U.S. consumers aren't purchasing blenders as much as they used to, with sales only amounting to $416,395 for the period of June 2007 to May 2008. According to The NPD Group/Consumer Tracking Service, dollar sales for the category decreased 0.6 percent while unit sales saw a 12.5 percent drop for the same period. Blenders featuring glass containers continue to sell the best per unit share, while plastic containers continue to decline in popularity from previous years.

Source: The NPD Group/Retail Tracking Service

If you are a person of a certain age, you may remember a time when beverages were consumed simply because one was thirsty.

My first glimpse of Sicily was monstrous rocks, rugged cliffs and cactus. Across the isle, I saw the Mediterranean and flickers of tile rooftops. Sicily is not the memory of my three previous Italian forays.

Experience the next generation of ready to drink, non-carbonated, functional beverages. Enjoy the great taste of naturally-enriched Swiss Alpine water bursting with vitamins from exotic juices combined with healthy and delicious teas full of powerful antioxidants. No artificial ingredients, HFCS or preservatives. Just the best of what Mother Nature has to offer. And a little more.