Works For Me - Product Loyalty

For this week's Works For Me Wednesday, we're supposed to talk about any particular brands that we are loyal to and why. Here's my list. Not your standards, as we aren't loyal to most of the big name brands.

Food - This is one of our most important areas. We try hard to follow a diet with no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives and as little corn syrup and transfats as possible. So here are some of our favorites that have great taste without all the stuff you don't need!

• Bolthouse All Natural Fruit Drinks and Juices - organic, no corn syrup, absolute heaven in a bottle that my girls love!
• Martinelli's All Natural Apple & Cranberry Sparkling Juice - just 100% juice with fizz - champagne for our girls!
• Rumford Baking Powder - aluminum free!
• Amy's Organic Pizza - for those times when from scratch isn't in the cards, we can at least feel good about our frozen food item!
• Julie's Organic Ice Cream Bars - ever wonder why your vanilla ice cream needs yellow or blue food coloring in it? We have. So we choose one without artificial colors. Yum.
• Pickapeppa Sauce - wonderful spices and smoky flavor without too much heat.
• Local Produce - our two providers for this year that we couldn't live without: Harris Farms Blueberry Farm and Zong and Maya Lor's Produce. As my husband calls them: Zong's Magic Purple Peas! And tomatoes - what are they good for? Fresh salsa, of course!

Kitchen - my very favorite kitchen help is the Vitamix. I've posted about it before, but I cannot say enough wonderful things about this great machine. It has eliminated my food processor and blender. I use it almost every day.

Getting Through The Daily Grind:

• Hyland's Homeopathic Medicines for Children - we love their teething tablets and gels and their C-Plus Cold medicines. Cold season is approaching!
• Umcka Cold Medicine - take this and the Airborne Cold Care and kiss that cold goodbye in about one day!
• Kimber America - a purse-sized accessory for the well appointed woman; for things that go bump in the night - or during the day! If you want more information about personal protection options for women, I encourage you to visit Mothers Arms, a volunteer organization that teaches women how to look out for themselves and their children. Think about it - you do most things during the day without your husband, but with your children. You need to know what to look for.
• World Vision - Giving something back is what it is all about.

For The Man In Your Life:

• Sobe Energy Drinks - "Lizard-blood" says the Drill Sergeant in our home. Guaranteed to get your day jump-started enough to pass your PT test (or maybe just get through a tough homeschool day!).
• Sportsman's Guide - things you didn't even know existed at prices you'll love. If you're lucky, you'll get something special too when he places his 4-pay order!
• Ugly Mug Coffee - for you coffee addicts out there - try a switch from Starbucks to a wonderful, family-owned, free-trade delight.