Shift Away from Shift
I was excited when I found out Stonyfield Farm was coming out with an organic energy drink called Shift. Even though the flavors (Berry Boost, Power Punch and Strawberry Banana) weren’t all that appealing to me, I still picked one up and had it for breakfast the next morning. Man, was it horrible. This review from The Message Whore pretty much sums it up.
I don’t think I’ll be buying Shift again anytime soon. It has a terrible aftertaste and packs no energy despite the added acai, ginseng, protein and vitamins. I tried Strawberry Banana and it tasted like a horrible combination of old yogurt, apple juice, strawberry and banana. When I looked at the ingredient list, guess what the first ingredient was? Apple juice concentrate. Does that even make sense? My prediction is it will be discontinued soon.
(P.S. I swear I will start writing proper reviews soon! I just need to find the cable that connects the digital camera to my computer and I’ll be all set.)
Welch’s Organic 100% Concord Grape Juice
I stumbled upon Welch’s Organic 100% Concord Grape Juice a few days ago in the supermarket. I wasn’t surprised considering every company is jumping on the “organic trend.” It’s still a great find especially after hearing the news that purple grape juice is one of the healthiest juices to drink.
Welch’s says:
“Made with organically grown Concord grapes, Welch’s Organic 100% Concord Grape Juice has twice the antioxidant power of orange juice, and no added sugar. Now the great taste you expect from Welch’s is also available in Welch’s Organic 100% Concord Grape Juice.
You may find Welch’s Organic 100% Concord Grape Juice in stores including: Giant Eagle, Hannaford, Harris Teeter, Ingles, King Soopers, Kroger, Meijer, Pathmark, Publix, QFC, Ralph’s, Wal-Mart, and Whole Foods.”
Honest Tea Moroccan Mint
For the past few days, I have been drinking Honest Tea’s Moroccan Mint Green Tea. It has a nice mint flavor with just a touch of sweetness. I have the bottle (sadly, it’s empty) right here next to me and the back of it says:
“For centuries, Moroccans have savored green tea with mint. Studies have shown that green tea is packed with antioxidants. Every bottle of our Moroccan Mint contains as much of the antioxidant EGCG as 32 servings of blueberries.”
I wonder if that’s true? Anyway, this tea also has approximately 1/4 the caffeine of coffee which also translates to me probably not being able to sleep tonight. Hooray!! (I am REALLY sensitive to caffeine.)
Organic Tropicana
In the last post, I mentioned that Tropicana tends to taste watered down even though it’s 100% juice. Maybe this has to do with the fact it’s not organic? Well, that has all changed. About a month ago, Tropicana launched their first line of organic juices: their signature orange juice now made with organic oranges as well as a pear and apple juice.
“At Tropicana we know great-tasting juice. We also know the importance of protecting your family & the environment from harmful food practices.
“That’s why we’re launching Tropicana Organics. Our organic juices are great-tasting, 100% pure & natural, and made from fruits grown by certified organic farmers.”
These products were supposed to have been available at Whole Foods Market a month ago, but I have yet to see them and, I go to WF VERY OFTEN.
Cattle Confusion
There are many aspects that go into organic dairy. For one thing, cows need to be treated humanely with plenty of access to the outdoors. However, many organic companies have been in the spotlight for not allowing their cows as much freedom as they claim AND they are trying to get away with it:
“We are therefore not surprised to learn that Horizon and Aurora have been busy lobbying the USDA to keep pasture and feed requirements vague–hoping to deceive consumers by claiming that organic dairy animals must have access to pasture, but then not requiring a particular minimum percentage by weight of their feed–at least 30%–to come from pasture grass. What this means in practical terms is that the USDA will soon propose new federal organic dairy standards that allow so-called organic factory farms to create the impression that their milk cows are being grazed on pasture, while in fact unscrupulous certifiers and bureaucrats in the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) will allow them to get away with “symbolic access to pasture” i.e. intensively confined, stressed-out dairy cows briefly chewing their cuds outside giant milking parlors in between their three-times-a-day milkings.”
This news makes me sick! I can’t believe Horizon (I even refuse to link them now, dammit!) would do something like this.
Echo Farm Pudding may not have organic pudding, but they are certified humane, meaning that their cows are allowed plenty of time to graze. Hopefully, the humane certification is strict!
Personally, I love cows. I think they are absolutely adorable and, they deserve to be treated humanely!
Honest Kids
Honest Tea announced a new line of kid friendly organic beverages will be made available to the public in April. That’s just a few weeks away! Isn’t it crazy how quickly the year goes by?
APRIL 2007! Honest Tea Launches Honest Kids: Lower in Sugar, Caffeine Free and Certified Organic
Beginning in April 2007, we will be launching Honest Kids drink pouches. These organic thirst quenchers will be available in three delicious varieties: Berry Berry Good Lemonade, Goodness Grapeness, and Tropical Tango Punch. Each has less than half the sugar and calories of most juice pouch drinks and is filled with a full day’s supply of Vitamin C.
For more information on Honest Tea, visit their website. (FYI, it loads really crazy on my computer, but that might be because my computer is four years old.)
Organic German soda making its way to the U.S.
Millions of people worldwide drink soda on a regular basis regardless of whether or not it is good for them. Fortunately, for those who do enjoy soda and want something slightly more.. “nutritious” (well, as nutritious as soda can be anyway) organic German soda company BIONADE plan on making the move to the American market. Flavors include ginger-orange, elderberry, herb, and lychee.
Read the article.
The BIONADE website says:
“BIONADE is in keeping with the trend towards a more natural and healthy diet: A non-alcoholic refreshment drink that is organically produced through fermentation of malt and water. Nutritionally and physiologically valuable gluconic acid is generated in the process. An easily digested organic acid, it contributes to the detoxification of the body.
BIONADE is rich in calcium, low in sodium, phosphorus-free and non-alcoholic.
By combining with minerals, gluconic acid forms mineral gluconates. In this form, the minerals can be easily re-absorbed. A liter of BIONADE Forte contains 400 mg of calcium and 200 mg of magnesium with a very low sugar content.”
I don’t know about this. Seems like something Americans will abuse and think “Hey, it’s organic AND kinda healthy!” and then they’ll drink several gallons of it and gain fifty pounds. After all, it’s STILL soda. Everything in moderation..
