Searching for "Substance"

Naked Juice Blue Machine

On my way to work this morning I went to 7 different beverage retailers to find a drink with "substance". What do I mean by "substance"? Well, it is any food or drink that tastes real, is not watered down, and packs a healthy punch. A good example of a drink with substance is the Naked Juice line of drinks. POM Wonderful is another drink with some serious substance. These drinks are sold for around $3.50 - $4 for a personal size bottle, but it is totally worth it. After being sick for 6 months I am trying to eat and drink brands that are good for me. How am I testing that? If a food or drink gives me stomach ache it goes on the DO NOT EAT LIST and so far my favorite brands with substance are Naked Juice and POM Wonderful. Yesterday I was extremely thirsty, and I stopped at a convenience store on my way to work. I ended up getting a .99 cent 20 oz Raspberry Nestea. This drink looked and sounded tasty, but it had no substance and I was disappointed. Everyday consumers are faced with this dilemma: purchase what is healthy and good for you, "substance", or purchase what is affordable. I have no choice. I don't want to be sick ever again, so when I am offered food or beverage that is on the DO NOT EAT LIST, I nicely say "No Thank You" because I know how I will feel after eating it. Don't get me wrong, I did have a couple Oreos yesterday and we are all just humans. If you are having trouble with your health, start making a DO NOT EAT LIST and make super small, tiny little baby steps towards introducing healthier brands for yourself. Eventually I will get more into organic and locally made products, but you have to go slow. Keyword - slow. My body has 24 years of eating and drinking whatever was available, and whatever it craved. Now that I have noticed that I am what I eat, and I haven't had a severe stomach ache in about 2 weeks. I literally do not even crave cheeseburgers anymore because I know how it will make me feel and if the feeling after is worst than the joy of eating, than it is just not for me. Your body is worth the $3.50 for a Naked Juice instead of .99 cents for zero substance. Good luck in your daily food and beverage choices. I will still try wacky and unique products, but trying is different than daily consumption.
If only products like Naked Juice and POM Wonderful had the distribution that Coke and Pepsi Products have. Prices would drop, and people would actually have a choice for a healthy beverage. I think the healthiest beverage that is widely available now is Honest Tea, but I am not a huge tea fan and I look for something to drink about every other day.

MATEUS Rose Wine

Mateus Rose Wine

When someone asks me to get wine, I am going to find the most unique wine in the entire liquor store. That's how I discovered MATEUS. It's brilliant and unique bottle + name of MATEUS = Beck's Brands Purchase.  It is a Rose wine that was quite bubbly, but not too bubbly where we didn't like it. MATEUS was semi-sweet and @33Cait88, @dirtyjerzimages, and @jillydukez all enjoyed the taste as well. An overall great product, with the bottle being worth saving and displaying. I will definitely purchase this product in the future. Thanks MATEUS! I couldn't find a website, so you can check Wikipedia for more info - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mateus_(wine)

GT Vodka

GT Vodka

It all started out with searching for "Vodka" on twitter. I wanted to try something new and unique, and also find a brand that interacts with their customers. GT Vodka caught my eye on the first page. The name GT instantly makes you think of GT muscle cars and race cars. AKA an upgrade from stock. @33Cait88 said that it reminded her of Jersey Shore, so "Gym, Tan, Vodka?" It's made in the USA and has ZERO impurities under a verified scientific test. During the taste test we discovered that it went very well with mixers like tonic, cola, and red bull. I also heard online that it tastes good with @SPEED_ENERGY. The GT logo with wings is my favorite part of the bottle. GT Vodka is Headquartered in Winter Park, FL and is made with ingredients from the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. They sponsor NASCAR drivers and JR Motorsports. You can follow them @gtvodka on twitter or like their facebook fan page here - https://www.facebook.com/GrandTouringVodka. For more information visit http://www.grandtouringvodka.com/.

Product Flashback - Mentos Fruit

Mentos Fruit

Every once in a while I remember a product that had a huge impact on me at some point in my life. Mentos has recently come out with the UP2U gum, which I will be blogging about in the near future. This product then reminded me of Mentos Fruit that all of the girls in High School would eat. I am pretty sure the only flavor I liked in the wrapper was the purple / pink colored one that tasted somewhat like blue raspberry? I probably only bought Mentos Fruit once in my life because I only liked one flavor in the pack. This is why I would just steal them from the girls. Anyways, I am going to have to pick up some Mentos Fruit soon so I can relive some good memories of the past. Isn't it amazing how a product can take you back to a specific period in time? I think that is amazing. Where were you when you ate Mentos Fruit?

