Recipes: sugar free hot cocoa and pudding

Have a new recipe for pudding that is healthy and doesn't have aspratame or sugar wanna-be's.  I used Stevia and it's in a class all it's own.  Love the stuff.  I am so thrilled.  I'm have the hot cocoa recipe as well tonight for my birthday treat.   It won't keep me up late with a sugar rush.  Sugar is not bad... we need it to rise yeast, and it's fun every once in a while, but I have been off the stuff for a while and feel free.....free to choose and feel like myself with out needing to have a soda or pop a candy ( the candy being my old preference).  Try this out!  I found these online and tweaked the sugar.

Vanilla Pudding Mix:

3 cups nonfat dry milk
Stevia (8 tbps. for 4 c. sugar)
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups cornstarch
(1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract to be added when you make the pudding)

Mix all except the vanilla, and store in an airtight container.

To prepare, mix 1/2 cup of mix to 2 cups milk. Heat and stir constantly while boiling. Cool, then add 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract.

Chocolate Pudding Mix :
2 1/2 cups nonfat dry milk
stevia (10 tbps for 5 c. sugar)
3 cups cornstarch
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa

Mix and store in airtight container.

To prepare, add 2/3 cup mix to 2 cups milk. Heat and stir constantly while boiling. Cool, then serve.  


Fat Free, Sugar Free Hot Cocoa Recipe:
Ingredients

3 cups nonfat dry milk powder
Stevia (2 tbps replaces 1 c. sugar)

1/2 cup baking cocoa
1 (1-oz) package fat-free sugar-free instant vanilla pudding mix

Directions

Mix all ingredients together in a food processor or blender.
Store in airtight container in a cool, dry place.
To make, use ¼ cup mix to 1 cup hot water.

Original Recipe

What a great day!

Sooo...... this week I have created a sugar free yummy pudding,  a sugar free hot cocoa, and fit into my special red velvet dress. I have pushed myself beyond what I thought possible with my body and my mind.  I have had some wonderful realizations about who I am and what I'm worth.  I have found comfort in the words of the scriptures and solice in the counsel from the prophets of the Lord.  I have been granted some really sweet and powerful moments and desire more.  I'm just very thankful and hope you all decide to create that kind of day for yourself... because it really is what we make of it.   It doesn't have to be what we call "perfect," just perfect for our now!  Life will keep coming and we will keep moving along and learning as we allow it to teach us what we are suppose to learn. 

Thanks to all of you. I really enjoy the Thanksgiving Holiday because it reminds us what we are thankful for, which allows our hearts to be open to the gifts we recieve each day.

Here's to a great day!

Feeding Your Kids with a New Attitude!

Ever try feeding your children when you are seeking after a healthier lifestyle for yourself and your family?  There are many who find this a challenge, and as a mother of three girls, I have experienced this myself.  I have found a great deal of introducing food and change to our children is in our attitudes.  It lies within us to have a good attitude with our children concerning food and experiencing new flavors, textures and combinations of food.  I had a neighbor who sent her daughter over because we had "Trees with snow," (i.e. Broccoli with healthy ranch dressing).   My daughters are still convinced that eating beets make their hair soft like a princess and that it's red/pink because it's royal food.


I have tried adding, substituting, and replacing many things in my families food choices, but the key is doing it slowly and with excitement.  If you are trying to feed your kids fruits and veggies and won't touch the stuff yourself, don't expect them to chow down and enjoy it either.  Get yourself feeling good about your food choices and then start with your family.

Remember that children like to choose, just like we do, what they want to eat.  Fill your fridge with the fruits and veggies, whole grains, lean meats and dairy that your family enjoys.  Give them options and let them help you prepare the food. 

For example: You are packing your child a lunch and there are choices between a lean turkey and cheese on whole grain bread (or a wrap)  or whole grain chips with salsa and a cheese stick. Carrots or broccoli?  Apple or banana?  You get the idea. I have seen so many lunches with sandwiches, chips, cookies or treats, fruit snacks (full of sugar, might as well be a peice of candy), and sodas or juice boxes that are not 100% juice. If you ate that everyday,  how would you look, feel, or behave?  I would be droopy by 1 or 2 after eating like that, let alone the sugar drop and irritability I would experience.  Every wonder why your kids are more ornery, or tired, after school?  Check out what they are eating for lunch! 


Hope this sheds some light.  Keep moving forward.  When one experience with a new food choice is a challenge, keep trying.  When introducing babies to new food, they may spit the carrots back at you, but we don't give up.  We keep giving it to them to try and eventually their taste buds become accustom to it.  Be good to yourself and eat for health, and create positive attitudes about food and eating with your children. Someday, they might be feeding you!

A New Kind of Sugar Free Pudding

Well, I tried my hand at making that pudding recipe with stevia for a sweetener and it turned out great!  It is one you get to cook, but made ahead, it is good and good for you.  I have made it into protein pudding and had bananas,.....should have taken a picture.  None the less, it was successful and I had a good time researching it and EATING it.  I will have the recipe up soon so you can have a try for yourselves.  I want to try a few things to get it just right.  Check back this week, and happy substitutions!

Trick or Treat, Smell My Sweat!!!

"Is it possible to train for a 5k for Thanksgiving?" I asked myself a few weeks ago.  The answer it "YES."  My running partner Megan and I kicked out two miles of running, after just two weeks.  We are runners!  I feel the glee in my face, the joy in my muscles moving and when all is said and done........I Am a Rock STAR!  So, on this Halloween day, after a great cardio group workout, and creating a body that burns fat ALL weekend, I found the strength and power to run, no just the intended 1.5 miles, but 2!  That's right... I'm seeing in myself that power to do anything I put my mind to and believe it.  I can see that Julie that has been screaming to get out........I LOVE THIS WORLD.  Sometimes it takes seeing ourselves accomplish something physical we told ourselves before couldn't happen.  Sometimes it is just changing our reaction to something, that has always been the same and has taken us nowhere fast.  We all have it in us,  that divine, motivation to be who God intended us to be.  I'm so thankful for my body, mind, and spirit. I know who I am and I know where I'm going.

Experiments in Progress!

I just got some liquid Stevia in different flavors. I am searching for how to make jello and pudding from scratch so I can ward away from fake sugars.  If you have a recipe, let me know.  The root beer was so good. It was like having a root beer without all the fizzy stuff coming up my nose!  Too much info, I know.  Good luck with your food experiements and substitutions.  Together we can become a nation of healthy people.

Food Experiments: I'm trying a fat free muffin or cookie to get ready for the Holidays!

I'm going to try my hand at a fat free. sugar free cookie or muffin.  I thought I'd prepare for the upcoming Halloween and since I am choosing to have a sugar free lifestyle.  I want to try this out.  A few caught my eyes, so I'll give it a try this week.  I will post the pictures and recipes when I "tweeked" them to my liking.  Have a Happy Fall time and enjoy the wonders of pumpkin in your food!