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Hoover Vacuum Cleaners-A Buyer’s Guide

For many years Hoover vacuum cleaners dominated the market. However, their reputation and sales plummeted as cheap but quality vacuum cleaners and the innovative Dyson vacuum cleaner hit the market. But the good news is, Hoover has fought back and is once again making some of the best vacuum cleaners you can buy.

Hoover Steam Vacuums

Hoover steam vacuums have always been the market leader – only VAX and the Electrolux 350A can claim to rival the Hoover SteamVac range of vacuum cleaners. The Hoover SteamVac vacuum has been a best seller for the company. Its two-tank cleaning system ensures that the clean solution is kept separate from the dirty water. The SteamVac is a good appliance for cleaning carpets and hardwood floors. The Hoover SteamVac Agility range is the next step up. The more noteworthy features of the Hoover Agility vacuum are:

A powered hand tool for cleaning upholstery.

A heated cleaning system. Warm water cleans better than cold and the Hoover

Agility SteamVac applies heated solution straight on to the carpet.

The Spin Scrub system comprises brushes – that are removable – that helps to gently lift dirt out of the carpet.

It comes with an automatic detergent mixing system, which ensures the cleaning solution is mixed correctly for best results.

Hoover Upright Vacuum Cleaners

Hoover makes a range of upright vacuums, both bagged and bagless. Borrowing on the principles used in Dyson vacuum cleaners, The Hoover Fusion Cyclonic is a bagless vacuum that spins air to remove dirt. Because the Fusion Cyclone is a cyclonic and bagless vacuum there is no loss of power as the dust compartment fills up.

The Hoover Z bagless vacuum has a very striking design. Hoover claims that the Hoover Z has the performance of an upright with the flexibility of a canister. What’s really nice about the Hoover Z vacuum cleaner is that it has been designed to be maintenance-free: it has a patent-pending, self cleaning HEPA filter – it cleans itself every 6 seconds, it is claimed that there is no need to replace belts, bags, bulbs or filters – ever, and the brushes have an ant microbial coating to prevent mould growth.

Hoover’s latest model is the WindTunnel. You can get the self-propelled, bagless version of the Hoover WindTunnel, and the company claims that this vacuum picks up 56% more dirt than does a Dyson vacuum cleaner.

Hoover Canister Vacuum Cleaners

The Hoover Constellation vacuum cleaner is very different to most canister vacuum cleaners. For starters, it floats on air – rather the way a hovercraft does – making it light and easy to move around the home. A HEPA filter comes as standard along with a very generous 12-foot stretch hose. It also comes with all the attachments you would expect. But what really sets the Hoover Constellation apart is that the casing is made from steel, making it robust.

Hoover Hard Floor Vacuum Cleaners

The Hoover FloorMate range of vacuum cleaners is specially designed to work on hard surfaces. All Hoover FloorMate are dry-wet vacuums. They also come with a generous 27-foot cord and patented SpinScrub brushes.

Recent times have been troubling for Hoover. Their market position has been eroded and sales have declined. However, the company has invested a lot of time and money into research and development and this has seen the introduction of new technological features right across the range of Hoover vacuum cleaners. Sales have begun to recover and Hoover have once again established themselves as makers of top rated vacuum cleaners. The future looks promising once again for this famous company.

by admin

Cheap Holiday Deals – How to Enjoy a Cheap and Rocking Holiday Tour Cheap Holiday Deals – How to Enjoy a Cheap and Rocking Holiday Tour

When you plan a family or friend vacation tour, the first thing come into mind is about cheap holiday deals. It is the best way that enables you to enjoy a rocking holiday tour along with your family or friends without disturbing your budget. There are a lot of cheap holiday deals and you can catch any of them that suits your budget utmost.

