I was born with more than a sweet tooth. More like a carb-craving, sugar-addicted soul. It’s been the most difficult thing to control in my diet – sweets. Not hard candy, but rich cake-y desserts, thick sweet and creamy drinks, cookies…you get the idea. In attempt to “be healthy” I have tried every low-carb, not-so-sweet treat & protein bar on the market in attempt to satisfy the craving - until I became sick in the gut. Seriously. The quest for a healthy treat has been maddening. Another problem: sugar does NOT love me: sugar blues, mood swings, digestive problems, candida… sign me up. In light of this, the natural sweeteners have become my friend, whether I really enjoyed them or not, and that’s why I am SO thrilled to give you my review of Zsweet.

First – this is truly a safe and natural sweetener that does NOT affect your glycemic index, does NOT have calories, is NOT made of chemicals and does NOT have an aftertaste. Zsweet IS natural, IS vegan, IS gluten-free, IS found in fruits and plants, IS great for diabetics or sugar-sensitive people like myself, and most importantly, IT IS DELICIOUS! I tested the product several different ways for reliability. There are so many products that claim to offer this list of attributes, but honestly, I have found none yet that can compare to Zsweet, the all natural sugar substitute made from a blend of erythritol (it’s natural, from fermented glucose - purified, filtered and crystallized) and fruit extracts for flavor. 

Hot & cold drinks (tea primarily) – I used the single packets of Zsweet. One packet for one tall glass was the perfect amount for my liking. It dissolved well (and quickly) and the flavor was spot on the money. Not too sweet but just enough. I let friends taste and they thought it was straight sugar. No aftertaste – nothing unusual. Same story for both iced herbal tea and hot.

Cereal and milk – I used the single packets of Zsweet. For those that sweeten their cereal, you are in for a treat. Just ½ of a packet sweetened the large bowl of rice puffs and unsweetened soymilk. It dissolved immediately, no “crystals” on the bottom, and every spoonful was a taste of heaven. I was impressed to say the least. The world of cereal is back in my life and I’m THRILLED.

To put it to the hard-core test, I made….

SUGAR COOKIES – I used the granular Zsweet bulk pouch. They say it is the same as sugar, so with the exact recipe of the on-line sugar cookies, I replaced the whole 1 ½ cups of sugar with Zsweet. The cookies baked wonderfully, slightly browned on the top and moist in the middle. The taste was amazing and I WAS IN HEAVEN!! Even my friend was shocked and could not stop about how delicious these cookies were. There was NO aftertaste, but the slightest of gritty texture at the end and ‘cooling affect in the mouth’ – but WHO CARES? I can eat these cookies all day and not worry about sugar-swings or calories or rotten teeth! (The cooling sensation was only after the 4th cookie, so maybe I overdid the binge, but this is a common reaction of ‘other’ erythritol products).

I feel like I’ve got a life again, one that I missed for so long – one that allows COOKIES in my diet, soft, moist, deliciously sweet cookies. If you have sugar issues or are diabetic, do not let another day go by without trying Zsweet. The existence as you know it will be forever changed, I promise.

Rating: 10+

Where's the beef? Well, the greatest beef that you may ever eat is straight from Creekstone Farms and their Black Angus Beef. If you are a “fine-diner” you may have experienced this delectable meat without realizing it, as it's served in many of the country's best 4-star restaurants! Otherwise, if you believe that you have Emeril-like talents, you can find Creakstone Farms Natural Beef in stores or order on-line and have the meat shipped directly to you for an at home experience that is sure to satisfy!

Now I am NOT a world-class chef that just happens to have another job. I'm a mediocre cook at best, but even the meat I prepared was, without question, the best meat I've ever eaten. It was so flavorful, tender and with just the right amount of fat. I cooked the Sirloin and the Filet Mignon for my tasting. Probably because I rarely get a treat as high-class as a Filet Mignon, I focused my attention and taste buds there, and although both were more than satisfying in flavor, I decided I wanted their Filet every day! Luckily, the portions they deliver will give you enough food for the week (no kidding!). It was a special treat.

Creekstone Farms raises their pasture fed cattle on 100% vegetarian diets, right in the heart of Kansas, and promises there are never any hormones added, no antibiotics and no artificial ingredients. And they are gracious enough to offer delicious recipes on their website (below) so you can feel confident at whatever cooking level you may be, to prepare a dinner that will be unforgettable! Go ahead, ask for the meat, order it and if you don't have someone to impress with this exceptional meat, treat yourself with a meal good enough for a king!

