Elmore Mountain Farms Review and Giveaway

Posted on June 17, 2013 by tryvermontfirst

It’s time to learn more about the great products from Elmore Mountain Farm in Morrisville, VT. Owners Bunny and Peter Merrill already had a family of goats when they decided to venture into the goat’s milk soap business. From there they have expanded their product line to include body wash, lip balm, deodorant, lotions and more. Over half of their products use their goats’ milk and they have many products that are Vermont beeswax-based.

Peter tells us: “I think we would like to emphasize that we are a farm-based business that strives to balance having a really high quality product with also having a bit of fun. When we created EMF, Bunny’s idea was to create really nice, quality products that also made you smile – hence the goat drawings. I also think the way we work together is a key to our success. Bunny creates the recipes, oversees production and takes care of the animals/goats, and I do the artwork, sales and marketing and bookkeeping. We have our own strengths each respect what the other contributes.”

My hands get washed many, many times a day. It’s important to have a soap at each sink that cleans well, keeps my hands soft, is gentle enough for my kids to use (and then chew on their fingers), and smells great. Elmore Mountain Farm makes a foaming soap that meets all of this criteria. The light lavender scent is pleasant and not too perfumey. You can also buy this soap in Grapefruit Lime and Rosemary Mint. I would suggest getting a bottle of each scent!

The Stuffy Head Balm from Elmore Mountain Farm was used often at my house this winter. To make this winter must have they start with Vermont beeswax and almond oil to make the thick balm consistency. Then they add peppermint, eucalyptus and rosemary essential oils as well as menthol crystals for that perfect combination of scents to help clear your head. We rubbed a small amount on our son’s chest before he went to bed to help him sleep peacefully with opened nasal passages. Like I said, this is a must – have in the winter.

I have been using the Natural Shampoo and Body Wash (unscented) when I travel and find that it’s a very simple soap… in a good way. I have used it on both my hair and body and can say that it simply cleans and cleans well. From the EMF’s website: “It [Natural Shampoo and Body Wash] does NOT contain sodium laurel or laureth sulfate, additives or detergents. Unlike other shampoos that rely on harsh detergents as cleaning agents, our Shampoo and Body Wash is a gentle soap-based product.”

My friend Melissa was happy to help test and sample products from Elmore Mountain Farm. Here are her thoughts:

“Goats milk lip balm – LOVE this! I keep it in the car and it glides right on, mellow enough for my three year old to use it without complaining that it tastes bad.

Goats milk soap – such a nice scent! I hated to open the gorgeous packaging! This was beautiful for a guest bath or a gift basket.”

Bugs bothering you? Try Elmore Mountain Farm’s Bug Balm! Ingredients include almond oil, Vermont beeswax, avocado oil, lavender essential oil, shea butter and Vitamin E. We live in a swamp. Well, not really, but we do live with the bugs and they do bother us all summer. It’s hard to find a balance of playing outside and not swatting at bugs the whole time. This all natural bug balm is a great solution to wanting both a defense against bugs and something gentle enough to use on children. I enjoyed the non-chemical scent too!

Peter and Bunny want you to know about their newest product! “[Elmore Mountain Farm's] All-Natural Deodorant in Geranium Lime and Lavender scents is our newest product and has been very well received as there are very few truly natural options out there.”

ENTER HERE to win a gift from Elmore Mountain Farm and take a moment to LIKE their Facebook page! Good luck!

Happy week,
~Honi

Father’s Day Giveaway 2013

Posted on June 9, 2013 by tryvermontfirst

Happy Father’s Day!

Happy Father’s Day to my husband, my father, my step father, my father in law, my brothers, my brothers in law, and to YOURS!

I am happy to announce this wonderful new giveaway. Entering is SIMPLE! Click ~~HERE~~ to enter this giveaway with just your email address. Note that for each Vermont business you LIKE on Facebook you will get ANOTHER entry in this giveaway.

