Worth It: Bubbles Without Chemicals, Sugar Or Rotten Teeth

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Much unlike many a magazine editor who recommends you buy all sorts of crap that they most likely got for free, your Jezebel staff doesn’t get jack shit (other than books, unsolicited). And that’s how it should be. But on our own time, in our personal lives, we still buy stuff. So this is Worth It, our daily recommendation of random things that we’ve actually spent our own money on. These are the things we buy regularly or really like, things we’d actually tell our friends about. And now we’re telling you.

Friends, I am a recovering Coke addict. Actually, just a plain-old addict, as my recovery is going very slowly. I’ve been drinking Coca-Cola since I was a kid. My mom denies this, but I remember it vividly: I once guzzled Coca-Cola from a baby bottle. I don’t drink coffee, so having a Coke with lunch has been part of my routine for years — get some caffeiene, some sugar, make it through the rest of the day. Diet Coke? Meh. I know it has its enthusiasts. But the metallic taste never locked on with me, and I would rather have some real sugar if I’m going to drink soda. In fact, Mexican Coke, in a glass bottle, made with cane sugar, is my favorite kind. But all the studies about how soda rots your teeth — even diet soda — have hit home recently. Mostly due to vanity, to be honest: I like my smile, and I don’t want it to fall out of my head or turn yellow. Apparently the artificial coloring in most soda is worse than coffee when it comes to the yellowing of the choppers. As I’ve gotten older my teeth seem less white — despite the constant use of whitening toothpastes — so I have made a concerted effort to stop drinking Coke. And while I miss Coke’s cheek-puckering sweetness and the way it goes with everything from burgers to pizza to tacos to sesame chicken, what I really miss are the bubbles. Enter seltzer.

Seltzer has been around a long time. I know. But it wasn’t until I tried to kick Coke (I am down to about one can a week) that I began to appreciate seltzer. Do I drink water? Sure. But seltzer’s got that sexy extra effervescence. I can still get my beloved bubbles, and the chances of tooth decay are greatly reduced. There’s something about the fizziness that I enjoy, and when I drink it while eating, I feel like my meals are being digested better. (This may not be true, but whatever.)

One of the unexpected perks of drinking seltzer instead of Coke? The price. In New York, you can spend ridiculous amounts of money on Coca-Cola: A dollar for a can at a deli, $3 for a plastic cup at a bar. But it seems like there’s always a deal on seltzer at the supermarket and drug store; you’ll pay way more for Poland Spring than you will for Vintage Seltzer. (Probably because it’s just carbonated tap water, but shhh.) Anyway, I got two one-liter bottles of Vintage Seltzer for $1. We’ve got one of those Soda Stream things at work, and I’m hoping to start using it, so I can cut down on plastic bottle waste and keep my pearlies looking pearly and not like stained urinals. Worth it.

Vintage Seltzer, 50¢ for 1 liter at your local supermarket or Target.

Worth It only features things we paid for ourselves and actually like. Don’t send us stuff.

 
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