At Cedar Rapids Moms Blog we LOVE all things local, especially locally owned businesses and locally made products! Which is why we are excited to announce our Cedar Rapids Favorite Things for 2017! Each of these items is from a business from our area that we love! Disclosure: Each of our Cedar Rapids Moms Blog team members have tried out every one of these products in order to give them our stamp of approval! We hope you’ll love them as much as we do!! 

{P.S.}:: Scroll through the guide until the end for a chance to win a basket full of these prizes for yourself!! XOXO 

Root launched in October 2013, founded on the belief that what you put on your skin should be natural, safe & enhance your beauty at a price anyone can afford.  Based in Waverly, Iowa, all of Root’s cosmetics, skincare, haircare & home products are natural & safe for all skin types as well as Vegan & Gluten Free. They do not use any harsh toxins or artificial dyes in any of their products!

Where to Buy: Shop in store in Waverly, Cedar Falls, or Iowa City. Or online!

Favorite Thing: We are big fans of this Loose Mineral Eyeshadow. There are tons of beautiful colors to choose from, it’s long-wearing, and doesn’t crease at the end of the day!! Apply it wet or dry!

Local to the Midwest and based out of Des Moines, IA, RAYGUN is a retailer that caters to the people of the Midwest with their snarky t-shirt designs and slogans. RAYGUN loves to promote the Midwest heritages while also taking jabs at political topics. Their products are not limited to t-shirts as they carry home goods, glassware, paper products, and much more!

Where to Buy: Shop in-store at RAYGUN’s Newbo location or Iowa City location. You can also buy online!

Favorite Thing: We love this Cedar Rapids mug! Fade-proof and dishwasher safe, it’s the perfect way to show Cedar Rapids pride, whether you’re a native or a transplant! 

Simply Soothing, Inc. is a mom-owned & operated business located in Columbus Junction, Iowa. They’re best known for their Bug Soother, which is an all-natural, DEET-Free insect repellent. It smells great and is safe to use on kids and pets! In addition to Bug Soother, Simply Soothing also offers lotions, cremes, scents, jewelry, and craft items by Iowa artisans!

Where to Buy: You can shop in-person at the Simply Soothing retail store in Columbus Junction. You can also find Bug Soother at your local grocery store, gas station, and other retailers! Or buy online!

Favorite Thing: We love Bug Soother because it’s easy to apply, smells great, keeps us bite-free, and our kiddos want to wear it too! 

Great American Popcorn Co. is a family-friendly popcorn shop that offers so much more than just popcorn! You’ll be hard pressed to choose from their large assortment of unique gourmet popcorn, delicious hand dipped ice cream, eclectic drinks, and fresh fudge. Pick up some hot, fresh popcorn, or choose from their pre-bagged flavors! 

Where to Buy: Visit the Great American Popcorn Co. shop in Newbo, right across from the Newbo Market!

Favorite Thing: It’s so hard to choose…so we’re going with a gift box that includes a sampler of three popcorn flavors, soda, and ice cream gift card!! 

Since 1938, Betty Jane Candies has been providing Iowans with the finest in homemade chocolates and candies. Their journey began in Dubuque, IA and has since expanded not only to Cedar Rapids, but across the world! They are especially known for their delicious chocolates, caramels, and candies!  Their products have won multiple awards and recently received some national attention including 2014 People Magazine Pick, Top Culinary Gift in Iowa, 2014 Academy Awards Gift Bag, 2017 Grammy Awards Gift Bag, and 2017 backstage products at ABC’s Dancing With the Stars!

Where to Buy: You can shop in-store at the Betty Jane Candies Marion location on Twixt Town Rd or online. You can also find some of their products, including the Gremlin Snackers, at your local Hy-Vee or Fareway store! 

Favorite Thing: We love the Betty Jane Candies Gremlin Snackers! It’s easy to see why this is their signature piece! Chocolate + Caramel+ Pecans = Amazing! 

Bug Protector products are non-toxic, plant-based repellents specifically formulated for biting insects. Manufactured in Cedar Rapids, Bug Protector Mosquito and Tick repellents are free of chemicals, parabens, synthetics, alcohol, and dyes. They’re made with essential oils and are safe for children and dogs! Bug Protector’s newest product, tick repellent, is formulated specifically to repel ticks. Tested for efficacy against the dog tick and deer tick (carrier of Lyme disease), their tick formula provided better than 93% efficacy!

Where to Buy: You can buy Bug Protector at stores and convenience stores across the metro. The Tick Repellent will be available in store in 2018. You can also purchase online!

Favorite Thing: We’re excited about Bug Protector’s new Tick Repellent!! We’re keeping this in our bag as an extra level of protection for the whole family whenever we head outdoors! 

Raining Rose is a full-service manufacturer of personal care products located in Cedar Rapids. They are particularly known for their lip balms, sunscreens and lotions. While they don’t sell items individually, you are able to purchase products in bulk for promotional and advertising purposes!

Where to Buy: Visit Raining Rose’s website for more information about how to order personal products with your logo or image for promotional purposes! This is a great idea for local businesses, non-profits, organizations, clubs, events, and more!

Favorite Thing: We’re fans of the Raining Rose lip balm and lip shimmer! 

Frontier Co-op has been a member-owned cooperative supporting natural living since 1976 — owned by stores and other organizations that buy and sell their products. They are known for being a leader in organic agriculture, which is evident in their high-quality spices, seasonings, bulk foods, herbs, and teas! 

Where to Buy: You can purchase Frontier Co-op products in-store at local grocery stores, markets, and co-ops. You may also purchase online!

Favorite Thing: Frontier Co-op Pumpkin Pie Spice is perfect for fall baking with its blend of cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg and is non-GMO! 

Aura Cacia’s essential oils, skin care oils and more are made from simple and pure botanical ingredients. They are committed to conducting business in an ethical, socially responsible way and selling only pure, sustainably sourced essential oils of the highest quality. Aura Cacia produces essential oils, as well as body and facial care products.

Where to Buy: You can purchase Aura Cacia products in-store at Hy-Vee, local co-ops, and other local stores. You can also purchase them online! 

Favorite Thing: The Chill Pill roll on is a great way to try out this essential oil blend! The essential oils are already mixed with a carrier oil, making it easy to apply and go! 

Simply Organic is a 100% certified organic line of spices, seasoning mixes and baking flavors launched by Frontier Co-op in 2001. It offers an unrivaled selection of organic seasonings and gives back 1% of sales to support organic growers and the organic community. 

Where to Buy: You can purchase Simply Organic products in-store at Hy-Vee, as well as local markets and co-ops. You can also purchase online! 

Favorite Thing: Organic ingredients + bold flavors = a win for dinner! This Simply Organic Southwest Taco Mix is a yummy addition to tacos or fajitas! 

{Giveaway}

Now’s YOUR chance to win a gift basket full of our Cedar Rapids Favorite Things for yourself!! You may enter to win DAILY {with some entry options} from September 27th until October 5th.  The winner will be announced on the Cedar Rapids Moms Blog Facebook page on Friday, October 6th and must be able to pick up their prize package in the Cedar Rapids area! {When you sign up for the VIP Email list, just hit submit once! The form doesn’t unfill after you submit so even though it doesn’t look like it’s gone through, it has!! If you have questions or issues, email us at info(at)cedarrapidsmomsblog.com!}

Enter to win via Gleam here:

Cedar Rapids Favorite Things Giveaway