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Casa Beta: MIO For Target Gardening Tools

CasaSugar — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 11:00:55 -0700

Philadelphia-based MIO, which was founded in 2001 by brothers Isaac and Jaime Salm, produces fun, modern, eco-friendly home furnishings and accessories. I recently featured MIO's new Tyvek textiles, and the brothers are also launching a MIO for Target line this month.

I've been busily testing some of the new MIO for Target products. Since I'm in the middle of Spring gardening mayhem, I first tried out the trowel, cultivator, and weeder ($7.99 each). They're made with bamboo handles and can be hung from your garden shed wall with a jute twine loop. To hear what I thought of these gardening tools, read more.

I found the quality of these tools to be excellent - and that's saying a lot. I have two trowels whose metal scoops have been bent nearly in half at the neck. I don't employ a delicate touch with my garden tools, and I don't think I should have to. Gardening tools should be durable and ready for challenges, including rocky, hard soil.

The MIO for Target trowel held up well through hard-packed garden soil, and the cultivator and weeder were both put through their paces while I planted, weeded, and turned soil in my garden boxes. I also appreciated how sleek the tools' handles were; they ensured a good grip, as well as no chance of splinters or massive callousing due to poorly constructed handles. Interested in getting your own? The full MIO for Target line will be available at most Target Stores and on Target's website from April 12 through May 10, 2009.

What Does This Tool Do?

CasaSugar — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 05:30:49 -0700

Lawns with heavy foot traffic or patches that don't drain easily need help from this tool. Can you tell me what it does? Fill in the blank: This tool ________ your lawn. (Hint: It's a one-word answer!)

Off to Market Recap: Slotted Spoon

partysugar — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 06:45:50 -0800

I really want to try Bon Appétit's recipe for homemade ricotta. Although the recipe calls for three simple ingredients, it requires several cooking utensils. One of them is a good slotted spoon. I don't own a slotted spoon, so I asked you to head off to market in search of one. You bookmarked the spoons in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag Slotted Spoon. The Tovolo spoon that mellie_608 discovered looks perfect. It has a bright red head that will make it easy to find in cluttered kitchen drawers. The handle is durable stainless steel and it's dishwasher safe. Check out more slotted spoons below.

Geeksugar has put together a post that explains how to bookmark. Check it out for more details.

Alessi Anna G Cheese Grater: Love It or Hate It?

YumSugar — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:30:00 -0800

Italy's Alessi has a thing for anthropomorphic kitchen tools, such as this Anna G Cheese Grater ($97).

The brightly colored tool lets you shred your parmesan with the likes of a little girl in an orange dress. But is it too precious?

What Is This?

YumSugar — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 09:00:34 -0800

Can you guess what this wooden apparatus is?

Tyler Florence's 7 Kitchen Essentials

YumSugar — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:00:07 -0700

Yesterday, I dropped by a Macy's Culinary Council event to see Food Network star Tyler Florence. He was kicking off the tour for his two latest books, Stirring the Pot and Dinner at My Place. He talked to a packed audience about his recent move to California, his upcoming plans in the television, wine, and restaurant industries. My favorite part of the discussion, however, was when Tyler talked kitchen essentials.

"I can cook a meal on the top of a car in a junkyard," he declared. He believes anyone can cook with seven essential kitchen tools:

Skillet, for omelets and eggs
Saucepan, for soups and sauces
Larger pot for cooking steaks, tenderloin, and pork chops
Chef's knife, for cutting meat and vegetables
Paring knife, for cutting fruit and smaller items
Bread knife, with serrated edges
Cutting board, for all purposes

Not only were Tyler's tips helpful for those who are new to cooking, but he also demonstrated that one doesn't need to have a bunch of fancy tools to cook a fabulous meal. Are your kitchen essentials the same as Tyler's?

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Casa Quickie: A Rust-Free Toolbox

CasaSugar — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 05:30:35 -0700

During Home Schooling month, I've introduced you to plenty of useful tools for fixing and installing things around the house. If you stepped to it and filled up your toolbox, now you should be responsible for keeping it in good shape. According to Martha Stewart, keeping charcoal briquettes, which you can find right in your Weber, in your toolbox will prevent your tools from rusting, as the briquettes absorb dampness. You should keep a few in a small fabric bag though, since they tend to leave dust in their footprints. Clever, huh?
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Casa Quickie: Keep a Straightedge Handy

CasaSugar — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 13:00:51 -0700

One of the tools that I recommend stocking your toolbox with is a utility blade. You can also get a safety knife for it, but I think most adults with reasonably decent fine-motor skills can handle a blade by itself. It has so many uses, including quickly and accurately cutting down cardboard boxes, like this one. You can also keep one close to your recycling box to help you flatten boxes each week.

Name This Tool

CasaSugar — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 16:00:51 -0700

As part of Home Schooling Month, I figured I'd quiz you on your knowledge of some of the essential tools needed for keeping things in tip-top shape at home. The tool shown here is a type of pliers. Do you know the tool's more specific name?

BBQ Sword: Love It or Hate It?

YumSugar — Sat, 31 May 2008 04:00:13 -0700

I'm all for having fun with your food, especially if you're at a barbecue. However, I think this swashbuckling BBQ sword and mask set ($29.95), might be taking things a bit too far. How about you? Will you and your pals be fencing over an open bbq pit this summer?

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