P90X Workout Program

Posted on May 24, 2011 by advocate

Let’s face it. You don’t get something for nothing. If you are going to build muscle, for example, or get into shape, it is going to take work. The more time and effort you put into it, the better will be your results. It’s that simple. The only variable in this law is the use of your time during the workout. You can waste time, or you can have quality time with smart exercising. This is the idea behind any good workout program.
The P90X workout program promises that you can get ‘ripped’ in 90 days. Though this goal may vary some with people, it still is a significant boast. The company states, “Beachbody’s approach is realistic: If you work consistently, you will get great results.” In other words, you will need to really work to get these results in 90 days.
P90X was developed by Beachbody, the home of several other programs including Slim in 6, Insanity, Turbo Jam, Body Gospel, and others. Their products “combine challenging DVD-based home fitness programs with easy-to-follow diet guidelines, superior nutritional supplements, and an unparalleled online support system.” They have certainly captured the effective telemarketing field, claiming 45,000 daily visitors to their website.
The program includes 13 DVD workouts in the complete P90X Extreme Home Fitness training system. These are: Chest and Back, Plyometrics, Shoulders and Arms, Yoga X, Legs and Back, Kenpo X, X Stretch, Core Synergistics, Chest, Shoulders, and Triceps, Back and Biceps, Cardio X, and Ab Ripper X. It also includes a three phase nutrition plan, a fitness guide, and a DVD overview. The star of the DVD workouts is Tony Horton who is the trainer, cheerleader, and humorist for the program.
The key to this program is something they call Muscle Confusion. By continually varying your workout, your muscles don’t get used to anything. They are working throughout each exercise to maximize the workout time.
Reviews of the program by those who have tried it are overwhelmingly favorable. They say the program delivers what it promises. Because it is demanding, some, no doubt, will sign up but quit before they reach their goal. You must be committed to it and not talk yourself out of continuing. One reviewer stated, “. . . it is the first time I’ve seen a full at-home video workout program I can do without going to the gym. And having Tony push things along forces you to really move. I don’t get as good a workout when I have to go to the gym without Tony moving things along at his quick pace with little down-time.”
P90X has two cons. First, it is time consuming. It requires an hour a day and, for some who are busy, this can be a lot of time. The yoga exercises need an additional 90 minutes. The other negative is the cost. It will set you back $120 plus $20 shipping and handling. That’s roughly $10 a DVD. Perhaps if you put out that kind of money for an exercise program, you will be motivated to keep it up so you don’t waste your investment.
This is a good program for those who want an intensive exercise plan and who are serious about putting in the required effort. It is as good as it says it is, that is, if you are as diligent as you intend to be when you sign on.

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HealthMaster Fruit & Vegetable Emulsifier

Posted on May 11, 2011 by advocate

The HealthMaster Fruit and Vegetable Emulsifier is a large, professional grade blender. Like other blenders, the blade is locked inside the container, a safe distance from fingers! The HealthMaster container is larger than most kitchen blenders, measuring 70 ounces (more than half a gallon!) and containing six blades. Most kitchen blenders hold about a quart.

HealthMaster boasts that their appliance is more than a blender. Indeed, it is able to liquify, pulverize and emulsify. I was surprised to watch the demo making thick dough without taxing the motor. In fact, HealthMaster claims you can also make “healthy soups, delicious sauces, delightful coffee & tea blends, and tasty fondue using whole foods for total nutrition.
You can also create cold ice cream, refreshing gelatos and mouth-watering smoothies.”

It is able to juice vegetables so that the user can get all the vitamins immediately. Unlike most blenders, the HealthMaster is able to prepare both hot dishes such as soups, sauces, and breads, as well as cold dishes like ice cream, gelatos, sorbets, and smoothies.

The specs of the HealthMaster include a one-touch digital operation, a 1100 watts of power, 8 speeds, plus pulse and ice buttons, automatic cook timer, steam release vent, a built in thermal reset sensor, a stow away cord storage, and a lifetime warranty on the motor. It contains two built-in micro switches to ensure safe operation. The HealthMaster comes in either black and red.

