truebody

with a mission of ‘delivering products that contribute to a healthy lifestyle while remaining affordable’, truebody is what vermont is all about. their body of values and true promise make you want to buy their soaps without even trying it  and once you’ve tried it – you’ll be hooked, the reviews are also great – people love this soap.

truebody’s owner, janice shade, not only makes soaps. while looking for creative ways to get more funding to introduce new products, shade came up with the concept of community supported enterprise (or cse). no, not a csa (community supported agriculture) but same idea pre-sell your product. innovative and brilliant!
 
to learn more about cse’s and truebody check out this article.

this is a company and a concept to watch closely – we think great things are coming.

darn tough
the premium all weather performance sock

once you buy a pair of darn tough socks, you will never buy another brand again. these are truly the best socks. even better is that they are made in vermont by the cabot family. you’ll want them for everyday wear, working wear and for every sport you can think of from skiing and riding, hiking and trekking to fishing and hunting (ok, maybe not swimming). they know what they’re doing – the cabot’s have been at it for over 30 years.

what makes ‘em so darn tough? this list spells it out:

• made in vermont
• high density knitting
• merino wool
• Coolmax®
• full cushion
• cushion
• ultra-light
• mesh
• ribbed knit
• ribbed ankle support
• elastic arch support
• ring toe construction

want to learn more about each of these? check out these detailed descriptions.

oh and the best part – they have an UNCONDITIONAL LIFETIME GUARANTEE – “no strings. no condition. for life.”

who can beat that?

p.s. you can buy them everywhere!

sport your color on the trail

vermont peanut butter.

“we’re nuts for nutrition“

this is NOT  the peanut butter you ate growing up. in fact, it’s nothing like it. vermont peanut butter will change how you eat peanut butter and how much you eat.  the first couple words that come to mind as you have a spoonful in your mouth are usually “amazing” and “delicious”. the pairing of flavors is clever, perfect and natural. of course peanut butter should be mixed with cherries and dark chocolate.

they have the basics (creamy and chunky) as well as these unique flavors:

• almond butter (proprietary almonds)
• avalanche (with white chocolate)
• banana nut crunch (because don’t you always put peanut butter on your bananas anyway?)
• BEE nut butter (pure vt raw honey and peanut butter – really, it doesn’t get any better!)
• champlain cherry (with cherries and high cocoa 67% dark chocolate)
• green mountain goodness (almond and peanut butter PLUS organic flax seeds loaded with omega 3, and juicy organic pumpkin seeds)
• good karma (with dark chocolate)
• mad river mojo (almond and peanut butter plus nuts, chocolate and cranberries)
• maple walnut (yes, pure vermont maple syrup and walnuts)
• stowe cinnamon raisin (do you know how good cinnamon is for you?)

not only are the flavors amazing but vermont peanut butter (VTPB) has a three part mission which includes maintaining high quality, using local products, no bad oils, gmo’s as well as being socially responsible and to create “fun and deliciousness”.

we love this peanut butter and the company itself. VTPB is what vermont is all about.

you can buy their peanut butter throughout stores in new england and even as far away as nyc and canada. check here for a listing of stores.

or call them 1-877 UGO-NUTS (clever!)

Buy Local.
buy local vermont first.

not sure what to get someone for the holidays? this resource guide & coupon book  will cover anyone left on your list.

this project of vermont businesses for social responsibility is just packed with info and great deals from businesses around the state of vermont (addison, chittenden & washington counties).

here’s their list of 11 reasons (from the book) to support the vermont businesses included in the guide:

1.   keep money in vermont I
2.   embrace what makes us different
3.   get better service
4.   create and keep good jobs
5.   promote competition & diversity
6.   help preserve the environment
7.   support community groups
8.   put your taxes to good use
9  . keep money in vermont II
10. invest in the community
11. bank around town

note: to see explanations of each item listed above, buy the book!

the list of companies/coupons is just too long to post here – but there are coupons to some of our favorites: dakin farm, danforth pewter, vermont cookie love, city market, conant metal & light, healthy living, lake champlain chocolates, new moon, outdoor gear exchange, shelburne farms, small dog electronics, the flying pig, the skinny pancake, good news garage, old spokes home, the chubby muffin, onion river sports and the store to name just a few (ok, well, that was more than a few – but you get the idea).

for a full list of all companies click here (there have to be more than 500!!).

convinced? want to buy one? here’s the list of places where you can buy one, or two or….

this is a feel good gift all the way around – you can’t go wrong.

