Can you see it? Do you hear it? It’s everywhere I look around! It’s every sight and every sound! Oh, oh, oh…love is in the air! Yes, folks it’s that time of year—time for romance and sweetness, hugs and sugar.Actually, we’ve got lots more than plain sugar on our store shelves. Here are a few sweet alternatives to sugar that will still make you swoon.SweetLeaf Stevia Sweeteners
Stevia is a naturally sweet herb native to Paraguay that has been consumed for centuries
Zero calories, zero carbs, zero glycemic index
Clean extraction process: just stevia leaves processed with purified water, nothing else
SweetLeaf contracts directly with native farmers of several South American countries
Processed below 110 degrees Fahrenheit to maintain the raw properties
The hives are isolated, deep within organic perimeters
Bees forage on wildflowers and, for one brief week every year, organically cultivated coffee blooms
Multifloral nectar collected from Fair Trade cooperatives in Quintana Roo and Chiapas, Mexico; maintaining a centuries-old Mayan beekeeping tradition
Wholesome Sweeteners works directly with the cooperatives of farmers and beekeepers tending the hives; no middlemen
The real deal—pure maple syrup
Sweeten your tea, top your pancakes or add flavor to your baked goods—try it in Gluten-Free Carrot Date Muffins opens in a new tab or Maple-Oat Cookies opens in a new tab
Available in a variety of flavors and sizes
Real maple syrup is made by boiling down the sap of maples trees
No added colors, flavors or sweeteners
Did you know that maple syrup grades are not related to quality? The grades represent the differences in flavor and color:
Grade A Light has a delicate maple flavor, nice over plain yogurt or for sweetening a cup of tea.
Grade A Medium has a pronounced, easily discernable maple flavor making it the top choice for pancakes and waffles.
Grade A Dark has a robust maple flavor, still great as a table syrup, but also a good choice for cooking and baking.
Grade B has a very strong maple flavor with hints of caramel. Because of the strong flavor, this is the best choice for cooking and baking.
While this next product is not exactly a sugar alternative, it is a great alternative to traditionally grown sugar cane:
Organic and vegan
The cane is cut green, with the leaves still on the stalk, rather than the traditional more destructive slash and burn method.
Green harvesting maintains the quality of the sugar while preserving the soil, controlling water consumption and runoff and increasing biodiversity
Certified EcoSocial, which audits the organic, as well as social and environmental integrity
Keep in mind, for a healthy lifestyle, we recommend consuming any added sweetener in moderation. However, for a healthy love life, be sweet and pour on the sugar, honey pie!What is your favorite way to sweeten things up?
