FITNESS EXERCISE Bosu, YogaHands, Hula Hoop, Rope Trainer, Powerblock, and Weight Vest

Want to workout and support American manufacturing at the same time?  These fitness items are all Made in the USA! 

BOSU Balance Trainer: Whether you are looking to tone and strengthen, improve core strength, lose weight, or simply get healthy and fit; the BOSU® Balance Trainer is easy to use, fun, and effective. Any exercise performed on the ground may be moved onto the BOSU® Balance Trainer to amplify the challenge and increase results. Use the BOSU® Balance Trainer, dome or platform side down...the options and exercise progressions are endless, and help to enhance mobility, strength, balance, and overall fitness levels. Anybody can use it, regardless of age or fitness level.  A Made in the USA logo is on the BOSU.

Expand-Your-Hand Bands to Kiss Elbow Pains Goodbye: 
Prevent, eliminate or reduce the pain associated with tennis elbow, golf elbow and related overuse and muscle imbalance injuries - authentic IronMind Expand-Your-Hand Bands are fun to use and amazingly effective. From the world leader in grip strength and hand health, this 10-pack includes two complete sets of five latex-free bands - each band is a different strength and is color coded for quick identification. Keep one set at home and one at work, ready to use. Besides their physical benefits, IronMind Expand-Your-Hand Bands are terrific stress reducers too, so keep one in your pocket or purse - instead of grinding your teeth and raising your blood pressure, do a few relaxing reps and make something good come from an otherwise unpleasant situation.



YogaHands - Hand Exerciser & Stretcher: 
Helps to Alleviate and Prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Tendonitis, Hand Pain and Arthritis
YogaHands is the natural solution for hand and wrist pain. Its patented design provides hand therapy

in just minutes. Lightweight and compact, you can bring YogaHands anywhere you go. Use them whenever you have a spare moment or as soon as you feel your hands cramping up. We developed YogaHands with the same genius design and know-how that made its companion product, YogaToes, a global success. Our hands fight a wholly different battle than our feet and we developed YogaHands around that. Yes, construction workers and builders are tough on their hands. But, the repeated hand motions of office workers and musicians can bring about as much injury and pain. In fact, according to the Department of Labor, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the cause of nearly HALF of all missed work time - across the board. Frequent, repetitive use of the hands (texting, gardening, typing, etc.) produces tension, fatigue, cramps, and swelling. Stretching and conditioning the hands releases tension in fingers, the palm and wrists.

With articulating wedges, YogaHands provide custom stretching and exercise. From athletic trainers to artists, from dentists to deejays, they all love our product. YogaHands are made in the U.S.A. of sturdy yet lightweight material. Each pair comes with a 30-Day Money Back Guarantee and a Lifetime Warranty. *Place the pointed ends of the wedges between your fingers (leaving the thumb out). *Push each of the wedges towards the palm until the desired stretch is felt. *Start with several minutes each day and work up to longer as you feel comfortable.

Weighted Hula Hoop for Exercise and Fitness - 1.5 and 2.0 lbs: 

Canyon Hoops are made in the USA and we have shipped over 70000 of our hoops worldwide. Canyon Weighted Exercise Hoops have been designed to combine the ideal size and weight to help you lose weight, trim your waist line, build stamina, and improve your overall fitness level while being easy and fun to use. The larger size and weight make these hoops easy to initiate and maintain the hooping rotation. but are not so heavy that they cause bruising or are harmful. One piece construction, no frustration or broken nails putting 6 to eight hoop pieces together only to fall apart or pinch during use. No amount of normal use will cause the hoop to kink, crack, bend, or crush. To get an idea of the size of the hoop, use a tape measure and measure from the floor up 38 or 42 inches. As a general rule your hoop should fit from your belly button to the middle of your chest. Want this same great hoop as a collapsible hoop visit



WOSS ROPE Trainer: Most versatile ROPE Trainer on the market, 

The Rope and Webbing are USA made products of the highest quality. This trainer works a little like TRX® suspension cables. No Cam buckles sliding over your arms! This system is fully adjustable through the handles on the rope. No shiny boxes here. No DVDs to collect dust.

This Trainer is perfect for the action-outdoor type (can easily be used indoors as well). No Cam Buckle to jam should you drop the Trainer in the mud or the sand on a beach. This WOSS ROPE Trainer System comes with 17ft of Rope and a separate Door Anchor. 

This fully adjustable Trainer has two workout Handles with built-in 1-1/2" wide Foot Loops, and a separate Door Anchor. Use it indoors or outdoors, at home or on the road.  Thanks to the ingenious (and simple) Prusik knot, length adjustments are as simple as sliding the knot up and down the rope. Once one loads the knot (perform an exercise) the knot locks onto the Rope without slipping.
No cam buckles sliding over your arms! To attach the Handles simply loop them around the rope twice as shown in the illustration and the accompanying instructions - attached in seconds!

