Weekly Pickups: A better loofah, a bar with a story, and more...
Ft. Kelly Bennett
Welcome back to Weekly Pickups!
This week, we’ve been thinking about…
Nate: How much gum has fallen off. Gum used to be THE THING. In middle school we would trade Trident Layers, Five Gum….And then all of a sudden no one talks about gum. From some brief research, it seems to be COVID’s fault, like everything.
Jenna: The utter joy of a farmer’s market. I went to not one, but two farmer’s markets this week, and saw so much innovation, craftsmanship, and humanity. I know we all have big ambitions to see our favorite CPG brands on major retailers’ shelves (and to make them more accessible to all, of course), but I wish brands let themselves linger more in the early days of standing behind a table and watching customers’ eyes light up upon experiencing their creations. This is the feeling I want to bottle up…not “nostalgia” or “clean,” just craft, community, and pride.
And now, onto our weekly pickups… →
Nate’s Pickups
Smoosh!
I moved the other month and had this buried in my things and finally found it again while cleaning. Finding this was like a gift from god, I missed it so much! It's one of my most favorite things in my shower, and if you're still using that disgusting old loofah, it's time for an upgrade.
Quick Facts: A silicone scrubber with an integrated soap pocket that combines a lovely lather and gentle exfoliation. Created by the sister brand of Leaf Shave (my other bathroom essential), it's designed to replace bacteria-ridden loofahs with something that actually makes sense.
Reasons to love:
Actually sustainable. It's a zero-waste soap system that lets you use every last bit of soap. You can even combine old soap slivers with new bars. Nothing wasted, and the quick-drying silicone stops bacteria growth in its tracks.
Innovative AF! This thing, while simple, is wicked smart. The grip is genius, and the integrated soap pocket might be my favorite feature—it can rise and lower as you wish, plus the soap is custom-made for it so it fits nicely. The custom soap thing could be annoying, but they all smell great and aren't expensive, so I'm actually into it.
It just works. Sometimes that's all you need. The 1,000 soft bristles give a nice little massage, gentle exfoliation, and provides an excellent lather. It really makes washing myself a lot better than with just my hands.
Where to buy: getsmoosh.com
Saturday Sauce by Sababa Foods
Look, I was skeptical at first. It feels like something I could make myself. But after having this in my pantry for a bit, I think I'm converted. If you make shakshuka as much as I do (which is...a lot), this is absolutely essential. Full disclosure: I've eaten it straight from the jar.
Quick Facts: A Middle Eastern starter sauce created by Amy Dell as an ode to her "aba" (Hebrew for father), a former chef whose matbucha was a household staple. This tomato-based sauce is slightly spicy and works as a marinade, stew base, dip addition, and of course, for making shakshuka.
Reasons to love:
Feels and tastes authentic. It doesn’t feel like some watered-down "Middle Eastern-inspired" sauce. Amy grew up eating this exact recipe during weekend Israeli breakfasts.
Convenience is king (I hate to say it!). As a working mom of two, Amy created this to save time without sacrificing quality. Some things you can make yourself, but this helped more than I thought it would.
Ridiculously versatile. Beyond shakshuka, I'm excited about all the possibilities. The slightly spicy, tomato-forward profile elevates basically anything savory you throw at it. Chicken, fish, rice, pasta…you name it.
Where to buy: sababa-foods.com and select retailers
Jenna’s Pickups
B.T.R. Nation - Cinnamon Cookie Dough Superfood Bar
I’ve loved B.T.R. NATION since 2021, when I met the brand’s incredible founder, Ashley, and tried my first bar at Pop Up Grocer Chicago. I usually treat myself to a B.T.R. pre-flight (you can find the brand at CIBO Express in airports!) but this week, I spotted it at ShopRite and it was an immediate add-to-cart.
Quick facts: A nut-butter-based, gluten-free, vegan snack bar that’s the perfect mid-day treat.
Reasons to love:
It’s just…so delicious. The flavor name doesn’t lie—this really does taste just like snickerdoodle cookie dough. It’s brightly cinnamon-y, slightly nutty, and sweet (but not too sweet) with a soft, true cookie-dough texture that melts in your mouth.
And yet, the ingredients are so simple: A base of just cashew and almond butter, pea + almond protein, chicory root fiber, cocoa butter, and MCT oil. Cinnamon, vanilla, and monk fruit sweeten the deal—sans added sugar.
