14 November 23-29, 2023 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com New Times | music | cafe | culture | Night+Day | News | letters | coNteNts | BRUNCH, LUNCH, DINNER & HAPPY HOUR 3201 RICKENBACKER CAUSEWAY KEY BISCAYNE, FL | 305.361.3818 WWW.THERUSTYPELICAN.COM BE SOCIAL WITH US! FIND US ON “BEST WATERFRONT DINING IN MIAMI ” FOR RESERVATIONS (305) 800-5822 / [email protected] 350 NW 83RD AVE, DORAL NOVEMBER 22ND EVENT STARTS AT 7PM As Too Good to Go’s popularity gains steam across Florida, MacAulay has some advice for those wanting to secure goodies from their favor- ite spots. “Once you get a better sense of who is partici- pating, definitely use the favorite button to track the places you get great “Surprise Bags” from,” he says. “You may also need to use your phone’s alarm system to check the app at a certain time. Some of these bags go very fast.” Customers use Too Good to Go for different reasons. Soteroff’s brother is in college and uses the app to save money, while her parents like to check the app to see what’s available as part of their weekly shopping. And if she wants to bring snacks into the office, Soteroff can check to see what’s available that morning. “We’re always updating the variety, and the stores are always being added. There’s always more to see,” Soteroff says. If you want to see what your options are, just add your location to the app, choose the distance you’re willing to drive, and you can adjust it based on wherever you are at that moment. You can see what the original cost of the item is and what’s available.” JESSE SCOTT ▼ FORT LAUDERDALE ODYSSEY ELIXIR LAUNCHES “MAGIC MUSHROOM” ENERGY DRINK America may run on Dunkin’, but if a new Florida- based energy drink has its way, the Sunshine State will soon be running on magic mushrooms. Odyssey Elixir, a Fort Lauderdale-based brand, has recently gained significant attention and accolades for its innovative approach to energy-boosting products. That’s a fancy way of saying that instead of using traditional energy- jolting ingredients like taurine, Odyssey is making label-readers do a triple-take by crediting its “no-crash” line of beverages adrenaline-pumping powers to high-potency functional mushrooms. Luckily, we’ve come a long way since the days of Red Bull’s sugar-free beverage being an inno- vation in the energy-boosting beverage category. Like the drink itself, Odyssey is a byproduct of unconventional ingredients. After a successful ca- reer on Wall Street, Odyssey founder and CEO Scott Frohman set out to transform the energy drink market. His original “ah-ha” moment came from experimenting with adding mushrooms to his morning coffee. “I felt burnt-out and uninspired,” he tells New Times. “I decided to leave Wall Street, and — after experiencing the effects of Lion’s Mane and Cordyceps mushrooms — I realized there wasn’t an energy drink on the market with in- gredients that naturally support energy, focus, and mood.” Knowing what long days felt like and the type of energy that was necessary to stay alert for a prolonged period, Frohman says he created Od- yssey in an attempt to provide the market with a “no-crash” energy solution with the use of high- potency functional mushrooms. These mushrooms include Lion’s Mane, known for its nootropic properties, enhancing cognitive functions like memory, focus, and learning, and Cordy- ceps, revered for its en- ergy-boosting properties. “Odyssey has created an energy drink option for consumers without the addition of detrimen- tal ingredients like traditional brands,” he says. While most functional mushroom products contain around 250 milligrams per serving, Odys- sey boasts a unique blend of 2,750 milligrams of both Lion’s Mane and Cordyceps, that — when taken together — are said to improve mental clar- ity, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, increase physical stamina, and boost the immune system. The product also lists green tea as a source of good, old-fashioned caffeine as part of the elixir. Since its launch in 2021, Odyssey has made re- markable strides by introducing three product lines with varying caffeine levels into 6,000 stores nationwide. Frohman credits the rapid success to the brand making appearances in local events around South Florida with the intent of building local support as a Florida-based brand. Today, Odys- sey can be found in Publix, select CVS locations, 7-Eleven, and various local retailers. “Our local community in South Florida has championed the brand since day one and contin- ues to be some of our greatest supporters as we continue to grow,” sums up Frohman. RYAN YOUSEFI Odyssey photo Odyssey’s mushroom-fueled energy drink “OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY IN SOUTH FLORIDA HAS CHAMPIONED THE BRAND SINCE DAY ONE.”
