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Archive for the ‘NuStevia Recipes’ Category

Happy Valentine’s Day! Two Quick Recipes!

Posted in Desserts, NuStevia Recipes, tagged , , , , , , on February 14, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

Hello and Happy February 14th!

After an exhausting day yesterday, I was eager to jump in bed. But before I did, I wanted to leave you with two quick and romantic recipes. Trust me, they taste much more desirable than they look in this sleepy photos. 

image-1

Cashew Sun Milk

Makes about 4.5 cups.

  • 3/4 cup organic raw cashews
  • 1/4 cup organic raw sunflower seeds

Soak the nuts and seeds for around 3-4 hours in a bowl of water. (You do not have to soak but it is preferred– I made this beverage last night without soaking. The soaking softens their density making it easier to blend and for the water to absorb more flavors). Drain water and add nuts and seeds to a high-speed blender. Blend with 4 cups cool water. Strain through a “nut milk bag” (which can be purchased on amazon), over a large bowl. Squeeze the liquid into the bowl, leaving the “pulp” behind in the bag. Toss the pulp (or use it for another recipe), and add 2 tsp ground cinnamon, 14 drops alcohol free NuStevia, and/or 1 tbsp Maple Syrup, Grade B (optional). Stir and serve cool, or add to your tea or hot cacao.

Creamy. Delicious. A wonderful source of beautifying minerals.

Next up… Got a date? 

image

Grab two Medjool dates. Cut little slits down the top, exposing the pit inside. Remove pits and “stuff” each date with 2 tsp of raw almond butter. Sprinkle with ground cinnamon and sea salt. Serve.

Dates are a great source of potassium, and fiber.

Bursting with sugar, dates taste like candy. This treat is decadent, delightful, and if you were planning to reach for a reeses, or commercial candy, it is a much better alternative to your traditional candy coated desserts. I had one of my client’s call this a healthy peanut butter cup, though clearly there is no chocolate.

Enjoy!

I personally love the cashew sun milk!

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Oh wow- Double Chocolate Crunch Mousse– Totally Dairy Free, Vegan, Raw

Posted in Beautiful SKIN, Desserts, NuStevia Recipes, Recipes, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 12, 2012 | 1 Comment »

The other night I celebrated my one year anniversary with my husband.

In all honesty, it feels like we have been married for eleven– At least ten years.

I never imagined being married with three children in my twenties! It has been quite the three hundred and sixty five days. I have absolutely fabulous kids, but without family around, it can be especially overwhelming at times– lunches, dinners, work, clients, love, juicing, health. I have learned that my time is oh-so-valuable and very little. I am learning to cherish each moment to myself, as well as to cherish every fabulous and fun moment that I have with the kids. Their giggles and bliss are contagious. It makes every hardship worth it.

For our anniversary, my husband surprised me by arranging for a sleepover for each of our three kiddos… ON A SCHOOL NIGHT. My first thoughts were a combination of fear and pleasure! “Oh my gosh! Fun! I won’t have to worry about their safety” vs. “Oh my word, these parents… another child? A school night… aye!” Of course I knew our kids would be 100% delighted, so that surely was not a worry. 

Thank goodness the kids have wonderful friends, and we have such great neighbors.

As part of the surprise, my husband, took me to the restaurant where we had our very first date and very first kiss. Although the food was… what I remembered, and the owner (who made us feel special), out of town… they were sweet enough to bring out a fancy creme brûlée to celebrate our big night together. Spoiled as I may be with my own recipes, and perfectly content with dark chocolate, I loved the gesture (which was clearly a concoction of milk and eggs). 

Did I feel left out? Oh no. I had bigger plans in mind.

Later that eve, while my husband was making a fire in the fire place, I decided to celebrate with something far more fabulous, and hormone, lactose, casein, albumin, and sugar free.

The “oh-so-fabulous avocado chocolate mousse” I cannot keep my hands off.

Just you wait.

Ready??

That evening I made the  60 second version (cocoa, avocado, and vanilla stevia). But you should carve out the 10 minutes to make this one!