To find such deals you only have to do a Google search to grab the most lucrative deal for your family tour. Well, it is said truly that there is nothing good like a calm vacation to relax and recharge your body as well mind. Moreover, it is the only way that brings you close to your family and kids and to share some happy days with them. Nowadays, there are many more websites that offer lucrative and cheap holiday deals that include your air-fares, accommodation charges, cab charges from airport to hotels and some other necessary things.

You only have to find out such options through internet and it is not a hard task to do. However, you must keep some points in your mind before availing cheap holiday deals through any dealer.

1. First of all, to understand the services and facilities of the website, you must read the reviews of previous customers. It will help you have a clear cut idea about the deeds of the particular site.

You only have to find out such options through internet and it is not a hard task to do. However, you must keep some points in your mind before availing cheap holiday deals through any dealer.

2. When your hotel is booked through the dealer, you must confirm the fact by direct contact to the hotel. It will help you avoid any hassle after reaching the holiday destination. Moreover, you must check the facilities of the hotel that they meet your needs or not. If you are not satisfied with them, you can ask your dealer to change the accommodation option.

You only have to find out such options through internet and it is not a hard task to do. However, you must keep some points in your mind before availing cheap holiday deals through any dealer.

3. Another important thing to keep in mind is to understand the fact whether your dealer arrange you guide for local sightseeing places or not. There are many more websites that also offer you guide facility to visit the all tourist destinations of the place. Thus, you can enjoy a hassle-free and rocking holiday tour in the whole world with ease.

You only have to find out such options through internet and it is not a hard task to do. However, you must keep some points in your mind before availing cheap holiday deals through any dealer.

Don’t miss the opportunities to visit any of your favorite destinations as there are plenty of online dealers are ready to help you enjoy rocking holidays without any hassle. Just make a sincere search and find out the cheap holiday deals for you that meet your budget and needs in a better way!

by admin

If Your Flat Iron Lets You Down Try a Steam-powered Maxiglide Flat Iron

Many complain that their flat iron doesn’t really straighten their hair, and if it does, their hair doesn’t stay straight. One or two manufacturers now produce steam flat irons. Maxiglide make a steam flat iron that is one of the best.

When ironing creased up clothes, it often helps to use steam to flatten out the wrinkles. The same principle applies when straightening hair. Thin or soft hair is easy to straighten but those who have thick or coarse hair, using a conventional flat iron just doesn’t straighten hair.

Some of the best manufacturers of flat irons are now making steam flat irons. Leading brands include the Maxiglide steam flat iron, the Hot Tools steam flat iron and the Andis ceramic steam flat iron. All of these flat irons produce bursts of steam to help straighten even the most stubborn hair. And, all three produce great results and are excellent value for money.

But what is the best steam flat iron?

Deciding what steam hair straightener is best is a subjective decision. But, for the following reasons, the Maxiglide steam iron slightly comes out ahead of the other two mentioned above.

The plates widths of the Andis steam iron are 2 inches and the plate widths of the Hot Tools hair straightener is a generous 3 inches, but the Maxiglide steam hair straightener is 4 inches wide. When using steam to straighten hair, a generous width helps straighten more sections of hair at a time, thus decreasing the time it takes, and makes the Maxiglide flat iron a versatile styling tool. Also, the plates of the Maxiglide steam flat iron come with detangling pins, which helps to tease out tangles and helps reduce the amount of time spent to produce straight, shiny, smooth hair.

Next, let’s take a look at the wattage power. Basically, the more watts, the more heat and the quicker the flat iron will heat up. Both the Andis and Hot Tools flat iron come with around 170 watts; the Maxiglide has 200 watts and heats up to 428F in seconds. Also, the Maxiglide hair straightener with steam has full control over its heat settings compared to only 3 fixed setting with the Hot Tools steam hair straightener.

The overall look and feel of the Maxiglide flat iron is also better than either the Hot Tools or Andis flat irons. Greater attention to detail has gone into the design. The handle of the Maxiglide hair straightener has been ergonomically designed, with rounded edges, to make it easy to use. Also, the position of the on/off switch has been positioned that that it is easy to switch on and off when you want, but without turning it off by accident.