The cost of the HealthMaster begins at $200 plus shipping, about $10. At this price, you must wait three to four weeks for delivery. If you want it in seven to ten business days, add an additional ten dollars. For cash you get four recipe books, and the “Super Slim Me” Eating Plan, free. Otherwise you can pay $50 a month for four months.

If you want the culinary model, add $39.96. The container size is the same, but the motor is 1200 watts. You can also subscribe to the monthly recipe booklets for an additional $10/month. Be advised that, if you need the unit replaced, you pay to ship the old one back and to have a new one shipped. The warranty is for the motor only.

One satisfied customer wrote, “I received my machine the other day and it is as good as Montel claims. I got my children to eat ‘greens’ in smoothies and they loved it. I also made homemade leek & potato soup for the first time – it was amazing – so easy and fast – and when you work it’s hard to find the time to make everything from scratch. This machine is great.”

I compared it with the KitchenAid KSB560OB 5-Speed 56-Ounce Blender. It is about 720 watts but retails for $130 (and is available for less). The HealthMaster is a bigger motor and is able to prepare both hot and cold dishes. From the reviews, the HealthMaster seems to be one of the better products available from infomercials.

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Bag Bundle – Grab and Go Storage

Posted on May 5, 2011 by advocate

If you are a typical household, especially if you have small children, you have a shortage of storage space. In addition, you probably struggle to get the people in your home to use the storage areas you do have. The Bag Bundle is a clever idea to solve both of these problems.

First, bag bundle is three clear, heavy plastic, quart-sized pouches. By being clear plastic, the user can easily see what is inside. By being made of heavy gauge plastic, the pouches will last longer. By being quart-sized, they hold a good quantity of most anything without becoming too heavy.

Bag Bundle is also a two-foot holder for the three pouches that can be hung on a door, wall, or in a closet (or the pouches can be hung individually). The pouches can easily be removed from the holder for use, and then attached again for storage. Thus a large variety and quantity of ‘stuff’ that normally might require a drawer, box, or cupboard shelf is now hung out of the way where it is easily accessible when needed.

Some usage ideas from satisfied customers include scrapbooking and craft supplies; storing crayons, markers, and paint that children might use; storing small computer parts; storing medicines (the labels can easily be read while it is stored), first aid equipment, pictures, etc. The pouches are advertised as waterproof. One customer proved this when her daughter was sick to her stomach in the car. Mom also found the pouches were easily washed and reused for other things!

The Bag Bundle pouches are great for travel as well. When the pouches are filled, they can be packed separately in a suitcase. After arriving at your destination, you can hang the pouches on the holder as before. Because they are clear, they more quickly pass inspections at airports. Bottles of liquids are no problem since they are sealed in the waterproof pouch.

Each pouch also contains a D ring. “With the D Ring, you can hang your keys on the inside or outside of the pouch. Additionally, you can use a small luggage lock or a 4″ cable tie to secure the pouch in order to keep items such as medicine out of harms way, or to keep pictures and letters clean and private.”

The Bag Bundle sells for $16.95 plus $8 shipping and handling. It comes in a variety of sizes and colors. Exchanges and refunds are available for thirty days after purchase. Orders should arrive within two weeks via FedEx. The headquarters of Bag Bundle is in Florida.

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Cold Fire Extinguishers

Posted on May 4, 2011 by advocate

Every once in a while, a new invention does more than reinvent the wheel. Such seems to be the case with the Cold Fire Extinguishers. This is not a foam extinguisher; it is not a dry soda extinguisher. It is better than all those put together.

Do you own a fire extinguisher in your home? Perhaps the first pep talk should be to convince readers of the need to have one handy. We are told that 90% of people who own fire extinguishers never use them. That’s good news. But if you are in the 10% group, it may save priceless treasures and thousands of dollars to spend a few dollars on a reliable extinguisher.