So enter now for a chance to win gifts from the following companies:

Marsh Hollow Jam (click HERE to like their Facebook page)

Time Out For Whoopie (click HERE to like their Facebook page)

Sapling Naturals (click HERE to like their Facebook page)

Vermont Smoke and Cure (click HERE to like their Facebook page)

Potlicker Kitchen (click HERE to like their Facebook page)

Gringo Jack’s (click HERE to like their Facebook page)

Good luck! Our winner will be announced on Sunday, June 16th at 9PM. Be sure to SHARE this giveaway on Facebook for an extra entry!

From Dad’s favorite,
~Honi

June 16th 2013 – 9PM – This giveaway is now closed. Please visit our homepage to find our current giveaways and LIKE us on Facebook for real time updates.

The winner of this giveaway is danielle.c@. Congratulations! Check your email.

Dressing Up With Drew’s (Giveaway)

Posted on June 5, 2013 by tryvermontfirst

Drew’s All Natural is back again to host another giveaway for Try Vermont First readers. Lucky readers!

The Drew’s crew makes a lot of different dressings and there is surely something for everyone. These dressings are versatile and can be used for much more than topping salads. We loved them as meat marinades as well.

Drew’s Roasted Garlic and Peppercorn is a creamy dressing with distinct and bold flavors. Drew’s always uses Non-GMO ingredients.

We used the Thai Sesame Lime dressing to marinade chicken that was later grilled. The blend of sesame with cilantro, ginger and lime was perfect. Our grilled chicken was tangy and tasty! I found this to be one of my favorite dressings. It is sweet and filled with so much flavor. I admit that I over-dressed my salads with this dressing. Next I will use this dressing for a cold noodle salad.

My friend Aubrey taste tested two dressing from Drew’s. Here are her reviews:

“Drew’s Classic Italian: So good! Definitely shake well before pouring. The subtle taste of herbs, vinegar and lemon are delicious!! Good for just about any veg dish or even on meat as a marinade!

Drew’s Poppy Seed: Deliciously creamy and sweet! Great on steamed broccoli or a whole salad!!”

My family (including my for year old son) all really enjoyed the Smoked Tomato dressing. We also shared this dressing during a dinner with friends. Our friends kept going back for more! The mild smoky flavor blended with the rich tomato give this dressing a sweet and robust flavor.

I highly recommend Drew’s Rosemary Balsamic. Balsamic has always been one of my favorite dressings, and the addition to rosemary makes this dressing unique. The earthy and fresh flavor dressed my salad made of spinach, beets, and carrots. What a delicious dinner!

My son happily taste tested a few dressings and proclaimed that the Roasted Garlic & Peppercorn was his favorite (though he liked them all). Drew’s top sellers are Buttermilk Ranch and Classic Italian.

Drew’s All Natural has asked for us to help them to reach 5,000 fans on Facebook by the end of the month. Facebook is a great social media tool that will help spread the word about this great Vermont company. Neighbor helping neighbor – your like means a lot! Simple click HERE to LIKE Drew’s All Natural on Facebook.

You can find Drew’s dressings nation wide. Visit their website to find the location closest to you.

As I mentioned before Drew’s is hosting another giveaway for Try Vermont First readers. ~~ENTER HERE~~ to be one of three winners in this giveaway! Say hi to the friendly Drew’s crew this weekend at the Quiche contest on Friday night and at the Strolling of the Heifers on Saturday.

It’s a great time of year to find fresh and local salad ingredients and top them with your favorite dressing from our friends at Drew’s!

Happy eating,
~Honi

**I can’t resist showing off these pictures of my son helping to prepare for this blog post.**

June 13th 2013 – 9PM – This giveaway is now closed. Please visit our homepage to find our current giveaways and LIKE us on Facebook for real time updates.

The three winners of this giveaway are snugglebear2316@, nickibruleigh@, babs2769@. Congratulations! Check your email.

