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The Tip is 'Watch What You Eat' While in the grocery store recently I noticed that the apples were from South America. Next to South American apples were a bin of apples labeled Made in USA. I decided to go with the Made in America apples since they were US grown. Always remember the Big Secret- buying more American made products helps put Americans back to work. It will guide you to food you will want to eat that is grown with US labor. If you just take a moment to look and think before you buy, it is likely you will find what you are looking for. Also, be careful because sometimes labels are not what they seem. Some companies use the letters USA to fool you into thinking they are American products. Trust only those products that literally claim their country of origin. Look for labeling like: Product of USA, Made in USA, Grown in USA, or other definitive markings. And last, when you begin the journey of purposely identifying American products keep in mind that it may take a little time but the more you look the easier it becomes. You will start to remember which brands are made in the USA and which aren't. This knowledge makes it easy and will accumulate over time. Some food items are not grown in the USA and you will learn that too. The Big Secret tells us we don't need to purchase everything from USA manufacturers just a little more than we are accustom to. If you can average $200 a month more on domestic purchases than you otherwise would it adds up fast. $2,400 a year is equivalent to 7 MILLION new American jobs. We believe that is a good thing. Buying Tip Continued - Read more on Made in America Products by Sweet Harvest Farms I have been an artist longer than I can remember. Painting on anything that didn't move, my first piece of artwork was a painting I did, of on all places, my dad's army boots! It would be some time before people put the name shabby or primitive on this type of work . After marrying in 1983 and moving to Pennsylvania, my love of oils turned to acrylics when I fell in love with the Folk Art that was so prevalent in this part of the US. I was already doing shows and markets when a move, years later, to Florida afforded me the opportunity to open my own boutique. I offered Folk Art, Antiques, Vintage, Primitive Dolls and Handmade Soap (or at least what I thought was handmade soap). Always being the perfectionist and wanting to give my customers only the best, I found the soap and other bath and body products I carried was not as nurturing, hydrating or pure as I thought they should be. Using my medical knowledge (was in the medical field for years), I then set off on the quest to find out how to make my own all natural soap, lotion, lip balms and more. What I found were products laden with chemicals and preservatives. What touches your skin is eventually absorbed into your blood stream. That's a bit scary! Many soaps that are sold as Handmade are actually produced in huge warehouses. These soap blocks are shipped in large quantities that anyone can re-melt, mix with scent, color, blend them with synthetic Glycerin, and call them Glycerin Soaps or even Handmade soap. The problem with this is you don't know if the Glycerin they are using is derived from plants or bio-diesel fuel! Yes, bio-diesel fuel! ! ! I use the tried and true cold process method of making soap - entirely from scratch with certified organic oils that your skin actually craves. This process retains 100% of the natural soap glycerin produced by this method so adding synthetic glycerin or plant glycerin is not necessary! My products will never contain chemicals or preservatives of any kind. I still do my research at least once a week to keep up with the latest information on what I can do to make my bath and body products better, safe and relevant. I am always developing and testing new recipes for future products to offer so check back often! When it comes to my vintage finds, I still keep my eyes peeled for the unique and unusual. Saturday mornings are spent looking for cast off goodies at Estate and Tag Sales so you never know what I might be posting for sale on my website from one week to the next. I stay busy! We all pitch in here at the Jennings household from measuring oils, pouring, the making, cutting, wrapping and shipping. Everything we do is very hands on for quality control and superb customer service. I welcome your suggestions, points of view and, yes, even constructive criticism. It keeps me on my toes and allows me to grow! Your patronage is always appreciated. You are my business! |
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