugh would appreciate Draco and the Malfoys. Those who have never picked up a book in the series may not understand the lyrics or the point of the songs, but will find themselves singing along by the end of one song. It’s safe to say that listening to a Draco song is a good time.
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