To sweeten my oatmeal which I warm up and don't cook it I use Agave instead of other sweeteners which I guess is the best one to use? Also how long should I soak my almonds before putting them in my oatmeal?

Just my opinion - maybe add some apples/juiced apples, dates, apricots, peaches, berries, bananas instead.

That makes good since to me. I bought some Agave for the first time but the next time I go to the store I'll take your list with me. Thanks

lostsoul65 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> To sweeten my oatmeal which I warm up and don't
> cook it I use Agave instead of other sweeteners
> which I guess is the best one to use?


Have you tried birch bark Xylitol? That's what I use to avoud all that fructose.

Also how
> long should I soak my almonds before putting them
> in my oatmeal?

At least a day with several periodic rinses. It depends on conditions. You know when they are ready because their "skins" slide right off and they are easy to slice.

Do you warm up your soaking oatmeal overnight in your dehydrator?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/14/2014 01:50PM by SueZ.

lostsoul65 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> To sweeten my oatmeal which I warm up and don't
> cook it I use Agave instead of other sweeteners
> which I guess is the best one to use? Also how
> long should I soak my almonds before putting them
> in my oatmeal?


I would use Sucanat or coconut sugar. I don't know what people have against less processed forms of sugar. Cane sugar has a lot of minerals when you by the unrefined stuff.

I can't stand agave but I buy it occasionally, LOL. My partner is fine with it but I always thought it tasted pretty gnarly. The last one I bought had a burnt taste, which was very intense. I also think it has an empty flavor like corn syrup versus the body of honey or maple syrup or coconunt sugar.

Sugar alcohols I would never use. They give you the runs and that alone suggest to me that our bodies do not want them.

"I also think it has an empty flavor like corn syrup"

Maybe because agave is almost pure fructose lol

jtprindl Wrote:
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> "I also think it has an empty flavor like corn
> syrup"
>
> Maybe because agave is almost pure fructose lol


Maybe. But I was surprised that it came from a different plant and tasted almost identical.

Sucanat and coconut sugar do not taste identical. I decided that I wouldn't buy coconut sugar again (maybe once a while) because it almost tasted salty to me and does not have the sweetening power of Sucanat. But the salty taste points to mineral content! So that's something.

Actually, I think I am going to start supplementing with this bottle of organic molasses I have. It can make your hair turn back from grey. You take about 1 Tbsp. a day. The only challenge is how to consume it. It's so intense and bitter.

"Sucanat and coconut sugar do not taste identical. I decided that I wouldn't buy coconut sugar again (maybe once a while) because it almost tasted salty to me and does not have the sweetening power of Sucanat. But the salty taste points to mineral content! So that's something."

What about stevia?

jtprindl Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> "Sucanat and coconut sugar do not taste identical.
> I decided that I wouldn't buy coconut sugar again
> (maybe once a while) because it almost tasted
> salty to me and does not have the sweetening power
> of Sucanat. But the salty taste points to mineral
> content! So that's something."
>
> What about stevia?


I would use stevia in a limited way. First of all, I don't like the extract powder. It's super concentrated, but does not have the therapeutic properties. So I got the green powder (whole crushed leaf) and I have made green lemonade or limeade and that is great. I have also used stevia and another sweetener like honey or turbinado sugar because like aspartame, stevia has an aftertaste, plus your body feels weird tasting sweetness but not getting that sugar rush. So it is more natural plus cuts down on sugar used.

banana who Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

>
> Sugar alcohols I would never use. They give you
> the runs and that alone suggest to me that our
> bodies do not want them.


I have never had any digestive problems with the birch bark xylitol and I have it almost every day. If you powder it in a coffee grinder it looka and tastes just like powdered sugar with no off or aftertaste. It also has no effect on my blood sugar no matter how much I take.

SueZ Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> banana who Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> >
> > Sugar alcohols I would never use. They give you
> > the runs and that alone suggest to me that our
> > bodies do not want them.
>
>
> I have never had any digestive problems with the
> birch bark xylitol and I have it almost every day.
> If you powder it in a coffee grinder it looka and
> tastes just like powdered sugar with no off or
> aftertaste. It also has no effect on my blood
> sugar no matter how much I take.


How is it derived? The actual refining the bark of the birch tree? Why is alcohol in the name? Also, is it really a natural substance?

banana who Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> SueZ Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > banana who Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> >
> > >
> > > Sugar alcohols I would never use. They give
> you
> > > the runs and that alone suggest to me that
> our
> > > bodies do not want them.
> >
> >
> > I have never had any digestive problems with
> the
> > birch bark xylitol and I have it almost every
> day.
> > If you powder it in a coffee grinder it looka
> and
> > tastes just like powdered sugar with no off or
> > aftertaste. It also has no effect on my blood
> > sugar no matter how much I take.
>
>
> How is it derived? The actual refining the bark of
> the birch tree? Why is alcohol in the name? Also,
> is it really a natural substance?

It's put through a multi stage process which is most likely horrible and certainly no more raw than any other sugar. I have had absolutely no problems with it so I think the good outweighs the bad and it is actually good for teeth. It will kill dogs so you have to be careful to remember this if you use it. I buy the Earth Garden brand.

SueZ Wrote:
>
> It's put through a multi stage process which is
> most likely horrible and certainly no more raw
> than any other sugar. I have had absolutely no
> problems with it so I think the good outweighs the
> bad and it is actually good for teeth. It will
> kill dogs so you have to be careful to remember
> this if you use it. I buy the Earth Garden brand.

I forgot to add that I only use xylitol for dry dishes and "cereals" which in my case are only crushed seeds not grains.

For things like Hibiscus teas this link goes to the only sweetener I use as it is liquid, has no aftertaste, and tastes really good. I only like the apricot nectar flavor which I'm betting is also not pristine...

[www.amazon.com]