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Posts Tagged ‘Win Stevia’
The Better Sweet Sweetener
Posted in Recent Posts, tagged win diet sugar, Win Stevia on January 21, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
Two Weight-Loss Ingredients to Stay Away From
Posted in Food Additives, NuStevia Recipes, pH and The Body, tagged healthiest protein shakes, healthy protein ideas, is dairy healthy, is protein powder healthy?, is soy healthy, protein shakes nutrition, soy protein isolate, Stevia contest, whey protein, Win Stevia on April 29, 2011 | 4 Comments »
It’s all about protein, protein, protein at the gym. While protein is indeed important, unless you are vegan, it is very unlikely that you are not getting enough. (Too much, in fact). That topic, however is for another day.
If you are big on protein packed meals, especially protein bars, powders, and shakes, you are more than likely running into different versions of protein concentrates. Let’s take a closer look at two common culprits: “Whey Protein and Soy Protein Isolate.”
Soy Protein Isolate:
Who: Soy protein Isolate is a high protein powder that has been further processed from the remaining residues that exist after soy oil is extracted from soybeans. (In other words, soy protein = processed “leftovers.”)
What: Used as a protein supplement and positioned (or marketed) as a weight loss, weight gain, or body building food.
Where: Commonly seen in protein powders and bars, but also used as a meat substitute or lunch meats, seasoning, soup, cereal, candy, and salad toppers like (artificial bacon bits).
My thoughts:
- For starters, Soy Protein is highly processed at high temperatures. It is not natural. If something is not natural, it will not nourish the body in a way that is beneficial to the WHOLE body.
- It is acid-forming.
- Soy is mucus forming and difficult to digest. Digestion is key to weight loss and overall health. You want that healthy glow, right? (Isn’t that the point of working out? Health?)
- Soy protein isolate is considered a carcinogen (Cancer causing).
- Soy is a commodity crop (cheap and mass produced). Unless organic, soy beans are likely to contain pesticides (and this is even before the chemical processing).
- Read more about Soy.
Whey Protein Concentrate:
Who: Whey protein is what remains of a cows milk after the casein (very slow digesting protein) is removed. Whey contains a slow-digesting protein and has a relatively sweet taste due to its high lactose content (lactose =milk sugar).
What: Used as a protein supplement and positioned (or marketed) as a weight loss, weight gain, or body building food.
Where: Commonly seen in protein powders and bars, but also used to bind meat products (like sausages), and add a mild flavor (and protein) to candies, ice creams, and cereals (to name a few).
My thoughts:
- For starters, Whey Protein is highly processed at high temperatures. Whey Protein is not a natural, living protein. If something is not natural, it will not nourish the body.
- It is acid-forming.
- Whey protein is milk-derived. Because of this, you are automatically going to want to be wary of it’s source: Is it organic, or inorganic? Inorganic milk products can contain hormones and potentially other unwanted additives like antibiotics. These “extra” ingredients are passed down from the cow.
- Additionally, milk is hard to digest (meaning it stays in the stomach longer, which is one of the reasons it is recommended in weight loss programs (if it stays in your stomach longer, there is less reason to be hungry– and that is the gym-rat “mentality“)). Digestion is crucial to long-lasting health and weight loss. Slow digestion equates to weight gain and disease (down the road).
- It is not uncommon for Whey protein powders to be bleached with benzoyl peroxide.
- If you are extra sensitive to milk products, stay even farther away.
- Read more about Milk.
Looking for healthier protein alternative? I like this article: “The Low-Down on Vegan Protein Powders.“
Overall… avoid the above when at all possible…
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Where have you seen the two about ingredients the most?
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C O N T E S T
On a more POSITIVE NOTE!!!
This is the no-cal, natural sweetener I talk about ALL THE TIME, in all of my sweet recipes. NuNaturals has been awesome enough to award (4) winners the opportunity to get creative in the kitchen. Check out the contest here. Contest ends Cinco de Mayo. What would you make?
