Tom's Views

I recently purchased for review, the   Honeywell RLV430A 5-2 programmable digital thermostat for the electric baseboard heaters used around my home. At a cost of approximately $53 from Lowe’s home improvement center, I thought they priced this digital thermostat fairly. The RLV430A is much quieter (no clicking sounds as it turns the heaters on and off), as this digital thermostat like its non programmable version (the RLV310A, reviewed here) utilizes an all-electronic switching mechanism (a triac) to switch on and off the 220 volt supply to my 2500 watt resistance baseboard heaters.

This is a programmable thermostat that allows you to set up two different programs; one for the week days (of which there are 5), and the other for Saturdays and Sundays (of which there are 2) (thus 5-2).  Each of these programs allows you to set the temperature for four periods.  for each period you set the time that that period begins and the temperature that you want the room to be during that period.  The weekend days can have a different schedule than the week days.

This is a line-voltage thermostat.  So do not try to use it on a central heating system.  In fact, the RLV430A is quite similar in appearance and function to Honeywell’s RLV310A thermostat, except for the addition of the clock and programming features.

Here are my impressions of this Honeywell programmable thermostat.

Benefits Of The Honeywell RLV430A Programmable Digital Thermostat

• Honeywell’s supplied installation instructions were easy to follow and straight forward, as was the case with the RLV310A.
• The RLV430A has just two black wires that you hook up as you would a regular light switch into one side of the electric heater supply line.
• Installation of the RLV430A took under twenty minutes and required only a Philips screwdriver since I was just replacing an existing thermostat, and NOT installing a new one from scratch.
• No ground terminal is provided, as the RLV430A is packaged in an all-plastic case; including its mounting plate. This further simplifies installation.
• The Honeywell RLV430A, during power outages, retains all program data, and even retains correct time for several hours.
• Even considering that this unit is programmable (which can make operation rather compex on some models), I nonetheless found operating the RLV430A quite intuitive.
• This unit has numerous buttons; the most used of which are large and are outside the little door that you can close to hide the more advanced-feature buttons.  When this door is closed, there are only three buttons exposed; the UP and DOWN buttons, and the mode key.  With so few apparent buttons, the RLV430A, in addition to actually being simple to operate, APPEARS very simple to operate as well.  If the other buttons (underneath the cover were exposed, some might be put off by the apparent complexity of this unit).  But it’s really easy to work, even with those extra buttons for programming.
• The RLV430A responds immediately when you change the temperature set point, and immediately turns on the heater full blast when you raise the temperature, and turns it completely off when you lower the temperature, until the room temperature falls to the new set point.
• In terms of comfort, I like the tight temperature control of the RLV430A, as it allows no more than a plus or minus 0.27 degree temperature swing in the room, before actuating the heater (turning it on or off).
• As the RLV430A limits the size of the temperature swings in the room, the users guide says that savings in heating bills should be significant. This is important when paying for electric baseboard heating, as each room costs a few dollars per day to keep warm as it is.
• This digital thermostat comes with a 1-year warranty.
• You can set the temperature type (C or F), the time format (12 or 24 hour), and you can tell this thermostat whether the heater you’re controlling with it has a fan or not so that the best on-off cycle times are selected.

What I Dislike About the Honeywell RLV430A Programmable Digital Thermostat

• I wish the temperature display on the RLV430A was back lit, so it could be viewed without having to turn on another light in the room.
• The instructions warn against using this thermostat with non resistive loads, which precludes operating very inductive or capacitive heaters (like some that have hefty fans).  I wish they;d have built better protection against high voltage or current surges that typically result within inductive or capacitive heaters.  But most non-fan heaters are almost purely resistive anyhow, and if yours are of this type, you’re safe, so long as the wattage of your heater does not exceed the capacity of this thermostat (3500 watts maximum)
• The RLV430A offers a very narrow and non adjustable temperature span of approximately 0.5 degrees. That is, when the room temperature falls 0.27 degrees below the set point temperature, this Honeywell digital thermostat turns the heater on. Then, when the temperature rises to 0.27 degrees above the set point, this thermostat turns the heater off. This means that the heater comes on and off several times per minute, which can be distracting when all else in the room is quiet.  An adjustable temperature differential provision would have been most useful.
• My particular heaters hum, ping, and clank each time they’re activated. So while I may have eliminated the clicking noises in my old electro-mechanical thermostats by replacing them with the RLV430A, I have exacerbated the noise problem from the heaters themselves. Beware of this if you decide to upgrade to a programmable thermostat like the Honeywell RLV430A.
• As is true with so many consumer electronics devices these days, no audio indication is given on the RLV430A when the UP and DOWN, time setting, and programming buttons are pressed, which can complicate use of this thermostat by blind and vision impaired individuals.  Having and audible indication of all button presses would go far toward making this thermostat blind-accessible.

Rating For The Honeywell RLV430A Thermostat

Overall, I’m quite pleased with this digital thermostat. The unit works exactly as described in the included manual, and like the RLV310A non programmable thermostat I’ve reviewed previously, this thermostat revealed that I have very noisy heaters. This just may be the excuse I’ve been looking for to upgrade my cheap heaters to the quieter hydronic units I’ve seen at the stores.  I’d rate this device at 97 out of 100.

Where To Buy The Honeywell RLV430A Thermostat

I found mine at Lowe’s home improvement center.  But other bigger places like this one carry it too.  It’s also available online at eBay or Amazon.

Tom Hesley

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• Honeywell RTH7600D 7 Day Programmable Thermostat Review

Other Posts About Heating

• Fixing Noisy Electric Baseboard Heaters
• Honeywell RLV310A Non Programmable Digital Thermostat Review
• Tankless Vs. Tanked Water Heaters

I’ve recently tried   Sohgave! Blueberry Flavor Agave Syrup   liquid on pancakes, waffles,  and to sweeten and flavor drinks and cereals. I’ve found this organic, blue agave nectar-based sweetener a curious alternative to table sugar and corn syrup-based syrup products. Sohgave! Blueberry Flavor Agave Syrup has 60 calories per tablespoon, and it appears equivalent in sweetness to honey.  However, the blueberry flavor seems milder (weaker) than other blueberry syrups I’ve tested.

