I'm Hooked! My First Food Expo...

Kelley and I had the opportunity to go to the 2012 Southwest Food Service Expo here in Dallas, TX on Sunday.  It's a 2 day event with today, Monday, being the last day.  Sadly, I have to face reality and go back to the accounting world in an office.  Good job, great people, not my passion.

Yellow bags in hand and read for some Expo!

Although I'm not in the food service business, being a blogger, and therefore possible product promoter, I had my place at the event.  I didn't know what to expect, but most food businesses took an interest when I told them what I do.  Of course, the ones with the lack of healthy food choices didn't seem too willing to converse, but the feeling was mutual.

Have you seen black garlic? The taste is subtle with strong notes of balsamic and its texture is silky with a little chewiness.  I like it alone, but this could be smeared on a giant portabello or steak.

Oh wow! The event was more than I imagined.  Upon entering there was a giant section to try various beers from small, local, and far away breweries all distributed by Ben E. Keith.  I was shocked to see such a vast array of quality brews that they distribute; they were all so good! I even quoted Will Ferrell from "Old School" where he says "Once it hits your lips, it's so good....", classic.

Banana Bread Beer; nuff said.  It smelled strong of banana bread in the oven and tasted great too.  This would be perfect for beer bread....hmmmm

Since it wasn't a health food expo, I was selective in the samples I tried.  I even just walked away from one booth when, after asking several times what ingredients were in his product, he just kept saying "It's gluten-free." or "It's all natural."  Really? Please people; if you're going to sell something, give me more details!!!

After a few rounds of beer sampling....I was no better, just the lucky one behind the camera!

And geez, I know many people need to avoid gluten at all costs, but what's with so many businesses making it a point to tell everyone their product is gluten-free?  I'm surprised bottled water doesn't have a giant label proclaiming that it's "Gluten-free."  No offense, but I am quite sure many people choose gluten-free foods thinking that it's just something healthier.  Please, if you're going to make drastic food choices or changes in your diet, know the reasons why.  Because the mainstream media says it's good, is not a real reason.

I volunteered to help the barista make latte art; he basically held my hand and did the whole thing.  Still fun though!

"My" latte art....not as good as most since I was stubborn and didn't move my arm the right way.

Where was I?  Oh yeah, there were some very healthy and knowledgeable people with great products too.  One business I enjoyed was Slim Ritas, who makes margaritas and a few other mixes sweetened with stevia. I don't drink often, but haven't had a margarita in years since most mixes are loaded with sugar.  The taste was clean with refreshing lime and a hint of sweetness that doesn't coat your mouth like sugary drinks. This is  perfect for the summer heat.

The delightful lady behind the stevia margarita mix wanted to have me try some to write about.  So, look out for my review along with a recipe or two using the mix.  I'd like to make margarita muffins, or maybe put a little in a mango-lime salsa.  Do you have any ideas of what else a stevia margarita mix would be good in?

Zilks Foods, the business that makes top notch hummus, salsa, pesto, and salsa, was there with several goodies. It was a delight to meet some of their kind representatives, and to try more food! They make a Tzatziki with Greek yogurt that I could eat with a spoon.....and I did!  You really can't go wrong with Greek yogurt, cucumber, and dill for a refreshing , low-fat dip, spread, or marinade.

There's plenty to talk about, but I must cut it short today.  I will have pictures of the event throughout the week and hopefully have a few sample and review postings lined up.  I am grateful Kelley came along with me; we had a great time, but I think I stayed longer than she cared for.  Sorry, Kelley, I have no good excuses, just can't get away from food!

Lychee and Rambutan basket....with I could've brought them home!

Q: Have you ever been to a food expo?  Is it your line of work or were you just lucky enough to have the chance like me?

I hope to go to another one next time something is around, these things are fun!

Healthy Low-fat Cherry Cola Zevia Protein Smoothie

Are you a blender fanatic? Do you find yourself searching for new and interesting things to blend into a cool, creamy, and healthy smoothie for a guiltless pleasure any time of day?

I am and do this often; basically daily. I’ve blended beets, zucchini, yellow squash, winter squash, spinach, carrots, and a few other veggies with some fruit, protein powder and milk to create luscious smoothies.

So, as I sat staring the six pack of Cherry Cola Zevia I had at home, it was only natural to want to blend it into a tasty treat to enjoy after dinner.

It’s so simple; take a delicious and healthy drink like Zevia, add fruit, veggies, protein powder, and anything else you add to smoothies, blend and enjoy. You don’t even need to worry about adding extra sweetener; the zero calorie stevia that sweetens Zevia plus whatever fruit you use will be more than enough.

