Making, promoting and event support, make up the fundamental segments of any fruitful promotion campaign. The point when advertising a new item is you have to make a brand that individual people can distinguish and need to find more info on. Through promoting and advertising, you can instruct, tempt and compel shoppers to buy your new product. With such a large number of beverage items available, it is imperative to use whatever promotion opportunities as could reasonably be expected to attain your targets. These avenues incorporate post office based mail advertising, social media promoting, electronic message showcasing and individual to-individual advertising.

Come up with a Winning Brand Name

Think up a business brand prior to trying to advertise a new drink creation. A brand is your organization and merchandise “character.” It is the manner by which buyers observe your items and, eventually, might establish if they pick your beverage product, ahead of the others on the rack. Making a brand can help you to verify target markets and permit you to plan a beneficial promoting system. To make a company brand, record the pros of your beverage product. Case in point, push its health profits, by what methods clients will be perceived provided that they drink it, and features that separate it from others. Pick one or two pros to make a brand mark and advertising plan.

Construct a website that incorporates data about the product, where it can be purchased, ingredient data and contact data. Make fan pages on sites, for example Facebook, to begin advertising your new beverage on the web. Post fascinating data about your beverage, captivating stories, remarks and different things to persistently garner interest from customers. Put ads on Facebook to lure more customers to your site and fan page. You can focus on certain markets, utilizing the keyword tools offered. Keep your site and fan pages up to date frequently. Include fun diversions, overviews, challenges and client testimonials.

Advertise, Advertise, Advertise

Make a direct mail advertising campaign in order to send specific customers data and discount coupons. Make materials, for example a postcard or pamphlet that incorporates essential data, an appealing motto and an item picture. Buy a mailing list of those people that fit your target market from a legitimate advertising organization. Visit the Better Business Bureau prior to shelling out for a mailing record to verify if the organization is real.

You can likewise, assemble your own record through mail and transport services like the United States Postal Service and Fedex. Both internet sites have mailing record building features, which permit you to send direct mail to particular zones and postal divisions. Select an area, for example a city or neighborhoods known for having more youthful or more senior inhabitants, in fitting with your target market.

Summer time is a perfect period for you to try out new recipes, especially when you are at your vacations with hats, sunglasses, and straws- making it an ideal time for relaxation. For lots of people, summer is a time for vacation while for others its deadline, meetings, and laptops. Don’t stress yourself with the idea that you don’t have a plan for vacation this time. You can try these exotic and refreshing drinks which will give you a dream of your dream destination as well as will keep yourself. These drinks will keep you cool throughout the hot weather.

The next time when you feel like drinking some refreshing drink to keep yourself cool in the summer time and want to avoid those sugary drinks- try out these amazing healthy summer coolers recipes from around the world. Below is the list of recipes you should try. Some of the recipes include tea. Ensure that you only use luxury tea brands if possible to make these summer coolers tastier.

· Brazilian Lemonade

· Thai Iced Tea

· Jamaican- Hibiscus Ginger Punch

1. THE BRAZILIAN LEMONADE:

It is a classic summer combination of ice and citrus. When mixed together it gets a tropical spin, making a perfect unique drink to refresh your mood and experience the coasts of Brazil at your home. It is one of the conventional lemonade recipes which is made of condensed sweet milk. Brazil is known for lemons while limes are abundant. That is why it is no surprise that the Brazilian Lemonade is made of limes. If you are among one of those who is curious about the fact that the combination of condensed milk and lime is wrong. Then sip on this drink and you will get to know this recipe is perfect to refresh yourself this summer. It is a complete drink with a mix of tangy flavor, cream, and ice; balancing the mild sweetness of milk with an excellent complement drink for warm summer time.

– Ingredients:

· 4 limes

· 1 cup powdered sugar

· 5 cups of cold water

· 5 teaspoons of condensed sweetened milk

– Recipe:

Beat the sweetened condensed milk, sugar, and limes together into a jar. Now add water as much as you require until everything is well combined. Pour the mix into a glass through a strainer. Now add the remaining water. Stir and serve it with crushed ice.

