Now In Cases!

[joreth]

I gave up caffeine 11 years ago because my doctor said it was bad for my calcium deficiency, which pretty much doomed me to Sprite and rootbeer (but no Barq's) at restaurants, since I don't like water and can't drink tea.  So, for 11 years, I've been drinking fruit-flavored sodas and I have sucessfully lived a very active lifestyle without chemical dependency of any kind, including any "energy drinks".  I found that, once I removed the caffeine from my system, I no longer *needed* the caffeine to help stay active, I was naturally more energetic and I was sleeping better at night.

However, I'm addicted to carbonation, so I continue to drink non-caffeinated sodas, but the high-fructose corn syrup also contributes to a number of minor ailments that could develop into major ailments down the line.  

I started experimenting with mixing fruit juice and carbonated water (yes, I know the carbonation isn't good for me too - give me at least ONE vice!), but that's inconvenient for 2 reasons.  1) it's hard to take drinks with me to work and on trips when I have to mix it myself and find some kind of container that holds the convenient amount and doesn't lose the carbonation, the way a sealed can does.  2) the bottles of carbonated water lose their fizz before I finish the bottle (which is the main reason I still buy cans of soda instead of 2-liters even though it's more expensive that way - if I have to throw out flat soda, it really isn't any more cost-effective).

Then, I found IZZE.

It's an all-natural 100% fruit juice mixed with carbonated water and nothing else.  There's no caffeine, no artificial flavors or colors, no added sugar, just pure juice and water.

A 4-pack of 12-oz bottles can be found at Whole Foods, and the SuperTarget sells the 4-packs of 8.4 oz cans (here in Orlando, Target has a wider selection of flavors than Whole Foods).  They're more expensive than sodas, so I still buy the fruit juice and separate carbonated water to mix while at home, but they're so worth the expense!  So far I've tried the Pomegranite, Blackberry, Clementine, Apple and Grapefruit.  The only flavor I didn't like was the Grapefruit and the Pomegranite is my top favorite, but the other flavors are such a close second that I can't choose between them (although I like Clementine a little bit less than the Blackberry and Apple).

But yesterday, at Target, I found a 12-pack case of Pomegranite and Clementine!  Then, while looking for their website so I could write this post, I found a company that delivers IZZE to your home nationwide and offers 24-pack cases!  Woo hoo!

I recommend this drink to everyone.  It satisfies my craving for "soda" with the carbonation, it provides servings of fruit and makes me drink the water I otherwise avoid, and it tastes really, really good.  I'd drink it even if it weren't so much better for me than soda (I was completely hooked on the Winn Dixie brand Peach soda until I decided to give up sodas, for instance).

And, for those for whom this is important, IZZE also does charity events and donates to literacy, art, and educational campaigns too.