Here's a crazy stat for you: In 2009, Americans spent over $10 billion on bottled water. $10 billion!! And they paid up to 1000 times the cost of tap water. On top of that, Americans drink roughly 50 gallons of soda per person per year. Now that's a huge amount of money and a huge amount of plastic bottles and cans ending up in the landfill - because remember, the recycling rate is still only 25 - 30%.
As daunting as that sounds, most people still aren't willing to give up their water & soda habit completely. Fortunately there is a way to clean that habit up quite a bit....
Enter the SodaStream. With a SodaStream, you can make your own fizzy water and soda using tap water in reusable bottles. Low cost, no waste....what's not to love? Sure, there's the initial cost for the machine. But with the basic model starting at $80 bucks, it wouldn't take long for a regular soda buyer to recoup their cost.
We don't drink much soda around here but hubby and I are big fans of sparkling water. We typically buy it in cans which we dutifully recycle but still, it's a use of resources that would be nice to avoid. When SodaStream approached me about doing a review, I was more than happy to oblige - with the goal of kicking my cans for good!! And my boys were ecstatic about having a soda-maker in their own home!!
The SodaStream is surprisingly simple to use. Fill a bottle with tap water, screw it into the machine and press the button on top 3 times to carbonate. Done! If you want to add flavor you do it after the water is carbonated. For those not interested in traditional soda flavors, SodaStream developed a new line of Sparkling Naturals flavors - which are free of preservatives and artificial flavors, colors and sweeteners. They also carry a line of flavor essences which are all-natural and unsweetened (personally, I love these the best!) While we've had a lot of fun making soda - it's still a special occasion thing. I don't want my kids drinking the stuff every day!
Want to win a SodaStream and give up the cans and bottles?
SodaStream has generously offered to give away a Penguin starter kit to one super lucky Mindful Momma reader (a $200 value)!! The cool thing about the Penguin model is that it comes with glass bottles instead of plastic. Super-durable glass bottles - so there's very little concern about breakage. I wish I could say that I've tried the Penguin but the company sent me a regular model by mistake and I didn't want to raise a fuss. (The plastic bottles in the basic model are BPA-free and I really think they're safe to use - I just would have preferred the glass)
For a chance to win, leave a comment letting me know why you would like your very own SodaStream Penguin. Extra entries for subscribing to Mindful Momma by RSS feed or email and following me on Twitter (three chances total per person - leave a separate comment for each). The giveaway will run through midnight, central time on Monday, February 7th. Good Luck!!
{full disclosure: I received a free SodaStream machine for review purposes. The opinions are my own.}
And the winner is....Stacey who said "I would love one - we actually don't drink soda but we fizz up fresh squeezed fruit juice a lot and I have been trying to talk my husband into letting me get one so we don't have to recycle all the water bottles (fizzy - not regular bottled). I feel like next to a water filter this would eliminate about the last of the bottles that come into the house - plus it would be fun to come up with new drinks to try."
I've been lusting after a Penguin Soda Stream! Like you, I'm not a regular purchaser of soda, but I really love fizzy water.
Posted by: Renee | January 24, 2011 at 09:40 AM
I would absolutely LOVE one of these. Bottled water has been banned for years, we don't drink much soda either so a soda stream would be great fun for the whole family! (Also follow and subscribe too!). Thanks!!
Posted by: Jeanne | January 24, 2011 at 09:46 AM
we are soda people at our house. I would love to have less waste and it looks like a fun way to get kids involved.
Posted by: Raising Green Richmond Kids | January 24, 2011 at 09:54 AM
For making our own seltzer water!!! I try not to buy too much of it, just due to packaging waste, but yet, it can be such a treat. And so much better for you than soda, though making your own soda would be quite fun! I've been looking at these, but really can't afford it at the moment (the upfront cost, at least).