The big difference however, between Sohgave! Blueberry Agave Syrup and more traditional syrups is its lower glycemic index (GI). With a GI of 17, this makes the Sohgave agave syrup more acceptable for diabetics (in small amounts) as a sugar alternative. The GI of more common blueberry syrups on the other hand, approaches 54. Thus, a given amount of Sohgave! blueberry syrup triggers a lower blood-sugar spike and therefore, less of a “sugar high” than do other, more highly processed sugar products.

But, though the GI in the Sohgave! agave syrup is lower than other sugar sources, remember that this is still contains a concentrated form of sugar. This, in my experience, can make you crave more of it. So use this blueberry flavored syrup sweetener in moderation.

Benefits Of Sohgave! Blueberry Flavor Agave Syrup

• This flavored agave nectar has a subtle and pleasant blueberry aroma, that is similar to Smucker’s blueberry flavored syrup.
• Indeed, to me, this Sohgave! blueberry flavored agave syrup tastes almost identical to other blueberry syrup products such as the Smucker’s syrup, except that the blueberry flavor is slightly less dominant.
• This blueberry syrup is clear yet dark red or maroon in color; resembling blueberry juice though somewhat lighter than actual blueberry juice.
• As a beverage sweetener, this agave product dissolves quickly in drinks, and I truly savor its natural blueberry flavor on my whole-grain pancakes.
• Sohgave! syrup needs stirring only once into drinks, as it does not separate after it’s completely dissolved.
• It’s got a syrupy consistency (would you expect anything else?), that’s about as thick as plain agave nectar.
• Thus it can season pancakes with no appreciable difference in texture than other blueberry syrups.
• So, it can replace higher GI blueberry syrup products on pancakes and waffles with little perceptible difference to the palate.
• I’ve noticed no intestinal or stomach problems from Sohgave! Blueberry Flavor Agave Syrup.
• A fan of blue agave nectar, I’m pleased that through products such as Sohgave blueberry Flavor Syrup, agave nectar is indeed coming into more mainstream food markets.

What I Dislike About Sohgave! Blueberry Flavor Agave Syrup

• If spilled, this product can draw bugs, just as spilled sugar or sugary syrup might. Like sugar, caution must be exercised in clean-up that you leave no sticky simple sugars around that could attract roaches and ants.
• As this Sohgave! blueberry Flavor Syrup is newer than the more traditional brands, it can be hard to find in local grocery stores. However, I shop at a Walmart Super Center close by that carries it reliably.
• Sohgave! can be more expensive per pound than sugar or corn syrup-based products. I currently pay roughly $4.50 for one seventeen-ounce bottle, which lasts a week or two when used exclusively in my almond drinks, waffles, and pancakes. I’m hoping that as agave syrup moves into the mainstream grocery stores (as more customers learn of its health benefits due to its lower GI), that its price will drop accordingly.

Rating For Sohgave! Blueberry Flavor Agave Syrup

I’m pleased overall with this Sohgave! blueberry syrup, and would thus rate it at 92 out of 100.  I like the taste, but there’s still very much sugar here.

Where To Buy Sohgave! Blueberry Flavor Agave Syrup

Look for the transparent plastic bottles with the red, orange, white, and blue labels at your favorite bigger grocer’s store; including Walmart and some health food places. and I think you’ll agree that you need do without no good taste to get the advantages of agave nectar in this product.

Tom Hesley

Related Posts

• Now Stevia Glycerite Sweetener Review
• Sohgave! Maple Flavor Agave Syrup Review
• Truvia Sweetener Review
• Where To Get Agave Nectar

References

• Agave Nectar on Wikipedia
• Sohgave! Web Site

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The best weight loss plan I know of, is to fall in love!  Indeed, I seem to lose the most weight when I’ve fallen in love with a special girl, and gain it when I fall back out of love. So if you’re gaining weight, then perhaps you’re not really in love, and if you’re losing weight, then hide it all you like. But I’d bet that you’re in love. Falling in love is great for the waistline, for more than just the obvious reasons. Being in love is the most effective weight loss diet around. Any craving for food I had before, is replaced by longing for the beloved.  Plus falling in love feels good, and this helps propel it up to the status of the best weight loss plan for me.

To maximize chances of her falling in love with me, I intensely want lose weight, to be as fit, trim, and as free of love handles as I can, as quickly as I can. Winning the heart of the beloved is perhaps the most motivating weight-loss motivator I know. When I fall in love, I feel much more than the usual dose of guilt when I eat too many M & M’s. I’d hate to be rejected for being too fat. The fear of her rejecting me grows more intense, increasing my desire to lose weight.  So, I cite falling in love as the best weight loss plan, because if successful at it, you can head off this intense humiliation.

Additionally, one person I discussed this phenomenon with, said that falling in love inspires her to spend too much time with the beloved to worry much about food. Yes, that’s true. Also, for me, I’d rather sit around and fantasize about my beloved than eat once I’ve fallen in love.  She also felt that the best weight loss plan is to plan to fall in love, and then, actually do it.

Yep, falling in love activates an “instinct” to lose weight in order look as attractive as possible. Plus, being in love, especially when things are going well, drives the blues away. Depression is a big reason why people eat excessively anyway, and love is an excellent antidepressant, or so it has been for me. So that makes love also perhaps the best diet pill in the world. It suppresses food cravings by reducing depression. It’s easier to lose weight when happy and not depressed, than when sad.  The best weight loss plan therefore, is loving.

Love-motivated weight loss is healthy too, I think, because I feel very good doing it. Knowing that I’m doing something that will help the beloved more easily see me as her beloved, stokes a feeling of victory in my heart, and victory always feels great.

I only ever experience love weight gain when forced to fall out of love, such as when the beloved breaks up with me. The way out of love can devastate the waistline, as it makes one feel very much more sad and depressed than he does in his typical day. It’s healthy therefore, to fall in love and stay there, to lose weight and keep it off.  So, the best weight loss plan involves staying in love.

Also, I sleep better when I’ve fallen in love, am more likely to exercise (to impress my babe), more apt to run around looking for that “perfect gift” for her, and, I clean my house more when someone optimal comes into my life. So my level of domestic exercise increases, which also encourages me to lose weight after falling in love.

