All posts by: Scott Nyerges

Recipes for a winning Super Bowl party

By Scott Nyerges on February 2, 2011 in

Super Bowl party tips

With Super Bowl XLV just a few days away, now's the time to start planning your Super Bowl party in earnest. A good television is important, but so's the food and fun. We've scoured the web, searching for the best sources for Super Bowl party recipes and tips, and compiled them for easy reference. Whether you're a Green Bay Packers fan or you're cheering for the Pittsburgh Steelers, you'll find something to make your Super Bowl party memorable. Read more

Users lukewarm about Keurig's My K-Cup coffee filter

Kitchen & Food
By Scott Nyerges on January 29, 2011 in

Keurig My K-Cup Filter review

They're very convenient to use, but  The New York Times  points out (and some companies acknowledge) that  one-cup coffee makers, which have become increasingly popular with consumers, also generate a large amount of packaging waste. While some one-cup coffee makers lock you into using prepackaged coffee pods, Keurig offers consumers an alternative to its proprietary K-Cup. Keurig's My K-Cup Filter (*Est. $16) fits most of its machines — including the Keurig Special Edition B60, named a ConsumerSearch Best Reviewed product — allowing owners to use any brand of ground coffee they prefer, just like a standard coffee maker does. But does the My K-Cup Filter work?

 

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Where's my Consumer Reports subscription? and other queries

By Scott Nyerges on January 26, 2011 in

Mailbox

At ConsumerSearch, we get a fair amount of email from readers -- questions, comments, complaints -- and we do our best to answer as many notes as we can. Many of the emails we get are unique, asking for help with a particular product, for example. But we also see a few questions and comments pop up again and again. Before we open our inbox, let's take a look at three common ConsumerSearch reader questions and comments and set the record straight.

Is the Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse worth it?

Computers & Internet
By Scott Nyerges on January 17, 2011 in

Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse review

When we updated our report on computer mice last month, the Microsoft Arc Mouse (*Est. $35) retained its title as best laptop mouse. The foldable Arc Mouse, we noted, has earned kudos from reviewers for its sleek, compact design, and users love its portability and functionality. But will the relatively new Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse (*Est. $70) unseat this popular peripheral? There weren't enough reviews available when we revised our report on best computer mice to form a consensus about the Arc Touch Mouse. We've taken another look at this wireless portable mouse; read on for our findings

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Expand your e-reader library with free ebooks

Computers & Internet
By Scott Nyerges on January 15, 2011 in

Free ebook sources

If you received an ebook reader as a gift this holiday season, congratulations! Now you've just got to buy some books so your Kindle, Nook, BeBook or other gizmo is more than a glorified paperweight. Or do you? Fact is, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of free ebooks available. You just need to know where to look. Like everything free, however, there are a few caveats to be aware of.

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ConsumerSearch answers reader questions and comments

By Scott Nyerges on January 4, 2011 in

Letters to the editor

Happy 2011 from ConsumerSearch! Now that the holidays (and holiday shopping season) are behind us, it's time to dip into the mailbox and answer some reader emails to ConsumerSearch. As always, we welcome your questions, comments and complaints, and we do our best to answer as many queries as possible. Read on for a sampling from the ConsumerSearch inbox. In some instances, letters have been edited for length.

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Plan ahead for snow days with kids

Family & Pets
By Scott Nyerges on December 31, 2010 in

Snow day activities for kids

Winter arrived with a bang along the East Coast, and there's sure to be more inclement weather ahead. If you're a parent, odds are you'll have a snow day sometime this season, with school canceled and kids idle at home. Playing in the snow is fun, but that's not going to keep your youngsters occupied all day. If you aren't a stay-at-home parent, snow days can wreck havoc on your schedule. But with a little advance planning, an unexpected snow day doesn't have to turn into a headache.

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Toast the New Year without the hangover

Kitchen & Food
By Scott Nyerges on December 30, 2010 in

new year's eve nonalcoholic drinks

New Year's Eve is a time to celebrate with family and friends, and although the booze flows freely at many parties that doesn't mean you have to serve alcohol. Whether you're a nondrinker or just don't want to risk overindulging, there are plenty of nonalcoholic drinks you can serve on New Year's Eve. We've scoured the web for the best nonalcoholic drink recipes for New Year's; read on to find the drink that's right for your party.

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Great winter recipes emphasize seasonal produce, healthy eating

Kitchen & Food
By Scott Nyerges on December 26, 2010 in

winter recipes

Just because winter's here doesn't mean you can't cook hearty, healthy meals with fresh produce. True, the tomatoes and corn of summertime are long gone, but other veggies are either in season or widely available, making it easy to prepare food that's filling and satisfying without weighing you down and making you want to hibernate. We scoured our favorite trusted cooking websites and foodie magazines to find easy winter recipes perfect for a cold-weather meal.

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Returning a gift? Save your receipt, save the box and check store policy

By Scott Nyerges on December 26, 2010 in

Holiday gift return policies

Now that Christmas has come and gone, it's time to talk about what comes after: returning gifts to the store. Each retailer has its own policy regarding holiday gift returns. In general, retailers say, you should save all receipts from all purchases, whether in-store or online, and you should keep all the packaging materials and be sure to leave the product's UPC code intact. Read on for more information on holiday gift return policies at major retailers.

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