Lifestyle
Who Are You Voting In DEWcision 2016
Who are you voting for? I am not talking about the Presidential election. I asking about the highly debated DEWcision. Mtn Dew is asking DEW Nation to choose between two legendary flavors – MTN DEW BAJA BLAST or MTN DEW PITCH BLACK. Every year DEW Nation pleads to bring these cult favorites back, and finally, they have the chance to vote and add one to the permanent lineup.
Now through July 9, fans can vote for their favorite flavor on DEWcision.com or Twitter by including one of the following hashtags: #VoteBajaBlast or #VotePitchBlack. Every hashtag will count as one vote. Super delegates—or, fans—can also complete challenges to rally for their favorite flavor. These challenges will be released every third week on the @MountainDew social channels. The flavor with the most votes at the end of the program wins a spot in the retail lineup.
Apr 21st
SMIRNOFF Is The Source For Great Drinks
The fine folks over at SMIRNOFF recently launched SMIRNOFF SOURCED. It is their latest product line from Smirnoff that’s gluten-free, made with real fruit juice and absolutely delicious.
There are three authentic fruit flavors; Ruby Red Grapefruit, Pineapple, and Cranberry Apple. SMIRNOFF SOURCED is easily enjoyed with just a splash of club soda. If you’re craving your favorite cocktail like a Moscow Mule, try switching out the base with a SMIRNOFF SOURCED variant.
So get some friends together and enjoy the new SMIRNOFF offering or try these cocktails below.
SOURCED and Soda
2 oz of SMIRNOFF SOURCED variant
3 oz of soda water
Pour SMIRNOFF SOURCED variant over ice, then top with soda water.
Florida Mule
1.5 oz. SMIRNOFF SOURCED Ruby Red Grapefruit Vodka
3 oz. Ginger beer
1 tsp Simple syrup
.25 oz. Lime juice
1 slice Lime
In a copper mug (or summertime glass) with ice, add SMIRNOFF SOURCED Ruby Red Grapefruit Vodka, simple syrup and lime juice. Top with ginger beer and stir. Garnish with a slice of lime or grapefruit.
Oahu Mule
1.5 oz. SMIRNOFF SOURCED Pineapple Vodka
3 oz. Ginger beer
1 tsp Simple syrup
.25 oz. Lime juice
1 slice Lime
In a copper mug (or summertime glass) with ice, add SMIRNOFF SOURCED Pineapple Vodka, simple syrup and lime juice. Top with ginger beer and stir. Garnish with a slice of lime or pineapple.
Crisp Mule
1.5 oz. SMIRNOFF SOURCED Cranberry Apple Vodka
3 oz. Ginger beer
1 tsp Simple syrup
.25 oz. Lime juice
1 slice Lime
In a copper mug (or summertime glass) with ice, add SMIRNOFF SOURCED Cranberry Apple Vodka, simple syrup and lime juice. Top with ginger beer and stir. Garnish with a slice of lime or apple.
Apr 21st
Reebok Is Celebrating Aliens 30th Anniversary
In honor of the 30th anniversary of the James Cameron film, ALIENS, Reebok and Fox Consumer Products have teamed up to give fans a chance to own a piece of history by recreating the legendary Reebok ‘Alien Stompers’ – the iconic sneakers worn by the film’s heroine Sigourney Weaver.
Thirty years after the cult classic’s debut in 1986, Reebok is answering the calls of diehard fans by releasing the Alien Stomper collection for purchase on Alien Day, April 26th. Available in mid and high-top styles, the Alien Stomper collection features bulky hook and loop fastenings and undertones that are inspired by the planet LV 426 as featured in the film. 1,986 pairs of the retro mid-cut form, Alien Stomper Mid, and 426 limited edition pairs of the original high tops, Alien Stomper High, will be available for $174.99/€180.00 at reebok.com and select retailers around the world.
The ALIEN franchise, directed by renowned Ridley Scott, James Cameron, David Fincher and Jean-Pierre Jeunet, is one of the most enduring horror sci-fi action franchises of all time, winning multiple Academy Awards®. The Stompers hold a unique place in movie history, made specifically for the film as fans will always remember the infamous Ellen Ripley, a fearless colonial marine who fought off Aliens from invading the world while holding an M41A Pulse Rifle in one hand and a pair of Reebok ‘Alien Stompers’ on her feet.
