I find that at this time of year, because it's so cold and dry, I am constantly in need of hydration. And I'm talking about something other than plain ol' water. I want something vibrant and exciting.

In this two-part series, I'll take you through healthy juices and beverages today, and tomorrow I'll feature great products on the alcoholic side - just because the holidays are over doesn't mean you won't want a great drink every now and again!

Enjoy!

Healthy Beverages

NewLeaf Ice teas

I love ice tea, but it's hard to find ones that aren't laden with sugars and additives. That's why I love NewLeaf - they are 100% all natural and organically sweetened ice teas. And they are some of the best tasting teas I've ever had - refreshing and just sweet enough to keep it from being bitter.

They have 3 varieties to choose from - green teas, blue teas and white teas - and 8 delicious flavours. Each tea is sweetened with evaporated cane juice, making it a healthier choice than many teas on the market - cane juice is all natural and minimally processed. It is never burned or refined.

It used to be that drinking ice tea meant consuming a lot of calories, sugar and unhealthy ingredients. Now thanks to NewLeaf, you can have a tasty and refreshing drink that's actually got real ingredients in it!

FUZE Beverages

Do any of your New Year's resolutions include losing weight, getting smarter, taking vitamins and/or building strength? Then FUZE is for you!

I like the Slenderize line (click on "Products" then "Slenderize"). These low-carb, low-cal drinks have a "special metabolic formula designed to help curb your appetite and boost energy levels." Isn't that amazing? And at only 5 and 10 calories each, that means you can fill up without bulking up. They taste amazing - and there's no aspertame! There are many to choose from - Tropical Punch, Strawberry Melon, Blueberry Rapsberry, Dragonfruit Lime, Cranberry Raspberry and Tangerine Grapefruit. So get a bunch to keep on hand and along with a sensible diet, you'll see the pounds soon drop off.

What a great way to start the new year!

There is also FUZE Refresh - vitamin infuzions with 7 essential vitamins PLUS calcium, FUZE Tea - formulated with powerful antioxidants to help you live long and prosper, and FUZE Vitalize - formulated with vitamins, electrolytes and antioxidants.

Gloji

By now you've probably noticed that goji berries are the new pomegranate for 2009. That's because they are the most potent antioxidant that has been discovered thus far.

So imagine that power unleashed into your body, all through an invigorating drink of Gloji!

According to the Gloji website, "Nutritionally packed, with beta-carotene, vitamins C, B1 and B2 (among others), minerals, amino acids and anti-aging, energy-inducing antioxidants, goji berries have been ingested since ancient times to improve vision, help keep complexions clear, improve circulations, nourish internal organs and most importantly, energize the body's cells.

Working from the inside out, goji berries are almost magical in their ability to change the body... for the better."

And if that's not enough, the purity of the juice is incredible. It is created at the site of the lower Tobet goji field, then shipped to the US. Each Gloji antioxidant power drink contains the juice of approximately 360+ individual berries! Just try and eat that many in a day...

Not only does this juice pack a powerful punch, it's actually tasty - kind of like a blend of cherries and cranberries and maybe a hint of plum in there. And the fun, inverted-lightbulb bottle makes it easy to distinguish at the store!

Get Gloji and revamp your entire body and mind!

Java Juice Liquid Coffee Extract

This is one of the coolest items I've ever come across!

Java Juice is 100% organic coffee extract that contains no chemicals, preservatives and is Fair-Trade, Kosher and shade grown.

Not only is this fantastic coffee totally portable, all it requires is hot or cold water! So you can take it camping, on your next flight, anywhere that you are going to ensure that you get a full-bodied, robust cup of coffee wherever you may be! It's a liquid concentrate, so you don't have to worry about waiting for crystals to disolve or lumps in your cup.

I shared a packet with my Mom who proceeded to make a coffee syrup for over ice cream and other desserts. I'm thinking it would be good as an after dinner drink with a splash of whatever liqueur you fancy!

I've got to tell you that this makes an amazingly tasty and satisfying cup of coffee. I actually prefer it to the ground coffee that we have in the coffee maker!

Buy yours now. I suggest buying in bulk, as it's entirely possible once you've had this coffee, you won't be able to live without it!