Cheribundi

Cheribundi

My friend Nick who is in the Beverage Industry told me about Cheribundi. It's a Tart Cherry Juice drink that Nick says "tastes just like cherry pie". I am not a fan of cherries or cherry pie, so I will not be tasting this product. If you love cherries you should check out Cheribundi and let me know what you think of it. I do really enjoy their logo below:

Cheribundi Logo

Metromint

Guest Taste Testers - @AShort315, @33Cait88, and Murray

Metromint

Reese's White PB Cups

Special thanks to B. Ryan for the product donation. 

Guest appearances by @AShort315, @33Cait88, and Murray.

White Chocolate

SEI Water and Fred Water

SEI Water

Nothing was special about the water inside SEI. Just good old fashioned spring water from the Catskill Mountains. I just had to have the brilliantly designed SEI bottle. It's simple, bold, and flask like. This water bottle design reminded me of Fred Water, which has the same sort of shape, but if I was to recommend one based on taste it would be Fred Water. Fred Water has a very distinct and unique velvety taste unlike any water I've ever had. SEI water just looks good. The water is good and natural, but you have to try Fred Water! Below is what Fred looks like. All this talk about Fred Water is making me want to get a bottle right meow.

Fred Water

Saratoga Sparkling Spring Water

Saratoga Sparkling Spring Water

When grabbing lunch at a locally owned cafe in Rome, NY I decided to try Saratoga Sparkling Spring Water. I was immediately drawn towards the cobalt blue bottle, and I had to have it for my collection of awesome packaging. About a week prior, someone had me try a generic brand lime flavored sparkling spring water. I was really intrigued with the flavor because it tasted like Sprite, but minus all the sugary chemicals and additives. The Saratoga Sparkling Spring Water was light and refreshing, but I was craving a little more flavor so I went to the counter and grabbed two lemon slices to mix in. The lemon slices just hit the spot. I then did some research to see if Saratoga makes any of the flavored Sparkling Spring Water. I found out on http://www.saratogaspringwater.com/ that they make an Essence label that includes a Lemon Lime flavor:

Saratoga Essence

I am going to have to try and locate where I can purchase Essence Lemon Lime. They also have Orange-Tangerine and Wildberry flavors under the Essence label. The funny thing is, is that I went to LAVA the night after trying the Saratoga Sparkling Spring Water and noticed that they now carry it. LAVA has now replaced Voss Water with the Saratoga which angered me a little because I wanted to get a Voss Water bottle for the collection. Let me know where I can find Essence in Central New York!

Jeremiah Weed Malt Beverages

Jeremiah Weed Malt Beverages

I was in Springfield, MA this past weekend and at the local "package store" was a taste testing for Jeremiah Weed Malt Beverages, so of course I had to participate. The first flavor I tried was the Spiked Cola because I was drinking a Coca-Cola on the way there and I wanted to compare the tastes. The Spiked Cola had a very good cola taste and you could not recognize any alcohol in the drink, which is good or bad depending on your point-of-view. This "can't taste the alcohol" theme continued with the other flavors as well. The Spiked Cola tastes great, but I would not purchase it because I would not want to ruin drinking an actual cola. When I make mix drinks, I never use my favorite sodas or juices because I don't want to ruin them for future thirst situations. I could see myself using the Spiked Cola as a mixer with Vodka though. Next I tried a combination of the Lightning Lemonade and the Roadhouse Tea, which is the same concept as a Arnold Palmer. This combination I would highly recommend to people who enjoy Arnold Palmer. I am not the biggest fan of it because I don't enjoy really sweet things like the Lemonade. For the third taste test I removed the Lightning Lemonade and went with the Roadhouse Tea by itself. This was my absolute favorite because it tasted like real Ice Tea, and not like sugary, gross tea drinks on the market (Twisted Tea). I wanted to purchase a 6 pack of Roadhouse Tea, but they only had cold ones and I had to make a 3 hour trip back to New York. So next time you are looking for great flavor and taste, check out the line of Jeremiah Weed Malt Beverages. The 4.5% alcohol is completely masked and the flavor is fantastic. Jeremiah Weed also makes Vodkas and Bourbons, and you can find out more about these on http://www.jeremiahweed.com/ or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JeremiahWeed.

Bossa Nova

Bossa Nova

I was craving a POM Wonderful last night, but I decided to try something new. This is where I came across Bossa Nova in the same section. I have been wanting to try an acai berry drink because the acai berry has similar antioxidants like the pomegranate. We purchased one of the original, and one of the mango flavors (2 for $5). The bottle packaging, design, and color of the drink are impressive, but I was less than impressed with this drink. I was hoping for some real substance and flavor, but it truthfully drank like water. It tasted like naturally flavored water and I didn't crave more after the first few sample tastes. I did end up drinking the whole thing, but I think I will stick to POM Wonderful. POM has much more substance, taste, and after taste that just screams healthy and tasty. Overall Bossa Nova is a pretty sub-par drink. Might just be because the acai berry is a sub-par fruit. Either way I am not buying it again.