Gringo Jack’s Giveaway

Posted on June 3, 2013 by tryvermontfirst

Warning: This blog post MAY make your stomach growl, your mouth water, and you may find yourself getting in the car to find Gringo Jack’s products tonight!

The Gringo Jack Restaurant is located in Manchester, VT. The restaurant has been there for 15 years and just six years ago Jack’s team was urged to start bottling their sauces and salsas. We are going to tell you how much we love Gringo Jack’s salsa, chips, bbq sauces, and more.

“Turn ordinary into extraordinary! Gringo Jack’s uses only the best and real ingredients – real brown sugar, real chiles and, of course, true smoke from real chipotle chiles, The result is a quality product unmatched in the market.” (from Gringo Jack’s website)

Let’s start with tortilla chips. Gringo Jack chips are truly unique. They are incredibly crunchy and flaky. They promise to be a whole new chip experience. The cinnamon sugar chips reminded me of a fair-time fried dough. They are sweet with a generous amount of cinnamon and sugar. They are finger licking good!

My family loves salsa and we enjoyed each Gringo Jack salsa that we tried and they pair perfectly with Gringo Jack tortilla chips (of course!). Why do we love this salsa so much? Because it tastes like real food! It’s not watery, it’s thick and loaded with vegetables, herbs and spices.

Truly red may have been my favorite of the salsas. “TRULY RED SALSA – Tomato & Smoky Chipotle – Tomatoes and smoky chipotles – no room for artificial smoke – just authentic rustic flavor. Just like when Lulu married Billy Joe – it was authentic, you know? It was true, it was lasting, and if only life could always be that way.” (from Gringo Jack’s website)

We dipped chips into this salsa and used it as a base for a spicy rice side dish. Simply add Truly Red Salsa to cooked brown rice and add your favorite veggies and beans. We added corn, broccoli and black beans. Instant joy and very tasty!

My friends were happy to taste test and review Gringo Jack’s products for me! Here are their reviews:

“The other week I made special chicken enchiladas with Gringo Jack’s Holy Mole Sauce and while I’ve never made my own, I have had the real deal in Oaxaca, Mexico and this was just as authentic and delicious. It was rich, smokey and spicy all at once with the perfect hint of nuts and chocolate, such a great idea! The whole family enjoyed and it was great way to spice up (but not too spicy) a weeknight meal, plus it was an extra bonus that the sauce is ready to serve, just add to your meal!! Five stars for sure.

On a different night we snacked on Gringo Jack’s classic flour tortilla chips and by the end we were looking for more. These were a treat. So light and so crunchy, like restaurant quality. You could almost tell they were hand made and special. After eating the whole bag we looked at the label and were happy to see they were non GMO and all natural! Extra bonus.” ~Angela

“Cinnamon chips – yum! these were an unexpectedly sweet treat. My kids and I ate them as dessert, my daughter with a loose tooth loved that they were “soft” enough for her to eat. Sugary and sweet, these are deliciously buttery tasting, like a croissant.
I brought the whole wheat chips to school for my colleagues to taste – one had them crumbled on her salad and loved it. I liked them right out of the bag, and again, the fact that they were kind of “soft” was really a nice twist on regular chips.” ~Melissa

I have even more to you about!

It has been sad to empty a bottle of Gringo Jack’s bbq sauce. They are each amazing! Let’s start with the Vermont Maple BBQ Sauce. It’s mild and sweet, making it my son’s favorite. We had friends over for a bbq a few weeks ago and everyone loved this sauce. They found themselves adding more and more sauce to their meal.

I have added the Sweet and Spicy Chipolte Finishing Glaze to everything! Pulled pork, burgers, meatloaf and more! I love the depth of the spice and the great sweet chipolte flavor! This is a sauce that I want to always have on hand.

Michelle Kropp, co-founder of Gringo Jack’s tells us why they are so proud of their bbq sauces:“Our bbq sauce is better than anything on the market – even the natural ones. We use real brown sugar and get natural smoke from using chipotle chiles, not natural smoke flavor. We don’t scrimp on the ingredients and cook the sauce for as long as it takes to fuze the wonderful flavors.”

