Zilch Mixers

How to sip your way skinny this summer

2011-06-14T07:33:00.000-07:00

The following article was written by Jennifer Hellickson of the San Jose Diet and Exercise Examiner, and published June 13, 2011. Thank you, Jennifer!!

Frozen drinks are a festive staple at many summer gatherings, but looks can be deceiving: One seemingly-innocent cocktail can pack anywhere from 400-700 calories, which will wreak havoc on even the healthiest of diets.

According to David Zinczenko and Matt Goulding, authors of the Eat This, Not That! series of books, liquid calories can account for as much as 20 percent of our daily intake. So if you’re hoping to slim down this summer, think twice before casually tossing back cocktail after cocktail laden with sugar.

But fear not, my fellow fruity drink aficionados; thanks to enterprising mind Marcy Johnson, you can still manage to slim down while drinking up delicious margaritas and daiquiris this season. The Houston-based realtor has created Zilch drink mixers ($5 for 10), sugar-, carb- and calorie-free blends that help skirt the diet issue without cheating on taste.

“As a woman in my fifties, I wanted to follow a healthier lifestyle, but I love Mexican food and margaritas,” said Johnson. “But when I discovered that an 8 oz. Margarita has a whopping 550 calories, I knew I had to invent a sugar-free Margarita, or I would never be able to stick to any diet!”

What started as a personal quest for a great-tasting light margarita to pair with her favorite fare quickly morphed into a recipe for success that sprung straight out of her home kitchen. After testing existing mixers on the market, Johnson decided to concoct her own version that wouldn’t compromise on taste (or distract with a bothersome aftertaste). Through a process of trial and error, she eventually settled on a powdered mix that uses Aspartame, the same calorie-free sweetener found in popular diet drinks. But little did Johnson know she struck liquid gold.

“What I came up with was a recipe for an authentic tasting, delicious, sugar-free margarita,” said Johnson. “I began carrying my mix with me to parties and restaurants, and all of my friends and family were also drinking and loving this new sugar-free concoction.”

The directions couldn’t be easier, and Zilch even shares additional tips here on the website for perfecting your guilt-free versions of these crowd-pleasing drinks at home – or out on the town:

• At home, simply empty the contents of one margarita packet into glass. Add one jigger (1.5 oz) of your favorite tequila, stirring briskly until dissolved. Stir in 3/4 cup water and serve over ice.

• For frozen margaritas, empty the contents of three packets into a blender. Add 3/4 cup of tequila and 3/4 cup of water. Blend, gradually adding four cups of ice, until smooth.

• For a pitcher, empty the contents of five packets into a pitcher. Add one cup of tequila and stir well to dissolve. Stir in four cups water, and serve over ice.

• In a restaurant or bar, just order "tequila and water on the rocks," then add the contents of a single-serve packet. Continue stirring until completely dissolved, adding water to taste.

As for the verdict on taste, what started as a test turned into a full-blown cocktail hour at my house, so it’s pretty safe to say that Zilch mixers more than make up in flavor what they lack in sugar, calories and carbs. And the best part? Zip, zero, and – yep, I’ll say it – zilch guilt upon imbibing.

“When our family developed Zilch, we wanted to create a sugar free margarita that actually tasted like a real margarita,” said Johnson. “We think our customers want the same thing.”

To find a local retailer of Zilch click here. The lightened libation hasn’t made it to the San Jose area quite yet, so it’s also available for purchase on the company website here. For more information, visit ZilchMixers.com.

Zilch Makes Shape "Hot List"

2011-06-03T11:57:00.000-07:00

The smart editors of Shape Magazine showed their great taste when they selected Zilch Sugar Free Margaritas as one of their “Hot List” of Cool Items to DO, BUY, and SEE for the month of May. We were overwhelmed with the demand from their faithful readers. They agreed with writer A.J. Hanley that they needed to lighten up their libations by switching to Zilch for their next party or backyard BBQ. “Now that’s something to drink to.”

To Weigh, or Not to Weigh

2010-09-23T09:28:00.000-07:00

When I told my sister that for years I have been writing my weight in a journal every morning, she almost choked. “Who’s going to destroy the evidence when you die?” she gasped. “You are, of course.” I answered. I gave her explicit instructions on where the data was hidden, just in case.

