Steve "The Spokesman" Nash

Flower Power

Tonight I went out with Rachael to a movie. Before heading over to the theatre, Rachael wanted to stop by Choices to pick up a few things and drinks for the movie. We were kind of in a rush so I asked her to pick out a drink for me as I waited for her in the car. She came out with a surprise, something that I probably wouldn't consider buying if I went in with her. It was called OOBA.

OOBA is a 100% all natural, sparkling beverage that infuses the pure extracts from the Hibiscus Sabdariffa species of Hibiscus flower. They come in a variety of flavours;

Hibiscus
Hibiscus and Lime
Hibiscus and Orange
Hibiscus and Blackberry
Hibiscus and Vanilla
Hibiscus and Pineapple

As you can see, all containing that key ingredient, which also seems to be their selling point. I had the one with just Hibiscus. This healthy beverage is rich in antioxidants and each bottle contains 100% of the daily recommended value of vitamin C. The ingredients are carbonated water, cane sugar, Pure Hibiscus Extract, citric acid and absorbic acid. It was a refreshingly clean taste. I would say that the taste resembles the taste of blackcurrent. The carbonation and the sweetness level was perfect for this type of drink. At the moment, it's pretty much a one of a kind drink. There are not that many other types of drinks out there yet like this one, that I've seen in Vancouver. Knowing that this beverage contains all natural ingredients and it's healthy benefits, it's a bit more than I would normally pay for just a drink. ($3.49)

Overall, this beverage was OOBA good.

Cashew Juice

I recently got some Cashew Juice, Cashew Fruit Juice from O.N.E. I should say. I got it more out of interest. I was actually leary of how it was going to taste, it actually tastes really refreshing. I can't pin point the flavor but I can say it is kinda like a weak passion fruit drink, mixed in with coconut juice type of flavor. If you try it let me know what you think.

Here's some info I found on the web about the juice:

O.N.E. Cashew Juice is a 100% natural, non-allergenic, nutritional beverage with a fresh, light and naturally sweet tropical flavor made from the fruit of the cashew plant, not the nut. This cool new drink is made from water, cashew fruit puree, organic sugar cane juice and citric acid and provides 5X more Vitamin C than orange juice, is less acidic and is a great source of nutrients like beta-carotene, Vitamins B1, B2, and B3, calcium, and iron. Cashew juice may also help remedy upset stomachs, soothe sore throats, protect skin from acne and eczema and fortify the immune system.

Vince

Our Mayor found a Happy Planet

It's going to be sad to see the Capers/Whole Foods on Cambie and 16th close at the end of this month. Rachael and I love going there. We would go there for groceries, dinner, desserts or for a smoothie. Every time we go in there I would always walk down the drink isle to check out their selection and see if there is any new products.

I went to Capers/Whole Foods last night and the Happy Planet Mango Peach Party caught my eye. Once I saw the name, I knew that I wanted to be a part of that "party." It contains organic juice from concentrate and organic fruit puree. The most predominate being mango puree, (and it really does taste like a mango pureed) and a subtle taste of banana and peach. It has a natural fruit sweetness that is not too over powering and does not have an artificial sugary taste. So if you're not a mango lover, this one is not for you.

Happy Planet is a private company based in Vancouver, BC known for their smoothies and organic juices. The company started in 1994 by Randal Lus and the current Mayor of Vancouver, Gregor Robertson. They originally started out with just producing organic carrot juice from Gregor's farm. The company now ships several thousand bottles of fruit juices and smoothies per week.

That's a Vision Vancouver.

Diet Coke + Mentos

Canuck$ = Beer$

Tonight was game #2 of the first series for the Vancouver Canucks playoffs.  Congratulations to the Canucks for their victory, 3-0 win over St. Louis Blues.

I was flipping through The Vancouver Sun today and I came across an article about how the playoffs impact our economy and hospitality industry in Vancouver.  Survey results from the B.C. Restaurant and Food Service Association report that there was an increase in liquor and food sales last Wednesday for game #1.

Beer was a big seller of the night, 70.2% increase in sales over an average non game Wednesday night.  Wine and liquor sales were up 45.3%

For those restaurant, bar and pub owners that do not have a television, better get on it quick.  For the owners that do have a television, whether they like hockey or not, are probably yelling "Go Canucks Go!"

King Arthur

I'm a big fan of juices and smoothies. I really enjoy Arthur's Smoothies. I always feel healthier after downing a huge bottle. Right now I'm having the Carrot Energizer. I guess it's not a great idea to have it just before I sleep. I've had other carrot blend smoothies before and this is my favorite. It's easy to drink (I've had some that had too many over powering flavors).

I took the picture of the juice with my blackberry, yes I have found that taking pics with a digital camera, uploading it, resizing it, is tedious. Expect more blackberry pictures in the future.


Vince

KEE-joo

I got a chance to try a sample of the Kiju pomegranate cherry juice. I believe that this bottled beverage is not out in the market yet. It's a 100% pure fruit juice, grown and processed naturally with no added sugar. An excellent source of vitamin C. It's certified 100% organic and it tasted delicious. It had predominate flavours of sweet apples and a mild tartness of pomegranates. I really like the design of this 355ml glass bottle.

Majority of the fruits are from organic farms in North and South America. The processing and bottling is made in Ontario, Canada.

O Canada!

Lemonade Was a Popular Drink and it Still Is.

Santa Cruz Organic Lemonade is one of my favorite drinks. It's not too tart, not too sweet. Probably the best lemonade out. Thinking about it is making my mouth water.




Vince

Bottle Shock

I watched Bottle Shock last Thursday.  It's a 2008 film based on a true story about the events that led up to the Judgement of France in 1976.  It is a feel good comedy/drama.  If you liked the movie Sideways, you may like this one.  Check it out.

"I detect bacon fat, laced with honey melon."  

How about a nice Hawaiian Punch?

Hawaiian Punch was created in 1934 by A.W. Leo, Tom Yates, Ralph Harrison as an ice cream topping. It was later discovered by customers that it was more suitable as a drink when mixed with water. I didn't think that Hawaiian Punch was still around but apparently so, as here is their website.

This commercial from the 70's featuring Donny and Marie Osmond boasted that Hawaiian Punch contained 10% fruit juice. In the website it advises only 5% fruit juice. Could they have perhaps got rid of 1 of the 7 fruit flavors?

This commercial is another reason why I want to go to Hawaii. Go Hawaiian!

Lime is no lemon

Last night Rachael and I wanted Japanese food and we felt like trying something new. We went to Lime Japanese Cuisine on Commercial Drive. Besides the regular menu, they had a $25.00 three course set menu special to celebrate the cherry blossom season, called the Sakura Set, which we ordered.

They had 3 beers on tap (Lime House Lager, Lime House Ale and R&B Red Devil Pale Ale). We ordered 2 pints of the Lime House Ale at $6.50 each. It came in a dimpled glass pint. I haven't drank from one of these in a long time. It reminded me of my dad's restaurant in the 80's. The Lime House Ale had a caramel/amber colour with a smooth nutty taste. I really enjoyed it - for a dark beer it wasn't too heavy. Now, if it was served in a frosted pint...that would've been off the hook. I think that it would've been novel if they used the restaurant's name to create a signature "Lime Wheat Ale."

Our whole evening was enjoyable - the dinner, live music and drinks. There is nothing sour about Lime.