Open Happiness - The Mini Version

The world's largest beverage company is downsizing. A couple of months ago, Coca-Cola announced the introduction of its new 90-calorie mini can; now it’s coming to a refrigerator near you.

A full page ad in the Sunday New York Times yesterday announced that “the world is changing and we are too.” The new can is cute and festive, with the image of a Classic Coke bottle on the front. The portion-controlled serving has about 50 calories less than the standard 12 ouncer.

That may not seem like much, but if you want to burn off 50 calories you’d have to take a brisk 15-minute walk. (How do I know? Check out this cool calorie calculator from About.com.)

Some people say we’re wired by evolution to finish all the food in front of us (and if like me, you were raised by depression-era parents, it can be hard to let anything go to waste). So Coke is making it easier for people who love its original, classic, non-diet, non-Zero taste (you know who you are!) to enjoy it in moderation.

It’s all about making choices that work for you. As Coke’s ads say, you can still choose to “open happiness” -- but now you’ll be able to enjoy it while feeling just a little more virtuous. Which is a form of happiness, too.

Here’s hoping you’re well!

Johanna