2. THE THAI ICED TEA:

Are you dreaming of enjoying summer at the beach of Bangkok at stuck in the meeting at the boardroom? There is no reason to think before you sip on to the cherry Thai iced tea. There are few things in the world those are as good as ice tea. There are many luxury tea companies which offer high quality of Black tea. The Thai Iced tea is also known as ‘Cha yen’. It is one of the favorite drink in Thailand as it is made of black tea which gets it the orange color. Then tea brew is then infused with species like clove and star anise to give it a spiced warm aroma that helps in balancing the sweetness of the tea. Serve this tea in a tall glass along with a straw and enjoy your day.

– Ingredients:

· 4 1/2 cups of warm water

· 4 tea bags of black tea

· 4 teaspoons of sugar

· 1/4 cup of sweetened condensed milk

· 1/4 cup of evaporated milk

– Recipe:

The recipe for the Thai Iced tea is very simple and easy to make. Start with bringing the water to boil in order to brew the black tea. As the water is heated, add tea bags, cloves, and star anise and let it steep in the kettle for 5 to 10 minutes. Do not let the mixture sit for more than 10 minutes as the flavor can get strong in taste. Strain the mixture into a jar. Add sugar and mix until it gets dissolves completely.

Cool the drink to room temperature. Add ice in the jar. Pour the tea into glasses. Add a teaspoon of sweetened condensed milk into the glass and serve chilled.

3. JAMAICAN – HIBISCUS GINGER PUNCH

With every sip of Hibiscus Ginger drink, the life will seem to be a lot closer to Island with this coconut, refreshing, rice milk summer drink. The drink is Mexican and Latin American inspired as it is based on icy creamy rice drink- popular of all time. It is very famous drink, sold on the streets in carts or on taco stalls.

– Ingredients:

· half cup of uncooked white rice

· 2 cups of boiling water

· 2/3 cup of sugar

· half cup grated coconut

· 2 cups of rice water

· ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract

· ¼ teaspoon of powdered cinnamon

· Recipe:

In a blender, combine rice and coconut. Add 2 cups of boiling water and let it cool down for 15 minutes. Blend the mixture until a smooth mix is formed. Take a cheesecloth and strain the mixture into a pitcher. With the help of a black spoon, press the mixture to get the required liquid. Throw away the remaining components. Pour the drink into a glass and serve chilled.

We are sure that by now you must be feeling inspired. So, get creative and start thinking about creating your own special drink. Include some luxury tea brand in your recipes that go well along the wide range of flavors.

If you go to Brazil it´s more than likely that you will get to taste a caipirinha. The lime and sugarcane alcohol cocktail is really refreshing and an energizer for those late hot nights. I will start with a bit of history and finish off with a recipe.

It´s impossible to discuss the history of this drink without talking about cachaça. The sugarcane alcohol that was invented by the Portuguese in the 16th century is just like rum

made from sugarcane. The taste is very different, this because cachaça is distilled from sugarcane juice while rum is made from a bi product from sugar extraction (molasses).

In the beginning it was a drink for slaves and the poor but soon it grew in popularity and became a drink for all Brazilians. Some say that the habit of mixing fruits with the drink was an invention of indian slaves, the European immigrants did not use many of the fruits that were growing in abundance in Brazil. The old distillates were probably rough and foul tasting and a bit of fruit and sugar could probably make it a lot better, when the citric fruits arrived the lime with it´s strong taste would have been a sure hit.

It was only when ice became common in the early 20th century that the actual caipirinha was invented. It grew a lot in popularity and is today the national drink. Believed to help your digestion many people drink one with traditional food like the black bean stew feijoada as well as with barbeque.

Here follows a recipe for a classic caipirinha (1 person):

– Cut a soft lime in eight pieces and remove the white stalk in the middle and put in a flat bottomed glass

– Add a large tablespoon of sugar and mash it lightly with a muddler

– Fill the glass with crushed ice

– Pour and fill to the rim with white cachaça

– Stir brusquely 3 or 4 times and serve with a straw

Note that you are supposed to use a “cheap” white cachaça like 51 or Ypioca and that this drink traditionally is stirred.

Enjoy!