WOSS Trainer ELITE Suspension Trainer: The four main components, top-adjustable center strap, split anywhere-anchor, length-adjustable door anchor and double-loop strap make this WOSS ELITE 1-Inch suspension trainer a platinum suspension trainer using US military webbing of the highest quality–made in USA. Having the cam buckles at the top of the trainer allows the user to easily set up the trainer's length by just looking at the handles while lengthening/shortening the straps. No need to raise the handles to adjust the trainer by the cam buckles and guess the height. This frees up the lower part of the cam buckles which results in no rubbing over ones arm. Using cords to attach the handles rotates the center strap 90 degree and lays the strap flat over one's upper arms when doing push-ups and not on its knife edge as with that of competition. 

The anchors that come standard with the ELITE allow this trainer to be practically attached anywhere. Anchors included: One 8-Feet split anywhere-anchor cam buckle strap, a 2-Feet double-loop strap and our length-adjustable padded 2.5-Feet door anchor–the only of it's kind on the market. All utilize D-rings for easy attachment-doors, branches, rafters, bars (at the gym), even smooth posts in the park are no problem for this system. Having a strap (Equalizing loop) between the cam buckles allows for an equalization of the height of the handles if they are not adjusted evenly. No shiny boxes here. No DVDs to collect dust. Just what you need-First Class Equipment-Made in USA.

PowerBlock Dumbell Sets: Powerblock is an innovative dumbell solution manufactured in America. These modern weightlifting tools allow you to fit a wide variety of weights into one dumbell. This is the only dumbbell system that can expand to meet your strength needs, PowerBlock dumbbells are the most versatile and effective exercise tool ever developed for strength training. PowerBlocks work intuitively. Rather than requiring you to buy a room full of dumbbells, PowerBlocks act just like a weight stack at the gym, with a weight handle that fits inside the first

weight, which fits inside the second, which fits inside the third, etc. When you want to change weights, you simply move the weight selector pin into the appropriate slot and you're set. As you lift the core, all the weights above the selector pin are lifted at the same time, turning your dumbbell from one weight to another. Not only is the system remarkably easy to use, but it's also cost- and space-efficient, as a single pair of dumbbells can do the work of dozens.



Weight Vest: 

An extremely high quality line of weight vests.  If you need a weight vest for Crossfit®, or training for football, basketball, soccer or running, V-Force, V-Max, and BOX weight vests have a solution custom-made just for you. You can be 100% certain your weight vest will last a lifetime, that's why they give you a true Lifetime Warranty.

Plus, you never have to worry about fit or function. There is a 30-Day money-back guarantee from the manufacturer!  If you want to support American workers these weight vests are made in Idaho, USA and are designed and constructed with over 25 years of experience. You want a weight vest that will last, one that is not moldy or dusty or has insect nests inside like imported vests. Weightvest.com uses only the best materials available so your vest is secure and durable for a lifetime of use.

Golf Balls Made in America for 2014 Bridgestone, Callaway, Titleist

Callaway, Bridgestone, and Titleist are the brands to look for in 2014 if you want to play a golf ball made in America.

Manufactured in America:

• Bridgestone Balls 13 models: B Series, e Series, & Lady Precept
• Callaway Balls (some Supersoft made overseas)
• Many Titleist balls (some are Chinese and Thailand)
• Taylormade assembles some balls made of foreign parts in America.  

Titleist let us down for the first time in 2014 when boxes of Titleist balls hit the market with "Made in China" and "Made in Thailand" on them. Until this year every Titleist ball ever made was the result of US manufacturing. Bridgestone currently makes most of their balls in America, including all of their high end golf balls.  Both companies are headquar tered in Asia.  Titleist is now owned by Fila of South Korea and Bridgestone is headquartered in Japan.  Both companies are publicly owned.  

Callaway was founded and headquartered in the United States.  They are a publicly traded company and are producing all of their balls in the USA with the exception of a portion of their Supersoft ball. 

Bridgestone Golf 

In 2014 Bridgestone started an ad campaign promoting their increase in American production.  A commercial with David Feherty shows off the Covington, Georgia facility.  Bridgestone has produced balls in Georgia under the Precept and Bridgestone brands since the 1990s.

As of 2014, expansion at the plant in Georgia is complete.  This has allowed Bridgestone to move production of all of their premium models (13 models: B Series, e Series, & Lady Precept).  Prior generation models or product made prior to this transition might be foreign made.  Check the side of the box to ensure you're purchasing American!

The increase in production at the Covington plant comes as they celebrate an important milestone. In 2013, Bridgestone Golf completed manufacturing of the company’s 50 millionth dozen of golf balls. Since 1990, when Bridgestone began production of its golf balls in the United States under the Precept brand name, the company has produced more than 600 million golf balls at its Covington facility. If one were to line up 600 million golf balls side-by-side, the line of balls would cover 15,782 miles, stretching from Covington, Georgia to Tokyo, Japan and back.

Bridgestone has tried to carve out a niche in the ball fitting category however the process is rather easy.  Their best balls are the B series balls, and if you can't afford them, try the e series.