Finally, with most weight loss diets, some foods have to be given up against our wishes, and that can be a struggle to sacrifice those milk shakes; particularly if they’re being used as a comfort food. Falling in love makes losing weight easy for me, because that feeling of love replaces most of the comfort I get from food. Falling in love thus, fills me up in a day just as much as a couple of foot-long Subway subs, yet has zero calories. Being in love therefore, works better than any comfort food, and you lose weight with it besides. Take a person who’s heavy, and you can conclude with a high probability of accuracy, that he has not fallen in love for a very long time. The extreme weight-loss benefits of love have not graced them.

Tom Hesley

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I threw together this list of perhaps the best slow dance wedding songs as noted during my personal experience as a wedding reception DJ, and my attendance at numerous weddings.  These songs are requested repeatedly and are generally big hits with crowds of all types.  I hope this list of some of the best slow dance wedding songs enhance the meanings and strengthen the lasting memories of your special wedding day. Enjoy.

5th Dimension – Workin’ On A Groovy Thing

Aerosmith – Angel
Aerosmith – Crazy
Air Supply – Even The Nights Are Better
Air Supply – Every Woman In The World [Radio Version]
Air Supply – Lost In Love
Air Supply – Making Love Out Of Nothing At All [Long]
Air Supply – The One That You Love
Air Supply – Two Less Lonely People In The World
Al Wilson – Show & Tell
Alabama – Love In The First Degree
Alice Cooper – You & Me
Andy Gibb – (Our Love) Don’t Throw It All Away
Anita Baker – Sweet Love
Anne Murray – You Needed Me
April Wine – Just Between You & Me
Art Garfunkel – All I Know
Association – Cherish
Atlantic Starr – Always [Edit]
Austin Roberts – Somethings Wrong With Me

Bad English – When I See You Smile
Bangles – Eternal Flame
Barbara Lewis – Baby, I’m Yours
Barbara Mason – Yes I’m Ready [Long]
Barbra Streisand – Evergreen
Barbra Streisand – Somewhere (From West Side Story)
Barry Manilow – Somewhere In The Night
Beatles – And I Love Her
Bee Gees – (Our Love) Don’t Throw It All Away
Bee Gees – How Deep Is Your Love
Bells – Stay Awhile
Billy Joel – Just The Way You Are
Billy Joel – She’s Got A Way [Live]
Billy Ocean – Suddenly
Billy Ocean – There’ll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry) [LP]
Billy Preston & Syreeta – With You I’m Born Again
Billy Vera & The Beaters – At This Moment [Live]
Blood, Sweat, & Tears – You’ve Made Me So Very Happy
Bob Dylan – Lay Lady Lay
Bob Seger – We’ve Got Tonight
Bob Welch – Sentimental Lady
Bobby Caldwell – What You Won’t Do For Love
Bobby Helms – My Special Angel
Bobby Sherman – Julie, Do Ya Love Me
Bobby Vinton – I Love How You Love Me
Bobby Vinton – To Know You Is To Love You
Boris Gardiner – I Want To Wake Up With You
Boyz II Men – I’ll Make Love To You
Bread – Baby I’m A Want You
Bread – Everything I Own
Bread – If
Bread – Lost Without Your Love
Bread – Make It With You
Bread – Sweet Surrender
Bruno Mars – Just The Way You Are

Carly Simon – Nobody Does It Better
Carly Simon – The Right Thing To Do
Carpenters – (They Long To Be) Close To You
Carpenters – I Won’t Last A Day Without You
Carpenters – Merry Christmas Darling
Carpenters – Touch Me When We’re Dancing
Carpenters – We’ve Only Just Begun
Celine Dion – The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
Celine Dion – The Power Of Love
Charlie Rich – Behind Closed Doors
Cher & Peter Cetera – After All
Chicago – Baby What A Big Surprise
Chicago – Just You ‘N’ Me
Chicago – No Tell Lover
Chris De Burgh – The Lady In Red
Climax Blues Band – I Love You
Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose – Too Late To Turn Back Now
Crests – 16 Candles
Cyndi Lauper – True Colors

Dan Fogelberg – Longer
Dan Fogelberg – Same Old Lang Syne
David Cassidy – Cherish
David Soul – Don’t Give Up On Us
Debby Boone – Baby, I’m Yours
Debby Boone – You Light Up My Life
Delfonics – Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time)
Diana Ross – Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
Dobie Gray – Drift Away
Don Williams – I Believe In You
Donna Fargo – Funny Face
Donny & Marie Osmond – Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing
Donny Osmond – The Twelfth Of Never
Donny Osmond – Young Love
Dr. Hook – A Little Bit More [Alt. Version 1]
Dr. Hook – Sharing The Night Together
Dr. Hook – Years From Now
Dusty Springfield – I Only Want To Be With You

I’ll add more of the best slow dance wedding songs presently.

Tom Hesley

Other Song List Posts

• 2-Step Dance Songs Suggestions
• Classic Rock Songs List
• Disco Songs of the 70s List
• Happy Love Songs

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I thought I’d throw together this list of my favorite positive and happy love songs. Indeed, music has played a pleasant, teaching role in my love quest; everything from sweetening the memories of times with special women, to keeping me sane just after a breakup, to shaping my very preferences for women and romantic circumstances. It’s helped make the sad parts of my quest bearable, and the happy parts more fun. I’m certain that from these songs and many others that I’ll add later, my every hope, expectation, desire, and dream was either learned from or refined based on the ideas contained in these lyrics. Each piece conjures up specific memories of the women I was with at the time the song was popular. Or, they trigger thoughts of fun times such as going to an amusement park together or taking a long drive with the song playing on the radio. May these happy love songs have equally special meanings for you, my readers, as well. Enjoy.

