This is a bummer for a few reasons:
- Sodas are known for containing some not-so-healthy ingredients. GMO-laden high frustose corn syrup among them.
- Most soda bottlers use cans or bottles that contain hormone-disrupting BPA. Yuck.
- Soda is not budget friendly. Even less so if you live in a state (like I do) that requires a mandatory deposit on beverage containers....a "deposit" that you don't get back if you utilize curbside recycling. Boo.
These are just some of the reasons why I was really excited to be able to try out an at home soda maker from SodaStream. AND I also get to share the at home soda love with you because SodaStream is going to give a Fountain Jet Starter Kit away to one lucky Carissa's Creativity Space reader!
- Because I reuse the bottles that come with the maker, there's no more lost money on bottle "deposits" ("deposits" in quotes because while I could return the bottles to get my nickel back, it's a huge hassle. I just curbside recycle them, which means my "deposit" turns into a five cent donation to the state)
- It has a small footprint - it does not take up much space at all on my counter. It doesn't need access to electricity, either. Really, I can put it anywhere!
- Making soda in small batches keeps it fizzy longer. No more half-drunk bottles of flat soda from the store.
- I can make my own flavors to have 100% control over what goes into my body.
- My son loves (and frequently requests) plain "bubble water". Anything that makes food more fun for a toddler is a plus in my book!
- The bottles are BPA and phthalate free (most cans of soda contain BPA so this is a great alternative).
- None of SodaStream's flavors contain High Fructose Corn Syrup or Aspartame.
- My favorite SodaStream flavors were: Cola Free, Diet Pink Grapefruit, Diet Cranberry Raspberry, Diet Green Tea Pomegranate Peach.
- I wish SodaStream made glass bottles that worked with my model. SodaStream does have two models that use glass bottles, Penguin and Crystal, but their bottles are not compatible with the less expensive soda makers like the one I have.
- Because the bottles are plastic, they need some extra special love. You should never put them in the dishwasher, use detergent or a bottle brush on them. Scratches (as from a bottle brush), heat and detergent will make the plastic start to break down. Because of this, you should not drink straight from the bottles and should always pour into a glass or drinking container first. Once you've finished drinking a bottle of soda, simply rinse it with water and fill it with tap water. Keep the bottle with tap water in the fridge until you're ready to carbonate.
- While I love that the Sparkling Naturals line of flavorings contains no artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners, or preservatives, the caps on the bottles are messy and the syrup does not dissolve into the carbonated water as easily and the standard flavors. At the very least a re-design of the bottle would make these more user friendly.
- I would love if they expanded their energy drink flavors to have more than just a Red Bull knock off. Maybe a Monster or RockStar flavor? Double brownie points if it's the pink RockStar flavor.
- Fountain Jet in the winner’s choice of color (black/silver, red/silver or white)
- 1 carbonating bottle, reusable for up to 3 years
- Reusable carbonator to fizz up to 60L of soda
- Variety 6-pack of popular sample-size flavors
- 3 full-sized flavors of the winner’s choice
(make sure to include your e-mail address so I can contact you if you win. I'd hate for you to miss out on your prize because I couldn't reach you)
Don't forget your e-mail so I have a way to contact you if you're a lucky winner!
- LIKE Carissa's Creativity Space on Facebook (or tell me if you already do)
- SUBSCRIBE to Carissa's Creativity Space via e-mail or with Feedburner (or let me know if you already do)
- FOLLOW ME @CreativeCarissa on Twitter (or tell me if you already do)
- FOLLOW Carissa's Creativity Space with Google Friend Connect (that's the box that has the "join this site" button on the right side of any blog page underneath "My Fabulous Followers") or tell me if you already do.
