Energy Product Reviews

C4 Extreme (Icy Blue Razz)

2012-05-20T13:20:00.002-05:00

For quite some time now, I have really been enjoying the benefits that many of the pre-workout supplements on the market offer. After doing some research I stumbled upon Cellucor C4 Extreme, that has a great reputation among places such as Bodybuilding.com. So I decided to contact the company, and they were generous enough to send me some samples so I could see if C4 lives up to the hype.

The Look: C4 Extreme comes in a plastic tub that uses a metallic color to give it an appearance that the container is actually metal. The front of the container list product name, flavor, and many of the key attributes of C4. On the back of the container there are supplemental facts, instructions, and several warnings.
All the colors really work well on the container and give it a very aggressive look, that I believe helps it really stand out on the shelf.
(9 out of 10)

Mixability: One thing I am learning in the world of pre-workout supplements is that mixability is not equal in all of them. Some pwos take forever to get mixed properly and some just don't mix at all no matter how much you stir or shake them. C4 Extreme so far has the best mixability of any product that I have tried. I added 2 scoops to the recommended amount of water and it was thoroughly mixed within 10-15 seconds of stirring. At the end of the glass I was left with no particles in the bottom of the cup.
(9.5 out of 10)

Taste: The flavor I am testing of C4 is labeled as "Icy Blue Razz". As soon as I opened up the container, the scent of candied blue raspberry immediately filled the air. Once the drink was mixed, I took my first sip. The flavor has a very sweet blue raspberry flavor to it. It manages to be very sweet without overdoing it. Cellucor does a tremendous job of masking all the ingredients inside and there is no aftertaste once the drink is finished.
(8.5 out of 10)

Motivation/Energy: The directions say to take C4 Extreme 20-30 minutes before the workout. So I did just that and I could feel C4 start to take effect right around the 20 minute mark. My body started to tingle from the Beta Alanine and I was filled with a big boost of energy. I was ready to workout and workout hard.
Even on days that I had no motivation at all, C4 caused me to want to work out. I also noticed after my workouts were complete, I still had plenty of energy to spare. After several uses of C4, I see why Cellucor C4 has such a fantastic reputation.
(8.5 out of 10) Based on 1 scoop
(9 out of 10) Based on 2 scoops

Pump: C4 is the first product I have used where I felt and could see a definite "pump". From some research it appears that creatine nitrate is one of the primary causes of this great pump. After doing an arm workout my arms were almost swollen. The same thing happened when I did a chest workout after using C4. After my workouts, my shirt actually feels tighter in the arms and chest....it is an amazing feeling.
(9 out of 10)

Ingredients: Each scoop of C4 contains the following ingredients: Niacin, Vitamin C, Vitamin B12, Beta Alanine(1500mg), Creatine Nitrate(1000 mg), and Arganine AKG(1000 mg). On top of that they also have 718mg what they label as their "Explosive Energy Blend" that contains: N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine, Caffeine Anhydrous (135 mg), Mucuna pruriens, Niacinamide, Synephrine HCL, Folate, and Pyridoxine Phosphate.
The ingredient list is very solid and they all work together well to create a very solid product.

Value: The tub that I received contains 30, 1 scoop servings. I use close to 2 scoops per workout. So that brings the entire container to around 15 servings for me. The cheapest place I can find it seems to be for around 21.50 + free shipping on Amazon. For me that puts the price at around 1.43 per serving (2 scoops).
For the best value I would recommend the 60 serving container of C4. It runs around 33 dollars a tub which for me works out to $1.10 per serving (2 scoops).
(8 out of 10) For the 30 serving tub
(8.5 out of 10) For the 60 serving tub

Overall Thoughts: I have tried quite a few pre-workout supplements so far. As of this writing C4 is my new favorite and I will be using it before each work out. The flavor is good, the energy is fantastic, and the pump is the best I have had so far. If you are looking for a product to help give you that extra boost in the gym, Cellucor C4 Extreme is a great choice that I highly recommend!

Official Website: http://cellucor.com/product/c4-extreme

This product was supplied to me by Cellucor for the review.

Editor's Note: For those wondering, I am not a gym rat like many people out there. I spend around 30-45 minutes each day working out. My main goal is to build a nice amount of upper body muscle but I have no desire to look like a "roided" out gym freak.
Along with C4 I also take a multi vitamin daily, use a high protein diet, and take around 5 grams of creatine a day.
I am 6'2" and weigh 219 pounds currently.

Pan!c

2012-04-22T15:21:00.001-05:00

Today I will be reviewing my first of many pre-workout supplements. I will be doing the review in the same format as my energy drink reviews but adding some new categories. With each pre-workout supplement, I am trying out the product for around 2 weeks to really put it to the test and see the longer term benefits. Now that we got that out of the way, let's see how Pan!c holds up to the Caffeine A Holic test.

Mixability: Most pre-workout supplements I have tried require you to combine 1 or 2 scoops of the powder with anywhere from 4-16 ounces of water. Pan!c advises to combine 2 scoops of powder with 4 ounces of water. So as per instructions I measured 4 ounces of cold water and added 2 scoops of Pan!c. I then used a spoon to starting mixing the concoction. It took a little bit for the powder to start mixing with the water. It didn't clump up but some of it remained still powdered on the top of the drink for a little while. Pan!c took me around 30-45 seconds to thoroughly mix.
Pan!c was slightly difficult to mix at first but once the water covered it, it combined well.
(8 out of 10)

Taste: One of the most important qualities to me in a supplement is how it taste. There are usually A LOT of supplements crammed into each scoop so taste can be a very difficult thing to conquer. Even before I tried Pan!c, I could smell a fruit punch scent coming from the glass. Upon first drink, I was pleasantly surprised. Pan!c reminds me of a sugar free, fruit punch flavored Kool-Aid. There was no after taste and no loose powder at the end of the glass. Pan!c did a great job of masking the flavor of all the ingredients. I did notice a few white flakes still floating around in the drink but they did not affect the flavor or clump up.
I have tried a handful of pre-workout supplements and this was one of the best flavors I have tried.
(9 out of 10)

Motivation: Another important aspect of a pre-workout supplement for me is that it must motivate me to work out. Many of the times I go to workout, I have no drive and need something to give me a little push. I took Pan!c around 20 minutes before each workout as per the directions. At about the 15 minute mark I could feel my energy levels start to rise and I became very motivated to start each work out. Each and every time I took Pan!c I got the motivation I needed and a great amount of energy.
(8.5 out of 10)

Pump: When I am lifting weights, I really enjoy the great pump as I workout and when I am done. It acts as a motivator for me when I am able to look in the mirror after a workout and can see results.
Each day I took Pan!c I really strived to push myself harder than normal and try and up my reps (even if only by a few) each time. After each workout, I felt jacked and was very pleased with the pump.
If I had to put a time frame on the pump, I would put it around the 4 hour mark. After this time frame, I still could see a difference in my muscles but it wasn't nearly as pronounced as that 4 hour time frame.
(8 out of 10)

Ingredients: One of the things Pan!c claims is a simple but effective ingredient list without a lot of the fillers found in some pre-workout supplements. 2 scoops of Pan!c (one serving) contain a 4272 mg proprietary blend consisting of: Creatine Monohydrate, L-Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate, Beta Alanine, Caffeine, Phenylethylamine, and Kre-Alkalyn.
Pan!c really did a great job of combining a list of quality and well proven ingredients.

Value: Each tub of Pan!c contains 45 servings (each serving is 2 scoops_. A tub will set you back 35.95, which comes to about .80 cents a serving. This is a bit cheaper than most of the top supplements on the market.
(9 out of 10)
*Many other supplements claim to have around 60 servings per container (1 scoop servings) but they suggest a 2 scoops serving for maximum results. Therefore you are only really getting 30 servings.*

Overall Thoughts: Like I said originally, I tried out Pan!c for about 2 weeks. After those 2 weeks I could definitely see very positive results in my body. My arms had grown in size a bit, my chest was a bit more defined, and I just overall was happy with the results.
Pan!c blew me away in the taste category and it really did a great job of motivating me and providing me with that much sought after pump. I will be buying more Pan!c after the tub I have runs out and I could easily recommend this to someone.

