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Today is the first installment of something that I hope will become a regular feature here on my blog! I’m privileged to work with some amazing advertisers, so I want to start writing a monthly post that gives my advertisers a chance to tell my readers more about themselves, their companies, and any new products they have!
The monthly advertiser spotlight posts are free for my advertisers to participate in. Other people are welcome to contact me about participating as well; the fee for this is $5 per picture/paragraph per month and I reserve all right to decline advertisement interest if the product is a) controversial, b) not something I myself support, or c) part of a pyramid marketing strategy. Because the advertisement fee is so low, contributors are expected to share the blog post with their social media friends and followers so we can all work together to build exposure for small businesses. 🙂 You can go to this page to learn more about advertising with me. Visit this page to find my contact form.
Healthy Family Foods // “Hello! We are Joel and Andrea Maendel, a young couple living in the prairies of Manitoba, Canada. Andrea is a WI/MN transplant into Canada while Joel grew up here. How we met and married is a story that could have only been penned by God! When three countries, two people, a music festival, and a coffee concession stand all collided, love sparks flew, and we have never looked back! We have two beautiful children with us and a rosebud-son in heaven. Leana is a spunky, vivacious almost-four-year-old, and Ethan is the most charming, social, and friendly 6-month old you’ll ever meet! In late 2012, I (Andrea) was introduced to ’Trim Healthy Mama’ and excitedly jumped on board. Having been exposed to many different diets and eating programs out there over the years, I was desperate for Bible-centered truth and a doable and fun way to lose the 50 pounds I had gained with my first pregnancy. Trim Healthy Mama delivered everything I had hoped for and more, and all that baby weight, plus more, fell off!! I couldn’t have been more excited! Through this process though, I found myself in a challenging situation as many of the recommended ingredients were not available in Canada! To top that all off, many of my friends were jumping on board with this eating lifestyle, and we were struggling to source the foods we needed. Because we lived close to the US border, I found it doable to start importing countless cases of the original THM books for friends, church family, and neighbours, plus some basic recommended essentials like whey protein powder, stevia, oat fibre, and peanut flour. This little home based business gradually grew over the course of two years, until, in 2014 we signed the papers and became THM’s first authorized distributors in Canada and started our website, ‘Healthy Family Foods.’ At that point, our vision had definitely exploded from not just supplying our locals with THM products and knowledge, but making it easy for any Canadian to order online and have fast and friendly, prompt shipping directly to their doorstep. Since then, this family adventure of being small business owners has been a crazy fun journey that has been stretching beyond anything we’ve done before, but so incredibly rewarding as we have been plugged into one of the sweetest and most caring communities of people I think there is! This is by far what we find ourselves the most grateful for! It has forced us outside of our comfort zone countless times, but out in that initially “uncomfortable” spot, there has been a whole group of amazing people who we would have never met otherwise! Our goal with “Healthy Family Foods” is to be a one-stop, online shop for THM mamas across Canada, and anyone else looking for natural and low-glycemic food products. We carry the entirety of THM’s line, plus dozens of other complementary products, like stevia sweetened chocolate, cultures and starters, extracts and flavourings, a huge premium-quality loose leaf tea line, on-plan snacks and candy, plus some basic pantry items like coconut flour, sugar-free jams, and low-carb bread options. We are continually researching and expanding our line of products, and are always waiting with baited breath to see what THM rolls out next. Being on this journey with them is such an honour as we know we are representing a company with the highest standards of integrity and quality found in the health food industry. Thank you THM for providing ladies across the world with a doable, fun way to live life and be healthy!” Click here to visit Healthy Family Foods’ website!
