Just in time for Mother's Day

Critter Gear is having a 10% off sale on their stylish collars and leashes. Just the thing for you or your Mom's stylish hound, mutt or even cats.

Our pets deserve the very best. So just in time for Mother's Day a review of deals on favorites from the blog.

My first review of Critter Gear is below. It was my dog's collar of choice. She always preferred to wear "Made in USA" gear. Sadly I say "was" because we lost my mutt this year. We had a good run, at least 14 years depending on accuracy of what the shelter said her age was. We miss her very much. On her behalf give your pets a hug, an ear scritchie and if they need new duds buy them here:

Made In USA Reviews: This blog is going to the dogs .... and cats.

Drink up! Hydrate or snore!

This is perhaps TMI for my gentle readership but who knew I snored? Well, it seems I snore a lot. A Google search of snoring revealed anecdotal evidence of links between snoring and sleep apnea and dehydration. We found scant peer reviewed studies even on scholar Google. Still it seemed worth a try. Beats separate beds or rooms,  CPAP machines, surgery or even stuffing a pillow over my head.

Here, drink water.

It worked and immediately. How'd I get so dry? Studies say most of us are dehydrated. I was ultra dehydrated. I worked in a call center for umpteen years. There we could not exactly get up and grab a drink as we wish. Your customer service person can't put you on hold because we need to go get a drink of water.

I had a drinking problem. Problem was I did not drink. Cups of coffee to wake up and then nothing.

As cyclists we have a vast, eclectic collection of water bottles and Klean Kanteens. The Klean Kanteens have almost a cult following. I now appreciate those I see clutching the colorful bottles close to their chest as if it's an oxygen bottle you can't step out without.

There are many ways to live the hydrated, renewable, bottle and can free lifestyle including the uber-trendy use of Ball Jar or canning jars.

http://madeinusareviews.blogspot.com/2011/05/great-taste-and-tradition-made-here.html

Other solutions are Nalgene bottles many of which are made in USA. Nalgene almost started the trend. Klean Kanteens use a food grade of stainless, Nalgene uses a surgical grade of stainless steel. We'll be getting more Nalgene bottles from now on.

http://nalgene.com

We just found a brand of reusable bottles made right here in the sunny Pacific Northwest. Remind me to write about those next.

Mom knows best!

Children's clothes are so cute. We fell for one of these hats at our local indy kids store. They are made locally by a group of Mom's with thoughtful options and fabric choices. Many of their items are reversible giving you and kids more options for outfits, color combos and hiding the dreaded pasta sauce and grass stains.

I forgot to have kids but have heard from reliable sources that they are messy so that's a great invention:

http://www.impwear.com/

It's REI dividend time!

Long time no new posts but that's because I've been busy moving. I am now safely ensconced in the Pacific Northwest. The secret to happiness here is Theo's chocolate, no it's coffee no, it's long underwear!

We're just back from a long walk with the boy dog. I'm wearing the Polarmax MaxRide line right now. It's thin, lightweight, doesn't bunch or clump under the jeans. It's not a compression tight but feels secure and tight around the muscles. The light weight keeps me warm through the weather changes while not making me feel the need to rip it off in public as the sun briefly came out.

You'll feel great wearing these in any weather. And you'll feel even greater when you read their commitment to American made materials, labour and sustainable business practices.

http://www.polarmax.com/

For your next big flag waving event.

We needed flags for an event and needed them in a hurry. Don't you think it's silly to buy American flags made off shore? I think so too. A Google search found:

http://store.madeinusaflags.com/index.html

Their selection is huge; every state, country, historical American flags, rainbow flags, banners and even feather displays, nautical flags ... you name it you can find it here. They have big flags, tiny flags, bulk discounts.

Service was great, they got our order to us on time. Bulk discounts kept us in budget.

Who doesn't love this?

Remember your first drawings? Maybe your parents still have them tacked on the fridge. Maybe you're scarred for life when someone criticized your green and purple fluffy clouds.