- FOLLOW ME on Pinterest (or tell me if you already do)
- LIKE SodaStream on Facebook (or tell me if you already do)
- FOLLOW @SodaStreamUSA on Twitter
Other Contest Details and "Small Print"
This is a sweepstakes style giveaway. No purchase is necessary. Odds of winning are based on number of entries. Sweepstakes entry period is 7:40am (PST) on February 29, 2012 through 11:59pm (PST) March 7, 2012. Each person may enter a maximum of eight times and win only once. One winner will be chosen at random using random.org. Winner will be notified via e-mail provided in comments on March 8, 2012. Winners will have 48 hours to respond to e-mail with a valid US mailing address to which the prize pack will be sent. If winner does not respond in time, an alternate winner will be chosen, also by using random.org. Dollar value of prize pack is approximately $99.95. Entrants must be above 18 years of age and have a United States of America mailing address. I have received compensation from SodaStream for posting this review and hosting this sweepstakes. All opinions expressed in the review are 100% mine.
orange mango would be my flavour choice of ones they have. but they should make a cherry lemonade flavour. thecraftingfiend@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteand twitter follower
ReplyDeleteand pinterest follower now to of you
ReplyDeleteI would love to make the lemon lime. That's my daughters fave!
ReplyDeleteI follow you on twitter, I like your fb page, we are pinterest friends and I follow you on google plus.
I follow you on FB!
ReplyDeleteI would love to just make the diet cola version!
ReplyDeleteI follow you on Twitter!
ReplyDeleteI follow you on Pinterest!
ReplyDeleteI subscribe to your email feed!
ReplyDeleteI'd definitely make the green tea strawberry kiwi! Yum!!
ReplyDeleteI already like you on facebook :)
ReplyDeleteI follow you on pinterest!
ReplyDeleteI follow you with google friend connect!
ReplyDelete...and I love your son!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm a sparkling water girl but DH likes cola and root beer so either of those would be a hit. We don't drink a lot of soda but we wind up throwing half of every 2 liter away because we don't drink it fast enough. Being able to make a smaller size would be a big savings. And we never cash in bottles either! Bobbie_Wallace@Comcast.net
ReplyDeleteI would like to make a Vernors equivalent. Can't buy that stuff in Texas :-)
ReplyDeleteI would absolutely try the Diet Cola one! I am a Coke Zero fiend as well!
ReplyDeleteI follow you on Twitter
ReplyDeleteI follow you on Pinterest!
ReplyDeleteI follow your blog on Facebook!
ReplyDeleteI've actually been looking at these for awhile! I keep seeing them every time I pass through Sears at the mall. I would definitely make ginger ale! It's my favorite. And I totally know what you mean about losing the bottle deposits. I never have time to return them, either. I will also admit that I try to avoid soda like the plague, unless it's more "natural" soda (without aspartame or HFCS), but I love it so it's hard. Sometimes I buy frozen concentrate juice and reconstitute it with soda water. It's also very tasty, but I think the soda stream is probably more convenient, because the pitcher tends to go flat if you don't drink the whole shebang of carbonated juice within two days. (and this is on an air tight pitcher). Finishing off a pitcher of juice may sound easy, but it really isn't. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, and I follow you on google and blogger, facebook, follow sodastream,, and both you and sodastream on twitter.
I would want to try the diet cola version... I am sort of a diet cola snob and I want to see if their version can compete with the real deal!
ReplyDeleteI would definitely go for root beer first <3
ReplyDeletebhevarri @ yahoo.com
I Liked Carissa's Creativity Space (anneliese chittock)
ReplyDeletebhevarri @ yahoo.com
I subscribed on My Yahoo reader
ReplyDeleteBhevarri @ yahoo.com
I followed on Twitter as Bhevarri!
ReplyDeletebhevarri @yahoo.com
I Like sodastream on facebook (anneliese chittock)
ReplyDeletebhevarri @ yahoo.com
I follow sodastream on twitter (bhevarri)
ReplyDeletebhevarri @ yahoo.com
Thanks so much for the giveaway!
I would want to try to make the diet energy drink and then root beer for my kids.
ReplyDeleteI like you on Facebook as Melissa Ochoa
ReplyDeleteFollowing you as sweetpurpleblood
ReplyDeleteI follow you on twitter @purplemommi
ReplyDeleteI like Soda Stream on Facebook
ReplyDeleteI follow Soda Stream USA on twitter @purplemommi
ReplyDeleteSubscribed to your blog.
