The day before yesterday, I actually got out of the house and was gone pretty much all day–out and about getting things ready for upcoming festivals I’ll be helping my Mom set up at (for her herb business).
We left not long after I woke up and got dressed, so I just grabbed a spoon of cashew butter right from the jar and ate it off the spoon while I grabbed a banana, threw it in my purse, and filled up my water bottle.
I ate the banana once we got on the road (no pics, sorry) <– I was hungry and gobbled it up!
After registration was taken care of (and maybe a little shopping for a new bonnet for me
) we stopped at a health food store. I LOVE health food stores–they are cruel to my wallet, though!
I found all kinds of STUFF I would have loved to have bought: ProBars (which I’ve never tried), Garden of Life bars (never tried those either), and all sorts of other goodies. There was raw foods, drinks, and other health foods, herbs, teas, books… Health Heaven, huh?
Finally, I decided on a Synergy (organic, raw) Kombucha Tea. I was craving a cold drink and thought it’d be nice to try out this “Kombucha” that seems to be all over the Web, on blogs and in articles. There were a few different flavors and while I decided on the Passionberry Bliss, I’m now thinking I should have tried the one with Sassafras root in it. Hmmmm….. Guess I need to go back!
Organic, Raw Passionberry Bliss Kombucha
I was anxious to taste this stuff after all the hype about it, so I took a big gulp–Oops! I never expected it to be SO strong. Let me tell you, I couldn’t believe it. I’m not saying it’s bad. I just wasn’t prepared for how it would taste. In a way, it reminds me of soda. I was thinking “tea”, ya know? I’m used to drinking herbal tea every day so I guess I just assumed it would taste like tea–I was wrong. I closed the lid and wasn’t sure if I’d drink it or not. I actually ended up getting an unsweetened tea from another place and drank that. So when I got home, I put my Kombucha in the fridge and left it there ’till yesterday. I thought I’d give it another try–I drank it all up! It’s still weird to me, but I think it’s growing on me. I’ve decided it tastes sort of like a berry flavored soda. Strange. But good. And I love the benefits!
Synergy Passionberry Bliss is 95% G.T.’s Kombucha–the rest is blackberry juice + passionfruit juice. And at the end of the ingredient list, they say: “and 100% pure love!” How awesome is that??!!
This jazzy drink also has probiotics, antioxidants, and Glucuronic, Lactic, and Acetic acids.
From the bottle:
Kombucha supports: digestion, metabolism, immune system, appetite control, weight control, liver function, body alkalinity, anti-aging, cell integrity, healthy skin and hair.
Now, while I’m not that familiar with Kombucha and its benefits yet, I will say I totally believe it’s possible. Why? Fermented foods are good for us (in my opinion) and it seems to me that Kombucha is a lot like apple cider vinegar with Mother in the sense that it contains living enzymes and nutrients, and it’s fermented. I’ve seen firstand the benefits of the vinegar with Mother, so I’m excited to experiment more with Kombucha and see what comes of it. Next time I try something new, though, I won’t take such a ginormous gulp! LOL What was I thinking???
GASP!
How much are these drinks where you are, if you’ve been buying them??
Snack Time
As I was getting ready to pay for my Synergy tea up there, I spotted these goodies on the way out. From what I could see on the ingredients list, they’re RAW! They’re like snack bars, cut in squares. The chocolate one is actually carob, with nuts, pumpkin seeds, SPIRULINA, and I think a little fruit. The other one is almond with fruit and I think both of these had sunflower seeds in ‘em, too.
Carob Creation
Almond Awesomeness
Verdict?
Of course, I loved the carob one best. It was crunchy, chewy, and good. I’m still amazed that I don’t taste the spirulina! How’d they do that??? I’m not sure if I’d buy the almond one again–it seemed like it was lacking something, but I can’t figure out what. It just seemed like it needed jazzing up. Then again, my tastebuds may have been “off” after being freaked out by a big gulp of Kombucha I wasn’t used to!
I’m gearing up for more festivals so I’m going to take these along as a snack.
Want to learn more about these “Chunks of Energy” snacks? Visit the “Chunks of Energy website (www.chunksofenergy.com) or their blog.
Have you tried anything new lately? Have any plans for the weekend? Jump right in to the comment section and share!
Coming Up
You’ll be happy to know I have reviews and contests lined up, starting next week!
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You keep finding such yummy stuff! Thank goodness it’s healthy!