Posted by: Erin | January 24, 2011 at 10:00 AM
We have people over a lot and most people are fairly used to our standard party offerings of non-disposable plates and cloth napkins with pitchers of lemonade, juice, iced tea or water. I don't buy little disposable bottles of things so this would definitely spice up my beverage choices (especially when I'm hosting parties for my husband's huge family, who seem to think that diet soda should have its own place on the food pyramid). I'm always looking for ways to show people that just because I am a 'crazy hippie' doesn't mean my parties have to suck. This would be a good one!
Posted by: Kate | January 24, 2011 at 10:08 AM
I have been researching this product and really wanted one. My hubby is not quite as green as I am and thinks it is a waste. I would love to get one and prove how awesome it is.
Posted by: kearsa | January 24, 2011 at 10:12 AM
I follow you on twitter.
Posted by: kearsa | January 24, 2011 at 10:13 AM
I had hoped to get one of these for Christmas but no such luck. I love the idea of adding fizz to juice and flavored waters and cut down (and eventually eliminate) soda consumption in our house.
Posted by: Julie | January 24, 2011 at 10:17 AM
It was on my christmas list, but apparently santa didn't think I was good this year. I won't buy anything in a plastic bottle, and the decaf, non-soda aluminum options are limited. this would be AMAZING for me.
Posted by: Sareen D | January 24, 2011 at 10:48 AM
I also follow on twitter.
Posted by: Sareen D | January 24, 2011 at 10:49 AM
I have been wanting one of these since the first time I saw the cheaper version at BB&B. I can only imagine the fun that my 3 year old would have helping me make pop!
Posted by: Stephanie | January 24, 2011 at 10:52 AM
I use Google Reader to subscribe to your blog :-)
Posted by: Stephanie | January 24, 2011 at 10:53 AM
This would be awesome to win as my hubby does like soda, but not with all the garbage! Would be great for my son, too as he gets older :-p
Posted by: Heidi | January 24, 2011 at 10:53 AM
I follow you on Twitter (NavyFamily06)
Posted by: Stephanie | January 24, 2011 at 10:54 AM
I would love one - we actually don't drink soda but we fizz up fresh squeezed fruit juice a lot and I have been trying to talk my husband into letting me get one so we don't have to recycle all the water bottles (fizzy - not regular bottled). I feel like next to a water filter this would eliminate about the last of the bottles that come into the house - plus it would be fun to come up with new drinks to try.
Posted by: stacey | January 24, 2011 at 10:59 AM
follow you on twitter
Posted by: stacey | January 24, 2011 at 11:00 AM
rss feed on my google :)
Posted by: stacey | January 24, 2011 at 11:00 AM
Oh my... I somehow have not seen this product before, and it looks fantastic! We are big sparkling water drinkers and also drink some soda. It would be amazing to not lug a large trash bag full of crushed cans down to the recycling bin at our local park every week. (OK, if I'm being honest, it's more like a carful a month, especially now that it's snowy!)
Posted by: Meg | January 24, 2011 at 11:54 AM
Also signed up for email.
Posted by: Meg | January 24, 2011 at 11:54 AM
Ooooh, my in-laws got a Soda Stream this Christmas and I LOVE it! I am a big sparking water fan, but I do try to not succumb too often, I can only find it in 20 oz plastic bottles at the market in my tiny, rural town. I have been yearning for a Penguin of my own!
Posted by: Andie | January 24, 2011 at 12:11 PM
My son absolutely LOVES "bubble water" (sparkling water with flavor essences - not sweetened soda)! I hate buying the bottles, because of expense, waste, and having to lug them home (usually shop on foot), but we get enough that he can at least have it as a treat on the weekends. My kids just turned four on Saturday and this would make an awesome belated birthday gift for him!
Posted by: Shanna | January 24, 2011 at 12:28 PM
I subscribe via RSS.
Posted by: Shanna | January 24, 2011 at 12:29 PM
And I follow you on Twitter @devarim
Posted by: Shanna | January 24, 2011 at 12:29 PM
My husband likes soda and fizzy water. I hate the waste. A Sodastream would bring harmony to our kitchen and recycling bin.
Posted by: [email protected] | January 24, 2011 at 12:49 PM
I follow you on Twitter.@condoblues
Posted by: [email protected] | January 24, 2011 at 12:50 PM