Over the past six months there has been a lot of talk about stevia and whether or not the FDA will finally lift restrictions regarding its use as a sweetener. The word around the campfire is that approval is just around the corner as companies like Pepsi, Coke and Cargill crank up their well funded lobbying machines. As stevia rapidly approaches GRAS (general regarded as safe) status with the FDA, it will pave the way, for smaller companies like Steviva Brands, Inc. of Portland , Oregon into conventional markets.
Steviva Brands is poised to move its all natural sweetener onto shelves at your local health and natural foods markets as well as conventional grocery stores. Recent re-branding efforts which include new labels which will easily compete with chemically based artificial sweeteners such as Splenda, Equal and Sweet and Low. The new packaging design also includes a convenient serving scoop making cooking and baking a snap.
So what is stevia and where has it been all your life? Stevia is processed from the “Stevia Rebaudiana” bush which is in the Chrysanthemum family. When its leaves are refined into a white powder extract (stevioside), stevia becomes 200-300 times sweeter than sugar. Stevia has a negligible effect on blood glucose, even enhancing glucose tolerance; therefore, it is attractive as a natural sweetener to diabetics and others on carbohydrate-controlled diets. Steviva Brands utilizes natural enzymes in a new all natural water extraction process which has virtually removed any bitterness or licorice flavor indicative of stevia. President and founder of Steviva Brands, Inc., Thom King said, “We are very excited about the extraction process as well as the new labels. The new label design and serving scoop makes our product stand out.” “Once tasted we are sure consumers will come back for more.”
Look for Steviva Brands Stevia Powder and other Steviva Brands sweeteners at you're a store near you or online at Steviva.com.
About Steviva Brands
Steviva Brands was started in 1996 by Thom King. Steviva is committed to bringing consumers a natural and healthy alternative to artificial sweeteners and sugar. For years, Steviva Brands has maintained a Carbon Neutral Policy. With the new packaging design both bottles and labels are 100% recyclable and re-usable. In addition Steviva Brands proudly donates 10% of their net profits to environmental organizations.
All Natural Sugarless Tropical Raspberry Smoothie
Serves: 4
Coconut milk adds an exotic twist to this refreshing morning shake. Be sure not to confuse sweetened “cream of coconut” with unsweetened coconut milk.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk
4 ounces (scant 1/2 cup) silken tofu
1/2 cup fresh raspberries or berries of season (or more for garnish)
Very small dash of Steviva Brand Stevia Powder
1 to 2 drops coconut extract, to taste
3 ice cubes
Directions:
1. Combine coconut milk, tofu, berries, a very small dash of Steviva Brand Stevia Powder and coconut extract in a blender. Blend until smooth. (If you want to remove the seeds, you can strain the mixture through a sieve, then return it to the blender).
2. Add ice and blend until smooth. Serve and enjoy!
Nutritional Facts Per Serving:
Serving Size: 1 cup
210 calories
8.3 g protein
22 g total fat (0.9 g saturated fat)
12.0 g carbohydrate
8.1 g sugars
4.1 g dietary fiber
3.5 mg cholesterol
110 mg sodium
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1 comment:
There is a company that has achieved the Gras Status approval from the FDA for it's Stevia Sweetener. The only Stevia in the country with Gras Status is SweetLeaf. It's an incredible sweetener and already in lots of markets around the country and available at their website as well. Beware of different manufacturers of Stevia. They aren't all the same. SweetLeaf is the only one I know of that doesn't have any chemicals in their processing or in their end product. SweetLeaf is a sweet way of life.
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