Official Website: http://drinkthepanic.com/

Editor's Note: For those wondering, I am not a gym rat like many people out there. I spend around 30-45 minutes each day working out. My main goal is to build a nice amount of upper body muscle but I have no desire to look like a "roided" out gym freak.
I am 6'2" and weigh 215 pounds currently.

Ubermonster

2012-04-04T14:41:00.002-05:00

Even though I get to try 100s of energy products a year, I still get excited like a little kid when one of the big boys in the energy drink world come out with a new product. Monster has recently released a "bio-activated energy brew" that actually uses the same technology used to brew beer. Luckily for me I was able to find one of these on the shelf and get it a try.

The Look: As well all know Monster is known for some amazing packaging and this bottle is no exception. Ubermonster comes in a 16.9 ounce glass bottle that look amazing. There is a great amount of detail in everything from the metal pry off cap, to the green tinted bottle, to the labels. The color scheme is done in a black, gold, silver, and green theme. The color scheme looks amazing and almost make the bottle look like a bottle of alcohol (they even added the words "non-alcoholic" to the bottom of the bottle). On the back you get the usual Monster Energy passage about the new drink and supplemental facts.
I wish Monster would include the caffeine content on the package but this bottle is so amazing, I will let it slide. The only real problem I had was getting the cap off the bottle. Make sure you have a good size bottle opener handy.
(10 out of 10)

Taste: When I finally managed to get the top of the bottle, I immediately noticed the familiar Monster Scent. It smelled just like a green Monster. Upon first drink, I was actually disappointed. The drink doesn't taste bad but aside from a slightly different sweetness, this taste just like a green Monster. I tried several times to try and pinpoint something different from the added malt base but it just wasn't there.
(7.5 out of 10)

Does It Work: Looking at the ingredients, I knew what to expect before drinking down Ubermonster. Ubermonster is powered by (per bottle) 200 calories, 50 grams of sugar, several B vitamins, 2000 mg of taurine, 400 mg of panax ginseng, and 5000 mg of the "Monster Energy Blend". After drinking down Ubermonster, I got a nice boost of energy that lasted around the 3 hour mark with a crash at the end.
(8 out of 10)

Overall Thoughts: Ubermonster, sadly enough, left me kind of disappointed. The packaging is amazing and the kick is pretty good but I was just expecting a different flavor.
The bottom line here is this: If you love to try new drinks, then give this a try. The glass bottle will be popular among energy drink collectors but don't expect anything new in the flavor department.

Official Website: http://www.monsterenergy.com/

New Poll

2012-04-04T13:36:00.003-05:00

There is a new poll listed on the right hand side of the site. Please take a moment to vote for your favorite energy shot(s). If you choose other, please let me know which shot is your favorite in the comments section below.

Also just to update everyone. There are many new reviews on the way and also expect to see some more contest starting once again. Thanks everyone for supporting the site, it is because of all the readers that I owe any success to Caffeineaholic.net.

Don't forget you can follow us via Facebook and/or via Twitter for all the latest news and reviews.

Street King

2012-03-28T11:04:00.000-05:00

Rockstars, rappers, and all kinds of other celebrities have been endorsing products for years. Sometimes the product is great and sometimes the product falls flat on it's face. The product I am checking out today is Street King Energy Shot and it is endorsed by popular rapper 50 Cent. Street King promises that each shot bought will in return provide a meal for a hungry child.

The Look: Street King comes in 2 different flavors currently, and each flavor is identical in packaging except for a different color scheme. Each shot is 2.5 oz and done in a very high quality black shrink wrapping. The color scheme used works very well on the shot and creates a very eye catching visual. My only gripe about the shot is I wish the actual caffeine content was listed on the package. Other than that, I cannot find a flaw to the packaging.
(9 out of 10)

Taste:
Orange Mango: Opening up this shot, I get a wonderful scent of mangoes with a hint of orange. The taste unfortunately is not as strong as the smell but it is still better than most of the shots on the market. The flavor tastes primarily orange with a small amount of mango undertones. If you like orange flavored shots, this is definitely worth a try. This is one of the better energy shots that I have tasted.
(9 out of 10)

Grape: I preferred the orange/mango shot slightly over the grape. The grape shot has a great grape flavor. They did a great job of staying of away from the usual grape candy flavor found in most shots. Street King grape flavored energy shot sticks with a more natural grape flavor that works well with just a hint of bitterness.
(8.5 out of 10)

Does It Work: Each shot has 0 calories and 0 carbs/sugar. Powering each Street King Energy Shot is vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and an undisclosed amount of caffeine. After drinking down the 2.5 ounce shot, I got a pretty good boost within around 15 minutes. The kick lasted for around 3 hours and left me with no crash. This shot is slightly more powerful than your average energy shot.
(8 out of 10)

Overall Thoughts: Street King Energy Shot left me overall impressed. This is a shot that could easily stand on it's own without 50 Cent behind it. You get an energy shot with a slick packaging, a fantastic taste, and a pretty good kick. On top of that you can feel good about drinking a Street King Energy Shot, knowing that they are donating a meal to a hungry child for every shot purchased. If you get the chance to try one (and you should if you run across it) let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Official Website: http://www.streetking.com/

Energy Pix

2012-03-20T15:02:00.000-05:00

Many years ago I got the chance to try caffeinated toothpicks. I remember greatly liking the product but was unable to find them ever again. Luckily for me I recently discovered the website for Energy Pix, caffeinated toothpicks. These are a different brand than the original ones I tried so long ago, but the excitement for me is still the same. Let's see how well that caffeine can work when infused inside a toothpick.

The Look: Energy Pix comes inside a foil lined, resealable package. On the front they have the general information such as the product name and description. The background is done in a red camouflage style with a big targeting scope image front and center. Flipping the package over there is a passage about the company and supplemental facts. Overall I enjoy the packaging and really enjoy the resealable aspect that keeps the Energy Pix fresh for each consumption.
(8 out of 10)

Taste: Energy Pix chose to use a cinnamon flavoring to mask the caffeine and B12 inside each pick. This was the perfect choice of flavor to go with a toothpick. The cinnamon manages to mask any bitterness. I found myself many times chewing on one of these just because of the great flavor.
Tremendous job on flavor aspect of these!
(9.5 out of 10)

Does It Work: I knew before I ever tried these that are not made to give you some crazy 4 or 5 hour energy kick. Each toothpick contains 25 mcg of B12 (417% DV) and 7 mg of caffeine. That means in each package of 20 you get 500 mcg of B12 (8333% DV) and 140 mg of caffeine.
The first time I tried Energy Pix, I bypassed my usual morning energy drink and substituted it with these caffeinated picks. It took me about 5-10 minutes to get all the flavoring off of each pick, at which time I disposed of it. One after another, I kept chewing on the toothpicks until I was able to feel some sort of effect. After about the 4-5 toothpicks I started to feel my morning tiredness slowly subside. On top of the nice little kick, Energy Pix also let my breath with a great cinnamon smell.
(7 out of 10)

Final Thoughts: This product has so many potential uses. I could see these being great for students, sports players, truckers, office workers, or anyone that wanted a pick me up without consuming 8 or 16 oz of energy drink. Energy Pix taste good enough, I bet you will be chewing on them even when you don't need an energy boost. If you are looking for a great way to get your caffeine, I recommend checking out Energy Pix when you get the chance.

Official Website: http://www.energypix.net/

Facedrink

2012-02-23T13:00:00.001-06:00

Social networking is at an all time high, so you can bet that any chance to capitalize on that will be taken. I recently got the chance to try out a new energy shot called Facedrink. Let's see if Facedrink can stand on it's own or if Facedrink is just trying to make a quick buck off of Facebook.

