Mellow Update

Mellow had an extraordinary week! We found an office, took on a local business number (702.635.9006, spells out MELW-006), moved in to our office, made valuable contacts from media and industry distribution channels, blogged about our healing ingredients, designed and ordered much needed POS materials, confirmed our formulation ROCKS, and so much more that I have memory overload and well after learning how to refine placing Mellow in front of hundreds of Twitter fans, even from the couch over the weekend (not an easy fete considering the iPhone has a pitiful battery life). We are just warming up! http://twitter.com/DrinkMellow

Stay tuned because this week will be a plethora of productivity! Also watch for links to some absolutely amazing blogs full of more info than we could blog to you alone! So much is coming this week, I am excited for us!

Lastly...to Jaycee Dugard...through out this new week, we hope you find the peace you and your girls deserve to be comforted in...our hearts are with you and your family in your time of healing and self discovery...

Valerian's Magic

Valerian is an herb of substantial function, I look forward to promoting this plant in Mellow. It gives me great confidence that Valerian will be equally responsible to its counterparts in the function of this beverage!


Q: What is Valerian Root?

The name is believed to come from the Latin word "valere" meaning to be healthy or strong. The root of the plant is believed to contain its active constituents. Use of valerian as a sedative and anti-anxiety treatment has been reported for more than 2,000 years. Valerian is a perennial plant that has also been used as an herbal remedy by the Ancient Greeks, who used it to treat digestive problems. The herb grows in damp areas throughout the Americas, Europe and northern Asia. So you can understand why Mellow chose to include this historical ingredient!

Q: What function does Valerian perform in Mellow?

• Reduces muscular pain/ability to act as a muscle relaxant
• Remedy for tension headaches
• Creates a general feeling of well-being
• Induces a feeling of calm, relaxation and peace of mind
• Enhances mental alertness and concentration
• Calming effect for those that experience panic attacks/anxiety due to stress
• Reduces mild headaches

Q: Does Valerian have any known side effects?

In contrast to prescription sleeping pills and anti-anxiety medications, Valerian root's side effects are rare. Particularly significant is the fact that Valerian root does not cause the feeling of grogginess associated with the use of prescription sleep aids. Further, the herb is not addictive.


sources: nlm.nih.gov, Wikiedia, vitamins.ultimatefatburner.com, about.com

My favorite Mellow ingredient, Passion flower

Let me start by saying, I truly believe one of the most natural (and smartest) ways to help maintain overall health and emotional balance is the use of herbs and vitamins. Herbs and vitamins are used around the world, in every culture to help provide support for those coping with anxiety, depression, stress, sleep difficulty, and cognitive function issues such as perception, memory, creation of imagery, and thinking; cognitive function also encompasses awareness and warrants the capacity for judgment. The Passion flower is no exception; it boasts an array of functionality, which is why we chose this flower as one of our ingredients.

This by far is my favorite ingredient, not just because of the name or even the extraordinary beauty which these vines produce but because of how gentle, yet effective this flower is as a calming element. Passion flower is complex, yet lends an elegant grace when combined with other herbs. It is naturally brilliant, scientists still don't understand the precise mechanism of action as to how it works exactly, just that this knowledge is backed by the flowers integrity which is offered in every bloom.

Q: What is Passion Flower?

Passion flower is a genus of around 500 different species of flowering plants of the Passifloraceae family. Mostly vines, with some being shrubs, a few are herbaceous (that was quite technical, but now you know!). Passion flower bears small berry-like fruit called grandilla. The bright flowers and aerial (growing above ground) parts of the Passion Flower plant are used in medicinal compounds to promote emotional balance through relaxation of the nervous system.

Q: What functions does Passion flower perform in Mellow?

• Combats restlessness
• Nervous tension
• Creates a general feeling of well-being
• Induces a feeling of peace, relaxation and clarity
• Enhances mental alertness and concentration
• Can have a calming effect for those that experience panic attacks/anxiety due to stress
• Reduces mild mood swings/irritability

Q: Does Passion flower have side effects?