Rating: 9.5

In the past, I’ve been a cheese-eater. Now, I’m a cheese lover. If you’ve never had Heini’s Yogurt Cheese, you are missing out on one of the world’s most precious treasures! And go ahead and buy the large wheel, because you’ll find yourself slicing into it daily, which will give you over a week’s worth of enjoyment!

Due to my sensitive digestive system, I’ve found that some cheeses agree with me, and others really don’t. That’s one of the special reasons I love Heini’s Yogurt Cheese. Made with fresh, 100% Amish farm milk, it’s not only lactose free, but it supplies live cultures of acidophilus and bifidus in every bite. The creamy texture and huge flavor makes the cheese more than enjoyable to the palate, but the yogurt cultures are a bonus that gives your digestive tract what it needs for your whole body to enjoy!

This family owned company, passed down from generation to generation, has a value system that still honors food, and that’s a huge selling point in my book. Produced right here in the good ‘ole Midwest at the largest Amish community in the world, local Ohio farmers supply the hormone free milk to Heini’s for their products. This Amish family farm has an integrity that shines through in all of their products.

I probably will never be a cheese connoisseur that stalks around the huge import section of Whole Foods, but guess what, I don’t have to! Heine’s Cheese is available on-line, as well as retail store all around the world. There are so many varieties available, but my favorite is the Garden Vegetable, with the Sundried Tomato & Basil running a close 2^nd!

Rating: 9.9

Price: $5.29 (per pound) cracker cuts

            $3.00 (per pound) wheels

How sweet it is to be in love with Blue Ribbon’s 100% Raw Mexican Honey! Now I’ve tasted good before, but this is a notch above good – it’s great! Being that it’s springtime, I decided to review the Mesquite Blossom Honey, being that it was harvested in the spring, although Blue Ribbon has several other varieties to choose from.

The precious bees that pollinate the mesquite trees in Atlixco, Mexico, produce a honey that is as unique in texture as it is in flavor. It’s rich and delicious in taste, with the purest honey flavor I could ever imagine. Yes, it’s sweet, but not an overly sugar-sweet. More like a harmonious sweetness that is perfectly palatable and even just a touch “earthy”. I’m not sure if it’s the bees, the trees or the location, but if I had to give an award for a product that produces“happy tastebuds” this honey would be the first prize winner!

Another unique quality about Blue Ribbon’s Mexican Honey is the texture. Denser than a cheaper variety from the grocery store, this honey is creamy and smooth yet also has a slightly granular texture that I really loved.

Blue Ribbon Honey Farm uses the same bees to make the different varieties throughout the year. These busy bees travel from Vera Cruz, to volcano tops, to rich fertile valleys and mountain highlands to make the delicious honeys offered by Blue Ribbon. And the best part, the friendly guys at Blue Ribbon seem to really love what they do. I guess happy bees make happy honey! I’d say “Dip in, stir it in, but don’t spread it thin”…this honey is too good to not enjoy a full mouth-full!

Rating: 9.5

After eating 5 packages of Almondina biscuits, do ya' think I'm qualified to write a review? I'm not sure...Hey Almondina, can you send me some more?

These gourmet cookie/cracker/biscuit treats are amazing. I've been enjoying “The Original” which consists of roasted almonds, raisins and a uniquely crunchy texture. Thank God they didn't send the Chocolate Dipped biscuit, or I'd be totally out of control.

Almondina boasts that their biscuits are addictive, which I'd agree. They are perfectly sweet, satisfyingly crunchy and satiating. Although they look like a miniature biscotti, I didn't do the dip, as I'm no longer a coffee drinker, but I can only imagine. More good news...they are guilt-free! Unless, of course, you eat 5 packages in 3 days, which I would recommend for “I need comfort food” but not a basic diet plan! Still, you get to have 4 cookies for only 130 calories, and they are so clean, you can list the ingredients on your right hand, and not need to be a scientist to know what you're eating.

What I really love about this product is the inspirational story behind it. The creator, Yuval Zaliouk, formerly a symphony conductor and gourmet chef, put his heart where his mouth was and developed his grandmother Dina's much loved “secret cookie” recipe for the masses. Good move, Yuval. I'm sure your grandmother is proud that her namesake continues (Almondina) and we are oh-so-grateful for this delectable treat. Also available with pistachios, cinnamon, sesame and ginger!

Rating: 9.5