George
Tumblemoose´s last blog ..It’s the Writers Proximidade Show
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Raw Juice Girl Reply:
September 5th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
Thanks, George! I try.
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Hi Michele! Thanks for your genuine concern the other day….I didnt want to come out with my drama but now you know, it was real estate related but all is well and we’re diggin the new digs. Komboucha. I am the only person in the world who’s never had it. However, I am totally on board w/ fermented foods and make my own homemade kefir from coconut milk & coconut water. It’s so easy and so good, will blog bout it sometime. Next time you post, I’d love to hear more about your thoughts on the GT’s. Like other than strong was it bitter, vinegar-ey, etc.?
Those carob things look great and girl, that price was a steal for all of those! I have paid 2 bucks for 2 little thingeys like that at local HFS’s.
Take care

Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga)´s last blog ..We’re Here!
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Raw Juice Girl Reply:
September 5th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
Hi, Averie! You’re most welcome!! I completely understand–and it’s sooooooooo exciting that you have a nice, new home in a nice, new town! Well, I thought I was the last person who hadn’t had Kombucha so don’t feel bad. Hmmm…. I totally am interested in a post with your kefir from coconut milk. That’s something I’ve been interested in for a while now, but have never tried. I think it was pretty much like soda. That’s the only way I can describe the taste. It wasn’t really as tart as the vinegar with mother. If I can think of a better way to explain it, I’ll definitely let you know! I think it may be the strangest drink I ever tasted! LOL
And, wow, I guess I DID get a good deal on those raw treats!
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MMMM I love Kombucha teas…there are a few flavors I don’t care for but most of them, grape, mango, GINGERADE… are all good…the fruity ones are good if you new and unsure of the taste…you can tell there fermented…but it grows on you.
they are the same price here! and I was buying 4 a week..but cut back. Now that I have coconut milk yogurt back in my life…I don’t need so many non dairy live cultures….they are pricey for SURE!
and YEAH for the inexpensive treats! that’s always a happy day!
Cindy´s last blog ..Biting and Slapping and Knitting, OH MY
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Raw Juice Girl Reply:
September 8th, 2009 at 11:18 am
@Cindy! I know: expensive, but delish! I can’t splurge on it too often but I am looking forward to trying other flavors.
I honestly have never tried coconut milk yogurt, girl! I’m going to have to try that!! Is it thinner like regular yogurt or creamier/thicker like Greek?
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Hi RJG!
What an inspiring health journey you’ve been on! Very impressed with your energy.
I found your site because of the ‘raw snack’ you bought and liked. They’re called Chunks of Energy, and it’s a business started by my dad (Michael) and is still in the family. Incidentally, my dad LOVES kombucha and has been making it since I brought him a SCOBY. Did you know you can make it yourself? It’s super easy, and way less expensive than $3.99…
Since you like Chunks of Energy so much, I’m going to give you some ways to learn more:
-our blog (www.chunksofenergy.blogspot.com)!
-on our website (www.chunksofenergy.com) you can find a store near you.
-We have 13 flavors in total, and 3 are raw: Cacao and Goji Berry, Lemon Pop, and Vegan Banana. The ingredients are on our site too.
-Check out our facebook page where you can learn about our newest flavors, and suggest your own
Keep up the awesome raw work, and let me know if you’re interested in making your own kombucha…
-Leah (Michael’s daughter)
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Raw Juice Girl Reply:
October 24th, 2009 at 11:48 am
Hi, Leah!
Wow. How strange that you found me. LOL
I’m honored that you’re enjoying my story and my blog.
I love that your dad started the Chunks of Energy business and that it’s still in the family! How cool is that??!!
I did read that lots of folks make their own kombucha. I haven’t tried it yet, but I just might do that sometime.
Thanks for the information – I’ll update this post with your links! (I didn’t know what these treats were called until now, but I love the name!)
I’ll definitely check out the FB page, too!
Thanks so much, Leah. I’m honored that you stopped by, and I’d love to know more about making kombucha!
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I see from another post that you like the cacao goji berry combo
The Chunks of Energy version isn’t quite as rich as the homemade fudge you have a recipe for, but it’s close!
Leah´s last blog ..frontpage
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Raw Juice Girl Reply:
October 24th, 2009 at 11:48 am
Yes, I do!
Wow. That’s awesome!! Thanks for letting me know!
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