I cut heart shapes out of the Cherry Cola Zevia Protein Bread I made.  This is a perfect combination if you like to have something to dip in your smoothies.

Such a simple pleasure that I’m sure is not used or appreciated by many people. Hopefully this will inspire more of you to leave the sugary ice cream at the store and make something healthy at home. You won’t miss the guilt from having a heavier treat, and maybe you’ll even appreciate the extra energy you have from something healthy like this.

Cherry Cola Zevia Protein Smoothie
Serves 2

 Ingredients
1 12oz can of Cherry Cola Zevia; I opened a can a let it sit a few hours to help reduce the carbonation
1 frozen ripe banana
2 scoops unflavored or vanilla protein powder; I used stevia sweetened whey protein
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup plain, non-fat Greek or regular yogurt
1/2 cup pureed beets; these really help turn your smoothie red, but pumpkin or carrot puree is good too

Add all ingredients to a blender or food processor (I used my Magic Bullet) and blend until smooth and creamy. If needed, add some milk (dairy or non-dairy) to thin it out. Garnish with fresh cherries, kiwi, or strawberries….or just pour and enjoy!

Try this with all of the Zevia flavors to see what you can come up with. I think next time I’ll use the Cream Soda Zevia for a comforting smoothie bursting with vanilla flavor.

This easy recipe is a must for the hotter days ahead; might as well start practicing now.

Q: What is your favorite flavor smoothie? Would you rather drink your smoothie or have to use a spoon?
I love a thicker smoothie where I can add something crunchy and use a spoon to devour all of its goodness. Yum!

We Need More Healthy Dessert Joints

 Sure, you can find several healthy food establishments in many areas of the US, but do they offer healthy desserts? I’m not talking about organic sugar and whole eggs from free range hens, no; we need places that offer desserts healthy enough to count as a nutritional meal.

Why? Where’s the fun in that, you ask? I understand dessert should be Dessert, but with increasing health problems, special diets, and people like me who just want treats without so many empty, over-processed calories, there’s a void to be filled.

This is something I think about while working (accounting doesn’t feed my imagination very well) and wishing I had my own food business. I like my job, but its still “work”; I’d like to earn my income from something I created and feel passionate about. This way it won’t be viewed as just a job where I work, it would be my own (ok, Kelley’s too) and I would be working with what I love….Food!


Assorted stevia baked goods ready for consumption!



The menu items wouldn’t require a lot of prep work with long wait times, just a nice place to have tea, coffee, and healthy treats like those seen on some of my posts or on Chocolate-Covered Katie’s Blog. Maybe there could be savory foods like the Clean Eating recipes on The Gracious Pantry for a healthy lunch. The menu should be relatively simple so customers can get in and get out; like a donut shop…..but not. Then there’s no reason to go to some unhealthy joint because of convenience!


Sourced from CCK's Blondie Batter Dip Post


I’ve been inspired to create many recipes based on those posted by Chocolate-Covered Katie, and it’s obvious there are many, many fans of her recipes. To bring these nutritious treats into a restaurant seems like a great idea to me. Yeah, you could measure out a tablespoon of cocoa, another tablespoon of flour, some salt, sweetener, puree of some sort, etc to make a Microwave Chocolate Cake at home and that would be fine. Or, you could go with some friends to each order your own microwave chocolate cake with ingredients of your choice (vanilla protein powder, peanut flour, whole spelt flour, etc.) and enjoy their company with a cup of tea or coffee.

Healthy dessert joints like this would prove to be popular hang outs around college campuses too. Hey, this might help offset the “Freshman 15”……or “20” or “50”……ok, I’ll stop.


Chocolate Pumpkin Protein Bread with sliced banana peanut butter and honey!


Wouldn’t you like a place to enjoy guilt-free fruit and squash “ice cream”, stevia-sweetened treats, grain-free cereal, or Baked Overnight Oatmeal snacks as a tasty treat that can double as a nutritious breakfast? For lunch, you could have healthy tuna/salmon cakes or a tasty mix of cubed sweet potatoes with black beans and tuna.


If you had a place like this to go, would you? If so, what would you want on the menu?

Overnight Oats – The Basics & Beyond

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

I rarely post on the weekends, but I wanted to make a separate post on how I prepare Overnight Oats since they are used in a lot of my recipes. You can be very creative with add-ins or just make plain oats. The best thing about this is you can have several varieties available to use at the same time.

Oats are very versatile and very healthy; soaking them makes it easier for your body to digest and absorb more nutrients. When soaked, their soft texture gives a comforting feeling and they are great for evening use since your body digests them slowly. No sudden spikes in blood sugar to worry about….if you worry about that stuff.

