Sugary sweets are the curse of the civilized world, wreaking havoc on the health of young and old alike. Sweets purchased at the supermarket contain not only refined sweeteners, devoid of nutrients, but also white flour and hydrogenated oils. They are worse than empty calories.
The irony of this is that it is possible to satisfy our "sweet tooth" with desserts that are loaded with nutrient dense ingredients such as: eggs, butter, cream, fruit, nuts and whole grains that have been properly soaked or fermented. Learning to cook this way may seem daunting at first, but once you give up your "frankenfood" sweets purchased on the aisles of Safeway, Raleys, Wallmart, Costco and even Whole Foods, you realize just how delicious "real" dessert is!
Natural sweeteners contain high amounts of minerals and other nutrients. Acceptable sweeteners have been concentrated through boiling or dehydration rather than stripped away, as in white and brown table sugar, corn syrup or fructose......with sugar being so inexpensive and plentiful, we have lost the tradition of dessert being a special occasion instead of a daily or multi-daily event.
Avoiding sugar and especially keeping it away from children is not easy; it is a discipline that requires planning and creative alternatives.....and trust this mother of 3, it is a never ending battle! However, once you discover how to satisfy the "sweet tooth" of your family members, they will go for it.
How about start with ice cream? It's a favorite in most homes, so why not make it healthy and satiating......here is the recipe I use:
- 3 cups organic cream or raw cream
- 3 egg yolks
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon arrowroot
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup maple syrup
Blend all ingredients and place in an ice cream maker for aprox 15 minutes.........seriously good stuff!