KeVita Sparkling Probiotic Drink - Lemon Cayenne Cleanse

Strolling through the organic/healthy food section of one of my local grocery stores, I was intrigued by some of the KeVita drinks they had available. I had tried KeVita in the past, but I wanted to give a few of the flavors I hadn't tried before a shot. Low and behold, I picked up a bottle of the KeVita Sparkling Probiotic Drink - Lemon Cayenne Cleanse.

 

This is a sparkling probiotic drink ... so think along the lines of sparkling water, except not as carbonated. It's got a little bubbly action to it, but nothing that'll be overwhelming if you take a big sip.  According to the brands website, the drink is "Spicy and sublime, KeVita Lemon Cayenne is lightly sweetened with stevia, and contains no added sugar. Delicious between meals, Lemon Cayenne is certified organic and non-GMO, low calorie, low glycemic, vegan, dairy and gluten free."

 

What I find most interesting about this drink is that depending on how you drink it (how quickly and how much you swallow at once) you really get different flavors with each drink. I found if I took a big gulp the apple cider vinegar flavor was in full force. If it was sipped slowly there was a slight sweetness to it ... like a healthier lemonade with a little bit of a maple flavor lingering in the background. There wasn't necessarily a cayenne flavor, or at least nothing remotely spicy ...it was more along the lines of lemon, maple and apple cider vinegar. I enjoyed it and found it to not be all that bad.

 

A serving, 8 ounces, is 5 calories or 0 points plus values.

Green Juice / Green Smoothie

So ...  I've launched myself into the craze that is Green juice. I've seen so many green juices being made and different varieties that it peeked my interest. Since I had been struggling I figured it would be a good way to get some vegetables and fruits in on days where I was lacking.  If I have a juice with a filling breakfast (hard boiled eggs, greek yogurt etc) I'm far more satisfied and even full-feeling at lunch time.

 

I simply add some fresh fruit, vegetables and green tea to my green juice and so far I've enjoyed what I've been able to concoct.  I do make big batches of these, storing them in airtight containers and even pitchers. If the mixture sits in the fridge overnight, it'll need a good few shakes in the morning to get everything reincorporated. Since I don't "juice" them (I use a blender) the pulp and fiber is still present which raises to the top of the glass/pitcher and the green tea settles to the bottom.  The mixture is essentially a "salad in a cup."

 

A friend of mine gave me a basic recipe and I've been using that and adding in my own swing of things.  Here's the basic recipe:

 

Green tea

Spinach

Grapes

Lemon

1/2 Banana

Cinnamon

 

I just eyeball it, blend it up and pour it into individual containers. As it sits in the fridge, the pulp does settle at the top of the drink ... but a quick shake before drinking it all gets re-incorporated. This is more along the lines of a "smoothie" than a smooth juice as there is chunks of pulp in it.