Alkaline Water – Drink It or Not? There are a variety of opinions these days as to the benefits of drinking alkaline water.

Some believe wholeheartedly that drinking alkaline water can result in a number of health benefits, greater well being, and can even prevent certain illnesses.

On the other side of the coin there are others who feel because there is no ‘specific or published’ scientific evidence of these benefits, that it’s all hype and hogwash and even a cash grab!

Of course as we all know, there are always opposing sides of the fence regardless of the topic, and even more so when it comes to ‘health issues’ so with that said, I feel the choice should boil down to your own research and subsequent thoughts on the subject.

Personally, I choose to drink alkaline water, although I am not sure if it will result in preventing or curing ailments as I have no first hand experience in this area. The fact is, I just feel better doing so.

Again, while I am a proponent, I’m not saying that a glass of regular purified water or even tap water is going to mean the end of the world, but I do feel that if you choose to drink water, (as we all should) you may as well make it count.

My personal opinion on drinking tap water is to avoid it if possible! I’m not sure about you, but to me, drinking chlorine, amongst other chemicals that are added at today’s water treatment plants can’t possibly be kind to your body.

In our area you can actually smell the chlorine the moment you turn on the tap on and even worse you can taste the acidic flavour when it’s consumed.

The alternative for most people these days is to drink purified water, either bottled or through a home dispenser. (The ones that hold the big blue bottles).

I believe drinking purified water is perfectly safe, but with I also feel there are downsides; here’s why:

The problem is, purified water, although ‘pure’ has gone through a process to remove the toxins. Unfortunately at the same time it has also had the natural trace minerals removed. (The ones that nature intended).

Purified water is definitely ‘wet’ and of course it will hydrate you, but that’s about all the bragging rights it deserves! (my opinion).

Drinking alkaline water on the other hand, particularly from a system such as the Santevia Water Gravity System makes more sense.

First of all, the cost of the system is on par or less than purchasing your average run of the mill home purified water dispenser. It will also cost less in the long too run as the through put requires ‘tap’ water.

Yes, I know I have just advised against ‘tap water’… but once added to the system, the purification process begins which removes all the harmful chemicals.

Once the water is clean, a unique re-mineralizing and alkalizing process then begins, by filtering the water through natural rocks and minerals that reinstate the trace minerals that are found in pure earth water.

The end result is a pure, mineralized alkalized (pH balanced) water that is gentle on the body and in my opinion (although others may not agree) flushes toxins and acids out of the body… which of course is one of the reasons drinking clean water is beneficial in the first place.

I will be the first to admit I have no “scientific” expertise in this area, but it makes crystal clear sense that if a simple choice such as the Santevia Water Gravity system is available at no extra cost or effort, isn’t drinking alkaline mineralized water a sensible choice?

In case you are wondering, I do own a Santevia system and feel comfortable with my choice to drink alkaline water, not to mention it tastes great and even my children choose to drink more water as well, so my opinions are first hand.

Even so, I believe that everybody should perform their own research and due diligence and make their decision based on their findings. For more information on the Santevia Water Gravity System and Alkaline water, visit the site below and get your questions answered.

If you want to stay hydrated, drinking plenty of regular water is your best bet. However, according to some experts, you can enjoy more health benefits if you add hydrogen to your tap water. In this article, we are going to find out if hydrogen water is a miraculous drink. Read on to find out more.

What Is Hydrogen Water?

First of all, it is regular tap water that contains additional hydrogen molecules. Moreover, hydrogen is a non-toxic, odorless, and colorless gas that can bind to many other elements, such as carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen.

Can it Benefit your Health?

Although more human studies are needed to prove the benefits of hydrogen water, we have come to know about some promising results after some small trials. Let’s talk about some common benefits of drinking this type of fluid.

May contain Antioxidants

We know that free radicals can increase your oxidative stress. As a result, you may be at a higher risk of several diseases. The good news is that molecular hydrogen can help your body fight these free radicals and protect your cells against oxidative stress.

The study found that patients with liver cancer could experience fewer side effects if they drink hydrogen-rich water on a daily basis. As said earlier, more studies and trials are needed to say something with certainty.