Serves 4-6

  • 4 large avocados, halved, pit removed
  • 1 cup raw cacao (or 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa) 
  • ½ cup dates, pitted and soaked in warm water for 10 min (if you are sugar sensitive, you can use more stevia and no dates!)
  • 1 tbsp vanilla (or Vanilla Stevia) I like mine extra sweet! You can also use powdered stevia.
  • 6 tbsp raw cacao nibs + some for sprinkling decor

Combine all ingredients in a food processor except for cocoa nibs. Process until smooth. Add cocoa nibs and process until mixed. Scoop out and chill in the fridge, or serve at room temperature. Garnish with cocoa nibs and unsweetened coconut flakes (optional).

You will love this mousse!

Creamy. Rich. Chocolaty. Indulgent.

On the upper upside? You can love this recipe without reeking havoc on your radiant skin and figure. Done. and Done.

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Millet Double Chocolate Cookies– Vegan, Whole Grain, Gluten-Free

Posted in Desserts, NuStevia Recipes, Recipes, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on August 29, 2012 | 4 Comments »

The men go out and play, and the girls stay home and…

slave over the oven?

Okay… maybe not slave. When not invited to the 10-year-old birthday celebration at some trampoline warehouse, I decided to try my hand (again) at baking– something that I am pretty close to terrible at doing (simply because I cannot help myself to attempt to make something “healthier” than the norm). 

Inspired by the insane and awesome work of ForgivingMartha, I desperately wanted to pretend I could do something even close to as beautiful and tasty. The result? Well… after a fun-filled sugary evening and some “ingredient risk-taking”, they were most certainly enjoyed (even after a filling birthday dinner for the boys). 

Thank goodness, because instead of using traditional wheat and treated (unbleached, bleached, enriched, etc.) flours, I decided on millet; a fluffy flour also the most alkaline of the grains. I also chose buckwheat as an additional flour.

  • Buckwheat and Millet are both technically “gluten-free,” and in a grand hierarchy of grains– they are both at the top. The top of the hierarchy is nice. Check! Check! 

The other challenge? I did not use an ounce of any type of milk, or a single egg. While I cannot say I am too impressed with my photography, these cookies were pretty impressively tasty, while still being infinitely more balanced and better for the body. The good news was, because they were not stripped of all of their nutritional values like most grains, they were also filling (in a good way– not an empty and deprived sort of discomfort). 

Apparently, I just might have the potential to do some occasional baking.

Phew. Not so evil of a step-mom after all… and the boys were excited to bring some to school in their lunch boxes.

Millet Double Chocolate Cookies– Makes about 32 cookies

“light. rich. chocolatey” — husband

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Mix your dry ingredients in your mixing bowl of choice.

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups Millet flour
  • 1/2 buckwheat flour
  • 3 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tbsp cocoa
  • 1 cup Enjoy Life Vegan Chocolate Chips (if you are looking for more of a chocolate chip look, add these in at the very end) 
  • 1/2 tsp Himalayan sea salt

Mix your wet ingredients separately.

Wet Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp raw coconut butter (Artisana)
  • 14 tbsp hot water
  • 2 flax eggs (2 tbsp ground flax seeds soaked in 4 tbsp warm/hot water. Allow to sit for 10 minutes)
  • 4 tbsp Grade B Maple Syrup
  • 1.5 tsp Vanilla NuStevia
  • 4 tbsp raw honey

Then combine wet and dry. Whisk until mixture is smooth. (Add in your chocolate chips). Put the whole bowl in the fridge to allow mixture to harden for at least 8 minutes. Spoon out desired cookie size onto a sprayed cookie sheet.

Cook for about 10-12 minutes. When cookies are finished, carefully remove each cookie onto a new platter (or they will continue to cook on the hot pan). I baked 3 sheets of 12– one at a time. 

Serve warm with a glass of coconut milk, or… I hear they taste even better the next day after a cool evening in the fridge. Hello fudge!!

I dare you to give these cookies a try, and also do me a favor and make this recipe even better! What are your favorite dessert recipes? Do you have any millet suggestions?

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Pineapple and The Miraculous Bromelain?

Posted in NuStevia Recipes, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on May 21, 2012 | 6 Comments »

Lurking behind the pineapple’s prickly exterior is a golden flesh, heralded for its sweet citrusy flavor and enzyme–  bromelain.