The following steps have shown up in past posts, but I’ve changed it up a little to make it easier to follow.

Overnight Oats

1. Pour 2 cups of plain rolled oats in a container with a lid (I use almost empty 32oz yogurt containers to make use of the stubborn yogurt on the sides.

2. Add 1/2 cup of *powder/flour/puree choice*, a 1/4 cup of *Add-ins (if desired)*, and up to 1 ½ tablespoons *spice of choice*. 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be added if it’s fitting for your desired flavor. Softly shake everything around until you see the top of the oats.

3. Add 12 – 18 drops of plain or vanilla NuNaturals liquid stevia, 1 tablespoon NuNaturals NuStevia Baking Blend, or 2 – 3 packets of NuNaturals Stevia Powder and a dash of sea salt. (If you must, 2 tablespoons of sugar, honey, or agave will work too)

4. Add water, milk of choice, or juice of choice (apple works well) until it reaches the top of the oats (I sometimes use Zevia Soda for the liquid and omit adding any sweeteners)

5. Stir to combine making sure the powders are well incorporated (I sometimes find unmixed clumps at the bottom), close the container and let sit in the fridge for at least four hours and up to 5 days; it won’t last that long though.

If you can't tell, I really like plain non-fat Chobani Greek yogurt!

This liquid will be nice and absorbed within a few hours.

To make plain overnight oats, skip steps 2 and 3 and just add water.


*Powder / Flour / Puree Options*

- Peanut Flour

- Protein Powder (I mix and match whey, soy, and egg white protein powders that are unflavored or sweetened with stevia)

- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (use 10 drops of NuNaturals Cocoa Bean Extract to compliment this)

- Instant, Non-fat Dry Milk Powder

- Pumpkin or other squash puree

- Overripe Mashed Banana

- Unsweetened Applesauce

*Add-in Options*

- Dried cranberries, banana, raisins, cherries, apple, apricot, dates, or other dried fruit

- Fresh or frozen fruit like the dried options above

- Raw or Dry Roasted Peanuts, Almonds, Pistachios, Cashews, or other favorite nut

- Raw or Dry Roasted Pumpkin Seeds, Sunflower Seeds, or Chia Seeds (Chia seeds really make things thick since they gel once in liquid.

*Spices*

- Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, turmeric (use very little), or other spice you like


These choices give you plenty variations to try and enjoy. Start slowly with just the basics to get a feel for how yours will turn out, and then start getting creative.


Some of my favorite combos include:

Choco-Nana Peanut Butter Goodness

1/2 Peanut flour and 1/2 cocoa, mashed banana, vanilla extract, NuNaturals Cocoa Bean Extract, NuNaturals liquid stevia, and dry roasted almonds

Peanut Pumpkin Pie

Peanut flour, pumpkin puree, vanilla extract, NuNaturals liquid stevia, pumpkin seeds, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice


Anything But Plain Vanilla

Vanilla whey protein powder, frozen cherries, vanilla extract, NuNaturals liquid vanilla stevia, and cinnamon


Zevia Oats

Unflavored protein or dry milk powder, chia seeds, and Zevia Crème Soda (there are many Zevia flavors and I’d like to try them all)


I’ll post more recipes since I’m always trying new combinations. Not all are a success, but I’ll pretend those never happened and only share the good recipes.

I think for St. Patty’s Day, I will try a mix the “Anything But Plain Vanilla” combo with 1/2 a cup of frozen spinach, and 1/2 frozen banana all blended together. I don’t know what it will be like yet, but I’ll post pictures. Hopefully it looks as good as Chocolate-Covered Katie’s green mint smoothie pictured below!

Do you plan on wearing and eating green today? Do you have any special occasions to attend for this day?


I just have a green shirt and green smoothie that will hopefully bring me some pinch-free good luck! Kelley and I will be going to a neighborhood party tonight; hopefully we present ourselves well since we’ve never really met them before!

NuNaturals Stevia Product Review and Giveaway

 Anyone who has read a few of my blog posts will know I try to steer clear of using sugar in anything I cook. Over the years I have tried a few substitutes, including….. *gasp* artificial sweeteners! These usually ended in a sub-par item and me wrenching in pain from stomach discomfort because of the artificial stuff.

Enter stevia; an all natural, zero calorie herb-based sweetener. There are several brands out there, and as someone who’s tried a few, take it from me that not all are equal in taste. After seeing the NuNaturals brand stevia in recipes on the blog Chocolate Covered Katie, I decided to reach out to the company for more information and to see if I would be able to review their products on my blog.

