Bottled tea uses spring water

Bethesda-based Honest Tea delivers what it promises: a refreshing bottled tea that is barely sweetened and made with spring water. Founders Seth Goldman and Barry Nalebuff were looking for a thirst-quenching alternative to sugary beverages -- and they've certainly found a niche.

The seven flavors -- including a delicious First Nation Peppermint and Black Forest Berry -- are being sold in about 800 stores nationwide, including Fresh Fields, Graul's and, soon, Giant, for about $1 for a 16-ounce bottle. The drinks, sweetened with natural sugars or honey, have only about 18 calories for an 8-ounce serving.

Pickles are pick of the week

You may want to pass a few piquant pickles at your picnic this weekend. After all, it's International Pickle Week through May 31. The Mount Olive Pickle Co. in North Carolina recommends serving dill pickle spears with garlic or cheese dip as an hors d'oeuvre and keeping a big bowl of pickles on hand in the fridge to stave off mid-meal munchies. After all, a whole dill pickle is only 15 calories. You also can log onto www.ilovepickles.org for pickle particulars from Pickle Packers International.

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