Many consumer reviews say the Maxiglide is a top rated flat iron. But are there are criticisms of the Maxiglide?

First off, is its weight. As you might expect with a flat iron with 4 inch plates, it isn’t light; it weighs in at over 12 lbs! So, even with an ergonomically designed handle, the Maxiglide steam flat iron will be too heavy or unwieldy for some to use comfortably.

Some complain that the special steam channels on the plates tend to clog up unless you meticulously clean it after use. Whilst this is a fair point, it is probably true for all steam flat irons.

Without doubt, the biggest drawback of the Maxiglide steam flat iron is its price. You can expect to pay nearly twice what you would pay for either the Andis of Hot Tools flat iron. This is a major consideration. You have to ask yourself whether its benefits are justified by its price.

The Maxiglide is a very popular flat iron. Other manufacturers have started making steam burst flat irons but the Maxiglide remains the best steam flat iron on the market but do your own homework and then decide which one is best for you. One final thing about the Maxiglide steam iron, which gives it the edge over the Hot Tools or Andis flat iron: you can buy the Maxiglide Hair Straightener Value Pack and, amongst other things, you get a DVD showing you exactly how to use the steam iron.

by admin

Stupid Cupid-Valentine’s Day Mush and How to Spoil Your Loved Ones

Watch out for Cupid’s arrow, or better yet, avoid the greeting card aisle. Valentine’s Day is approaching and love is in the air. For many hopeless romantics out there, February 14th is a wonderful, starry-eyed opportunity to give and receive special tokens of affection like flowers, chocolates, and of course, store-bought or homemade valentines. If your significant other is not so romantic the rest of the year, it’s practically mandated on Valentine’s Day. On the other hand, singles can enjoy being exempt from all this romantic (and financial!) pressure and focus completely on spoiling themselves. And besides, there are always plenty of ridiculously fun Anti-Valentine’s Day parties going on in most cities. In that spirit, I’ll start with a special chocolate spa day designed just for single women. Chocolate IS a girl’s best friend. Moving on to the mushy stuff, I’ll tell you how to spoil the loved ones in your life, whether it’s your kids or your hubby. In the true spirit of Recipe4Living, the way to anyone’s heart is the stomach. Enjoy!

History? I got your history

Okay okay, if you must know WHY we celebrate this silly holiday called Valentine’s Day, let me explain briefly. Valentine’s Day began with a priest, St. Valentine. Rumor has it that during the third century in Rome, Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than married men and thus outlawed marriage for young men. Recognizing the injustice of this, St. Valentine continued to marry young people in secret and was imprisoned and eventually killed. Other rumors say that St. Valentine helped Christians escape harsh Roman prisons and that he may have even sent a love letter from prison to an admired woman, signed “From Your Valentine.” As St. Valentine was later a favorite saint in France and England, Valentine’s Day became popularly celebrated in the seventeenth century. In 1840, the first mass-produced “valentines” appeared in America. Today, 85% of Valentine’s Day cards are purchased by women. Is this because men are buying flowers?

Boycott this Silly Holiday and Spoil Yourself!

Chocolate Foot Spa

Here is a list of “needed” supplies for an indulgent foot spa experience.

Ingredients

Marbles

A foot basin

Whole milk

Vanilla extract

Chocolate extract

Brown Sugar

White sugar

Olive oil

Directions

Put a handful of marbles in the foot basin or any large container to soak your feet in. Fill halfway with cold water. Warm enough whole milk to fill the basin and whisk until frothy. Add 1 Tbs. each of vanilla extract and chocolate extract. Soak feet for 5 minutes while you are rolling them over the marbles. The lactic acid in the milk naturally sloughs off dead skin and softens them. Next, mix a handful of each brown sugar and white sugar with enough olive oil to form a paste. Massage this paste into the feet, ankles, knees and calves. Rinse with warm water and pat dry. Finish with lotion that has been warmed in the microwave. You can add a few drops of vanilla extract in your lotion to keep the vanilla scent on your skin.