10CC – People In Love
10CC – The Things We Do For Love
112 – What If [CW]
3 Doors Down – Here By Me
38 Special – Fantasy Girl
38 Special – Hold On Loosely
5th Dimension – Everything’s Been Changed
5th Dimension – Workin’ On A Groovy Thing
8th Day – I Can’t Fool Myself
98 Degrees – Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche)

A-Teens – Can’t Help Falling In Love [LP]
ABBA – Honey Honey
ABBA – SOS
ABBA – Super Trouper
Aaron Neville – Please Come Home For Christmas
Aaron Neville – Tell It Like It Is [Alt. Version 1]
Ace Of Base – The Sign [Single]
Adam Gregory – What It Takes [LP]
Addrisi Brothers – Never My Love
Aerosmith – Angel
Aerosmith – Crazy
After 7 – Gonna Love You Right [Acappella Remix]
Air Supply – Chances
Air Supply – Even The Nights Are Better
Air Supply – Every Woman In The World [Radio Version]
Air Supply – I’d Die For You
Air Supply – Just As I Am
Air Supply – Lost In Love
Air Supply – Making Love Out Of Nothing At All [Long]
Air Supply – Sweet Dreams [LP]
Air Supply – The One That You Love
Air Supply – Two Less Lonely People In The World
Akon (Feat. Colby O’Donis & Kardinal Offishall) – Beautiful [CW]
Al B. Sure – Nite & Day [Longer]
Al B. Sure – No Matter What You Do (Featuring Diana Ross)
Al B. Sure – The Secret Garden (Sweet Seduction Suite) – Quincy Jones
Al Green & Anne Lennox – Put A Little Love In Your Heart
Al Green – Call Me (Come Back Home)
Al Green – I’m Still In Love With You
Al Jarreau – Ain’t No Sunshine
Al Jarreau – Lean On Me
Al Jarreau – We’re In This Love Together
Al Martino – Always Together
Al Martino – Can’t Help Falling In Love
Al Martino – I Love You Because
Al Martino – I Love You More And More Everyday
Al Martino – Look Around (You’ll Find Me There)
Al Martino – Speak Softly Love
Al Wilson – Show & Tell
Alabama – Feels So Right
Alabama – I Wanna Be With You Tonight
Alabama – Lady Down On Love
Alabama – Love In The First Degree
Alabama – The Closer You Get
Alan Jackson – I’d Love You All Over Again
Alan Jackson – I’ll Go On Loving You
Alan Jackson – I’ll Try
Alan Jackson – It’s Just That Way
Alan Jackson – Sissy’s Song
Alexander O’Neal – Crying Overtime
Alice Cooper – You & Me
Alison Krauss – I Will
All-4-One – I’m Your Man
Allure (Feat. 112) – All Cried Out [LP]
Allure – Last Chance
Amanda Perez – Candy Kisses
Ambrosia – I Just Can’t Let Go
Amelia Curran – Scattered & Small [LP]
America – You Can Do Magic
American Breed – Bend Me, Shape Me
Amy Grant – Lucky One
Andy Gibb – (Love Is) Thicker Than Water [LP]
Andy Gibb – (Our Love) Don’t Throw It All Away
Andy Gibb – I Just Want To Be Your Everything
Andy Kim – Baby, I Love You
Andy Kim – Rock Me Gently
Andy Williams – (Where Do I Begin) Love Story
Andy Williams – Dear Heart
Angela Bofill – I’m On Your Side
Angels – Glory Of Love
Angels – Til
Angie Stone (Feat. Betty Wright) – Baby [LP]
Anita Baker – Body & Soul
Anita Baker – Just Because
Anita Baker – Sweet Love
Ann Wilson – Surrender To Me
Anne Murray – A Love Song
Anne Murray – Could I Have This Dance
Anne Murray – Danny’s Song
Anne Murray – I Just Fall In Love Again
Anne Murray – I’d Fall In Love Tonight
Anne Murray – Now & Forever (You And Me)
Anne Murray – You Needed Me
April Wine – Just Between You & Me
Archies – Sunshine
Aretha Franklin – I’m In Love
Aretha Franklin – Share Your Love With Me
Aretha Franklin – You’re All I Need To Get By
Art Garfunkel – All I Know
Ashford & Simpson – Solid [LP]
Association – Cherish
Atlanta Rhythm Section – So Into You [LP]
Atlantic Starr – Always [Edit]
Aubrey – Angel [ANR Radio Edit]
Austin Roberts – Somethings Wrong With Me

B.J. Thomas – Hooked On A Feeling
B.W. Stevenson – My Maria
Babyface – I Love You Babe
Babyface – Never Keeping Secrets
Babyface – Reason For Breathing
Babyface – When Can I See You
Backstreet Boys – As Long As You Love Me
Backstreet Boys – More Than That
Bad English – When I See You Smile
Bangles – Eternal Flame
Barbara Fairchild – Baby Doll
Barbara Lewis – Baby, I’m Yours
Barbara Mandrell – ‘Till You’re Gone
Barbara Mason – Yes I’m Ready [Long]
Barbra Streisand – Evergreen
Barbra Streisand – I’ve Dreamed Of You
Barbra Streisand – Promises
Barbra Streisand – Somewhere (From West Side Story)
Barbra Streisand – The Way He Makes Me Feel
Barbra Streisand – The Way We Were
Barry Manilow – Let’s Hang On
Barry Manilow – Somewhere In The Night
Barry White – I’m Gonna Love You Just A Little More Baby
Barry White – I’ve Got So Much To Give
Barry White – It’s Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next To Me
Barry White – Never, Never Gonna Give You Up
Bay City Rollers – You Made Me Believe In Magic
Beach Boys – Come Go With Me
Beatles – And I Love Her
Beatles – I Want To Hold Your Hand
Beatles – Michelle
Beatles – Something [Hit Version]
Bee Gees – (Our Love) Don’t Throw It All Away
Bee Gees – How Deep Is Your Love
Bee Gees – Islands In The Stream
Bells – Stay Awhile
Billy Joel – Just The Way You Are
Billy Joel – She’s Got A Way [Live]
Billy Joel – The Longest Time
Billy Joel – Uptown Girl
Billy Ocean – Caribbean Queen [Single]
Billy Ocean – Colour Of Love
Billy Ocean – If I Should Lose You
Billy Ocean – Love Is Forever [LP]
Billy Ocean – Love Zone [LP]
Billy Ocean – Loverboy [LP]
Billy Ocean – Mystery Lady
Billy Ocean – Suddenly
Billy Ocean – There’ll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry) [LP]
Billy Preston & Syreeta – With You I’m Born Again
Billy Vera & The Beaters – At This Moment [Live]
Blondie – The Tide Is High [Longer]
Blood, Sweat, & Tears – You’ve Made Me So Very Happy
Bloodstone – Natural High
Blue Oyster Cult – Burnin’ For You
Bo Bice – You Take Yourself With You
Bob Dylan – If Not For You
Bob Dylan – Lay Lady Lay
Bob Seger – We’ve Got Tonight
Bob Welch – Sentimental Lady
Bobby Caldwell – What You Won’t Do For Love
Bobby Helms – My Special Angel
Bobby Sherman – Julie, Do Ya Love Me
Bobby Vinton – I Love How You Love Me
Bobby Vinton – To Know You Is To Love You
Bon Jovi – All About Loving You
Bonnie Raitt – You
Boris Gardiner – I Want To Wake Up With You
Boyz II Men – I’ll Make Love To You
Bread – Baby I’m A Want You
Bread – Everything I Own
Bread – If
Bread – Let Your Love Go
Bread – Lost Without Your Love
Bread – Make It With You
Bread – Sweet Surrender
Brenda & The Tabulations – Right On The Tip Of My Tongue
Brenda K. Starr – I Still Believe
Brian McKnight – The Only One For Me
Brothers Johnson – I’ll Be Good To You [LP]
Bruno Mars – Just The Way You Are
Buddy Holly – I’m Gonna Love You Too

