With the holidays fast approaching, we need to plan for some sugar-free baking. We all know that the high-intensity sweeteners just do not provide the function of sugar, so its time to order Nature Sweet Crystals, Brown Crystals and Powder. They substitute perfectly for sugars in all recipes and since they are PURE maltitol, they have minimal side effects.

I experimented with stevia all summer to develop a baking sweetener, but to date I have found that Nature Sweet behaves like sugar, tastes like sugar and that stevia just isn't there yet- for baking.

I got some excellent Saigon cinnamon at Costco's and have discovered I can make up a sugar free cinnamon/sugar using 1/2 cup of Nature Sweet to 2 tablespoons of cinnamon. I tried it on whole grain toast and it was so good that I added it to mini shredded wheats and came up with a high fiber/ sugar free breakfast cereal- similar to the sugared Kashi version.

Tonight, I am sauteeing apples and adding the cinnamon/Nature Sweet to them. I will use a combo of butter and olive oil for flavor and health. If you have Butter Buds, you can add them to olive oil for flavor.

We are also having fun with agave nectar. It is so good over fruit as it seems to bring out the best in the fruit flavors. I use it over cereal, in margaritas, mojitos and other sweet drinks and in marinades that have lime, but have a little too much "pucker". I cooked up a delicious blueberry topping last week using frozen, unsweetened blueberries , agave nectar and a bit of vanilla. Frozen fruit is a good way to get one of those recommended servings of fruits and veggies, with all those anti-oxidants and with agave- they taste so good. Just remember that agave is one and a half to two times sweeter than sugar so less is good.

We are using Steel's sugar free Maple Syrup for several appllications. It goes into sweet potatos, squash, (microwaved) and over ham slices or pork chops.. jIt is also excellent for a salmon marinade.

Its time for sugar free Pecan Pie. Our recipe uses Nature Sweet syrup, but the Maple works just as well. The pecans are considered a health food, and if your are on a low-carb program, you can make the crust out of almond flour,

Speaking of nuts, I have a great recipe for marinated cocktail pecans, which I will send along next time.

All the best,

Betty Jo