Despite the growing body of information that’s been published (including on this site) about the negative effects of sugar on children’s health, a disturbing fact remains: sugar consumption for kids continues to grow.

The trend really started to gather steam in the late eighties (between 1989 and 2008) during which calories from sugary beverages increased by 60% in children ages six to eleven, while the percentage of children consuming them rose from 79% to 91%. Consumption in older children is even more alarming — a study by the Harvard School of Public Health revealed that sugary drinks (soda, energy, sports drinks) are the top calorie source in teens’ diets (226 calories per day), beating out pizza (213 calories per day).

And the problem appears to be getting worse. A 2014 study in California indicated that consumption of sugary drinks increased another 26% over 2009. Since the first version of  our post appeared, this study in the British Medical Journal indicates that the trend continues to accelerate through 2018. The potential health implications of this on our kids are many — including obesity, diabetes, dental problems and issues like cardiovascular disease as adults.

So Moms and Dads, it’s time to take a stand and reverse these trends. Syfo can help. Our Original Seltzer and delicious Naturally Flavored Sparkling Waters (Wild Cherry, Tangerine-Orange, Lemon-Lime and Peach-Pear) quench thirst, keep you hydrated and contain no sugar, sodium, preservatives or artificial sweeteners. Plus, with Syfo you can get creative and keep your kids’ taste buds delighted. Click here for a refreshing recipe that the entire family will love .

‘Tis the season to be jolly! Enjoy these sparkling Syfolicious Christmas beverage recipes during the holiday season (and anytime). Wow your guests with these festive and refreshing Christmas beverage concoctions made with Syfo Naturally-Flavored Sparkling Waters. For those who prefer a simpler, no sugar/no alcohol sparkling drink, there is the delicious and refreshing Sparkling Cranberry Grapefruit Punch.

Cranberry- Lime Christmas Punch

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INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 Cups Fresh Cranberries
  • 1 Cup Water
  • 1 Cup Sugar
  • 6 Cups Chilled Syfo Lemon-Lime Naturally-Flavored Sparkling Water
  • ½ Cup of Fresh Lime Juice
  • 1.5 Cups of Vodka (optional)
  • Lime Slices for Garnish

PREPARATION:

First, combine fresh cranberries, water and sugar in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat for about 8 minutes, or until cranberries begin to pop. Make sure to stir occasionally. Using a strain and glass bowl, pour cranberry mixture through a strainer to remove any solid pieces from the cranberries. Set aside and let cool completely for at least an hour. Once cooled, combine cranberry mixture, sparkling water, lime juice and vodka (optional), in a large pitcher or punch bowl. Pour over ice if desired and garnish with lime slices and fresh cranberries for a red and green festive drink!

Recipe courtesy of MyRecipes.com

 

Party Pomegranate Fizz

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INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 oz of Gin
  • 1 oz of Pomegranate Liqueur
  • Syfo Wild Cherry Naturally-Flavored Sparkling Water
  • Pomegranate Seeds for garnish if desired

PREPARATION:

Combine Gin and Pomegranate Liqueur in a shake with ice. Pour over ice and top with Syfo Kosher Wild Cherry Naturally-Flavored Sparkling Water. Garnish with pomegranate seeds if desired.

Recipe courtesy of Yummly.com

 

 White Cranberry Winter Spritzer

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INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 ¾ Cups of White Cranberry Juice
  • 2 Tablespoons of Sugar
  • 1 Teaspoon of Chopped Fresh Rosemary
  • 12 Mint Leaves
  • ¼ Fresh Lime Juice
  • 3 Cups of Chilled Syfo Original Seltzer
  • 1 ½ Cups of White Rum
  • Ice

PREPARATION:

Combine cranberry juice, sugar, rosemary and mint in a small saucepan and bring to boil. Remove pan from heat and allow the mixture to cool completely. Using a strainer and glass bowl, pour cranberry mixture through a strainer to remove any solid pieces. Stir in the lime juice, cover and refrigerate. Once chilled, combine juice mixture, Syfo Original Seltzer, and rum into a large pitcher or punch bowl. Pour over ice and garnish with mint leaves if desired.

