So This Is Christmas

Merry Christmas is such an infectious feeling I like to feel that way all year around.

So if you are visiting just before Christmas, just after Christmas or even here on Christmas day I am sure you will find something of interest for you and in the spirit of Christmas.

It may be said that Christmas is no longer a celebration but this must be spoken by people that have never had trouble closing their eyes on Christmas Eve in an expectation of what maybe left for them on the carpet under the tree.

I continue to look forward to the surprise on my Grandchild's faces to this day at Christmas events.

Merry Christmas - Merry Christmas - Merry Christmas

Monday, November 2, 2009

Kinds Of Natural Sugar Alternatives

By Esther George

With the growing concern about diabetes and obesity, many people have been looking to sugar alternatives as one way to maintain diet while living a healthier lifestyle. Nearly everyone responds to the sweetness of sugar, but processed regular white sugar used in most of our foods is not good for you and presents a host of health risks. Even though refined sugars are not good for you, there are sugar alternatives so you can still enjoy eating.

Natural sugar is one choice much better for you than refined white sugar. This natural sugar can provide easy to digest energy when consumed in small amounts, benefiting your body. This type of sugar will cause your body to store fat if you eat too much. This is what we try to avoid, but in small doses provides a good alternative.

There are other sugar alternatives available as well, and some of them are better for you than others. First there are the artificial sweeteners like saccharine. This can be found in the Sweet and Low packets on the table in just about every restaurant in the country. This artificial sugar alternative is very sweet so you use a lot less to get the same level of sweetness than you would need with real sugar.

The problem with these sugar alternatives is that they may not be very good for you. Some people think that they cause cancer, but this has not been proven in any scientific studies yet. More importantly, they encourage your body to want more sugar, so they do not help you to eat healthier and avoid sugar at other times. Also, since they are tricking your body into thinking it is getting sugar, it stores the empty calories as fat, so the effects are just the same.

Another downside to artificial sweeteners is they are not good to use for cooking. They may work to sweeten coffee or tea, but when baked they get a chemical taste. This explains why most houses have a bag of refined white sugar in the kitchen, even if they use artificial sweeteners.

There are natural sugar alternatives you can adapt for baking and other sweetening needs. Honey, one of the oldest natural forms of sweetening, can be used for most needs. It is all natural, and good for you when used (like all other sweeteners) in moderation. When used during baking, it will thicken batters.

Honey is also a good option for coffee or tea. You can get honey crystals that have been dried, making them easy to use. These honey crystals are perfect to use in beverages or over cereal.

Another one of the interesting natural sugar alternatives is Agave. This is a thick liquid that is derived from a plant. It is not quite as thick as honey that comes with a sweet, wonderful flavor while not being overpowering.

With all the natural sugar alternatives out there, make sure you do your research well. Natural sugar alternatives like Honey Crystals offer the additional benefit of being dry and easy to use. It replaces sugar 1:1 and is great for keeping your weight in check and your health in shape.

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