Review: PLAY DOUGH RECIPES (and a question for readers)

I just have a quick question for those of you that are reading our blog. How would you feel about us reviewing recipes? Specifically, healthy recipes? I have been on my weight loss journey for only 2 short weeks but have already made lots of great dishes. Unfortunately when I search for low calorie meals, I usually find 600 calorie dishes. To me, that's not low calorie! I like my 3 meals and 3 snacks, so 600 calories would blow my calorie count for the day. So, opinions would be great! :)


Today I'm reviewing two different play dough recipes. I tried a kool-aid play dough recipe for the first time and am going to compare it to the recipe I always use. :) 


Kool-Aid Play Dough

Ingredients:

1 cup flour
1/2 cup of water
1/2 cup salt
3 TBS oil
1 package of Koolaid (use the color of your choice)

Directions:

• Mix all ingredients together and cook over medium heat for a few minutes until dough forms the consistency you want. Remove from heat and cool. Keep in airtight container, refrigerate until used.

Regular Play Dough Recipe

Ingredients:

1 cup flour
1 cup water
1/2 cup salt
2 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp oil
food coloring

Directions:

• Cook all ingredients together over low heat for 3 minutes, stirring well. Remove from heat and cool. Store in airtight container or sealed plastic bag.

The kool-aid recipe cooked in about 2 minutes, while the other took about 8 minutes. While cooking, the regular recipe was very soupy compared to the kool-aid one. The yield on both was similar, the regular stuff had just a little more. Also the regular play dough had a better consistency. The kool-aid type is a little bit 'gritty' in comparison, but if you only make the kool-aid type you probably won't notice.

The kool-aid color evened out after the kids played with it a bit but it still wasn't as bright as the other. Maybe try two packets of kool-aid. :)

Overall, I think both recipes were great. The kool-aid one is simpler, and faster. The regular one is smoother and brighter. They both worked well in our little play dough 'pasta' machine, and this stuff is a lot cheaper than the store-bought play-dough. If you have your own recipes, feel free to share!

Just Dance: Sadie's Review

I gotta tell ya, even though I really enjoyed playing this game, I got bored with it really fast! Out of 32 songs, I knew maybe half of them. Out of that half, I liked about 10 or so. Eye of the Tiger, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, and Womanizer - those songs were all played a million times while we had this game! Others, like Louie Louie and Fame, were not played at all.

Dance Off mode is awesome, but you need a lot of room to be able to dance next to each other. It was a tight squeeze for us.

This game got our whole family up and moving. My 9 year old just about mastered the game, and my girlfriend and I competed with each other and had a blast. As far as the 5 year old and 4 year old, they enjoyed it but couldn't actually keep up. They had just as much fun watching us, though. It's one of those games that everyone enjoys.

I think it would be really neat if they'd come out with a game where you can download your own music, and dance to it. Not sure if that will be possible any time in the near future, but I bet somebody is already working on it! Then the game would never get boring because you could switch the songs out after you've played them a little while.

Just Dance 2 was recently released, and we will be renting this game instead of buying it. Just Dance is just one of those games that you can love for a few weeks and then it will just sit on the shelf and collect dust. If you rent it and love it, then you can still buy it. :) There are 40+ songs on Just Dance 2, including hits by Ke$ha, Rhianna, and the Ting Tings. When viewing the song list, I knew about half of the songs just like with the first game. I'm excited to try it, but will not be rushing out to spend $50+ on a game I will most likely get bored with in a week or two.

GOOD: This game has a variety of songs. You can dance to New Kids on the Block, Britney Spears, MC Hammer, and more all on one game. I love variety! Dance off Mode was challenging, and the game definitely encourages you to move. You only have to use the controllers, instead of having to drag out the balance board and/or dance pad. Now that Just Dance 2 came out, Just Dance is only about $30 which is pretty good for a wii game. The song doesn't cut off if you miss too many beats (like with Guitar Hero and similar games), which is also nice.

BAD: After about a week, I started to get bored. I tried different modes and songs, and it kept me going for another week or two, but I think this is more of a "rental" game unless you have friends over frequently that would like to play (though you'd be great at it and they'd just be learning so I'm not sure how challenging that would be).

Overall: I will give this game 3 stars out of 5, because it is affordable.. it is fun.. and it does have variety.