Is Stevia The Best Zero Calorie Sugar?

Does Stevia Cause Side Effects?

Stevia is said to be one of the best natural sweeteners you'll ever switch to. Not only does it taste just as sweet as competitors, it's also the healthier option. Well, after watching Dr. Oz and taking advice from a number of other individuals, I hopped on the Stevia bandwagon. It's a plant based natural herb and has zero calories I thought why not? I did research on the product before trying it out and was very aware of it possibly producing some unpleasant side effects: nausea, dizziness & numbness. I will add, some studies suggest the side effects are rare and not everyone will experience them. 

I purchased the stevia (packet) at Whole Foods for only $7 Dollars. Here is my view on The Wonderful Zero Calorie Stevia.

 Thumbs Down! 

I think my tastebuds will agree it doesn't have a sweet taste. If anything, after adding the sugar to my cereal my tongue had a slight numbing sensation. I would have been freaking out, however I remember numbness being one of the side effects listed. On the other hand my mother also tried stevia and she loves it. She adds it in her yogurt and hasn't complained of any bad side effects from it. I'm proud to say I've tried it and can now scratch it off my list of things to try. So, is stevia the best alternative? Since I did have a weird reaction to it I can say it isn't the best choice for me. Although it didn't work out for me others like my mom may enjoy it's claimed benefits. I am still searching for a natural sweetener to use in my cereal, smoothie, or whatever. So, if anyone has any suggestions feel free to add a comment. 

Transitioning To A Vegan Lifestyle

Let me start off by saying I am a huge animal lover, from farm animals to small domestic house pets I love them all. I could never bring myself to actually killing an animal let alone a cow, pig, or chicken for consumption. I guess you can say I've been naive about how chicken, turkey or beef made it's way to my dinner plate. I knew I was eating meat, but I didn't equate it to this is a slaughtered chicken or cow on my plate. Now I can honestly say I do, and I feel just as guilty as the workers who unmercifully torture and kill these animals each day should feel. So, after doing extensive research online and reading numerous books I found that a vegan lifestyle will work best for me. It's also a much healthier option for those of us who are health conscious. I would love to quit everything cold turkey but I can't. What I will do is Transition into a vegan lifestyle. Instead of cutting everything I've grown accustomed to out of my diet I will try to substitute for a healthier alternative. Meat & dairy is out without question, it tore my heart apart to see how the meat industry handles our food (the animals). I just couldn't stomach it, they can care less if those animals are sick or diseased they will still sell it to us for the sake of profit. I for one will no longer be their helper, from now on I will eat healthy, live healthy and feel healthy.

I tried a quick and easy recipe: Egg, avocado and kale on a bed of quinoa. Mmm... A very hearty satisfying meal I might add. 

What you'll need:

An egg 

An avocado, cut into cubes

A cup of kale

1/2 cup of quinoa

 

What I did was: Make the quinoa first, rinse the quinoa well in drainer under cold water. Bring the water (with quinoa in it) to boil, let simmer for 15 minutes, I added butter (dairy free), sea salt & pepper,  when done let sit. Pour very small amount (enough to coat the pan) of olive oil in pan, sauté the kale and avocado in a sauce pan for 3 minute or less under low heat. I added sea salt and pepper. Last I fried the egg, added salt and pepper. 

Voilà, you got yourself an inexpensive, healthy, light & satisfying meal vegan style. Also if your interested in going vegan or vegetarian and would love to learn how to switch. Go here this website helped.

http://www.chooseveg.com/