We all know that three things are needed for fire to burn: fuel, ignition, and oxygen. Most extinguishers seek to eliminate one part of this trio. Water removes the ignition, carbon dioxide and foam remove the oxygen, and breaking up the burning materials eliminates the fuel. Cold Fire does it all. About themselves they say, “Cold Fire is an environmentally friendly fire extinguishing agent that puts out ANY fire faster, safer, with less water, less damage to property, and less risk to firefighters. Cold Fire cools 21 times faster than water, and works to remove heat and the fuel sources from the fire tetrahedron, preventing reignition. Completely ‘green’ and non-toxic, Cold Fire puts out any Class A or B fire, hydrocarbons or polar solvents, as well as metals, tires, and asphalt and more. Also suppresses vapors and helps to remediate spills.” There is not a fire it cannot put out.

One secret of the Cold Fire extinguisher is the endothermic reaction of the chemicals. This means, instead of giving off heat as most reactions do (like burning wood!), this reaction takes in heat. The result is taking the fire below ignition temperature. In addition, “it neutralizes the hydrocarbon particles, drastically cutting the smoke damage and danger that typically accompanies a fire. The smoke turns from black to white; and visibility increases. What’s more, it is non-toxic. As a plant based substance, if you accidentally swallow some, breath its evaporative fumes, or spray it in your eyes, it won’t hurt you.” It is also biodegradable, inexpensive, and is not slippery. The chemicals encapsulate the fuel source to prevent additional burning. The encapsulating also separates the fuel from oxygen. And there is no chemical clean-up afterward. (The exact explanation of the reaction may all be found online if you are interested.)

Actually, with the Cold Fire chemicals, you can make your own extinguisher with a weed sprayer. However, the Cold Fire is available in spray cans, ideal for homes next to the stove or fireplace. If you mix it yourself, you can mix it with water at a 1% ratio for forest fires, up to a 3% mixture for oil and tire fires. A 10% solution is recommended for stand alone extinguishers of small volume.

Fire Chiefs are raving about Cold Fire. One said, “It has done everything they told us it would do. I’ve been very impressed with it. With Cold Fire, you just have to carry the one product. We’ve been really happy with it.” In one demo, five gallons of Cold Fire put out a fire that would take 500 gallons of water alone.

Cold Fire can also be used to douse the clothing of a firefighter or person who must run through flames to escape. When heated, it produces no poisonous fumes.

Cold Fire is produced by Fire Freeze Worldwide, Inc. The chemical is sold in 5 and 55 gallon drums for fire departments, commercial and industrial applications. Cold Fire is also sold in 12 oz. spray cans and 32 oz. spray bottles for home, trade, tool, and racing applications. We recommend your having a Cold Fire extinguisher in your home or business. It is the best insurance against fire loss that you can have.

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Hex Light

Posted on May 2, 2011 by advocate

Have you ever wished you had three hands while working in the dark? You often need one hand to hold a tool, one to hold the piece of equipment you are installing or removing, and one to hold the flashlight. Oh, and you may need one to hold the ladder too. An ex-marine faced this predicament while working on a home project and remembered how this problem was solved digging trenches in the military. The result was the invention of the Hex Light.

The concept of the Hex Light is very simple. It is a strap that is fastened around the wrist with Velcro. On the band are mounted six LED lights all facing the same direction. Thus, theoretically, wherever your hand is pointing, the lights are shining. This eliminates the need for the “third hand.”

The Hex Light is powered by two AAA batteries. LEDs use very little power so the batteries, though small, should last a while. At present the company (through Telebrands) is offering a second Hex Light free, along with six Stick & Click lights. These are small LED lights with a sticky tape on the back. You stick them in a place you occasionally need a light, such as a secluded area to check your furnace filters. One push and the light is on, another push and it is off. Plan to pay $6.99 for postage and handling, plus that much again for the extra ‘free’ unit, a bit much perhaps for such a small, light-weight product.

The concept of the Hex Light is a good one. First, it frees your hands and, since your dominant hand is always involved in the project, the light is nearly always shining where you need it. Second, it doesn’t require a hat as does a minor’s light. That may be an advantage to some. The Velcro strap allows it to fit as tightly as you want on any sized wrist. The unit is also purported to be water resistant. This usually means you can’t work with it underwater but it won’t be damaged if it gets wet.