The Look: The first thing that attracted me to Facedrink was the great packaging. The packaging is done in a very nice blue color shrink wrap hat I would refer to as a "Facebook" blue color. On the front they have the name of the product and a little image that says "Add as Friend" . On the back there is nothing special, just the usual nutritional facts and ingredient list. My only real gripe is that I would like to see the caffeine content listed. Overall I really like the packaging and I think it really manages to stand out in the crowded energy shot market.
(9 out of 10)

Taste: When I first opened the shot, I got a fruity smell that is reminiscent of many of the more popular energy shots on the market. Taking a sip, I am very happy to report that even though it smelled much like other shots, it was a much improved version. Facedrink has a nice berry flavor and there was no after taste. I enjoyed the flavor much more than many of the more popular shots on the market.
(8 out of 10)

Does It Work: Powering each Facedrink energy shot there are 4 calories, 48 mg of sodium, 250% Vitamin C, 8300% B12, and 100% of your daily value of Folic Acid. On top of that there is an energy blend consisting of an undisclosed amount of caffeine(I later found to be 140 mg), green tea, and guarana.
After slamming down the shot, I started to feel the energy blend within the usual 15-10 minutes. The energy was nothing intense but it was equivalent to slamming down a good quality energy drink. The kick lasted about 3 hours and ended with no crash.
(8 out of 10)

Overall Thoughts: I am happy to report that this energy shot is more than just a gimmick like I had originally thought. You get a good flavor, an awesome packaging, and a nice kick. This is also one of the few containers that I kept afterwards, just because I loved the packaging (it is proudly sitting on my desk at my office). If you run across one of these shots, I can easily recommend picking it up.

Official Website: http://www.drinkfacedrink.com/

Redline Xtreme Shot (Triple Berry)

2011-12-10T10:39:00.002-06:00

The first energy drink that ever filled me with truly impressive energy was Redline. This was probably 8-10 years ago but I remember being filled with an almost scary level of energy after slamming down a Redline one day at the gym. Since then I have learned to respect the drink and know not to chug it like a traditional energy drink.
I recently found out the Redline had a new shot in the works and I immediately sought to acquire it so I could try it for review. Let's see if this shot version of Redline can match the pure power and intensity of the original drink.

The Look: Redline Xtreme Shot comes in a beautiful 3 oz shrink wrapped bottle. On the front of the shot they have a see through gauge so you can see how much of the energy shot you are drinking. On the flip side of the shot there is your standard supplement facts (with caffeine amount listed) as well as a warning about the intensity of Redline. The entire bottle just has a very nice look to it that does everything right in my opinion.
(9.5 out of 10)

Taste: Now time for an important test, how does it taste? After all what does it matter how strong a shot is if it's not palatable. When I first opened the shot, I got a very pleasant aroma of several different berries. Upon first taste I was greeted with one of the better shots I have ever tried. They did a great job here of incorporating the mixed berry blend into a truly impressive shot.
(9.5 out of 10)

Does It Work: If you take the time to read the warning label and ingredient list on the back of this shot, you will realize this shot packs a punch. Each 3 oz shot is filled with 300 mg of caffeine, N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine, Beta-Alanine, Yohimbe, DL-Phenylalanine, L-Phenylanine, a small does of B vitamins, and 0 calories. The warning label suggest that those who are not familiar with Redline should access their tolerance by just drinking half a shot to begin with (I highly suggest following this suggestion).
The first time I tried Redline Xtreme Shot, I used the handy little gauge on the front to measure out half the bottle as instructed. It took about 15 minutes and I could feel the Redline take hold and kick my energy level into overdrive. After experiencing what half a bottle could do, I decided to drink all 3 ounces the 2nd time I tried it. I became filled with an almost unhuman about of energy. I became intensely focused on everything I did for the next 5 hours and my energy levels were through the roof. Each time I tried it there was no crash and surprisingly no jitters either.
(10 out of 10)

Overall Thoughts: With Redline Xtreme Shot, I now remember why the original drink gained so much respect from me early one. Everything about Redline Xtreme shot is fantastic: a great package, an amazing taste, and a kick that has to be felt to truly believe. This shot easily gains the Caffeine A Holic seal of approval.

Official Website: http://www.vpxsports.com/fat-loss-energy-supplements/redline-xtreme-energy-shot

Wired Waffles

2011-10-17T20:52:00.001-05:00

When do you need caffeine the most? For me the crucial time for caffeine is in the morning. Usually my morning starts with breakfast and an energy drink. Well Wired Waffles aims to change that by combining breakfast with a very nice dose of caffeine.

The Look: Wired Waffles come packaged in a plastic wrapper with a sticker/label on the front. The sticker containers everything you need to know. The company did a great job of utilizing the real estate available on the package. You get the Wired Waffles mascot on the front (he kind of reminder me of Skeeter from the the cartoon Doug, but maybe that is just me...). They also list nutritional information, caffeine content, ingredient list, and a nice slogan.

(8.5 out of 10)

Taste: The thing that intrigues me about Wired Waffles (aside from the 200 mg of caffeine) is the fact that no syrup is needed because there is shell made of crystallized sugar to add a very nice sweetness. All you do is pop one of these in the microwave, let cool down a bit, and enjoy. The taste to these is much better than I expected. In fact the taste easily beats any frozen waffle on the market that I have tasted. This is impressive considering there is 200 mg of caffeine packed into each one of the delicious treats.

(9 out of 10)

Does It Work: Really the only that that is power these is caffeine. There is nothing wrong with that in my opinion. Along with the 200 mg of caffeine you get, 350 calories, 11 grams of fat, 55 grams of carbs (24 grams of sugar), and 7 grams protein.

After eating one of these down, I got a good amount of energy that lasted about 2 and a half hours. It was nice being able to feed my hunger and get my caffeine fix all in one product.

I also want to share with you the ingredient list on these because it is so wonderfully simple: flour, sugar, butter , eggs, yeast, salt, vanilla, and caffeine. I love it when I can actually pronounce all the ingredients in whatever I am putting in my body.

(8 out of 10)

Overall Thoughts: Wired Waffles delivered. They taste fantastic and they have a nice kick to go along with it. If you are looking for new way to get your breakfast and caffeine then you need to check out Wired Waffles. You can order Wired Waffles from Amazon for 14.99 (for a pack of 5).

Official Website: http://www.wiredwaffles.com

Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/Wired-Waffles/dp/B005M4NXDU

Dream Water

2011-09-21T21:15:00.002-05:00

I have never lived in a time where money grows on trees and water turns into wine. However, we do live in an era where technology blended with supplements can turn water in to rest, relax, sleep and even dream. I took the Dream Water challenge from the sponsors of sleep.

The Look: Both 2.5oz shots and 8oz waters are in a sleek white bottle advertising Dream Water in blue. It clearly states it’s all natural, zero calorie and flavors that include: Lullaby Lemon (with hints of tea), Snoozeberry and I Dream of Kiwi. The product looks clear but the consistency is a little thicker than water without being syrupy. In the background there is a tribal like design, in light grey symbolizing a dream catcher.
(8.5 out of 10)

The Taste: On this review, I tried the shots which include Lullaby Lemon and Snoozeberry. I look forward to trying "I dream of Kiwi" soon. (Which is only available in the 8oz version)

Lullaby Lemon: Has a smooth light hint of fresh lemon taste. I didn’t get the hint of tea flavoring but was not disappointed. I would actually drink this flavor if it was incorporated into a regular drink such as a vitamin water etc. It’s not sour, tangy nor bitter. There is a slight artificial sweeter aftertaste but it quickly diminishes. (8 out of 10)

SnoozeBerry: This flavor is a combination of pomegranate and blueberries is not like other flavors I’ve experienced with this combo. It’s very mild flavor is pleasantly surprising. It’s not sour or tart at all. Like the Lullaby Lemon it’s sweetened with stevia and will leave a hit of an after taste. Yet it also quickly diminishes and is not at all unpleasant. (8 out of 10)

Does it work: 150mg of the “Proprietary Sleep and Relaxation blend” is made of GABA, Melatonin and 5 HTP – most commonly known as L-5 hydro tryptophan?

Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) without getting too scientific, GABA is an important chemical within the human brain. It is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, and as such it serves the brain by regulating the firing of neurons. Without gamma-amino butyric acid, your muscles would be constantly tense, your mind would never stop racing, and your overall ability to function would be severely impaired. GABA supplements can be taken to increase this valuable resource in your body.

Melatonin is a hormone made by the pineal gland, a small gland in the brain. Melatonin helps control your sleep and wake cycles. It’s like your internal clock that regulates sleep. Melatonin can decrease with age.