Healthy Thirst Quencher: Coconut Water– the natural “ade”
Posted in Recent Posts, Recipes, tagged coconut water, healthiest sports drinks, healthy sports drink, is coconut water healthy, is gatorade healthy?, is powerade healthy, unhealthy sports drinks, Vanilla NuStevia, what is in gatorade, what is in powerade, Win Stevia on August 10, 2010 | 4 Comments »
I drink a lot of liquids. I start off my breakfast with 24 ounces of fresh, raw vegetable juice, and I recently have found that bottled carrot juice, although unfortunately pasteurized, is the equivalent to my coffee. That being said, one of my favorite ways to stay hydrated is coconut water.
Coconut water is naturally high in electrolytes, making it my favorite pre, and post-workout beverage. With more potassium than a banana, it knocks the socks off chemical-ridden sports drinks that are typically loaded with unnatural ingredients, and sugars, and very high in sodium. It troubles me to watch my younger brother down a few sport-”ades”, because he “needs” them for his workout. Granted, I understand that they are all beautiful colors, but… um… Trust me, the last thing our body needs after a strenuous workout is a few bottles of liquid chemicals.
Coconuts… specifically, fresh, young Thai coconuts are my favorite thirst quencher/”sports” drink. You really can’t beat Mother Nature’s own sports drink. Recently, coconut water has taken the grocery shelves by storm, and although it is pasteurized, and in my opinion, incomparable to the benefits you receive when opening your own coconut, I understand that the best way to enjoy coconut water, is definitely not the most practical.
That being said, now that coconut water is on most every shelf, there is no excuse to be drinking that “other” florescent liquid, little brother.
While I love coconut water on it’s own, I am always looking for new ways to improve the health benefits of everything I enjoy. Superior digestion is one of the keys to increased energy. In the simplest of terms, if the body’s energy is focused on trying to break down food, you are going to feel sluggish (you know how you lose steam after eating a heavy meal…?). That being said, probiotics, i.e. healthy bacteria, aid in digestion, and support a healthy immunity. So I figured, why not combine the two!?
Ultimate Coconut-ade.
6-8 oz Coconut Water
1 capsule live probiotics (I like Udo’s adult Probiotics)
Blend (or the probiotics will just float on top)
Serve chilled for a hydrating beverage with a deliciously delicate milky flavor.
Although a raw young coconut is ideal for optimal energy, a pasteurized coconut drink (like the ones running rampant in most groceries) will suffice! Drink Instead of sports drinks…
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Don’t forget about the contest!
P.S. Don’t forget to enter for the chance to win $21 +Free Shipping of my absolute favorite Vanilla Stevia there is on the market. The kind folks at NuNaturals are awarding (4) of my readers some great stuff. Definitely check it out! Stevia is wonderful if you are trying to avoid sugar, and other artificial sweeteners. Zero calories, I love to add the Vanilla Stevia to my coconut shakes, and cart around packets of Stevia “just in case” I am in the need for sweet. Trust me, with amount of running around I do these daysl, I get pretty darn excited for my traditional hot cocoa in the AM. It is 105 degrees in Texas, but my office is about 2 degrees.
Stevia Giveaway! Enter a fun recipe to win!
Posted in Recent Posts, Recipes, tagged avocado, Chocolate Banana Pudding, cocoa, Giveaway, is stevia healthy, stevia, Stevia contest, sugar is bad, vanilla, Vanilla Stevia, why avoid sugar, Win Stevia on August 5, 2010 | 26 Comments »
I try to avoid sugar for many reasons, but I am not afraid to admit that I like my life sweet. That being said.. aside from my usage of raw honey, and agave, I am loyal to NuNatural NuStevia (recipes), because honestly it is the best tasting Stevia I have ever tried! I am particularly fond of their Vanilla NuStevia, but I used to be infamous for carrying around a handful of NuStevia packets in my purse (hey! You never know when you will want to sweeten up something, and you won’t see me reaching for Splenda, or carrying around my own personal container of raw honey).
