SodaStream began in 1903. Invented by Giles Gilby, it was a carbonation system which made standard water into fizzy water, and was originally targeted to the upper classes. In the 1920s, a variety of flavours were introduced. Cherry ciderette and sarsaparilla were two of these. It enjoyed widespread success in the 1970s and 80s, becoming a big hit in countries such as the UK, Germany and Australia.

The company underwent numerous changes in ownership, even being part of the Cadbury Schweppes empire at one stage. 1998 was the year the company changed hands for the final time when purchased by Soda Club, which at that time was the biggest supplier of SodaStream to Israel. After Soda Club’s unsuccessful bid to change the brand from SodaStream to Soda-Club, SodaStream remained the name of the brand.

Recently Soda Club sought to rename the SodaStream brand. Focusing on the health and diet issues that are so prevalent in this day and age, SodaStream was relaunched with a new machine and many new flavours, concentrating on producing a healthy alternative to fizzy, sugar-rich drinks such as Coca Cola and Pepsi.

The SodaStream product is essentially a home carbonation kit; it allows you to change water into sparkling water, and to add low-calorie flavours such as cola and orange. A large assortment of calorie-free flavours to flavour sparkling water to great taste is sold at allfreightfree.com.

The SodaStream machine works this way: it forces co2 into a water-filled bottle suitable for pressurising. The co2 turns the water into sparkling or carbonated water. This process — dissolving co2 — is referred to as carbonation. The carbonated water can then be drunk on its own as sparkling water, or mixed with flavours to create tasty, healthy treats. Once the co2 canisters have been used up they can be sent back to Soda-Club who recycle the canisters by refilling them with co2 then sending them back out.

Regarding actual health and diet benefits gained from drinking SodaStream, the company claims that all their flavours are completely sugar-free and contain a maximum of 2 calories per 100ml; this is, assuredly, good news for every parent concerned about a child’s diet.

The SodaStream machine adds only co2 to the water, meaning it does not have the added sugar that some bottled sparkling water contains; consequently, there is little difference between it and normal water.

SodaStream have made much of their environmental and health credentials, going so far as to say that every single litre bottle of SodaStream made saves three aluminum cans. This means that over a 3 year span, a family of four could slash their soft-drink-related packaging usage by over 90%. This is an arresting claim, one that in this environmentally conscious age will stand them in good stead. Obviously, Sodastream has developed into a viable alternative to the big players in the soft drink world.

You’ve got the big event coming up, and you want it to be a special one. Only thing is, since the economy took a turn for the worse, the pennies are kinda tight at the moment, and getting some wedding catering is never cheap. Without spending alot of money even your event can be successful.

• Doing the food yourself. Usually with an event you’ve got hundreds of things to organise, and if you can get someone else to worry about the food, thats one detail taken care of. BUT, you gotta save the pennies, and your not liking the prices the outdoor catering firm has quoted. Another chore to be taken care of by you, but itll be cheaper for you to do it this way. This may work out for you, as you now have total control over what you want to serve to your guests. So you can make a vegeterian dish for the only vegeterian there.
• Get help from family and friends. Now that youve decided to do this on your own back, you’ve got to get the hired help, depending on the size of the event. Call in those favours and get family members or anyone with time on their hands to help out. Get everyone who can help to help. This is not the time to be proud and try doing it all by yourself.
• Buy a cheaper brand when shopping. Many of your guest wont actually noticed, if instead of getting an expensive brand you go for a supermarkets own. During a recession we really shouldnt start being snobbish over eating a cheaper brand of food. This will give you some cash to spend on another part of the party -nice work.
• Use your house as the venue. Not as glamourous at what you had planned, but it can still sit well with your guests. The money you’ve saved on not booking a hall can be put back into the bank. For bigger events you could even use a location out in the countryside for a touch if class, if you can get permission.

mixing bowl

If there is one thing that we all have in common it is the need to eat. Cooking is far more than eating. It can be a celebration of the spirit and bring family or friends closer together. Holidays, events and parties are ways that we use food to bring new aspects to our lives. It can open up a world of new culinary delights. Cooking is not impossible and the world recipes have to offer are extraordinary.

Cooking does not have to be complicated. There are free recipes everywhere from the grocery store to the internet. Most dishes are not hard to make nor do they require ingredients not found in most grocery stores. All cooking begins with a few basic items that every kitchen should have. Cooking utensils make the top of the list. There is no cooking performed without some basic tools.

While it might be nice to have a professional chef’s kitchen at your disposal, it is not necessary. There are a few items that are a must in any kitchen, such as a mixing bowl or a set of pots and pans but you do not have to pay a ransom at the kitchen store in order to furnish your culinary workspace. The best rule of thumb is to have items that are dual purpose. The only piece of equipment that should only have one use is the fire extinguisher. Space is normally limited so try to find cooking utensils that can be multipurpose.

Once you have assembled all of the basic kitchen items you will need, it is time to find recipes that you want to try. Remember to start small and work up from there. Cooking does not have to be complicated. Beginning chefs often make that mistake. They find an elaborate recipe and then become discouraged when it does not turn out the way it should. Just remember to take it slow, take it simple and try to enjoy yourself.
Cooking should be about doing something pleasurable. It is more than just charring food to provide sustenance. It is a common ground for all people. Everyone must eat. The saying “You are what you eat” is very true. The food we put into our bodies is an extension of our personalities and our culture. It is what brings us together in good times and in bad. Cooking may seem daunting but in reality is incredibly easy and can open up a world of possibilities.