Natural Products Azteca

Thursday, August 25, 2016

3 Compelling Reasons to Replace Refined Sugar with Organic Stevia

Some centuries ago, Stevia was being derived from the Rebaudiana plant in Paraguay, which was later documented by a Swiss botanist, ‘sweet leaf’ and being brought to the modern world. Considering the modern fitness enthusiastic world, stevia is widely available in a number of forms. The most popular among them is the white extract powder. However, you can also purchase dried stevia leaves, stevia liquid extracts or the smaller pellets used for sweetening the coffee.

The organic stevia sweetener is unique compared to normal sugar in a varied range of ways. Irrespective of whether you are diabetic in nature or simply want to lead a better lifestyle, consuming this ‘superfood’ is the ideal choice. Following here are some aspects discussed, which will state how it is a better choice than normal sugar.

It’s very potent

Raw leaves of the plant are 40 times sweeter approx compared to sugar and the powdered form extracted from them are up to 200-300 times more sweet. It means you just need a pinch of stevia to suffice while preparing the sugar-free recipes. The shelf life of sweet leaves is around 5 years and thus, it’s truly a worthy investment.

It has no calories

Refined sugar leads you to gain weight. Sine, sucrose comprises a lot of calories and the market is flooded with numerous sugary products as a result of which, it’s apparently a full-time chore to eliminate its consumption. Consequently, a substantial proportion of adults as well as children is gradually becoming prone to obesity. But, replacing refined sugar with this natural sweetener will allow you to cut down the calorie intake and promote a healthier life.

It helps to avoid the hungry pangs

Sugar is proven to be addictive. Though, artificial sweeteners like Sucralose and Aspartame might not come with any calories or the glycemic index, however, they compel people to have cravings for the sugary sweets. Moreover, more number of consumers are being reported to suffer from adverse side effects while using the artificial sweeteners. On the contrary, this natural sweetener is being proved to suppress cravings.

Wrapping up
Apart from these, organic stevia aids in improving the oral health, reducing the chances of diabetes, regulating the level of hypertension, helping with Candidiasis and much more. Thus, the bottom line is; though stevia’s taste might make you feel a bit different but, in the long run, you will surely be able to decipher the hidden promising benefits. It comprises of 2 sweet components naming Stevioside and Rebaudioside, both of which are collectively known to be Glycosides. You must find a product based on the latter one since, Stevioside comes with a bitter aftertaste which, you may don’t like. Thus, what’s the wait for? Incorporate stevia into your daily diet and lead a step towards wellness.

4 Delicious Nopal Cactus Recipes to Cure Varied Health Problems

Mankind has always and will be in search of nutritious foods for deriving greater nutrition and wellness. Considering the fact, nopal cactus has being consumed by people since the ancient times and is now acclaimed as a ‘superfood’ by the contemporary food enthusiasts. Because of its many medicinal properties, it’s also enriched with calcium, fiber, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants. Be it for preventing the possibility of hypoglycemia or controlling the level of blood sugar, this item is proved to be of high potential to cure multiple health problems.

Following here are some of the useful recipes which, aid in curing severe health problems including skin irritation, obesity, diabetes and hypoglycemia.

Nopal for weight loss

Ingredients

1 cup of alfalfa

1 medium sized cactus

1 glass of natural and fresh carrot juice

Preparation

Drink ½ liter of juice per day; one glass at noon and one glass in the afternoon. You should drink 2 litres of pure water per day for removing the toxins and fats. Make sure not to eat salty, fried or sugar or processed foods all the day.

Nopal for hypoglycemia, diabetes and skin problems

Ingredients

1 medium sized, fresh cactus

1 glass of pure water

Juice of 1 lemon

1 tbsp of flaxseed or chia seeds

A little honey

Preparation

Place all ingredients in the blender and blend it for few minutes. Without much strain, drink the mixture slowly and chew if required.

After drinking this juice, do not eat anything else for an hour. Drink one more glass before having main meal of the day.

Nopal for lowering blood sugar and combat obesity

Ingredients

1 medium sized cactus

1 glass of water

1 well-sanitized sprig of parsley

1 tbsp of flaxseed or chia seeds

Preparation

Blend all the ingredients and sip the mixture without strain.