Carl Carlton – Everlasting Love
Carla Thomas – I’ve Fallen In Love (With You)
Carla Williams – Every Word You’re Thinking
Carly Simon – Nobody Does It Better
Carly Simon – The Right Thing To Do
Carpenters – (They Long To Be) Close To You
Carpenters – For All We Know
Carpenters – I Just Fall In Love Again
Carpenters – I Won’t Last A Day Without You
Carpenters – Merry Christmas Darling
Carpenters – Touch Me When We’re Dancing
Carpenters – We’ve Only Just Begun
Carter’s Chord – Young Love [CW]
Cathy Dennis – All Night Long (Touch Me) [LP]
Celine Dion – The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
Celine Dion – The Power Of Love
Chairmen Of The Board – Give Me Just A Little More Time
Chaka Khan & Rufus – Ain’t Nobody (Loves Me Better) [LP]
Chantels – I Love You So
Charley Pride – Love Put A Song In My Heart
Charley Pride – Singin’ A Song About Love
Charlie Rich – Behind Closed Doors
Cheap Trick – Don’t Be Cruel
Chee-Chee & Peppy – I Know I’m In Love
Cher & Peter Cetera – After All
Cher – The Way Of Love
Chicago – Baby What A Big Surprise
Chicago – Just You ‘N’ Me
Chicago – No Tell Lover
Chicago – You’re Not Alone
Chimes – I’m In The Mood For Love
Chris De Burgh – The Lady In Red
Chris Tomlin – I Will Follow
Christine McVie – Got A Hold On Me
Christopher Cross – Say You’ll Be Mine [LP]
Christopher Williams – (Lift You Up) Turn Your Hurt Around [LP]
Clarence Carter – I Can’t Leave Your Love Alone
Climax Blues Band – I Love You
Climie Fisher – Love Changes (Everything)
Commodores – Lady (You Bring Me Up)
Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose – Too Late To Turn Back Now
Crests – 16 Candles
Cymarron – Rings
Cyndi Lauper – All Through The Night
Cyndi Lauper – I Drove All Night
Cyndi Lauper – True Colors

Dan Fogelberg – Longer
Dan Fogelberg – Same Old Lang Syne
Dan Hartman – I Can Dream About You
David Cassidy – Cherish
David Seville – Witch Doctor
David Soul – Don’t Give Up On Us
Dawn (Feat. Tony Orlando) – Say, Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose
Dawn – Candida
Dawn – Knock Three Times
DeFranco Family – Save The Last Dance For Me
Dean Friedman – Ariel [Short]
Debbie Gibson – Lost In Your Eyes [LP]
Debbie Gibson – Shake Your Love [LP]
Debby Boone – Baby, I’m Yours
Debby Boone – You Light Up My Life
Delfonics – Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time)
Dell Vikings – Come Go With Me
Deniece Williams – Let’s Hear It For The Boy
Diana Ross & The Supremes – Someday We’ll Be Together
Diana Ross – Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
Dionne Warwick – I Say A Little Prayer
Dirt Band – Make A Little Magic
Dixie Cups – Chapel Of Love
Dobie Gray – Drift Away
Don Williams – I Believe In You
Donna Fargo – Funny Face
Donna Fargo – The Happiest Girl In The Whole U.S.A.
Donna Summer – This Time I Know It’s For Real
Donny & Marie Osmond – Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing
Donny Osmond – The Twelfth Of Never
Donny Osmond – Young Love
Doors – Touch Me
Dr. Hook – A Little Bit More [Alt. Version 1]
Dr. Hook – Sexy Eyes
Dr. Hook – Sharing The Night Together
Dr. Hook – Years From Now
Dusty Springfield – I Only Want To Be With You

Tom Hesley

Other Song Lists From My DJ Music Library

• 2-Step Dance Songs Suggestions
• Classic Rock Songs List
• Disco Songs of the 70s List

I’ve used   Madhave Organic Agave Nectar Light Sweetener   liquid over the past couple years to sweeten almond drinks, tea, and cereals.   I’ve found this organic agave nectar to be a pleasant alternative to table sugar and corn syrup-based sweetener products.  Madhava Light Agave Nectar has 60 calories per tablespoon, and appears to equal in sweetness that of honey and pure maple syrups.

The big difference however, between Madhava Organic Agave Nectar and more typical sweeteners is its significantly lower glycemic index (GI).  With a GI of between 15 and 30, this makes small amounts of agave nectar sweetener less objectionable for use by diabetics than are other carbohydrate-based sweeteners. The GI of pure maple syrup is 54; significantly higher than that for agave nectar.  This means that a given amount of agave nectar triggers a lower blood-sugar spike response.  Thus, there’s less of a “sugar high” than that which results from other, more highly processed sweetener products.