Best eaten when just freshly sliced (fresh fruits and vegetables start to oxidize and begin to lose nutrients after slicing), and on an empty stomach, the enzyme in pineapple powerfully aids in digestion. Due to its digestive enhancement qualities, bromelain is commonly isolated and found in digestive enhancement supplements– a hot item on the market these days.

Aside from its important role in digestion, bromelain has an impressive resume.

Bromelain 

Experience: Naturally found in pineapple; looking to support the health and immunity of the body by enhancing digestion, and warding off inflammation.

Anti-Aging:

  • Thought to reduce tissue irritation, helps to keep the skin youthful and glowing
Reduction of Inflammation:
  • Considered a powerful anti-inflammatory and used to treat joint inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis

Injury Repair:

  • Commonly used to combat swelling after post-traumatic stress

Cardiac Assistance:

  • Research shows that there is a reduction in platelet aggregation
  • Helps to reduce plaque build-up in arteries
Digestive Enhancement:
  • Helps to breakdown food properly and completely for assimilation of nutrients
A Note on Isolation: It is easy to look at bromelain’s qualities and say: “I want that!” But regardless of what studies have shown, Mother Nature offers these exceptional nutrients as a package because they are meant to be consumed in their whole form. In other words, you cannot pick Bromelain from a tree, or expect an extraction of the the nutrient to work magic solo.
 
Pineapple offers this active enzyme in addition to various other nutrients, like vitamins A and C, calcium, potassium, and manganese, in addition to sugars, water, and fiber– galore!
This package deal, the UPD– as I like to refer to it as, helps us to better assimilate the nutrients.
We want Mother Nature’s UPD. We want the nourishment– a.k.a. the nutrients, that are more quickly digested (because they are natural– not a fortified recreation), and have the potential to be more readily absorbed in a healthy body. We also want the fiber, water, etc. that keeps things a’ moving in there, and helps us to naturally get rid of the toxic waste that slows down our productivity.
It would be like trying to get somewhere in a boat without a paddle, or trying to wrap a present without tape.
Could you do it?
Sure! The body is brilliant and creative.
But… would it take more energy?
Would it be done well?
Properly?
Completely?
Eh… Not so much. Whole foods work better together, instead of isolation. 
So eat your pineapple.
Enjoy the taste and the health benefits– but don’t forget about the UPD, and the rest of your diet.
Here is another article on Bromelain. More on supplementation here. 

Note: Due to it’s porous skin, try to enjoy organic pineapples, especially since pineapples are not one to be grown “locally.” 

 ~ – ~

NUNATURALS WINNERS

As for my winners- I have randomly chosen the following (4) to win NuNaturals new Lemon and Orange flavors!

1. Elizabeth:

“I am working on eliminating sugar, so this would is a perfect time to finally try stevia. I am especially intrugued by using it in homemade salad dressing. Store bought dressing has so much sugar! Thanks for offering the giveaway–love your blog!”

2. Kaitlyn:

“I have the origional flavwould love to try some flavored stevia! Smoothies, summer-y dressings, tea, homemade sorbet”

3. Katie-Lee:

“I liked them both on Facebook! I am new to your blog but I absolutely love it! Your health information is very insightful and all of your recipies sound amazing. I have actually never used any of NuNaturals products but I would love the opprotunity to do so. I am a college girl who is always looking for new, creative things to cook with. I would love to use the NuNatural orange and lemon flavors in my smoothies and my baking!”

4. Sunnie of MGN:

“Salad recipe looks amazing- thanks for sharing! I would definitely use the the NuNaturals in my smoothies to amp up flavor. I would also like to try marinating with them- particularly salmon. It would be so nice to have a different flavor than vanilla in my yogurt, too! Also, I liked your Facebook page.:)”

Thanks so much to all that entered! Please send me your shipping information, etc. so that I may pass it on to NuNaturals!

lauren@theglowdetoxdiet.com

Happy Monday!

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“Ginger Snap” Frozen Yogurt, Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, Gluten-Free

Posted in Desserts, NuStevia Recipes, Recipes, The Truth About Dairy, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 18, 2012 | 7 Comments »

Why hello, and Happy Friday to all. 

Today “TGIF” hardly has it’s “Oh-My-Gosh, it’s the weekend” feel, but I will be happy to at least set my alarm to a time after 5:00 am… or is that wishful thinking? I think it may be.