Nopal for diabetes or weight loss

Ingredients

4 stalks of diced cactus

½ tbsp of extra virgin olive oil

1 clove of garlic

2 spring onions (finely-chopped)

8 clean spinach leaves

1 tbsp of cilantro (chopped)

Salt 3 cups of vegetable broth

Preparation

Boil cactus in one cup of water with garlic, cilantro, onion and salt. Cover the pot and sim it for a few minutes in low temperature. After being cooked, drain in the colander, thereby leaving it till it gets cool.

Fry the garlic and onion with little oil, add the cactus and broth, thereby letting it to boil for around 10 minutes.

Grind spinach in the blender with cilantro along with little broth, thereby pouring into the soup. Boil it for 5 minutes. Before serving, you need to add some brown sugar cubes and thereafter, serve it hot.

Well, thus the next time you are about to consume nopal cactus, make sure that you prepare in the right way to derive the rich extracts at their best.

Some Splendid Ways to Savor the Goodness of Cacao at its Best

Can the highly nutritional elements of cacao really promote sound health? With this nutrient-powered super food which, originated in foothills of the Andes Mountains, termed as Raw Cacao, of course you can. The benefits of cacao are superfluous which, ends in improving the memory, increasing the bliss, shedding excessive fat, reducing heart diseases and creating loads of energy.

Being packed with a series of health benefits, it can be mixed with a series of nutritious foods which, will end up in savoring the rich extracts of Raw cacao powder at its best.

Pudding

Here’s a recipe brought to you for Chocolate Cottage Cheese Chia Pudding which, is enriched with protein. Thus, it helps you to remain full for long hours which, also helps in adding the health benefits of Cocoa powder into the meal.

Another variation is the Raw Chocolate Super food Pudding, which can be consumed as a perfect snack or breakfast option. Another one is the Banana Avocado Pudding that falls somewhere in between a potential dessert and sweet breakfast treat.

Well, the following one might be a little rich for being treated as a breakfast. However, while considered as a healthy and sweet breakfast, you can try the Chocolate Avocado Pudding that is raw, vegan and filled with a pack of healthy fats and nutrients.

Sprinkled over fruit

Another favorite snack which, can be consumed daily is a pack of frozen banana slices mixed with cocoa powder thereby, sprinkled over the top. This recipe typically falls somewhere in between a cold banana truffle and a chocolate-covered banana, this treat is one of the go-tos to satisfy a sweet tooth.

Taking it a step further, you can cocoa powder and frozen banana slices to a blender or food processor and blend it till it becomes smooth enough to prepare a creamy chocolate ice cream.

Granola bars

These are quite easy to make. Though, there is a list of granola recipes to prepare, but one of the healthiest and simplest is the 5 ingredient granola bar. You can simply add cocoa powder to the mix, thereby adjusting the moist ingredients to get sure of the fact that the mixture isn’t much dry. You can even simply add raw cacao nibs to the mixture of granola bars.

Apart from the aforesaid, you can also prepare a plate of delicious and nutrient-rich truffles, brownies and fudges, which will help you to gasp the varied flavors of raw cacao powder at its best. Thus, dive into the world of goodness of cacao with these appetizing recipes. Bon Appetit!

Stevia - The Organic Sweetener with Loads of Health Benefits

Organic Stevia

Stevia rebaudiana is a popular plant of the Asteraceae family and grows in plenty in Latin America. It is a natural sweetener and is widely used to sweeten beverages since the historic times. It is a common ingredient in some part of the world to prepare tea with replacing sugar. Simply as a sweetener it may not have gained so much popularity in the present-day health conscious society. Actually, the plant provides an array of benefits to our health, which can be summed up as following:

The plant extract is about 300 times sweeter than the ordinary sugar available in the market and is a crucial component in a number of food items. These include energy bars, candies, protein drinks and even some varieties of tea.
In contrast to sugar, it is calorie-free.
It contains near about 11% of fiber and is helpful in enhancing our digestion process and curing constipation.
The leaves of the plant are rich in potassium, zinc, magnesium and vitamin B3.
The plant is also rich in iron content and stimulates production of hemoglobin in the blood.

The plant grows well in both temperate and tropical regions. Thus, considering its impressive health quotient, stevia is widely grown these days in many unconventional countries including China, Japan, Kenya, Vietnam, India, and Thailand, etc.

