Stevia: Natures Gift to the Sweet Tooth
Stevia rebaudiana, originally from Paraguay, is a natural herbal extract from a small shrub in the chrysanthemum family. Far sweeter than sugar (typically 200-300 times sweeter), stevia offers many benefits over sucrose, fructose and artificial sweeteners, and these benefits are rapidly making stevia the sweetener of choice among well-informed consumers. The FDA has approved stevia as a dietary additive, therefore, it is sold as a food grade herb, not as a sweetener. Almost everyone loves its unique flavor; others find that repeated use wins them over to its special taste, and they soon grow to love it.
Stevia is almost calorie-free, a real plus for weight-watchers. Recent research shows that it appears to prevent cavities. Parents feel good about using it in their children's snacks and in desserts for their family. Stevia won't give you that temporary "sugar high" followed by crashing fatigue and the craving for another fix. And because it is anti-fungal, those with yeast infections (candidiasis) can satisfy their sweet cravings without feeding the yeast. Seemingly safe for diabetics and hypoglycemia (based on studies in Asia and Europe), it may also help control blood sugar!
Stevia's extraordinary sweetness may require you to practice a bit. We recommend creating a liquid concentrate from powder, by adding one teaspoon of powder to three tablespoons of filtered water. For convenience, prepare a small dispenser bottle of the solution and place it in the refrigerator to prolong shelf life. Although individual tastes differ, one teaspoon of stevia solution equals approximately one cup of sugar. Different foods may require more or less sweetening. You will find our stevia has no bitter after taste. If you wish to order stevia (already in liquid form) or our book The "Feel Good Food Guide" (which uses stevia to sweeten desert recipes), call 1-888-468-5800.
See Recipes section in this website for a sample recipe using stevia.
The following is a sample recipe from the book The Feel Good Food Guide.
CANDIDA SAFE SYRUP
- 1 tablespoon organic unsalted Butter or Ghee or Spectrum Spread
- 2 tablespoons *Non-Alcoholic Vanilla
- 6 drops liquid Stevia or to taste
- Pinch ground Cinnamon
- Pinch Sea Salt
NOTE: This is the only time dairy is used in the book. It is used because it will not feed a yeast overgrowth, if you are allergic to dairy use the Spectrum Spread.
PREPARATION
Just heat butter, ghee or Spectrum Spread till melted in a sauce pan. Turn off heat and add remaining ingredients. Once combined, pour over pancakes, waffles, cake or oat meal. Toss with a couple cups of raw walnuts or pecans, and toast in 350° oven for 10 minutes. Once cool, a handful of these can satisfy a sweet snack craving!
To store nuts, spread out, onto a cookie sheet and freeze. Once frozen, place in an air tight glass container to store frozen for enjoying another time.