But, though the GI of agave nectars such as Madhava Organic Agave Nectar Light Sweetener is lower than that of other sugars, remember that this agave nectar is still a concentrated sugar source.  Thus in my observance, this can make you crave more of it if you consume too much; just as all sugars tend to do.  So use this light sweetener sparingly; its ‘healthy’ reputation notwithstanding.

Benefits Of Madhava Organic Agave Nectar Light Sweetener

• I’ve experienced no intestinal or stomach problems from Madhava Organic Agave Nectar Light Sweetener .
• The Madhava brand of light agave nectar indeed impresses the tongue as a mostly neutral, mild flavor, and has little if any aroma at all for the nose.
• Madhava Organic Light Agave Nectar Sweetener is clear and light amber in color; like honey but lighter.  So it does not change appreciably the colors of any foods or beverages you put it in.
• Madhava Organic Light Agave Nectar Sweetener dissolves completely and quickly in hot drinks.
• This version of agave nectar requires just one stirring, as it does not tend to separate after it’s  completely dissolved in beverages.
• A true lover of agave nectar since I first learned of it nearly a decade ago, I’m thrilled that through products such as this offering from Madhava, agave nectar is indeed moving toward mainstream distribution and sale here in the US.
• Madhava Organic Light Agave Nectar Sweetener has a thin yet syrupy feel to it, slightly thicker than pure grade A maple syrup yet thinner than honey.  Thus it can season pancakes with no appreciable difference in texture than pure maple syrup for example, although the flavor of agave nectar differs markedly from maple. It pours more easily than does honey.
• As this cannot honestly be considered new any longer, I’ve found it generally very easy to find in most local grocery stores.  So you needn’t travel to a so-designated health food store to get it.  Most stores in my area have the Madhava agave nectar these days.

What I Dislike About Madhava Organic Light Agave Nectar Sweetener

• If spilled, Madhava Organic Light Agave Nectar Sweetener can draw bugs, just as spilled sugar or sugary syrup might.  Like you would with sugar, take care during clean-up that you leave no sticky agave nectar behind that could attract ants and roaches.  It’s easy to clean and quite water-soluble.  So a wet dish rag effectively removes spills of agave nectar.
• Madhava Organic Light Agave Nectar Sweetener  can indeed be more expensive than sugar per pound.  I currently pay roughly $6 for one 23.5-ounce bottle, which lasts about a week when used exclusively to sweeten my morning tea.  I’m pleased that the Madhava brand of amber agave nectar has become so widely popular.
• To adequately sweeten my tea, I find that I must use three to four tablespoons of Madhava Organic Agave Nectar Light Sweetener; unlike the liquid stevia products I use that require far less than one tablespoon.  This can further drive up the cost of agave nectar as a tea sweetener and add lots of calories.

Rating For Madhava Organic Light Agave Nectar

Over all, I’m impressed with the Madhava Organic Light Agave Nectar Sweetener.  So I’d rate it at 90 out of 100.  Too much refined sugar within however to go higher than that, but too much nutrition and uniquely intriguing agave flavor to go lower.

Where To Buy Madhava Organic Light Agave Nectar

Look for the translucent bottle with the yellow label with the orange lettering in your favorite larger grocers and health food stores.  You’ll probably agree that you need sacrifice no good taste for the health benefits of agave nectar in this product.

Tom Hesley

Related Posts

• Domino Organic Agave Nectar Amber Liquid Sweetener Review
• Sohgave! Blueberry Flavor Agave Syrup Review
• Sohgave! Maple Flavor Agave Syrup Review
• Where To Get Agave Nectar

References

• Agave Nectar    on Wikipedia
• Information from Madhava about the above-discussed product

Other Sweetener Reviews

• Now Stevia Glycerite Sweetener Review
• Splenda No Calorie Sucralose Sweetener Review
• Truvia Sweetener Review

Other Healthy Food Reviews

• Barilla Plus Multigrain Pasta Elbows Review

I’ve used   Sohgave! Maple Flavor Agave Syrup   liquid for a couple months now on pancakes and to sweeten and flavor almond drinks and cereals.   I’ve found this organic, blue agave nectar-based sweetener to be a curious alternative to table sugar and corn syrup-based products.  Sohgave Maple Flavor Agave Syrup has 60 calories per tablespoon, and it appears to be equivalent in sweetness to honey and pure maple syrups.

The big difference however, between Sohgave Agave Syrup and more traditional syrups is its markedly lower glycemic index (GI).  With a GI of 17, this makes the Sohgave syrup  more acceptable for diabetics (in small amounts) as a sugar alternative. The GI of pure maple syrup on the other hand, is 54.  This means that a given amount of Sohgave syrup triggers a lower blood-sugar spike and thus, less of a “sugar high” than do other, more highly processed sugar products.

But, though the GI in the Sohgave agave syrup is lower than other sources of sugar, remember that this is still a concentrated sugar source.  Thus in my experience, this can make you crave more of it.  So use this syrup sweetener in moderation.

Benefits Of Sohgave Maple Flavor Agave Syrup

• To me, this Sohgave maple flavored syrup  tastes virtually identical to products such as Log Cabin or Great Value maple flavored syrups.
• Sohgave maple flavored syrup has a subtle and pleasant maple aroma, that is, again, similar to Log Cabin maple flavored syrup.
• I’ve experienced no intestinal or stomach problems from Sohgave Maple Flavor Agave Syrup.
• Sohgave Maple Flavor Agave Syrup is clear yet dark amber in color, almost identical to pure grade-A maple syrup.  This means that it can replace higher GI maple syrup products on pancakes and waffles with little perceptible difference to the palate.
• Sohgave Maple Flavor Syrup, used as a sweetener, dissolves quickly in almond drink, and Ilike the natural maple flavor on my buckwheat pancakes.
• Sohgave syrup only requires stirring once, as it does not separate after it’s  completely dissolved in beverages.
• A big fan of blue agave nectar, I’m pleased that through products such as Sohgave Maple Flavor Syrup, agave nectar is indeed coming into more mainstream food markets.
• Sohgave maple flavored agave syrup has a syrupy consistency, about as thick as pure grade A maple syrup.  Thus it can season pancakes with no appreciable difference in texture than pure maple syrup for example.