BUY BRIDGESTONE BALLS AT AMAZON

CALLAWAY GOLF BALLS

Callaway has brought much of their foreign production back to America this year after cutting 200 American manufacturing jobs in 2010.  They have sold their Chicopee, Massachusetts factory to a real estate management company but continue to rent from that company.  Callaway has plans to maintain the 150+ manufacturing jobs in Chicopee for at least the next 5 years.  This year Callaway has their largest American product line yet.  

The new Speed Regime golf ball is great, but I'm biased as I think that about everything that's American made.  It's super easy to choose which Speed Regime ball is right for you.

Speed Regime 1: Driver clubhead speed below 90. (drives less than 240 yards)

Speed Regime 2: Driver clubhead speed 90-105 (drives 240-280)

Speed Regime 3: Driver clubhead speed over 105 (drives past 280)

The new Supersoft ball is an awesome, softer feeling ball.  It's for anyone of any speed, even though it's only a 38 compression.  It is highly recommended for seniors, ladies, and juniors.

Buy Titleist balls 

on Amazon

Please read the side of the box to ensure you are buying made in the USA. Titleist balls sold in America are now manufactured at 3 Massachussets ball plants: Fairhaven, North Darthmouth, and New Bedford.  Additionally they are made in Thailand and China.

Taylor Made Penta TP5 Cover and assembly in US
The 2013 version of Penta is "Lethal"

Taylor Made produces some of their lineup in America.  But they don't have any balls that are completely American made. It's important that you read the box carefully to determine if you are supporting American manufacturing and keeping more tax dollars and spending in the states!

As you can see in the above picture the Taylormade Penta TP5 has a urethane cover made in America and the ball is assembled in America.  4 of the 5 layers of the ball are made in South Korea.

There are websites claiming to be selling other brands of golf balls made in the USA. I have heavily researched every box, site, and golf product in the industry and find no reason to believe they are other balls being manufactured in the USA.

Check out our article about golf clubs made in America.

INVIS-A-RACK Truck Rack from Shark Tank

Invis-A- Rack was featured on Shark Tank a few years ago and it's owner/inventor Donny McCall walked out without a deal.  He could've had a deal however he stuck to one basic principle: Manufacture in America.  Invis-A-Rack is a patented truck cargo system that adds storage racks to a pickup truck with a transformer like method.

It was proposed in the Shark Tank by Kevin O'Leary that if Donny moved manufacturing overseas he would earn more and need to hire more people in America on the sales and marketing end.  Apple was used as an example of a company that makes product overseas to support a very large American staff.

Donny, a principled bible believing man stuck rested on his laurels.  He refused the Chinese production suggested by the sharks.  When the show aired, he sold through his inventory.  To help keep inventory levels in the correct territory
Invis-A-Rack is now manufactured by DeeZee.  It is of course, Made in the USA!

Thanks Donny for your dedication to American manufacturing.

Deep River Snacks are Made in America

Deep River Snacks are more than just a bag of chips.  Their snacks are all natural with tons of flavor. The entire Deep River Snack line is made from all natural ingredients, there are no dyes, no preservatives, no trans-fat, but still have amazing flavor.

Deep River is committed to only making snacks that are "certified" gluten-free. They recently went through the certification process to ensure that their snacks meet the government standards of being gluten free. Not only did they meet, but instead exceeded the standards and all of their products are 10 parts per million. This means that even people with very sensitive gluten intolerance can enjoy Deep River Snacks.

Deep River believes in keeping the American economy growing and that's why they make sure that everything they purchase is "Made in the USA". They've avoided the opportunity to save thousands of dollars by purchasing snack racks overseas. Everything from ingredients & packaging to the t-shirts that they give away are always Made in the USA.

h/t

Putting Green, NCAA Golf Towels, and Practice Golf Mats made in USA!

Visit your local Golfsmith store or purchase from their website and you can grab some awesome golf items Made in America.  Looking for an American Putting Matt with ball return?  How about a golf towel or a practice mat?


SKLZ Accelerator Pro Ball Return Putting Mat (Made in USA)
The SKLZ Accelerator Pro 9' X 1' Ball Return Putting Mat lets you practice three key putting lengths with perfect strokes on a high-quality, true-roll, putting surface. The back and through-stroke alignment guides ensure perfect acceleration and distance control while maintaining a square face to the target.

Team Effort Towels  (Made in USA)
Team Effort Golf towels allow you to support your favorite professional or NCAA team while supporting the American economy as they're made in America!

Hank Haney Practice Mats
Plan to practice that golf swing from home?  Use a Hank Haney practice mat to get one that is Made in the US.

Golf Balls Made in the USA - Titleist & Bridgestone

2013 Titleist All American

For the 2014 season look to Callaway, Bridgestone, and Titleist to get golf balls made in the USA.  

• All Callaway balls except some Supersoft
• All Bridgestone Balls over $30
• Many Titleist balls (check box)
• Taylormade assembles some balls with foreign parts in America.  

For the first time in it's storied history Titleist has started producing a large portion of their balls overseas, Thailand to be exact.  This move comes a few years after Titleist was purchased by Fila of South Korea.