To purchase a piece of ALIENS’ history on April 26th, Alien Stomper retail locations include: Reebok.com, Extra Butter, BAIT and Rock City Kicks.
You can enter to win before midnight on Friday, April 22nd for a chance to win here: http://fitness.reebok.com/Membership/Alien-Stompers/
Apr 21st
Verizon Droid Turbo 2 Review
In a world dominated by iPhone and Samsung, how does a legendary company like Motorola produce a device that stands out from the crowd?
By making the DROID Turbo 2, that’s how.
The DROID Turbo 2 essentially takes every iPhone and Samsung users wish list and puts it to work.
Battery life got you down? Try out this powerhouse 3760mAh for two days of use. The quick charge will give you 13 extra hours in only 15 minutes on the wall.
Tired of getting gouged by Apple for storage space? How about expandable memory, up to 2TB’s with a micro SD card. (Two Terabytes! In a phone!) It’s a good thing too because you’ll be using that 21mp camera to take massive and high quality pictures and videos everywhere you go.
No more bricked phones thanks to a careless spill either, the DROID Turbo 2 is also splash proof, with a water repellant coating that protects the phone inside and out.
All this is great, but what really caught our eye here at MANjr is the claim of the shatter-proof screen.
I mean c’mon. How shatter-proof are we talking? So we put in a request for a DROID of our own and put it through some very serious real world testing.
Turns out the secret to a shatter-proof screen is in the layers. Five layers to be exact, including two functioning touch screens in the rare case that one of the screens is compromised. (Still not sure how that could happen, by the end of the testing we were practically throwing it on the concrete floor.)
End of the day, if the goal is to stand out in a marketplace that is a near duopoly, Motorola hits all the marks. Unlike us in our video review.
Motorola DROID Turbo 2
(exclusively on Verizon)
- $624.00 or $28.80 / month
- 21 mp camera
- Android OS
- Customizable backings and colors
- Shatter-proof screen
- 48 hours of battery life between charges
- Expandable storage using Micro SD
Apr 20th
420 Folks – Check Out the Blue Hemp Chant Mini From The House of Marley
Weed is legal for recreation in four states and Washington DC. Twenty other states have legalized the use of medical marijuana. State ballot initiatives continue to gain support and this upcoming election season could see even more states following the national trend of decriminalization and legalization. People just don’t see prohibition as a smart strategy anymore.
Don’t take my word for it. Here’s what President Obama said about the issue to VICE News last March:
“You’re starting to see not just liberal Democrats, but also some very conservative Republicans recognize [prohibition] doesn’t make sense, including sort of the libertarian wing of the Republican Party,” President Obama said. “They see the money and how costly it is to incarcerate. So, we may actually be able to make some progress on the decriminalization side.”
It’s just not as big as a deal as it used to be. And if you’re someone who supports this, tomorrow is a big day.
But no matter how you choose to spend your 420, you’re gonna need music. And what’s a more appropriate speaker to reach for than the House of Marley Chant Mini portable Bluetooth speaker? In Blue Hemp, no less. It’s tiny, stylish, made from eco-friendly materials and most importantly, these guys make good products. My old Marley earbuds are still my go-to choice for convenient, on the go headphones.
Stay tuned for the full review!
Apr 19th
Give Your Kicks Some Pop
The weather is getting nicer. People are done hibernating. There are more and more reasons to enjoy the outdoors. Why not get some new sneakers to celebrate the awesome weather? With spring in full swing, Reebok has added three neon colorways to its Furylite collection that combine bold colors and floral patterns for a unique seasonal style that will be sure to keep you ahead of the pack.
Go ahead and flaunt your high-energy fury at the front of the pack in our iconic sneaker that keeps you light on your feet. Not only does the Reebok Classic Furylite combine a cutting edge look with incredible comfort, its sleek silhouette makes it a one of a kind fashion forward kick. For spring, you can add some neon-pop and combined bold colors with a floral pattern for on-trend, in-season style.
The Furylite Neon Pop is available now at Reebok.com, Jimmy Jazz and Packer Shoes for $75.
Apr 12th
Crown Apple Event at Staples Center
Our friends at Crown Royal invited us out for a night of sweet basketball and tasty Crown samplings at Staples Center this past Wednesday. On display were the lowly Lakers and surging Clippers and of course, inspired cocktails featuring different Crown variants.