Chocolate Bubble Bath

So sweet and indulgent, it’s the perfect bath for chocoholics – but please, don’t drink the bath water.

Ingredients

1 C. unscented bubble bath

1/3 C. unsweetened Soya Brand Milk

3 oz. dark chocolate

Directions

Heat the Soya milk and add in the chopped chocolate, stir well until melted. Do not boil. Allow cooling down. Mix with the bubble bath and pour into your bath and enjoy.

Homemade Chocolate Truffles

This is a really easy way to make a normally complicated dessert. Enjoy these while you are lounging in the tub.

Ingredients

1 12 oz. pkg. semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/4 C. orange-flavored liqueur or 1 tsp. orange extract

1 can chocolate or fudge frosting

Toppings: Coconut, chocolate sprinkles, ground nuts and cocoa

Directions

Melt chocolate chips in medium saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly; remove from heat. Stir in orange liqueur and frosting; blend well. Refrigerate 1-2 hours or until firm. Place coconut or other toppings in pie pan. Scoop mixture into 1″ balls; drop onto topping. Mixture will be sticky. Roll to coat. Place in foil candy cups, if desired. Store in refrigerator.

Yield: 6 dozen

Love Bites

Ingredients

1 shot vodka

Splash of peach schnapps

Equal parts cranberry and grapefruit juice.

Lime for garnish

Directions

Mix together all ingredients and pour over ice. Garnish top of glass with a lime wedge.

Some Essentials for Spoiling Loved Ones

Flower Meanings- Every flower has a meaning, many of which have endured for centuries. So unless you want to give a woman the symbol for mourning this Valentine’s Day, make sure you look into these meanings before picking a bouquet. Not only will you have the perfect gesture with the flowers, but you’ll impress that special someone with your knowledge. He or she will think you are quite thoughtful (just don’t let on I told you).

Amaryllis or Iris- Both of these flowers are perfect for the artists or actors you know. Amaryllis is dramatic and the iris is inspiring.

Carnation- To be blunt, many women view carnations as a “filler flower,” but if you know this person likes carnations go with yellow or pink. These express cheerfulness and gratitude respectively.

Gardenia or Day Lily- Symbolizing joy and enthusiasm respectively, these are great universal flowers to brighten anyone’s Valentine’s Day.

Lilac- Have a serious case of puppy love? Lilacs are the symbol for first love. Your spouse or fiancé will giggle.

Orange Blossoms- Do you have a friend or significant other trying to get pregnant? Or one that has recently become pregnant? Orange blossoms are the symbol for fertility.

Orchid or Hibiscus- As would be expected, orchids and hibiscus symbolize delicate beauty. Depending on the person, this can either be touching or somewhat offensive.

Pansy, Yellow or Red Tulip- While all these flowers are gestures of love, the pansy is the least strong, and the red tulip is a great first declaration. Yellow denotes a hopeless romantic devotion.

Rose- Red roses are the ultimate gesture of passionate love. If you have only been dating a short time, this is too strong a gesture. White roses are a symbol of purity (making them particularly popular at weddings). Pink roses symbolize friendship. A mixture of red and white denote unity, making them perfect for a married couple of many years.

Sunflower- These unique flowers show adoration. You can’t help but smile when you see a sunflower.

Chocolate

Melting Chocolate- Because chocolate is very delicate to heat, you have to melt chocolate slowly, well-removed from heat. Always heat chocolate over low heat or it will quickly become an unappetizing mass. Use a double boiler, or place the saucepan with chocolate on top another saucepan with boiling water on the stovetop. Keep in mind that chocolate will continue to melt even after removing it from a heat source, so be careful not to overcook.

Unsweetened chocolate will easily liquefy when melted, but sweetened chocolate must be continually stirred.

