Kern's Apricot Nectar

Kern's Apricot NectarPrice: 99¢ plus tax
Serving: 1 can, 11.5oz.
Calories: 200 per serving
Fat: 0%, 0g
Cholesterol: 0%, 0mg
Sodium: 0%, 10mg
Protein: 1g
Carbohydrates: 17%, 50g
Fiber: 4%, 1g
Sugar: 45g
Caffeine: 0mg

Kern’s says: Made from whole fruit from concentrate with other natural flavors

Abi says: For a long time, I’ve been in love with the “First 4 Ingredients” notation at Writers and Artists Snacking At Work. While reading the ingredients list on Kern’s Apricot Nectar, I was reminded of that writing tool and decided to use it to show you why this was a mistake of a beverage purchase.

First 4 ingredients:

Yes, this drink contains more High Fructose Corn Syrup than fruit. Ew. It only took one sip to make me realize that I’d chosen the worst ever possible accompaniment for my falafel. I was hoping for a sweet, refreshing alternative to my Mediterranean food and instead I got a tongue-coating nuclear orange nightmare.

Do yourself a favor and stay far, far away from Kern’s Apricot Nectar. Unless you enjoy drinking sugary orange-colored syrup masquerading a juice. If so, I’ve got just the drink for you.

October 10, 2008 | 3 Comments 
Filed Under Apricot, Juice Cocktails, Kern's

Trader Joe's Defense UP

Trader JoePrice: $2.69 plus tax
Serving: 1/2 bottle, 8 oz.
Calories: 120 per serving
Fat: 0%, 0g
Cholesterol: 0%, 0mg
Sodium: 1%, 15mg
Protein: 2g
Carbohydrates: 10%, 29g
Fiber: 4%, 1g
Sugar: 28g
Caffeine: 0mg

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Trader Joe says: A blend of juice, herbs & vitamin C combined to fortify you.

Abi says: Unsaid on the bottles, but definitely implied is that this beverage will protect you from colds and flus and all-around general illness. Check out this list (by the way, this product is NSFV or Not Safe For Vegans):

While I’m familiar with Vitamin C and highly skeptical (rightly so according to the National Institutes of Health) of Echinacea, I have no idea what Royal Jelly, Bee Propolis, and Lemon Bioflavenoids are supposed to do for me during cold and flu season.

I remember Royal Jelly from a Nancy Drew book that involved some runners and a Russian athletic diva (after considerable internet research it turned out to be Nancy Drew No. 96, The Case of the Photo Finish). Bee propolis is a sealant for unwanted open spaces in the hive. The example in Wikipedia notes that it would be used if a mouse or lizard crawled into the hive and died there. Unable to carry out the invaders, the bees would seal it in with propolis. Yum!

I can’t find any literature on Lemon Bioflavonoids that isn’t produced by a Vitamin company, but it appears that a study performed in 2007 showed that the antioxidant properties of flavonoids so loved in test tubes didn’t actually perform in the human body. It appears that Trader Joe’s is actually selling us tasty juice full of wishful thinking.

Don’t worry, this stuff won’t hurt you. Plus, the juice tastes pretty darn good and completely lacks any ‘herb’ flavors. If you’re in the mood for some orange juice and your mom is in town and you’d like her to think that you’re taking good care of yourself, put a bottle of Trader Joe’s Defense UP in the fridge.

If you’re not that worried about appearances, regular old orange juice is just as effective as the additives in this beverage.

October 9, 2008 | Leave a Comment 
Filed Under All Natural, Apple, Fat Free, Four Stars, High Fructose Corn Syrup Free, Juice, No Preservatives, Orange, Pineapple, Trader Joe's

San Pellegrino Limonata

San Pellegrino LimonataPrice: 99¢ plus tax
Serving: 1 can, 11.5oz.
Calories: 180 per serving
Fat: 0%, 0g
Cholesterol: 0%, 0mg
Sodium: 0%, 0mg
Protein: 0g
Carbohydrates: 15%, 45g
Fiber: 0%, 0g
Sugar: 45g
Caffeine: 0mg
Weight Watchers Points: 4 Points

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San Pellegrino says: Sparkling Lemon Beverage

Abi says: My local Whole Foods has a terrific deli. Oh, the crepes are perhaps the most horrible crepes I’ve ever had in my life, but the teriyaki and Indian and barbecue and burritos are all pretty darn good. Add the hot bar, several soups, and gorgeous salad fixings and you’ve got my favorite buffet in town. Except for one little problem: no Diet Coke. That’s right, it is impossible to get a Diet Coke at Whole Foods. And most other drinks there are crazy expensive. I like juice, but if I’m eating an entire meal, I don’t want to pay another $4.00 for an Odwalla Cranberry-Lime Drink. Enough is enough!

That’s why I go for San Pellegrino Limonata. It complements just about any meal, is light and refreshing, and at 99¢ is just about the cheapest beverage you can get at Whole Foods and it comes all of the way from Italy. The terrifically short ingredients list doesn’t hurt either:

One thing I should point out is that this drink, which is best described as ’sparkling lemonade’, clocks in at 180 calories. It might be High Fructose Corn Syrup Free, but it isn’t a spa treatment. Of course, you could drink this and pretend that you’re at a spa. In Milan. Resting after watching a fashion show. It makes the lack of Diet Coke more bearable.

[On Amazon.com they have a 6 pack of San Pellegrino Limonata for cheaper than I can buy it at Safeway]

October 5, 2008 | 4 Comments 
Filed Under All Natural, Four Stars, High Fructose Corn Syrup Free, Italy, Juice Cocktails, Lemon, San Pellegrino, Soda

Columbia Gorge Organic Apple Cider

Columbia Gorge Organic Apple CiderPrice: $2.50
Serving: 12oz., 1 bottle
Servings Per Container: 1
Calories: 180 per serving
Fat: 0%, 0g
Cholesterol: 0%, 0mg
Sodium: 3%, 67mg
Protein: 9g
Carbohydrates: 15%, 43g
Fiber: 7%, 2g
Sugar: 39g
Weight Watchers Points: 3 Points

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Columbia Gorge says: Unparalleled in the world of apple ciders. We blend several different kinds of apples to achieve the tart yet sweet flavor of this cider. Making it from soil-enriched grown organic apples is the best way to taste the real apple flavor.

Abi Says: In Washington State, Fall means apples and apples mean cider. Okay, cider and apple sauce and deliciously cinnamony pies. But this is not a pie blog.

During a six-day visit to Seattle I figured that I’d just drink my way across every coffee shop in town. This is a good idea in theory, but in actuality it means jitters, possible tooth stains, and peeing all the freaking time.

In order to avoid the uncomfortable side-effects of diuretics, every noontime I switched to juices. Sometimes it was the blackberry version of an Izze sparkling soda and other days I turned to one of these adorable bottles of juice from the Columbia Gorge Juice Company.

The organic cider was lighter and clearer than I expected, a forewarning that the drink would exhibit few of the qualities of farm-fresh pressed cider. Columbia Gorge delivers a refreshing drink, made simply with organic apples. However, their cider walks a line between juice and true cider.

So, if you’re looking for something to mull with spices and wine, or spike with a bit of Jack Daniels and you have lots of cash to burn, you can’t go wrong with this cider.

October 2, 2008 | 3 Comments 
Filed Under All Natural, Apple, Columbia Gorge Organics, Fat Free, Five Stars, Four Stars, High Fructose Corn Syrup Free, Juice, Juice Cocktails, No Genetically Modified Organisms, No Preservatives, Organic, Three Stars, United States, Vegan