Salt Lake City-based ReadyWise offers a large selection of survival, out door, and everyday food products. They sent me a large box of samples to test out for review, showcasing the breadth. of foods they have for purchase. It’s Fall and a great time to camp or just generally get outside. Less bugs, cooler, leaves changing color, so many benefits to getting out this time of year. Readywise’s meals come in a wide variety of flavors and dietary restrictions, so you’re likely to find something that works for you. If you’re allergic, many Readywise foods contain milk, soy, and whe ..read more

Living in a smallish condo now (not tiny, but when 4 kids are staying over space is at a premium), items like folding bikes become quite interesting. An offer from ZiZZO to provide a review sample came just in time. ZiZZO bikes come in a box with everything needed to get out on the road, except for a helmet. Take out the bike, remove all the shipping padding, and you’re halfway there. The saddle and seatpost need to be inserted, but otherwise you need to unfold and lock into place the frame and the handlebars, and you are good to go. Even novices will see getting the ZiZZO ready to go is easy ..read more

Who among us hasn’t imagined pulling out a ukulele at the campsite, beach, or picnic, and serenading those around us. If you’re like, though, big fingers and limited music ability put a cramp in those plans. UkeBuddy has you covered. This simple adaptor bolts on to your ukulele and, with a provided dot sticker, allow you to start strumming and making music in no time. Quality of the music remains with you, but it’s a great start for those just setting out on learning to play the ukulele. Does the UkeBuddy really work? It does. It does not take away the need to read music or to practice, but ..read more

I’m a fan of mushrooms and Darin Olien, the superfood hunter, extols the health benefits of mushrooms, so it’s a pretty good bet they should be in your diet. Part of the issue for some people is the consistency and/or flavor of mushrooms is not to their liking. Om Mushrooms have taken those issues to heart and created superfood powders to make it easy to incorporate the benefits into your daily eating. I received samples of Energy+, Brain Fuel+, and Restore to try out. Using Om is simple, just add one teaspoon (2 grams) of Om Mushroom Superfood powder to your favorite drink or smoothie, hot c ..read more

The Power Bar by Eggtronic is a USB-C Wireless Power Bank with Apple Watch Charger is a handy all in one power bank that has a pleasing heft to it along with simple styling. Its shape makes it easy to store in a pocket or within a backpack or other bag. With 53W of total output, Eggtronic claims that this Apple MFI-certified Qi wireless power bank charges up to four Apple devices simultaneously — your iPhone, your AirPods, your Apple Watch, and your MacBook. The Power Bar uses Eggtronic’s patented Wireless Charging Technology. Eggtronic claims that its innovative energy storage makes it more ..read more

South Bend, Indiana is home to the East Race Waterway, an opportunity for rafting here in the Midwest. We went on Saturday, July 4th (what a way to celebrate!), and had a great time. Originally dug  to glean power from the St. Joseph River, the Race was filled in and lay unused for many years. In 1978, plans were made to use tax dollars to recreate the Race as the first artificial whitewater center in North America (who’d a thunk it?!).  It opened to the public in 1984 and did as the planners hoped, helping to revitalize South Bend’s downtown. The race is about 1,900 feet in length ..read more

While a shiny new piece of gear has its own, unmistakable allure, purchasing a used piece can be just as satisfying. This is especially so when the new piece is simply unaffordable at the time. The other thing is the life its led, with every scratch telling a story. One of the items I’ve been looking for is a good, solid dive/surf watch. I wasn’t looking for many bells and whistles, but it had to look good and suit my style. Stainless steel body, rubber band (though that can always be changed out), and definitely water proof or resistant. I’m definitely an analog watch guy, the simpler the be ..read more

It’s been a few months, and I’ve consciously took a step back from blogging and social media in general. While there are moments where I’m not sure it’s the right thing to do, those moments are balanced by moments of relief, with no stress on me to publish anything. Not sure what’s ahead, I keep thinking I’d still like to do a podcast but there’s the general fear of failure and an inability to take the first step. Keep an eye out on the blog, as the podcast, if it happens, will still be through this site. One big piece of news is that I’m moving yet again, also for personal reasons. While I ..read more

When I was approached to check out  a sample of the Prana Brush, I might have demurred had it not been by the folks who also persuaded me to try out the Copper H2O Water Bottle, an experience that didn’t necessarily make me a believer, but certainly opened my eyes to the possibilities. What the heck is dry brushing? Apparently it’s another centuries-old practice that may or may not be incredibly good for you. As with many things, there are sides to the benefits, practice, and which brush to use. Benefits, according to those who are pro-dry brushing, include exfoliation, a reduction ..read more

Native tribes killing each other. An abused wife murdering her husband with an axe. Other murders? These are all plausible but unfounded stories behind the name of Shades State Park, originally called Shades of Death. That certainly piqued my interest! Just over an hour from Indianapolis and 3 hours from downtown Chicago, this is a must-hike state park, especially if combined with nearby Turkey Run State Park. Much like that park, the trails here run up and down ravines, with the tougher spots having the aid of stairs or ladders to go up and/or down. With rugged footing and some elevati ..read more