When I asked Michelle about new products that we might see in the next year she told us: “We are working on a plantain ketchup and some unique chips flavors such as chocolate, sweet potato and grain chips.” I am sure that we would love those too!

Are you ready to try all of these great products??? ~~ENTER HERE~~ to win a box of goodies from Gringo Jack’s and be sure to share this giveaway with your friends!

Enjoy,
~Honi

June 10th 2013 – 9PM – This giveaway is now closed. Please visit our homepage to find our current giveaways and LIKE us on Facebook for real time updates.

The three winners of this giveaway are heartgirl28@, tjmag50@, nytiger915@. Congratulations! Check your email.

Baskets of Smiles Giveaway

Posted on May 22, 2013 by tryvermontfirst

The concept is simple yet the impact can be profound. Share a smile. Spread joy and kindness.

I love this concept!

Pamela Whitten of Basket of Smiles is herself a bit of sunshine on a cloudy day and the products that she makes are sure to bring a smile to any face. Pamela began her business, and her smile quest, in 1985. Her motto was and still is “Keep Smiling, Someone Cares”.

The baskets that Pamela makes with twisted fabric are colorful, bright, and sometimes filled with treats. She has a rainbow of colors and a long list of added goodies. The baskets would make great party favors, house warming gifts, end of year teacher gifts, or the perfect surprise gift. Baskets come in four different sizes.

Pamela also hosts parties and tells us: “I do special events with my cupcakes, baskets, and pretend “Smile Bakery”. Birthday Parties, Family Reunions, Business Parties, etc. are just a few times when a Basket of Smiles party works well. The children make cupcakes, hear cupcake stories, sing some fun cupcake songs, and learn about sharing smiles and kindness.”

Visit Basket of Smiles online to see the full variety of products Pamela makes. You can find Share a Smile baskets at Creative Habitat, Cold Hollow Cider Mill, Knits & Bolts, Scentsations, The Tiny Acorn, Vermont’s Own.

ENTER HERE to win a Basket of Smiles. Please take a moment to LIKE Pamela’s Facebook page!

Share smiles,
~Honi

June 2nd 2013 – 9PM – This giveaway is now closed. Please visit our homepage to find our current giveaways and LIKE us on Facebook for real time updates.

The winners of this giveaway are wood_bsn@, jknjf@. Congratulations! Check your email.

Time Out For Whoopie (Pies) Giveaway!

Posted on May 19, 2013 by tryvermontfirst

You know the saying, “When one door closes, another opens”? That is exactly how Shannon Kadish began her business, Time Out For Whoopie this past November. After fourteen years in the field of social work Shannon was at a cross roads.

Shannon tells us: “It was a confusing time and it was hard to sort out what direction to take. One thing that was very clear to me was that I wanted my next journey to fit better with my family life. So, I started the adventure of opening up my own Whoopie Pie business in November 2012. I have decided to take some time out of my social work career to make Whoopie Pies. Therefore, my business was named, ‘TIME OUT FOR WHOOPIE.’ “

On a whim and just for fun Shannon entered a whoopie pie baking contest at a local fair in 2010. That year she won the blue ribbon and first place for her pumpkin whoopie pie. She was motivated to keep on baking and the next year won a yellow ribbon for her chocolate strawberry whoopie pie, and the following year won a red ribbon for her traditional chocolate whoopie pie.

I might have a hard time putting into words how amazing Shannon’s whoopie pies are. Yes, they are better than my mom’s, (sorry Mom!), and better than any whoopie pie I have ever had, (sorry Aunt Ginny!).

Carrot cake whoopie pies are now high on my favorites list, and carrot cake has never even made it onto the list. The shredded and pureed carrots are mixed with pineapple, coconut, and walnuts. Together these ingredients make a chewy and sweet pie. I love that Shannon makes a cinnamon cream cheese filling for these pies.