Bridgestone has a commitment to produce balls at it's plant in Covington, Georgia. Bridgestone is headquartered in Japan.  Both companies are publicly owned.  

Buy Titleist balls 

on Amazon

Please read the side of the box to ensure you are buying American. Titleist balls sold in America are mostly manufactured at their 3 Massachusetts ball plants in Fairhaven, North Darthmouth, and New Bedford.

Bridgestone Golf 

B330-RX made in USA and Japan

In April 2012 Bridgestone Golf announced that it would increase its golf ball production at its Covington, Georgia facility by 40% in 2012. As part of the plan for increased United States-based production, Bridgestone Golf will manufacture its popular TOUR B330-RX family of Urethane-covered golf balls in Georgia, beginning in June 2012. The production increase will necessitate the hiring of 20 additional full-time workers at the facility, 40 miles east of Atlanta.

At left: two boxes of the same ball, one of which was "Made in USA" the other of which was "Made in Japan." 2013

More made in USA/Japan confusion.

In 2014 Bridgestone started an ad campaign promoting their increase in American production.  A commercial with David Feherty shows off the Covington, Georgia facility.  Bridgestone has produced balls in Georgia under the Precept and Bridgestone brands since the 1990s.

As of 2014, expansion at the plant in Georgia is complete.  This has allowed Bridgestone to move production of all of their premium models (13 models: B Series, e Series, & Lady Precept) to the states for 2014.  Prior generation models or product made prior to this transition might be foreign made.  Check the side of the box to ensure you're purchasing American!


The increase in production at the Covington plant comes as they celebrate an important milestone. In 2013, Bridgestone Golf completed manufacturing of the company’s 50 millionth dozen of golf balls. Since 1990, when Bridgestone began production of its golf balls in the United States under the Precept brand name, the company has produced more than 600 million golf balls at its Covington facility. If one were to line up 600 million golf balls side-by-side, the line of balls would cover 15,782 miles, stretching from Covington, Georgia to Tokyo, Japan and back.

BUY BRIDGESTONE BALLS AT AMAZON

Taylor Made Penta TP5 Cover and assembly in US
The 2013 version of Penta is "Lethal"

Callaway and Taylor Made both produce some of their lineup in America.  Again it's important that you read the box carefully to determine if you are supporting American manufacturing and keeping more tax dollars and spending in the states! 

As you can see in these pictures we have the Taylormade Penta TP5 which has a urethane cover made in America and the ball is assembled in America.  4 of the 5 layers of the ball are made in South Korea.

Also pictured are two Hex balls from the 2013 Callaway lineup.  The Hex Chrome ball is a pure American ball, a good ball for all skill levels as well. As stated on the box The Hex Black Tour is "assembled in the USA from US and/or Chinese components."

That's it!  It's as simple as that for 2013 if you want to buy American, it's Titleist, some Bridgestone, and the Hex Chrome ball from Callaway as well.

There are websites claiming to be selling other brands of golf balls made in the USA. I have heavily researched every box, site, and golf product in the industry and find no reason to believe the following balls are manufactured in the USA:
Nike Power Distance, Callaway Hex Solaire, Callaway Hex Hot Pro, Nike 20XI, Nike Vapor Black.

Check out our article about golf clubs made in America.

See our article about golf balls made in America in 2013.

Walmart adds Veterans jobs and Made in America products (not)

Yesterday I wrote a post accusing Wal-Mart of being anti-American.  As America's largest retailer and employer we must insist that they act socially responsible.  Yesterday we learned that Wal-Mart has created a PR stunt designed to make consientious consumers like myself happy.  Wal-Mart claims that they are willing to hire 100,000 veterans over the next five years within 12 months of the service person being honorably discharged.  They also claim they will increase the dollar amount of American-made products they purchase by $50 billion over the next ten years.  Don't get excited, these aren't changes.  In fact, Americans should be insulted.  I stand by what I said that Walmart is anti-American.

Allow me to explain why the Walmart initiatives aren't worth applauding.  The following quotes and data come from an article by Christopher Matthews in Time. 

Walmart employs 1.3 millions sales associates in the U.S., and because of their horrible pay and treatment of employees they have an astonishingly high turnover rate of 37%.  Therefore Walmart needs to hire 480,000 people per year to replace the outgoing workers.  They are boasting that they will hire 100,000 veterans over 5 years, or 20,000 workers per year, this represents 4.16% of their inbound workforce.  But veterans make up a much larger portion of the population than 4%.  In fact the civilian veteran workforce is over double that number at 9% of the working population.  If Walmart wants to impact the unemployment problem amongst veterans they would need to hire a larger percentage of veterans than 9% of new hires, they're not.  Even if we give Walmart the benefit of the doubt, let's pretend for a moment that Walmart is a good place to work (far fetched I know but work with me), and we assume that all of the veterans who are hired stay at the company, they will still make up only 7% of the associates.  Shame on Walmart for releasing this as if they were helping, they're actually acting socially irresponsible again, but this time they're preying on people who pride themselves on being patriotic.  Walmart is not patriotic, Walmart is anti-American.

