Truth in Advertising??

My kids determined that I NEEDED a SodaStream for my Birthday and Christmas.  So, they pooled their finances to  purchase this amazing (more so in their eyes) for me.  They did ask me and I agreed that they could give me this gift, but I didn’t have time to really look into it and do any research.  It has truly been a learning experience for them however, and that has been more of a gift/lesson for them. 

First, Dash insisted that ordering from the SodaStream website was the absolutely best deal because they could order extra flavors, samples and an additional CO2 pack.  However, he forgot to calculate shipping.  In reality, Amazon would have been the better option because of super saver shipping, which would have resulted in no shipping charges.

Second, my kids (especially, Dash) know that I cannot stand the taste of artificial sweeteners, nor do I consider them a healthy alternative to cane or beet sugar.  Unbeknownst to me, ALL the regular flavors use sucralose for sweetening.  To his defense, the product descriptions say ‘all natural’.  But, I don’t consider sucralose a natural sweetener!  I can taste it and it’s awful.  After my first small glass, I wouldn’t consider drinking any more.  I had grave reservations about letting my kids drink any, but relented.  I did toss the flavor that is compared to Red Bull and all the diet flavors.  Thank goodness they were just small sample packs.  But, what do I do with all the full size flavors?

Third, the kids had assumed this would be a huge money saver because I’d ‘for sure’ like Dr. Pete better than my sugar filled Dr. Pepper.  After trying the others, I didn’t have the heart to tell them I wouldn’t be trying Dr. Pete with it’s sucralose sweetener.  Now, there are naturally (cane sugar) sweetened flavors, but most of them cost twice as much as the same amount of regular flavor and make half as many liters.  Definitely not as cost effective as the kids had dreamed. 

This won’t replace Dr. Pepper for me.  Now, I truly would like to cut back or cut completely my Dr. Pepper habit because the waistline is affected.  It’s an extra and isn’t necessary… it’s an indulgence.

We occasionally buy rootbeer for making rootbeer floats as a treat.  Eric and I enjoy Colorado Bulldogs, which use about 12oz of cola (usually Coke) for two drinks.  We make these maybe twice a month.  It can’t be returned, so I’ll be checking out the Sparkling Naturals flavors at some point.