Made with Pride in Texas

Thank you to Ozarka for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own.

Hey friends, Texas and countrywide!!  Do you love the great state that you live in?  I know that I love being a Texan.  I wouldn’t trade Texas for any other place in the world!  I’d love to know why my fellow Texans love living here.  Be sure to tell me in the comments section below.  In the meantime, I’m going to share some of the MANY reasons that I love being a Texan.

I came to Texas in 1988 for college and never looked back.  I currently live in the Dallas Forth Worth area.  I’ve been in this area since 1991.  I started in Dallas and gradually moved farther and farther west through the years.  I love exploring the area, especially on lazy weekend days.  There’s literally always something to do here, rain or shine, hot or cold.  One of my all time favorite things to do is to explore the local Farmers Markets in search of locally grown fruits, vegetables and handmade products.

Ozarka® Brand Natural Spring Water is what we see most often on the shelves here in Texas.  Ozarka® water comes from 3 Texas springs and has a uniquely Texan fresh taste.  I rarely drink anything other than water, with the exception of my one daily dose of caffeine.

I was lucky to receive a box filled with products to sample that were all made right here in Texas.

Texas Monthly magazine named Snow’s BBQ as the best in Texas! Since that time, the entire staff at Snow’s BBQ has been doing everything possible to keep up with the demand and most important, maintain the quality. With complex Texas flavor, Snow’s Original BBQ Sauce is excellent on any cut of beef, chicken, or pork. It’s just as good as a dipping sauce as it is a marinade or brush-on sauce during the last minutes of grilling.  I personally love putting it on a baked potato.

The Jelly Queens is an award-winning, Dallas and Austin-based artisan food company that makes gourmet jams, jellies, spices, sauces and more. Each product is handmade in small batches using organic and, whenever possible, locally grown Texas ingredients. The Jelly Queens was born out of a love for sustainable food, delicious flavors and words of encouragement.

Yellowbird Sauce makes totally natural, spicy pepper condiments. Made with ♥ in Austin, Texas. These are the most delicious, most versatile, most satisfying condiment that will ever hit your lips! Yellowbird Sauce goes great on tacos, burgers, wings, sushi, pasta, steak, fish, eggs, pizza, soup….anything you can think of!

Sweet & Spicy Mustard Seeds from Taste Elevated are little flavor-packed pearls are absolutely addicting. We cook them to make them just tender enough to burst in your mouth. Then we add a little sweet and a little heat. Add them to a charcuterie tray to surprise your guests, use as a condiment–any place you use mustard (you’ll love it on bbq sandwiches and hot dogs), pair with main dishes–terrific with meatloaf, use in homemade vinaigrettes!

Chips and Queso anyone?!  This is a favorite snack in the Hamilton household!!  Paqui is  a “better-for-you” brand of tortilla chips and tortillas. Paqui is an Aztec word that means “to be happy.” Paqui sells great tasting tortillas and tortilla chips that are crafted with unbleached, untreated flour, or by stone grinding corn and adding mouth-watering flavors using high-quality ingredients, such as fire-roasted jalapenos, fresh cilantro leaves, buttermilk, pumpkin and other spices and flavors.

Cookwell & Company’s Queso con Salsa Escabeche is built around a flavorful blend of cheddar and blue cheeses combined with fire-roasted tomatoes, onions, diced jalapeños, and fresh-squeezed lime juice to create simply the best and authentic queso you can buy. Cookwell & Company is located in the heart of Austin, Texas. These guys wear boots to work and boast three grills and a smoker at their office.

So tell me, what do you love about living in Texas?  For those of you who live elsewhere, I’d love to know what you love about your state!