It is no secret that I am a sugar-holic! I have a little boy with a pretty decent sweet tooth as well, BUT...he has far more self-control than I do. He's the kid who will turn down two pieces of candy in favor of one because, "There is just too much sugar," or he'll ask for popcorn for desert because that's healthier than ice cream. (Who is this kid???!!)
So, when the opportunity to try a new, natural and organic sweetener came about, I decided I'd like to. I'm part of Kiwi Magazine's (MY FAVE!) Mom's Ambassadors Program and was able to receive samples from SweetLeaf to try through their MomsMeet program.
I have too many friends and family members who rely FAR too much on 'the little pink packets' and honestly, I can't stand the sight of them. I thought I'd found and was offering loved ones a better alternative when I offered Splenda, and yet....a quick Google search will show that the jury is still out when it comes to the complete safety of sucralose, and as such, I'm hesitant to offer that to anyone either.
Enter Stevia...a sugar substitute with no calories AND plant-derived. Something I can feel much better about offering!!! I feel like when one knows better, she should try to do better, and so I said goodbye to pink and yellow packets and hello to an organic, non-GMO alternative to sugar.
SweetLeaf Organics makes an organic stevia and I have to say, as far as sugar substitutes go, it does a nice job! It doesn't taste quite the same as sugar; I can definitely tell the difference between iced tea sweetened with sugar versus sweetened with stevia, but that is because I personally very rarely use sugar substitutes at all. My main purpose for having sugar substitutes in my house is so that I have alternatives for guests who do not choose straight, organic sugar (in moderation!) as I typically do.
I think I found a winner! I had several friends and family members who were typically pink or yellow packet people try and all agreed that considering the health risks of the packets, the SweetLeaf stevia was something they could DEFINITELY switch to! It's sweet enough, organic, and doesn't leave me terrified at the thought of cancer in using.
In addition to packets, they have other products in their line, but among them, things that I thought would be particularly amazing for people like me who are anti-soda but LOVE cold, carbonated drinks are the Sweet Drops! These are organic flavored liquid stevia drops and they are intended to be put in still or sparkling water. You could even put them in seltzer water, and seriously, it was SO nice to have a cold, sweet carbonated drink in my mouth--without all the CRAZY chemicals of soda! Luke and I are pretty good water drinkers, but if one was not? These drops would definitely be a pretty amazing way to encourage more hydration. Think Fruit2O but without sucralose!!!! Luke especially loved the berry flavor, and again, while we both are pretty great water drinkers, I just think of so many people I know and love who do not hydrate as much as they really ought to and for them? These drops could be game changers! There are over 20 different flavors, so surely, there is one that would rock someone's world. I liked the Vanilla Cream in seltzer water--almost like a Cream Soda!
I DETEST the taste of pumpkin, but I know tons of people love it--every fall, Facebook/Instagram/Twitter buzz alive with "Pumpkin Spice Latte is HERE!" and though personally, just typing those words makes me want to scrape my tongue (dramatic much?), can you imagine how much money you'd save if you used the Pumpkin Spice Sweet Drops and made your own latte? Not to mention, how much better for your body it'd be???
Lots of options, and lots of safe alternatives for some of those 'cravings' we just seem to have a hard time getting over!
I also really like that SweetLeaf has the commitment to natural health alternatives for its consumer as the fore running mission and the fact that they work diligently for environmental sustainability is something I very much admire! You can read more about the company and its dedication to consumer health here: http://sweetleaf.com/about/company/, and while you are there, you can also check out other products in the line, as well as their Wisdom of Ancients products. I'm using a Cream of Coco soap (from the palm family, not coconut) and WOW! I love it!!! It's cleansing and moisturizing at the same time, and all in all, I am just pretty impressed overall with SweetLeaf's line and integrity as a company!
A few facts about SweetLeaf Stevia:
SweetLeaf Organic Stevia® Sweetener is a Certified Organic, zero-calorie
sweetener made from high-quality stevia leaves.
• With a delicious taste that is sweeter than sugar, SweetLeaf Organic
Stevia Sweetener is perfect for sweetening hot or cold beverages,
cereals, baked goods, desserts, fresh fruit, yogurt, and more.
• SweetLeaf Organic Stevia Sweetener is gluten free, and contains no
artificial ingredients, calories, carbohydrates, or glycemic response,
making it ideal for people managing their blood sugar or calorie intake.
• One packet of SweetLeaf Organic Stevia Sweetener is as sweet as two
teaspoons of sugar.
*I received this product for free from the sponsor of
the Moms MeetSM program, May Media Group LLC,
who received it directly from the manufacturer. As
a Moms MeetSM blogger, I agree to use this product
and post my opinion on my blog. My opinions do
not necessarily reflect the opinions of May Media
Group LLC or the manufacturer of this product.
