Crystal Light On the Go

[Captain Smollett]

I suspect most of you are already aware of these, but I thought I'd mention them just in case.  They are individual drink flavor packets pre-measured for 1 Liter-ish water bottles.

Crystal Light On The Go

If you use bottled water on your cruises, they might add some variety and flavor to your beverages.  We've been using them for a couple of years for road-trips and camping as well as on board.  They have the advantage that each person in the crew can have whatever flavor they want at any time.

Of course, you can pre-measure your own drink mix from a large tub, but this saves us just that little bit of time we always seem to need when trying to get underway. 

[s/v Faith]

Yes, it is almost decadent to spend so much more on drink mix, but I agree it is worth it for the ease of use. 

  I don't drink crystal light, as I do not use Nutrasweet/sucrose (sp).  I like the cool-aid singles, but same idea.  I mostly drink water, but it is easy to get 'watered out' after a bit.

  Good tip.

 

[Captain Smollett]

almost decadent to spend so much more on drink mix

For what it's worth, my wife has informed me since I started this thread that Walmart has a brand of those individual packets and they are significantly cheaper than the Crystal Light ones.  I don't know where the price sits compared to the Kool Aid ones.

[Pixie Dust]

Thanks John! I now am loving the crystal light mix.  I make it by the 1/2 gallon.  Gotta love the raspberry lemonade.   YUM!!
It also makes a good hot afternoon mixer on a lazy Sat. with a little Lemon Rum.   I have not been able to find much time for lazy Saturdays lately though.    Maybe when I am cruising. 

[AdriftAtSea]

I really like crystal light, but I'm not in favor of the packages Captain Smollett mentions, as our country generates more than enough waste with "convenience" sizes and most of the packaging materials are almost indestructible, and non-biodegradable.   Personally, I'd rather spend the extra time making a larger container or splitting the package for smaller containers.  Just my $0.02 worth.

[CapnK]

I really like crystal light, but I'm not in favor of the {individual} packages ...

Letting my Green shine through , I think that is a valid point.

Letting my Cheap shine through as well , I'm wondering what re-packaging options are available which would allow long-term storage in the humid marine environment...

I've seen small zip-loc type baggies - even teeny tiny ones - included with electronic products etc, sized with just enough room for a couple of screws or other fasteners. Portioning a large container of 'stuff' out into these might help, but I've never seen a box of them for sale at the local stores, and I also wonder if they are food-safe. For longish-term storage, the plastic used in them also doesn't seem like it would be tough enough to really last - a freezer bag thickness would be more desirable, especially for reuse over and over...

Seems like a "food storage containers" topic might be worthy of its own thread. If anyone has ideas or input on this subject, feel free to go ahead start a new thread up, and let's see where it goes...

[Captain Smollett]

Consolidated Plastics carries a large variety of plastic storage 'solutions' including bags.

But one question: If the Crystal Light things make too much 'waste,' won't using zip-locs, too?  I mean, you might reuse them sometimes, but probably not wholesale reuse while at sea.

[CapnK]

Yeah, they'd produce waste, just *not as much* waste.

Ever notice how food packaging is always out of proportion to the actual food within? Especially down at the individual portion size.  The food always looks better on the *outside* of the package, too...

I haven't seen them, but I'd bet the Crystal Light packaging uses mylar, so at least you could use part of the empty package as a fishing lure.

Which makes me think of...


Waterworld.

[Captain Smollett]

Yeah, they'd produce waste, just *not as much* waste.

Have you seen how small the Crystal Light On the Go packages are?  They are tiny - much smaller than even all but the smallest (crack rock sized) ziploc bags.  Yep, I've seen those little buggers when running the York County Forensic Lab.

If you used one a day, the amount the CLotG package would add to your total waste production is miniscule.

Ever notice how food packaging is always out of proportion to the actual food within? Especially down at the individual portion size.  The food always looks better on the *outside* of the package, too...

Precisely my point above.  Yes, food packages today are MOSTLY waste (on a related note, have you seen the packaging on HP printer cartridges??).  If you buy items packaged for consumer retail for food provisioning, you are generating FAR more waste in cardboard boxes and plastic bags than a whole case of Crystal Light would produce.

Does a small disposable package on a drink mix ADD to the on board waste problem?  Well yes, of course it does.  Much like a flea on an elephant makes the whole thing heavier.  Technically.

[CapnK]

Nope, haven't seen those packages, just figured that they'd be like most of the individual portions - equal amounts or more of plastic in the package-to-serving ratio. I'll keep an eye out for them the next time I am at the foodstore.

Thx for the link - stuff like Tang or other dry powders, I'd like to have a way to portion out so that it doesn't get 'clumpy'.

[mudnut]

Being from OZ Im not sure how US vitiling stores work.But It seems more lodgical for them as a store for sailing and or boating people to be ontop of the situation concerning the enviroment,and,to buy the stuff ya like in bulk and sell it on in whatever size you wish to purchase and let the indervidual package it however they choose.As a product for the land lubber,thats obviously a different case,If enough sailors buy the stuff then maybe this approach by the vittiling stores would save even more usless packaging,and overall be better for the planet than RE-PACKAGING the said product.Just a thought!Mudnut.

[GordMay]

You know you’re a cruiser, when your preferred beverage becomes powdered (crystal) drink mix, rum, and warm water ...

[Pixie Dust]

Oh my- then I must be a cruiser.  I even had a warm beer a few weekends ago and did not complain... I was even able to finish it.  I figured I might need to start training.... no ac, warm beer and warm water.    Crystal light and rum---adult koolaid.   

[Joe Pyrat]

Drink mix, rum, and warm water.  That sounds pretty good if you leave out the drink mix and water.   

[Fortis]

Drinks wise (non-alcaholic) we tend to make something called Seganjabin (sp?). It is an 11th century french drink. Basically made of white vinegar, sugar, mint leaves and some other stuff it is stored as very strong cordial syrup and made up at about two teaspoons per glass for a really strong flavour. It is amazingly refreshing and good for hot weather. Also makes a great mixer with any of several spirits.

Alex.

[oded kishony]

Hi alex

>>make something called Seganjabin (sp?). It is an 11th century french drink.  <<

Sounds great! Any chance of getting a recipe?

Oded Kishony

[AdriftAtSea]

Alex-

I'd second Oded's request for a recipe...   We won't know how good it is until we can try it.

[Fortis]

The quick and easy version is:

Ingredients

Water 2 1/2 cups
Sugar 4 cups
Wine Vinegar 1 cup
 Mint 1/2 cup



Dissolve 4 cups sugar in 2 1/2 cups of water; when it comes to a boil add 1 cup wine vinegar.
Simmer for 1/2 hour. Add the mint, stir, remove from heat, and let cool (can be force cooled in fridge, but it can grow crustals). Dilute the resulting syrup to taste with ice water (5 to 10 parts water to 1 part syrup). The syrup stores without refrigeration.


Incidentaly, the syrup makes a superb dressing for freshly sliced cucmber. just thin slice the cucumber (or even carrot) and poor on some syrup. Chill for about an hour and then eat. Very cooling and refreshing. Great with seafood.



Alex.

[oded kishony]

Thanks for the recipe
Alex!

[AdriftAtSea]

Bueno Alex, will have to try it this week, once I can get the ingredients.