While I was in Aruba I won Jennifer of Knack for Nutrition’s giveaway for NuNatuals Stevia.
I adore stevia. But, I never used to like it. In fact, I thought it tasted kinda awful.
I was, however, using other brands and that was one issue. Bad stevia is really bad!
But, stevia is one of those foods or items that has really grown on me and now I can’t imagine my life without it! I have an entire post dedicated to my Stevia Recipes
I use these drops in everything.
Especially in Vanilla Iced Coffees or just in coffee in general.
I brought down a couple bottles of my beloved Vanilla Stevia Drops to Aruba.
I buy the vanilla stevia drops from iHerb.com because they have the best prices on them. Use coupon code AVE630 at checkout to save $5 on your order and never pay retail price again on everything from nutritional yeast to protein powder to vitamins to stevia.
I love stevia so much that I traveled down to Aruba with a suitcase full of white powder. Try explaining that one to Customs. Seriously, I’ve done it many times and there’s never been an issue. The only issue is I usually underestimate how much I will go through and wish I had brought a bit more!
The stevia was buried underneath the chocolate chips.
Speaking of chocolate chips, Enjoy Life Foods sent me some of their Double Chocolate Crunch Granola and their Semi-Sweet Mega Chocolate Chunks
I love that their products are free from so many allergens (nuts, gluten, dairy, eggs, kosher) and that tastes is not compromised. The granola I tried is chocolatey and definitely crunchy. I tend to prefer chewier granola in general like this one. Just my own little personal preference. But chocolate anything is music to my ears and this was tasty.
I love these!
Normally I don’t splurge on allergen-friendly chocolate because rumor has it TJ’s chocolate chips are dairy free, vegan, and gluten free (even though they are not labeled as such and are not tested like the Enjoy Life products are nor are they processed on special equipment), but it’s what I usually buy because at $1.99/bag, I can’t beat it. Unless Enjoy Life wants to send me more Chunks. Love em!
I think I will make up a batch of No Bake Vanilla Cake Batter Chocolate Truffles with the chunks to be used for melty dippage for the cake batter portion of the truffles.
Or maybe just put chunks into
No Bake Toffee & Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites
My last post Quickly, Grateful was a speed-blogging special. I was on the fly but not too busy to be grateful. Even for some silly things.
Questions:
1. Do you like stevia?
As I said in the post, I adore stevia now, but I never used to like it. In fact, I thought it tasted kinda awful and chemically!
I was, however, using other brands and that was one issue. Of all the brands I’ve tried, NuNaturals is my favorite however there are others like flavored SweetLeaf brand stevia drops that are quite good, too.
Stevia is one of those foods or items that has really grown on me and now I can’t imagine my life without it!
I also like real sugar (brown and white), agave, honey, dates, and other sweeteners, too. You can read my thoughts on “healthifying” desserts, and why I take no great pleasure in that. So stevia is just one tool in my toolbox. But it’s a great one!
2. Do you like chocolate?
Silly question, right? I know there are a few people who are just meh about chocolate. <–who are you people if that’s really the case. I’ve only “heard” of people like this.
I love chocolate.
See my Chocolate Recipes compilation if you need proof!
Including Raw Vegan Chocolate Chocolate-Chip Cookies (you can bake them in the oven or dehydrate them)
P.S. Thanks for the entries on the Coconut Oil Giveaway. Keep ’em coming!
My mom and brother don’t like chocolate, imagine 2 in the same family.
I only like liquid stevia and the little packets (that I put on grapefruits). I have tried using the baking stevia to make a loaf and a couple other things and it always has a nasty aftertaste.
I LOVE chocolate though!!!!!
Am adapting to stevia. I do love the stuff but was using agave.
Then it seemed like agave was terrible for you then I switched to the coconut traditions syrup.
I think reality will be that I have to give up ALL of it but apparently I’m not ready yet!!
Oh well, at least I’m not addicted to worse things!
You know my relationship with stevia…..only like a few products and you have touched on them here. I pray that NN fixes that NoCarb blend that I told you about. That is my all time favorite product by them. xo
Oh me, me, me! I’m pretty “meh” about chocolate. Especially if it’s by itself, I’ll pass. But if it is combined with something else like caramel, nuts, peanut butter, then I am ALL over it! Unless it’s white chocolate, which is just plain good by itself or combined with anything else, but I know it’s not “real” chocolate.
I actually have never had bad Stevia, I normally just go cheap with Truvia, but it all tastes good to me!
nunaturals is my FAVORITE! i have tried so many different types…i also really like “stevia in the raw” its the brand that makes the raw sugar but its great and not bitter at all! Ive tried different generic brands of stevia such as the one from Trader Joes and hated it bleh not for me!
One day, when i visit you, you are going to shower me with raw desserts! :)
hey averie!
stevia gets a big meh from me; i don’t like the aftertaste it leaves in my mouth. :-(
i’m a big chocolate fan! i make your coconut oil ‘chocolate’ regularly and keep in the fridge for … emergencies (well, a piece or four every day ;-) ).
xo
sabina
Ah I am so far behind on blogs so of course I am the last one to comment, but I am happy you received your stevia. I think I may tap into your recipe arsenal this weekend and use up some of my supply. :) Thanks for the link back.
Hello! I have been reading and following your blog for months now, but have just recommitted to my own blog (and the blogs I follow) so, I’M BACK :)
I am so apprehensive about artificial sweeteners, and I haven’t done enough research about Stevia. However, the few times I’ve tried it, it’s had a kind of funny taste and after taste to it. But now I feel like I may just try it again!
And chocolate?! I was born in Hershey, PA! I grew up with the smell of chocolate literally in the air! I don’t have a choice, but to love chocolate!
I’ve been wanting to try Stevia (glad you mentioned that the namebrand makes a difference!) but I am leary-is it all natural?
I love chocolate very very much!
love stevia! Just wish it wasn’t so pricey… and I LOVE chocolate!! In fact I just ate pretty much an entire bag while my cookies were baking!!
heck yes i love chocolate!! i don’t normally take stevia, but i do like it. that iced coffee looks amazing!!
xoxo~ kristina
http://beancakes.wordpress.com/
p.s. check out my blog post tomorrow… i will email you the details averie ;)
comment back to me with a link if there’s something you want me to see. that’s the best way :)
Hey Averie, I’m back. :-) My transition back from running my Yoga retreat this past weekend has been much slower than your shift back from Aruba. Alas, it’s all good.
I love stevia, but I agree, it used to taste bad. I think the stevia technology has really involved. Yes, brand is one issue. I clearly remember it tasting like slightly bitter licorice as recently as about 3 years ago. It’s come a long way. Thank goodness, because it’s a staple in my house.
LOL at white powder/clearing airport security. How about bags and bags of green herbs? They were Persian cooking herbs stashed in my suitcase, but they gave the airport security peeps pause at LAX a few years back. Ha!
Chocolate is practically a food group to me. ‘Nuff said.