I shared these delicious treats with a friend who shared these thoughts:

“I was hesitant to try the carrot cake whoopie pie, not being a huge fan of carrot cake. I was surprised how good it was! The cake itself was moist, without being crumbly, and without large chunks in it! The glue that held the whole puzzle together was the most delicious cream cheese frosting…not too sweet and the perfect compliment to bring all the flavors together! Now I find myself looking for a reason to order these addictive treat…the best reason I’ve found to place an order is because its Saturday!” ~Amanda

The chocolate mousse whoopie pie is my favorite. I am the only one who can offer a review because I would not share even a crumb. The cake is incredibly moist, (this goes for ALL the whoopie pies) and the chocolate flavor is deep, rich, and perfect. The combination of delicate cake and the soft mousse made me eat this pie way too fast, which then made me mad at myself for not taking the time to enjoy it for longer.

Irish cream whoopie pies had a unique and special flavor. The pumpkin whoopie pies reminded me of fall, as pumpkin always does. But they were so wonderful that I would eat them every day of the year. The fresh strawberries in the chocolate strawberry whoopie pies made this treat stand above the rest.

You can clearly see that it would be very hard to choose a favorite. And I haven’t yet told you about the maple walnut pies, the peanut butter pies, coconut pies (I have to try these next!) and more. Find a complete list of flavors here and note that Shannon makes three different fillings and can make any flavor with gluten free flour.

You can purchase Time Out For Whoopie pies online and find them at the Blue Paddle Bistro in South Hero. Time Out for Whoopie delivers to Chittenden, Grand Isle, and Franklin Counties and can ship traditional, mint, coconut, peanut butter, and Irish cream pies.

These sweet snacks come in three sizes and would make a perfect gift and surprise.

ENTER HERE to win a six pack of Shannon’s amazing whoopie pies. We will choose TWO winners on Tuesday, May 28th. Please take a moment to LIKE Time Out For Whoopie on Facebook too.

Enjoy, I did!
~Honi

PS: Look who hijacked my photo shoot—>

May 28th 2013 – 9PM – This giveaway is now closed. Please visit our homepage to find our current giveaways and LIKE us on Facebook for real time updates.

The winner of this giveaway is Beccarae_12@, tahnthawan@. Congratulations! Check your email.

My Kid’s Kitchen

Posted on May 16, 2013 by tryvermontfirst

Denise Boutin opened My Kid’s Kitchen in 2007 with a goal of teaching her children where their food came from, and keeping them engaged in the farm to table process. In addition to their own large gardens they have a small orchard, honey bees, and a sugarhouse. The children have learned how to take raw food and turn it into many different things.

Denise writes: “The children help in harvesting the vegetables and fruit, updating traditional family recipes, finding new recipes, mixing ingredients and of course are great taste testers.”

We were happy to taste test jams from My Kid’s Kitchen. My family has discovered a love for rhubarb thanks to Denise’s Strawberry Rhubarb Jam. The jam is not overwhelmingly sweet and has a bit of an earthly and tart flavor from the rhubarb.

Everyone loves berries, right? How about a variety of three berries to make the perfect morning jam? Denise uses strawberries, blueberries and raspberries. This jam is a favorite of Denise’s kids (though she does mention that every jar of her delicious jam goes fast!) and my own kids. The jar did not last long at our house either. The sweet flavors will bring you right back to summer even in the middle of the winter. Yum!

I shared the Maple Pumpkin Butter with my sister in law as pumpkin is one of her favorite flavors. Here is her review:

“A big fan of anything pumpkin flavor, I was excited to try this Maple Pumpkin Butter. I spread it on an English Muffin, and absolutely loved it! It has such a rich, smooth, pumpkin flavor and made me think I was eating a sweet bread instead of an English Muffin. You can really taste the spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg and it really is so flavorful! I will definitely need to buy more of this!”