Chocolate flavored coating contains cocoa and vegetable oil, rather than cocoa butter. Coatings are popular because they are easier to use for things like dipping, but the taste and quality are nowhere near real chocolate.

For the Kids

Cherry Bubbles

Sweeten bath-time for the kids or for yourself with this delicious recipe.

Ingredients

1/2 C. unscented shampoo

12 drops cherry fragrance oil

2 drops red food coloring

1/2 tsp. salt

3/4 C. water

Directions

Mix together the shampoo and water in a jar. Add the salt and stir again until the mixture thickens up. Add the cherry oil and the red food coloring and stir the mixture thoroughly once more. Bottle the mixture until ready to use in your bath. To use; add 1 Tbs. to running bath water. Soak as desired.

Crafts for Kids (Compliments of our RSVP writer Sarah Potts)

Valentines- Go out and buy a bunch of colored construction paper and have a “card making” station. Have scissors, heart patterns, stickers and markers supplied so the kids can make their family and friends Valentine’s Day cards.

Candy Lollipop Flowers- This is a great and non-messy activity for children. All you will need is wrapped heart-shaped lollipops that you should be able to find any where in the seasonal section, green chenille stems and scissors. First have the children start at the top of the lollipop stick (just before the end of the sucker) and tightly wrap the chenille stem in a coil around the lollipop stick. Once this is done, cut off the extra chenille. You can use the extra piece or another piece of chenille and wrap this around the stem as well to make the “leaf,” just make sure the leaf is secure. There you go- your child can now have a fun bouquet of little hear shaped flowers to give to anyone.

Foam Love Letters- Give your child the gift of love this Valentines Day. These easy to make foam letters spell out the word “love” and would be adorable in any little girl’s room. Click here for how to make!

Rose Valentine Coffee or Tea Mug- Here’s an inexpensive Valentine’s Day gift that you can make yourself for your special valentine. It is easy and it is fun, any child could make this for his or her mom. The Web site provides the free, full-sized rose stencil pattern (at right) – or you could use your own romantic theme. Click here for how to make!

Spoil Your Sweetie- In my mind, there is no greater gift for a loved one than a fancy meal. Here are a couple fancy menus perfect for Valentine’s Day, and a few more ideas to inspire you.

Menu 1

Shrimp in Champagne Sauce With Pasta

This dish takes some effort to prepare, but is the perfect touch for a romantic dinner for your special Valentine.

Ingredients

1 C. sliced mushrooms

1 Tbs. olive oil

3/4 lb. medium shrimp, shelled

1 1/2 C. champagne

1/2 Tbs. garlic pepper seasoning

2 Tbs. minced shallots or scallions

1 large tomato, diced

1 C. heavy cream

1/2 lb. dried thin spaghetti

3 Tbs. chopped parsley

Grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Sauté mushrooms in medium saucepan in hot olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook just long enough to release mushroom juices and let them evaporate. Remove mushrooms and set aside. In same saucepan, combine shrimp, champagne and garlic pepper seasoning. Over high heat, heat to simmer. When liquid just boils, shrimp are done. Remove shrimp from cooking liquid with a slotted spoon immediately. Set shrimp aside.

Add chopped shallots and tomatoes to cooking liquid. Boil over high heat until liquid is reduced to about 1/2 C., approximately 8 minutes. When liquid is reduced, add 3/4 C. heavy cream and boil 1-2 minutes, until slightly thickened and reduced. Add shrimp and mushrooms to sauce; heat through. Taste and add more seasoning if needed. Meanwhile cook pasta according to directions on package. Drain thoroughly and return to cooking pot. Toss with remaining 1/4 C. cream and parsley. To serve, divide pasta between two plates. Spoon shrimp and sauce over pasta. Garnish with parmesan to taste.

Strawberry Spinach Salad

If you have never tried mixing spinach and strawberries together then you must try this recipe. It is very easy and simple and so good.

