DavidKamatoy.Guru

#Twizzlers vs. #Redvines, Who you got?

Today we ask the ultimate question one that may continue to reinforce the great emotional divide occurring in our country.

Twizzlers or Red Vines?

I recently picked up a pack of Red Vines after rewatching Fringe a few months ago. Today I was inspired when I walked past the two packages on the shelf and was listening to the impeachment hearings.

A quick history lesson...

“Red Vines is a brand of red licorice candy manufactured in Union City, California by the American Licorice Company. ... The original Red Vines were raspberry-flavored, but in 1952, with a slight formula change, the Red Vines Original Red Twist flavor was introduced.” Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Vines

Twizzlers is the product of Y&S Candies, Inc., of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, now a subsidiary of The Hershey Company.

“Twizzlers are made of corn syrup, wheat flour, sugar, cornstarch, and in smaller amounts palm oil, salt, artificial flavor, glycerin, citric acid, potassium sorbate, Red 40, and soy lecithin.

While the original flavor introduced in 1845 was licorice, in the late 1970s the company began to expand its flavors to include strawberry, grape, chocolate, cherry, and watermelon flavors, and a variety of shapes and sizes.” Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twizzlers

I did not expect that Twizzlers history dates back farther than Red Vines.

The Facts

Both use Corn Syrup which is lame but that’s just the reality of the candy world. Neither contain Licorice in the Red variant.

Twizzlers has more ingredients  vs. a more simple recipe for Red Vines. 

Also Red Vines is owned by a small company vs. the behemoth that is The Hershey Company. 

I think its clear why Red Vines seems to climb to the top of the gelatin rope here. Also Red Vines gets our vote from packaging as well. They actually have copy on the packaging, telling a story and Twizzlers has no copy  on the package I bought.

Personally I seem to prefer  Red Vines. Its interesting to note that I read a review that mentioned the softness of the Twizzlers but my two batches. The twizzlers were hard and honestly it was like eating plastic. I am open to testing other flavors etc. 

Even though Red Vines seems to be the winner here. As I was writing this, at the end of the day I still reached for some grapes which were sweeter. 

The Alternative Fact (Just Kidding)

 

 

Who you got?

Let me know and I will include some references and comments in the final post.

David Kamatoy has been blogging since 2005. The Multi-Creative Entrepreneur is a juggler literally and figuratively. After producing Nationally Syndicated Radio and TV for the last 5 years he returns to the blogosphere with entertainment and entrepreneurship. Join his circle of influence via the email list which will give you first right of refusal to join the cult. 

 

Waitress turns "You're Fired!” into a Sweet Life

Chula Vista’s Sweet Life Deli to Reopen September 8, 2011

Chula Vista, CA - Sweet Life Deli, the popular eatery in the Park Plaza Shopping Center that has been closed since October, 2010, is officially reopening under new ownership on Sept. 8, 2011 at 5:00p.m.  Mayor Cheryl Cox will be performs the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Janene Lacey, the new owner, plans to make the deli the “go-to” destination in Chula Vista for sandwiches and sweet treats. The restaurant’s location near the UEI campus and 24-Hour Fitness Center makes it a natural choice for UEI students and employees from both locations. It is also advantageously located within walking distance of three parks and close to the site of the city’s Tuesday evening car shows.

With nine years in the restaurant industry and experience running two previous businesses, Janene Lacey feels well prepared to take on the revival of the Sweet Life Deli. The plans include a focus on social media to tap into the tech-savvy community as well as traditional marketing methods.

“People are happy when they’re eating. That's why I love this business.” -Janene Lacey

Janene Lacey worked for several years at a neighborhood cafe in Coronado before being unceremoniously let go with no explanation. Rather than let this slow her down, she look at this as the opportunity to open her own restaurant. She had attempted previously to purchase an eatery before but the timing had not been right. Finding the Sweet Life Deli available through the website BizBen.com allowed her to take that step.

Sweet Life Deli plans to take advantage of some new marketing concepts such as text orders from UEI students and workers at 24-Hour Fitness, Twitter and Facebook specials, and blog posts to help grow its clientele. For more information or interviews contact Kamatoy Media Group at [email protected] or call 619-573-9456.

 

Burger Lounge does FREE Burger promotion for twitter followers @burger_lounge

San Diego,CA-Burger Lounge is launching a FREE burger promotion today to it's twitter following.

Twitter followers were asked to follow @burger_lounge on twitter and prove that they followed by printing out proof.

My buddy at eCoronado told me about the promotion. As I sit here at the restarurant the people are pouring in. Proof that businesses cannot ignore Social Media.

By creating a memorable twitter promotion they are building there online presence and relationship with there following, by providing a "reward" for following they are creating clickability and credibility with their audience.

Burger Lounge is a hip natural Burger and Fry joint that has a healthy and natural spin. What's unique is that this restaurant is thriving and growing in spite of the recession.

My hypothesis is that they are satisfying the American Burger and Fry craving that fast-food is no longer satisfying. As we get older we realize just how nutritionally unsatisfying a fast food burger can be. That and add advertising to the fast food burger you can walkaway spending close to 10 bucks for a Fast-Food Meal.

Burger Lounge is fastly following the In and out model with a hip and satisfying upgrade.

Baby Boomers and Gen xers that are trying to save money can eat casually and somewhat healthy while satisfying the American Food Craving.