Ron (a.k.a. The “Sugar-Free Poppa), VP of Sales and Marketing at NuNaturals, promptly responded with detailed information on their different products and offered to happily send me several items to sample and review. I jumped at this chance as I was eager to try what they have to offer after see the treats made at Chocolate Covered Katie. A business with great personality and service directed to the consumer is a great business, and the response I received from Ron makes NuNaturals one of the best to me.


I was pleasantly surprised at the weight of the package when it arrived because I only expected one or two small samples. Instead, I received the following high quality products along with their full list of recipes to use:

•Vanilla Stevia Liquid Drops
•Cocoa Bean Extract Stevia Liquid Drops
•Alcohol Free Stevia Liquid Drops
•Clear Stevia Liquid Drops
•NuStevia Quick Dissolve Tabs
•NuStevia Pure Stevia Extract
•More Fiber Stevia Baking Blend

Wow! Any health nut foodie like me knows the overwhelming feeling of joy when you get a package like this! With these products and a vast amount of recipes to use for motivation, I created a few of my own delicious recipes. If you like what you see, please help spread the message along to others who might be interested; I’m always happy to have more blogger friends and viewers!

Pumpkin Protein Crepes

Ingredients

1 egg

2 egg whites

2 packets NuNaturals Stevia

1/4 cup pumpkin puree

1/2 cup whole grain spelt flour

1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Dash of nutmeg

1 tsp cinnamon

Dash of sea salt
1/2 cup skim milk

Add all ingredients to blender or food processor (I used a Magic Bullet) and blend until smooth. Heat pan over medium-high heat, add 1/4 cup batter to middle of pan and swirl around to create a thin circle. Flip over once bubbles appear; it will cook fast, so keep a close watch. It should take just less than a minute per side. Remove from pan add sweet or savory filling or just enjoy plain. These are great alone, but I enjoyed them with honey, Greek yogurt, and peanut butter. Kelley enjoyed hers with goat cheese and enjoyed the sweet and savory combo. This batter makes great pancakes too; just don’t spread as thin.

Chocolate Pumpkin Protein Bread or Brownies

Ingredients

1 egg

4 egg whites

1 cup pumpkin puree

1/2 cup milk of choice; I used unsweetened almond milk

4 droppers full of NuNaturals Liquid Cocoa Bean Extract

1/2 cup unflavored whey protein (chocolate or vanilla flavor will work too)

3/4 cup peanut flour

3/4 cup NuNaturals More Fiber Baking Blend

1/4 cup + 2 tbs unsweetened cocoa powder

1 ½ tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

3/4 cup whole grain spelt flour

Serving Suggestion: Peanut Butter and Chia Seed Jam Sandwich...YUM!

Mix all wet ingredients (first 5 ingredients) in a medium bowl and sift all dry ingredients into a large bowl. Add wet ingredients to dry and mix with a large spoon or spatula to incorporate everything together. Pour into loaf pan or brownie pan and bake for 45 – 50 minutes for a loaf pan or 35 – 40 minutes for the brownie pan in a preheated oven at 350 degrees. Cover the top with foil for the last 20 minutes to avoid burning. The bread or brownies are ready when a knife comes out clean when inserted in the center.

Peanut Butter Thumbprint Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients
1 ¾ Cups Overnight Oats made with peanut flour (Recipe below)
1/2 Cup whole grain spelt flour; other whole grain or ground nut flour will work
3/4 Cups peanut flour
10 drops NuNaturals Liquid Vanilla Stevia
1/4 cup NuNaturals MoreFiber Stevia baking blend
2 t baking powder
1/4 t baking soda
Dash of sea salt
1/2 cup milk of choice
1 whole egg and 2 egg whites; for egg-free version, use 1 ½ tablespoons chia seeds with 1/4 cup water
1 medium ripe banana; mashed – 1/4 cup pumpkin puree works well too
Favorite flavor chia seed jelly or jam; or regular jam if you don’t have chia jam

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, add all dry ingredients and mix well to combine. Mix wet ingredients in small bowl; make a well in the center of dry ingredients and slowly pour while stirring everything together. Using a large spoon (or smaller for smaller cookies), scoop batter onto cookie sheet leaving space between each cookie. Plop a small teaspoon of jam in the middle of each cookie batter scoop and bake for about 20 minutes; they will turn a nice golden brown. The peanut butter smell will have you anxiously counting the seconds, so go ahead a sneak a bite! Careful, they’ll be hot; remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack. These are also great without jam, so make them either way.

Peanut butter, banana, and Greek yogurt cookie sandwich. I can't get enough of these; I even froze some for quick grab-n-go snack.