Check out one of my sisters favorite Chocolate Banana Pudding Recipes!
Thanks to my generous friend Ron at NuNaturals, and to welcome me to my new home in Dallas… we’ve got two exciting offers (and one is a contest, and I love contests!)
1. 15% off to all of my readers that enter in the code BLG930 when they place an order (any amount) at NuNaturals.com. I highly suggest you try their Vanilla NuStevia… life changing… Even cooler… Free Shipping on orders of $35 and more. I can honestly tell you that this will be money well spent (especially if you think you may have Candida, or other sugar intolerances). Calorie free, and versatile, I have made some of the most amazing recipes with their Vanilla NuStevia! While I do not consider any Stevia to be a “health food” — I think that it wonderful for anyone trying to ween themselves off sugar, and other artificial sweeteners.
Now for the WELCOME TO DALLAS CONTEST… WIN NUNATURALS NUSTEVIA
2. NuNaturals will send four (4) of my readers (U.S. Only):
one (1) box of our NuNaturals White Stevia Powder, 50 ct. packets, PLUS one (1) bottle of our Vanilla Stevia Liquid, 2 oz.
Starting yesterday… I will be looking for (4) of you that comment below with some cool ideas of what they would make with their prize of NuStevia. It doesn’t have to be crazy creative, but I would love to see some refreshing ideas if you have them! And seriously, if you can’t think of anything… I still want you to win, so anything yummy will do! What are you dying to make? Comment below with your recipe, and then retweet this! Spread the word! (I had some pretty cool recipes last time, so I am pretty excited about this WELCOME TO DALLAS contest!)
Additionally, these “(4) four contest winner’s recipes will be submitted to NuNaturals, WITH THE ENTRANT’S PERMISSION, for consideration to be added to the NuNaturals ALL-STAR RECIPE COLLECTION that we offer all of our customers around the world. This is a proud collection of recipes supplied to us by Award Winning Chefs, Authors, and Professional Nutritionists in the world of Food & Health.” It is a pretty hefty collection of fun recipes using Stevia!
Contest ends on Tuesday Aug 17th at Midnight! Winners to be announced on Wednesday, the following day!
I so look forward to your responses!!
Healthy Sun-Dried Tomato Mayo (Sans Mayo), Giveaway, and Discount
Posted in Recipes, tagged 15% off Stevia, condiments are bad for you, condiments are fattening, discounts at nunaturals.com, healthy ketchup recipe, healthy marinara recipe, healthy sugar alternatives, healthy sun dried tomato recipe, How to win Stevia, NuNaturals contest, nunaturals coupon, NuNaturals NuStevia, raw ketchup, raw marinara, raw sun dried tomato mayo, sugar is not healthy, Vanilla Stevia, Win Stevia on August 4, 2010 | 10 Comments »
A fast food junkie for over 17 years, I have always adored condiments and creamy dressings. Even after becoming more nutritionally aware, I still do. While I still have a childlike reaction to the occasional taste of ketchup (there is not a whole lot I consume on a regular basis that requires ketchup, or I am sure I would eat it more– even though I have 100% flavored up a “bland” salad with it before) I absolutely love, love, anything that reminds me of my “old-time” favorites: Ketchup. Mayo. Creamy Marinara…
This creamy sun-dried tomato mayo is a wonderful additional to any of your favorite dishes, and a fabulously healthy replacement for traditional mayos, dressings, and marinades.
Healthy Sun-Dried Tomato Mayo uses:
- Use instead of mayonnaise on your favorite sandwich
- Sweeten with a touch of agave, and use instead of ketchup, or BBQ sauce
- Marinate raw veggies, cooked veggies, or even poultry, and white fish dishes
- Use instead of hummus or guacamole, or even add to hummus and guacamole for a fun and untraditional twist
- Use as a dip for your favorite crackers, and chips
- Use as a creamy dressing, or add water, (or a touch of olive oil) for a thinner, and more consistent dressing
- Spread over toasted sprouted grain breads for a delicious Italian tasting treat
- Double up the recipe for an amazingly “raw” marinara sauce, perfect for raw pastas, or cooked pasta dishes
Ready for it!?