Large amounts of Passion Flower have not been shown to cause adverse reactions, however, it is always recommended to consult a health care professional before using any dietary supplement, especially if you are taking other medications.

sources: anxiety-and-depression-solutions.com, Wikiedia, altmedicine.about.com, vitamin-insight.com

Facebook Contest!! Become a fan and win the first case of Mellow!!

To celebrate the arrival of our samples today, we are having a contest...join Mellow's fan page on Face book and see what it takes (not much!!) to win the first case of Mellow...from now until Wednesday, Aug. 26th at midnight!!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mellow-A-Relaxation-Drink/138897480534?ref=nf

Kava 101

Mellow's superior ingredients offer such amazing functions to the mind, body and spirit! I will give detailed descriptions of each until I have covered them all! I will start with Kava, a well respected and very enjoyable herbal root.

Q: What is kava?

Kava, also kava kava, is a tall shrub in the pepper family that grows in the South Pacific islands. It has been used there for thousands of years as a folk remedy and as a social and ceremonial beverage. The part of the plant used medicinally is the root. Unlike many conventional chemical versions, kava doesn’t seem to cloud the mind or become addictive.

Q: What function does kava perform in Mellow?

• Relaxes muscles/Relieves pain
• Calms nerves
• Creates a general feeling of well-being
• Induces a feeling of peace, relaxation and contentment
• Enhances mental alertness and concentration
• Can have a calming effect for those trying to stop smoking or drinking alcohol
• Reduces inhibitions and makes people more sociable

Q: Can I consume Mellow any time of the day?

In our hectic, modern society “Mellow time” is anytime. The fact that kava (or any of Mellow's other ingredients) does not slow one’s mental capacity, allows for it to be consumed during the day especially when we find ourselves anxious or in heightened stressful situations like:

• Going on a date
• Visiting the dentist/doctor
• Giving a presentation
• Attending a party
• Business meetings or Hanging out with your kids
• Enhance athletic abilities
• Boarding a plane
• Taking an exam or Studying

Even though we can drink Mellow at any time we do have our favorite time to relax and that is after work, or at the end of our day when the kava’s delightful, pleasurable, relaxing effects can be experienced at the most optimal point when one is able to relax into a happy, peaceful state with complete mental alertness.

Please note...when Mellow is consumed before bedtime, it induces a restful sleep and encourages a refreshed feeling upon awakening. Also because of its low natural sugar content, it will not interfere with complete restful sleep.

Q: Does kava have side effects?

Kava has no side effects when taken in moderate doses, under 210 mg per day (Mellow will list mg per serving on all packaging). kava does not "build up" in the system, therefore, a tolerance does not occur, which simply means the body will not need more and more as kava is consumed (this occurs with most conventional methods of relaxants, such as alcohol or Valium). Every time you drink kava it will give you the same effect in the same dosage as before, this helps us to consume in moderation, as is important in everything we do! It is so safe, historically children have been given kava for centuries for many reasons, mainly to aide in calming down the challenges that parallel childhood.

sources: kava.com, Wikipedia, altmedicine.about.com, vitamin-insight.com

Anticipating Mellow...

An important and much anticipated sample batch of Mellow is shipping tomorrow! It's like Christmas...I have butterflies!!

Be free to be in peace today!!

The peace sign turns 50...Happy Birthday Peace!

Buzz kill

Generating a buzz is very tiring...Tweeting, Facebooking, Blogging, Surveying while trying to keep my cute 5 yr old entertained...can't keep my eyes open...goodnight...

Thank you....

Your votes are so important at this final stage of flavor creation or decision rather!

Keep them coming...I'm hearing ya!!

S

What is Mellow?

I must have assumed you are all clairvoyant and knew what Mellow was, for those of you that are not, it will be explained now...