Despite this weekend’s whirlwind of activities and work schedules, the summer heat of Texas is upon us, and when it gets hot, I think: Frozen Dessert! More specifically, I think: Ice Cream!

Back in the day, I was quite a “low-calorie”, frozen yogurt fanatic. That stuff was like my drug, transmitting little delightful signals of bliss from tongue to brain, igniting my pleasure centers, and then… alas… the buzz would be gone, and the low would set in. Bummer.

Those days are over, however- thanks to a wonderful thing that occurs when a ripened frozen banana meets a high speed blender.

Sure, we all know about frozen banana smoothies, but how about one reminiscent of a ginger snap cookie,  and easier and healthier to make than a fresh batch of cookies to boot!

Ginger Snap Frozen Yogurt 

  • 2-3 (pre-peeled) frozen ripe bananas
  • 1 piece of peeled fresh ginger, about 1 tsp
  • 6 drops of Vanilla NuStevia*
  • Generous sprinkling of organic ground cinnamon
  • a pinch of nutmeg, optional
  • 1/2-1 cup cool water (amount will vary depending on your blender’s capabilities).

Blend it up and serve. Yields 2-3 cups of frozen deliciousness.

Even better, this is a fantastic dessert idea for kids, and is not acid-forming, or difficult to digest like those frozen yogurts, and ice creams.

And while your enjoying that icy cool treat, check out this article for a chance to win *NuNatural’s new lemon and orange liquid stevia flavors. It’s so easy to win this giveaway. Just comment here, on the NuNatural’s Facebook page, and my GLOW page, if you would be so kind.

Happy Friday. Winners announced on Monday.

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The Backyard Salad- and Giveaway

Posted in Entree, NuStevia Recipes, Recipes, tagged , , , , , , , , , on May 14, 2012 | 15 Comments »

This past weekend my husband and I were thoughtfully invited to an annual crawfish gathering in the neighborhood.

I opted out of anything crustacean related, and instead brought along a fresh green salad, with a summer edge and hearty twist.

I wanted something light, but also something satiating enough to stand “alone”.

To create a backyard, barbecue feel, I used juicy portabello mushrooms for meatiness, if you will, and freshly “roasted” red peppers. These are my “go-to” dense salad “dressers.”

Weight:

To get started, preheat your oven to 350 degrees. On a cooking pan, place 2 large portabello mushrooms, (caps only), and 1-2 red peppers, deseeded and cut into halves. Let bake in the oven until mushroom is juicy (about 10 minutes), and the red pepper’s skin is wrinkling (12-15 minutes). Remove and towel dry the mushroom. Allow to cool. Remove the red peppers, allowing time to cool, and then carefully peel off it’s wrinkly skin. Towel dry. Set aside.

Base:

  • 8 ounces of organic arugula
  • 8 ounces of organic fresh spinach leaves
  • 1/8 cup thinly sliced red onion
  • 1 cup golden cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 garlic choves, chopped (optional)
  • Fresh basil and parsley optional, know your audience on this one… I opted out. 

Dress:

  • 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup olive oil, plus 2 tbsp
  • 1 tsp fresh minced garlic
  • 3 tbsp fresh parsley leaves and stems, roughly chopped
  • 3 tbsp fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
  • 6 drops Orange NuNaturals NuStevia
  • Blend in high speed blender (like Magic Bullet) until smooth

Realign, and Combine

  • Toss the Base with the Dressing
  • Thinly slice and then halve the mushrooms and red peppers
  • Add on the weight
  • Sprinkle on a quality sea salt, like a sweet Pink Himalayan

Give it a final toss, and then go.

The salad will wilt significantly with the weight of the dressing and toppings. I love this because it gives the salad a massaged and denser feel.

The Result.

The mushroom and peppers are mild in flavor but “heavy”, and completely balance out the spicier arugula, creamy spinach, and fresh tasting herb dressing that is also surprisingly and just perfectly sweet! 

Had their been more grilled veggies, I would have been adding this to the salad also.

Those that tried it, loved it! And I am sure the crustaceans would have preferred it also. 

