Prometheus Springs - Pomegranate Black Pepper

In my quest of trying new things, while at the beloved store known as Whole Foods, I was buying snacks for a movie marathon my friends and I were having. 

(Back to the Future Trilogy = awesome sauce!)

While cruising the aisles (I had decided upon a chip and dip sort of contribution), I picked up some beverages for myself... one of which being this bottle that at a side glance looks like Snapple, but alas it was something new.

While the bottle shape is the same, the contents are definitely not.

I think I've previously stated my affinity toward all things pomegranate. If there's pomegranate in it, I'll usually try it.  Plus it's everywhere nowadays due it's anti-oxidant value.  But for me, I just like it because it's yummy.

And this drink was no exception.  

Of the three flavors available (the other two being Lemon Ginger and Lychee Wasabi), Pomegranate Black Pepper seemed to be the obvious (safest) choice to start out with.

I had taken it with me the next day to work, and whipped it out in lieu of my morning cup of coffee.  At first I took a tentative sip (seeing as black pepper has a way of creeping up on you, causing you to hack worse than a first time smoker), and immediately I tasted the sweetness of the pomegranate with an interesting aftertaste of black pepper.  It wasn't to strong yet if you weren't prepared for it, it could take you by surprise.

Translation: Do not do shots of this drink.

This drink lasted me a long time since the pepper (at least for me) prevents it from being a "gulping" type of beverage.  I was sipping it more like a tea, and I must say the oddest thing happened - I stayed awake.  Now I'm still not clear as to if it was the drink or perhaps I happened to get more sleep that night than other nights, but I feel like it made a difference.

Per the bottle, the drink is advertised as a "Capsaicin Spiced Elixir".  Now being someone trying to learn to eat spicier foods, my brain sees capsaicin and thinks hot-mutha-frakker.

Taken from the label:

Capsaicin (cap-say-sin): Nature's Spicy Superfood

Extracted from chilli peppers, this spicy antioxidant is colorless, odourless and delightfully painful.  Its kick as the curious ability to trigger the unique sensation of a happy, natural high.

And I must say, it did just that.

I had picked the Black Pepper flavor seeing as it's a much nicer "spice" to me other than Ginger or Wasabi.  When drinking it, however, I could see how it could bowl someone sensitive or inexperienced with any sort of heat-spice within their food or drink.  I was pleasantly content at the fact that not only was it not too powerfully spicy for me, but that I liked it.

Examining the label further, I saw that it also said the drink was Naturally Sweetened, Gluten Free, and Preservative Free.

Words like that cause doubt to stir a bit in my head and lead me to check out the ingredients.

Ingredients: filtered water, organic evaporated cain juice, organic lemon juice concentrate, natural pomegranate black pepper flavour, sea salt, capsaicin extract

So this drink that I was consuming that possibly was help keeping me awake during the day at work was not only tasty but was comprised of organic and natural ingredients?  

I was drinking healthy.

Stop the presses.  I think we have a winner here.

 

I'm still going to test some things out, but to have something that is slightly healthier for you than coffee (though it does nothing for keeping me awake but is still rather tasty and will continue to be consumed by yours truly) or energy drinks - that just makes me happy.

Hmmm, thinking things sound too good to be true, it was on to nutritional facts.

Like with the energy drink I posted about previously, the bottle I was drinking was 16 fl oz, and of course a serving size is 8 fl oz.  (Portions like that make me wonder why they don't make things in "serving sizes".)  So through the course of the day, I drank two helpings of my lovely capsaicin elixir, each serving costing me 80 calories (160 total).

Sounds reasonable to me.

Additional directions on the label were Refrigerate after opening (that's a given), Do not microwave or heat bottle (that's a bit of a no-brainer, too), and my personal favorite Please remember to recycle this bottle.

I think my favorite part on the label was the "Ways to enjoy":

• Serve neat for maximum spice
• Serve warm and get well soon
• Serve chilled for a refreshing kick
• Mix with spirits and libations
• Serve on the rocks to tame the spice
• Spice up meals with gourmet pairings

Admittedly, the mixing option intrigues me, but I think I'll save that for when I'm with friends.

I went back to the store yesterday to grab some dinner as well as some more drink.  Not feeling to keen on the ginger just yet, I bought another bottle of  Pomegranate Black Pepper as well as a bottle of Lychee Wasabi.

*contented sigh* Wasabi makes me think of sushi which is yummy.

Yeah, it's about lunch time.  LOL!

I plan on trying a little warmed up just to see what it's like.  Also, I'm feeling a little under the weather, so the "get well soon" part of the suggestion leaves me feeling hopeful.

Would I ever try this again?  Did you not just read that I bought two more bottles?  *grin*  So I think the answer to that question is an affirmative "HELLS" to the "YEAH!!!".  (They also seem to be coming out with other flavors.  I can't wait to see what they are and try them out.)


And really, who would not want to try a drink that advertises like this (they're called mood shots, but still... and pomegranate is still my favorite):

Lychee and Wasabi

Lemon and Ginger

Pomegranate and Black Pepper
Capsaicin Elixir of the Underworld, baby!

http://www.prometheussprings.com/flavors/pomegranateblackpepper/

www.prometheussprings,com

Share your experience

spicy@prometheussprings.com

toll free 1-877-60-SPICY

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Discovering the Power of Spice

We at Prometheus Springs encourage you to research and explore the wonders of capsaicin and the rich history that surrounds it.  Search online and uncover the many health benefits attributed to a life rich in spice.