May Benefit patients With Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a type of condition that increases your blood sugar levels, triglyceride levels, and belly fat. Apart from this, metabolic syndrome can also make you suffer from chronic inflammation. According to some research studies, drinking this type of water can help you reduce oxidative stress and prevent metabolic syndrome.

May Benefit Athletes

According to some companies, hydrogen water can help improve athlete performance. Apart from this, it can help you reduce inflammation and slow down the build-up of lactate in your blood. Therefore, you can suffer from less muscle fatigue.

However, more research is required to get a better understanding of the benefits of it for athletes.

Should You Drink It?

Based on some research studies, we can say that consuming this type of water has some positive results. But more research is needed to make conclusions. According to FDA, hydrogen water is safe, which means it is safe for regular consumption. Apart from days, it won’t cause any harm to human health.

But we are not sure how much hydrogen should be added to water to make it more effective. Similarly, we don’t know how much of it we should consume to enjoy the aforementioned health benefits. Since there are no side effects of drinking hydrogen water, you can give it a go to see how it benefits you.

The Bottom Line

Long story short, drinking hydrogen water does offer some health benefits. Therefore, if you are an athlete, we suggest that you try following this approach on a regular basis. If you experience some benefits, you can continue to drink this beneficial water.

The candida diet is the primary course of treatment for a medical condition known as candidiasis. Candidiasis is characterized by an overgrowth of Candida albicans in the intestinal system which releases toxins into the body and eventually causes ill health. The candida diet eliminates certain foods and ingredients thought to exacerbate this condition. These eliminated foods feed Candida albicans thereby encouraging it to grow and multiply. As long as the candida albicans has an abundant food supply it will continues to wreak havoc on the body. Sugar, processed foods, dairy, preservatives, vinegar, glutinous grains and even fruit initially, are all prohibited on the candida diet. With so many foods and ingredients eliminated many feel frustrated trying to actually find things that they can still enjoy eating and drinking on the diet.

Since all types of sugar are eliminated on the candida diet figuring out what to drink on the diet may be a difficult task. Many of us are used to drinking soda, fruit juice, ice tea and other sugar laden drinks and these are often hard for candida dieters to completely give up. Additionally, many of us who have tried other diets may be appalled to find out that the diet soda and “light” varieties of juice that we relied so heavily on are no longer allowed on the candida diet as these contain artificial sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners such as aspartame and sucralose have been found to feed candida in the same manner as regular sugar and there are other health concerns regarding use of these sweeteners. Old habits die hard though, so to make this transition a little easier it is a good idea to identify what beverages are okay to drink on the candida diet.

Water is the best choice for a healthy diet, not just the candida diet. The human body is made up of about 70% water. Water is a vital component of our organs and tissues and we need the proper intake of water to ensure optimal functioning of the body. When we do not get enough water the body steals it from the organs and tissues and this is when symptoms of dehydration occur. Symptoms of dehydration can include fatigue, constipation, headaches, weakness and nausea. Keeping the body properly hydrated with water is also a good idea when trying to overcome candidiasis as it will help to flush toxins out of the body. Most candida diet guidelines suggest not drinking tap water because of the possible toxins it contains but buying a water filtration pitcher such as Brita can help reduce the toxins in tap water. You can also purchase bottled spring or purified water if you prefer. It may seem like drinking water is boring but it need not be with options such as seltzer and sparkling mineral water. Try adding lemon or lime slices to seltzer or sparkling mineral water and you will feel like you are out enjoying a cocktail.

Herbal Tea may be an option for some on the candida diet. Most candida diet guidelines recommend staying away from both tea and coffee because of caffeine and possible mold contamination of tea leaves but many candida dieters have found that they can tolerate herbal teas. Green tea is a great choice as it provides antioxidants which protect against free radical damage. Pau d’Arco is another herbal tea made from the bark of a tree indigenous to the rain forest. The tea appears to have some medicinal benefits and has helped many candidiasis sufferers. You can use stevia, a natural plant sweetener tolerated by most on the candida diet to sweeten your herbal teas and then serve them hot or cold.

For more information on living yeast free by following the candida diet visit Yeast Free Living.

