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Better brews

We're delighted with the taste of these craft-brewed sodas from Portland, Ore., created 20 years ago by beer makers Andy Thomas and Will Kemper. This summer, the sodas have been reformulated with cane sugar, instead of corn syrup, and fresh instead of artificial ingredients. Offerings include a very fruity black cherry, snappy root beer, ginger ale, vanilla and orange cream, as well as low-calorie sodas.

Thomas Kemper Sodas, $5.99 per 6-pack and $12.99 per 12-bottle sampler, at Genuardi's.

- Barry Zukerman

Better butter

Made from the rich, creamy milk of the cows over at Green Meadow Farms in Gap, Pa., this local butter will make you forget everything you've heard about saturated fat.

Cultured salted butter, $5.50 per pound at the Fair Food Farmstand, Reading Terminal Market, 12th and Arch St. 215-627-2029.

- Maria Yagoda
Kind-er nutrition bars

Our favorite bars just got a boost of good stuff, including antioxidants, omega-3, calcium and B-complex.

Made with only ingredients you can pronounce, these bars are one of the few that taste good, and offer a protein punch with reasonable calories. We loved the Cranberry & Almond, the Mango & Macadamia, and the Almond Walnut & Macadamia (with 10 grams of protein!)

Kind Plus Nutrition Bars, $2.29 per bar, available at GNC and Whole Foods.

- B.Z.