Want to make this salad? The orange NuStevia I added to the dressing was what really gave this dressing a unique gourmet and summer flavor. (And it was oh-so-simple).

GIVEAWAY. 

I have a little Giveaway to announce. NuNaturals is generously awarding (4) Four readers the opportunity to win their new Orange and Lemon flavors! The orange is what I tried out for this salad. I can’t say that these new flavors will replace my attachment to the Vanilla and Original Alcohol-Free NuStevia’s I use regularly, but I invite you to give it a try!

Giveaway Rules? 

Pretty simple:

  1. “Like” the NuNaturals Facebook page,
  2. “Like” my Facebook GLOW page,
  3. Then let me know you did so by commenting below with what you want to make with your goodies (it could be as simple as adding it to your tea).

*NuNaturals asks that you are in the U.S. and have an address that they can ship to (that is not a P.O. Box).

Contest Starts Today, and I’ll announce the 4 winners a week from now.

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Healthier Fudge Popsicles, Dairy-Free and Delish!

Posted in Beautiful SKIN, NuStevia Recipes, tagged , , , , , , , , on January 30, 2012 | 4 Comments »

Best Sister and Aunt of the Year

Though I may be just slightly biased, my younger sister ought to be recognized as the most thoughtful and coolest aunt (and sister) of the year.

Much to our surprise, we were gifted an incredibly creative and awesome gift this holiday season– a Zoku “Quick Pop” Maker from William Sonoma.

The Zoku Quick Pop Maker is a fabulous little kitchen appliance– relatively simple to use, a surprisingly easy clean-up, and an exceptional way to make desserts both healthful and fun for the whole family–it has been a hit.

We managed to recreate a pretty rockin’, dairy-free version of Zoku’s Fudge-sicle recipe. If you don’t have a Zoku, it’s all good (it will just take a lot longer to freeze). Simply freeze your mixture into a plastic cup and eat with a spoon, or, for a “cooler” idea? Pour mixture into an ice cube tray and freeze overnight.  When you are ready, add these baby fudge-sicle cubes into a cold class of coconut, or almond milk.

Sinful Fudge Popsicle Recipe

The original recipe called for milk, cream, and sugar… so we made necessary adjustments. :)

Yields 6 Zoku Quick Pops:

  • 1 cup water, brought to a boil on stove top, and then removed
  • 1 tbsp raw coconut butter (Artisana)
  • 3/4 cup dark chocolate chunks, or chips, added to water and stirred until smooth

Let mixture cool for 10 minutes

Add:

  • 20 drops Alcohol Free NuStevia
  • 10 drops Vanilla Alcohol Free NuStevia
  • A sprinkle of celtic sea salt
  • 1/2 cup cold Unsweetened Coconut Milk

Stir mixture and place final concoction in fridge to cool if using Zoku. If using something else, add immediately to your final freezing destination, and place into freezer.

While the design of Zoku may be slightly flawed– I have yet to witness a popsicle miraculously “freeze before my eyes”, I had no problem popping the beautiful gadget into our freezer for an accelerated frozen treat. We then stored the “extras” in the freezer. Translation: We stored the ones that were not being eaten, while we whipped up another batch.

No complaints here!

On another note: I mentioned last week, I am taking part in the Naturopathica Challenge. This has been a unique challenge for me. I am hardly one to use multiple products on my skin. I am a minimalist. I am a firm believer that diet is the main component to a beautiful complexion, and products are supplemental. I did however mention that finding the Naturopathica Skin care line has been the “icing to my cake.” It has been!

The new Regimen Kits, designed for Age Defense, Normal to Oily, or Normal to Dry skin are a wonderful way to let your skin “taste test” the extraordinary benefits of truly all-natural skin products. If you have been using anything other than natural products on your skin, the positive results will be astonishing.

Creamy, smooth, and delicately aromatic, my favorite products  have left my skin supple, soft and hydrated. What has really appealed to me, however, has been the noticeable decrease in inflammation. My skin has become the ideal canvas for whatever makeup I choose to apply– and lately that has been very minimal. 

I still have days to go before I give you my personal and honest favorite products, but I just got word that Naturopathica is offering insiders the opportunity to win a pre-Valentine’s Day massage, or facial, at a Naturopathica partner spa near you (up to a $200 value). 3 Winners will be announced on February 10th! Just in time for the Hallmark Holiday.