The name of this new beverage I created is "Mellow" a little foreshadowing, if you will, as to its function. It is a proprietary herbal combination of valerian root, l- theanine, kava kava, passion flower, lemon balm and chamomile, which is then delicately blended with green tea (no caffeine though!), B vitamins and CO-Q10 and lightly sweetened with a kiss of organic agave nectar and a sprinkle of stevia.

What happens when you place these exceptional ingredients together is a balanced beverage that will aide in the function of achieving relaxation. The very things our bodies are stripped of when we are overly caffeinated, experience heightened levels of stress on a regular basis and drained from too much to do everyday, is replaced when you drink Mellow.

Each ingredient has been extensively researched and strategically added to make a formula that is calming, full of antioxidants, supports optimal brain function and restores your body so that it can utilize its own energy sources without artificial stimulants and chemicals. I have worked closely with multiple chemists, which produce formulations for "big label" companies, they are now a trusted partner with Mellow, bringing our consumer the best formulation possible.

Mellow is essentially a natural way to relax whenever it is needed, its effective and safe enough to drink during the day as its results bring you to a calming, balanced, happy state. It is so good for you, that it is even safe for children. Not to mention, it tastes like fruit that is in its freshest state, just ripe off the vine, ready to be sipped and enjoyed so cold that the can instantly drips little water beads when held in your hand for the first time!

The relaxation market has recently been tapped by a few competitors, however we will be the first and only company that will offer all of the ingredients in their natural state, free of chemicals and harmful components.

The first release will be a 16 oz can and the second release will be a 2 oz shot, for those of you that just cant wait to be free of stress!

We are working hard to launch in October...until then, we will be keeping you posted via this blog!!

If you have any more questions, please feel free to email me: Shannon@DrinkMellow.com.

Stay groovy,
Shannon

VOTE on the first flavor of Mellow!!

Thank you to those of you that have lent your support, your opinions on the logo and label dilemma and also to you die hard Mellow fans (a girl can live the dream now, right?) that have taken the time to vote today!

Help us decide on the release flavor!! Your voices will be heard...I hope mine is....

Shannon

No closer

I am laying in bed no closer to a label, as a matter of fact I lay here even more frustrated...I have the support of talented and creative people by my side and I still can't get there...ugh!!

I am officially whining and I am painfully aware I just need to make a decision.

Until then...

Follow us on Twitter...

http://twitter.com/DrinkMellow

Second attempt, the colors are off...

The colors should be a bright yellow background with deep pink letters...hmmmm...

Mellow Logo

Label design blues...

So a little over two years ago, I created my own energy drink. I was not thrilled with consumer response (actually, lack of it), so I started brain storming to come up with another beverage concept, because I realized only a unique, niche product would ever create a noticeable market presence in the rapidly growing functional beverage sector of the industry!

My moment HAPPENED when I brilliantly (it felt brilliant anyway!) came up with the exact opposite of an energy drink, an idea I am sure I was not the first to have, however, I, as fate would have it, am going to be the first to have "an all natural, proprietary herb combination, very low organic sugar content, and finished off with just the right amount of vitamins" RELAXATION drink!!

OK, so now that you know this part of the story, you can pretty much fast forward some of the blanks to now (other chapters of how this came to fruition will be in later blogs)...I made a label some time ago but the original label design needs to evolve and after changing the size from 12 oz to a more consumable 16 oz, the label must now print on the can (goodbye shrink sleeves)! The pressure is now 1,000 times more than before to make the design the best it can be for this initial launch!! This is where I have been for over two weeks and I am quite drained and after a series of creative blocks, I am taking a 24 hr period away from thinking about it, I will resume on Wednesday and I hope I will report on Thursday that it is FINALLY DONE!!

**To add a little magic to the story...I recently have had my love, Rodney, join forces with me, he will bring so much to the drink on many levels! He already helped in breathing new life into the drinks release (it was shelved for almost a year due to a few set backs). I thought he deserved some credit!! He will add his own blogs shortly, that I guarantee will be humorous and fun!!

By the way...I will post all the "almost labels" in a graveyard gallery soon...stay tuned...

Shannon