In my search for natural sweetners to replace sugar and artifical sweetners, I came across Nekutli Agave Nectar. This sweet nectar comes from the agave place which is grown in Mexico (and used in Tequila).
Nekutli Nectar comes in clear, amber, and raw. There are also numerous flavoured Agave Nectars available. The sweetness is intense. It's about twice as sweet as sugar and comes in a liquid form.
I found the light nectar to be the most neutral. It was the easiest to replace for sugar in recipes. However, I found the darker nectars often added a very pleasant note to the recipes and I would recommend them as well.
As far as bulk, I used about 1/2 cup Nekutli for every cup of sugar and I found this worked well but often, I needed to adjust other quantities to make sure the sweetness, amount, and moisture were taken into account.
Nekutli also has flavoured agave nectar - vanilla, raspberry, and amaretto, just to name a few. These became flavour enhancers for coffee on a regular basis for me. I also found they work well in smoothies and I even used the raspberry one for raspberry lemonade - what a treat!
The biggest challenge with Nekutli is the fact that I'm so used to powdered sugar and sweetners, it was difficult to get used to.
One other big bonus to Nekutli Agave Nectar is that it has a very low GI (Glycemic Index). Because of this, it can be a useful alternative for diabetics or anyone wanted to consume low GI foods. I recommend Nukutli as a sweetener - just remember it is a liquid so plan accordingly.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Stevia - Video Interview with Mark Blumenthal
Mark Blumenthal from the American Botanical Council talks about stevia and it's safeness for use as a sweetener.
Attention Bargain Hunters - Scanner Price Accuracy Code may entitle YOU to free items!!!
I was at my local Loblaws yesterday. After realizing that the celery was limp and did not seem to be getting replenished anytime soon (par for the course with this location), I decided to make a simple pasta salad for dinner (cooked short pasta, olives, feta, tomatoes, Kraft aged balsamic dressing - the best bottled vinaigrette I have tried).
I needed to get olives and feta cheese. When I got to the cash, the price scanned for the feta cheese was higher than the sticker price on the shelf. I informed the cashier and after numerous attempts to get someone to check the price, I removed the ticket from the shelf myself (it will probably take them at least 6 months to replace the tag). Sure enough, the scanned price was higher than the ticketed price so I got my feta cheese for free.
Many retailers in Canada are part of the Scanner Price Accuracy Voluntary Code which entitles customers to a free item (up to $10) or $10 off an item if the scanned price is greater than the ticketed price.
However, it's been my experience that many people are not aware of this policy. I try to educate people when I notice the price is scanned incorrectly and I'm surprised that no one I have met in this situation is aware of the code.
Not all retailers participate in the practice so when you're shopping, make sure to look for a sign at the cash. It's a great way to save some money - and to keep the retailers on their toes!
I needed to get olives and feta cheese. When I got to the cash, the price scanned for the feta cheese was higher than the sticker price on the shelf. I informed the cashier and after numerous attempts to get someone to check the price, I removed the ticket from the shelf myself (it will probably take them at least 6 months to replace the tag). Sure enough, the scanned price was higher than the ticketed price so I got my feta cheese for free.
Many retailers in Canada are part of the Scanner Price Accuracy Voluntary Code which entitles customers to a free item (up to $10) or $10 off an item if the scanned price is greater than the ticketed price.
However, it's been my experience that many people are not aware of this policy. I try to educate people when I notice the price is scanned incorrectly and I'm surprised that no one I have met in this situation is aware of the code.
Not all retailers participate in the practice so when you're shopping, make sure to look for a sign at the cash. It's a great way to save some money - and to keep the retailers on their toes!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Stevia - Nature's Secret
We all know of the issues surrounding artificial sweeteners. Aspartame, the most common sweetener, is also considered by many, the most dangerous.
A couple years ago, I decided to look into Stevia, a natural sweetener. Since this time, I have primarily tried and used Swanson's Stevia and Stevia from Stevia Canada.
Here's the skinny on what I discovered. Stevia is a very powerful sweetener. The individual packages from Swanson's Vitamins contain enough of this super sweet leaf to sweeten 3 cups of coffee. At a cost of $4.49 (US) for 100 packets, this is great value for money.
There's only one hitch - the bitterness. While the Stevia plant (also called "sweet leaf") is extremely sweet, it also has a bitter aftertaste which can be very pronounced if used in larger quantities.
Overall, I'm pleased with stevia. I use it in my coffee in small amounts but it's not a full replacement for sugar. I usually still add a little sugar in my coffee too.
A couple years ago, I decided to look into Stevia, a natural sweetener. Since this time, I have primarily tried and used Swanson's Stevia and Stevia from Stevia Canada.
Here's the skinny on what I discovered. Stevia is a very powerful sweetener. The individual packages from Swanson's Vitamins contain enough of this super sweet leaf to sweeten 3 cups of coffee. At a cost of $4.49 (US) for 100 packets, this is great value for money.
There's only one hitch - the bitterness. While the Stevia plant (also called "sweet leaf") is extremely sweet, it also has a bitter aftertaste which can be very pronounced if used in larger quantities.
Overall, I'm pleased with stevia. I use it in my coffee in small amounts but it's not a full replacement for sugar. I usually still add a little sugar in my coffee too.
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