  • Each winner will also receive an all-new Regimen Kit (like the one I am sampling) - customized for Age Defense, Normal to Oily, or Normal to Dry skin.
  • When you sign up, you also automatically get 20% of your next order, and free shipping with orders over $75.00. Plus, and I love this part, with every order you get 3 product samples of your choosing.
  • Sign-up for their Valentine’s Day offer and get your 20% off.

I will be back with more updates from my Naturopathica product testing…

I cannot wait to start sharing all of my skincare secrets with you this year! (and these secrets are unrealated to products).

~ – ~

Have you ever tried Naturopathica products? What products do you use now? What is your skin type?

Ever tried a Zoku Quick Pop Maker? Have ideas for healthy recipes!?

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Keeping Life Sweet, and Staying OFF Sugar

Posted in ADD and ADHD, Anxiety, NuStevia Recipes, tagged , , , , on January 17, 2012 | 14 Comments »

Like many kids and adults, I liked life sweet.

But just like any drug, my bliss and sugar high always brought me lower than I started, and yearning for more.

Of course, at a young age, we do not make this connection. As an adult, we attribute these feelings to being “normal.”

Had I fully realized the actual detriments of my diet, however, I would have saved myself a lot of trouble.

My constant insecurities were generally along the lines of stubborn baby weight, (which was more like a puffiness I never could sweat off), and later down the road, hormonal imbalances, acne, anxiety, and depression.

There were many things about my genealogy that were imperfect and contributing to my predicament, but I was never able to fully accept that DNA was the root cause for my problems, and where diet was concerned, there was not one piece of information I read that did not contradict itself. Fats, low fats, low calorie, sugar-free, exercise, pills, medications, and beauty products all seemed to be the “solution”—or never-ending solution, that is.

It was all absurd.

Regardless of whether I feasted on regular sugar, or the diet stuff, my body, moods and skin were left in a constant limbo. Neither “regular” or “diet” products contributed to my well-being, and instead: stressed hormones, left me sleepless, or exhausted, and unable to stay away from sugar without feeling like I was missing out, or depriving myself.

I had no idea that, aside from the other “food,” and processed and refined flour I was also enjoying regularly (which converts to simple sugar also), sugar was not just something that would tick off the dentist, but rather— poison me.

Sugar, refined, processed, and the diet stuff too, all leave an acid “ash” residue in the body. That is, after the body has used, or most likely– been unable to use for energy, the “waste” residue remaining lowers the body’s internal pH. When the body is “out of balance,” it invites bacteria, yeasts, and weakens the immunity. These yeasts (like Candida) which further contribute to the problem, thrive on sugars, refined foods, and foods that are not readily broken down (ground chicken tacos with cheese, etc.). These imbalances, or toxins, affect everything from our complexion, and weight, to our body’s ability to fight against aging and disease, as well as find happiness.

While I would be lying to say that the removal of sugar itself is the answer to everything (baked potatoes and rice are converted to sugar also), it can be extremely difficult to get that jump-start on a healthy “diet” without feeling deprived, or remorse for the attachment you had to some foods, when you decide to cut out the “bad”– cold turkey.

I certainly had emotional attachments to foods, and food groups, but one of my biggest issues was leaving alone the sweeter things. I liked life sweet.

And low and behold, I still do… because life is meant to be sweet.

Though I consider the best source of sugar is via carrots (juiced, or raw) and beets (juiced, grated raw, baked, or roasted), this would be like suggesting everyone use bicycles as their main mode of transportation.

Healthy,

Beneficial…

and… Unrealistic.

I get my fair share of carrots, but in between, I have to say I am still a fan of stevia. Stevia, an herbal sweetener, is very low calories and highly concentrated making it sweeter than sugar. While I would not go as far as to check it off as a “miracle food,” I do think that it is a great alternative to highly processed and chemically altered sugar, and faux-sugars. It is also extremely helpful in transitioning to a lifestyle focused on whole foods.

I must say that I am loyal to NuStevia because I know the product fairly well, and have been using it for 5 years now. While I now stray away from most powdered sweeteners, as I do not love the additives that prevent the stevia extract from caking, and such, I absolutely love the liquid versions that NuStevia has to offer (it also comes in an alcohol-free version also– I like these best!).

