What's the deal with this Pop life?

A&W Root Beer and Cantaloupe have been my two favorite things since I was really little.

By the way, just so you're warned, root beer does not exist on the British Isles..there's only ginger beer. So when I traveled to Scotland, on a red-eye 6-hour train from London, I saw the most beautiful thing- an 'A&W' restaurant sign. I ran in my high heels, waited patiently in line, ordered my elixir, and was told "the root beer machine is broken." What?! What does that even mean? A root beer machine? I'll gladly mix the syrup and carbonated water myself. Alas, it would be many more months before I and my love would be reunited in holy thirst-quenching matrimony.

For now I can visit it at the store whenever I want. And visit only I shall because Alex and I have kicked the corn syrup habit. I'll have to post later about the details of why and how, but for a year now we have eaten Organic and Fair Trade. When we go out to eat we focus on going to Chipotle and Grazing Cow (an all grass feed beef burger joint in Plano).

In the interest of full disclosure we did learn that it was necessary to have a corn syrup item on occasion, because when we went out to eat with other people or out to dinner parties we got sick. Our bodies were not used to the processed foods anymore and rejected it. So after a few tummy aches we found a balance...Pineapple soda and Slurpees :)

Root beer, however, and the search for the one, true perfect blend has become my hobby for the past few months. I have not found it yet, but I can review a few that I have tried.

First up: Boylan

Overall, I like this one. It has a strong caramel undertone and after taste, so much so that I would predict if you did not like caramel you would not like this root beer. It is not too sweet, but I have found that cane sugar versions usually aren't.

World Market, Individually $1.99

Next: Thomas Kemper

The honey is apparent, so if you do not like honey, skip this one. However, if you enjoy honey in your tea or on a warm biscuit you will love this. In fact, I would suggest pairing this with a honey biscuit just to highlight the unique undertone.

Whole Foods, 4-Pack $4.99

Last: Oogave

Using Agave as a sweetener is the latest trend in the anti-corn syrup world, but after trying this I'll gladly sign an "Agave for Tequila Only" petition. To say it was awful is not enough, scarring, torturous, doubting my own sanity. Avoid. There are those who do not consume sugar, and for those people this may be their only option. To those people I say, drink water.

Whole Foods, 4-Pack $4.99