how do DATES effect your BLOOD SUGAR

i am currently putting the final touches on the #ALPHA SWEETS baking book

revising recipes, adding spices & checking baking times
taste testing is one of my favorite parts.......

while enjoying one of my VEGAN banana muffin tops, i wondered what would it do for the taste to add a few chopped dates into the mix. the result was a sweeter, more texturized treat.  i had to stop my self.  if the sweetness has increased that much, what is the effect this treat has on your BLOOD SUGAR?

what i found on my journey of informative reading was

A) most dates i consume are grown locally = BONUS

B) they DO NOT effect your blood sugar levels

DATES are a low glycemic food.  some tests have shown that they do NOT send diabetics into blood sugar spikes!  they are loaded with fiber, so not only do they add to your tastebuds, but dates aid in colon cleansing (had to do it).  fiber definitely keeps nature flowing but also lowers your cholesterol.  it does this because dates are an insoluble fiber, which means they bind to fat & cholesterol to carry it out of the body. #yippie

bring on the DATES!!!!!!
as well as other natural sweeteners i use in ALPHA SWEETS such as 
cranberries, raisins, dried cherries, apples, coconut & maple syrup

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Baking Soda vs Baking Powder

I have always wondered the difference.

Both, when mixed with salt cause your baking to rise.

BUENO .....that we understand.

But sometimes recipes call for each of the "baking" products as well as salt

WHAT GIVES (what era is that even from?)

In the case of baking powder or baking soda, they act rising agents via a chemical reactions 

that releases carbon dioxide gas. 

These ingredients are used in QUICK BREADS, 

since other ingredient such as yeasts are used for the same purpose but in a longer baking process. 

I use then in my muffins, scones & cookies.

BAKING SODA is an alkaline, and when you mix in something acidic, like vinegar, it will release gas.  It will work in recipes that include acidic ingredients like buttermilk, sour cream, lemon juice, yogurt and so on. Molasses is also acidic, as well as honey. Baking Soda is activated when moistened.

BAKING POWDER, is nothing more than baking soda with some sort of acidic compound already included.  This can be considered MORE POWERFUL since it is activated not only by the salt & to expand, but ALSO THE HEAT.

 

FINALLY ANSWERS!!!!
The reason why both soda and powder might be used in a recipe is because you might have enough soda to neutralize the acid, but not actually enough to lift the batter. In these cases, a little baking powder will give the extra lift needed to make the recipe perfect. You could use baking powder alone, but then your finished baked treat might taste too acidic. Meaning, depending of the amount of the other ingredients you might need to add some extra FLUFF!

IN OTHER WORDS......FOLLOW THE RECIPE IF YOU WANT THE END RESULT!

Spice thangs UP

Does your metabolism need a kickstart?

Spicy is the way to go.........

On top of increasing your water intake, getting your cardio, sleep & healthy snacking in between meals, a mouth full o'fire could do the trick.

According to Penn State, eating foods spiced with hot sauce can increase your body's metabolic rate by up to 20 percent. This increase in your body's metabolism can last for as many as 30 minutes, making spicy meals a viable option for temporarily speeding up your metabolism. Black pepper and ginger have similar effects.

A tablespoon of chopped red or green chili pepper will get the job done. The effect is likely temporary, but if you eat spicy foods often, the benefits may add up. For a quick boost, spice up pasta dishes, chili, and stews with red-pepper flakes. Add hot sauces such as Tapatio, Tabasco, hot mustards, even wasabi, salsas or my personal favorite ALL SPICE CAFE.

Hot foods activate pain receptors in the mouth, which cause the release of endorphins, the body's natural feel-good chemicals," says Anne Kulze, M.D

Capsaicin in Hot Peppers

A chemical called capsaicin is the key player responsible for the metabolic-speeding effects of certain hot sauces. Interestingly, capsaicin is often also used as the active ingredient in certain ointments for aching muscles due to the "heat" it produces. Although hot sauces often contain many other, non-spicy ingredients such as vinegar, salt and seasonings, it is the capsaicin content of the "active ingredients" in hot sauce--spicy peppers--that causes a temporary increase in body temperature and metabolism.

Canadian researchers looked at a group of adult men and found that those who were served hot sauce with appetizers before a meal went on to consume on average about 200 fewer calories at lunch and in later meals than their peers who did not have anything with capsaicin. The researchers suggested that capsaicin may work as an appetite suppressant.

WOULD YOU NEED ANY MORE REASONS TO HEAT THINGS UP?

FOR MORE IDEAS ON A META-BOOST CHECK OUT SOME OF DR OZ'S THOUGHTS

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@JosAlphaVenice