It was New Year’s Day when we filled our garbage and recycling bins with all that had been accumulated through the Holiday season – wrapping and ribbon, bottles and remnants of food and desserts, representing an untold amount of sugar, calories, and regret. As we rolled the containers out to the curb we gave thanks for the blessings, and made firm decisions not to continue with the general merrymaking.
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Man Honey – According to their PR, Man Honey is on “a mission to elevate men’s health.” And, as we are heading into a new direction (until we don’t) for 2024 we decided to give this Dearborn, Michigan based product a run for its money. The box contains 20 single packs of Man Honey, each containing 15 grams of compounded ingredients including, Horny Goat Weed, Tribulus Terrestrial, Maca, Saw Palmetto, and raw honey, in what Man Brands LLC says is “the most advanced supplement delivery system yet”. Benefits of regular use include: Heightened Confidence, Boost in Stamina, Sweetened Sex, and Improved Mental Health. We’ve been through a half dozen of these and, while we can not speak for our partners, we can attest to a spike in every area (except confidence – but, we’ll get back to you after our box of 20 has been fully dispensed). No GMOs, No Herbicides or Pesticides, No Artificial colors, Flavors, or Preservatives.
Creekstone Bone In Ribeye – We’ve been shopping Busch’s food markets for some time. This Michigan born, family owned and operated grocer, launched in 1975, produces fresh baked goods – from its central kitchen in Clinton, Michigan – offers a variety of Michigan products and, as we’ve come to discover, has a very nice butcher and meat department. So, as we move away from gingerbread and buttercream, we’ve been enjoying the All Natural Creekstone Bone In Ribeyes, packed with protein and flavor. That’s right – cookie time is over. It’s time to shred and cut and rip. If things stay the way they’ve been since the first of the year The Metropolitan staff will be working shirtless from glamorous locales in no time.
Casa M. Spice – And, by the way, we have been using a few of the spices from Casa M. Spice that we received in a pleasant gift pack. Usually, we just use olive oil, sea salt, and black pepper. But, when we’re feeling festive we go with a little cattle rub.
Sparkling Honey Crisp – Long before it became cool for America to go alcohol free in January The Metropolitan was on it. And, this year is no different. Still, we’re happy to hear of so many moving away from that which will eventually destroy us. For many, however, it is a difficult pursuit trying to replace your favorite beverage. One of the ways we satisfy ourselves with healthy, delicious choices is by downing Vander Mill’s Sparkling Honeycrisp Apple Cider like it was Champagne. Made from 100% Michigan apples, Vander Mill Cider is clean, crisp, sweet, and sparkly. Delicious! Now found at Trader Joe’s, Vander Mill’s cider mill is located in West Michigan, with a hard cider, beer brewery open in Grand Rapids (for those who are going out of their minds the end of January).
Kar’s Sweet n Salty Mix – Ok, ok, it’s been nearly half a month and you’re trippin’ over these pangs of hunger and urge to have your sweet tooth satisfied. Plus, the Lions are in the Playoffs for the first time in your life and you’ll need a snack at some point of the game. Well, allow us to recommend Kar’s Sweet ’n Salty Mix. Detroit born in 1933, Kar’s Nuts first became a hit right outside Tiger Stadium. We received a bag from family over the holiday and have been doing our best to Snack them while watching the Detroit Football Lions. Apart from the darkest of dark chocolate, it has been our only connection to holiday confection.
Snacks Sponsored by:
The non-profit Global Seafood Alliance (GSA), alongside their Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification and label, can be found on seafood items at local and national retailers, including local Meijer stores.
The most comprehensive third-party certification program in the industry argues that the term “farmed seafood” is often met with outdated skepticism or confusion. Critics cite issues ranging from poor water conditions, to contaminated feed, to high rates of antibiotic use, and one of the GSA’s main goals is to reframe this perception that aquaculture is inherently inferior – instead, what matters is the certification label.
GSA maintains that responsible aquaculture has advanced immensely over the past 20 years, and that our audience can identify high quality “farm-to-plate” seafood that has been produced with ethical and accountable best practices, by seeking their label. Look for BAP-certified producers, like Cooke Seafood or Secret Island Salmon, or do as we have done and support your local Meijer by purchasing their Frederik’s by Meijer brand, responsibly sourced, GSA/BAP seafood. We have tried everything from Frederik’s Salmon, Ahi Tuna, Mahi Mahi, to a variety fish sticks and filets from Van Der Kamps – all part of putting fewer cookies and more fish oils in our diet (until next season).
(Featured Image | Los Muertos Crew)