Everyone deserves a treat around the holidays, even those of us who can’t indulge the way we want to. I know what that’s like, because a couple Christmases ago, I had gestational diabetes, so I had to stay away from sugar and anything else that was high in carbs. That’s tough to do at any time of year, but I found it especially challenging during the holiday season. (If you’d like to read more about my journey with gestational diabetes, visit my blog The GD Diaries).
Having had gestational diabetes with all three of my pregnancies, I am now at high risk for developing diabetes later in life. That’s why I still watch my sugar intake carefully. I like using stevia so I can enjoy a little sweetness without the carbs.
If you’re looking for good quality Stevia-based products, NuNaturals is a great place to start. NuNaturals gave me a big box of their various products to try, and wow – they have so many amazing things!
We’ve been using the NuStevia Cocoa Syrup a lot lately, because it makes really good hot chocolate. The kids have no clue that there’s no sugar in it! I was really impressed. They make a chocolate mint flavoured syrup too – perfect for Christmas (think candy cane hot chocolate, yum!).
I also really love their flavoured liquid NuStevia. They have vanilla, cherry, cherry-vanilla, orange, lemon, and peppermint. If you add a few drops to sparkling water, it’s really nice.
I decided to try using these flavoured drops to create a truffle recipe for the holidays. My mom is on a gluten-free diet and avoids sugar due to health issues, so she was delighted to sample my truffles. She liked them so much that she asked me if I could put some in her stocking for Christmas.
I’m happy to oblige! These are really fun and easy to make. You can customize them with whatever coatings you like – I’ve used coconut, cocoa powder, almond slices, even chia seeds.
My kids didn’t really like these very much, because they’re not fond of dark chocolate. They prefer their chocolate to be very sweet. If you like yours that way too, you could add more Stevia and/or Splenda to them. Or if you’re not opposed to real sugar, you can add that as well.
Ingredients
- 3 oz unsweetened chocolate, chopped
- 2/3 cup coconut cream
- 1/2 tsp Pure Liquid NuNaturals
- 3 tbsp. Splenda
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, heat coconut cream, liquid Stevia and Splenda until simmering.
- Place chocolate in a large bowl, and pour hot coconut cream over the chocolate.
- Stir gently until it becomes silky smooth.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let cool in the fridge for several hours, until it’s hard enough to roll into balls (if it becomes too hard, let it warm up at room temperature until it reaches the desired consistency).
- Scoop about half a tablespoon of the chocolate mixture and form into a ball. Repeat until all the mixture is used up.
- Roll the balls in coatings (suggestions: dried coconut, sliced almonds, cocoa powder, or chia seeds)
- Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature before serving for a softer truffle.
Giveaway Time!
If you’d like to try these products for yourself, here’s your chance. NuNaturals is awarding ( 4 ) four Food & Whine readers ( 1 ) one bottle of the Cherry Vanilla Stevia Liquid, a 50 pkt box of NuStevia White Stevia Powder packets, plus a bottle of their Cocoa Syrup and a bottle of their new Mint Cocoa Syrup. Each of the 4 winners will receive the complete product selection of all 4 items with the retail value of $ 54.00, plus a free bonus product!
This contest is open to readers worldwide and will run until Jan 8/15.
Enter here:
NuNaturals Giveaway
https://js.gleam.io/e.js
You may also receive discounts on all orders placed on their website : www.nunaturals.com .
When you get to the checkout page, enter the DISCOUNT CODE ; BLG0615 and you’ll receive – 15% discount on your entire order ( excluding any other discounts). This discount remains effective until JUNE 30, 2015 .
Online ordering customers may also receive free shipping to the continental U. S. on all orders exceeding $35.00 after discounts.
Food and Whine 
Ohh…I would love to try these products. It would be so good in coffee and oats : ) Thanks for this giveaway!
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Ilove new naturals and would love to try there newest products!
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I most want to try the Cherry Vanilla Stevia Liquid, I am already a huge fan of stevia liquids, but no one in my area sells the flavored NuNaturals, only the plain, and no one else makes a cherry flavor at all, and that is one of my very favorite flavors in the whole world!
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I would love to try the Cherry Vanilla!
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The Orange NuStevia and the Cherry Vanilla one sounds divine.
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I had gestational diabetes with both my pregnancies as well, and I have a problematic sweet tooth, along with an addiction to energy drinks which I can’t seem to kick, though I know how bad they are for my health and waist size! Many of my family members I am baking sweets for this year can not have sugar, and I absolutely love your idea of using these drops to flavor sparkling water- I’d love to see if I can try this to beat my Rockstar habit! I’d like to try the cherry vanilla the most. That would be so delicious in cookies and sparkling water! Thanks so much and Merry Christmas!
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i like these sugar free items and have used some of the flavors.
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I would like to try the Mint Cocoa Syrup
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Cherry Vanilla Stevia sounds amazing
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I would love to try the cocoa syrup.
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They all sound intriguing!
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NuStevia Cocoa Syrup
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Love to try the Mint Cocoa syrup
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I’m so intrigued by the cocoa syrup!!
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I would love to try these products! My husband is a big fan of Stevia for sweetener, and now that I’ve made the goal of reducing my white sugar intake, something like this would be very helpful. 🙂
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I would love to try the liquid stevia in my tea and coffee!
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I’d love to try the Cocoa Syrup.
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I’d love to try the simple syrup! I could make so many yummy cocktails. lol
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The Cocoa Syrup sounds delicious.
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i would love to try the cocoa mint syrup!
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I’d love to try their cocoa syrup!
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I’d love to try the liquid stevia in my baking!
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The coco mint syrup
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This would be awesome to try… Either way, can’t wait to try making the truffles
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I would love to try the Cocoa Syrup !
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Is this the Splenda granulated (which substitutes 1:1 for sugar) or the Splenda sugar blend (which substitutes 1:2 for sugar)? I am going to make this with xylitol and would like to know how much to use 🙂
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It’s granulated splenda
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Thankyou!
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