Sosa

Those words echoed in my mind for a month. I had experienced something similar, not at the bottom of a canyon, but on a long bike ride. My muscles cramped up, and I couldn’t figure out why.  After a Dr visit and a lot of Google, I started to bring magnesium into my diet with a pill supplement, but I forgot all the time until experiencing the cramps again. This is another why behind Sosa. It shouldn’t be difficult or a chore to get the nutrients we need.  Eating should be pleasurable and functional.  The story above was told to me by a man I met in Moab, Utah. I was not surprised by what he told me, but smiled and said, “I’m glad you are here. I’m glad you are alive to tell me the story.”  

“I’m glad you are here, with your truck full of pastry and mission to make adventure an extended expression of who you are as an artist. Those of us who encounter you and your gifts are blessed.” 

Magnesium

Our bodies need these minerals to function properly. Magnesium, in particular, is crucial for muscle and nerve function. Without enough magnesium, our muscles can spasm and cramp up. It is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions, including energy production, protein synthesis, and muscle and nerve function. Magnesium also helps regulate the balance of other important minerals, such as calcium and potassium and supports cardiovascular health by maintaining normal heart rhythm and blood pressure. It is also involved in bone health, immune function, and the regulation of blood sugar levels. Without enough, our bodies start to do some weird things. 

Chloride

Another essential mineral that is often overlooked, Chloride is a pivotal mineral that plays a significant role in maintaining proper hydration and endurance in the body. It works alongside sodium to regulate fluid balance, aiding in the absorption and retention of water. This makes it essential for athletes and individuals engaging in endurance activities. Chloride also helps in maintaining the body’s pH balance, supporting the digestive system, and facilitating the production of digestive acids. Trace minerals, like iron and zinc, may be needed in smaller quantities, but they are just as important.

There are no rocks to lick…

But what happens when you can’t find these minerals readily available in nature? That’s where Sarge and ME come in. The man in the story had heard about licking rocks for minerals, and it worked for him. However, this is not a reliable or safe way to get the minerals our bodies need. Stone soup is cool but not always fast or easy to make.  One night after a sauna session that resulted in no water consumption due to the flavor of the mineral solution I added, I started mixing things from my refrigerator.

Monaya’s Refridgerator

Pineapple ginger mock-up syrup, Keifer, bubble water. But sometimes I needed something faster. The following day I reduced the syrup that much more, bottled it with the salts, and created a concentrated drink that combines useful flavors and the minerals our bodies need. Every day for the last six months, before throwing each foot threw the door of the gym in protest, down goes the fiery salty bitch of a shot.  I called it Sosa, which is the Spanish word for briny. But it’s also an acronym for Save Our Sorry Asses.

Pineapple

The same molecular biologist that pulled me aside in a hallway our freshman year of college to show me the book The Spirit Molecule sat across from me a week later, sipping on his gin and juice. He leaned in to yell over the jukebox,  explaining that the pineapple juice in the cocktail contained bromelain, an enzyme with anti-inflammatory and digestive benefits. “Bromelain has been shown to aid in digestion and reduce inflammation,” he said. Max will always be incredibly helpful and send you down a beneficial path twenty years in the making. I had a strong affection for pineapple before this conversation, after, pineapple is available in all forms including powder at the Sarge and Me garage. 

Bromelain is a proteolytic enzyme found in pineapple stem and fruit, which has been shown to have numerous health benefits. It can aid in digestion, reduce inflammation, and even have anti-cancer properties. A study conducted on human subjects showed that bromelain reduced inflammation and improved overall joint function in individuals with osteoarthritis. Another study found that bromelain inhibited the growth of certain cancer cells. These findings suggest that bromelain may have therapeutic potential for a variety of health conditions. (References: Brien et al., 2006; Tysnes et al., 2011)

Ginger

Have you ever tried to drink pure ginger juice? Its not easy, although it does have this incredible lasting sensation. Heat. The person that taught me to put ginger root in a blender with two table spoons of water, pulse and enjoy likes heat. Hot yoga, deserts, Florida, and ass tons of ginger. Make it hot.
Ginger is a popular spice used in many cuisines and has been used for its medicinal properties for centuries. Ginger contains several beneficial compounds such as gingerols, shogaols, and paradols, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These compounds have been shown to help reduce nausea and vomiting, lower blood sugar levels, improve digestion, and reduce muscle pain and soreness. Additionally, ginger has been found to have anti-cancer properties and may help improve brain function. (Chen et al., 2013; Mashhadi et al., 2013; Bode & Dong, 2011).

So in light of all of this… 

Listen up, folks. Let me tell you a little story about a guy in a canyon who learned a lesson the hard way. You see, our bodies need minerals like magnesium, chloride, and trace minerals to function properly, especially when we’re pushing ourselves physically or in survival mode. Without them, we’re basically screwed.  Lucky for you, Sosa is friggin tasty and can be added to a margarita. Get smart and prioritize your mineral intake if you want to live your best adventure-ready life. Don’t be a dummy, remember, lick, don’t kick rocks.