Sodastream. Home soda maker.

Of course I would NEVER suggest not acting on your wellness team's advice. Dr. Brownstien's book on iodine changed my life though. I supplement with a magnetized version of elemental iodine that Edgar Casey referred to as "Atomodine" in his writings. Most people don't realize that their bodies will retain and use about a gram and a half of iodine before its starts getting excreted in larger quantities in the urine. Iodine is used by the glandular system mainly but can be found in all body tissues. The FDA requirements are only enough for you to NOT get goiter. My point is its just another example of how docs and the government don't know it all yet and more info empowers us to make life choices that are right for us.

http://www.magnascent.com/

Edit: VICKI, if you develop a cough on that ACE inhibitor speak to your doc about it. Its a common side effect and one I experienced personally.

Saw that on tv the other day, dont drink pop anymore tho.

Still think vaping herb is better for you than drinking Mtn Dew or Diet Coke tho lol

Wow, that is weird that you mention goiter's and the cough. My Mom had a goiter on her Thyroid when I was 3 years old. I guess it was there for a long time. The surgeon had to literally chip it away because it was so hard, and they ended up taking her Thyroid with it too. Now she can't live without a Thyroid pill. Ironically, I have Hypothyroidism, and must also take a Thyroid pill.

I have also noticed a bit of a cough that I didn't have before. I almost always cough when I vap, but this is at other times.

Be cautioned. Their regular "Real Sugar" mixes are not quite so...from their FAQ on their website (bolding mine):

6. How do you sweeten your regular flavors?
SodaStream regular sodamix flavors contain sugar (sucrose), not high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). The exception to this is Energy Drink, which indeed does contain fructose and dextrose, in addition to sucrose. In addition to sugar (sucrose), regular sodamix flavors contain sucralose (Splenda brand) and some also contain acesulfame potassium. Sparkling Natural flavors are sweetened exclusively with cane sugar. If you have dietary concerns, please read the label of every SodaStream product before purchasing, available by clicking the sodamix images on the Flavors page of this website. When in doubt, consult with your physician.

Note their Sparkling Naturals are cane sugar only...but the price difference is killer. Their regular flavors retail for $5 for 12l worth of mix. Their natural flavors retail for $10 for 6l worth of mix. So you have to pay 4 times as much to avoid the artificial sweeteners. That means you are paying about $1 per 12oz of soda instead of the $0.25 they advertise.

I read that. That's why we are going with the sparkling naturals. The only soda I drink is ginger ale, and we are trying to cut back on all soda for the family too. I knew it might cost me a little more to eat more healthy. It seems par for the course.

You could possibly use the recipe over here with a few modifications to make your own syrup and just use the machine to carbonate it. Probably would take some experimenting to get it right...for starters cut out the yeast since that's only used for the carbonation. Here is the video of the Good Eats episode that recipe is from.

To be fair...I'm just speculating on that...I'm a disaster in the kitchen myself... proceed at your own risk. I just like watching Good Eats because I'm a geek.

Edit: Since you are using the ginger ale for nausea...fresh ginger is going to beat anything prepackaged.

Cool, I LOVE Good Eats. I bookmarked the link to watch later because I have to go to the doctor in a little bit. We have at least 20 episodes of Good Eats on our DVR, but not this particular episode. Thank you!

I have already been thinking about different ways to flavor the water, including natural ways. Like, fresh strawberries, fresh grated ginger, etc.

I can't live without my SodaStream. I just use it to carbonate water, unflavored and unsweetened, which I drink 2-4 liters of per day. I'm not a fan of the SodaStream flavorings, tho, mostly because I don't like the taste of splenda. If I'm going to drink actual soda pop, it better have lots of high fructose corn syrup The only thing I do ever mix with it occasionally is a little bit of unsweetened pomegranate juice (unsweetened as in, no added sweeteners, it is still naturally sweet)

I've had a sodastream for about a year... it's awesome.

We don't drink any of the packaged flavorings, we prefer to add things like:
slice of lime/lemon
frozen berries
fresh ginger slices (great for stomachache, also makes the water extra fizzy)
fresh juices
ham
ice cream
macaroni and cheese
lather, rinse, repeat.

CO2 canisters run about $15-$18 here, and you get 60L of seltzer out of that. That is interesting about hooking up a big CO2 canister to the sodastream (or building your own), I'm sure it's cheaper that way.