5-HTP works in the brain and central nervous system by increasing the production of the chemical serotonin. Serotonin can affect sleep, appetite, temperature, sexual behavior, and pain sensation. Since 5-HTP increases the synthesis of serotonin, it is used for several diseases where serotonin is believed to play an important role including depression, insomnia, obesity, and many other conditions.

I have a very high tolerance to medication and supplements. So my personal results take longer to achieve. I took this challenge one night trying to get back on a normal sleep pattern. I was able to feel sleepy without being over lethargic. This sensation did create a torpid effect where I was not restless. It took me about 45 minutes to begin feeling this way. I was able to rest without waking up throughout the night. (8.5 out of 10)

Overall thoughts: First off, I am very impressed! Any company that gives a list of their blend, with definition and reference websites just screams confidence. It just proves this company believes in what they have put in this bottle and are not hiding behind some big words. Major kudos! You can even download the Natural Standard Report from their website. These Shots are flavorful without being over powering. Overall, I am very pleased with this product.

Official Website: http://www.drinkdreamwater.com/

Sheets Energy Strips

2011-09-13T17:47:00.001-05:00

Today I am going to take a Sheet. Actually I am going to take two Sheets. Before you get all grossed out, I am referring to the new energy strip on the market called Sheets. Sheets Energy Strips are little strips that you let dissolve on the tongue (kinda like LSD but legal and no hallucinations, sorry). Each strip is loaded with vitamins and caffeine to help kick your butt into gear. Let's see if taking a Sheet can get me going, or if the company is "full of Sheet".....

The Look: Sheets Energy Strips come in a little cardboard sleeve with 4 individually, foil wrapped strips. Sheets did a fantastic job on the packaging. On the front there is a picture of a smiley face putting a Sheets on his tongue. The image and several of the bits of writing on the front are done in very cool style that is slightly raised from the rest of the packaging. On the back you get all the usual warnings, nutritional information, etc.

Sheets did it all right in my eyes: listed the caffeine content, kept everything uncluttered, and made a very cool looking package. I really like how they even put the little smiley face using Sheets directly onto each strip, very cool.

(9.5 out of 10)

Taste: There are currently 2 flavors available of Sheets at the moment: Cinnamon Rush and Berry Blast. My favorite of the 2 was Cinnamon Rush. I find that cinnamon flavored items do a fantastic job of masking any hint of caffeine in almost anything, and this was no exception.

The berry blast flavor caught me off guard a bit. When I first put it on my tongue, it tasted almost like a fruit roll-up for a few seconds. A few seconds later, there was a bit of a spiciness that kicked in that complimented the berry flavor quite well.

Sheets did a fantastic job at masking the caffeine taste on these.

Cinnamon Rush (9 out of 10)

Berry Blast (8.5 out of 10)

Does It Work: Each package contains 4 strips and there are 2 strips in a serving (That is 2 servings per package for those slow at math). Each serving contains 100 mg of caffeine, vitamin E, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, biotin, and pantothenic acid. As you can see Sheets kept the ingredient list simple with stuff that works. It took about 10 minutes after I let both strips dissolve on my tongue for me to start to feel the effects. It was nothing overwhelming but it was noticeable. I was able to go through my morning work day without the need for an energy drink. This was actually the perfect amount of pick me up for work.

(8 out of 10)

Overall Thoughts: The Sheets commercial made me laugh a bit the first time I saw it. I figured that Sheets Energy Strips were just some new money making scheme that would fade away soon. After trying them however, I am officially sold on these wonderful little strips. You get the power of a standard sized energy drink in a package that you can take any where and they taste pretty damn good.

Official Website: http://www.takeasheet.com

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/TakeaSheet

Take 10 to RELAX, Take 10 to SLEEP

2011-09-12T19:01:00.007-05:00

Stress... it can include a general negative outlook, excessive worry, moodiness, irritability, aches-pains and can alter your emotional as well as your physical health. Seems that if there is a product that can either help relieve this temporarily and help me sleep, I would want to try it! I was sent these items to review and things like this I am eager to try.

The Look: Basically both types come in similar shape and design. This 2oz bottle has a shrink wrap label. Both state flavors, intended purpose and content clearly. I am a fan of simple designs. Who cares about the unnecessary graphics? The only thing I would change is to add in an under the cap seal. I was able to slip the sleep shrink sleeve completely off without even breaking the seal. I tried the same for the Relax and was unsuccessful...

TAKE 10 to RELAX: The bottle is primarily white with accents of green. The right side of the bottle has green striping with the words “TO RELAX- WHITE GRAPE” also in this greenish shade. It states it is to improve your mood, support relaxation, lower stress and combat anxiety.

TAKE 10 to SLEEP: This has the same design yet with black and gray stripes and lettering. It states it triggers sleep, improves mood, lowers stress and it too combats anxiety. Blackberry is listed as its flavor.

If the security seal was under the cap I would have rated this 9 out of 10 but for now (7.5 out of 10)

The Taste:

Take 10 to RELAX: This non-carbonated drink flavor reminds me of some tart candy that I can actually tolerate. The smell and taste remind me of a grape NOW or LATER. If you don’t mind this taste, then you may like this but I personally prefer something sweeter. Many will sacrifice a desire for a sweeter taste in exchange for 0 calories, 0 sugars, and 0 Carbs. When I try this again I will experiment with adding an artificial sweetener in it. I didn’t feel this was too thick or syrupy, yet it did however have a slight aftertaste that lasted only a few moments.

(7 out of 10)

TAKE 10 to SLEEP: This is best described as a non-carbonated, blackberry flavored drink that has a gentle taste. It’s neither too sweet nor tart. The smell was subtle and not over powering. It was not clearly identifiable by smell alone. I prefer this taste over the tartness of the White Grape. It reminds me of a punch or drink that was a little bit weak or watered down, yet great tasting.

(9 out of 10)

Does it work: First off I am a firm believer of reading labels to see what I am drinking and I like to know what is in it for it to work. On my last relaxation review, I did a breakdown of the ingredients and listed their effects separately. Feedback on my mini educational breakdown was positive, so therefore I will continue.

TAKE 10 to RELAX could be the perfect blend. It contains herbal ingredients to support stress relief, muscle relaxation, as well as tension. It is made to put better quality back in to the quality of life. This particular product has a 875mg proprietary blend of effective herbal ingredients.

GABA: Increases HCH, promotes well being, and induces relaxation for sleep. It reduces: muscle tension, stress, anxiety, and depression
Valerian Root Extract: Herbal effectiveness for: chronic fatigue syndrome, anxiety and restlessness.
Rose Hips Extract: Used commonly as a natural anti-inflammatory which helps relieve stiffness and pain. Along with promoting well being and your mood
Eleutherococcus Extract: Improves sleep, relieves tension, aids in combating depression, helps with nervousness and generally used to treat typical stress induced illnesses.
Rhodiola Rosea Extract: Improves physical and mental performance and may help reduce fatigue
L-Theanine: Helps relieve stress by inducing a relaxing effect without drowsiness and may also possess immunologic attributes
Choline: Supports memory and mental clarity, concentrations, alertness focus and mood support.

I took this product as soon as I got home from a fairly stressful night. It took approximately 40 mins for me to unwind enough to appreciate the product. This particular product would be safe enough for me to take while I’m at work unlike many others. Does it work???? Yes, it takes a bit to kick in so be patient and you will tell a difference.
(7.5 out of 10)

TAKE 10 to SLEEP: This product will not have you just lying there tossing & waiting for slumber. The bottle suggests drink the entire contents 20 to 30 minutes before bed for best results. This formula contains natural ingredients to help you feel sleepy without feeling groggy and hung over afterwards. Take 10 reports that it triggers sleep and helps you stay asleep all night. Well for me, I sleep during the day and it’s difficult to obtain quality sleep. I don't remember waking up during my usual time. Let’s see if this unique blend is as effective as they claim.

Take 10 to SLEEP combines:

Valerian Root Extract, Rose Hips Extract, L-Theanine Choline are common among many sleep products and are proven to work. Take 10 has also added some unique ingredients.
Chamomile Extract: Helps with stomach troubles, colds, and muscle aches as well as the usual anxiety and sleeplessness
Passion Flower Extract and Kava Root Extract: Treats anxiety and insomnia
Melatonin: Helps people fall asleep faster, sleep better, and be more alert in the morning. It can greatly improve quality of life for people with primary insomnia.

