Testimony of the Day
“I started 8 days ago and I too have lost 7 lbs! Unbelievable!
I am very encouraged! I also take the targeted supplements and even my husband has noticed a difference in my energy levels and that my “tired look” has gone! Wow! -Debbie”
To get started like Debbie, click HERE.
Juice Facts
Now that you are becoming a better label reader, you skip the store-bought Push Pops, but how about orange juice? 100% orange juice contains as much sugar as a Coke. An 8 ounce glass = 6 tsp! Yes, it is ‘natural’ sugar, but drinking only the juice from an orange, you lose the fiber to slow the blood sugar from increasing too much. You also lose a lot of vitamin C when you juice an orange, which is why orange juice is ‘fortified’ with vitamin C, while if you EAT a real orange you get natural occurring vitamin c. To get the 6 tsp of sugar from a small glass of juice, you need to eat about 3 oranges.
Sally Fallon NOURISHING TRADITIONS: “There is as much sugar in a small glass of orange juice as there is in a candy bar – and most of it fructose, which is more harmful than the sucrose of sugar. Consumption of apple juice has been linked to failure to thrive in infants. Excessive consumption of fruit juice upsets the acid-alkaline balance of the body. Even consumption of veggie juice can cause this imbalance. Even over consumption of fruit can cause severe mineral deficiencies.”
“HEALTHIFIED” PUSH POPS
1 orange, peeled
4 oz cream cheese or coconut cream, softened
1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
4 TBS SWERVE (to keep it soft) *see below
1 tsp stevia glycerite
1/4 tsp Celtic sea salt (to keep it from hardening too much)
Peel the orange and remove the seeds. Place in a blender or food processor and process until a fine puree. Add in the cream cheese, almond milk, sweetener and salt until smooth. Pour mixture into Push Pop molds (click HERE to find them). Place in freezer for at least 2 hours and serve.
Makes 4 servings.
NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON (per serving):
Traditional Pops = 230 calories, 13g Fat, 3g protein, 27 carbs, 0g fiber
“Healthified” Pops = 130 calories, 10g fat, 2.8g protein, 6.7 carbs, 1.4g fiber
SWERVE: Swerve uses a Non-GMO erythritol manufacturer who employs technology that relies on the inherent ability of certain natural yeasts to convert sugar into erythritol. The resulting erythritol is then purified, dried and sieved. This process does not require any solvents, other than water. No synthetic chemical processes are required and the resulting Erythritol is identical to that which is found in nature. It measures cup for cup like sugar and it also does not have the same “mouth-cooling” sensation compared to other brands of erythritol on the market.
Maria, I’ve been using erythritol for a few years, and I stick to non GMO, not sourced from China whenever possible. I have wondered for some time whether there are the same concerns as there are with (beverage) alcohol with respect to the liver. Are we damaging our liver long term by using sugar alcohols? I realize sugar and HFCS are terrible for our liver as well, but was wondering if you have concerns about whether sugar alcohols may not be the greatest for our liver long-term.
Of all the studies I have read, I haven’t read any linking sugar alcohols to and intestinal issues. 🙂
I’m wondering the same thing but you answered it regarding intestinal issues which is also good to know. But what about studies regarding LIVER health? I’ve read conflicting articles but I’m not sure of the validity of what I’ve read. Thank you.
My husband thought I was crazy for taking the juice out of the house. I think they will all like this. I cannot wait to make it and also ordered you newest book. Congrats.
Thank you!
Are your books available online only? Or can I purchase them at Barnes and Noble?
You can check with your local Barnes and Noble. Some do carry them. If they don’t you can ask them to. 🙂
I got some sweetener last grocery shopping trip: Wholesome Zero which is Erythitol, could I use this in place of either the Just Like Sugar or Swerve in any of these? Figured it was worth a shot hmmm and tried a sample packet I got of the Swerve though-pricey but good!
Yes. Sometimes I also add a little Stevia Glycerite along with the Erythritol to get the sweetness I like. 🙂
Great post!!! Love the new book. It’s beautiful!!
Thanks! I really like how the new book came out. 🙂
These were a huge hit with my kids this weekend!
Yay! Glad they liked them. 🙂
Hello Maria!! I am a huge fan, having ‘discovered’ you this winter. I thank you from every cell of my being that you are passionate about healthy food and are so willing to share what you have learned and your creations!!! <3
On to the topic here: I see Swerve produces both regular granulated and confectioner’s. For our taste tests… do you think I could get by just ordering the confectioner’s? Will it combine with your recipes effectively? Here in Canada it is very pricey. So I’d like to test with one, then make my way across the great divide (to the USA) for less pricey options if it’s a ‘go’ for us. Thoughts?