The most inspiring brand story: If you’ve ever been lucky enough to meet Ashley, you get why this brand is so special. Ashley started B.T.R. when she was a caretaker for her parents, who were both diagnosed with rare forms of cancer. After eating almost exclusively from hospital vending machines and cafeterias for 3+ years, she grew deeply frustrated with the quality of options, and took it upon herself to create something better—snacks without added sugar, high in fiber, and nutrient-dense. Something actually “better for you” in the place that’s supposed to be making you better. This was how B.T.R. was born: After her parents passed away, Ashley made it her mission to share her healthy snacks with the world. It’s only fitting that she named the brand after her parents’ mantra: “Be Bold, Tenacious, and Resilient.” It’s so easy to get behind Ashley and her genuine mission.
Where to buy: In stores nationwide or online!
The Ryl Co. - Southern Sweet Iced Tea
Quick facts: Sweet tea, sans the sugar. Tea + a zero-sugar sweetener blend + added Vitamin C.
Reasons to love:
All of the sweetness, none of the added sugar. If you’ve ever had a real-deal southern sweet tea, you know: it’s essentially watered-down tea syrup. A pitcher of that good-good sweet tea includes at least a cup full of white sugar…unless you’re sipping Ryl. At 0 sugar, you get that same super-sweet, refreshing, summery treat as the OG stuff.
DISCLAIMER 1: I’m a total sweet tooth, and I actually found this a little too sweet—I diluted it, which turned this can into a two-for-one, and I have no issue with that.
DISCLAIMER 2: I am a stevia girl. I just am, and I welcome any and all judgment that comes with this admission. That being said, I know that a lot of people are fully stevia-averse, and if that is you, you will not like this product. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
A fantastic replacement for extra caffeine. I often reach for a mid-day coffee or matcha simply because I want to sip on a bev…and subsequently find myself staring at the ceiling at 3 AM wondering why I indulged in afternoon caffeine. Ryl is super low-caff (15 mg), making it the perfect mid-day pick-me-up and sweet treat.
Where to buy: I got mine at Walgreens, but you can find it in stores nationwide.
✨ Special Guest ✨ Kelly Bennett!
Today, we’re excited to welcome Kelly Bennett, a Brooklyn-based brand strategist who works with emerging CPG food & beverage brands. She’s advised over 1,000 emerging founders and is the host of the Emerging Brand Podcast® (which Nate has been featured in!). She recently launched Bread & Butter®, a trademark law firm protecting CPG food & beverage brands.
Let’s dive in! →
What was your favorite pickup this week? She’s the Sauce is a new CPG brand bringing flavor and function to the condiment aisle. Founded by Nicole Glabman, the line features sauces with benefits—formulated with added fiber and protein to turn everyday dips and condiments into something more nourishing.
What about this product intrigued you? What makes this brand especially compelling is Nicole’s background leading platforms in the consumer brand space and her personal POV as a founder with PCOS. She’s reimagining everyday staples with intention—and it shows. I’ve spoken to thousands of founders, and she immediately stood out.
Where did you purchase it, and why that channel? As a brand strategist, I’m always on the lookout for innovative emerging brands that are starting to make waves. I’d love to see She’s the Sauce land in spots where tastemakers shop—like Pop Up Grocer, The Goods Mart, and Happier Grocery. They’re my go-to places for discovering what’s next in CPG.
Why do you love it? It makes something as simple as adding more protein feel easy, delicious, and elevated. With so many conversations happening around women’s health—especially in perimenopause—there’s a growing push to increase protein intake, and this brand meets that moment perfectly. I’d tell a friend it’s a smart, everyday upgrade that adds functional benefits with flavor (because I need both!).
Anything else you’d like to share? What’s catching my eye in CPG right now is the intersection of innovation and everyday lifestyle rituals—how products don’t just offer functional benefits, but naturally fit into the way we make “better-for-you” choices. I’m especially interested in the rise of the 3pm pick-me-up drink as a daily moment, creatine formulated specifically for women, non-alcoholic beverages designed to boost mood, a new generation of fiber-rich products that feel elevated, and animal-based protein jerkies positioned as clean, convenient snacks—especially for women. These brands are tapping into real habits and helping shape new ones.
If you want to share a brand you’re loving for us to review, or if you have the perfect special guest in mind, email us: nate@expresscheckout.co and jenna@expresscheckout.co :)
Trident Layers were the best omg