I took this product after a night where I had high stress from work. Rummaging through our refrigerator for a relaxation drink, I was lucky to have grabbed this one. I was able to get approx. 6 hours of sleep. (that’s great for during the day, especially for me ) I actually was more alert than usual, which I attribute to being well rested.

(9 out of 10)

Overall Thoughts: Do you want to know the secret to getting rid of stress and being able to sleep well? Yeah me too! I asked the same question before and was told the key is to actually learn how to handle it. Well not all of us have the time nor the patience to achieve this feat.

Products might only give you temporary relief….but I will take it! I love the fact this product is sugar, carb and calorie free. It’s sure makes it easier to indulge in supplements without guilt. This was an item that I had never heard of before but was pleased with the choice between sleep and relaxation. This product gets my recommendation and I think you should definitely pick it up if you get the chance.

Official Website: http://take10beverages.com/
Take 10 Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/take10beverages

A Snack In The Face Chocolate Chip Cookies

2011-06-29T13:39:00.002-05:00

With the energy drink market being a multi-billion dollar industry, it is no surprise that many companies are starting to include caffeine in their products to get in on the action. A small time company out of Iowa, called "A Snack in The Face", makes highly caffeinated (and delicious) baked goods. Today I will taking on their caffeine loaded chocolate chip cookie.

The Look: Each cookie comes individually wrapped, inside it's own little cardboard box. On the front they have the company name and the outline of a hand with a caffeine molecule on it. The package is simple but goes very well with the company name. On the back you get the usual stuff like nutritional facts, an ingredient list, and a caffeine warning. I cannot find one fault on this packaging. They did everything right: they have a great name for the product, the caffeine content is listed, and the art work fits the package well.

(9 out of 10)

Taste: Before I give a run down on the taste, let me tell you about something that impressed me with this company. We live in society, that most foods contain ingredient names that require a masters degree to even know what they hell they are, A Snack In The Face sticks to the basics. Here are the ingredients inside each cookie: wheat flour, brown sugar, chocolate chips, butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, baking soda, salt, and caffeine. Can a chocolate chip cookie get to much better than that?

The taste of these are simply fantastic. They managed to keep the cookie very moist and soft, without being overly soft. On top of that, there is no hint of the 200 mg of caffeine anywhere to be found. Not only is this one of the best caffeinated foods I have tried, but this is one of the tastiest chocolate chips cookies I have ever had.

(9.5 out of 10)

Does It Work: Each cookie contains 200 mg of pharmaceutical-grade caffeine. On top of that, the entire cookie (2 servings) contains 514 calories, 22 g of fat, 232 g of sodium, 76 g of carb (48 g of sugar), 10 g of protein, and 52% your dv of iron, and even a small amount of vitamin A.

The first time I tried a "Snack in The Face" chocolate chip cookie, I was nice and shared it with my beautiful girlfriend. I was surprised at how effective that just half of the cookie was. I was actually slightly wired and was filled with an impressive amount of energy. The second time I tried one, I finished the entire cookie and I was more than just slightly wired. To be honest, the 200 mg of caffeine and the sugar kicked my butt and had me going strong for several hours.

(9 out of 10)

Overall Thoughts: This small little company makes products that are HUGE in taste and they will give you, as promised "a snack in the face". If you are looking for a great new way to get your caffeine fix, then I highly recommend checking out the great folks at "A Snack In The Face". If chocolate chip cookies are not your thing, they also sell brownies (review coming soon) and sugar cookies. The prices are very reasonable and I cannot say enough how great these things taste (and work).

As always I welcome your comments, questions and/or opinions.

Official Website: http://www.asnackintheface.com/

You can also buy these from http://www.thinkgeek.com/

Bang!! Caffeinated Ice Cream

2011-06-13T21:30:00.002-05:00

If I had to make a list of my favorite things, caffeine and ice cream would easily make the list. When I found out a company makes a highly caffeinated ice cream, I knew I had to check it out. Bang!! Caffeinated Ice Cream comes in 4 flavors and delivers a whopping 125 mg of caffeine per serving (4 servings per container). For those of you that don't want to do that math, that comes to 500 mg of caffeine per container! For this review, you will be able to read the opinion of both of the Caffeineaholic.net reviewers.

The Look:

Bryan: I like how Bang!! Ice Cream went with a comic book type of theme for the ice cream. I always enjoyed reading comic books and seeing the "action bubbles" when there was a fight or something going on. Of course the color scheme will be different, depending on the variety you choose but the overall look is the same on all of them. The overall packaging is very clean looking but still manages to be bold and will stand out well on the shelves. On the back they have a diagram stating that one scoop (1/4th of the container) is equal to one energy drink (125 mg of caffeine).
(9 out of 10)

Christie: I think someone at Bang!! has influential results of American Pop Art such as Roy Lichtenstein. They did not hesitate to break the rules of propriety with their design and flavor but we will get to there in a moment. I think their color scheme is great for the flavors on hand. I am partial to the bold colors and like to know at a glance what flavor I am grabbing without having to read too much. (ok ok I am male minded on a lot of things!)
(9 out of 10)

Taste:

Bryan: With 4 flavors to choose from there should be a flavor for everyone. I will review each flavor separately, because they are each quite unique.

Cooky Mint: This is one of my 2 favorite flavors. Imagine the flavor of Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies, captured inside a delicious ice cream. The mint is the most dominant flavor here and then they have chunks of thin mints inside the ice cream. Good luck stopping at just 1 serving on this one.
(9.5 out of 10)

Peanut Butta: Next up is Peanut Butta. Peanut Butta uses a chocolate ice cream for the foundation. Inside the ice cream there are swirls of peanut butter and even mini peanut butter cups. I normally do not like peanut butter but this stuff is dangerously good.
(9 out of 10)

Heaps of Gold: Heaps of Gold is a dark chocolate ice cream with pieces of Heath bar mixed inside. If you love chocolate then this one is for you. Just like the others, this taste wonderful and the pieces of Heath bar are quite plentiful inside.
(8.5 out of 10)

Iced Latte-Da: Anyone that reads the site frequently knows that I am not a fan of coffee flavored items. I still went ahead and tried it just so I could give it a chance. They captured the flavor of espresso wonderfully here and have pieces of chocolate mixed in to give it some depth. I asked some of the other people who sampled it with me to grade it on a scale of 1-10 in order to give it a fair grade.
(9 out of 10) From the coffee drinker in the sampling group

Christie: Bing! (great idea) Bang! (good lawd look what they have done) Boom! (ice cream that will not only make you slap your momma but give you the energy to run from her)

Cooky Mint: With a bold non stop flavor of mint smacking you in the mouth, this one is wonderfully mixed. It's thick blend of cream vs mint chocolate ratio captures just what they wanted. The continuous green colored, churned ice cream is blended with cookie and chocolately chunks. There is no caffeine taste at all. Reminds me of a cold Andes Chocolate Mint: just cool, refreshing mintiness that might bite back.

(9 out of 10)

Peanut Butta: Chocolate Ice Cream, peanut butter ripples, and mini peanut butter cups... OH MY!

Peanut butter is my favorite flavor all time over any other treat. It's greatness whipped together into a thick chocolate cream base. The ribbons of peanut butter are thick and very smooth and a surprise when you bite into lil peanut butter cups!

(9.5 out of 10)

Heaps of Gold: Normally I do not enjoy bitter dark chocolate in or on anything. Bang!! Was able to design a product that is a first for me, a desirable dark chocolate with bits of Heath bar. This dark creamy composite is not bitter and might actually change your out look on dark chocolate all together. Combined, the two elements still retain their individual identities and work as a great pair for a superb flavor.

(9 out of 10)

Iced Latte-Da: Think of Espresso combined with chocolate and cream, frozen! This has a sharp espresso flavoring that upon the second or third bite isn't as sharp. The flavors soon blends into a mocha type as the swirls of fudge intertwine with the coffee and cream. I think this product would be great to add to your morning coffee to give it a great flavor and caffeinated boost.