There is such controversy on whether to weigh once a day, once a week, or not at all. I’m pretty sure Oprah says not to weigh every day, and some weight gurus insist on it. Keri Gans, R, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association says, "People get frustrated with the movement of the scale, and it might take them away from sticking with their plan” She thinks weighing yourself every day can become frustrating and sabotage a healthy eating plan.

It’s been my experience that weighing every morning actually helps me to keep on track. And, if I think I am doing really well, I find myself jumping on the scale several times a day. But, I have to drag myself to the scale if I had Mexican food the night before. That’s one reason I invented Zilch Sugar Free Margaritas—so I wouldn’t be throwing sugar on top of the chips and salsa on Mexican food nights.

Flipping back through the weight data pages can be very enlightening, because I make little notes as I go along. “Countdown to Cruise”; “3-Day Diet”; “Atkins Diet” are all found more than once among the little notebook pages. I can go back each year and see what I weighed before and after each of those diets. I like to see how long I was able to maintain a loss after each diet venture. One thing for sure, this weight loss game is for a lifetime—so Celebrate Your Diet™.

Don’t Think of your Diet as a Diet

2010-08-19T07:46:00.000-07:00

“Everyday Health” published 10 Diet Disasters and How to Avoid Them by Madeline Vann, MPH. One of the tips came from Gail Curtis, assistant professor at the Wake Forest University Health Sciences. She says to avoid thinking of your diet as a diet. “There is diet fatigue if you go on a diet,” says Curtis. “Most people can stay on a diet about three months and then they are done with it because they can’t stand it. Instead, focus on making healthy lifestyle and diet choices that you can live with for a long time.” That fits right in with my theory that you can always enjoy Zilch Sugar Free Margaritas. Even in weak times, when you are reaching for the chips and queso, you can still avoid a calorie disaster by choosing Zilch instead of a sugar laden Margarita. And Zilch tastes great!

Mango Margaritas in Riviera Maya

2010-08-04T07:14:00.000-07:00

What could be better than sipping Zilch Margaritas in Mexico? Well, sipping Zilch Mango Margaritas in Riviera Maya—one of Mexico’s beautiful Caribbean beaches. Susan Maria Leach , founder and President of BE,(http://www.bariatriceating.com/ and author of “Before & After - Living & Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery” took a few boxes of Zilch down to Riviera Maya. While there, she taught the bartender how to make Zilch Mango Margaritas. She said, “WOW... it took me an hour to get him to understand that NO SUGAR means no SYRUP, no canned mangos, no sugar... lol... but once he got it, I was good for the two weeks.” The bartenders LOVED Zilch and of course loved Susan. Susan’s book was Nominated for International Association of Culinary Professional Awards, 'Best First Cookbook', 'Best Health & Diet Book', and 'Cookbook of the Year'! Featured on NBC's TODAY Show and in People Magazine! A Barnes & Noble 'Staff Favorite'. Her photos of Zilch in Riviera Maya are beautiful! Wish I had been there! Thank you Susan for sharing!

The Dangers of Liquid Calories

2010-07-12T06:41:00.000-07:00

Liquid calories are out to sabotage your waistline. According to the authors of “Drink This, Not That! Sip Your Way to a Flat Belly”, liquid calories are the dominant force of weight gain in our country. Margaritas have over 500 calories, with some of them, like the Lobsterita at Red Lobster tipping the calorie count at almost 900! It is easy to see that a couple of Margaritas can spell disaster for any diet. With Zilch Sugar Free Margaritas, you can enjoy a cocktail without sabotaging your waistline. Zilch has zero carbs, zero calories, and tastes delicious! Don’t drink empty calories. Always be prepared with packets of Zilch tucked away in your purse or pocket. If you unexpectedly find yourself in restaurant or bar, just order Tequila and Water on the Rocks. Sprinkle in your packet of Zilch mixer, and you are not missing out on the fun. Cheers!

"Strawberry Fields Forever"

2010-07-09T06:32:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning with the lyrics to the Beatles song “Strawberry Fields Forever” playing over and over in my mind. I am a huge Beatlemaniac. It’s the part that says, “you know I know and it's a dream” that stuck with me. Because this morning was like a dream. I have been waiting for years to be able to tell our fans that FINALLY we have a Strawberry flavor which mixes with rum to make a delicious Daiquiri. It tastes great, and the box is beautiful, but it was a long time in the making. It had to be perfect. I am so excited to be able to provide a link from here, before it is available anywhere else. Even though I love Margaritas, occasionally I like a change. Zilch Sugar Free Daiquiris immediately transport you to the tropics. Stick a flower and a colorful straw in your glass, and you’ll think you are on a cruise, drinking one of the sugary drinks of the day. But, Zilch Sugar Free Daiquiris have zero carbs, and zero calories. I hope you love it as much as I do. Here’s your private link: Zilch Strawberry Daiquiris.