ReplyDelete-natalie
great review, even though i am a Dr. pepper fan, I think i'd still like to try Dr. Pete to compare! Let's win this thing! :)
ReplyDeleteGot you on google friend connect too!
ReplyDelete-natalie
Already following you on pinterest
ReplyDelete-natalie
Liked sodastream on FB
ReplyDelete-Natalie
Following @SodeStreamUSA on twitter too!
ReplyDelete-natalie
Liked Carissa's Creativity Space on FB as well.
ReplyDeleteFollowing you on twitter already
ReplyDeletei like just soda water, but i'd have to try a root beer and lemon-lime flavor!
ReplyDeletei "like" your page on FaceBook.
i "like" Soda Stream on FaceBook.
And, i like you in general!
-alexander myhill
myhill@orderbodybyvi.com
This looks like an amazing machine!!!! I would love to try the Cranberry Raspberry flavor!
ReplyDeleteI have LIKED Carissa's Creativity Space on Facebook
ReplyDeleteI SUBSCRIBE to Carissa's Creativity Space via e-mail
ReplyDeleteI FOLLOW you on Twitter
ReplyDeleteI FOLLOW you on Pinterest
ReplyDeleteI LIKED SodaStream on Facebook
ReplyDeleteI follow SodaStreamUSA on Twitter!
ReplyDeleteHi Carissa! I can't believe I've only now just found your blog! Nothing like a giveaway to add to the faithful followers :). Anywho, I haven't done any research, but I think I'd like to try a fruity flavor :).
ReplyDeleteI like your blog on FB!
ReplyDeletemerealan@gmail.com (oops, forgot to put that on my last post :)
I subscribe to Carissa's Creativity Space on email!
ReplyDeleteI follow you on twitter!
ReplyDeleteI already follow your Pinterest boards :)
ReplyDeleteI like SodaStream on FB!
ReplyDeleteI follow SodaStream on Twitter!
ReplyDeleteI'm a Fabulous Follower via Google Friend Connect!
ReplyDeleteOkay, I don't think I could stalk you or SodaStream anywhere else now :). I'm covered! It's in God's hands now... ;-)
I'd definitely have to use some of my homemade ginger syrup a go. Strong ginger ale is my delightful sin, unfortunately schwepes and canada dry don't fit the bill. My favorite - Red Rock - isn't available around here, and even if it was at $6 for a 4-pack I wouldn't buy it very often.
ReplyDeleteI 'liked' your Facebook page.
ReplyDeleteJust subscribed via Feedburner for yahoo (my.att.yahoo)
ReplyDeleteFollowing you on Twitter now ;)
ReplyDeleteFollowing @SodaStreamUSA on Twitter now too.
ReplyDelete'Liked' SodaStream on Facebook
ReplyDeleteAnd last but not least... I'm now 'following' you via Google Friend Connect... yes that IS a picture of me.. 'Dooky Creek' ;) Because that's usually where I find myself, and no paddles in sight ;)
ReplyDeletehi, i am really trying, i think i am on blog, if so, great i did good. i really love the soda stream, and am so excited to get this far. vicki
ReplyDeletehi, i just liked soda stream on face book, and left a message, if did it correctly. vicki
ReplyDeletehi, i love coke flavor best, but want to try the others, i do subscribe to your email post and love it. "oh my" i have learned so much doing this, i dont usually do give aways with multible entries, but this one is worth it.and gives me confidence to do more. vicki
ReplyDeleteDiet Cranberry raspberry or rootbeer (we love floats!)
ReplyDeletecraiganddi@comcast.net
I like soda stream on facebook
ReplyDeletecraiganddi@comcast.net
I already like Carissa's creativity space on FB :)
ReplyDeletecraiganddi@comcast.net
I already follow you on Pinterest :)
ReplyDeletecraiganddi@comcast.net
Okay, okay. I give. These machines have fascinated me for years too. Mostly I would be interested in using the soda water option to create weirdo drinks from my imagination. I love the ginger syrup idea you suggest in your post and I can see expanding on that with other syrups.
ReplyDeleteOh and I found your contest via your Twitter feed which I follow as "TheGuiltyCrafter."
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