Recipe courtesy of MyRecipes.com

 

Christmas Punch

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INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 Cups Chilled Pomegranate Juice
  • 1 Cup Chilled Cranberry Juice
  • 1 Cup of Vodka
  • 1 Cup of Orange Liqueur
  • 1 Cup Chilled Syfo Lemon-Lime Naturally-Flavored Sparkling Water
  • ½ Cup of Fresh Lemon Juice
  • ½ Cup of Simple Syrup (water and sugar, heated in a saucepan)
  • Ice

 PREPARATION:

Combine cranberry juice, pomegranate juice, vodka, orange liqueur, Syfo Lemon-Lime Naturally-Flavored Sparkling Water and simple syrup in a large punch bowl. Pour over ice in glass and garnish with cranberries if desired.

Recipe courtesy of Yummly.com

Sparkling Cranberry-Grapefruit Punch

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INGREDIENTS

  • 2 Cups of Chilled Cranberry Juice Cocktail
  • 3/4 cup Fresh Florida Grapefruit Juice (or any not from concentrate)
  • 1 10-ounce Bottle Syfo Naturally Flavored Lemon Lime Sparkling Water
  • 2 Cups of Ice cubes

PREPARATION

In a pitcher combine the cranberry and grapefruit juice. Gently stir in the Syfo Naturally-Flavored Lemon-Lime Sparkling Water and add the ice cubes. Garnish with Florida orange or grapefruit wedges (optional). Substitute orange juice for grapefruit juice.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories per serving: 36
  • Per serving: 36 Calories; 0g Fat (1% calories from fat); 0g Protein;
  • 9g Carbohydrate; 0mg Cholesterol; 1mg Sodium

We hope you enjoy these refreshing holiday beverage recipes and everyone at Syfo Beverages would like to wish you a happy and healthy Holiday Season.

Here’s a recipe that’s perfect for any holiday or occasion and simply tastes great!

berry punch with a cranberry in glass glasses

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 pineapple, peeled, cored and pureed
  • 2 bottles dry white wine
  • 1/2 cup triple sec, or favorite fruit liqueur
  • 1 cup vodka
  • 1 cup cranberry juice or cranberry juice cocktail
  • 1 cup ginger ale
  • 1 liter Syfo Original Seltzer (or roughly 4 cups)

 

 

PREPARATION:

Pour pureed pineapple into ice cube trays. Freeze for at least two hours, or preferably overnight.

In a large punch bowl, pitcher or mixing bowl, combine wine, vodka, liqueur and juice. When ready to serve, add the pineapple ice cubes, ginger ale and seltzer. Give a quick stir and serve immediately.

Tip: If you’re looking for a kid-friendly, nonalcoholic punch, just leave out the liquor and wine, sub in some pineapple juice and this punch still has festive flavor.

Recipe courtesy of Cooking.com.

The 2017 NPC South Florida Bodybuilding, Physique, Fitness, Figure & Bikini Championships will be held on Saturday, November 25TH, 2017 at the James L. Knight Center Ashe Auditorium in Miami, FL. The event will feature 26 great contests and is being staged by NPC South Florida, which is active in promoting fitness competitions throughout the region.

Mari Rendondo and her husband Sergio Pacheco run NPC South Florida and are dedicated to bringing the best shows and extreme athletes to South Florida fitness competitions. Mari is the official organizer and promoter for this event and she also is a big fan of Syfo.

“I love your product because it’s pure, doesn’t contain preservatives and it’s so tasteful. We recommend it to all our competitors,” says Mari. Mari encourages anyone looking to stay healthy and fit to try any of our delicious Naturally Flavored Sparkling Waters. Syfo is proud to be one of the sponsors for this event.

There will be live music entertainment featuring Xylene and tickets will be available at the door. For more information about the NPC South Florida Fitness Competition, visit www.npcsouthflorida.com.

Another recipe courtesy of Costco to delight your taste buds this summer. This recipe is perfect with  Syfo Tangerine-Orange Naturally Flavored Sparkling Water!

Ingredients:

8 ounces cold water
1 mandarin orange, cut into quarters 1 sprig fresh rosemary
1 cinnamon stick

Preparation:

Pour water into a glass; squeeze in juice from the orange. In a small bowl, muddle or crush the rosemary gently with a spoon. Add the rosemary to the water and stir in the cinnamon stick. Makes 1 serving.

Recipe adapted  from the June 2017 issue of the Costco Connection.