Friday, June 25, 2010

Watered Down & Cheap

Today I must confess to an old habit that has grown worse... and I'm proud of it. Watering down my beverages. But its not just fruit punch or OJ, I've recently started doing it with soda. Why??? Not because I'm aspiring to be cheap (I'll get to that in a moment), but I can't handle all the sugar. I enjoy the taste and happy-fizz of soda, but it has to be on my terms. Ever since I decided to abstain form Aspartame, I've gone back to regular soda, but its too sweet for me. So I'll usually do 70% water and 30% soda concoction from the fountain. Time to get out your pitchforks and kill the watered-down soda freak!



The watered down idea also leads me to another thought about being cheap. What does it really mean to be cheap? I think it depends on how much money one makes. If you make enough to be in a high tax bracket and are still tight with your money; you are known as a cheap, miserly, penny-pinching scrooge. Those who make less are simply thrifty, frugal, budget minded or students. At least this is one name distinction that does not favor the rich - like crazy vs. eccentric. So I'll enjoy my brand as watered down and aspiring to be eccentric. Sounds like a good way to introduce myself on an airplane if I want peace and quiet.

5 comments:

Daniel said...

Interesting post, F-Word. I personally feel like many soft drinks, especially Coke, taste like a glass full of needles, yum.

But does this mean that you water down your sports, as well? If this isn't limited to beverages, I may be asking for your man card soon. :)

Good cheap v. eccentric explanation. BTW, what makes you feel like you're cheap, anyway? The Elitch's experience?

I also like the clever escape on the airplane scenario, just don't tell Stone or she'll go into cardiac arrest (that you didn't become bosom pals with everyone you've ever sat next to on a plane). But then again, she's got that gift of, um, getting to know people. (In an eccentric, not cheap,kind of way.)

Jay said...

Artificial Sweeteners are the devil so good for you that you're avoiding them. However, high-fructose corn syrup is even worse.


The way I've stayed sane on my trek to better health is to swear off BOTH of these things... except on my free day. :)One day a week I can have whatever the crap I want. And apparently it's working. As of this morning, I've officially lost 75 pounds. WOO!


The trick is finding good drinks that have neither of these evils in them. The easiest one to find is this clear drink called water. Many people can't stomach it, but (I never thought I'd say this) I have actually learned to like it a lot. Beyond that, you're stuck with pure fruit juices.


Actually, just yesterday I was looking into what carbonated drinks there might be out there that don't use artificial sweeteners or HFCS, and there are not many. I even created a question on Yahoo Answers just to see what people had to say. The response came out that there are a few sodas out there (very few) that make their drinks with real cane sugar rather than HFCS (which is better for you).


I'm still on the quest. I'll let you know what I come up with.

Fletch said...

Very interesting Jay, I look foward to your results. Yes, water is the best drink in the world. I've been doing flavored seltzer water with no HFCS or artifical sweetners or Peligrino con lime more often, but I still can't beat my cravings all the time for soda.

Shell - I admit, I don't watch full games often, but I at least bother with highlights and scores. So you won't be snipping my man-card anytime soon. However, if I wind up going to the Eclipse midnight showing, I'll have to go into hiding - but its all for MWP - Major Wife Points. Unfortuantely, I'm not cheap, but aspiring to reach my own definition. Don't tell my boss.

Daniel said...

Yes interesting stuff on the AS and HFCS.

Glad I won't have to confiscate your man card, F-Word, and good luck with the MWP.

Maybe if a CO sports team ever finds its way back to glory (or the playoffs), I'll ask for my MC back.

Speaking of which, if I could get BYU football outside of "The Mountain" (i.e., at all), I'd probably get a corner of the MC back.

CCF and JRF said...

CCF drinks seltzer water for the bubbles minus the sugar