Stevia Powder

Navitas Naturals Stevia
www.navitasnaturals.com

Why this product rocks

North Americans love sugar. Our sugar consumption has been steadily rising (thanks high fructose corn syrup) for the last few decades with a corresponding rise in obesity and diabetes. One way to curb intake is to try cooking with stevia powder.

Stevia is a white flowered herb indigenous to South America, where it has been used as a natural sweetener for centuries. Consider it a natural alternative to sketchy artificial zero-calorie sweeteners.

Though it is 300 times sweeter than white sugar, the body does not metabolize the sweet glycosides from the stevia leaf or any of its processed forms - so there is no caloric intake or spike in blood sugar.

When cooking with stevia keep in mind that for every cup of regular sugar that the recipe calls for only about 1 teaspoon of stevia powder is used. Using too much stevia can produce bitter flavors. Stevia may also be diluted with water to decrease its intensity. Expect some trial and error.

Body Benefits

With no calories and no impact on blood sugar levels, stevia powder could have beneficial impacts on body weight and diabetes.

Stevia powder may also have some antioxidant properties.

Who will dig it

Bake-aholics

Who will toss it

Corn Refiners Association

Find it at

Health/Natural Food Stores or online at www.navitasnaturals.com

Chocolate Zucchini Muffins











With almost no fat or sugar, it’s hard to believe that these muffins still taste sinful. A great way to use in-season zucchini that is dirt cheap at this time of year.

1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp ground cloves
½ tsp ginger powder
1 ripe banana, mashed
1.5 tsp stevia powder
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup plain cow or non-dairy milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup shredded zucchini
1/4 cup chopped walnuts or other nut (optional)

Preheat oven 350F. Whisk flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices together. In another bowl, mix together mashed banana with applesauce and stevia. Add in milk, vanilla, zucchini and nuts to wet mixture and mix. Add flour mixture to the wet mix in 3-4 batches and stir until combined and mixture is moist. Spoon into a greased muffin pan and bake for 15-20 minutes or until an inserted knife comes out clean.

Sweet Potato Brownies









Yes, sweet potatoes. Try it and you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Makes 12 smallish brownies

4 tablespoons melted Navitas Naturals cacao butter or regular butter
2/3 cup cocoa powder
½ cup whole-wheat flour
¼ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne powder (optional)
1 teaspoon stevia powder
1 largish sweet potato, peeled
1 whole egg
1.5 teaspoon vanilla extract

Slice sweet potato and steam it until very soft. Mash it well with a fork or potato masher. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small pan over very low heat melt the butter. Remove from heat and stir in cocoa powder. Set aside. In a bowl sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Stir in stevia and sweet potato puree. Mix in egg. Add vanilla to cocoa mixture and then add cocoa mixture to flour mixture and stir well. Spoon the chocolate goodness into an 8-inch lightly greased square pan. Smooth the top and bake for about 20 minutes or until an inserted knife emerges with just a few moist crumbs. Let cool.