Every instinct that I have tells me that I should avoid water that’s black in color. Not because of food coloring, nor because of something I’d rather not be in the water making it black… but because of fulvic acid and 77 trace minerals.

Our proprietary blend of Fulvic Acid (a derivative of plant matter) is mined from a 70 million year old source deep within the earth. Naturally black in color, the formula binds to the molecules of our pure Canadian Spring Water turning it naturally black, with no artificial dyes, coloring, or additives. Fulvic Acid is critical in growth of plant life, helping the transportation and absorption of nutrients. Fulvic Acid’s small molecular structure allows for the fast absorption of over 77 different trace minerals and elements, powerful electrolytes, antioxidants, and free radical scavengers.

Found a bottle at Whole Foods for about $2 a bottle and amazingly enough there’s no weird taste, you look totally cool while drinking it and it’s supposed to be doing your body a good thing. It even has electrolytes!

[ Links: blk. | The Dark Side of Water ]

I’m old-fashioned. Kahlua splashed into some decent coffee and I’m good. Well, in case you haven’t heard, Kahlua has released a Cinnamon Spice version of their ubiquitous coffee

Montanya Mermalada

• 1 oz Kahlúa Cinnamon Spice
• 1 oz Avión Tequila Blanco
• 1 oz lemon juice
• 6-8 concord grapes

Muddle Grapes. Add rest of the ingredients. Shake and strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass

Created by mixologist Lynnette Marrero

While the above sounds high class and expensive, Kahlua Cinnamon Spice liqueur costs about $20 for 750ml.

[ Links: Kahlua ]

Sometimes I get gifts or items that despite their novelty, I might never find a use for them. Useful Things sent along a package that included the silicone mold for some shot glasses that once filled up with water and frozen would allow you to imbibe and cool off at the same time.

After a few experiments, I finally figured out that I’d have to slightly thump the silicon mold to get rid of any air bubbles and toss it in the freezer to get nice and hard. Novel? Yes. Worth a purchase? After a week of 100 degree weather each and every day; hell yes.

Despite being made out of ice, the shot glasses do last for quite a while even in the aforesaid heat. You can easily pour two to three shots if you’re just a casual sipper or pound quite a few shots if you so wish and never worry about the shot glass dribbling out the contents. The ice shots can equally take on adult beverages or juice without any incident.

The Ice Shot Glass Mold sells for $9.95 at Useful Things and worth every penny.

[ Links: Useful Things, Ice Shots ]

I’ve had blueberry, raspberry or even citrus based wheat based beers in the past. But 21st Amendment Brewery’s Hell or High Watermelon Wheat Beer is the first time I’ve seen watermelon used in a beer.

Using 100% fresh watermelon puree, we start by brewing a classic American wheat beer, which undergoes a traditional secondary fermentation using fresh watermelon. A straw-colored, refreshing beer with a kiss of watermelon aroma and flavor.

Sporting a 4.9% alcohol content, this pale straw colored beer (I’m surprised it’s not pinkish red) that comes in a can seems like it would be an odd addition to your next cookout. Sold in 12 oz. cans for about $9.99 per six pack in limited states and locations.

[ Links: 21st Amendment Brewery, Hell or High Watermelon Wheat Beer ]

I have very little to say other than… I want one.

From budding London-based student designer Chris Naylor on Coroflot, this awesomely geeky retro toaster does more than just look like a Space Invader alien when it’s sitting green and pretty on your kitchen counter.

Perfect addition to my planned geek kitchen. It’ll fit right in with the Donkey Kong mini barrels/kegs.

[ Links: Unplggd ]

I love sushi. I love seafood. I love my Apple iPhone. Combine all three and I’ll be happy… oh wait, Monterey Bay Aquarium has just done that. Well, you can’t exactly eat the app, but you can install the free Apple iPhone app and see whether or not what you’re buying is not only environmentally friendly but also what should be avoided due a plethora of reasons from overfishing to health concerns due to shipping or place of origin.

Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch, our new iPhone application brings the latest Seafood Watch recommendations directly to your iPhone or iPod touch. Now you can make sustainable seafood choices quickly and easily; whether you’re eating at your favorite restaurant or shopping for dinner. And at a time when the world’s oceans are severely overfished, your seafood choices make a big difference.

And if you’re not an Apple iPhone owner, you can user their mobile website just as well. Definitely worth it if you enjoy some of the yummier things from the sea and wish to raise your awareness about not only what you eat but how your decisions affect the future generations as well.

Thanks Janice for the tip. This one is staying on my iPhone!

[ Links: Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch iPhone App, Monterey Bay Aquarium mobile website ]

According to the Wall Street Journal, McDonald’s will be offering free Wi-Fi service to everyone – starting in January. The fine dining establishment has traditionally charged customers $2.95 for two hours of Internet access at 11,000 of its 14,000 U.S. locations. McDonald’s wants to lift the fee in the hopes that patrons will “hang around during down times between meals,” soaking up the ambiance created by bright plastic and yelling children overdosed on corn syrup and carbohydrates. McDonald’s also apparently wants to leech a few coffee drinkers from Starbucks, which charges $3.99 for two-hours of Internet access. The Wi-Fi at McDonald’s is powered by AT&T, who already offer free Wi-Fi to their broadband and wireless customers.

Link to the original article…

For now, only 250 six-packs of the beer, which Sapporo calls “Space Barley,” are available for purchase. Customers will be selected at random from those who apply through the Space Barley website before December 24.

The barley used in the beer is the fourth-generation offspring of seeds that spent five months aboard the International Space Station in 2006 as part of research that Sapporo conducted with the Russian Academy of Sciences and Okayama University. The aim of the research was to study the adaptability and life cycle of barley in zero-gravity and to explore the challenges of achieving self-sufficient food production in space.

Space Barley beer has a mellow flavor and slightly dark color reminiscent of deep space, according to Sapporo. The six-packs are priced at an astronomical 10,000 yen ($110), but Sapporo will donate the profits to Okayama University, who will use the funds to promote science education for children and foster the development of space science research in Japan and Russia.

[Links: Space Barley website, Sapporo press release]

Link to the original article…

Jones Soda, maker of Green Apple soda which is my absolute favorite soda on the planet, has introduced a trio of flavors that are entirely sugar-free and zero calorie. Pomegranate, Vanilla Bean and Black Cherry make up the round of up flavors that carry the new “Zilch” – as in zero, like zero calorie… get it? – moniker and for a limited amount of time, a sampler pack can be purchased for $3.99 and comes with a Free T-Shirt.

[ Jones Soda Zilch Sampler Pack ] [ Jones Soda ]

Either good ol’ American gluttony has finally rubbed off on Japan or they’ve just thrown down the gauntlet for the hamburger competition on a new level. The Mega Tamago is comprised of three all-beef patties, bacon, lettuce three buns and that all important egg. Yes… an egg.

This is like what if the Big Mac mated with an Egg McMuffin with special sauce as the lube. Yeah. Fly me to Japan.

[ McDonald's Japan ]