Made in the USA for Prometheus Springs, LLC.

Certified organic.

Jones Soda Co. Energy - Extra Strength Energy Drink

So while gassing up the car last night on my way to my friends place to listen to our friends' show Dusty's World, I checked out the mini-mart for anything that caught my eye.  I was feeling adventurous (well, as adventurous as one can get in a gas station mini-mart the size of a walk-in closet).

Most of the racks had the staples of any gas station food supply: chips, gum, candy.  More of a selection than I would have guessed but really nothing popped out at me as needing to purchased, taken away and devoured.

See, even though I like trying new things, I am also for 2011 (Holla!) am trying to eat better in an attempt to lose weight and get rid of my mid-section since it makes me never want to look at myself in mirror naked (and sometimes, sadly, that is unavoidable).  In any case, my hate of most reflective surfaces aside, I made my round to the register seeing even if I didn't find anything snackage, I would at least PAY for my gas. 

On an impulse, I bought a bag of Trolli gummy watermelon rings with the yogurt-type coating on one side.  (I have a weakness for gummy candies... though I'm particular about which ones.)  On my way to the register, I looked in the cooler and saw the various sodas and teas and energy drinks (which dominated the top shelves of the coolers as if to say "I shit on you juice and soda for I am King!")

Yeah, don't ask where that came from.  I have no idea.

In the cooler closest to the register was a tall orange can with black flames coming up from the bottom.  Out of mild curiosity, I took a closer look and saw that it was a "Jones Soda Co." product (and me likes Jones Soda).  I opened the cooler, grabbed the can (which was sitting next to the little bottle of ZipFizz that I also purchased) and brought both beverages and bag o' gummy candy to the register, paid for them and my fuel, and eventually left the gas station.

The Trolli bag was empty within seconds (let's hear it for the chunky Flip sista!), but I left both energy drinks in the car since I would be taking them with me today and my car was as good a fridge as any seeing as it's been cold at night lately.

Not having a satisfactory amount of sleep before having to arise from my peaceful slumber (hmmm, what was it... four hours or less?... I'm thinking less), I took both drinks with me and began to suckle the Jones drink like I was a newborn babe hungering for her mother's...

I really should stop talking sometimes.

In perusing the can of energy, I found this little statement on the side:

"The last thing the world needs is another energy drink, so here's one more.  We've jacked up a full on energy drink just the way you asked.  If you like it, buy more.  If you love it, pass it on.  Thanks for your support and please recycle the can."

I thought it was funny since yeah, we are TOTALLY saturated with energy drinks (none of which truly help me... I just drink them with the hopes that they might one day... and also some of them I like the flavor).  I also like the little nod to recycle.  Yay!

Then there was this part below it:

Caution

Consume responsibly.  Limit 2 Cans Per Day.  Not recommended for children, pregnant women or persons sensitive to caffeine.

I cracked open a can and the sound brought me back to my childhood when my father and his compatriots (made of his friends and family) would pull the tabs back on cans of Budweiser.  It's a much different hiss than when you pop the top off a bottle or unscrew a cap.  Beer is my natural 'go-to' memory when I hear a can being crack-a-dacked open.

Anyway, like with most energy drinks these days, there was no flavor listed but usually by assumption since the can is orange, the beverage within will be orange-tasting in nature.  (And it was.)

Energy drinks (like with revenge) are best served cold.  A warm energy drink tastes like ass.  (Trust me.  Even though I haven't actually dropped someone's trow and got all up in their derriere business, I'm sure no one's back end tastes like rainbows else the phrase "tastes like ass" would be used in a much better connotation.)

Moving on...

So in the office this morning, I sampled the juice of said canned goodness, its orangey flavour not tasting like ass at all.  I didn't even experience the usual caffeine/energy drink aftertaste you get when sucking down one of these beverages.

Let me share some other interesting bits about this drink with you.

First of all, it's a tall can so it's 4.73mL (or 16 fl oz).  That's all well and good until I get to the nutritional information where it states that the serving size is 8 fl oz.  Immediately my head does the math and realizes one serving is half the can.  Knowing quite well I will be finishing the can of all its liquid assets, I think "Woo hoo!  I'm drinking for two... or simply just two servings.  LOL!" 

I momentarily felt piggish but hey, I was raised to finish my plate (or in this case, can?).

Anyway, further nutritional information says that there are 120 calories per serving (which my automatic math deduces that I have consumed 240).

Oink-frakkin'-oink, bitches!

Leaving my ability to consume mass quantities aside, I surfed the net for other information to add to this post (website, etc), and while doing an image search of the can, I found a differently designed can (all black with red and silver designs).   

My image search also came up with images of WhoopAss (as in "don't make me open a can of-").  I actually had one a while back.  From what I remember, it was tart and yellow with a little Asian dude on the red and white can.  Also... I didn't get to it in time so it was a little on the warm side when I downed it.  Thank gawd it was a small can.  (Ick!)

When I found the Jones Soda Co. site, I searched for the energy drinks.  They were promoting WhoopAss still (in a new can that made me think of American Choppers), and just below it, I saw the drink that I had just consumed under the heading of "retired".

WTFrak?!?!?!

Oh well, it tasted good (as long as the can lasted, anyway).

Would I ever try this again? Sure... if it wasn't "retired", and I could actually find a can.  It would be on the list of the energy drinks that I wouldn't mind imbibing (which is a much shorter list than the ones I wouldn't touch with a ten-foot-pole.)

http://www.jonessoda.com/files_4/products-energy.php
www.jonessoda.com