I’ve been trying a lot of new products, so I’m taking advantage of today’s Friday Five topic to share some of them with you. Each of these companies provided product for me to review, but none had any input or influence over the opinions I’m sharing here.
1. Sunshine Nut Company. I’m most excited about Sunshine Nut Company because it’s local, it has a mission, and their cashews are delicious. The founder was inspired to create a company based on a business model that can transform poor farming communities in Mozambiquie in a way that provides fairness, opportunity, and empowerment from within. They do this by paying fair wages, focusing on local manufacturing, and using 30% of net proceeds to support agricultural development, and another 30% to support centers that care for orphans and vulnerable children.
Their cashews come in four flavors, and you can order them from their website or look for them at select Whole Foods stores and Giant Food stores in the D.C. metropolitan area.
I love the rosemary in the “roasted with a handful of herbs” flavor.
[Tweet “Lots to love about @SunshineNutCo”]
2. Illumiseen. The Illumiseen belt is an easy way to make yourself more visible no matter what time of day you run. It’s a simple belt that fits around your waist and has an LED band across the back. It comes in several different colors and recharges via USB so you never have to worry about batteries.
It’s almost no longer dark for my dark’o’clock runs, but running at daybreak and dusk is still dangerous. Just last week a runner was hit crossing a road in the crosswalk at 6:30 pm, when it is still light out. 🙁
3. Yuni. When a new beauty products company reached out to me, I wondered if they knew who they were speaking with. I have a minimalist make-up routine and haven’t yet figured out why I need essential oils! But, my tired, cracked runner’s feet told me that I should agree to give their products a try.
So far my favorite item is their multipurpose cream, which is made with Kukui Seed oil and Shea butter and a blend of Bergamot and Patchouli essential oils that really is soothing. You can learn more about them on their Facebook page.
4. Neutrogena. While I’m talking about beauty products, I might as well tell you about Neutrogena Naturals makeup remover towelettes that I received from Influenster.
Neutrogena is promoting these in a #WipeForWater campaign as a way to conserve water. They say that you can use up to 5 gallons of water every day washing your face. That sounds crazy to me, but I do waste water waiting for the water to warm up when I am washing my face in the morning. These wipes are fine, but I really don’t feel clean without rinsing my face.
Neutrogena shouldn’t be too disappointed,
since this I what I use to wash my face with water!
5. Blue Diamond. I am still hooked on Blue Diamond Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk, and still use it to make my overnight oats every day (or night?). Now they are coming out with new flavors of roasted almonds, and I couldn’t wait to try the Honey Roasted Cinnamon flavor that Blue Diamond sent me to review through their Tastemaker program.
I know I should measure out a single serving,
but I nibble on these straight from the can!
[Tweet “New Products To Try #FridayFive”]
See what other brands people love in the Friday Five link up hosted by Eat Pray Run DC, Mar on the Run and You Signed Up for What?!
What are you loving lately?
California friends, are the water restrictions so bad that you worry about washing your face?
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I LOVE Sunshine Nuts cashews too, and they are super healthful — they’re available at all Giant stores in the DC metro area!
Oh, great. I usually shop at Giant!
I use wipes to wash my face a lot in the winter because it takes forever to get hot water up to our upstairs bathroom and I hate wasting the water (and really I’m just not that patient LOL).
Those nuts sound fabulous!
I love cashews! My current favorite flavor is Sea Salt and Cracked Black Pepper (aka Salt and Pepper – got to have that fancy name!) I use Neutrogena facial wipes in the blue pack. I haven’t seen these. Have a wonderful weekend!
Those cashews look amazing. I have very little self control when eating cashews… too yummy. I also received the Neutrogena wipes and do really like them. I usually use the wipe to wipe down my bathroom counter each night. I’m curious how much water is used in the manufacturing of them – does it really save on water in the long run? I’m sure no one can really answer that, but just playing skeptic.
I had that manufacturing question too, although if they’re made on the east coast maybe that’s OK? No water restrictions here.
Oh, my gosh! Those cashews look amazing! I also really like the Neutrogena face wash you have pictured; I like that it doesn’t haven’t anything harsh in it, yet it still gets my face really clean. This is a great list; thanks so much for sharing these!
I’m a big cashew fan so I’ve got to check out the Sunshine Nut Company – great business model!
It’s amazing that they give most of their profits away. It’s really a service-focused model.
i use wipes after a pure barre class and sometimes after a run if i’m not showering immediately 🙂 have a great weekend!
Oh, that’s a great idea. I have shower wipes in my gym bag, but don’t really like using those on my face.
Nice group of products to try! I love the spicy flavors that the almonds also come in! Yum!!
They are so good, but somehow the spice makes them even more addictive!
I’ve been trying those wipes too! I don’t usually run in the dark but I love that belt idea!
I love nuts, so I’ll take all of the above mentioned, please! And I need to get that belt for my friend who serves as our group safety monitor!
I love reading about new products! Those cashews look yummy but I have not seen them here. I do love washing my with the facial clothes like you showed because then I don’t get my arms on my pj’s wet- personal problem I know- HA! I think I need to look more into this essential oil stuff- more and more people are blogging about it, I need to get with the program!
I can relate to the wet PJs!
The Neutrogena wipes are good and I love all the blue diamond nuts too. I haven’t tried the other brand yet. I will look out for it.
They are really good – check Whole Foods or Giant.
Ooh, those cashews look so good! Also agree about the Neutrogena wipes.
I need that LED belt – great idea!!! I miss nuts, my youngest is allergic and I really did love nuts. I’ll eat them sometimes at work if I am extremely careful not to have nut dust or crumbs on my clothing when I come home.
Oh, that would be rough. Nut allergies seem to be more serious than others so I can see why you wouldn’t want to risk it!
wow, that Illumiseen belt looks amazing!
Great list! Mine would probably be.
1. Mizuno – love their shoes and gear
2. Moving Comfort – their Vero sports bra is the best
3. ProCompression – I feel like I have been living in their socks lately
4. ThredUp.com – putting my old clothes on my doorstep and making some money off them, fabulous
5. Orange Theory Fitness- obsessed with these places
I may have to try OTF this summer … I need to figure out the logistics but there’s one between work and home.
That belt looks great! I like using Neutrogena face wipes – I have a couple packs stashed in my purse, workbag, gym bag.