Raw Sun-Dried Tomato Mayo
this picture is obviously not beautiful, but seriously… when was the last time you saw a photograph of condiments hanging in someone’s house?
In your high speed blender combine:
- 1/4 cup fresh basil
- 16 sun dried tomatoes (soaked for 10-15 minutes in warm water)
- 2 tbsp garlic infused olive oil
- 11 tbsp warm water
- 1 pinch cayenne spice
- I also threw in 2 pinches fresh whole gourmet peppercorns
Blend until it is creamy… and enjoy!
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How did you like this recipe? How did you modify it? How did you use it??
GIVEAWAY
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Back to my love for ketchup, I have been asked, many a time, “Why is ketchup unhealthy?” Without jumping into a lengthy diatribe, it is safe to say that ketchup is more, or less, a beautiful concoction of tomatoes, vinegar, and SUGAR. Lots and lots of sugar. I try to avoid sugar for many reasons, but I am not afraid to admit that I like my life sweet. That being said.. aside from my usage of raw honey, and agave, I am loyal to NuNatural NuStevia (recipes), because honestly it is the best tasting Stevia I have ever tried! I am particulrly fond of their Vanilla NuStevia, but I used to be infamous for carrying around a handful of NuStevia packets in my purse– hey! You never know when you will want to sweeten up something, and you won’t see me reaching for Splenda!
So… Thanks to my generous friend Ron at NuNaturals, and to welcome me to my new home in Dallas… we’ve got two exciting offers (and one is a contest, and I love contests!)
1. 15% to all of my readers that enter in the code BLG930 when they place an order (any amount) at NuNaturals.com. I highly suggest you try their Vanilla NuStevia… life changing… Even cooler… Free Shipping on orders of $35 and more. I can honestly tell you that this will be money well spent. Calorie free, and versatile, I have made some of the most amazing recipes with their Vanilla NuStevia! And if you want to make your own ketchup, try the above recipe sweetened with their Stevia. Sugar-free! Delicious! Great for anyone trying to ween themselves off sugar, and other artificial sweeteners.
Now for the WELCOME TO DALLAS CONTEST… WIN NUNATURALS NUSTEVIA
2. NuNaturals will send four (4) of my readers (U.S. Only):
one (1) box of our NuNaturals White Stevia Powder, 50 ct. packets, PLUS one (1) bottle of our Vanilla Stevia Liquid, 2 oz.
Starting today… I will be looking for 4 of my readers that comment below with some cool ideas of what they would make with their prize of NuStevia. It doesn’t have to be crazy creative, but I would love to see some refreshing ideas! What are you dying to make? It can be raw! Vegan! (Non-Vegan), Cooked, Vegetarian, Dessert! Breakfast, Dinner! Whatever!!!… Comment below with your recipe, and then retweet this! Spread the word! The 4 readers that retweet, and send me over a mouthwatering recipe, will win their own NuStevia (and I had some pretty cool recipes last time, so I am pretty excited about this WELCOME TO DALLAS contest!)
Additionally, these “(4) four contest winner’s recipes will be submitted to NuNaturals, WITH THE ENTRANT’S PERMISSION, for consideration to be added to the NuNaturals ALL-STAR RECIPE COLLECTION that we offer all of our customers around the world. This is a proud collection of recipes supplied to us by Award Winning Chefs, Authors, and Professional Nutritionists in the world of Food & Health.” It is a pretty hefty collection of fun recipes using Stevia!
Contest starts NOW, and ends on Tuesday Aug 17th at Midnight! Winners to be announced on Wednesday, the following day!
spread the good health
Dear Diary…
Lauren Talbot
Test the Waters
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