Earth Therapeutics Anti Stress Microwaveable Comfort Wrap

ATTENTION ALL MIGRAINE SUFFERERS!!!! This product is a "must have" life-saver for those of us that suffer from migraines. When I don't have the time to stand under a hot shower for an hour to relieve my migraines, I turn to my comfort wrap.

This wrap is filled with rice and stress relieving scents. I don't know if it is the way that it molds to your head, neck and shoulders, or the gentle lavender, chamomile and citrus scent, but for some reason, this wrap is the only thing that relieves my headaches and lessens my migraines to the point where I don't feel like slitting my wrists.

The wrap comes in pink, green and beige and sells for $9.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond ($8 if you use a 20% off coupon), or you can find it online. The newer version even comes with a removable outer cover that you can wash.

I pop the wrap in the microwave for 1 min. and 45 sec. and it is the perfect temp. for me. But be careful - I have slightly burned my skin by falling asleep with it when it was a bit too hot. I wrap it around my head, neck and shoulders to simultaneously relieve my headache and muscle pain. It can also be used cold to reduce minor swelling, although I have not ever had occasion to use it for this purpose.

I also recently discovered a sister-item, the Earth Therapeutics Sinus Pillow. For $12.99(around $10 with coupon) , this product has adjustable Velcro head straps for hands-free pain relief. It is filled with flax seed and the same aromatherapy scents. You can use it warm to relieve head and sinus pain, or cool to relieve puffy eyes. I have even worn it backwards on the back of my neck to relieve neck and lower head pain. I have found it in pink and beige. I have not found it to be quite as effective as the comfort wrap, but for a lesser headache when you need your hands free, it does provide relief. It is also easy for younger kids to use when they are suffering from sinus headaches.

Bottom Line: If I had 10 thumbs, I would give the Earth Therapeutic Comfort Wrap all 10 thumbs up, and the sinus pillow gets at least 2 thumbs up! For the price and effectiveness, you can't beat it.

Carlo's Bakery of "Cake Boss"

After watching countless episodes of "Cake Boss" on TLC with my kids, I finally had the opportunity to sample some of the famous bakery's treats, including a birthday cake, cannoli and cream puffs, at a girlfriend's birthday party. It is with a heavy heart that I must report that, with the exception of the cake itself, I was not impressed.

Lets start with the pastries. First, the cream puffs. As one of my girlfriends put it as she bit into one, "yeah, it's a cream puff". It was not bad, it just wasn't anything special. Ditto for the cannoli, which came as a surprise since I have heard Buddy say many times that they are known for their cannolis. On the plus side, the filling was a good, thick consistency, and the cannoli shell was filled to capacity. There is nothing worse than a skimpy cannoli, and there was nothing skimpy about these babies. However, they did unfortunately skimp on the chocolate chips. There was not a single morsel to be seen form the outside, and if I had to guess I would say that there were about three chocolate chips in the entire cannoli. I also was not impressed with the shell, which seemed a bit rubbery, but perhaps that is because I did not sample it freshly made, but rather, my friend had bought it the day prior to her party and stored it in her refridgerator, so we will give Buddy the benefit of the doubt on that one.

The best thing that I tasted from Carlo's Bakery (or anywhere, for that matter) was the cake. My girlfriend bought a 1/2 sheet cake for $96. It was a plain cake, no fondant or anything fancy, since that would have put the price at around $200, but it looked nice with fancy piping along the edges and beautiful, tasty roses scattered about. However, somehow the pink writing faded to white at the ends of the words, giving it a bit of a sloppy appearance. The icing was fine - the consistency was great - nice and thick - but the taste was nothing spectacular and in fact could have been a little bit sweeter for my taste.

But the cake itself, OMG! Although only half a sheet cake, the thing weighed about 80 pounds! The cake was super moist and delicious. It was a consistency that I have never before experienced, somewhere between the light, homemade box cakes and a heavier bakery pound cake. It was absolutely to die for, and completely restored my faith in Buddy! Yes, for flour and water $96 does seem a bit pricey, but I would have to say it was well worth the money and definitely worth the trip to Hoboken!

I was heartbroken that I was not offered to take home a leftover piece of cake (although at those prices I can't say I blame the hostess), and hope to make the hour and a half trek to Carlo's Bakery for that birthday cake in the near future (plus, I am still dying to try the giant cream-filled Lobster Claws that I saw in one episode)!

I did not visit the bakery myself this time, but it was reported to me that my friend and her kids who did go were unable to meet Buddy who was not in the bakery at the time that they visited, but they did meet most of the rest of the cast. I am told that the sister who is bitchy on the show was bitchy in real life (I'm not mentioning any names, but you all know who I mean), and the sisters and brothers in law who are nice on the show were extremely sweet and approachable - especially Mauro, who stopped to pose for pictures when they ran into him on the street!

Bottom Line: I would give Carlo's Bakery one thumbs up for the cake, and one thumbs down for the pastries. Sorry Buddy, but the kids and I still love ya. Oh, and one more, thing - my little ones think that you should stop yelling at Frankie, and stop saying "freakin" on the show - after all, it is a family channel!

~Expert Mom

JustAnswer.com

Today's "shout out" goes to the expert advice website http://www.justanswer.com/. Their Pediatric section is a "must have" on every mom's "favorites" list. For those times when you just can't get a hold of a doctor or when your pediatrician has you spinning in circles, this website is a Godsend!

For a nominal fee that is likely much less than your health insurance co-pay, you can speak online to a doctor with outstanding credentials and a success rating who can point you in the right direction for whatever is ailing your child.

The doctor will answer as many follow-up questions as you like, and is usually available even hours later if you have to cut your chat short to run and pick up the kids. In return, you are asked to pay a minimum of $9 IF YOU ARE SATISFIED with the advice given. If you are not satisfied, not only do you not have to pay, but another physician will then try to help you in order to earn your fee.

In addition to Pediatrics, there is a wide range of other health categories for adults under the heading of "Health and Medical" where you can seek advice for anything from dental problems to OB/GYN questions. There are also categories for advice relating to "Legal and Tax", "Cars and Vehicles", "Pets and Veterinary", "Home and Appliances", "Computer and Education" and "Life and Personal".

One warning - some of the experts try to take a short cut by giving you a long-winded answer that actually amounts to "I don't know" or "consult your pediatrician". In that situation you must respond that you are not satisfied with their answer and will not be paying their fee.

Another situation can arise where the expert's answer just is not right. I had a situation where my ice-cube maker on my freezer was not working. In an effort to avoid a costly repair call by a maintenance man, I went on JustAnswer.com. My first expert gave me a long answer which basically advised me to call a maintenance man. I told him "thanks, but that is what I am trying to avoid by using your website". He then tried again, advising me to order a very costly replacement part, and tried to bluff his way through installation instructions, but again basically advised me to call a repair man. I again refused to accept his answer. I was then given another expert, who advised me to blow hot air on the back of my freezer with a blow dryer. Three minutes and zero dollars later, my ice-cube maker that had not worked in three months began spitting out ice cubes again!

Bottom Line: "Just Answer" is "just right" for the busy mom who needs an answer she can afford and needs it now! Two thumbs up!

~Expert Mom