I enjoyed using all of the NuNaturals products sent to me, and will use this brand from now on. After have a few bad experiences from bitter aftertastes to diluted flavors with other brands, I’m happy to have found NuNaturals. My only grumble is with the Cocoa Bean Extract as I have yet to figure out the proper amount to add in beverages or for cooking. But after Kelley tried and actually liked my NuNaturals stevia baked goodies (that's a big deal!), it confirmed this stuff is top notch. Let me remind you that, although the products were sent to me free of charge, this is not a paid review and everything I say about NuNaturals is genuine and in my own words.

For anyone not into cooking, NuNaturals Stevia (as powder and liquid) and Quick Dissolve Tabs work wonderfully when added to any beverage as well as other applications. Instead of sugar laden flavored yogurts, buy the plain, non-fat kind and mix in a few drops of NuNaturals Vanilla Stevia, Cocoa Bean Extract, Clear Stevia, or a single White Stevia packet. It only takes seconds to create a healthy and tasty guilt-free yogurt treat that’s good anytime of day!

I still have plenty of recipes with NuNaturals to try and will be sure to share them all. Check out their website for more inspiring and delicious recipes with NuNaturals Stevia.

If this review left you ready to get your hands on some NuNaturals product, you’re in luck! Ron was more than happy to allow me to host a giveaway to 4 lucky viewers as a way to show my gratitude for reading my blog.

Four (4) winners will each receive one (1) box of NuStevia Packets (50 ct. Box) AND one (1) 2oz. bottle of NuNaturals Vanilla Stevia Liquid.

There are four ways to enter; just leave a separate comment for each entry to increase your chances to win.  Each entry will be used to choose the 4 winners at random.

1. Comment telling me your favorite NuNaturals recipe or products.

2. Follow me on Twitter and Tweet the following – “I’m entering to win @NuNaturals Stevia from @I_Love_Cayenne! Enter for your chance to win - http://bit.ly/zOLJ6l"

3. Visit NuNaturals on Facebook and “LIKE” their page. If you already “Like” NuNaturals, leave a comment letting me know.

4. Help support Just Add Cayenne and subscribe to my blog. Just post a comment if you are already subscribed.

Sorry, this giveaway has ended.  Don't miss out on the next healthy product giveway, subscribe to my blog and get notified of each post by e-mail!!

Thank you to all who participated and congratulations to the 4 lucky winners!

But wait! If you were not a winner for this giveaway but really want to try NuNaturals Stevia (I suggest you do!), you can get your hands on their products in the following ways:

1) Continental U.S. readers can receive FREE SAMPLES of the NuStevia Packets by sending a SELF-ADDRESSED, STAMPED, # 10 envelope to the following address:

NuNaturals, INC
2220 West 2nd Ave. # 1
Eugene, OR 97402


2) In addition, you can receive SPECIAL DISCOUNTS on all future orders only available through their website (http://www.nunaturals.com/). Enter the code BLG0612 to receive 15% off your total order. You will also receive FREE SHIPPING to the Continental US on all orders $35.00 or more, after the discount. This offer is effective immediately and will expire on June 30, 2012.

Don’t pass up the chance to get a discount on some of the best stevia products on the market. If other brands have let you down in the past, give NuNaturals a try and kick sugar to the curb. I wish everyone good luck and will leave you with a quote from Ron….

“Think healthy, eat healthy, stay well, & HAVE FUN!!”

Zevia: Great for Drinking and Baking!

Have you ever cooked with a can of soda?  Well, Zevia is far from just a can of soda; it's an all natural sugar-free soda sweetened with stevia.  Stevia is a sweet herb plant that provides the perfect sweetness (to me) without the empty calories of sugar.  As a sugar alternative, it is way better than the artificial substitutes out there. 

Here's a great list (shortened by me) of the good and bad substitutes I found on this site:

Bad Guy #1: Aspartame
There's conflicting evidence regarding the safety of aspartame, a common chemical sweetener used in diet soda and other low-cal or low-sugar goods, but some people report headaches or generally feeling unwell after ingesting anything containing the chemical.

Bad Guy #2: Agave
While your health food store likely stocks agave sweeteners, it may be best to keep them out of your cart. Many agave nectars consist of 70 to 80 percent fructose—that's more than what's found in high-fructose corn syrup!

Bad Guy #3: Sucralose
It's processed using chlorine, and researchers are finding that the artificial sweetener is passing through our bodies and winding up in wastewater treatment plants, where it can't be broken down. Scientists worry it could change organisms' feeding habits and interfere with photosynthesis, putting the entire food chain at risk.

Good Guy #1: Stevia
All types of stevia are extracted from the leaves of the stevia plant, but some forms taste better than others, says Gates. Stevia contains zero calories.....Expect to see more stevia on store shelves, as Coke and Pepsi got the green light to use Truvia (a sweetener made in part from stevia) starting later this year.