An increasing number of physicians are prescribing organic stevia to patients suffering from chronic medical ailments like diabetes, overweight or obesity and high blood pressure. The plant extract is known to improve the metabolism rate and helps us to resist pancreatic cancer. Foods and drinks that contain stevia are an excellent option to cut down our unwanted calorie intake. There are in fact hundreds of products available in the market that contain naturally-sourced stevia. The natural sweetener is also helpful for children in cutting down excessive calorie intake.

To put it simply, the natural, organic sweetener possesses excellent commercial prospect in this health-conscious society. There are many reputed grocery outlets both online and in the real world that readily provides superior quality of the organic sweetener at pocket-friendly prices.

Enrich Your Lifestyle With the Goodness of Popular Organic Foods

Seeds are the power foods of nature which are smaller in size, but highly enriched with nutrition. Adding them to your everyday meals is certainly a cinch. You will find a variety of popular seeds like flax seeds, chia seeds and hemp seeds available in the health food stores, be it online or in local markets. This trio of seeds provides a myriad of health benefits, of which the most valuable are Omega 3 fatty acids. Consumption of these seeds are not just limited to plant-based diets, but every other person, who is eager to improve their daily intake of nutrients can consume them.

Chia seeds

Chia Seeds Weight loss

These seeds are heralded by nutritionists across the world as a perfect alternative of fish oil for the vegans because of its rich Omega 3 fatty acid content. These have more number of healthy fats compared to salmon. Omega fatty acids aids in improving the health of your heart and also regulating the cholesterol level, thereby proving to be helpful in shedding weight. Furthermore, the gel that forms around the seed makes you feel full for longer hours.

Quinoa

White Quinoa

Quinoa is considered to be the cornerstone of traditional harvest products. Known as the ‘mother grain’ amongst Bolivians, Quinoa serve as one of the most plant-based sources, which tastes damn good. Being a complete protein source, it offers all the 9 necessary amino acids for good health. Amino acids promotes stronger muscles, keeping the immune system in proper shape, thereby keeping our bodies healthy.

Hemp seeds

Organic Hulled Hemp Seeds

These are a great food for vegans, as they are mostly packed with easy-digestible proteins, thereby containing all the 10 necessary amino acids. Thus, they are one of the rare plant-based foods which, offer complete protein. These seeds are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, especially special type of omega-6 fatty acids, which is not as such present in any other food. These seeds come with a nutty, mild flavor. With other seeds, they taste good both with cold or hot cereals, soups, smoothies or can be just sprinkled on casseroles, salads, cooked grains or noodle dishes. Moreover, hemp oil comes with a ‘grassy’ flavor that can offer almost the same extent of benefits alike olive oil.

Thus, the next time you are looking for some highly-nutritious foods to add to your daily regimen, try for these three enriched natural weight loss products. Being listed among the top superfoods, these items come with a myriad of health benefits which, further aids in improving your lifestyle.

Author Bio : Maria is a nutritionist and loves to write about different types of natural weight loss products, which serve enormous health benefits, thereby helping people to shed their excessive weight.

Easy Dessert Recipes using Raw Cacao Powder

There is hardly anyone who does not like chocolate. In fact, everybody loves chocolate, irrespective of how old one is. It is widely used in preparing lip-smacking desserts. Yummy taste of items like chocolate strawberry shortcake, fudge babies, and double chocolate mocha biscotti, etc. proves most helpful to win over just anyone and everyone. In alternate words, chocolate is widely used in whipping up bakery items, including desserts.

Innovative folks often blend raw cacao powder with the bakery ingredients to prepare varieties of desserts. Here, we will discuss preparing real fudge babies and sun butter brownies.

Real fudge babies:

This item is obviously lip-smacking and unbelievably healthy. Moreover, the dish is pretty easy to prepare.

Ingredients

½ cup dates with the pits removed

1 cup walnut

3 tablespoons cacao powder

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

¼ teaspoon Celtic sea salt (however, this can be omitted if you do not prefer too much salt)

Procedure

Place dates, walnuts, cocoa powder, vanilla and salt together in a food processor

Pulse on high speed until the mass smooth ens

Remove the mixture from food processor and roll into little balls

Now, you can serve

Sun butter brownies

Ingredients that are required for this dish are as following:

½ cup sun butter

3 to 4 eggs

½ cup maple syrup

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

½ cup cacao powder

½ teaspoon each of Celtic sea salt, baking soda, chocolate chips

Procedure

Take a food processor and put sun butter, eggs, and maple syrup together into it

Pulse in vanilla, vinegar, cacao powder, salt, and baking soda

Stir in chocolate chips by hand

Transfer batter to a greased 8 x 8 inch baking dish

Bake at 350° for about 15 to 20 minutes

Leave it for about an hour to cool

Now, you can serve it

However, here is a postscript (PS) for those who are conscious about it.