My Kid’s Kitchen is located in South Hero. You can find their full line of products including jams, baked goods, salad dressings, mustards and pickles on their website and at the Champlain Islands Farmer’s Market every Saturday.

ENTER HERE to win a gift from My Kid’s Kitchen.

Happy Jammin’,
Honi

My happy taste tester:

May 23rd 2013 – 9PM – This giveaway is now closed. Please visit our homepage to find our current giveaways and LIKE us on Facebook for real time updates.

The winner of this giveaway is amylbower70@. Congratulations! Check your email.

House Wolf K-9 Dog Biscuits Giveaway

Posted on May 13, 2013 by tryvermontfirst

Ken Schlegel and Ralf La Belle own Edelweiss Bakery in Johnson, VT. They have also created a business with products specifically for our K9 companions. House Wolf K-9 Dog Biscuits are not your typically dog biscuits. Each ingredient is carefully thought-out and sourced. They include oats which can be anti-inflammatory and flax seed for fiber and energy. They NEVER use wheat, corn or salt.

There are three important family members to meet next: Sasha, Dakota and Our Kayak. These wonderful dogs inspired Ken and Ralf to create House Wolf and are the reason why they take the time to make each dog biscuit by hand.

Here is more on the start up of House Wolf: “Edelweiss Bakery & Cafe we already had many of the all natural ingredients on the premises and since we were providing healthy meals to our patrons, we thought why not make their own biscuits here at the bakery as well.We were concerned about what they didn’t need in their diets so we researched a more holistic approach to their feeding. The Wolf came to mind and being our K-9 friends are not to far removed from the Wolf, we research on how they lived and ate in the wild. Our three didn’t need artificial food colorings, preservatives and starches and syrups (sweeteners) nor did they need Humectant and Plasticizer so their biscuits and treats maintained dampness and flexibility. This is where we developed a biscuit for the three of them that had a much more healthier approach.”

My golden retriever Daisy was happy to taste test the Peanut Butter and Apple snacks from House Wolf. Here is the list of ingredients: Oatmeal, Brown Rice Flour, Shredded Apple, All Natural Peanut Butter and Chicken Stock. That’s it! Daisy is always eager to get a snack and I am happy knowing that these dog biscuits are incredibly healthy. The apple and peanut butter offer a bit of sweetness while the oatmeal and brown rice will keep her belly full. The biscuits are very hard and crunchy.

Daisy has also enjoyed the Catch of the Wild snacks from House Wolf. Ingredients: Oatmeal, Organic Brown Rice Flour, Soy Bean Flour, Wild Caught Salmon, Organic Shredded Carrots, Parsley all blended with Spring Water. That all sounds pretty tasty, right? Note that I have been calling these snacks and not treats. When I think of a treat I think of something that I am probably not suppose to have very often, but these snacks are full of such great ingredients that I don’t hesitate giving them to Daisy (in moderation, of course).

I am sorry that there are no pictures of Daisy with her snacks. She is much too excited about eating her snacks to sit and have her picture taken!

House Wolf supports many organizations that aid in the rescue and well being of canines. Check out their Vermont Dog Facebook page to learn more about dogs in need of rescue, fostering or adoption.

ENTER HERE to win a gift from House Wolf! Please take a moment to LIKE their Facebook page too! Happy snacking pups!

~Honi

May 19th 2013 – 9PM – This giveaway is now closed. Please visit our homepage to find our current giveaways and LIKE us on Facebook for real time updates.

The winners of this giveaway are smt242@, Suprachick2704@, reddart@. Congratulations! Check your email.

Sapling Naturals Giveaway

Posted on May 8, 2013 by tryvermontfirst

Sapling Naturals was created by Renee Tower and Jane Barcomb. This mother/daughter team is passionate about producing high quality, luxurious products. They have a great variety of products including bar soaps, lotions, perfumes, and bug repellents.