Let me take you down, 'cause I'm going to Strawberry Fields.

Nothing is real and nothing to get hung about.

Strawberry Fields forever.

Strawberry Fields forever………………….

“Living—and eating well—with diabetes”

2010-07-07T06:49:00.000-07:00

This morning, Jennifer McInnis, a food writer for the Houston Chronicle wrote in her column “Living—and eating well—with diabetes” that “A diagnosis of diabetes means lifestyle changes are in order, but where does one begin?” She quotes Katherine Younker, a director at the Texas Diabetes Institute who says it is important to get information from reliable resources, such as websites for the American Diabetes Association, the Texas Diabetes Institute, the National Diabetes Education program or the Texas Diabetes Council. Younker says after diagnosis, the first thing Diabetics should do is look at any obvious changes they can make to make their blood glucose go down. Here’s where Zilch Sugar Free Margaritas come in: Younker says that many drinks are loaded with carbohydrates and sugar, and Diabetics should drink zero carbohydrate alternatives. Luckily for all the people facing diabetes, they can still enjoy an authentic tasting cocktail with Zilch Mixers. Cheers.

Looks Like Alex will Miss the Party

2010-06-30T07:28:00.000-07:00

Last night, Alex became the first hurricane of the 2010 season. It will likely become a Category 2 by tonight. The good news for those of us in the Houston area is that we can breathe a sigh of relief, as it looks like Alex is headed south, and will miss our 4th of July celebrations. Don’t forget to bring the new “One Gallon Party Packets” to the parties. And watch out for the wind and rain leading into the weekend. Keep those umbrellas handy and try to stay dry. Cheers!

Always an Interesting Tidbit or Two

2010-06-23T07:16:00.000-07:00

I compulsively read the Houston Chronicle from cover to cover every morning. There may be lots of news, and I love Ken Hoffman’s column, but there is always an interesting tidbit or two. This morning I learned that Jake Pavelka, the Bachelor, and Vienna have broken up. That made me wonder if he will suddenly appear on the Bachelorette with Ali. I also learned that “A couple of years ago, researchers at Texas A&M found that watermelon contains compounds that help increase blood flow and deliver Viagra-like effects.” I may have learned that two years ago, but since had forgotten. Have a fun day!

First Day of Summer!

2010-06-21T07:55:00.000-07:00

It’s the first day of summer and it is hot and humid in Houston. It’s hard to believe today is the first day of summer—yesterday the car was reading 104 on the outside temperature gauge. Probably not accurate, but it sure felt like 104. But, give me a hot day in the sun instead of cold and freezing any day. My friends that live in northern climates complain, complain, complain when visiting Houston in the summer. But, if you compare the number of days we can play outside in Houston throughout the year, versus the number of days they are trapped inside because of snow and freezing, we will come out way on top. And summer in Houston promises beautiful, blooming crepe myrtles (they love the heat), and lots of fun in the pool. We have to remember to wear lots of sun screen and stay hydrated. It’s fun to drink a sugar free beverage by the pool almost year round in Houston, but especially in the summer. Stay cool.

This Isn’t Your Mother’s Whole Wheat Pasta

2010-06-17T07:35:00.000-07:00

In the 80’s, we were just learning about the benefits of whole wheat pasta. I was going to Weight Watchers classes weekly, and trying very hard to follow all the suggestions from our leader. But even though she suggested whole wheat pasta, the problem was that the pasta tasted like cardboard. I tried several different brands, and they all were horrible. Now that Dr. Oz and other television gurus are telling us again about the advantages of whole wheat, I decided to give it another try. Wow. It has really changed. I have been serving whole wheat pasta for months now, and my family now prefers the whole wheat. Even store brands are good now. I have started asking for whole wheat pasta in restaurants. Many of my favorite restaurants are able to substitute whole wheat. Some will add a dollar or so to the price, but I think it is worth it. If we all ask for whole wheat whenever we order a pasta dish, then the restaurant managers should get the message. I just love to find foods that are good and good for you.