Walmart also claimed they will buy $5 billion more in American products per year over the next 10 years.  They want us to believe they are doing Americans a favor when they mention that they already spend 66% of their money on products made stateside.  However, a huge portion of Walmart's business is grocery and if you ever notice, it is very easy to find American produced products in the grocery store.  It is not as easy to find American made products in a clothing store.  Walk the aisles of apparel, sneakers, slippers, electronics, sporting goods, housewares and note that those products made in America represent far below the 66% number Walmart is boasting.  Last year grocery and consumables (the almost all American department) comprised 55% of Walmarts net sales.  

"According to Walmart’s 2012 annual report, the firm increased its cost of sales (an accounting term that basically tells you what it pays its suppliers for products) by more than $21 billion from 2011 to 2012. This figure is more or less in line with annual increases in Walmart’s recent history. In other words, in a typical year of late, Walmart buys $21 billion more products than it did the previous year. Walmart doesn’t break out what percentage of these incremental costs are attributed to Walmart U.S., Walmart International, or Sam’s Club, but if we assume that the proportions mirror those of the firm’s operating profits, that would mean Walmart U.S. spends about $15 billion more each year on products than it did the year before.

So by promising to buy $5 billion more each year in U.S. sourced products, Walmart is promising to spend one-third of its annual new spending on U.S.-sourced products. Not bad, right? But Simon claimed in his speech yesterday that “items that are made here, sourced here, or grown here account for about two-thirds of what we spend to buy products at Walmart U.S.” If this is true, then shouldn’t Walmart promise — at the very least — to maintain that two-thirds proportion in its new spending?" - Time
 

Don't believe the hype, it's only hype.  Walmart isn't doing us any favors.  They are still a driving force behind outsourcing, the income disparity between rich/poor, dwindling benefits, the increase of part time workers over full time workers, and the destruction of the American small business.

“No other company has played as pivotal a role as Walmart has in the demise of U.S. manufacturing over the last 30 years,” senior researcher Stacy Mitchell said in a statement. “Its relentless insistence that suppliers provide ever lower prices has forced countless companies to shift production overseas, eliminating jobs and undermining America’s industrial capacity.” - ABC News

Americans should want better out of our largest employers, we are turning into a nation of have nots, and we are doing it to ourselves. 

Made in America Movement Growing

Since 1979, 19.6 million manufacturing jobs have been lost to outsourcing. The amount of Americans now living below the poverty line is the highest in over 40 years. About 16% of Americans are impoverished, or about 47 million people.  As the number of people who rely on government assistance grows, and those people fall into the lowest tax bracket, the middle class and wealthy are relied on more heavily to help cover the large debt that America has accumulated.  The American landscape is much different today than before outsourcing.  Small business has disappeared and been replaced by mega-corporations that often have one business principle and one alone: massive profits.  And if poorly compensating employees and finding ways to avoid providing benefits helps add to the bottom line, then you can bet that big business is doing it.  The wealthy stock holders are getting wealthier, the poor employees are getting poorer.  In the last 5 years America has lost 6.9 million full time jobs while part time jobs increased by 3.1 million.

Companies like Wal-Mart have become an extreme detriment to American society.  Forget for a minute that they've made profiting at a small business nearly impossible, Wal-Mart is America's largest employer and it's least patriotic.  By the numbers it is clear that Wal-Mart leadership is Anti-American.  The average Wal-Mart employee is so poorly compensated that they require about $2,000 in government assistance for healthcare, foodstamps, and susbsidized housing.  They have a higher percentage of people on government assistance than any other American company.  Clearly Wal-Mart illustrates a total lack of social responsibility.

Not only does the Wal-Mart CEO make more in an hour than his average employee makes in a year, but try finding American products in a Wal-Mart.  I can not name a business that has contributed to sending American manufacturing jobs overseas more than the "high cost of low prices" business model advocated by the anti-American Wal-Mart Corporation.  Even the American flags at Wal-Mart are made in China. 

While companies like Wal-Mart destroy your way of life, Americans have been searching for answers.  A movement is gaining steam, one that is not unknown but has been forgotten for quite a few years.  The "Made in America movement" is slowly forcing business to rethink how it makes it's profit.  Albeit slowly, people all around this beautiful country realize that their collective purchasing power is strong, and we can make an impact simply by diverting some of our purchases of foreign products to American products.  Why buy Chinese clothing when we can buy American clothing?  Why buy foreign import beer when craft breweries here at home will pay taxes here at home?  Why buy foreign TV's when Element Electronics makes TV's here in the United States?  The list goes on and on.

At a time when the American economy needs a boost more than ever before, many incredible American citizens are spending more money on made in America products.  This movement is growing!  Alex Smith and Aaron Lorell are part of the movement.  They are currently on a cross country journey in a firetruck to advertise the need to buy American.  They call it the "Made in America" tour.  AS they travel the country they are advocating for business to make it easier for us to buy American by creating "Patriot Zones" or aisles that sell nothing but products that are made in America. 