INTRODUCTION

To drink or not to drink? – that is the question. Although drunkenness is directly forbidden by God, yet wine itself was used in the Bible. Almost every society today has a drinking problem. The subject of drinking alcoholic beverages is an important and confusing issue in the contemporary church. Should a Christian drink alcoholic beverages? Does the Bible say anything to help answer this crucial question? Some say that a Christian should not drink and others take a contrary view. Others say a Christian can drink moderately especially since the Bible commented on characters who drank wine. However, an attempt is made to resolve this issue by studying some Biblical principles.

WINE AND USES IN THE BIBLE

Generally wine could be defined as the fermented juice of grapes. It is first mentioned in Scriptures when Noah became intoxicated after the Flood (Gen. 9:20:21). Wine is a common commodity in Hebrew life and was regularly included in summaries of agricultural products (Gen. 27:28; II Kin. 18:32; Jer.31:12). It is observed that “sometimes the juice from the grapes was served in an unfermented state, but generally it was bottled after fermentation” (Lockyer 1986, 1101).

Wine as part of Offering

Wine formed part of several offerings such as liquid (Lev.23:13), the burnt and freewill offerings (Num.15:4). The latter required one-fourth of a hin of win. The sacrifice of a ram was accompanied by a hin of wine (Num.15:6-7). In the temple organization set up by David, Levites were appointed to supervise these wine offerings (I Chr. 9:29).

Wine as food

Wine was offered by the old man of Gibeah to the traveling Levite (Jud. 19:19). Jesse sent David with bread, a skin of wine and a young goat as a present when Goliath was frightening the Philistines (I Sam.16:20). Abigail brought David two skins of wine (I Sam.25:18).

Ziba brought David wine as he fled from Absalom (II Sam.16:1-2). Wine was on the list of supplies that the Persians furnished the captive Hebrew people when they returned to Jerusalem (Ezra 6:9; 7:22).

Wine as medicine

Wine was used as medicine. It was said recommended “for those who become exhausted in the wilderness” (II Sam.16:2) and could serve as a sedative for people in distress (Prov. 31:6). It could be mixed with a drug (Matt. 27:34; Mk. 15:23). When the Good Samaritan found a beaten man on the side of the road, he “went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring oil and wine, and set on him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him” (Luke 10:34).

It is evident from the foregoing that the Samaritan poured wine on the wounds of the injured traveler. The apostle Paul charged Timothy, “drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities” (I Timothy 5:23).

Wine in memoriam

Wine was also used when Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper in Matthew 26 and instructed His followers to keep this ordinance in remembrance of Him.

Wine as enslavement

Wine often enslaved the heart (Hos.4:11). The prophets accused Israel of being overcome with wine (Is.28:1), of drinking wine by bowlfuls (Amos 6:6) and of wanting prophets who spoke of wine (Mic.2:11). Leaders were interested in drinking and were not concerned about the ruin of the country (Is. 5:11-12; 22:12). The list of those drunken with wine in the Bible begins with Noah and includes Lot, Nabal and Ammon (Gen.9:21; 1 Sam.25:36-37; II Sam.13:28).

Drunkenness

This is a drugged or deranged condition which results from drinking intoxicating beverages (I Cor.5:11; 6:10; Eph.5:18). Drunkenness regularly appears in lists of vices in the New Testament (Luke 21:34; Gal.5:21). The dangers of drunkenness are abundantly recognized in the Bible (Prov.20:1; 23:29-35). Lot committed incest with his two daughters when he was under the influence of alcohol. Paul admonished his readers to be filled with the Holy Spirit rather than with wine (Eph.5:18).

PRINCIPLES

Since the use of wine is a crucial contemporary issue, there are certain principles that may apply to this thorny problem. Christians who drink point out that wine was commended in the Bible and assume it is therefore acceptable today. If drinking in biblical times is to be used as the basis for drinking today, the wine today should be the same as the wine used then. This deserves careful analysis.