Perky Jerky

Thanks Perky Jerky for allowing us to try your product. We love the Turkey the best! For more infomation you can visit http://www.perkyjerky.com/. Follow them on facebook http://www.facebook.com/perkyjerky and also on Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/perkyjerky
One thing I would recommend is resealable bags. I know. I know. It's so tasty you should finish the bag all at once, and maybe with your friends, but their may be that one time where you have to save some jerk for later.

Twitter peoples in the video - @ngocvnguyen @AShort315 @LightningMcQ

Turkey Perky Jerky

Naked Juiceventure: The 64 OZ Holy Grail

Naked Juice 64 OZ

The ever mysterious 64 OZ Naked Juice bottle will be in my possesion soon enough. I just have to find a friend or family member who has a BJ's Wholesale card. I feel like I am missing out on lots of brands & products in that place. This is like the Holy Grail of Naked Juices, and I just heard about it today via Twitter. Thanks @Naked_Juice for filling me in on this. Most consumers have probably seen the 15.2 ounce bottles in Grocery Stores or Local Shops:

Naked Juice 15.2 OZ

The other day I purchased a 32 OZ Green Machine (Not scary at all, actually wicked tasty) thinking it was the biggest size. I also have a little 10 OZ bottle on my Brand HOF Shelf that someone picked up for me. My cousin @Life_BECKons was asking if Naked Juice was available in bulk cases because we buy it so often that we would like to get it cheaper than $3.50 for a 15.2 OZ bottle. They are not available in bulk cases yet, but you can buy them in large volume (64 OZ) at your local BJ's, Sams Club and Costco. Good luck on your Juiceventures everyone, and let me know how it goes!

My Favorite Muffin - Marcy, NY

My Favorite Muffin - Marcy, NY

My Favorite Muffin is the forgotten food place in my area. This was only the second time in my life that I have been there, and I happen to drive past it everyday to work. I started asking myself - Why do I forget that My Favorite Muffin exists? It is in a high traffic location, but the location itself is not very good. Their signs are generic and they don't use a consistent logo on them. Some of the signs just have words on them. Branding is not coordinated on all touch points. My Favorite Muffin does have great muffins, and their bagels are "lack luster" as a co-worker of mine said. They do sell Naked Juice, but it was for $4.23. Naked Juice usually goes for $3.50. Dunkin' Donuts moved in across the street and of course their store is beautiful and noticeable. If I live in the area and never go to your store, where will people stop if they are just passing through? Fun Fact: I worked at Dunkin' Donuts from age 15 to 19 so I grew a passion for bagels and muffins. Shout out to Bagel Grove Bagels (Utica, NY)! They are tasty, homemade, and no preservatives. My Favorite Muffin is a chain store based out of Deerfield, IL. It is a clean and comfortable atmosphere on the inside of the store, but if you have never stopped in you would never know this. What do I want to see happen at the My Favorite Muffin in Marcy, NY? Make your curb appeal as nice as the inside of your store. Another suggestion would be to put signs before the bridge that is next to your store because people driving under the bridge totally miss your store because they have to pay attention to the intersection ahead. They have lost my business as for now, but I am willing to try again if they improve. My Favorite Muffin - I am available for freelance marketing and branding consultations. If you are interested please contact Mike Beck at becksbrands@gmail.com.

Snapz Apple Crisps - Subway

Snapz Apple Crisps - Subway

While out on some foodventures with @ngocvnguyen we ended up going to a local Subway that neither of us has ever been to. Subway locations are everywhere, hence them surpassing McDonald's on the most restaurant locations in the world. While ordering a $5 dollar foot long of Turkey and Black Forest Ham I noticed the new product called Snapz. Snapz are crunchy, premium apple crisps. I had to try these things! Snapz has a great concept: A full apple sliced up and turned into a chip-like snack. They are all natural and healthy for you, but they made one mistake. They added lemon drops to them which totally over powered them. @ngocvnguyen said that the Snapz "kicked him in the mouth". That was the type of flavor that the lemon drops gave off. I would like to see them without the lemon drops. I am sure they would taste just fine. Maybe add some cinnamon and potentially some Splenda to sweeten them up. @33cait88 didn't like the taste of them either. I tried to do some research on them and find a website but the only thing I could find was some old packaging. I am going to assume this is the same company. Prove me wrong:

Snapz Old Packaging

@charlieryczek says that we should try the Seneca Crispy Apple Chips below. (Notice the Beck's Brands site in the background!)

Seneca Apple Chips