The star of the night’s festivities was Crown Royal Regal Apple Whisky. The heart of this spirit is the classic Crown Royal Deluxe, which itself is a blend of 50 Canadian whiskies. The Crown Royal Deluxe that serves as the base is infused with Regal Gala Apples and apple flavors. The result is a sweet variant on the traditional Crown taste, which leads with a vibrant apple nose, rests on your tongue with a tart smoothness and finishes with a very apple-forward sweetness.
Crown Apple isn’t for everyone. If you like your spirits sweet, you can certainly get down on it. I think it plays well as a cocktail ingredient, where the sweet apple flavor can play nicely with other drink elements.
Here are the cocktails that were served at the tasting event:
Crownberry Apple
- 1.5oz Crown Royal Regal Apple
- 4oz Cranberry Juice
- Garnish with apple wedge
Crown Royal Press
- 1.5 oz. Crown Royal Deluxe
- 3 dash (s) Bitters
- Top with Lemon-Lime Soda
- 1 Lemon Wedge
- Garnish with a lemon wedge
The Northern Buck
- 1.5 oz Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye
- .5 oz Lime juice
- Top with ginger beer
- Garnish with a lemon wedge
The combination of Cranberry juice and Crown Royal Regal Apple was a winning choice. The sweetness of the apple whisky was offset a bit by the tartness of the cranberry juice. Two distinct tastes that taste pretty good together.
The Crown Royal Press makes for a nice warm weather cocktail, good for summer days and sticky nights where a little bitters and a lot of lemon-lime lighten up the classic Crown Royal Deluxe.
The Northern Buck showcases the whisky of the year, Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye. I found the lime juice to be a bit of a distraction, but I certainly enjoyed the rye + ginger beer combo.
Master of Whisky Stephen Wilson was on hand to guide those in attendance through a tasting of each whisky variant before we moved on to cocktails and one-sided basketball. We trust Steve on all things whisky related, but his detailed overview of the perfect process for experiencing retronasal olfaction and really understanding the flavor of each variant was a real treat.
Next time you’re trying a neat spirit, go through these steps:
- Smell the glass first and take a small swig
- Tilt your head left to right to let the spirit coat both of your cheeks
- Let the spirit coat your tongue and press your tongue against the roof of your mouth
- Swallow your swig
- Open your mouth and inhale across your tongue
- Close your mouth and exhale through your nose
- Enjoy that retronasal olfaction!
After the tasting it was game time. And for the 2015-16 LA Lakers that meant one thing – sadness. The Clippers jumped out to an 18-2 lead and we’re never really threatened by the young Laker squad. It was hard to watch Kobe Bryant struggle through 22 minutes of a 2-12 shooting performance from the field on his way to a six point, zero assist, three rebound night. Kobe tried to create when there was nothing to be created and lobbed up tough shot after tough shot. Metta World Peace looked surprisingly effective putting up 17 points, five rebounds, two steals, a block and an assist off the bench. He was also 2-3 from three point land.
The Clippers looked like a team ready to make a deep playoff run. Chris Paul scored 25 points and Jeff Green contributed 21 points off the bench as the Clippers easily dispatched the Lakers 103 to 81.
The love for Kobe was strong, but it’s hard to see the guy go out this way. Chants of MVP showered Bryant when he made it to the free throw line. The crowd called out his name when he wasn’t on the court. Kobe sat out the entire 4th quarter with his shoulders and knees all wrapped up. Watching the end of the Kobe era coincide with the Lakers’ franchise-worse 61st loss was a bittersweet sight.
Apr 7th
Get The Most Out Of Your Workout With KT Tape
The older I get I find that stretching is not the only thing I need after a workout. Whether I am running outside, playing hoops, or working out at the gym I am sore is a few places. It is not that I am doing the exercise incorrectly, but it is the fact that I am no spring chicken. Thankfully there is KT Tape. I recently have been using this product when I am working out. I like the fact that KT Tape provides 24 hour relief per application for days at a time through sweat, strain and humidity, and can even be worn in water thanks to our specially designed adhesive.
