If you have a “sweet tooth” and you are having trouble restraining from sugar, do not despair, there is still hope for you. Introducing stevia – an all natural alternative to sugar that is 350 times sweeter, has zero calories and none of the negative effects that sugar has.

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, or commonly know as stevia, is a plant that belongs to the chrysanthemum family and is native to South America. It has been used by the indigenous Guarani people as medicine and as a sweetener for hundreds of years.

The leaves of the stevia plant contain a number of different components with a sweet taste scientifically called steviol glycosides, ten of which are the most abundant in a typical leaf and they all have different levels of sweetness intensity and a unique taste profile.

The steviol glycosides are extracted from the stevia plant and purified with a very similar process that is commonly used to extract other ingredients such as cane sugar or vanilla. This purified stevia extract is what is actually approved for use in the food and beverages industry by many regulatory authorities such as the European Food Safety Authority(EFSA). Today many companies including Coca-Cola, use stevia extract to create tasty low-calorie food and beverage products.

Stevia is also available in many forms that are suitable for domestic use. You can buy stevia packs online and you can take your coffee and tea sweet without feeling guilty that you’ll gain a couple of extra pounds.

Besides not being harmful, there are actually many health benefits that are associated with stevia. First of all, the reason why stevia extract is a zero-calorie alternative to sugar is because steviol glycosides are hard to absorb in the body and they simply pass through the gastrointestinal tract fully intact. This means that stevia lowers your blood sugar levels, increases insulin resistance, and promotes the health of the pancreas. In addition, stevia is also great for lowering blood pressure, increasing insulin sensitivity, may help with gingivitis, cavities, and tooth decay, it can be used to treat osteoporosis, skin conditions, and much more.

Based on scientific research, there are no reported side effects of Stevia when taken, of course, in moderation. However, if you are taking any diabetes or hypertension medications or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, supervised stevia consumption is advised.

Hopefully, after reading this article, you feel more confident in your decision to replace the harmful sugar and turn to this healthier solution. Since the demand for stevia packs online or in stores is only set to rise, you have your sweet answer within reach – just a few clicks or blocks away.

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To be healthy it needs to be natural. Natural sweeteners are derivative from plants. They taste like sugar but contain less calories than the real thing. Even better, they do not raise blood-sugar levels and can help prevent various illness such as type 2 diabetes. A great example of natural sweetener are pure stevia products.

Stevia is a natural sweetener extracted from the plant Stevia, ich is native to South Africa. Pure stevia products have no calories and no carbohydrate. Available in liquid and powder form, pure stevia products can be found in online and offline natural food shops and can be used to substitute sugar in basically any kind of baking and beverage.

The advantages of using stevia to replace sugar in your diet are numerous. In its pure form, stevia sugar substitute is non-caloric and doesn’t impact glucose levels – a great advantage for hypoglycemics and diabetics. Plus, it contains no fat or carbohydrates, so it’s ideal for dieters (especially those watching carb intake). Unlike artificial sweeteners, when measured properly pure stevia products have little aftertaste and cause no side effects. In fact, it has been safely consumed around the word for decades. Because stevia is a sugar-free product, it can also be used by those who suffer from candida.

As mentioned above, stevia can be used as a healthy substitute in baking and cooking since it is heat stable. However, use one teaspoon of the stevia for one cup of sugar since stevia is 200-300 times sweeter than real sugar. When used in beverages, stevia dissolves easily and quickly – depending on your preferences, only a pinch may be needed.

When shopping for pure stevia products, keep in mind that you usually get what you pay for. So don’t buy a product based only on the price solely; taste and quality also matter. Also, higher percentage of stevioside doesn’t necessarily make stevia better; you can find great quality stevia with this main plant composition at even 80%. And start slowly. Use a minimal amount as it can be overwhelming if you add too much in the beginning. You can always add more later if necessary.

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To beat the hot summer days, make a refreshing limeade by mixing water and sugar, which is an extremely sweet drink opposite of lemonade. It is really easy to make your own natural lime juice at home from fresh limes. This juice is extremely refreshing and what is more important, it is 100% natural and much more flavourful than the bottle concentrated juice you get at a supermarket. Stay with us if you want to learn how to make lime juice.

Instructions

1. The first thing to do is to buy limes. They are usually smaller than your fist and should have glossy and deep, bright green colour skin. The lime needs to be firm but not hard as a rock.

2. Whole fresh limes can be stored in the refrigerator for two weeks or more, or at room temperature (out of direct sunlight) for a week or two. However, keep in mind that if you keep them in the refrigerator, allow them to come to room temperature before juicing.