What I Dislike About Now Stevia Glycerite Sweetener

• If spilled,  Sohgave! Maple Flavor Agave Syrup can draw bugs, just as spilled sugar or sugary syrup might.  Like sugar, caution must be exercised in clean-up that you leave no sticky simple sugars around that could attract ants and roaches.
• Sohgave! Maple Flavor Agave Syrup  can be more expensive than sugar, per pound.  I currently pay roughly $4.50 for one seventeen-ounce bottle of the Sohgave, which lasts a week or two when used exclusively to add maple flavor to my almond drinks and pancakes.  I’m hoping that as agave syrup moves into the mainstream grocery stores (as more customers learn of its health benefits due to its lower GI), that its price will drop accordingly.
• As this Sohgave Maple Flavor Syrup is rather new, it can be hard to find in local grocery stores.  However fortunately, I have a Walmart Super Center close by that carries it.

Rating For Sohgave! Maple Agave Syrup

I’m of favorable opinion about this Sohgave! Maple Flavor Agave Syrup.  Thus, I’d rate it at 90 out of 100.  There’s an excess amount of refined sugar and carbs in this product to rate it higher.  But it’s curious resemblance to pure maple syrup flavor means that I cannot, in good conscience, go lower.

Where To Buy Sohgave! Maple Agave Syrup

Look for the transparent bottles with the red, orange, white, and blue labels in your favorite grocers, and I think you’ll agree that you need sacrifice no good taste for the health benefits of agave nectar in this product.  Enjoy this product in moderation, and you’re waist will appreciate you as will your taste buds also.

Tom Hesley

Related Posts

• Now Stevia Glycerite Sweetener Review
• Sohgave! Blueberry Flavor Agave Syrup Review
• Truvia Sweetener Review
• Where To Get Agave Nectar

References

• Agave Nectar    on Wikipedia
• Sohgave! Web Site

Other Healthy Food Reviews

• Barilla Plus Multigrain Pasta Elbows Review

I’ve used   Now Stevia Glycerite Sweetener   liquid for over a decade in teas and cereals mostly, and have found it to be an exciting and effective alternative to table sugar.  Now Stevia Glycerite has no calories, and it is significantly sweeter than sugar, honey, agave nectar, and syrups.   Thus, you need less stevia to effectively sweeten a cup of tea.

While pound-for-pound, stevia sweeteners cost many times more than carbohydrate-based sweeteners that get their sweetness from sucrose, fructose, and dextrose, I view this additional cost as a wise investment in my health.  Stevia sweeteners like Now Stevia Glycerite avoid the potential weight-gain and other health problems long-associated with sugar due to their non existent calorie content.  Nor is Now Stevia Glycerite fraught with artificial, man-made chemicals (unless you count the vegetable glycerin within as a man-made chemical).  Now Stevia Glycerite is great stuff for so many reasons.  So, let me tell you about my impressions of this expensive but nonetheless awesome sweetener.

Benefits Of Now Stevia Glycerte Sweetener

• Now Stevia Glycerite has a subtle and pleasant aroma that disappears once you put it in your favorite food.  Thus stevia’s scent is extremely non intrusive and effectively food-neutral. This makes it easy to identify while in its bottle, yet unobtrusive once stirred into foods and drinks.
• Now Stevia Glycerite liquid sweetener has a slightly syrupy consistency, that’s about as thick as pure grade A maple syrup.  This thickness makes Now Stevia Glycerite easy to measure out, as it tends to splash and slosh around much less than the stevia extracts for example.
• I’ve never experienced any stomach or intestinal problems from Now Stevia Glycerite.  Indeed, using stevia has lowered my traditionally high triglycerides significantly.
• Now Stevia Glycerite Sweetener is virtually clear in color, like water.  This means that it does not alter the color of any food or beverage you add it to.
• Stevia Glyceride sweetener dissolves quickly in my tea, and I do like the flavor.
• To me, Now Stevia Glyceride Sweetner tastes no different than the Truvia sweetner I’ve been using for a few years.
• A big fan of stevia, I’m glad that through products such as Now Stevia Glycerite sweetener et al, stevia may well be coming into the mainstream market. Now Stevia is therefore, up and coming as opposed to down and dying.
• Now Stevia Glycerite sweetener does not create craving for more of it.  So in my body at least, Now Stevia Glycerite is non addictive, which differs markedly from sugar or Splenda.
• Now Stevia Glycerite sweetener is suitable for use by diabetics, because it has zero calories per serving.  So, as I am used to stevia now, if I should develop diabetes later in life, I won’t have to give up my teas sweetened with Now Stevia Glycerite.
• If spilled, Now Stevia Glycerite sweetener does not draw bugs nearly to the degree that sugar or syrup does.  It’s easy to clean up too.  You just wipe it up with a damp cloth.
• This sweetener contains no alcohol and so, lacks the bitterness found in the alcohol-based sweetener extracts.

What I Dislike About Now Stevia Glycerite Sweetener

• Now Stevia Glycerite sweetener is more expensive than sugar.  I currently pay roughly $14 for one eight-ounce bottle, which lasts about a month when used exclusively to sweeten my morning tea.  I’m hoping that as stevia moves into the mainstream food markets as people learn of its health benefits, that its price will fall.  So far however, there hasn’t been much price drop on over the last decade that I’ve used Now Stevia Glycerite.
• Sometimes, if I let my tea stand for a while, it seems that the stevia rises to the top of the cup, making the first few sips extraordinarily sweet, and leaving the last few swigs at the bottom noteably lacking in sweetness.  So, stir your tea each time you pick it up for a drink, just to be sure that the stevia has not separated.
• Now Stevia Glycerite sweetener can be hard to find in local grocery stores.  Currently, I order mine online.

Rating For Now Stevia Glycerite

I would thus, recommend Now Stevia Glycerite sweetener if you’re not put off by the price.  I’d rate this nearly perfect sweetener product at 98 out of 100.  It’s high price restrains me from rating higher.