Some of our first experiences with art are with Crayola crayons. I love the look and aroma of a fresh box; the sharp crayons, their crisp paper wrappers not yet peeled back for more crayon goodness.

They are still made in the good ol' USA. They have craft and creative products for all ages although their focus is on kids. You could get some for the kids in your life but we know you want 'em.

Break open a fresh box and let's draw! Now that we're all grown up let's make the sky any color you want!

http://www.crayola.com/

Light up the night.

Twas the night before Hanukkah and all through the house I can't find my matches, Oy, what a louse.

I can't make the rest of this rhyme. Maybe you, gentle reader can. Just trying to find matches of any kind I found a big box from here:

http://www.ddbean.com/products/

Matches are all they make. You can buy in bulk an event in plain white or customize. They work as giveaways at your swanky dive or roadside burger joint,  to put in the gift bags at your next Star Wars convention or stock up for a lifetime supply of menorah lighting.

The packaging is charmingly quaint and old fashioned. I could have found matches in less bulk (this is a life-time supply for us non-smokers) but I had to buy them when I saw "Made in the USA" on the box.

It takes a village ....

... to rebuild the economy it takes a downtown.

There are several communities which have stores featuring products made nearby. Made in Pescadero is a favorite shop of ours, Petaluma now has at least one store for local artisans which I'm hearing great things about but have not been to yet. And downtown Oakland has businesses springing up that make and sell local products. Most feature local design, crafts, artisans.

While desperately seeking last minute local holiday gifts I explored this area right by my commute.

I'll be writing about them all in the next few weeks, stay tuned gentle readers.

For now, off to walk the dog.

Good clean fun on sale!

No, I'm not talking about a political candidate I'm talking about Swan Haven soap.

One of my first posts to this blog was about http://www.swanhavensoap.com/ I've met the artist but yet to tour her farm. You can if you're in Sonoma county, check the site for contact information and dates.

Just in time for the holidays she's offering free shipping, discounts and some delicious sounding winter fragrances like Christmas spice, pumpkin pie, frankincense and myrrh and spiced mahogany.

Love your bike

We love our bikes, maybe you love yours too. How do you transport them? Hopefully you ride them from point A to B. But sometimes that won't do. Well, I've never had to get to a triathlon of any length ... yet. The 5 times I returned my 2 wheeled steed from the end of the AIDS ride it rode in a truck. But if you fly to endurance events, a vacation or bike tour you want to protect your baby from the 500 lb gorillas that are airline baggage handlers.

These will do the trick well and they are made here:

http://www.triall3sports.com/index.php

The Best Seat in the House

Recently I remodeled the toilet. I'd like to replace the entire thing with the same also made in USA low flow model I have downstairs. But for now I'm replacing the seat.

What can you say about a toilet seat? The finish is good, the paint job is smooth and well done, the fittings and hinges work well, the wood which according the the label is pressboard from recycled wood feels solid, smooth and durable. 

This one did not come with directions to install but none were needed. It was a simple job barely needing any tools. 

http://www.toiletseats.com/

Check out their new website.

One of the first products I reviewed on this blog was Critter Gear http://madeinusareviews.blogspot.com/2010/04/this-blog-is-going-to-dogs-and-cats.html

They have given their website a fresh new look and a makeover. Just in time for the Holidays they are offering 15% off. Use coupon code "newsite".

Buy made in USA this season. If your pet could talk they would say "I want something from Critter Gear".

http://www.crittergear.com/

Trick or treat - where is your candy from?

I admit it, I was not looking at labels. Twas the night before Halloween. I was  just shopping for something cheap, in bulk when I spotted Red Bird Brand soft peppermint puffs. It says proudly made in the USA right on the container. These are made with real cane sugar not HFCS. I know, I know, it’s candy, whatevah, don't bug me. Real sugar is a start.

Just open the container and whoosh, even though each mint is individually wrapped you are surrounded by the aroma of real mint.

I thought the kids would scoff at it a bit wanting the so called major brands of candy but the response was fantastic “Great! Mints! I love mints. Thanks” was what I heard from little angels to vampires and zombies though the night.