3. Before making the lime juice, put the fruit in a bowl filled with cold water and baking soda for at least 1 hour; rinse with clean water and dry them.

4. Once done, slice each lime in half with a sharp knife and if you have a citrus juicer, squeeze or press the lime halves according to the juicer directions.

5. If you don’t have a juicer, squeeze each lime half over a bowl until you have extracted whole juice. Remove any seeds or pulp from the juice.

6. It is recommended to consume the freshly squeezed natural lime juice immediately, however it can be stored in a tightly sealed jar or container in the refrigerator for about two weeks. You can also freeze lime juice in ice cube trays; usable for up to six months or more.

7. If you want to get more from the lime, do not throw the rind away. You can use the lime peel to make lime zest by gently rubbing the outside of the lime against a fine grater. The fresh lime zest should be used immediately or you can dry it in an oven at low heat and store it for 2 – 3 months.

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If you do a little research, you’re sure to find that slow press juicers are nutrients’ best friend; although they are quite fast, they are designed to extract juice with all the nutrients of fruit and/or vegetables intact.

The main difference between a centrifugal juicer and a slow press juicer are the blades. The blades of the centrifugal juicers move extremely fast producing heat. The heat, the speed and the friction kill a lot of nutrients, and that’s certainly not how you like you juice, is it? The quick movement of the blades is also why there is the separation of the juice (you can see this after pouring the juice in a glass).

With a slow press juicer, the juicing process is more natural; it’s like squeezing the fruits or veggies yourself with your own hands. Nothing invasive happens to the nutrients, therefore, nothing is lost. In order to get a better understanding of the wonderful and meticulous method of slow juicing, watch the following video here.

No friction means no separation, and no separation means longer shelf life! Yes, the slow press juicer will produce the most delicious juices that can last for up to 72 hours, if stored in sealed, glass bottles. Another important benefit of drinking a cold pressed juice is that it provides your body with 65% of the nutrients that your cells absorb in 10 to 15 minutes. Smoothies on the other hand, provides you with 17% of the nutrients which are fully absorbed after 2 to 3 hours.

Drinking a cold pressed juice will enable your body to keep all of the enzymes and nutrients for itself, and they’ll be very much alive and ready to interact with your cells and blood. This results in an incredible boost of energy, improved immune system and inevitably and luckily, better looks! Drinking whole juices regularly will help you get rid of those extra kilos, make your skin smoother and firmer naturally and your hair will simply glow. This happens due to the fact that you’ll be getting undamaged, fresh nutrients, that already went under a process similar to the digestion in your intestines, so your body will save the energy you waste on chewing and digestion when eating fruits and veggies without processing them beforehand.

By implementing the slow juicing routine in your life, you’ll be transforming and healing your body inside-out; your future self will be endlessly grateful.

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Coffee Face Mask

This is great for doing it early in the morning when you get up and start preparing for work (if you’re not the type that gets out of bed into your pants and off to work). This mask rejuvenates your skin and gives it a healthy glow that will last all day long. You’ll need:

• 2 tbsp ground coffee (fresh or used)
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp honey (preferably, Manuka honey because of its many health benefits)
• 3 tbsp milk (or yogurt or your daily moisturizer)

Mix all of these together to create a nice smooth paste (and yes, this takes only 2 minutes of your time) apply it on your face and leave it on for 15 minutes. Wash face with lukewarm water and put on your favourite day cream. You’re ready to put on your makeup and shine the streets!

Coffee Face Peeling

Coffee is great as an exfoliant; it gets rid of dead skin cells and at the same time works with your skin’s natural renewal process to create new skin cells. You could do this twice a week, as not to treat your skin too much and eventually get a counter effect. Here’s how to prepare the paste.

• 3 tbsp coffee (fresh, if possible)
• 1 tbsp brown sugar ( the crystals are bigger , so it’s easier to scrub with it)
• 1 tbsp natural oil of your choice: Olive, coconut, or almond (whichever you choose you won’t make a mistake)

Mix the sugar and the coffee first and then add the oil to create the scrub. Once beautifully blended, apply to your face and start scrubbing. You can use a face brush for better results.

The Shiny Hair – Coffee Treatment

Coffee is known to be great enhancer of hair colour. Plus, the antioxidants present in it help fight against certain diseases and contribute to stronger hair follicles. So, why not try it on your hair? Prepare strong coffee and than add a little lukewarm water to make it bearable to the head. After you wash your hair with shampoo and rinse with water, pour the coffee slowly on your head. Massage the scalp a few minutes and then wrap your hair with a plastic cap for about 20 minutes. After that wash your hair and enjoy the shine.

Coffee To The Rescue – Eliminate Cellulite!