Ruth Visser, Lilla Rose consultant // Hi! I’m Ruth, Independent Consultant for Lilla Rose hair accessories. I first discovered Lilla Rose when my mom hosted a party in her home for some friends. I bought a few of the clips for my daughters and a set of bobbie pins. Over the next few months, my girls and I came to love flexi clips! We could hardly wait until the first of the month came around to see what the new ‘Flexi of the Month’ would be! After loving the products for several months and with a lot of encouragement from my husband, I decided to join Lilla Rose myself. I was a bit hesitant about this, knowing that many of my friends had already hosted Lilla Rose parties. However, the fact that there isn’t any minimum sales requirement was freeing. It would be worth my joining even if I never did anything with it other than get the discount for myself. I registered at several small, local craft/vendor events. I have done vendor events before as a crafter but ended up discouraged at the lack of interest in handmade items. I was surprised that the response to Lilla Rose was so opposite! All the ladies loved flexi clips, regardless of hair length. I sell a lot of flexis to ladies with short hair who like to wear them on their scarves. I still continue to operate my business primarily through vendor events. It is a great way to get some time out with my daughters doing something together that we enjoy. (As a homeschool mom of 8, I don’t get a whole lot of time out!) However, many ladies sell Lilla Rose primarily online or through home parties. I have had several ladies join my team and begin their own Lilla Rose journey. Now one of my favorite parts of my business is coaching other ladies. I have been so blessed by the friendships I have made as a part of it! If you would like to know more about Lilla Rose products or about joining my team, please contact me!” Click here to check out Lilla Rose’s products! If you’re interested in joining Ruth in selling Lilla Rose products, click here. To see Ruth’s website (where she blogs and sells handmade denim skirts), click here!
Vibrant Girl Magazine // “In an era when their daughters are faced with lies, counterfeits, and confusion, Vibrant Girl Magazine provides parents with a safe, fun, and Biblically-sound resource. Each colorful issue is packed with fun illustrated stories, recipes, crafts, and articles written to encourage girls ages 12-15. Hurry and subscribe before Monday, May 23rd, to receive the Summer 2016 issue. And as a thank you to Briana and her readers, get 10% off using the code May16Briana on recurring subscriptions (valid through 05/23/16).” Click here to visit the Vibrant Girl Magazine website!
Heritage Gallery Outdoor Art // Lester and Marian didn’t send me a picture and paragraph to include in this advertiser spotlight, but the picture above is one I took of one of the products they sent me. You can see more in their store here.
To all my readers: thanks so much for stopping by and checking out my wonderful advertisers! If they have something you like, please consider supporting their businesses! Think your friends would enjoy seeing what these small businesses have to offer? Share this post on Facebook using the social media share buttons right under the title of the post at the top of the page. 🙂
Aweng says
Its fun to read your post, and I love the hair clip, its so cute. Thank you for sharing
Bekah says
Love these posts! Can’t wait to try outhsome new recipes.
Teresa says
Love your ice cream!!
Rhonda says
Whoa! I was exploring the Vibrant Girl Magazine website because I was intrigued after viewing this post to enter your ice cream contest. I was shocked to see that one of the team members (Melody) is from my VERY rural hometown. Small world!
Briana Thomas says
That is so neat!
Mary says
Would love to try the ice cream recipes. Ice cream is a big weak spot I have . I can’t say no when it’s offered. So a sugar free way to make it would be a lifesaver.
Faith says
Go Canada! Thanks for highlighting our businesses!!!
Ann Bailey says
Couldnt leave a comment throughcontest link, but here is my comment ^_^. Love your posts, thx for some allergy friendly recipes! love the ice cream recipes, please keep allergy friendly recipes coming
Janice Gardner says
I’m from Canada originally and now living in Maryland. I’m glad to hear that there are THM products available for our Canadian friends as well! I would also love to hear more about how your love story began!
Jen Rinker says
So excited to learn about Vibrant Girl Magazine! What a wonderful example for my girls in a troubling world. Thank you for sharing!
Linda Lauritzen says
I wish I could get pretty Baretts to stay in my hair … they just slide out! It’s good to know there if a distributor of foods needed for THM in Canada now. I’ve heard Mama’s from Canada talk about how hard it is to find the stuff up there.
Briana Thomas says
Have you tried the Lilla Rose hair clips? They’re known for being very secure in all kinds of different hair types. If you contact Ruth, I’m sure she can give you more info on them. 🙂
nadine wallen says
great blogger !
Darlene says
Congratulations on your views on fb . I always look forward to seeing your THM recipes! You have some very delish ones , thank you !
LaVina Glick McConkey says
I like the hairs clips and glad to learn you can use them on scarves.
Lesa says
Love your recipes!!
lisa says
your recipes are amazing!
Becky says
Love the hair clips!
Tina Frey says
Love reading your posts Brianna, I’m glad I found Netrition I can’t wait to give them a try.
Thank you!
Ruth Visser says
Thanks for hosting this, Briana! 🙂