13 Billion

Energy drinks garner 12.5+ billion dollars in annual sales for promises of energy, focus, and performance--sugary, fizzy, artificial, carbonated drinks.  Yep, those ones.  And yet, the truth of the matter is they add very little benefit when compared to 8 ounces of regular home-brewed coffee.  Of course, you may not like the taste of coffee, but weight gain, blowing your budget, and empty calories are just some downsides to energy drinks.  Be careful believing they will give you "wings" or rescue you from exhaustion.

I'm not all against energy drinks, and on occasion, you may need that all-nighter of studying, or you have to take the red-eye home for someone's birthday or graduation, but know the truth and risks of daily use in exchange for reguar sleep, proper nutrition, and exercise.  Making these drinks a frequent source of energy and performance should prompt you to reconsider.  

Know The Facts:

1. Caffeine is the most consumed legal stimulant.

2. Energy drinks have 80mg - 200mg caffeine.

3. 8 ounces of Starbucks Regular Roast = 180mg of caffeine. Less than $2. 

---add your own sugar 

---brew your own pot for $0.60 / cup

4. 16 oz Monster = 160mg caffeine with 1/4 cup of sugar

5. 12 oz Mountain Dew =  55mg caffeine

6. "NO Caffeine" often just means Guarana is being used.  Guarana is equivalent to caffeine.

7. "NO Crash" usually just means "no crash from sugar". Instead, artificial sweeteners are being used.

The Effects:

1. Increases in heart rate and palpitations.

2. Elevated blood pressures.

3. Increase in weight.

4. Sleep deprivation and insomnia.  (Yes, I know that for some of you "that's the idea")

5. Dehydration, especially in combination with exercise--not recommended.

The point here is to take a step back if you are needing these drinks on a daily basis to function.   Ask yourself why, and consider better and healthier alternatives such as eating healthy, getting sleep, and exercising.  Take care of yourself.  

Hazards Of Adding Alcohol:

This is one of the most common uses of energy drinks...and, one of the most dangerous.  

--energy drinks are stimulants, that's their purpose, even if your body is begging for sleep and rest.

--alcohol is a depressant

1. Energy drinks prevent you from recognizing fatigue.

2. Fatigue, when drinking alcohol, is a reflection of a rising blood alcohol level (BAL).
3. Fatigue from alcohol is a clue that "you've probably had too much".  

4. BAL = BAL whether you can tell or not.

5. Except now you can't tell.  You feel alert, you think you can drive, you're not tired.

6. Dehydration decreases your body's ability to eliminate and process alcohol...so what?

7. Alcohol not metabolized raises your BAL, begins to linger, and remains in your system longer.

8. As you continue to drink unaware of the effects and fatigue because you are so energized, the potential for severe alcohol toxicity is exponential, including dying.

9. You want those "wings" one company promises in their ad for energy, you could just get them.

Do The Dew Dumplings

Who'd a thunk Mountain Dew could possibly be used to bake something delicious? Really?

After seeing this recipe on Food Network, and again in The Pioneer Woman's Cookbook, I couldn't resist since Jon has a small obsession with sweets, baked goods, and fruit pies.

And yes, we are going to use Mountain Dew to stay true to the original recipe adapted from The Pioneer Woman's Cookbook

For the health-conscious college student:  I have adjusted the recipe to half size. Try using peaches and pears as well.  And, I'd experiment with seltzer water or other lower-sugar sodas to avoid the sugar rush. 

That said...this recipe is surprisingly good just as it is.  A perfect dessert for a college kid on a budget with limited cooking skills and equipment.  

Equipment:
Pyrex Oven-proof Dish
3-qt saucepan
PAM Spray
Oven

Ingredients:
1 large Granny Smith apple
1 8oz can pre-packaged Crescent Roll dough
3/4 cup butter, melted
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla
Sprinkle of cinnamon

1/3 - 1/2 can of Mountain Dew

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Wash your hands and have a clean working surface.
3. Butter or spray your pyrex dish.

4. Peel apple, core and slice into 8 equal parts.  Use apple slicer if you have one.

5. Roll out the pre-packaged dough onto your clean surface.  Note the markings for 8 crescent rolls.

6. Place 1 slice apple at widest end and roll it up.
7. Place dumplings in buttered pyrex dish.

8. In a saucepan, melt your butter.  Add sugar and vanilla.
9. Pour over dumplings.  It will be a grainy, beautiful caramel-colored sauce.

10. Pour Mountain Dew over everything.  It will be bubbly.

11. Sprinkle cinnamon on top.

12. Bake @ 350F for 40 minutes.
13. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.  It will have doubled in size and is piping hot.
14. Serve with vanilla ice cream or (a college favorite) Redi-Whip.