The Wallet Pen

Simple. Classic. Sterling silver. Handmade in Vermont.

These must-have little treasures are all handmade by Tom O’Brien in Charlotte, Vermont. The perfect size, The Wallet Pen is something everyone needs – even in today’s world of high tech everything – there is always a need for a pen – maybe it’s to create a to do list, to jot down a new idea, write a postcard, a love letter or even a note.

The Wallet Pen has had favorable mentions in The New Yorker, The Daily Grommet, Yankee Magazine, Andrew Tobias and it’s also one of Oprah’s Favorite Things!

Also make sure you check out Tom’s new creations:

Zoomee Salt and Peppers  and The Rocket SpiceMill™ 

All great gift ideas!

Buy one today at www.TheWalletPen.com

dakin farm
“what vermont tastes like”®

it’s true. their logo is right – their products really do taste like vermont.

check out their cool story on youtube.

bacons, hams, sausages, turkey, ribs, smoked everything, maple anything, cheeses galore (including artisanal), jams, jellies, spreads, sauces, mixes, honeys, mustards etc – how can you go wrong? oh wait, did i say fudge? all of it is just delicious.

they have 2 retail shops – their original one on rte 7 in ferrisburgh and one in south burlington. if you can swing it – it is well worth the trip to visit them. you can try almost everything – samplers all around the store. watch out, you’ll want to buy everything.

can’t visit a shop? no problem – you can order online and they ship anywhere in the u.s. and if you can’t decide what to get someone then order a gift card with a finger lickin good photo on it!.

follow dakin farm on facebook, twitter and (our favorite) youtube, where you can learn, for example, how they spiral a ham (bet you didn’t know how they do that!). 

we love dakin farm! bring some vermont into your kitchen today!

fat toad farm.

“a family-run goat dairy in central vermont.”

love their name. love the toad. love their cheeses.

our favorite is the maple chevre. delicious. how much more vermont can you get? vermont goats living and breathing vermont air. add some vermont maple syrup et volia..deliciousness.

they have some amazing other products as well (goat’s milk carmel? yum!). can’t find them at your local store? check out this list AND (according to their site) you can even buy them at Williams & Sonoma (ok, how cool is that? fat toad farm is nationwide!).

p.s. they even got a mention on the today show summer 2011!

best hair ties EVER! they’re awesome. plenty of colors, styles and they even have headbands too. not only do they look great in your hair – they also make great bracelets!

we love their story - alex & isabelle are kids, who as young girls with the help of their moms started this business in 2008. you can buy them direct on their website, at various stores around the country or even at birchbox (yes, that’s huge!).

once you go alex & isabelle, you’ll never go back.

p.s. we also love that a portion of their sales go to the Conner B. Turnbaugh Foundation.

seven days. vermont’s independent voice.

hands down THE best newspaper in burlington for the arts, music, theatre, design as well as great articles about local people, businesses and issues.

whether or not you live in vermont or are just visiting, seven days is your survival guide.

best part is…it’s FREE!

it comes out once a week, grab your copy at many local shops and stores throughout burlington  and beyond. their website is also packed with info and you can sign up for one of their newsletters.

to get to know burlington, you need seven days. also look for their “What’s Good” off campus guide for students – this is just packed with great info, even for the veteran, older vermonter.

Don’t forget to grab their free restaurant guide 7 nights is the best restaurant guide for all of vermont.

read their story - it’s a story of perseverance competing with one of the biggest names in news and they made it….the vermont way!

oh..and…even the ads are great!