A. Some Biblical words for wine

i. Oinos/Yayin

The most common word in the New Testament for wine is the Greek word oinos. It is a general word that simply refers to the fermented juice of the grape. The Old Testament equivalent to the Greek word oinos is yayin, the root of which means to ‘bubble up’ or ‘boil up’. It is believed that yayin, at least in the rabbinic period, was diluted with water.

ii. Gleukos/Tirosh

The Greek word gleukos – from which we get the English word glucose, means ‘new wine’. It is used in Acts 2:13 to refer to the apostles on the day of Pentecost. It says that they were ‘full of new wine’. Although it was comparatively fresh and not yet fully aged, it was potentially intoxicating. The mockers in Acts 2:13 were accusing the apostles of being drunk. The Old Testament word for new wine is tirosh. Hosea 4:11 says “wine (yayin) and new wine (tirosh) take away the heart”. Drunkenness is the result of drinking this new wine.

iii. Sikera/Shakar

The Old Testament word for strong drink is shaker, a term that eventually became restricted to intoxicants other than wine. This refers to unmixed wine. The New Testament equivalent is the Greek word sikera.

B. Historical data regarding wine

1. Unfermented wine

Wine was often boiled until the liquid evaporated (as a result of refrigeration problems in ancient times), leaving behind a thick, unintoxicating paste that stored well. It was somewhat similar to modern grape jelly. The people would spread it on bread like a jam, and some still do today in the Middle East. It is suggested that wine “was brought to the city in skins and sold in the public markets. He said it had the appearance of a coarse honey” (Russell 1894, 26). The wine that was consumed in biblical times was not what we know as wine today. Most was more of a concentrated grape juice with its intoxicating properties basically removed. One cannot defend wine-drinking today on the basis of wine-drinking in Bible times because the two are totally different.

2. Fermented wine

a. The procedure

Incontrovertibly, wine stored as a liquid, however, would ferment. The pure, unmixed wine would be drawn out of these jugs and poured into large bowls called kraters, where it was mixed with water. From these kraters, it would then be poured into kylix or cups. It is generally observed that historical studies that “wine would never be served directly from the amphora without first being mixed. And according to other historical data on this period, the mixture could be as high as a 20:1 ratio or lower than 1:1” (Stein 1975, 10).

b. The present

From the foregoing, the researcher wishes to submit the following line of reasoning. Beer has approximately 4% alcohol, wine 9-11%, brandy 15-20% and hard liquor 40-50%. Unmixed wine in biblical times measured at approximately 9-11%. Mixed wine, at a 3:1 ratio, would therefore be between 2:25 – 2.75%. By today’s standards, a drink has to exceed 3.2% to be considered an alcoholic beverage. It is argued that “the wine they consumed was either completely non-alcoholic or sub-alcoholic by today’s standards. To become drunk with wine in those days you would have to drink all day” (MacArthur 2004). That is why the Bible commands elders in the church not be addicted to much wine (I Tim.3:3). With such a low alcoholic content, you would have to purpose to become drunk. Drinking wine today is therefore not necessarily the same as in Bible times. In any case, if wine drinking was a past necessity, it is a preference today. There are a variety of non-alcoholic beverages in many parts of the world today. In our contemporary society, drinking alcohol is simply and only a preference. Wine today is not necessarily mixed with water and can be very intoxicating. The wine people mostly drank during Bible times was mixed with generous amounts of water and was largely intoxicating. The researcher believes that these considerations must be considered by the Christians. The Bible also gives examples of people in positions of spiritual authority that abstained from alcohol (Lev.10:8-11); Jud.13:3-4; Luke 1:14-15).

The Bible condemns drunkenness and drinking is forbidden when it causes a fellow believer to stumble (Rom.14:1-23; I Cor.8:9-13). Is one’s drinking causing another to stumble? One must evaluate these preceding passages to determine if another will eventually stumble. Realistically, this is what is happening. Many people justify drinking by quoting other Christians, especially those in authority, who drink.

The Bible warns the Christian to abstain from every form or appearance of evil (I Thes. 5:22). Indubitably, drunkenness is evil and since the only way one can get drunk from modern day wine is by drinking it, the principle of abstaining is a realistic suggestion for the sober Christian. Discussing the issue of prevention, it is argued that ministers of the Gospel are the only care-giving professionals who have daily and weekly access to the members of the congregation or parish.

