Products I Endorse

I am not a paid spokesmodel. Hard to believe, I know. And this is not a particularly weighty post. But do you ever run across a product that's so clever/tasty/well done/etc. that you think, "Hey, I'd do an ad for this stuff/thing/etc.!"? Here are a few of mine, off the top of my head. Please feel free to add your own.

Rain-X: This stuff is just magic. With a coat of Rain-X you can literally drive down the Interstate in a downpour with your wipers OFF. The harder it rains, the better it seems to work. Just clean your windshield, wipe on a thin coat of this stuff and wipe off (in?). It causes the rain to bead up on glass and the wind from your high rate of speed just blows it right off. Amazing! The only downsides are that it has to be re-applied every so often, doesn't work very well at city speeds (how often do you get over 30mph around town?) and can cause a little glare if you leave too much residue. Great stuff, though. Get a bottle or pack of the wipes for your next road trip.

PlumSweets: The first bit of genius in this SunSweet product is their clever use of "dried plums" instead of "prunes." This simple marketing switch has no doubt made them millions. This new product, however, is a great way to indulge in sweets with no guilt. A whole list of justifications are built right in. They are dried plum pieces covered in dark chocolate. Beautiful, eh? So, you get your fiber, your flavonoids, your antioxidants...all kinds of good stuff. How do they taste? Do you like Raisinets? They're even better. And, you can tell your kids they're prunes, they'll turn up their noses, and you can keep them all to yourself! (You're welcome.)

Photon Lights: I've recommended these elsewhere on this blog, but these little keychain flashlights are super handy. They use a single, bright LED bulb which is practically unbreakable and lasts a long, long time on a single set of little coin batteries. I haven't replaced my batteries yet and have had one for 2-3 years. No bigger than a short stack of quarters, you can attach this to your keys, your bag or a zipper pull and have it always with you. I have a couple Micro-Light IIs and a III. Look around for deals; they're frequently discounted on eBay.

San Pellegrino Sparkling Mineral Water: If you think that seltzer or sparkling waters taste like Alka Seltzer (hello, sweet wife!), read no further. If, however, you're a fan of the refreshing, subtle taste of tiny-bubbled water (hi, sweet daughter!), S. Pellegrino Sparkling Mineral Water is tops. How they do it, I don't know. All I know is that the bubbles are plentiful but feel smaller than seltzer waters and sodas, and the blend of minerals they use is delicious. Perrier is good, but this is even better. Available at your finer restaurants and your local grocer's. (S. Pellegrino, if you're reading this, send me a case!)

The Grand Canyon, North Rim: This is not a product, per se, but a creation. I'm recommending it anyway. They say that 90% of people who visit the Grand Canyon go to the South Rim. It's only a 4 1/2 hour drive from Las Vegas and gets lots and lots of tourists. If, like me, you prefer a more natural, less crowded experience, take the time to go to the North Rim. A few years back, my wife and I took a 4,100 mile road trip and the North Rim was the furthest most point of our giant loop. Fantastic! I won't paint the full picture here, but I think everyone should make it to the Grand Canyon once in their lifetime and the North Rim is the purest way to do it. Try the fall or springtime, if possible, and don't forget to catch both sunrise and sunset as many days as you can. To paraphrase, you will be still and know that He is God.