When Life Gives You Limes, Make Margaritas!

2010-06-16T07:31:00.000-07:00

More than 63% of Americans are overweight. The majority of us have struggled with our weight our entire adult lives. It is not fun to be the one eating the grilled chicken when others are having extra crispy. It is not fun to be chomping on broccoli when others are dipping their chips. But, finally, we have those skinnies at the party beat. While they are sipping on their 550 calorie Margaritas in their spaghetti straps, we are having the better drink with Zilch Sugar Free Margaritas. This is no joke. Zilch Margaritas taste better than any other Margarita on the market today. Zilch Sugar Free Margaritas taste better than any Margarita a bartender can concoct. It is fun to drink Zilch. Every once in a while, when I am in a restaurant drinking my Zilch, and some non-calorie counting, non-diabetic at the same table has a sugar laden Margarita, I slip my straw in for a taste. Smugly, I sit back and enjoy my Zilch. It is SO MUCH BETTER.

When life gives you limes, make Zilch Sugar Free Margaritas. They’re the best!

Bachelorette Party on the Skinny

2010-06-15T07:57:00.000-07:00

A Bachelorette Party is the perfect celebration to include Zilch Sugar Free Margaritas. The bride and her friends will still be counting every calorie in order to get into their gowns for the wedding. And because Zilch contains so much water, and zero sugar, the attendees will feel much better the morning after. I love the stories I hear about the faraway destinations that Zilch has traveled to be part of the wedding festivities. Zilch take-along packets are perfect for a night on the town, or when traveling abroad. If your party is close to home, stay in the party mood with the new “One Gallon Party Packet”. Zilch Sugar Free Margarita Mixers work great in a Margarita Machine. Machines are readily available to rent for that upcoming Bachelorette Party. Send us your pictures. Cheers!

Weight Watchers Love Zilch!

2010-06-14T07:48:00.000-07:00

Weight Watchers and their leaders are loving Zilch all across the country. For only 2 Points, Weight Watchers can enjoy a Zilch Margarita with Tequila. Zilch Sugar Free Margarita Mixers are delicious and conveniently packed. Zilchmixers contain Zero Carbs, Zero Calories, and Zero Sodium, making Zilch perfect for Weight Watchers. Each box of Zilch contains 10 convenient, single-serving packets, making it easy to bring along to a favorite restaurant, bar, or party. Today is Flag Day, and now Weight Watchers can celebrate.

Margaritaville Machine

2010-06-11T06:22:00.000-07:00

Zilch works great in a Margaritaville Machine. Just follow the amounts on the Zilch package. Empty 3 packets of Zilch, 3/4 Cup Water, and 3/4 Cup Tequila into the bottom glass blender jar, and put it in place. Measure 4 cups of ice and put in the top, where the ice goes, and click top in place. Turn the far left green control up to "Ready". Then start "Shave-n-Blend". Repeat the "Shave-n-Blend" process until all the ice is shaved. “Welcome to Paradise”.

Doctors’ #1 diet tip--drink plenty of water or calorie-free beverages.

2010-06-10T12:37:00.000-07:00

I think we all know that lots of water or low cal beverages can curb our appetites. That’s because we are not always hungry when we think we are. That gnawing feeling in your stomach can also be caused from thirst. Amazing. I have definitely noticed that if I think I am really hungry a couple of hours before dinner, one Zilch Margarita can take the edge off. In fact, after just one Zilch, I am not worried about my stomach anymore. That saves hundreds of calories in the course of a month. One reason Zilch works so quickly and so effectively is that it is ¾ water. That is good news for Dieters and Diabetics alike. Who knew dieting could be so much fun!

Welcome to Zilch Mixers New Blog

2010-02-11T11:44:00.001-08:00

Welcome to Zilch Mixers New Blog! The home of the sugar free Margarita!

We're growing and excited to offer new products soon, such as sugar-free daquiri mix, and sugar-free martini mix!

Be sure to check out our website, or more information on the best low-calorie, zero fat, sugar free cocktail mixers! Zilch Mixers are also the perfect solution for diabetic alcholoic drinks.

Zilch Mixers Party Packs Are Here

2010-02-11T10:59:00.000-08:00

Now you can enjoy Zilch sugar free cocktail mixers in large groups and at parties! Buy Zilch by the PARTY PACKET, which makes one gallon of scrumptious sugar-free margarita.

It's the perfect accesory to any party!