Most baked dishes that have sun butter as ingredient have a strong aftertaste, which is somewhat bitter. So, most kids and many grown-ups usually do not prefer the use of sun butter in desserts. In contrast to that the brownies mentioned above turn out to be really exceptional.

Using raw cacao powder invariably improves the health quotient of the dishes to considerable extent along with delivering a slightly different taste.

Say No to the Adverse Effects of Sugar Consumption with Organic Stevia

We all are aware of the fact that; sugar is not healthy, especially if consumed in excessive quantities. Because of this increased awareness, people are getting more and more inclined towards the usage of sugar substitutes these days. Some of these may be harmful, however, some are extremely useful. Amidst the myriad of alternatives available in the market, organic stevia can be surely considered as a highly-nutritious substitute of sugar.

What is stevia

Being of South American origin, mostly used in Brazil and Paraguay since ancient times, Stevia is a herb, which is naturally sweet, almost 100-200 times more sweet than sugar. However, it doesn’t increase the level of blood sugar as in case of other artificial sweeteners and sugar. It is normally used as a medicinal herb and sweetener in several cultures across the world. However, it has gained wide popularity in the recent years.

Rich source of minerals and vitamins

Stevia contains a rich content minerals like iron, zinc, sodium, calcium and potassium and vitamins A, B and C.

Weight loss

As compared to the other synthetic sweeteners which, might result in overeating by making people feel to compensate for the lack of satiety, thereby leading to carbohydrate intake. On the contrary, stevia helps in balancing the metabolism rate, thereby preventing your desire to overeat.

Children’s diet

Kids’ generally possess a natural affinity to sweetness. Thus, a single drop of stevia serves as the perfect option for sweetening kids’ smoothies, drinks and snacks by preventing the chances of facing adverse effects of sugar consumption.

Diabetes

It is great for lowering the blood sugar level. Thus, it is a healthier choice for diabetic patients to improve the function of insulin.

Dental health

It hosts a number of anti-bacterial properties. Because of this, it is widely used in Paraguay as a mouth rinse or mixed with the toothpaste for fighting against cavities and gum bleeding.

Replacing sugar with organic stevia in your daily regimen comes with a number of benefits. People, especially who are struggling from the adverse effect of diabetics can add these to their low carb diet, which can bring out significant positive changes to your life, thereby making you feel healthier.

Crucial Facts About White Quinoa

Quinoa is a popular food item these days. In fact, its popularity is steadily growing across the continents. Although it grows in an array of colours, red, black, and white quinoa are more popular than the other varieties. However, the taste and the nutritional statistics in the different varieties do not vary. There are lots of factors that contribute to the edible seed’s age-defining popularity. These include:

It is a gluten-free product
Highly nutritious
Provides lots of health benefits and
Easy to cook

Because of its high nutritional quotient, quinoa diet was unbelievably popular across the Mayan and the Aztec societies in pre-colonised America. Research confirms, it possesses the perfect balance of all the nine amino acids that are most essential for human nutrition. In other words, quinoa - irrespective of its varieties - is a complete protein that comes from plants.

Considering the growing craze for vegetarian diet these days, quinoa is an ideal protein supplement for these folks. According to nutritionists, this edible seed - similar to meat and fish - is a complete protein diet that is seldom found in plants. Moreover, quinoa provides an excellent dosage of iron and fiber. Actually, half a cup of the seeds provide near about 111 calories.

There is an array of delicious dishes that can be whipped up with the variety of seeds. However, rinsing the seeds properly is the first step to cooking tasty dishes out of it. This is because, the seeds - by the design of nature - contain a protective casing called saponin. This is bitter to taste and if it is not removed from the seeds before cooking, it spoils the taste of the dishes.

However, removing the saponin covering from quinoa seeds is no big deal. Just place the edible seeds in a container and run cold water over them. Interestingly, it can be consumed both hot and cold. Thus, chefs can easily whip up yummy side dishes with it as well as prepare cold salad.

Considering the steadily increasing popularity of white quinoa, there are many online grocery retailers that readily provide superior quality of the item at competent price. Business for the range of retail outlets is flowing in from all directions.