Just remember, all that C02, when mixed with water, creates carbonic acid, which isn't that big a deal in and of itself. The big acid you are avoiding with the SodaStream is Phosphoric Acid. This ingredient is controversial because not only is it used in colas but it makes an excellent toilet bowl cleaner as well. From Wikipedia:

"Food-grade phosphoric acid (additive E338) is used to acidify foods and beverages such as various colas, but not without controversy regarding its health effects. It provides a tangy or sour taste and, being a mass-produced chemical, is available cheaply and in large quantities. The low cost and bulk availability is unlike more expensive seasonings that give comparable flavors, such as citric acid which is obtainable from lemons and limes. However, most citric acid in the food industry is not extracted from citrus fruit, but fermented by Aspergillus niger mold from scrap molasses, waste starch hydrolysates and phosphoric acid. Biological effects on bone calcium and kidney health. Phosphoric acid, used in many soft drinks (primarily cola), has been linked to lower bone density in epidemiological studies. For example, a study[2] using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry rather than a questionnaire about breakage, provides reasonable evidence to support the theory that drinking cola results in lower bone density. This study was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. A total of 1672 women and 1148 men were studied between 1996 and 2001. Dietary information was collected using a food frequency questionnaire that had specific questions about the number of servings of cola and other carbonated beverages and that also made a differentiation between regular, caffeine-free, and diet drinks. The paper cites significant statistical evidence to show that women who consume cola daily have lower bone density. Total phosphorus intake was not significantly higher in daily cola consumers than in nonconsumers; however, the calcium-to-phosphorus ratios were lower."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phosphoric_acid

Wow! I didn't know that! Thanks for the detailed information. Another good reason for not drinking commercial soda.

I use the Soda Stream with TJ fruit juices and sometimes add a bit of honey. There are many ways to get off the processed food grid, so to speak. I've started making my own healthy munchies; got rid of the Triscuits and started making my own healthy crackers with some water, a bit of olive oil and molasses, some thyme, sage, coriander, etc., various whole grain flours and meals from Bob's Red Mill like buckwheat, rye, oat and flaxseed. I use a shot glass and fork for sizing and venting. I'll post a detailed recipe if anyone is interested.

While I've never actually used a soda stream I hear they are great from a few people. I'm not a huge drinker but I've been sworn to that it is very difficult to taste the difference between champagne and white wine put through a soda stream.

I really like the sound of a soda/ tincture combination. An ice cold fruity drink that gets you high. . . Sounds perfect for a hot Summer day.

That's because you are essentially making a crude "champagne" by doing this. I took the tour at Dom Perignon in France and it was fascinating. Champagne is essentially sparkling wine from the "Champagne" region of France. Thats why its called "California champagne" or "sparkling wine" if it comes from elsewhere. Here is some info on Dom's blending:

"The number of bottles produced in each vintage is not precisely defined (a couple of million[7][8]).[2] As a result, the final composition changes every vintage: at times a blend in perfectly equal proportions (e.g. 1990 Rosé), at times up to 60% Chardonnay (1982) or 60% Pinot Noir (1969), and only once going over 60% (with 65% Chardonnay in 1970).[9] According to Richard Geoffroy's Manifesto : "Dom Pérignon expresses its first plenitudes after seven years in the cellar."[10] As of 2010, the current release of Dom Pérignon is from the 2002 vintage[11] and the current release of Dom Pérignon Rosé is from the 2000 vintage.[12]
The current (2012) winemaker is Richard Geoffroy, who has been Chef de Cave for Dom Pérignon since 1990."

So, theoretically, you can make an excellent home champagne by simply picking a wine or mix of wines that tastes really good to you then just run it through the machine and you're there.

Wow, thanks t-dub!!

Although, the sodastream owners manual says to only carbonate water, or bad things could happen.

Ohhhh . . . this is my sad face. Maybe you could make the champagne and then run some water through the machine to rinse it out?

The water doesn't actually go into the machine. The water is in a bottle (that they sell) and you lower the stem (part of the machine) into that bottle. That stem injects the carbonation into the water. Pretty fun to do, and watch!

You guys should check out this guys site http://www.fizzgiz.com/
He developed a device that can carbonate any liquide and use any soda bottle, with use of a slightly modified lid, and its much cheaper

I have used my buddies sodastream to make medicated soda finally,

I used 28 grams of sugar and whatever flavor, with .25 grams of hash, per half liter of soda- this came out to be the most like a store bought soda, without medicating to much