Thank you so much! I think you could get by with just the regular. Your frosting won’t be quite as smooth, but you could just grind the regular in a coffee grinder if using for a frosting. 🙂
Thanks Maria! The more I read, the more confused I’m becoming about which brand is the better all round healthy choice. And is it the best taste? Reading about Just Like Sugar with chicory it sounds the healthiest. But then, why the other products. Could you take this research monster and give me some clear direction? Thank you! Again, Mary
My personal all around favorite is Swerve. It has great health benefits (almost as much as just like sugar as it also uses chicory root extract) but it is almost half the price of Just Like Sugar and that is why I like it. The only thing I haven’t had decent success with Swerve is in things like Caramel that need it to dissolve and the Erythritol in Swerve doesn’t. For those I use Just Like Sugar or Xylitol. Happy Baking! 🙂 http://astore.amazon.com/marisnutran05-20/detail/B006T352FA
Thank you Maria! Swerve it is!! I hope this week goes well for you. Go kiss up that little boy of yours! I still cannot believe mine is now nigh 6′ tall – but if he falls asleep against me he’s five all over again! 🙂
I noticed bag by bag Just Like Sugar is comparable for cost at Vitacost, but you cannot beat that $3.50/bag difference when they group 3 bags of Swerve on Amazon! 🙂
Thank you! They are growing up too fast! It is crazy how much they have grown in 8 months since coming home! 🙂
Maria – I tried the swerve in meringues, and it did indeed have MUCH less of a cooling effect. Is swerve sweeter than other erythritol brands? Just wondering why you say to omit the stevia glycerite if using the swerve?
BTW … I’ll never use another brand of erythritol.
I love Swerve too! It is Erythritol and Oligosaccharides (which typically come from the chicory root) so it has two sweeteners and is sweeter than just Erythritol. 🙂
I don’t have the push pop molds–could these be put into individual canning jars instead? what about using an ice cream maker? –just so it’s ready in 20 mins, instead of 2 hours.
The ice cream maker should work. 🙂
Should the stevia be omitted if not using Erythritol? I noticed it doesn’t say that in this recipe, but it most other recipes of yours if you don’t use Erythritol then the stevia should be omitted. Just want to check before I make the recipe–I don’t want it to be too sweet.
In this case it is the Swerve (which is Erthritol and Chicory root sweetener) and Stevia. You can adjust the sweetness to your liking. 🙂
I made this with some old fashioned Tupperware popsicle molds my Mom had in her basement. I used Stevia because that’s what I had, and for a popsicle, we don’t mind if it’s hard. My children inhaled them and begged for more! (we also had leftover that didn’t fit in the molds, which they drank as smoothies!!) Thanks, Maria!!
Thank you! I love it when kids like my recipes. 🙂
Maria – what about lemon and lime juice. I have so many recipes that call for a couple tablespoons here and there.
In any case, we received our push up pops and will make these today.
That would work too. 🙂
what I meant to ask is if the lemon and lime juices are as bad for you as the other fruit juices. Are they primarily fructose as well? My daughter loves to make lemonade with a lemon and lemon stevia drops.
They are ok. There are only 0.6g sugar in a whole lime. 🙂
Hey Maria, I am trying to order a bunch of things from your store to make some desserts. The problem is I can’t seem to get Swerve in Canada and their website says they do not ship to anywhere but U.S. Do you know how I can get this product?
I will check with my contact at Swerve and see if there is anything I can do. Thanks for your support!! 🙂 (Just a note, if you put a bunch of stuff in your cart and want to wait until later to add more, click the checkout on my astore page and put it into your amazon cart. There is a glitch with the amazon astore that makes my astore shopping cart go away if you come back later. :))
Launching just this week is a website for Canada Swerve. You still have to call to place your order (no web ordering yet) but you can get it shipping in Canada now. Hope this helps! 🙂 http://www.swervesweetener.ca
Great thank you so much for looking into that. I’m so excited to try your deserts. I have been doing no wheat or sugar for almost a month now and I’m starting to miss my chocolate. Thanks for all the hard work you doing putting recipes up. To date me boyfriend and I have lost both lost 15-20 lbs and he no longer has any stomach issues that have been a major issue for him is whole life! Thank you again, your advice and recipes are very much appreciated!
That’s awesome! Thanks for the kind words. 🙂
Maria. Maria! Thanks for the swerve to Canada info! I have now called my store to tell them, and they too, were very keen!! I am so glad you shared this and I thought your reply was to my early query! Hey fellow Canadian Jenn! Have a great summer all, and Maria thank you for your passion and your kind dedication.
Thank you! Glad I could help. 🙂
Hi Maria, Have all of your books and they are all wonderful! When you ask for Just Like Sugar in a recipe, are you referring to baking or tabletop version? You are a true inspiration in so many ways…Thank you for all that you do! Karla
Thank you so much for your support! I use the tabletop version as it is typically cheaper. I don’t notice much difference between the versions (except brown). 🙂
Love the carb-adjusted Orange “Healthified” Push Pops recipe. We just did a HUGE feature on homemade low carb ice cream, and this would be great to include in the info. Thank you very much.
Thanks! Yes, please add it. 🙂
Maria, Do you use the lemon juice concentrate or do you use real lemons?
Either should work. 🙂
Sorry, I meant to ask what type of lemon juice concentrate you use. Do you like the ingredients in Reallemon brand? Or what should I use?
Yes, that works. 🙂