Proudly made in the USA since 1890 and available in every state of the USA

http://piedmontcandy.com/

Welcoming a new mat

It's time for a new doormat.  Decoir made my old one, it wore well and I loved the doggie "wipe your paws" theme. The new one's a traditional "welcome" message. The only thing that could be better is tiny fine print on the bottom "unless you're sales or prosthelytizing religion".  Hey, I could order custom and they'll do it.

I've always been pleased with their mats and just now noticing they are made in USA. One more thing to love about:

http://www.decoir.com/index.html

It's a chew toy, it's a snack, it's a toy, a snack ....

The boy mutt loves these with a burning passion. Get him the entire rope of dried sweet potato treats and he'll chew and play till they are gone. We have to dole them out. Stay tuned as I try them on the girl mutt.

Made in USA with real ingredients. You don't eat junk, why should your best friend? Ok, maybe you do eat junk but your dog and cat should get:

http://www.snookdog.com/

We're going shopping!

Stay tuned, we're going shopping! K found a store nearby that sells only USA made stuff. Suddenly I feel a burning need for cowboy boots, cowboy shirts, more hats (I love hats), a belt with a big shiny buckle.

No squinting at the bottom of the back of labels trying to see where it's made at this local store. It's simply all made here. Whata concept!

http://www.bethwest.net/store.html

Trying to break this ....

K first met Otterbox in marine biology work. Meters and instruments must be protected from the harsh elements. Whether on a ship or on the beach studying the aquatic critters Otterbox was the choice.

Now while we have "dumb" phones but both use an iPod touch. It's good to protect them from the elements and basic human clumsiness. I am not suggesting that you do this, your results may vary but K has dropped her iPod out of her purse, the car, out of a pack .... it's fine.

Protect your imported toys with the best case, It is made in the USA:

http://www.otterbox.com/

Valentines Day; is your chocolate slavery free?

Theo chocolate is (also reviewed here). And so is TCHO.

I first encountered TCHO chocolate when they gave samples on BART (our light rail). I'd promised to bring a sample home to my sister, somehow it did not make it.

Since then we've passed the factory while walking in San Francisco with K. You can tour the factory, purchase there, order online of find them at a local health food store.

I've tried many of their products and loved each one. Admittedly this is not cheap, this is not a miniature Mars bar you give out on Halloween. In fact once you read the link below you might not buy those again.

This is chocolate you savor, pair with the perfect fresh ripe pear and cheese or even the right port and enjoy slowly.

Smell the chocolate, inhale, take a deep breath. Look at it, the perfect smooth surface and rich brown color. Take a bite. While you savor the chocolate, slowly, enjoying each morsel. Good eh? As good as it tastes it should taste even better because you are preventing child slavery:

http://www.tcho.com/tcho-is/no-slavery

Po Campo bags

As devotees to my blog are aware, I've blugged about the Wald basket on my "commuter mobile" http://madeinusareviews.blogspot.com/2010/06/rack-on-every-bike-for-chicken-in-every.html.  I'd been thinking of going to the other side. Not death, getting another Wald basket. They are super easy to install. K found that sweet spot; not so far forward that you kick it each turn of the pedals, not too far back. Just right. So we could just line it up.

Wald baskets are amazingly sturdy, handy, quiet when folded flat and install easily with few tools.

But maybe my next rack will not be a rack but a bag, a Po Campo bag. Made in Chicago these stylish bags are fun, functional and look great on and especially off the bike.

Stay tuned for reviews. Their new line for 2012 is released, the old ones are on sale. Hmmmm, price or the latest bike fashion? Which to get? We have bags to order and serious shopping to do. 

http://www.pocampo.com/

This is humiliating

What do you do when you have enough race numbers to make a jacket and and a hat yet you are so out of shape people would not believe they are yours? Get the motivation to clear the clutter and do the hard work to get back in shape and rock the jacket. You don't need your bib numbers on the cubicle anymore. Everyone knows you have epic adventures on the weekend. Have them made into clothing as unique as your training schedule.

http://www.elevengear.us/elevengear.html