Good Guy #2: Sugar alcohols
Popular sugar alcohol sweeteners include xylitol, sorbitol, and erythritol, natural sweeteners made through a fermentation process of corn or sugar cane. They contain fewer calories than sweeteners like pure sugar and honey, but more than stevia. Just don't overdo it—too much can cause GI distress.

Good Guy #3: Organic, raw local honey
While honey does boast higher fructose levels, it also contains a bounty of cancer-defending antioxidants, and local honey has been said to help alleviate allergy symptoms.

Good Guy #4: Blackstrap molasses
Although heavy on the calorie content, blackstrap is rich in iron, potassium, and calcium, making it a healthier choice than nutritionally defunct artificial sweeteners....

I have experienced both the good and the bad ingredients in this list; the bad substitutes always gave me painful cramps and gastric problems for several hours after consuming.  It took me a while to make the connection on what caused this, but diet sodas were the main culprit.  Now, Zevia is the only "soda" I will consume; otherwise it's coffee, tea, and water....unsweetened.

So, what do you do to sweeten baked goods if you don't want sugar and don't want the bad stuff?  Since stevia does not measure at a 1 to 1 ratio with sugar, baking is difficult to find something to replace sugar's volume.  Enter Zevia!

After reading an easy baking recipe on Zevia's blog using cake mix, I became inspired to make my own treat with Zevia without a boxed mix.  Although I need to adjust a few measurements and whatnot, the end result was great.  I had been craving some cornbread and decided to make my own Zevia cornbread with protein; I just like using protein powder in my baking.

Here is my rough draft recipe:

Ingredients

1 cup applesauce
1/4 cup plain yogurt
1 large egg and 4 large egg whites (I have used 12oz of pureed Mori-Nu Silken Tofu for a great vegetarian substitute)
1 cup whole wheat (or other whole grain) flour
1 cup whole grain corn flour

1/4 cup all-natural stevia sweetened vanilla soy or whey protein

1/2 cup all-natural unflavored soy or whey protein

1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 12-ounce can Zevia Ginger Ale

Optional: omit the vanilla protein and only use unflavored for a savory bread you can add cumin, garlic powder, cayenne, and paprika

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 13 x 9-inch baking pan or a 12 muffin baking pan with non-stick spray

1. In a large bowl, beat eggs with a whisk, add all other wet ingredients and whisk to blend
2. In another bowl, mix the flour, protein powder, salt, and baking soda together.
3. Add dry ingredients to the liquid mixture and mix just until combined.
4. Pour the batter into prepared pan. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or when a toothpick comes out clean.

This is great as a thicker bread or if spread out flat on a cookie sheet for more of a thin bar to take with you to work or when traveling.

With the success of this cornbread, I will be in the kitchen using all of the Zevia flavors to see what I can create.  Do you have a favorite Zevia flavor?  Let me know if you are craving a certain baked good....I'd love to try and make a healthy version with this great all-natural sugar-free soda!

Of course, you could just skip all of the kitchen work and sit back with a chilled can of your choice.  Either way, you're sure to be pleased.

Make Your Own Sugar-Free Pudding with Stevia

Are you a fan of pudding? Do you like it warm, cold, or both depending on the type? I usually enjoy a cool, creamy pudding made from scratch, but am guilty of using the instant mixes or premade versions in the past. Since store bought puddings have sugar listed as the first ingredient (mixes and premade), you know there’s a lot of it! Trying to limit my sugar intake, I would buy the sugar-free varieties loaded with artificial sweeteners, hydrogenated oils, artificial colors, and unpronounceable words (never a good sign for ingredients). After noticing bad cramps and pains right after the sugar-free stuff, I decided it was best to make my own as I saw fit; just like almost everything else food related.

There are different ways to make your own pudding; some can be labor intensive using eggs and a stovetop while others are pretty quick and easy. What I like about making my own pudding is, obviously, you control what goes into it. As I’ve said before, I don’t really follow a recipe, just use it as a starting point and change where I so desire. Sometimes the changes work out, and sometimes not so much, either way, you learn something.

Seeing as to how I am against using sugar in most things, and the artificial stuff doesn’t sit well with me (plus it’s artificial), I use stevia in recipes calling for sugar. It takes a few trial and error attempts, but there is always a takeaway after each attempt. I use the liquid stevia in all of my cooking venture, if you want to use the stevia granules, here’s a useful conversion chart found at this site.

Below are some of my favorite pudding recipes using stevia. By far, brown rice pudding is my favorite…..although the chocolate is not far behind!

