if you're new to Stevia, it's a herbal (calorie-unfastened) sweetener crafted from the leaves of a plant, and it is plenty sweeter than sugar. i have been the usage of their packets and liquid drops in my oatmeal, tea, my protein shakes, and different liquids ever seeing that. recently, NuNaturals asked me if i might like to try some new merchandise they have got come out with, so of course I desired to!
along side the everyday packets, pills, and drops, they now have flavored drops--orange, lemon, peppermint, and chocolate. apparently, the chocolate isn't new--but it was new to me, so i used to be excited to attempt it, together with the others.i have by no means been a massive fan of sugar substitutes. i really like sugar, honey, and natural maple syrup; however I can't stand the taste of Splenda, or identical, or any of the alternative artificial sweeteners. whilst Stevia first hit the market a while ago, I attempted it and actually located it tolerable. after which while NuNaturals sent me their Stevia products to strive last yr, i discovered that I genuinely appreciated them. i've attempted a couple of various brands, however this one is genuinely my preferred.
in case you're new to Stevia, it's a natural (calorie-unfastened) sweetener made from the leaves of a plant, and it is a whole lot sweeter than sugar. i have been the usage of their packets and liquid drops in my oatmeal, tea, my protein shakes, and different drinks ever since. lately, NuNaturals requested me if i would like to attempt a few new products they have pop out with, so of course I desired to!
in conjunction with the everyday packets, pills, and drops, they now have flavored drops--orange, lemon, peppermint, and chocolate. seemingly, the chocolate isn't new--but it changed into new to me, so i was excited to strive it, along side the others.
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| Peppermint, Chocolate, Orange, Lemon, Vanilla, and plain drops (seven drops is about as sweet as 1 tsp. sugar) |
First, I tasted one drop of every directly out of the bottle, and was greatly surprised at how top they have been. Like maximum Stevia merchandise, the drops are very amazing, so a tiny little bit will pass a long manner.
I used the drops to best a chocolate-mint protein shake. I made it very similar to the Peppermint Patty shake that I posted currently, however I introduced 7 drops of chocolate Stevia, and 10 drops of peppermint Stevia (in region of the peppermint extract of the previous recipe). I appreciated using the peppermint Stevia much more than the use of the peppermint extract--the flavor wasn't so harsh.
1/2 cup milk (I usually use more, but I wanted it to be thicker this time)
1 serving vanilla protein powder
1 Tbsp. cocoa powder
7 drops chocolate Stevia drops (you could skip this, since there is enough chocolate, but I made it extra chocolatey with the drops)
7 drops peppermint Stevia drops
1/4 tsp. each xanthan gum and guar gum (optional, as always--I just like the texture that they give)
8 ice cubes
Blend until smooth.
I made another protein shake using the lemon and orange Stevia drops. Remember how I was starving after my long run last week? I threw 1 cup almond milk, 1 serving vanilla protein powder, 1/2 cup frozen blueberries, 1/2 cup frozen raspberries, handful of frozen spinach, 10 drops lemon Stevia, 7 drops orange Stevia, and 1/4 tsp. each guar and xanthan gum into the blender. This was heavenly!! The lemon + orange combo with the frozen berries was fanstastic. And it was only 3 PointsPlus for the whole shake.
For those of you that like yogurt (blech!) I bet the flavored Stevia drops would be a good addition. considering that most flavored yogurts use synthetic sweeteners, the Stevia could at least be a natural alternative. however due to the fact I hate yogurt, there's no quantity of Stevia that could make me revel in it, i am certain ;)
on the subject of the usage of Stevia in liquids and my oatmeal, I suppose it's outstanding--but i'm no longer a huge fan of baking with it. Baked items certainly do not taste like they do whilst you bake them with sugar.
I like the packets of NuNaturals Stevia to apply in my tea. i use 1/2 a packet for a cup of tea (like I stated, it's effective), or 4 drops of the liquid. If i'm having tea that might cross well with the flavored drops, i'll use those rather. The lemon drops in chamomile tea are clearly good, and the orange drops in plain old black tea are yummy. when you consider that you use so little, it takes forever to undergo a bottle of drops or a field of packets.
anyways, i am going to keep experimenting with the goods, however NuNaturals has very generously supplied a giveaway to now not one, but 4 Runs for Cookies readers! i used to be so excited after I study that :) each of the 4 winners will obtain three bottles of the drops--one lemon, one orange, and one peppermint. Out of all the NuNaturals products, those drops are my preferred, so i hope you like them as much as I do!