Gen xers and Gen Y and the the kids can experience the Same McDonalds craving in a healthier way. It's not a bad place for a teen-age date either without the intimidation or cost factor. Prices are median, service is casual, tipping is appreciative.

Congrats to Burger Lounge Team. Hopefully we can cover this on the show.

Just the Taste of Sports Drinks Apparently Trigger the Brain to Body Excercise Improve by 2%-3%

I found this interesting article about a recent study that compared sports drink to a placebo and then did MRI on participants. What they found was pretty interesting.

Basically the brain/body recognizes glucose or maltodextrin and then reacts by increasing endurance. Read the article by clicking the link below. The interesting thing was that the cyclists did not swallow they simply swished it around in their mouths for 10sec.

I guess I can go with the small size now. lol.

Sports Drinks May Give Brain a Workout

Sports Beverages Appear to Activate Athletes' Brains, Researchers Say

By Bill Hendrick

Kids are bigger if their school is close to a fast food restaurant...REALLY?

I remember High School as being filled with a lot of cheeseburgers and pizza but apparently they were not as fattening as they are now?

One of the things that I find "wrong but funny" is that I constantly find articles in the paper like this that talk about studies being done to prove something that doesn't need proving it just seems like common sense. This is one of them...

Student obesity linked to proximity to fast-food outlets
Article  By Jerry Hirsch

From the article...

Their conclusion: Fast food and young waistlines make lousy neighbors.

The presence of an outlet within easy walking distance of a high school -- about 530 feet or less -- resulted in a 5.2% increase in the incidence of student obesity compared with the average for California youths

It is interesting to look at the numbers though. It is also important to note that over 30% of America is obese already and that we are leading more sedentary lives. I mean think about all the work, study, music, socializing and game playing that can be done by never leaving the computer.

David Kamatoy is a Juggler on several levels. Currently Professional Juggler Comedian, Blogger, Music Producer , Video Director/Producer, etc. The Kamatoy Media Group is helping companies bridge the gap between social media and traditional advertising with Email Marketing using Jugglemail.com (Get a FREE TRIAL account) and more. If your interested please contact us immediately.

"Put down the Peanut Butter and Step Away from the Salmonella" ; FBI raids peanut butter plant suspected in outbreak

Just found this story on CNN.com about the raid on the Peanut Butter Plant that allegedly knowingly shipped tainted products that have caused 600 to fall sick and 8 reported deaths. It is amazing how this has caused such incredible damage to the "brand" of Peanut Butter. Peanut Butter sales are down and personally I am hyper aware of peanut butter products that are just sitting on the shelf.

Even though I know intellectually that it had to do with a specific company that only sold to institutions it is still affecting my personal peanut butter choices

Here is the quick news item on CNN.com and of course my inspired headline quote...

FBI raids peanut butter plant suspected in outbreak

"Put down the Peanut Butter and step away from the Salmonella" - Fictitious FBI Agent

HAS THE RECENT HEADLINES SURROUNDING PEANUT BUTTER AFFECTED YOUR BUYING AND EATING HABITS? PLEASE COMMENT

David Kamatoy is a Juggler on several levels. Currently Professional Juggler Comedian, Blogger, Music Co-Producer (Derek Stroh, Stand), Video Director/Producer, etc. The Kamatoy Media Group is helping companies bridge the gap between social media and traditional advertising with Email Marketing using Jugglemail.com (Get a FREE TRIAL account) and more. If your interested please contact us immediately.

CORN: A main ingredient in your fast food's food.

In the US it is not required for food suppliers to trace their sources for ingredients or materials used in their food production.....The statistically significant results showed conclusively that the beef and chicken meat used to make the sandwiches was from animals whose food source was mainly corn. The animals are feed the corn to maximize their calorie intake and also to maximize their tissue growth in attempt to keep up with the ever increasing demands of the fast food industry.

In John Robbins landmark book and Documentary, "Diet for a New America" now The Food Revolution he talks about how our diets can change the world.

I remember when I would talk to hardcore meat eaters that seemed to be hateful of hug a tree vegetarians I would bring up the point that Robbins makes is his work.

We have to realize that meat as we know it is heavily subsidized, so that the cost of meat is not the real cost of meat. If farmers had to pay what we pay for water the price would be through the roof.

Think about it for a second we grow crops like corn and feed them to animals which then we kill and eat. Why don't we just skip the animal part and eat the vegetables instead. We'd save resources and feed a lot more people.

I personally am not a vegetarian  but I try to be more aware of my choices in food and I am on a path to eat more vegetables, lighter proteins with a mix of complex carbs.

An unbalanced heavy meat diet is not the best for everyone and it's not the best for the planet. I think within my lifetime we will see a higher price placed on meat products and more of a balanced diet.

The reality is that we are all living longer and as we look forward and watch our parents and grand parents have issues at the end of their lives with diet we can see the change already happening.

By they the photo that this blog gives me pause...

Thanksgiving Fried Turkey Tradition 2007: Delicious but Dangerous

San Diego, CA- My Nephew Richie Zawacki decided to do the Philipino Polish tradition of frying a turkey. Which was started by my other nephew Chris Zawacki.

The dangers of Turkey frying became pronounced at the begining of the fry tradition when the oil spilled over at the begining of the cooking.

No one was injured during this short lived tradition.