Sugar-Free Vanilla Rice Pudding with Stevia

Servings: 4

2 cups cooked whole grain brown rice
1 1/2 cups skim milk; I use unsweetened almond milk, try whatever milk you like best
1 tablespoon liquid vanilla stevia
1 ripe mashed banana
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon/1 teaspoon nutmeg /1 teaspoon allspice – optional
Dash of sea salt

- In medium saucepan, combine rice, milk, liquid stevia, & bring to boil.
- Reduce heat & simmer 20 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Remove from heat, stir in mashed banana, dash of salt, and any spices you are using.

- Serve warm or store in fridge with a layer of plastic wrap covering the top to prevent skin forming.

Feel free to experiment with your own add-ins as desired to make it yours. I enjoy this as a cold pudding, but many people enjoy having their rice pudding warm. A common addition is raisins, so feel free to toss some in, but I do not like to add raisins to pudding as it takes away from the consistent creaminess. Many recipes call for butter, but I found using the mashed banana adds flavor and gives the same effect as butter would in this dish.

My other favorite recipe is pure and simple; chocolate or vanilla pudding is another comfort food you can never grow tired of. The recipe below does not require many ingredients which makes for a simple creation in your complex world.

Sugar-Free Vanilla (or Chocolate) Pudding with Stevia

3/4 tsp liquid vanilla stevia or 1/2 tsp stevia granules*

3 tbsp arrowroot (cornstarch can be used too)

1/4 tsp salt

2 1/4 cups milk; I use unsweetened almond milk, but skim, rice, or lite coconut milk will work too

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla.

*Add 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder and use liquid chocolate stevia if making chocolate pudding

Add milk, stevia, and salt to a medium saucepan; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture boils. Mix cornstarch with 1/4 cup water and pour into saucepan; bring to a boil and stir constantly; it will start the thicken. Remove from heat and let cool 5 minutes; stir in vanilla. Put contents in airtight container and place plastic wrap on top to prevent a skin forming. 

Try using lite coconut milk and sprinkle unsweetened coconut on top after you're done for a tropical treat.  When making vanilla pudding, I love adding crushed ginger snaps on top for a nice crunch and a little bite.

I have made this too runny before, so it might take a few tries. If yours becomes too watery, try using more arrowroot or cornstarch next time. Don’t throw the runny pudding away! Pour it in individual paper cups and place in freezer; tear away the cups after several hours for tasty pudding popsicles.  I haven't tried it yet, but added 1/2 cup of peanut flour will be my next stevia pudding creation....can't wait!!

Cooking with stevia can be challenging, but the benefits outweigh any challenges. Besides just offering a natural zero calorie sweetness, stevia has these benefits:

- It's good for your digestive system, curbing candidiasis
- It inhibits the growth of all sorts of bacteria
- It helps with an upset stomach, soothing acidity
- It increases energy levels and promotes an overall feeling of well-being.

Don’t let thinking about conversions stop you from making awesome, stevia sweetened treats. I use a handy conversion chart when cooking with stevia to help avoid stress from confusion; you might find it useful too.

Stevia Conversion Chart

Granulated Sugar........Stevia Granules

1 teaspoon..............1/8 teaspoon

1 tablespoon............3/8 teaspoon

1/4 cup.................1 1/2 teaspoons

1/2 cup.................1 tablespoon

1 cup...................2 tablespoons

Granulated Sugar........Clear Liquid Extract

1 teaspoon..............4-6 drops

1 tablespoon............8-12 drops

1/4 cup.................1/8 tsp

1/2 cup.................1 Tbsp

1 cup...................2 Tbsp

Now get in the kitchen and treat yourself to a cool (or warm) and creamy natural sugar-free pudding tonight!

100% Natural Zevia with Stevia.....Contest Extension

It’s hot! I’m sure some areas are hotter and others are not so bad, but the heat in Texas has me craving a good cola. Of course the marketing department at Coca-Cola leaves most of us with their cool, crisp red and white cans bursting through a refreshing wall of ice….they get credit for that. But really, high fructose corn syrup or artificial sweeteners are not that refreshing for our bodies. Enter Zevia!

Zevia is a great drink for snack time....or anytime!!

From their website, Zevia provides the following information about their exquisite product:

“With only the purest ingredients, ZEVIA contains none of the chemically processed artificial sugar substitutes, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives found in other diet sodas. ZEVIA is 100% natural, has zero calories, zero net carbs, zero fat, and little or no sodium (depending on flavor).

All twelve delicious ZEVIA varieties – Cola, Ginger Root Beer, Dr. Zevia, Twist, Ginger Ale, Black Cherry, Orange, Grape, Cream Soda, Caffeine Free Cola, Mountain Zevia, Grapefruit Citrus – are more delicious and better for you than any other diet soda.