I am able to play a few more games of basketball at the gym. I am can run an extra mile or beat my previous time with the support of KT Tape. I mean it is a good sign that Olympic athletes use many of the different KT Tape products. Partnering with USA Cycling, USA Gymnastics, USA Track & Field, USA Triathlon, USA Rugby and USA Wrestling, KT Tape now has deals in place with seven total NGBs, including its partnership with U.S. Soccer that began in 2014. KT Tape will provide product and support for athletes, coaches and trainers at premier events and competitions, including U.S. Olympic Team Trials. In addition, as the official kinesiology tape licensee of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams, KT Tape will provide support through Rio 2016 and PyeongChang 2018 Games.
So if you are looking to help your body during a workout I suggest that you check out some of the new KT Tape products.
KT Tape PRO EXTREME: an elastic sports tape for pain relief and support in extreme conditions. PRO EXTREME is made of KT Tape’s exclusive synthetic material, engineered for maximum durability with our strongest adhesive for the ultimate adhesion. PRO EXTREME can be worn for 4-7 days at a time and is specially designed to provide effective support during strenuous activity through extreme conditions including wet conditions, high heat and high humidity. It’s also perfect for those with oily skin.
KT Recovery+ Recovery Patch: specially designed to reduce swelling and inflammation from muscle injuries and its accompanying pain. KT Recovery+™ patches work by microscopically lifting the skin away from the muscle and fascia below which decompresses the area. This allows for improved circulation in the affected area while also allowing faster removal of lymphatic fluid buildup caused by the injury.
KT FLEX: specially engineered to provide more effective comfortable support for weak or injured knees. KT FLEX is for athletes, fitness enthusiasts, or those recovering from injuries who want extra support for knee joints without the bulk and restriction of a stabilizing sleeve.
KT Recovery+ ICE/HEAT: KT Recovery+ Ice/Heat Compression Therapy System, interchangeable ice and heat packs, is a new way to treat muscles for peak performance or to speed recovery from a challenging workout or injury. The adjustable design provides ice/heat therapy to a wide variety of targeted body areas. Unlike other ice/heat therapy products on the market, KT Recovery+™ Ice/Heat is portable and allows for increased mobility and easier use before, during, or after physical activity.
For more information, go to KTTAPE.com.
Apr 6th
Find Out How A Mathematician Improved Beer
Math might not have been your favorite subject, but math can be used to make your beer better. Now that I got your attention let me explain. I promise that there won’t be a test on this. It is just to show you how math can make everything awesome.
Have you ever sat down and wondered how your pint of Guinness Draught gets its iconic creamy head or why the perfect pint requires a two-part pour? The quick answer is nitrogen. A few days ago Guinness released a video explaining the story behind mathematician-turned-brewer, Michael Ash, pioneering Guinness Draught, the world’s first nitro beer. The video documents Ash’s four-year journey of experimenting with nitrogenation leading up to the launch of Guinness Draught in 1959.
Why nitrogen? As carbonated draft beers became popular in the 1950s, Ash realized that the tiny bubbles from nitrogen not only served as a way to dispense Guinness on tap but the substance also gave Guinness Draught the smooth, creaminess that it’s become synonymous with ever since. So cheers to math and Guinness.
Apr 1st
Reebok Classic Presents The Lemar & Dauley Capsule Collection
Reebok Classic has been spot on with their recent releases. From shoes to clothing Reebok Classic is bringing back ideas from back in the day and mixing it with technology from the present. If there is one thing that Reebok owns in the game of basketball, its heritage. From the brand’s start in the sport in the early 80’s, Reebok has helped define the basketball landscape with groundbreaking footwear, sponsoring some of the game’s most awe-inspiring athletes.
For Spring/Summer 2016 Reebok Classic has teamed up with high impact streetwear brand, Lemar & Dauley, to deliver a unique footwear and apparel capsule. Focusing on the brand’s rich 90’s basketball heritage, the designs feature iconic Reebok athletes Allen Iverson, Shawn Kemp, and Dominique Wilkins. However, rather than placing images of these legends against a typical basketball backdrop, Lemar & Dauley reinterprets them as “Basketball Gods” and tells a unique story throughout the collection. Utilizing engineered prints and cut lines on elevated fabrics and reflective detailing, the collection delivers a fresh of breath air into the retro basketball landscape.
The Reebok x Lemar & Dauley capsule will launch on Friday, March 25, 2016, just in time for Easter Weekend, and it will be carried exclusively at www.Lemaranddauley92.com and VILLA.
Mar 24th
