The 411 on “Fizz”

by Cascade Ice on March 11, 2011

It’s common knowledge that if you want to drink healthier and manage your weight, sugary-sweet sodas and calorie-laden flavored waters are not the right thing to have in your fridge. After all, we all know what actually makes them bad for you – excess sugar, sodium, calories and carbs. But is the actual “fizz” (or carbonation, as some people like to call it) all that bad for you?

Staying hydrated is crucial to your health, and fluids can help you feel full and satisfy your thirst. In fact, some experts agree that carbonated beverages can help to make you feel fuller, longer. Plus, some people just don’t like plain water and have a hard time meeting their water consumption requirements. Substituting carbonated drinks for plain water can add a little variety, and some exciting flavor.

If you do decide to indulge in a diet soda instead, consider the impact on the number of calories in your daily intake. These empty sources of calories can quickly add up – using up your daily allowance of calories and leave you still hungry.

St. Patty’s Lucky 17 Contest

by Cascade Ice on March 9, 2011

We are excited to announce our St. Patty’s Lucky 17 Contest on Facebook! Visit our official Facebook page at facebook.com/cascadeicewaters and click on the Sweepstakes tab in the left column (or you can click here). Fill out and submit the form et voilà, you are entered to win! “What will I win,” you ask? Every 17th fan will win 2 cases of Cascade Ice and we will announce the winners on March 18, 2011.

For each petal on the shamrock
This brings a wish your way –
Good health, good luck, and happiness
For today and every day.
~Author Unknown

Kristen’s Healthy Living Journey

by Cascade Ice on March 9, 2011

The Flavorful Life is featuring several “healthy living journey” stories from Cascade Ice fans around the country, where guest bloggers tell us their thoughts on how they face challenges and come up with new ideas to pursue better health and fitness lifestyles. The following is a post from Kristen Morgan of Port Orchard, WA.  

It was many months ago I decided to kick the soda habit, only I didn’t.  My friend and I had decided we wanted to be healthier, drop a few pounds and I knew my soda habit was a little out of control, considering it was about the only thing I ever drank.  I tried several other flavored waters and water mix-in packets.  They were either too sweet or left a weird after-taste.  But while at the local Puyallup Fair last year, a booth caught my eye.  The very nice girls at the booth let us try several different flavors before purchasing a refreshing drink.  And so, my love affair with Cascade Ice began.

It wasn’t until several months later, just after the New Year, that I saw them in the grocery store and decided to buy some more and give my New Year’s resolution a fighting chance.  They were on sale for a $1 each so I grabbed a few.  It wasn’t until a few days later I reread the label and realized there were only 2 calories and no sugar. 

I am now hoping Cascade Ice Waters will be able to help me kick this soda habit and drop those few pounds I am looking to lose.  I know I am going to have fun trying all the flavos and kicking sodas to the curb once and for all!

Healthy Recipe: Fruit Pizza

by Cascade Ice on March 7, 2011

When you think of pizza, you think of cheese, meat, lots of sauce and maybe some veggies tossed on top. It is an American favorite but it isn’t always the healthiest option. Research published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association explains that around 40 percent of children’s total calorie consumption came from sugar additives and solid fat. Six foods resulted in 50 percent of the total empty calories and pizza and soda were at the top of the list. Since pizza is such a family favorite, but isn’t always so good to our waistlines, we wanted to share a different, healthier take on pizza that is not only tasty, but can be a fun, at-home kitchen project with the kids!

Ingrendients:

• 1 premade crust (pastry crust or low-fat sugar cookie dough)
• 8 ounces softened low-fat cream cheese
• 1/2 cup confectioners sugar*
• 2 cup sugar-free cool whip
• Fruit of your choice

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Flatten the dough onto a 6″ pizza sheet and bake until firm to touch, about 11 to 15 minutes. In a medium bowl, blend cream cheese, sugar and cool whip. Spread the crust with the cream cheese mixture and decorate with sliced fruit.

Enjoy!

*If you’d like to make a sugar-free version using sucralose, just combine 1/4 cup of sucralose and 1/4 cup of corn starch in a blender to make a confectioners sugar substitute.