Uses include both direct lighting and indirect light. For example, replacing a light bulb is a job where such a unit would be especially useful. Indirect lighting would include biking, walking the dog, or jogging where you just want to make your presence known.

Not all reviews of this project are favorable. Two people said they only got one Stick & Click light with their order, though promised six. Complaint was also voiced about the quality of the Velcro strap, the ease of installing the batteries, and the customer service. Perhaps it would be best to just order one set before you purchase any for friends or relatives.

Overall, the concept is good. You be the judge if the quality is matching the demands of a Marine.

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10-Minute Trainer

Posted on April 27, 2011 by advocate

One reason Americans are remiss in getting enough exercise is simply that they claim they are too busy. They know they should exercise, but when? With this in mind, Tony Horton has developed a workout program called the 10-Minute Trainer. His claim? “With these breakthrough workouts and my easy-to-follow eating plan, you’ll lose weight, tone your body from head to toe, and have plenty of time left over for your day!”

The key to the program is the combination of the exercises and the 10-minute meals that are low in calories but high in nutrition. Of course, you can exercise longer than ten minutes. It just means you will get the desired results sooner, he claims.

How can someone get an hour or two of workout in just ten minutes? Here’s how it works: “Instead of starting with your cardio, then working your different body parts one at a time like most long workouts, I stack them, so you get your fat-burning cardio, total-body toning and sculpting, and abs workouts at the same time—in just 10 minutes, from start to finish!”

The method is called the Super Stacking Technique using resistance bands. Super Stacking means that, instead of doing exercises for each part of the body separately, Tony Horton has designed exercises that work all parts of the body at once. The resistant bands are rubbers with handles on the end to give resistance to the limbs while exercising.

The basic program costs $80 plus $20 shipping. It includes Total Body, Lower Body, Cardio, and Yoga Flex. You also receive a Resistance Band Kit Plus a Cardio Belt, Customized Workout Calendar, Tony Horton’s 10-Minute Meals, Rapid Results Guidebook, and 10-Day Lean Jean Plan. See their website for an explanation of each one.

What are customers saying about the program? Here is a typical comment: “I’ve been working out with 10-minute-trainer for about three weeks now, and I have lost 7 lbs. At first the workouts were intense, and you do get a bit sore, but that is nothing a 10 minute yoga session can not solve. I have also been dieting and following the 1,200 cal rule (1,000 cals for me is impossible, but everyone is different!).” It is frankly difficult to find dissatisfied customers with this program.

A 30-day full refund is promised, not including the $20 shipping and handling. For customers who want to go further, Beachbody (the company name) offers a deluxe program for the same price that goes further. It includes nine DVDs containing various 10-Minute workouts, along with several free gifts.

The program is designed for busy people who want either to lose weight or to get more much-needed exercise, or both. If you are in either of these categories, we recommend that you try 10-Minute Trainer and see if you agree with the rave reviews it is getting from satisfied customers.

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Garry Vacuum Cleaner

Posted on April 20, 2011 by advocate

One of the most effective infomercials recently is for the Garry Vacuum Cleaner. The commercial emphasizes the Garry’s lightweight, strong body, its on-board tools, and its low price. Indeed, $200 is not bad for a carpet cleaner. It is advertised to be nine pounds, but Consumer Reports found this was only true when you remove the hose, attachments, and power cord. Otherwise it is twelve pounds, still not bad for an upright.

The ad also demonstrates how quickly the Garry can pick up spilled dirt or pet hair. The website says it is a “professional quality” vacuum that “loosens stubborn, even hidden ground-in dirt from your carpets” and other surfaces “the first time you pass over the dirt.” However, Consumer Reports compared its ability to clean up ground-in dirt, and, out of forty competitors, this was the worst! They recommend it on bare floors only.

Still many users are pleased with it. One person wrote, “The Garry Vacuum has been a great asset in our home. It is easy to use and fantastic that all the accessories are kept with the vacuum. I love this ultra light vacuum as it allows me to vacuum the whole house in one session.”