(9 out of 10)

Does It Work:

Bryan: First lets break down what is inside each tub of Bang!! Ice Cream. Inside each tub there are 4 servings and each serving has 125 mg of caffeine. As I mentioned earlier that is 500 mg of caffeine inside each pint of ice cream. I have tried this on several occasions now and each time this stuff rocked my world. The first time I tried it I did my best to stick to the serving size and I got a great boost of energy that lasted about 2 and a half hours. I also tried eating 2 servings to really let the ice cream shine and I got jolted awake from the 250 mg of caffeine and the sugar.

Here are all the nutritional facts for those interested: http://www.bangicecream.com/product.html
(8 out of 10) 1 Scoop
(9 out of 10) 2 Scoops

Christie: I wont repeat Bryan for the most part. Yet to answer the question of does this work?
Clearly, YES! I sampled all the flavors. It is a product worth psyching yourself up to try! The amount of caffeine used was a surprise to have without any hint of aftertaste. I was able to maintain a buzz from this product for a few hours from the sugar and zinging ingredient of guarana seed extract. Tantalizing with a Bang!

(8.5 out of 10) 1 Scoop
(9 out of 10) 2 Sccops

Overall Thoughts:
Bryan: This is one of the greatest products I have tried since I started Caffeineaholic.net. The ice cream itself taste amazing and the added caffeine just makes it that much better. Start your day off with some ice cream to jump start your day or grab a scoop in the afternoon to beat the heat and get a boost. I do give you a word of warning when trying Bang!! Caffeineated Ice Cream...use moderation because 500 mg of caffeine will get anyone uncomfortably wired.

Christie: Loved, Loved, Loved it. It is concentrated, so do not eat from the container. I would suggest using this product with a cone, or just scoop it into a bowl. I must say, if you have no will power it may be hard for you to control your serving size. It's blend of flavors are done toooo well. It's a pure conglomeration for your mouth! Well done Bang on a all around great, delicious, and enticing product.

Official Website: http://www.bangicecream.com/

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bang-Ice-Cream/201077803260055

Good Night

2011-06-01T20:29:00.007-05:00

I’m not sensitive to caffeine or lack thereof. I don’t need coffee or caffeine to get motivated however; I do enjoy the boost about midnight. I work from 6p to 6a. There are times I need a little help to wind down and sleep during the day. Normally I take prescription medication to sleep….. Well except for this time. I tried this product called Good Night Drink n Dream and I was rather impressed.

The Look: Very straight forward design! I feel the simplicity of this dark cobalt blue can, pictured with a clear starry night just sets the scene of relaxation with the crescent moon. The words “Good night Drink’n Dream" is clearly the slogan here. I truly believe this company concentrated on the product, it is not just a gimmick on the can. I wished the can I had was in English on the reverse (but I can't fault the company for that).

8 out of 10

Taste : Lightly carbonated drink, pleasant faint smell. I find it not really fruity, but a slight hint of bubble gum, mixed with a light berry flavoring. The unique recipe is based on a combination of extracts: valerian, lavender, rose hip and melatonin. I wish there was an English listing of ingredients but I have yet to find one ... I really enjoyed the taste of this! The drink was light, refreshing and after drinking the contents I was disappointed it was gone.

8.5 out of 10

Does it work: Clearly, YES. I chugged this drink, thinking “meh.” It took about 15 minutes before I felt anything and 30 minutes before I was out. It was a very calm feeling with my eye lids becoming heavy. I really am lead to believe if you drink responsibly that this product could be the leader in its class. This product is quoted to:

	relieves stress and pressure shortens the time it takes to fall asleep helps retain deep regenerative sleep
	helps individuals to ease PFT and reduce anxiety, fear and stress during flights specially developed to insure peaceful sleep during flights reduces jet lag
	ensures a healthy sleep for maintenance of energy all day long ensures a relaxing sleep promoting better sports achievements ensures a peaceful sleep resulting in better job achievements

If you break down some of the ingredients you can see why this drink will not fail you. I have added some links for additional info.

Valerian has been used to ease insomnia, anxiety, and nervous restlessness. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/valerian-000279.htm

Lavender is used to lengthen total sleep time, increase deep sleep, and make people feel refreshed. http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/conditionsitoq/a/Insomnia_2.htm

Rose Hip: The adrenal glands are responsible for releasing hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which help you react to stressful situations. Rose hips may help support your adrenal and other glands when your body is under stress. http://www.livestrong.com/article/149546-rose-hip-tea-benefits/#ixzz1NulwOTsL

Melatonin: supplements have been used for a variety of medical conditions, most notably for disorders related to sleep http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/melatonin/NS_patient-melatonin

( 9 out of 10)

Overall thoughts: Where can I get more! I would definitely drink this every morning when I got off work. I saw a photo of Good Night next to Red Bull – well I think it’s a great balance to the universe. A true Yin and Yang. There are many people out there like me, who work odd shifts, suffer from insomnia, or just need a non-alcoholic drink to relax and find some rest. The product does state Drink n Dream although I never remember any dreams so I am unable to comment on that portion. I can say this: CONGRATS on a product well done all around. I am now a true fan.

Please don’t forget to visit their website and find them on Facebook.

Official Website: http://www.goodnightdrink.se/

Site Update

2011-05-28T12:24:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to let everyone know what is going on with the site. I am currently in the process of moving so therefore I haven't got the chance to review anything in the past few weeks. Once the move is complete, I can assure you that I will be back with more reviews and some very interesting new products. The site will be back in full force in just a few weeks, so stay tuned.

As always, thanks to everyone that has shown so much interest in the site. Your comments and feedback are what motivates me to keep finding new things for review.

Lazy Cakes

2011-05-03T20:26:00.003-05:00

You look kind of stressed out. Maybe a "special" brownie will help relax you a bit. Lazy Cakes are "special" brownies that are made to help relax you and best of all they are completely legal. Yup all the fun of magic brownies without the legal troubles.

The Look: Lazy Cakes come packaged individually wrapped in 2 oz portions. On the front there is a picture of a brownie that is chilling against the Lazy Cakes logo. The brownie kind of reminds me of Towelie from Southpark for reason. Everything from the color scheme, to the font used, to the relaxed brownie guy on the front really help the packaging stick out. Turning it around there is nutritional information as well as warnings about keeping out of reach of children. They also have "brownie points" on each package that you can save up and trade in for cool Lazy Cakes gear.
(9 out of 10)

Taste: Lazy Cakes taste like...you guessed it, brownies. The outer part of the brownie has a nice hardness to it that surrounds a softer center. The packaging says there are 2 servings per package but I ate both serving very easily because of the great taste. The only criticism I have is that I wish the brownies were a bit more moist inside.
(8.5 out of 10)

Does It Work: I ate the entire brownie (2 servings) in just a few minutes. Within about 10 minutes I felt very relaxed. This is a different type of feeling than the relaxation drinks on the market. I felt almost sedated and just zoned out watching TV for a few hours. The effects from the brownie lasted about 2-3 hours and I went to sleep almost immediately afterwards.
Each Lazy Cake uses 4 mg of melatonin (per serving) to cause the relaxing "buzz". Along with the melatonin each serving contains 165 calories, 7.5 g of far, 25 mg of cholesterol, 21 g of carbs, and less than 2 g of protein.
(9 out of 10) This rating is for both servings

Overall Thoughts: These special tasty brownies are definitely a product worth checking out. You will feel a huge decrease in stress as well as becoming overly relaxed after consumption. I know a bunch of gas stations are starting to carry these and you can also buy them online (looks like they run about 3 bucks each). If you have get the chance to try them or have already tried them, please let me know yours thoughts on Lazy Cakes.

Official Website: http://www.mylazycakes.com/

ConTact Caffeine Soap

2011-04-26T13:29:00.003-05:00

Over the last several weeks I have been trying out a wonderful caffeine infused soap by a company called Con*Tact Caffeine. Not only does this soap wake you up with a great amount of caffeine but it also leaves you smelling great with the huge variety of scents they offer.

The Look: Each bar of soap is about 2 inches in diameter and has a paw print that is on top (The reason for the paw print was to help the company stand out at conventions. I found that the paw print also acts as a great way to provide an extra grip to the bar of soap). Depending on the scent, the color and graphic design (on the outer packaging) are different. Each bar is wrapped in plastic wrap with a round sticker on top. Really there isn't much you can do with soap packaging but I think these look great and are top notch.

