Review and Giveaway: PUR Flavor Options Pitcher CLOSED

I know I can't be the only one out there who doesn't drink nearly enough water each day. Instead of the recommended eight glasses per day, I'm lucky to take in more than one 8 oz. glass of pure water each day. Horrible, I know. When I'm thirsty, I tend to choose coffee, milk, tea, juice or soda. Anything other than water basically. While I know water is vital to my body and health, my taste buds crave more flavor.

So, when I found an opportunity on the PR Place to review a new water filtration system from PUR, I knew this was my chance to redeem myself and give water a second chance.

The PUR Flavor Options Pitcher contains the first and only filter that, with just the push of a button, allows you to enhance your tap water with one of five calorie-free, sugar-free fruit flavorings: Lemon, Raspberry, Grape, Peach or Strawberry. The exclusive 2-stage filtration system eliminates twice as many contaminants as the competition. PUR is the only pitcher on the market certified by NSF International to reduce levels of the weed killer atrazine (by 94%), pharmaceuticals (94%), and microbial cysts (99.9%). PUR filters remove 98% of lead and other heavy metals such as copper and mercury, and remove the taste and odor of chlorine from drinking water.

Not only is PUR healthy for us, but it is good for the planet. Think about all that bottled water you buy each week. Not only does the expense add up over time, but all of that plastic is likely stacking up a landfill somewhere. Switching from bottled water to filtered water and a reusable bottle can save up to 3,200 plastic bottles and save you up to $600 annually!

PUR is committed to providing clean drinking water across the globe. The filtration systems accomplish this in the States but abroad, through the Children's Safe Drinking Water (CSDW) program, they distribute PUR Purifier of Water packets, a powdered mixture which removes impurities in contaminated water. Through the use of these packets, which O Magazine recently called a "life-changing innovation", CSDW has provided 1.6 billion liters of clean water to developing countries and at the 2009 Clinton Global Initiative, vowed to provide 4 billion liters by 2012. This coming January, celebrities such as actress Jessica Biel and musician Lupe Fiasco, along with educators such as Dr. Greg Allgood (Director of the CSDW) will be participating in the "Summit on the Summit" event in which they will climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa, to raise awareness and funds for clean drinking water efforts. Pretty impressive!

Last but not least, the PUR Flavor Options pitcher was recently voted Product of the Year in the Household category from the 2009 Consumer Survey of Product Innovation. So, I knew I was in for a treat when I received a pitcher along with Raspberry and Grape cartridges.

I made sure my husband was home to put it together (he's much more savvy with assembly) but soon realized I could have easily done it myself. There were no tools required and it was truly a snap to use.

Step 1: Insert the filter and fill the reservoir with water. You'll immediately see the pitcher in action, as the filtered water trickles from the bottom. There is also an indicator light you activate on the top of the lid that will change from green to red to let you know when the filter needs changing (approx. every 2 months). This is an awesome feature since my mommy brain often gets the best of me when it comes to remembering those little details.



Step 2: Place in your desired flavor cartridge in the lid and attach to the top of the pitcher. The flavoring is kept separate from the water underneath.



Voila! In several minutes, you'll be ready to enjoy. One pitcher holds about seven 8 oz. glasses of water. You can simply pour for plain water or you can click the button near the top of the handle to add some flavor. The more you push, the more flavoring is released. Meanwhile the pitcher of water remains unchanged. Brilliant!



I loved that the flavoring contains no dyes that could stain your teeth or your countertops. It was easy to get a little trigger happy the first go 'round and I added a bit too much flavor at first. But after a few days of trial and error, we discovered our optimal number of "clicks" (me 4, hubby 3). We both liked the Grape a little more than the Raspberry but we thought both were rather tasty. I think we'll be ordering Lemon next.



What I love about the flavor cartridges is that you don't have to commit to just one. If you want a different flavor the next day (or even the same day!), you can store the opened cartridges in the refrigerator. This way, you never get bored with the same flavor day in and day out. Perfect!

I also love the narrow, space-saving design. Our fridge is almost always packed full so I like that I can squeeze the pitcher into some tight spaces. Sure, this means I have to refill the pitcher at least once a day but I've made it a nightly routine to add water and place in the fridge so it's ready and waiting for me the next day.



Since receiving this pitcher, I think I've drunken more water each day than I have in years. I can't remember the last time I had soda. I just don't feel like I need it. The water tastes great and I feel good knowing I'm making healthier choices. I have gone through an entire pitcher myself in just one day, which is amazing considering I've gone from drinking just one or two glasses of pure water a day at best to seven.

The only disadvantage that comes to mind is that there is no easy way to tell when you're running low on flavoring, aside from removing the cartridge and shaking it (carefully). It would be helpful to have translucent packaging with a "replace me when I reach this line" marker. But all in all, this is a relatively minor issue. I'd also like to see more exotic flavor selections. Some that come to mind are blueberry, blackberry, pomegranate or mango.

Bottom line: I would highly recommend the PUR Flavor Options pitcher, particularly if you drink lots of bottled water, live in an area with questionable water content or if you are simply looking for a way to drink more water (or get your kids to drink more!). It's safe, yummy, eco-friendly, wallet-friendly and fun. No more worries about lead and chlorine levels or cheap plastic water bottles breaking down and leaching into the water. Just grab yourself a Klean Kanteen, Earthlust or similar reusable bottle and you can have the same on-the-go convenience of bottled water! Even with regular replacements of the filter and flavor cartridges, you're paying considerably less than keeping up the bottle habit. In this economy, what's not to like about that?

BUY IT: Purchase the PUR Flavor Options pitcher (ARV $39.99) at any of the retailers listed on the PUR website or you can use their handy dandy store locator to find the vendor closest to you. PUR also offers a faucet mount for the Flavor Option so it can fit any lifestyle.

WIN IT: PUR is generously giving one lucky reader a Flavor Options pitcher with a Raspberry cartridge!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Visit the PUR website, take the What's Your Flavor? quiz and tell me your result (I was Crystal Clear!). C'mon, it's fun and doesn't much time at all! Don't forget to leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile or if you are not a blogger!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count!

1.) Follow my blog or subscribe via reader or email. Comment telling me which method you chose. If you already follow or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry)

2.) Follow me on Twitter and tweet about the contest. For this contest, you can do this daily! Just leave me a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry max per day)

3.) Grab my button and leave me a comment with a link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

4.) Enter any of my other current giveaways and leave a comment telling me which one(s) you entered. (1 entry each)

Giveaway will end on November 3, 2009 at 11:59pm EST. U.S. residents only. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: As noted above, I was sent a PUR Flavor Options Pitcher and 2 flavor cartridges from Lindsay at DeVries PR to facilitate my candid review. I was not compensated in any other manner for this post.