Thanks to American Express for sponsoring my writing today about small businesses.  American Express is presenting Small Business Saturday, a way to honor the local merchants who are the backbone of the economy, this Saturday, November 27.  They’re offering statement credits to people who shop at small businesses, advertising for small-business owners, and donations to Girls Inc. for “Likes” of the Small Business Saturday page on Facebook.  Join the celebration by clicking the “Like” button and then visiting the Facebook page to learn more about the program and read the terms and conditions that apply.

This Summer for the third year in a row I performed my AWESOME Heath and Playstory time shows on the WTTW PBS-Kids Great Food Fan Van Summer tour. It’s something that I really look forward to, but it’s also something that really wears me out. I did 50 shows this Summer, (and that didn’t even include the many Miss Lori’s CAMPUS Concerts that I also performed around the country). My tour shows are two hour concert style musicals performed outside. I don’t mean outside under a tent, I mean outside under the naked sun. Which is sweaty! I sweat like nobody’s business, burning a lot of energy with each song and dance. That’s why it’s extremely important that I replenish my electrolytes and my energy supply in between sets. Thankfully this Summer we had some fantastic Chicago based sponsors who supplied healthy eats for every show; Square One Organics, Nature’s Hand GoNola and Lifeway-Kefir yogurt. The samples they had out not only kept the audience happy, they kept me going.

My concerts aren’t just about entertainment, they are an education as well. One of the lessons that I impress upon my fans is how important it is to replace the fluids and electrolytes you loose when you are engaged in active play. My shows are interactive so I am not the only one sweating during the performance, my audience “activates to be great” as well. Which is wonderfully healthy. However, temperatures in Chicago this past Summer soared often in the high 90′s, and even broke a few 100′s, which meant we all lost a lot of fluids with each song. So after every couple of songs I and my fans would have a few spoonfuls of Square One Organics Superfood. “Isn’t that a baby food Miss Lori? Are you kidding me?” I kid you not. Square One Organics is not just for baby’s, it’s a Superfood, full of important electrolytes, crucial for me when performing my high energy shows for sure.  Plus their gluten free, frozen puree is refreshing and delicious.

Electrolytes are important, but I also need fuel. During song breaks I would turn to GoNola and Lifeway-Kefir. When I combine the Nature’s Hand GoNola along with Lifeway-Kefir yogurt, and some fresh fruit, I have all the protein, carbohydrates and anitoxidants that I need to kick start my afterburners during my muscle pumping performances. On top of that, thanks to Lifeway-Kefir yogurt, I also gain much needed probiotics to help me digest my snacks properly during the show. The antioxidants also give me extra protection keeping me healthy and strong helping me survive my grueling schedule, and come out smiling!

The best part of all of this for me is that all three companies, Square One Organics, Nature’s Hand and Lifeway-Kefir are Chicago based, small businesses, giving back to their community. Not only are they providing us with great products, but with attentive service, and commitment to excellence. They, like so many other small businesses, are the backbone of our society. I am proud…and full.

What are some of your favorite small business? Please include a link to their website and introduce us to their products in a comment below. Let’s support our small businesses this Saturday and every day.

SMILE On!

ML

I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective (link to http://www. clevergirlscollective.com), which endorses Blog With Integrity (link to http://blogwithintegrity. com ), as I do.

* Level 3: Miss Lori was compensated for inserting links from a specific website in this post.

Miss Lori can be found Musing from her Minivan at MissLori.TV , Wearetherealdeal.com , YoungChicagonista , ChicagoMomsBlog , and ChicagoMoms.com.  You can also see her Activating to Be Great at Miss Lori’s CAMPUS on Youtube, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.