According to Apthorp, “it is clear our most useful and effective ministry will be in preventive maintenance. The goal, therefore, is to stop the problem before it starts, by enabling God’s people to make responsible decisions… Prevention is primary” (1985, 38).

This advice is meaningful if one considers that “according to national (U.S.A.) statistics, there are 9 to 10 million alcoholics in this country – men, women and teenagers who cannot control their drinking or the effect it has on their lives” (Hawthorm 1980, 245).

CONCLUSION

There are varying degrees of drunkenness but one cannot profess to know where that fine line is for everyone. However, one becomes drunk whenever one yields control of the senses to alcohol. The Bible condemns drunkenness. A Christian is advised against its consequences (see Gal. 5:19-21; Rom.13:13; I Cor. 6:9-10; I Pet.4:3; I Thes.5:6-7; Prov.23:20, 29-35; 31:6-7; Is. 5:11; Is.28:7-8; Lev.10:9; Is.56:11-12 ; Hos.4:11). Although the issue of drinking is controversial in modern times, “there is no biblical justification for the heavy liquor traffic of modern times” (Lockyer 1986, 1102). In modern times drinking “excites fleshly lust; and to wallow with delight in the mire of sensuality, a man, created in the image of God, must first brutalize himself by intoxication” (Delitzch 1970, 120). As temples of the Holy Spirit, every Christian is expected to help his brother/sister to grow rather than serving like the Pharisees who were stumbling blocks. A Christian therefore should abstain from alcoholic beverages.

LIST OF REFERENCES

Apthorp. Stephen P. 1985. Alcohol and Substance Abuse: A Clergy Handbook. Wilton: Morehouse- Barlow.

Delitzch, Franz. 1970. Biblical Commentary on the Proverbs of Solomon, Vol. 2. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

Hawthorn, Madalyn. 1980. The ABC’s of a Drunkard’s Life. Ohio: Deckard Publishing Company.

Illustrated Dictionary and Concordance of the Bible. 1986. Jerusalem: The Jerusalem Publishing House Ltd.

Lockyer, Herbert. 1986. Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary. New York: Guideposts.

MacArthur, John. 2004. Be Not Drunk With Wine, Part 2. Available [online] [http://www.biblebb.com/files/MAC/sq1937.htm]. Accessed 3rd October 2004.

Russell, A. 1894. Natural History of Aleppo. London: G.G. and J. Robinson.

Stein, Robert. 1975. Wine-drinking in New Testament Times, Christianity Today, 4(2): 9-11.

Hi5 Energy Drink is a MLM business opportunity which focuses on the health and wellness industry. It is a sister company of TraVerus Travel and managed by CEO David Manning and President & COO Gary Sparks. Additional products that are sold by this company are weight loss supplements.

The products were developed by Mark McKnight, who is the Director and Formulator for the company. He has so far created over 240 formulations in his career. The corporate offices of Hi5 Energy Drink are located at Allen, TX. There are different packages to join the company as distributors. Here is a list of the various packages, which are offered to members.

• Builder pack, which pays an enrollment bonus of $30 costs $199
• Advanced Builder, which pays an enrollment bonus of $75 costs $499
• Bronze Builder, which pays an enrollment bonus of $100 costs $999

Members who do not opt to purchase the Bronze Builder package, can still get to the bronze level by enrolling 3 new members in their team. In order to remain active the distributors are required to have an auto-ship for $90 every month. The membership in the company comes with a replicated website, which can be used to promote the products and business. Distributors are able to earn commissions on all retail products, which are sold on their website.

The compensation plan combines two pay plans of the MLM industry, which are Binary and Life Code Uni-level. The members can be compensated in different ways which include Retail Sales, Personal Fast Start Bonus, Success Bonus, Life Codes and Personal Match on Codes, Binary, Binary Personal Enrolled Match, Binary Code Matches and Life Code Residual Matches.

This is a legitimate business opportunity, where members can earn a substantial amount of income if they have the skills to build a large sales team. However most people who join MLM opportunities fail to make any significant earning. It is very important to gain knowledge about the various methods of marketing and promoting an MLM business, which can greatly improve the chance of success.