I don't think any of us expect the anti-American Wal-Mart to add a "Patriot Zone" but maybe you can play a role in encouraging small businesses near you to help segregate the items made in America.  Tell your local business owners that you want them to purchase more products made in America.  Sign my petition to ask Amazon to make a "Made in USA" search option.

Save the American economy, buy American!

Amazon needs to add a search option for "Made in America"

Amazon.com is America's largest online retailer, but they don't make it easy for you to buy American.  I think they should.  If you agree, please sign these petitions and spread the word.

 

AMERICAN PATRIOTS SIGN THESE 2 PETITIONS:

 

PETITION AMAZON TO ADD MADE IN USA SEARCH

 

PETITION OBAMA TO GET INVOLVED

Made in USA stuff is sponsoring the first petition, every signature sends an email to the CEO and VP of Amazon. The Made in America store is sponsoring the petition to get Obama involved.

There is a growing number of Americans willing to help solve our economic woes by purchasing American made goods.  It would be easy enough for Amazon to add a search option for "Made in America" and allow retailers to mark their items as such.  If they don't want to alienate international business they could offer a search option for other "made in X" as well.

Adding the "Made in America" designation is not just patriotic, it's a smart business decision.  Chinese consumers have recently shown they are willing to pay a premium for products made in America.  Much of the world likely feels the same way.  And if the old rumor that American made goods are more expensive, this is a chance for Amazon to generate more revenue, since people are willing to spend more for the USA label.  I don't believe the rumor is true, in fact I posted an example last week of kitchen spoons, that you save a ton of money buying American.

Do your part, sign and spread the link to this page so others can easily find both of these important petitions.

THE LINK TO THIS PAGE: http://madeinusastuff.blogspot.com/2013/01/petitions.html

REDDIT LINK TO THIS PAGE: http://www.reddit.com/user/PhiladelphiaPatriot/saved

Manufacturing in China keeps American companies afloat

In an article by Michael Ruhlman about the "Made in America" segments that ran throughout the month of December on ABC News arguments are made that Chinese manufacturing is vital to American companies.  The article posits that the cooking tool company in which the author is proud to be part of, relies on inexpensive Chinese manufacturing to stay afloat.  He argues the business is positive for America because it uses American shipping materials and shipping from UPS.  They also pay a lawyer and accountant, and reinvest all their profit.

There are certainly arguments for Chinese manufacturing but we should also keep in mind the arguments for American manufacturing.  The biggest reason to restore American manufacturing is that it creates American jobs.  It's that simple.

Could you imagine the economic impact of the cooking tool company in which it seems Ruhlman and his partner have no employees?  That company might as well be Rada Cutlery producing their cutlery in the USA.

There are some situations in which I am compelled, dare I say forced to buy foreign made products.  Take my Samsung Galaxy or Apple Ipod, I have no American manufactured option.  But instead of buying Michael Ruhlman serving spoons, this one for $33 and this one for $29 I would choose to buy a $14 package of spoons from Rada Cutlery that includes both styles.  Why now would I buy 2 spoons that are made in China for $62 when I could buy better ones made in America for $14? 

It pays to be a smart consumer... pays America.  I'm happy to be a customer.

Jelly Belly Jelly Beans Made in America

I have been eating jelly beans as long as I can remember. Jelly Belly Jelly Beans are the #1 gourmet jelly bean in the world! And guess what? They are made in America! Based in Fairfield, Ca, Jelly Belly was the first company to make jelly beans with all naturals flavors. They have half the sugar than other jelly beans, and are made with real fruit juice. You can purchase the entire line up of Jelly Belly products from Amazon.

The demand for non-chocolate treats became popular by patriotic Americans after a chocolate shortage during World War 2. In 1960, fourth generation candy maker Herman Goelitz Rowland took over his family’s Oakland California’s candy corn business and expanded it with gummi bears and jelly beans. In 1976, the first eight flavors of Jelly bellys were born.

These delicious treats soon caught the attention of president Reagan and jelly belly jelly beans became a staple in the oval office. They were the first jelly beans in space, given as a surprise to the crew of the Challenger space shuttle in 1983.

They offer a wide variety of flavors including blueberry, buttered popcorn, and strawberry cheesecake. Jelly Belly’s are fat free, gluten free, and kosher. Jelly Belly makes sugar free jelly beans, and sport jelly beans that contain electrolytes and vitamins for athletes. This company does not let any of their product go to waste. The jelly beans that don’t meet quality standards are repackaged and sold as Belly Flops. Jelly Belly also makes Chocolate Dips, which are jelly beans covered in chocolate. Jelly Belly hires union workers and has over 700 employees. Jelly Belly and The Made in America Store teamed up to bring consumers the world’s most famous jelly bean.

We will have an article soon about Russell Stover candies also made in America.

Crayola Crayons are Made in America

Who hasn't used a Crayola Crayon? Crayola's wax crayons are a part of American culture, and every child's art during their pre-school and elementary years. Crayola initially started as Binney and Smith and in the early 1900s they really got in the swing of manufacturing wax crayons.  The first Crayola crayon was made in 1903.  Before that point Binney & Smith was known for pigments and carbon black pencils. Crayola products are a great gift to give to children around the time of the holidays and as a birthday present. The items available from Crayola are also great back to school gifts that every kid will love.  Today, Crayola estimates that 99% of Americans are familiar with the Crayola name.

