Soda Stream Soda Maker at Green Home Experts

I'm not ashamed to call him out. My husband is a soda addict. When other people are stopping at Starbuck's or Buzz Cafe to get a coffee, Jim is buying a large diet "pop" from the nearest stop (gas stations and 7-11 mostly). At home we probably go through a 12 pack a week or more if he has a day off when no one else is home. And I like carbonated water. The cans of Diet Pepsi or Lacroix or Canfields can fill up our recycling bin.

Frankly I'm tired of all the waste.

And I get a little nervous about what is inside the can lining, or what seeps out from plastic containers. So I have been plotting a switch for some time.

I hinted that the Soda Stream would be a good Christmas present for Jim. He didn't even flinch. I hinted that the Soda Stream would be a good Christmas present for me.   He didn't bite on that one either.

Regardless of this lukewarm reception, I took the plunge this past weekend.

I celebrated the 5th anniversary of Green Home Experts with Dinky Donuts and my 4 year old. Before we left, I bought the Soda Stream and an extra bottle of the diet soda flavor.

When we came back from the party, I put the box on the kitchen table and thought I would come back to do the set up in a couple of minutes. I put my coat up, washed my hands and 2 minutes later returned to the kitchen. Jim already had it out of the box, on the counter and was carbonating his first bottle of pop. My daughter was peering over his shoulder, giddy, "I tried this at school! Remember Lavar did this for his end of the year project in 1st grade. Can we make the orange too?"

I had carbonated water with fresh lemon yesterday (not from a can). Jim is thrilled with his ability to "make" diet soda at will. And we are trying to figure out how to put it out for parties.

I can't wait to save on all of those 12 pack of soda purchases.  And a big bonus for our kitchen is that it takes up a minimal amount of counter space. Win! Win!

All the while, the Diet Pepsi is getting lonesome on the porch. I'm okay with that.