Ingredients

2 Tbs. sesame seeds

1 1/2 lb. fresh spinach

1/3 C. vegetable oil

1/3 C. red wine vinegar

1 Tbs. sugar

2 tsp. minced green onion

1/2 tsp. paprika

1/4 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

2 C. fresh strawberries, washed, hulled and halved

Directions

In a 7 inch skillet over medium heat, stir sesame seeds until golden; set aside. Wash spinach thoroughly; dry on paper towels and tear into bite size pieces. Wrap and chill. Blend oil, vinegar, sugar, onion, paprika and Worcestershire sauce. In large glass bowl, mix together spinach, strawberries, dressing and seeds.

One Bowl Spicy Chocolate Cake

Don’t be scared of the cayenne pepper and spice up your boring chocolate cake.

Ingredients

1 1/2 C. all-purpose flour

1 C. sugar

1/3 C. unsweetened cocoa powder

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

3/4 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. hot red pepper (cayenne)

1/4 tsp. salt

1 C. water

1/2 C. vegetable oil

1 Tbs. white vinegar

1 tsp. vanilla

2 Tbs. confectioners’ sugar

Directions

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Generously grease 8″-square baking pan. In medium bowl, stir together flour, sugar, cocoa, cinnamon, baking soda, hot red pepper and salt. Add water, oil, vinegar and vanilla. Beat with a fork just until all dry ingredients have been moistened. Bake cake 35 to 40 minutes or until center springs back when gently pressed. Cool cake in pan 5 minutes. Remove to serving platter. Cover and set aside until ready to serve. Just before serving, sift confectioners’ sugar over top. Cut into 4 squares; cut each square diagonally in half to make 8 triangular pieces.

Yield: 8 servings

Menu 2

Crab-Stuffed Fillet Mignon with Whiskey-Peppercorn Sauce

Incredibly elegant and flavorful, this is the perfect meal to impress that special someone. Excellent for anniversaries, Valentine’s Day or any day!

Ingredients

Crab Stuffing:

2 Tbs. olive oil

1 tsp. minced onion

1 tsp. minced green onion

1 tsp. minced garlic

1 tsp. minced celery

1 tsp. minced green bell pepper

2 Tbs. shrimp stock or water

1 6 oz. can crab meat, drained

2 Tbs. bread crumbs

1 tsp. Cajun seasoning

Peppercorn Sauce:

1 1/4 C. beef broth

1 tsp. cracked black pepper

1 oz. whiskey

1 C. heavy cream

Steaks:

4 6 oz. filet mignon steaks

4 slices bacon, cooked lightly

Salt and cracked black pepper to taste

1 Tbs. olive oil

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tsp. minced shallot

1 C. crimini mushrooms, sliced

1 oz. whiskey

1 tsp. Dijon mustard

Directions

To make crab stuffing, heat 2 Tbs. olive oil in a large skillet. Sauté onion, green onion, garlic, celery, and green pepper until tender. Stir in shrimp stock, crab meat, bread crumbs, and Cajun seasoning. Remove from heat, and set aside. To prepare peppercorn sauce, in a small saucepan over medium heat, combine beef broth and cracked black pepper. Simmer until reduced to 1 C., stirring frequently. Add 1 oz. whiskey and 1 C. cream. Continue simmering until reduced to 1 C. Remove from heat, and set aside. To prepare steaks, slice a pocket into the side of each steak, and stuff generously with crab stuffing. Wrap bacon around side, and secure with toothpicks. Season to taste with salt and pepper; set aside. Heat olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Sauté garlic and shallot for 1 minute. Stir in mushrooms, and sauté until tender. Remove mushroom mixture, and set aside. Place steaks in skillet, and cook to desired doneness. Remove from skillet, and keep warm. Deglaze skillet with 1 oz. whiskey. Reduce heat, and stir in peppercorn sauce and Dijon mustard. Add mushroom mixture, and reduce sauce until thickened. Remove toothpicks and bacon from steaks, and arrange steaks on a plate. Top with sauce.

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