(8.5 out of 10)

~~Taste~~ Scent: I tried out 3 varieties of soap and each one was fantastic. I tried out Werewolf, Absinthe, and Yuzu. The Werewolf is a great scent that has a nice spice smell combined with a very "manly scent". The Yuzu has citrusy tones mixed in with it and makes for one of the better smelling soaps I have ever used. The most unique of the 3 was the Absinthe. I don't know how to describe this scent but I can tell you it smells great.

All 3 of the samples I got impressed me greatly.

(9 out of 10)

Does It Work: Caffeineated soaps mix the caffeine directly into the soap. As you lather up the soap on your body, the caffeine slowly absorbs into your skin. When trying out the soap I lathered up my entire body and let it sit for about a minute or so before I rinsed it off. Within just a few minutes I could definitely feel the caffeine doing it's job. I went from half asleep to actually feeling quite energized. I tried 2 different techniques when using the soap: I lathered directly from the bar to my body and then I also used a scrubby pouf. I found the scrubby pouf method seemed to work a bit better but I could tell the difference no matter how I applied the soap to my body.
The website claims that each bar of soap contains the caffeine equivalent to a strong cup of coffee in each usage. I would say this is pretty accurate and I was able to make it several hours in the morning before I felt the need to reach for an energy drink.
(7.5 - 8 out of 10) This number could be higher of lower depending on how long you let it sit on the skin and how you apply it.

Overall Thoughts: I have tried out several caffeinated soaps and this has to be one of my favorites so far. Not only do they smell fantastic (seriously you need to get a bar and see what I mean) but they actually work great. If you are one of those people like me that are not a morning person, then you need to grab a bar of Con*Tact Caffeine Soap and help kick start you mornings before you even leave the shower. There are over 30 varieties of soap, you are sure to find one that you fall in love with. Also they offer caffeine free version of their soaps for those people looking for a great soap minus the caffeine.

Official Website: http://www.contactcaffeine.com/

Java Monster Kona Blend

2011-04-21T17:51:00.005-05:00

Normally I’m blunt and to the point but this one time I feel a history lesson is needed.

Kona coffee is a rare commodity. In fact, only an estimated 1,500 acres are said to be in production and the majority of farms in Kona are family owned and operated in Hawaii. This created a problem in meeting demand. Kona blends of coffee are from Hawaii originally and can be super expensive ($25+ a pound). I was excited to learn Monster made an energy drink named KONA BLEND to let common people try this excellence of a coffee. Could it truly be a “New Big Island blend too good to be true”? I’m thinking so, MAHALO!

The Look: Monster took the classic monogram and Java Monster coffee + energy logo and placed it on a black and grey can. It reminds me for some reason of the Assault cans. The back ground is made to look as if you’re glaring into the dark tones of volcanic rock. It’s accented with a brown/goldish rope like design at the lip the can with “KONA BLEND”. The sides of the can go with the whole Hawaiian theme. Pictures of Tiki’s, huts and vegetation give you the sense of central eastern Polynesian culture in your hands. Monster’s passage on the can reads, “Everyone knows some of the best coffee on the planet comes from Kona side of the Big Island of Hawaii. No need to trek the slopes of Mauna Loa braddah since we already got some of Pele’s thunder and put it in a can. Select Kona beans combined with premium imported coffee, super charged with our proven energy blend makes for an unbeatable combination.”

(8 out of 10)

The Taste: This is a pleasant mix of Kona blend coffee, reduced fat milk, and monster blend in rare form. It has a very mild coffee smell that is stronger than the actual taste. Kona coffee has a naturally a smooth clean, sweet medium bodied taste with a hint of chocolate. There is no bitter after taste & makes you keep reaching for the can. It’s a sophisticated blend that anyone can enjoy. The milk base turns this in to a desirable drink and puts it on edge as s more of a semi chocolaty mocha that is milder form. I tried this strait for the fridge, heated and frozen. Despite the versatile challenges I tried to put it through it passed with – no bitterness or any weird adverse or unwanted secondary flavor.

(7.5 out of 10)

Does It Work: UM DUH!! I don’t recall anything I have had of Monster that “didn't give you a jolt as promised". Taurine 1000mg, Panax- Ginseng 200mg and Monster’s famous energy blend of 2,500 mg should spark torches and please the Tiki god’s somewhere. Soon as I opened this drink, I put ½ into a measured cup & placed it in the freezer, I drank ¼ can at one time while heating the rest. Basically a ½ can give me a pretty good pick me up. Approx. 2hrs. later, I ate the frozen Kona. Surprisingly I was able to maintain my alertness altogether for a steady 4-5hrs.

(8.5 out of 10)

Overall Thoughts: Despite the intimidating can, Monster delivers a smooth, elegant and perfectly balanced alluring flavor. I had the impression of “dark can = harsh flavor” that I wouldn't appreciate. On the contrary this bold can was needed to contain the impressive flavor and scare off anyone who really didn't understand Kona. ( That’s the reason for the history lesson! )

Official Website: http://www.monsterenergy.com/

Caffeinated Waffles?

2011-04-21T14:03:00.001-05:00

In a hurry? Well why not grab breakfast and ditch the coffee. Wired Waffles come packed with 200 mg of caffeine per waffle (WOW!). Each waffle is individually packaged and can be eaten without syrup or flavoring if wanted because of the caramelized pearl sugar that is cooked in. Look for gourmet Wired Waffles to be popping up around June.

Official Website: http://www.wiredwaffles.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/wiredwaffles

Java Monster Toffee

2011-04-13T21:59:00.007-05:00

The Look: Java Monster Toffee: “It’s time to get out of line and step up to what’s next! It’s Coffee done the Monster way; wide open, with a take no prisoner attitude yet the experience on how to back it up.” This 15oz blend is poured into what appears to be wooden, sienna colored patterned can. It’s then embellished with the large golden M, decaling the majority of the can. The flavor “TOFFEE” is listed near the lip in gold yet bold lettering. JAVA MONSTER is written in dark mahogany out lined in the gold near the bottom with the wording coffee + energy. The Contents are clearly defined with the website on the reverse side. Monster knows the power and simplicity of the M.

(7.5 out of 10)

Taste: This creamy milk based blend is of pure decadence. There is neither bitterness nor carbonation. It’s a sweet take, of a milked based liquid caramel and a subtle hint of coffee. It’s much smoother than other coffee flavored drink I've had. It is what I feel a great balance of a Semi-rich lavish flavor. You’re able to enjoy the cream of the reduced fat milk without 100% guilt. I’m very pleased to say this leaves minimal coffee aftertaste. I am notorious for letting drinks get room temperature. However, if you’re a fan of the flavor of coffee in general then letting this sit a while will not be an issue. I have to warn you, the warmer it got the more evident and dominate the coffee flavor got. Normally I would of tried some warm/heated for versatility purposes…. yet I was afraid it would have become too over powering. So drink this as it was meant to be enjoyed straight from the cooler or a little less than ice cold... (Drink moderately and within reason)

( 7.5 out of 10)

Does It Work: Toffee + Energy it is just that. This particular drink is based (per serving) at 100 calories, 17g of carbs and 18g of sugar. The power concealed in this can comes from 1000 mg Taurine 200 mg Panax Ginseng, and 2500 mg of Monster’s energy blend (L-Camitine, glucose, caffeine, , Guanana, Inositol, Glucuronotone, Medodextrin) with the accompaniment of vitamins A, B2, B3, B6, B12,C & D. I have a moderate to high tolerance to caffeine and b vitamins and I was impressed with the boost of energy I was able to maintain with this drink. It was consumed at work on a normal 12hr shift. At times there is no room for error in judgment or it could be 10hr shift of Netflix. Either way I have to be ready and alert. I was able to drink @ 6:30pm and felt energized until approximately 3:30am. I was left with no jittery feeling and there wasn't a crash afterwards.