We were the first to do it with soda, and we are excited to share it with you.

We are making soda the way it should always have been.”

Having tried Zevia for myself, I completely agree this is the best cola product available. Nothing can replace water as the best beverage, but with Zevia, you get zero calories and a short list of all natural ingredients that will not strain your body.
The great people at Mambo Sprouts gave me a chance to sample a six-pack of Zevia flavors and then post a review. I was excited to open the package once it arrived and could not wait to try all the different flavors. Mambo Sprouts also provided a coupon for a free six-pack for me to use myself, or use in a giveaway. Since I’m not “that” selfish, I opted to pick one contestant to win the free six-pack coupon; more on this later.

Get creative and make a tasty mix with Zevia....I did and love it!

For the flavor reviews, I brought my dear wife, Kelley, along to share the can and get her perspective. Kelley does not use stevia sweetener and I thought she may have a different view on the flavors since I use it almost daily. Below are the tasting notes for each flavor tried

Kelley = Non-frequent stevia user

RC = Frequent stevia user

Grapefruit

Kelley - Crisp, refreshing taste with clean aftertaste and no bitterness. Would be good with vodka.

RC - Only a slight hint of grapefruit flavor, but it's nice and clean with none of the overpowering sweetness you get from some artificial sweeteners. Plus, mouth stays feeling clean as opposed to that plaque-y feeling with real sugar drinks.

Grape
Kelley - Ok, but wouldn't buy it again b/c she does not like grape sodas anyway. Very strong grape flavor throughout and funny aftertaste.

RC - I like the grape flavor, it is pretty strong, but it should be. There is a slight aftertaste, but something I'm used to as a stevia consumer. I would drink it again if offered to me, but don't see myself buying a six-pack or the stuff.

Mountain Zevia
Kelley - Never liked Mountain Dew, and did not like this one either. End of story.
RC - I didn't mind Mountain Dew, but didn't buy it often. This was a little off from Mountain Dew; I did not really like it either and would probably turn it down if offered to me. As a side note, I mixed half the can with some brewed mint green tea with ice and it was pretty tasty.

Cream Soda

Kelley - Love it! Want to buy more A.S.A.P.

RC - Very good. The flavor is just right, not too strong, and no bad aftertaste whatsoever. Mixed the rest of the can with brewed vanilla red (rooibos) and green tea on ice. The result was very refreshing. I like to mix things!

Ginger Root Beer

Kelley – Same as Cream Soda….loves everything from start to finish. She started to bug me about getting more soon. It made her day when I packed a can for lunch at work.
RC – This has been my go to drink for a great mixer at night. I like to use this to blend with good bourbon on the weekend. Bourbon or not, ginger and root beer are on the top of my list of favorite things and love this flavor!

Cola and Caffeine-free Cola

Kelley – Nice and simple; great replacement for Coke or Pepsi products. Would be great mixed with vodka!

RC – A little lighter in taste than Coke, but like it. It is good with vodka…..and bourbon.

If we had to choose a six-pack of one flavor, it would most likely be the Ginger Root Beer since both Kelley and I love the taste. Cream Soda would is a close second choice as it’s a very clean and comforting drink all alone or mixed with an iced tea as I mentioned. We both enjoyed tasting the different flavors and will only choose Zevia when deciding on a carbonated beverage. I urge everyone to try this great product; it is, as Zevia states, soda the way it always should be!
Zevia Contest…….Extended to Tuesday, June 28, 2011

I posted the Zevia contest details last week and only had one response. In hopes of having a more of a response and exposure, I am extending this contest for another week. The new deadline is midnight on 06/28/11. A winner will be randomly selected soon thereafter and announced on Facebook, Twitter, and the Just Add Cayenne Blog. Good luck and go try some Zevia for motivation.

Here are the details from my original post...
Entries to win the free 6-pack coupon are easy. You can have up to three entries by:
Posting your favorite Zevia flavor or one you’d like to try to the Comments section on this blog

Posting a link to Just Add Cayenne and mentioning this contest on your Facebook page; then post to Comments on this blog to let me know you did this

Tweeting about this contest and include a link to Just Add Cayenne; then post to Comments on this blog to let me know you did this

Remember to leave a comment for each thing you do. Your comments will count as entries into the contest and a winner will be selected at random.
If you haven’t done so already, try some Zevia beforehand….it will leave you ready to win to get some more of the satisfying taste of an all-natural, zero calorie soda.

Thank you, Mambo Sprouts, for giving me the opportunity to try this great product!