(With all of the brands of Stevia making it to the market, I also like that NuStevia is not owned by our dear “friends” that also happen to mass produce sodas).

Which is why I am always excited when NuNaturals asks me if I would like to hold a NuStevia giveaway.

Of course!!

Why?

I like this brand for their honesty, and taste. I also enjoy it in many of my recipes, and I want you to be able to enjoy it also.

How to win?

Just comment, tweet, Facebook, and get the word out. Then come back and comment below to let me know that you did! Why do you want to try NuStevia? Have you ever tried Stevia before? Are you excited to try it for yourself and your family? Any recipes that you would like to enjoy?

~ FOUR (4) WILL WIN! ~

4 readers will win a box of 50 NuStevia white packets, and 1 Liquid Vanilla NuStevia (my fav product!).

If you like life sweet, YOU WILL LOVE NUSTEVIA.

Can’t wait to hear from you all!

In addition: SAVE MONEY!

Save 15% on your entire order when you type in the code: BLG0612 at checkout! and receive FREE SHIPPING to the CONTINENTAL U.S. on all orders TOTALING $35.00, and over, AFTER this special discount.

Contest starts now! Winners will be announced on Monday, January 23rd, 2012!

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Cool Basil Mint (raw / vegan) Ice Cream

Posted in Desserts, NuStevia Recipes, pH and The Body, The Truth About Dairy, tagged , , , , , on May 23, 2011 | 3 Comments »

Recently coconut prices escalated to $2.99 a pop in Dallas… not in my budget… so when I caught them on sale for $1.99, I jumped on it.

Young Thai Coconut “meat” is truly a treat. Rich and creamy with a subtle “coconut” flavor, unlike that potent artificial coconut “stuff” on the market, when blended with a little bit of ice, sweetener, and coconut water (or H2O) it is heavenly.

I love real coconut and blended just right, coconut desserts can rival a bowl of ice cream, without the laundry list of attributes associated with a bowl of dairy ice cream.

On top of that, the medium chained fatty acid (lauric acid) in coconut oil is considered to have antiviral, and anti-fungal properties.

A badass dessert with sweet n’ creamy satisfaction? A dessert that is fights “bad guys”?

Um… I’ll take it.

The man of my dreams is also a graduate of the Culinary Institute in Manhattan… so sometimes I get competitive enough to jump out my safety zone and try something a little bit… “out of the ordinary”.

That’s when I spotted the Basil leaves…

Cool Basil Mint Coconut Ice Cream

  • 2 cups young thai coconut
  • 1/4 warm water
Blend until smooth and then add…
  • 1/4 cup fresh coconut water
  • 2 basil leaves
  • a few mint leaves
  • 14 drops Vanilla NuStevia (or more for extra sweetness)
  • 1 pinch celtic sea salt (optional)
  • 2 tsp raw coconut butter, or 1 tsp raw coconut oil (totally optional)
  • enough ice until the consistency is desirable
Blend…. blend… blend, my friends.
Serve in a bowl over fresh berries if you so choose, or enjoy as is. You will not want to share.

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Sweet Winners

Posted in NuStevia Recipes, tagged on May 5, 2011 | 1 Comment »

Sorry for the late night (and short) post…

We are preparing for (and have) company…

and in the midst, we are also prepping for what will be a fantastic little Hello Kitty party shindig… Happy 5th Birthday, A! :)

That being said… I moved to Dallas exactly one year ago today, and in honor of The Best Decision of My Life (and Cinco de Mayo, of course) I have four readers who have won a free ticket to a sweeter life with some NuNaturals NuStevia.

Each winner will snag their very own Alcohol Free Liquid Vanilla, and a box of Stevia powder. Anything you can imagine sugar in… NuStevia does it better (in my opinion).

This time around, the lucky winners are! 

  1. Kelly
  2. Natalie
  3. Steph
  4. Jen
I will send ya’ll emails!
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Oh… and for those that did not snag this fabulous free NuStevia, I invite you save at: www.NuNaturals.com. Use the code: BLG531 to get 15% off of your order (Offer Expires MAY 31, 2011).  For more information, check out this post on Sucralose.

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