Sweeteners & Smoothie Additives

Here are my personal favorites in the order that I like to use them:

#1) Stevia (my favorite sweetener)

(Learn more about Stevia here -  it is an herb – not a chemical – and has NO effect on your body like sugar) I have more information on Stevia below…

LESS IS MORE!!! A tiny bit of Stevia goes a LONG way – a whole packet of Stevia would ruin a cup of coffee. I use a whole packet of Stevia in a FULL pitcher of juice. Any time I’ve heard people say, “I tried Stevia and I don’t like it”, I’ve asked them how much they were using and every time, it turns out that they were using a whole packet in something small like a cup of coffee. Try 1/3 of a packet in something the size of a cup of coffee and see how that tastes to you first! Better yet, buy your Stevia as a liquid (it is easier to measure tiny amounts). I prefer the unrefined liquid Stevia (it is black in color). I keep a bottle in my purse and a bottle at home. I like this kind because I can easily measure it drop-by-drop. The white liquid Stevia (Stevia Glycerine) is too “syrupy-runny” for me to get a decent “drop” out of the dropper – I often get too much as it “runs” rather than “drops”. I prefer Whole Leaf Stevia Concentrate.

Hint – if you find that you just don’t like Stevia, as a last resort you could try mixing just a couple of drops with any of the other sweeteners to boost their sweetening power and allow you to cut back on the amount of the “other” sweetener you have to use. Stevia is great for boosting the sweetness of other sweeteners and this is a great way to get the sweetening benefits from Stevia if you don’t like Stevia straight!

It is important to keep in mind that where Stevia is concerned, the FDA is operating in the interests of “Big Agra” and the sugar industry. The FDA will go to any lengths to protect “Big Pharma” and “Big Agra”.

Here is some information about the FDA and Stevia:
The FDA & Stevia
The 19 Studies
Stevia Book Burning

After I wrote the above information, Coca Cola wanted to use Stevia, so of course, the FDA has reversed its “negative Stevia” stance. I actually liked it better when Stevia wasn’t “approved” by the FDA as a sweetener because it was “pure” back then. Now you will find products like “Truvia” that are not pure Stevia, but have other chemical sugar substitutes added. I recommend that you get your Stevia from a health food store and don’t get any Stevia product that as anything else added to it.

#2) Dates (my second favorite sweetener)

(high in potassium and fiber)

Personally, I just plop in a couple of whole, pitted dates when I want to add sweetness, but you can also make a VERY sweet date puree with your Vita-Mix by soaking the dates in water over night and then pureeing them. I haven’t tried to make it myself yet, but I see in my Internet research that you can also turn dates into a powder. Dates are my #2 only because they are easier to buy and cheaper than my #3, Bee Pollen.

#3) Bee Pollen

I get raw, locally grown Bee Pollen at my Farmer’s Market. Learn more about Bee Pollen here. It is an awesome, nutrient packed sweetener. It has a unique taste so try it once to see if it suits you.

#4) Agave Nectar

(lower in glycemic index than honey)

I no longer recommend Agave based upon Dr. Mercola’s advice, as well as this article.

#5) Raw Honey

(high in “B” vitamins, also contains amino acids, minerals and antioxidants) It is best to buy locally so that the bees have gathered nectar from flowers from your area – this helps greatly with allergries! I try to limit my use of honey (even raw honey) as it is a concentrated (albeit natural) sweetener.

#6) Welch’s Concentrated 100% Fruit Juice

(be sure to buy the containers with the yellow lid so you aren’t getting high fructose corn syrup!) Start out with just a tablespoon, see if that is sweet enough, then add more a little bit at a time if it isn’t sweet enough. You don’t want to add too much sugar (even if it is a natural sugar like concentrated fruit juice).

#7) Xylitol

Learn more about Xylitol here. An awesome sweetener – prevents cavities as well!

Remember, this list is just my personal preference.

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Things You Can Add To Your Smoothies:

This list is only what I add… there are lots of “supplements” and “nutritional boosters” that people add to their smoothies and juices. Also, I don’t add all of them all of the time, and sometimes I don’t add any of them!

Flax Seeds

With the Vita-Mix, you don’t have to use Flax Oil (which can go rancid) or even grind your Flax Seeds first… (ground Flax Seeds can also go rancid). You can put the flax seeds into your juice whole and just like the strawberry seeds, the Vita-Mix will “liquify” them right in your drink as you make it! This means that you will always have FRESH, non-rancid Flax oil and fiber for your body!

Coconut Oil

Do a Google search to learn how nutritious this oil can be for you.

Raw Eggs

Visit Dr. Mercola’s website and do a search of his website to learn how nutritious raw eggs can be. You will also learn how to choose and prepare raw eggs.

Whole Nectar Soy Protein Powder

I only use one half of a scoop at a time. If you are going to use Soy Protein Powder, I like the brand that we sell at a Road Show because it is the only Organic, non-GMO, soy powder and they use the whole soy bean and not just soy protein isolates. I know that the jury is out on Soy. I’ve looked at both sides of the issue and all I can say is, “all things in moderation”. I wouldn’t recommend using Soy powder as part of a daily program.

My Favorite Protein Powders

Sadly, none of the protein powders that I think are better for you taste good. I’ll let you do your own research, but my favorite Protein Power is Hemp Protein Powder (this is a REALLY good one!) and my second favorite is Rice Protein Powder or Egg Protein Powder.

Wheat Grass

This is a whole topic in itself… suffice it to say, you can add freshly cut Wheat Grass to your fruit juices – and I do!

Maca Powder

This is great for energy – do your research on Google for side effects and the best way to use it (you don’t take it daily).

Matcha Green Tea Powder

This is another additive that I love! Again, I’ll let you do your own research. Here is my favorite source to buy Matcha Green Tea.

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