Headquartered in Northampton County, Pennsylvania with manufacturing in Bethlehem, PA as well Crayola employs over 1,000 people.  While they do have production in Mexico and International sales offices, they are now owned by American mega-corp Hallmark.  Hallmark is based out of Kansas City and generates over 4 billion dollars a year in revenue which in turn sends a nice chunk to the American government in tax dollars.  Between the cards and the crayons, this is one American company that warrants our purchasing power, and no doubt at some point in your life you already have.

By 1998 they had 120 colors available to consumers.

Crayola also produces silly putty, modeling clay, Liquitex products and many other products that are focused around allowing children to have fun with art.

Microbrews made in the USA and guide to American beers

I love good beer!  Great beers are made all around the world.  Certain styles of beer from Germany, Belgium, Ireland are world renowned for being the original of it's class.  Whether it's an English ale, Guinness, Belgian Dubbel, Hacker-Pschoor, Heineken, or another great imported beer you can bet there is a craft brewery in America making a comparable beer. Sure the imports taste great, and maybe they originated the style, but decrease your carbon footprint and keep your money at home!

Here in Philadelphia I've found some great microbreweries near me, and no matter where you are in the US you can find a great craft brewer producing excellent beer near you.  My favorite breweries within 100 miles of Philadelphia are Dogfish Head, Flying Fish, Yards, Philadelphia Brewing Company, Weyerbacher, and Flying Dog.  These breweries combine to employ hundreds of Americans, and with the millions of dollars in sales, they also generate a nice chunk of tax revenue for the American government.  Of course, you'll have your own favorites based on where you live, and maybe my local beers don't reach you.  Please seek out the American Microbrewed beers that are made in your area.  By reducing the transportation distance of your beer you'll be helping the environment while helping to employ Americans!

Challenge yourself to find craft beers that include all American hops and grains as well! Common American hops include Cascade, Citra, Centennial, Chinook, Nugget, Columbus, Tomahawk, Zeus, Simcoe, Crystal, Willamette, and Warrior.  Drink your beer out of an American made Pint Glass!

Below is a list of some great import beers and a similar American microbrew you should purchase instead.  If you click the import beer name you will be directed to a list on Beer Advocate of the best beers in that class in order, make sure you choose American!

Guiness Irish Dry Stout made in the USA substitutions:

1. Cadillac Mountain Stout, Bay Harbor Brewing, Maine
2. Great Lakes Wolfhound Stout, Great Lakes Brewing Company, Ohio
3. Black Sun Stout, Three Floyds Brewing, Indiana

Belgian Tripel made in the USA substitutions:
1. Damnation Batch 23, Russian River Brewing, California
2. Allagash Tripel Ale, Allagash Brewing, Maine
3. The Tide And It's Takers, Anchorage Brewing, Alaska
4. Sawyer's Triple, Stone Brewing, California

Bass or Boddingtons English Ale made in the USA substitutions:
1. Scallywag Extra Pale Ale, Skull Coast Brewing, South Carolina
2. Ipswich Original Pale Ale, Ipswich Ale Brewery, Massachusetts
3. Urban Wilderness Pale Ale, Sleeping Lade Brewing, Alaska
4. Axes of Evil, Gigantic Brewing, Oregon
5. 5 Parrel Pale Ale, Odell Brewing, Colorado

Franziskaner or Ayinger Hefeweizen made in the USA substitutions:
(many of these beers are rated higher than the German beers!)
1. Live Oak Hefweizen, Live Oak, Texas
2. Dancing Man Wheat, New Glarus Brewing, Wisconsin
3. Dry Dock Hefeweizen, Dry Dock Brewing, Colorado
4. Drunk Monk Hefeweizen, Three Floyds Brewing, Indiana
5. Sierra Nevada Kellerweis, Sierra Nevade, California

India Pale Ale made in the USA substitutions:
1. Blackheart, Three Floyds Brewing, Indiana
2. 1800 Old English IPA, Minneapolis Town Hall, Minnesota
3. At Her Majesty's Pleasure, Pipeworks Brewing, Illinois
4. Great Lakes Commodore Perry IPA, Great Lakes Brewing, Ohio

Amstel Light made in the USA substitutions:
Try Sam Adams Light, Sankaty Light, Zion Canyon Jamaican Style Lager, Yuengling light.

Did you know? While very well known "American" breweries like Miller, Coors, and Bud are produced in the USA it is important to note that they are now all owned by foreign companies.  Coors is Canadian, Miller is UK owned, Anheuser-Busch is Belgian.  Drinking these beers helps keeps Americans manufacturing beer, but some of the tax revenue leaves America.

The following is a list of the largest microbreweries (also support the small ones!) in America from Sloshspot.