Where To Buy Now Stevia Glycerite

Look for the dark brown but transparent bottles with the orange, white, and purple labels in your favorite health food stores and on the Internet.  Enjoy the sweetness without the health costs of the empty calories and lacking nutrition in sugar.

Tom Hesley

Related Posts

• Now Better Stevia Glycerite Zero Calorie Sweetener Review
• Stevia Extract In The Raw Sweetener Review
• Truvia Sweetener Review

References

• Stevia   on Wikipedia

Other Sweetener Reviews

• Domino Organic Agave Nectar Amber Liquid Sweetener Review
• Splenda No Calorie Sucralose Sweetener Review

A dental hygienist suggested that I brush my teeth with   Toms of Maine toothpaste   to reduce tooth enamel wearing off; a problem I’ve experienced over the past decade or so.  Thus, I purchased a tube of the cool peppermint flavor and have used it now for a few months.  My impressions of this Toms of Maine toothpaste product follow.

Benefits Of Toms of Main Cool Peppermint Toothpaste

• Toms of Maine Cool Peppermint toothpaste contains no sugar or artificial sweeteners.  In fact, this is considered a green toothpaste.
• Toms of Maine Cool Peppermint toothpaste has a very creamy, grit-free texture.  Well, I’m sure it still has some very fine grit that actually buffs teeth clean during brushing.  However, I do not feel it while brushing.  Nor can I hear it when I rub my top and bottom teeth together with this paste in my mouth.  Most of the other “bigger” brands I’ve tried often have a fine, “sandy” consistency.
• Yet after brushing, my teeth, via the tongue test, feel just as smooth and clean as they did when brushing with the more “industrial” brands of toothpaste.
• This toothpaste comes in an “old fashioned” soft metal tube; the same style of packaging used by many of the toothpastes of yesteryear, such as Colgate.  This metal composition makes the tube very easy to work, from the bottom up, to force the toothpaste toward the top as the product is consumed.  Plus, the tube retains its shape and does not un curl once you’ve rolled it up.
• The price for a natural toothpaste product such as Toms of Maine Cool Peppermint toothpaste, seems reasonable.  I paid approximately $4 for my 5.2-ounce tube, and this lasted between one and two months.
• The label says that Toms of Maine used no animal testing or ingredients made from animal products.  Plus, they openly list the ingredients; something that other name brand toothpastes do not do.   While some toothpaste manufacturers list the active ingredients in their products, Toms of Main lists ALL ingredients; the inactive ones too.  These include no non-natural flavors, pigments, and no preservatives.
• This Cool Peppermint toothpaste contains fluoride.  So one need not give up the added protection against cavities that fluoride provides when switching to this natural toothpaste.
• The box in which this natural toothpaste comes appears to be a low-profile, recycled cardboard; a further testament to Toms of Maine’s commitment to greener manufacturing processes.
• After brushing with Toms of Maine Cool Peppermint toothpaste, I’ve found that my breath remains minty fresh for one to three hours.   This is surprisingly long given the relatively subtle peppermint flavor found in this toothpaste.

What I Dislike About Toms of Maine Cool Peppermint Toothpaste

• I found the strength of the peppermint flavor in this Toms of Maine toothpaste disappointingly weak.  Admittedly, this perception may be because I’m used to the highly concentrated, artificial flavors of other toothpastes. So perhaps my palate requires more adjustment time than what it took to use up one tube of this product.  I’ll try more, for sure.  Perhpas the second and subsequent tubes will taste better.
• It also took a bit of time to get used to the no-grit texture of this toothpaste gel.  But that was of little inconvenience.

Over all, I felt I sacrificed little when I switched to Toms of Maine Cool Peppermint toothpaste.  With the high concern that Toms of Maine seems to show for the environment and humanitarian causes, I figure that the least I can do to help preserve the environment is to brush with this product.

Toms of Maine offers a wide variety of organic mouth care products that I’m eager to test and review.  Look for more Toms of Maine reviews in the coming months on this blog.

Tom Hesley

References

• Toms of Maine Web Site

Other Mint-Flavored Product Reviews

• Bigelow Mint Green Tea Review

I periodically experience ants intrusions in my kitchen and bathroom, particularly with mild winters, and have used the   Terro Liquid Ant Baits   many times for a few years now to combat these pests.  Over all, the Terro Liquid Ant Baits work great and I find them well worth the cost ($3.98 for four baits currently at Walmart).  Details of my impressions of these pest control devices follow.

Benefits Of The Terro Liquid Ant Baits

• The ant killing substance in the Terro Liquid Ant Baits is completely odorless and colorless (clear).  So even on the occasion that some of it spills out of the holder, cleanup is a cinch.
• Usage of these ant killers is straight forward.  All you do is cut off the part where the red line ends on the plastic holder, and then sit the unit anywhere you need to control ants.
• The bright orange colored packaging makes this product very easy to find, even in large grocery stores.
• Ants immediately respond as soon as you place Terro Liquid Ant Baits around.  Within minutes, they find it and begin crawling inside to the transparent liquid.
• Maintenance is low on Terro Liquid Ant Baits.  Once placed, you need not disturb them (or the ants they attract) until the liquid inside disappears completely.
• According to the R&D department at Terro, each ant station has enough liquid to kill forty to fifty thousand ants.  Wow.  That seems like quite a bit for one bait.  Powerful stuff.\
• Terro Liquid Ant Baits can completely remove all ants from problematic areas in a week or less.

What I Dislike About The Terro Liquid Ant Baits

• The Terro Liquid Ant Baits pre-filled stations must be cut open with scissors prior to use.  They could simplify opening them with a flexible seal of some sort that covers the hole, that one could peel off.  But they might have chosen the package design requiring scissors purposely, to reduce the chances that a user would spill some of the active chemicals on his or hand.  But this slight inconvenience by no means detracts from the usefulness and effectiveness of this product.
• You need to be careful not to spill the liquid out of the station, as this can happen easily depending on where you place these Terro Liquid Ant Baits.

So I’d highly recommend   Terro Liquid Ant Baits   for any in-home ant trouble.  They’ve worked well for me, and I’d even say that this product is the best performing one that I’ve tried for controlling ant problems indoors.

Tom Hesley

References

• Terro Liquid Ant Baits Web Page