Ladies, the cure has been found. One of the amazing features of coffee is that it’s known to diminish cellulite! You can give yourself an amazing spa treatment with this body scrub. Here’s what to use.

• 1 cup of fresh coffee
• 1/2 cup white or brown sugar (for extra scrubbing effect)
• 1 cup of coconut oil

Apply the scrub on wet skin and scrub each area for about 60 seconds. After you’re done, wash your body with lukewarm water and apply your favourite body lotion to pamper yourself even more. The coconut oil will make your skin smooth and moisturized, as it is a deep penetrating oil, good not just for the skin, but for hair as well.

Mix the following ingredients:

• 1/2 cup coffee
• 1/2 cup coconut palm sugar (if you don’t have it, use brown sugar instead)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup of coconut oil

Pay attention – this scrub will make your skin feel like silk and look healthier than ever before. Caffeine will eliminate all the unnecessary oils making your skin clean and smooth, as the rough texture of ground beans will eliminate all dead skin cells. Make sure you bring your coconut oil to room temperature before you mix it with other ingredients, because if you heat the entire mixture the exfoliants will lose their properties, or completely dissolve in the oil. So, once made, apply to your whole body, scrub and rince.

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But main excuse of many is lack of time. If you too do not have time to spend in the kitchen preparing healthy meals, a great solution to your problem is a masticating juicer. Masticating juicer offers you the fasted way to get the daily suggested servings of fruits and vegetables. Furthermore, a fresh juice is like a magical pill for getting glowing skin, healthier hair and even curing hangover.

Here is a list of ingredient that you can use to prepare delicious juices that will turbo-charge your body.

Carrots for a shiny, healthy hair

Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which is a powerful antioxidant. When consumed, beta-carotene is converted into vitamin A, which is necessary for a shiny hair as it promotes a healthy scalp and healthy hair growth.

Pumpkin seeds for a strong hair

Pumpkin Seeds are a great source of vitamin A, zinc and sulfur. These three elements are particularly helpful in building strong hair.

Leafy greens for stronger nails

To grow strong, healthy nails make sure you incorporate a lot of leafy green vegetables (spinach, kale) as well as a variety of plant foods (cauliflower, peas, asparagus, mushrooms) into your juice. These foods are high in silica, vitamins and mineral.

Coconut water to cure a hangover

Add coconut water to your juice as it is consider one of the best natural hydrators. Dehydration can make your skin look dried out and can also lead to premature age signs.

Green smoothie to get rid of dull winter skin

To turn your skin from looking dull to fab, include fiber into your diet with a healthy smoothie. For example, add spinach, celery, romaine, apples and banana to your masticating juicer to prepare a glowing skin green smoothie.

Pineapple for a soft skin

Pineapple is great for promoting healthy digestion. And a good digestion is what a soft, beautiful skin depends on.

Coconut yogurt to prevent breakouts and acne

Coconut yogurt contains beneficial bacteria that can help keep your system clean. It has been shown to be effective for treating acne.

Celery to get rid of under-eye circles

Now and then we all have problems with under-eye circles. Usually a result of stress, spending many hours in front of a computer, lack of sleep and poor diet, dark circles are not a serious skin issue, but they do make you look older. To get rid of dark circles, include celery in your diet. It is a potent detoxifier able to make the skin around the eyes look healthier.

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Here are few ways to cut sugar and still enjoy food

• Increase the intake of fresh and organic foods such as vegetables, meat, fruits and natural fats.

• Avoid buying canned and pre-prepared foods. Prepare your own meals as this way you’ll know exactly which ingredients you’ve used.

• Research and learn more about the natural and other alternative sweeteners.

• Other important things when cutting sugar – drink more water, exercise, get more sleep, reduce caffeine and brush your teeth.

• Avoid cookies and high-calorie deserts.

• Substitute sugar with fruits such as banana, mangoes, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries etc.

• Replace the white sugar with brown sugar and honey.

• Buy gourmet food from gourmet online shop in Melbourne. Buy savory grains, jam, raw honey, etc. A warm bread with jam or something else can satisfy as much as sweet sugar treat. There are many gourmet shops on the Internet where you can buy delicious gourmet, but sugar-free food.

• Do not skip your breakfast as this is the most important meal of the day which ensures proper body performance. Make sure you opt for healthy choice such as yogurt and fruits or cereal and milk or omelet with vegetables.

These are just few ways to cut sugar intake and still enjoy food. Consuming food low in sugar will boost your health, while eating foods loaded with sugar will eventually result in being diagnosed with a disease. Therefore, reducing sugar can only benefit you and your loved ones.

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