“My mother started making soap after I failed to get her handmade soap one year for Christmas. She’s never one to do things halfway and pretty quickly learned as much as she could about soapmaking, and we haven’t looked back since. We believe that each item handcrafted with love and shared makes the world a brighter place. Our products are an affordable little luxury and they just so happen to be pretty, fun and amazing for your skin, how’s that for practical? Made with natural oils, goat’s milk and real silk our soap is a joy to use and will leave your skin super soft and moisturized.” -Renee

I sent gifts from Sapling Naturals to two friends of mine. Here are their reviews.

Euphoria lotion bar
“This is more than lotion – it’s a solid fragrance! First whiff is like a bouquet of spring flowers. Later, the scent dries down to something warmer and more sensual. Sapling naturals website lists fragrance notes jasmine, wild rose, and sandalwood. Yeah, it’s the sandalwood that I smelled after I’d had the lotion n for a while. I like the shea butter composition. Shea butter is what gets my hands through the cold months.” -Emily

Clean Cotton bar soap

“I love using local items, so it definitely falls into that category. It is pretty, and would make a cute affordable gift. Not much of a scent for those sensitive to smells. A good BAR of soap in the tub is definitely a good thing.” -Lisa

Bourbon Vanilla soap bar
“First of all, I love the way it looks: like a delicious slice of cake, frosting and all. This scent is more subtle than Euphoria, but I can still smell it when I walk into the bathroom. A nice treat for washing hands or body.” -Emily

Bourbon Vanilla is Renee’s favorite bar soap. It has a mild unisex scent with undertones of vanilla and cedarwood. Ingredients include olive oil, goat milk, coconut oil, palm oil, goats milk, and silk. The soap is intended to not only clean but to nourish your skin and leave it feeling silky and moisturized.

Sapling Naturals makes unique little felted soap creatures. Renee tells us the story behind the soap: “Here at Sapling Naturals headquarters we are also preparing for the Zombie Apocalypse. We offer many great zombie repellent products, so stock your bug out bag, secret underground bunker and, of course, your shower. You wouldn’t want to be unprepared when the outbreak starts would you? If, by some chance, the apocalypse doesn’t actually happen . . . hey, you’ll still have some amazing soap!”

My kids have really enjoyed using this soap. To them it’s not soap, it’s a toy that smells great and cleans their hands. It’s a bit like magic. They are surprised all over again every time they use it. Parents who visit my house are also amazed with this clever product. These would make great gifts or party favors.

“We believe that each item handcrafted with love and shared makes the world a brighter place. Our products are an affordable little luxury and they just so happen to be pretty, fun and amazing for your skin, how’s that for practical? Made with natural oils, goat’s milk and real silk our soap is a joy to use and will leave your skin super soft and moisturized.” -Renee

ENTER HERE to win a gift from Sapling Naturals. Be sure to LIKE them on Facebook too! Thank you for hosting this giveaway Renee and Jane… and Happy Mother’s Day to you!

Stay clean,
~Honi

May 15th 2013 – 9PM – This giveaway is now closed. Please visit our homepage to find our current giveaways and LIKE us on Facebook for real time updates.

The winners of this giveaway are jennknow1@. Congratulations! Check your email.

Mother’s Day Giveaway

Posted on May 5, 2013 by tryvermontfirst

Happy Mother’s Day!

This post is dedicated to all moms, especially my mom who mothers me even though I am grown and myself a mother.

To me every day is my “Mother’s Day”. I am blessed to have two wonderfully healthy children that keep me laughing, guessing, and surprised!

Mother’s Day is a great day to give away more great Vermont products!

The following companies will send gifts to two winners in our Mother’s Day Giveaway.

Vermont Brownie Company

Marsh Hollow Jam

Lake Island Girl on Etsy

Simply ENTER HERE to enter this giveaway. Note that LIKING these companies on Facebook and SHARING this giveaway will earn you extra entries!! Please share often!

Happy Mother’s Day! Go hug a mom!