Losing weight is a real major health concern for at least two-thirds of the American population. Many adults and children drink themselves into being overweight or obesity. Beyond those nutritionally empty calories that soft drinks have and the number one source of calories in a typical American diet, a long known about threat in soft drinks, benzene, has health officials concerned again.

Benzene is a known human carcinogen (cancer causing agent) that has been linked to leukemia. It can form in soft drinks that contain both vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and either or, sodium benzoate, or potassium benzoate. Many soft drinks use sodium benzoate to stop bacteria growth and spoilage. Vitamin C can be present because the manufacturer added it or it can occur naturally from fruit concentrates used in the beverage. Soft drink manufacturers do not add benzene to the drinks directly, rather the compound is formed by a reaction to (ascorbic acid) and the preservatives that are added to the drink, in the presence of heat and light.

Believe it or not the FDA has known about this carcinogen threat for over fifteen years, and let the soft drink industry to voluntarily police themselves on how to best lower the benzene levels in their soft drinks. Presently the FDA is still hiding benzene data that they feel would be “confusing” to the consumers of soft drinks. I wonder if they think people will be “confused” as to why the FDA did not blow the whistle on this threat a decade and a half ago?

Because children may be especially sensitive to benzene, as their bone marrow cells are highly active, all soft drinks should be eliminated in schools immediately until they can be proven safe and free of all their harmful effects.

Being overweight or obese is just the first stage for many, of life long battles with so many other related ill health issues. Drinking yourself into a state of disease is a physical choice that you can have control over! If you are a parent, you can be the most important role model for your children. Surveys have found that parents are more of an influence on how their children eat and drink, than their peers.

While making the decision to eat more healthier foods is a wonderful thing, people are seriously underestimating the most powerful disease control weapon in their diet is in choosing more wisely on what to drink, and what to avoid.

Your body substance is made up mostly of 75% water. As a safe thirst quencher, water is hard to beat! Shelf-stable juices and single serve milks can be added as some healthy alternatives to break up the daily routine of consuming water. Try adding a squirt of real lemon or lime juice to water for an added citrus flavor.

From my perspective one of the most important and easiest changes you can make to improve your health, is to eliminate soft drinks from your daily diet. While an occasional soda is not going to harm anyone, daily consumption of them is simply a disease just waiting to happen.

The energy drink advantages for aging Baby Boomers, compared to the dangers they pose for kids are:

* Those of us who have survived this far are too smart to abuse caffeine, which is the primary stimulant in most of these beverages

* It’s amazing how much more awake you can be on a well-formulated energy drink compared to old-fashioned java, without the nerves, stomach upset, etc.

* The best formulations are blends of nutrients and herbs that provide the fuel for energy creation while moderating side-effects

* Buying these drinks in bulk can save us time and money compared to driving to the convenience store or coffee kiosk twice a day

* We can get our basic vitamin requirements in some energy tonics without swallowing a hand-full of pills

* We’ve learned to manage our need for sleep, unlike youngsters who burn the candle at both ends

* Boomers often say that we’d give anything to be 20 again and know what we know now — Here is a way to combine our wealth of experience with the energy of youth

* We can enjoy these drinks because we know that more of a good thing is not necessarily better

* Those of us who aren’t retired — or who like to do strenuous things for recreation — may find the right drink can greatly increase our stamina and minimize soreness the next morning

* We’re savvy enough to do some research to pick a healthy energy tonic for our enjoyment

* We can relive the joie-de-vivre of our youth, without doing anything illegal, immoral, or fattening!

* A few energy drink brands can even help us lose weight through the principle of thermogenesis

Energy drinks have been unfairly and uniformly categorized as bad, dangerous, and unhealthy. Most of them are less than healthy, but not all. A lot of the problems with them have come from absurd levels of sugar and caffeine and just plain abuse by those who drink them.

Let’s not “throw out the baby with the bathwater” when considering what benefit energy drinks could possess for us.

Those under the care of a physician and/or taking any medication should ask their doctor if there is any reason they shouldn’t use energy tonics in moderation.