The vacuum comes with several perks. First, you get a free floor steamer, valued at (they say) $100. They also advertise that you will receive free vacuum bags for life. This is not exactly true. You must pay shipping and handling, $12.95 for eight, and you will get them every four months unless you cancel the subscription. There is no other place to buy the bags. So in reality you are paying $1.62 per bag, which isn’t expensive.

Garry also offers a 30-day refund on the vacuum and, through its “Zero Maintenance No Hassle Warranty,” no-cost lifetime replacement of a faulty vacuum. However, keep in mind that you will pay to ship the vacuum back to the manufacturer and be charged $40 for shipment of the new model, not counting the $40 you spent on shipping in the first place. So it is not “no-cost.”

The Consumer Reports website hosts an extensive list of comments from Garry owners and, frankly, most of them are horror stories concerning their service department. The experience of returning a burned out vacuum was anything but “No Hassle.” Several stated that the motor burned out after only a few uses. So it would be good to check out the quality of the craftsmanship before proceeding with your purchase. Several also complained about the excessive noise the vacuum made.

As a general rule, don’t believe everything you see on the info commercials. Many of the “special offers if you call now” go on indefinitely. Take the time to check out unbiased evaluation or user comments before sending your credit card number to a company. As a rule, you will get pretty much what you pay for.

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The Zoom Power Paint Sprayer

Posted on April 20, 2011 by advocate

If you have a significant painting project to do this summer, you may want to consider buying the Zoom Power Sprayer. Home paint sprayers have been on the market for several years. Some units are large and heavy; others are too small for large projects or require time-consuming clean-up.

Yes, the Zoom Power Sprayer is much more expensive than rollers and brushes. However, if time, quality, and versatility are factors, then the extra cost may be worth it. Of course, you have to clean it when you are done, but you would have to do that with good rollers and brushes anyway.

The Zoom Power Sprayer is powered by a 650-watt motor that handles most any paint. A hose delivers the air to the lightweight spray gun. The paint is poured into a container on the sprayer unit, about a quart at a time. The four-pound motor is carried on the shoulder with the included strap. A person painting then holds the sprayer gun up to the surface and pulls the trigger. It’s that simple.

The Zoom sprayer holds a small amount of paint compared to other products. Some others even attach directly to the can of paint so you can paint a gallon or more at a time. However, the advantage to this design is that you do not have any long hoses filled with paint to clean out. The paint goes from the container a few inches to the sprayer and out. Clean-up is minimal, and so is waste. The kit comes with the instructional manual, a hose, the paint Zoom unit, a carrying strap, viscosity measuring cup, a painting cup, the lightweight spray gun, and a cleaning utensil. At this time they are also offering to give you two free drip clothes, trim tape, and border tape. (They claim these are a $25 value but this is questionable.)

The Zoom is able to handle more than just paint. You can use it with fence and deck stains, varnishes, sealers, latex, wood preservatives, water-based paints, and automotive paints. However, it cannot be used for textured paints and should not be used with paints that are designed for brush only. If the paint is too thick, instructions for thinning it properly are included.

The spray nozzle has three settings: horizontal spray for painting vertically, vertical spray for normal back and forth painting, and a finer spray for small areas. Cleanup involves spraying water (or thinner) through the unit and then soaking it for a while. The various parts are easy to take apart and reassemble. Of course, all spray painting has one disadvantage over roller and brush painting. Areas you don’t want painted must be covered and taped. A careful roller and brush painter can cut and roll without this added requirement.

Presently Zoom is offering the unit for $99, plus shipping and handling. You can even finance it in three payments. If you follow directions, it comes with a one-year parts warranty. It is difficult to find negative feedback about the Zoom Paint Sprayer. Yes, you should take their promo video with a grain of salt. You don’t have to be covered with paint when using a brush or roller. However, salesmanship aside, those who have used it are generally very satisfied and feel it was well worth the $100+ they invested. If you take good care of it, the Zoom Power Sprayer can save you hundreds of hours in paint projects for years to come.

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