( 8.5 out 10)

Overall Thoughts: Java, Joe, Frappuccino, Cappuccino no matter how you choose your coffee and caffeine intake, trust Monster to do it right! I honestly can say if you don’t like the taste of coffee or prefer a lighter more blended coffee flavor, then this is for you. It’s excellent for someone who prefers a hybrid blend of energy. I’m still hoping for a sugar free version and perhaps a soy variety for my lactose intolerant friends out there.

Official Website: http://www.monsterenergy.com

Cult Energy Activator

2011-04-10T18:14:00.001-05:00

Recently I ran across an energy drink online that peaked my interest. The name of the drink is Cult. Cult labels itself as 100% natural and uses only ginseng and guarana (caffeine source) to give the drink it's kick.

The Look: Cult Energy Activator comes in 2 varieties, a sugared version and a sugar free variety. Aside from the color schemes the can's appear to be almost identical.
The full sugared version of Cult comes in a black can. It uses white and red for the fonts and the color scheme works very well on the can. I really like the font they used for the word Cult, I think it has a very interesting look to it. The caffeine content is listed in the nutritional information and they did a good job of keeping the can uncluttered.
(8.5 out of 10)
The sugar free version is done in a white color that looks equally as nice with the color scheme used. The red and black font really pop again the white background.
(8.5 out of 10)

Taste: As soon as I opened the can I could tell that Cult was going to be a Red Bull clone just by the smell. Don't get me wrong, I understand why companies use the same flavor profile since Red Bull is one of the top selling drinks on the market. Each drink starts with the familiar Red Bull taste except I notice that there is a bit more gumminess to the drink as well as it being a tad more sour. I also noticed that Cult has less carbonation that most energy drinks. Overall the drink did a decent job, at what it was trying to achieve.
I also got the chance to try this drink out as a mixer, and it did well when used in Jager bombs as well as mixed with cherry vodka.
(7.5 out of 10) Original Flavor
(7 out of 10) Sugar Free

Does It Work: Cult keeps the ingredient list very simple and relies on ginseng and guarana (80 mg of caffeine) to provide the energy. An 8 oz can is on par with your standard energy drinks and provided me with about a 2 hours energy boost that ended with no crash. The kick on the drink is not strong but there are still many situations that a kick like this might be desired.
The original version contains 28 grams of sugar per can and the sugar free version is of course 0 grams of sugar.
(7 out of 10)

Overall Thoughts: Cult treads where many energy drinks have went before by using the classic energy drink flavor. The packaging is very solid and the kick is right on par with most drinks it's size. If you spot one of these drinks, grab one and give it a try (don't forget it makes a good mixer).

Official Website: http://cultenergyusa.com

Monster M3

2011-04-08T18:11:00.001-05:00

After trying Monster Rehab, I was very excited to get my hands on Monster M3. I searched constantly for the drink for over a month with no luck. My luck finally changed last week when I spotted the beautiful looking little 5 oz bottles in the cooler, next to the other Monster drinks. I immediately snagged up several of them and made my way to the car. Let's see if Monster M3 lives up to the hype that I keep hearing.

The Look: Monster usually has fantastic packaging on all their products but I think they out did themselves this time. Monster M3 actually comes in a green glass bottle. Each bottle is 5 oz in size and has a top that you have to get off with a bottle opener (no twist off). They also put a Monster emblem of an eagle holding what looks like a Monster crest directly into the glass. Around the bottle they wrapped a black label that features the Monster "M" (to the 3rd power apparently) in the usual Monster green color. On the back there is a very entertaining passage about Monster M3.

Even the slogan on this bottle is great: "Grab an M3 glass and kick some ass!" Normally I dock a slight amount if the caffeine content is not listed on the bottle but I will give Monster a free pass because the rest of the packaging looks so nice.

(10 out of 10)

Taste: This drink is listed as a "super concentrate" so I was not sure what to expect taste wise. When I first pried the metal cap off the container I was greeted with a familiar smell of Monster. Imagine the original green Monster with a slighter higher carbonation level and that is exactly what this taste like. If you hate Monster then you will probably dislike this drink but if you like it.....

(8 out of 10)

Does It Work: Monster M3 promises to have the same kick of a full 16 oz drink crammed into this 5 oz glass bottle. It took me about 4 or 5 minutes to finish the entire drink and I started to feel quite energized within 10 minutes. The drink actually caught me a bit off guard and even caused a slight amount of jittery energy. All together I experienced roughly 3.5 - 4 hours of energy that ended in a very mild crash.

(8.5 out of 10)

What's Inside: Each bottle of Monster M3 contains 50 calories, 13 grams of sugar, 4 different B vitamins, 2000 mg of taurine, 120 mg of sodium, 400 mg of panax ginseng, and 5000 mg of their energy blend (l-carnitine, glucose, caffeine (an undisclosed amount), guarana, inositol, glucurono-lactone, and maltodextrin).

Overall Thoughts: So was this drink worth the wait? I believe it was. Monster M3 delivers a truly bad ass bottle, the usual Monster flavor, and a kick that is on par if not slighter stronger than a full size Monster. Just like Monster Rehab, you should start to see these appearing in more places this month.

Official Website: http://www.monsterenergy.com/

Monster Rehab

2011-04-04T23:37:00.001-05:00

After over a month of searching, I finally found Monster Rehab sitting on the shelves next to the other Monster drinks. I am sure the cashier probably thought I was crazy, considering how excited I was to be buying an energy drink. Without further rambling, here is my review of Monster Rehab.

The Look: This can looks beautiful. Everything from the black top, to the gold/yellow coloring really makes this can stand out on the shelf. The way the colors are blended, it almost looks like flames in the background behind the big, Monster "M". There is a great passage about the drink on the back, that is very well written and of course nutritional information on the back as well. The only fault I have with the entire can is the fact the caffeine content is not listed, but rather included in the "Rehab Energy Blend". This can is one of my favorite in the entire Monster Lineup.
(9.5 out of 10)

Taste: Let me start of this section by letting you know that I am not a huge fan of tea. So when I saw the the flavor is listed as a Tea and Lemonade flavor, I was a bit worried that it might not appeal to me. I popped open the can almost immediately after leaving the gas station, on my way to night class. The first thing that hits you is the great lemonade flavor that is used. I am pretty shocked that the lemon taste so natural considering the drink is low carb. After the lemonade flavor settles, the tea flavor comes in very lightly and works perfectly with the lemon. I would put the ratio at about 75% lemonade flavor to 25% tea. The natural flavors (including 5% juice) make this my favorite Monster drink to date. There is absolutely no caffeine bitterness or aftertaste.
(9 out of 10)

Does It Work: The biggest thing that sets this apart from the other Monster drinks (besides the lack of carbonation) is the added electrolytes and the addition of several ingredients in the Rehab Blend. Inside each can of Monster Rehab there are 20 calories, 6 grams of carbs (6 grams of sugar), 4% vitamins C, 100% of multiple B vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, taurine, an undisclosed amount of caffeine, black tea extract, milk thistle, coconut water, quercetin, l-carnitine, acai extract, goji berry, and mangosteen extract. As you can see Monster rally loaded this drink up with all kinds of good stuff. I was caught off guard by the strength of Monster Rehab. The drink isn't hardcore by any means but it seemed to keep me going longer and harder than other Monster drink. The entire experience lasted about 4 hours and there was no crash involved at the end. Judging by the ingredients inside, this should be a great drink for after a heavy night of drinking as well (I have not tested that yet).
(8.5 out of 10)

Overall Thoughts: Rockstar Recovery, you better watch out because there is another hydration/energy drink on the block now. Monster might of been "late to the party" but they truly delivered on Monster Rehab. You get a bad ass looking can, a killer flavor, and a kick that delivers...what else are you waiting for? Give a Monster Rehab a try and let me know your thoughts.

Official Website: http://www.monsterenergy.com/

Favorite Energy Drink

2011-03-29T10:04:00.000-05:00

When I did the Caffeineaholic.net awards for 2010, all the winners were chosen by Caffeineaholic.net. Now I want to hear from all the great readers of the site. What is your favorite energy drink?
In the right side bar, you will notice there is now a poll for you to choose your favorite energy drink. This is your chance to let your opinion be heard and to vote your favorite drink to the top.
When the winner is revealed, I will be holding a contest that includes the top 3 drinks chosen as well as some random goodies.