1. Boston Brewing Company, Boston MA
2. Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Chico CA
3. New Belgium Brewing Company, Fort Collins CO
4. Spoetzl Brewery, Shiner TX
5. Pyramid Brewries, Inc., Seattle, WA
6. Matt Brewing Company, Utica NY
7. Deschutes Brewing Company, Bend OR
8. Boulevard Brewing Company, Kansas City MO
9. Full Sail Brewing Company, Hood River OR
10. Harpoon Brewery, Boston MA
11. Alaskan Brewing and Bottling Company, Juneau AL
12. Magic Hat Brewing Company and Performing Arts Center, South Burlington VT
13. Anchor Brewing Company, San Fransisco CA
14. Bell's Brewery, Inc., Kalamazoo MI
15. Shipyard Brewing Company, Portland ME
16. Summit Brewing Company, St. Paul MN
17. Abita Brewing Company, Abita Springs LA
18. Gordon Biersch Brewing Company, San Jose CA
19. Brooklyn Brewery, Brooklyn NY
20. Stone Brewing Company, Escondido CA
21. Rogue Ales, Newport OR
22. Long Trail Brewing Company, Bridgewater Corners VT
23. New Glarus Brewing Company, New Glarus WI
24. Kona Brewing Company, Kahlua-Kona HI
25. Dogfish Head Brewing Company, Milton DE
26. Firestone Walker Brewing Company, Paso Robles CA
27. Great Lakes Brewing Company, Cleveland OH
28. The Lagunitas Brewing Company, Petaluma CA
29. Flying Dog Brewery, Denver CO
30. Sweetwater Brewery, Atlanta GA
31. Bridgeport Brewing Company, Portland OR
32. Rock Bottom Brewery, Louisville CO
33. Odell Brewing Company, Fort Collins CO
34. BJ's Restaurant and Brewery, Huntington Beach CA
35. Victory Brewing Company, Downington PA
36. Mac and Jack's Brewery, Redmond WA
37. Lost Coast Brewery and Cafe, Eureka CA
38. Big Sky Brewing Company, Missoula MT
39. Pete's Brewing Company, San Antonio TX
40. Otter Creek Brewing Company, Middlebury VT
41. Karl Strauss Brewing Company, San Diego CA
42. Breckenridge Brewing Company, Denver CO
43. Gordon Biersch Brewery, Chattanooga TN
44. Anderson Valley Brewing Company, Boonville CA
45. Boulder Beer Company, Boulder CO
46. North Coast Brewing Company, Fort Bragg CA
47. McMenamins, Portland OR
48. Utah Brewer's Cooperative, Salt Lake City UT
49. Capital Brewing Company, Middleton WI
50. Blue Point Brewing Company, Patchogue NY

Top 50 Craft Brewers in America Map (full size)

Buy American Candles - Our Own Candle Company

There are many American candle companies to choose from, but today I want to feature Our Own Candle Company. This great American candle is produced in New York where they also have two retail stores. Their candles are made with lead free wicks, burn cleanly, and have no wax hangups. Their flavors are all named creatively and have tons of scent. For example a Smell My Nuts candle, Hot Apple Pie, Lemon Pound Cake, Buttercream, Orange Creamsicle, Snickerdoodle, and Fried Ice Cream.

To purchase their candles use the links I've provided to Amazon or visit a retailer that sells their candles. Our Own Candle Company makes candles that burn for 30-100 hours. The 30 hour candles are available in packs of 4 with a total of 120 hour burn time. All of these candles are proudly made in the United States of America.

For a detailed description of the scents offered by Our Own Candle Company please see Candlefind.

Pet Furniture Made in the USA

Ware Manufacturing manufactures a variety of pet products in America to enhance the life of your reptiles, amphibians, dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens, and more. Their corporate office is located in Phoenix, Arizona and "made in the USA" manufacturing occurs in Surgoinsville, Tennessee.

The extensive line of pet products made by Ware in the USA can be purchased on Amazon.com.  American Made pet products from Ware have also been spotted at Petsmart.  Research closely, you may find some Ware products are not made in America and are instead made in China. 

Wayfair can help segregate items for your pets that are made in the USA.  If you are viewing a specific item type you can narrow your search by products made in America, in this search you'll find cat trees that are made in America. 

The best deal on a big 71'' cat tree made in America is the $133 Cat Playstation from "New Cat Condos"

Other manufacturers making cat trees in America as seen on Wayfair include:

• Bowsers
• New Cat Condos
• Penn Plax
• Animal Stuff
• Posh Kitty Condos
• Molly and Friends
• Square Cat Habitat
• ABC Pet

If you are looking for an  American made Dog House try Our Pets Tuff-N-Rugged Dog House which was the winner of the Consumer Digest Best Buy Award.  Or for only $125 you can purchase the smaller Our Pets Cozy Cottage Dog House also made in the USA!

Want to treat your dog and your eyes to the most beautiful Dog crate you will ever see made in America with American wood?  Try a Dynamic Accents Pet Crate made in the USA!  Or maybe you're looking for a cost effective American made dog crate, look no further than Midwest Life Stages Dog Crate.