BLOG 3 Oct 3rd

EVENING LADIES! I hope you’ve all cancelled your plans for tonight because I got my hands on one INCREDIBLE recipe! Ready for the THEME?!

"NUTRITIOUS AND DELICIOUS"

This week’s inspiration was a request from a woman with a husband that has diabetes. She told me it’s hard to find desserts to make for her and her husband that don’t taste like cardboard. She wanted to know if I had any flavorful but low sugar recipes as a substitute for those frosting covered, cream filled, chocolate stuffed desserts they both miss.

The good news?? I FOUND ONE- Fruit tarts! It allows you to indulge without all the excess sugar. 

EXPLANATION: Now, a lot of people avoid a lot fruit because it “has a ton of sugar.” Yes, fruits do have natural sugars. Fruit are also some of the most healthiest foods in the world. Fresh fruit offers much more than the natural sugar it contains – including water, vitamins, minerals, fiber, etc. Where else can you get a package like that for about 75 calories per serving? The idea that fruit is “loaded with carbs” or is “full of sugar” needs to be put into perspective.  It’s true that when you eat fruit, the overwhelming majority of the calories you consume are supplied by carbohydrate mostly in the form of fructose (the natural sugar in fruit). But that’s the nature not just of fruit, but of all plant foods – they’re predominantly carbohydrate ( not just natural sugars, but healthy starches as well as fiber) (1). When you eat vegetables, the majority of the calories you’re eating come from carbohydrate, too! :o Surprised?!

Before dismissing foods as being loaded with sugar, or too high in carbs, consider not only the amount of sugar or carbs you’re eating, but the form of the carbohydrate. There’s a big difference between the nutritional value of the natural carbohydrates found in fruits and other plant foods – the sugars, starches and fibers – and what’s found (or, more accurately, what’s not found) in all the empty calories we eat from added sugars that find their way into everything from brownies to barbecue sauce (1).

COMPARE AND CONTRAST: A 20-ounce cola will set you back about 225 calories and, needless to say, won’t be supplying any antioxidants, vitamins, minerals or fiber while a cup of strawberries has only about 7 grams which is less than two teaspoons.

Mini Fruit Tarts (2:20 hours)

Ingredients:

1 8oz cream cheese

1 14oz can Eagle Brand

1/3 cup lemon juice

1 teaspoon vanilla

40 tart shells

 

 

Beat cream cheese. Gradually mix in the eagle brand until smooth.   

Stir in Lemon juice and vanilla. Spoon 2 teaspoons into each shell then refrigerate for 2 hours. 

While chilling, begin making the filling.

Filling:

Rinse and dry a container of FRESH strawberries, 4 kiwis, container of fresh blueberries, and a container of fresh raspberries. 

                                                        Peel Kiwis. 

                                       Then combine and fill tart shells. 

Place 2 tablespoons of Smucker’s hot fudge into sandwich bag and cut a VERY small hole in bottom corner to drizzle. Arrange as you would like to display your masterpiece!

 MMMMMM! I had THREE :o I couldn’t help myself! For all of those who have a sweet tooth, TRY IT! I chose this recipe because the fruit has natural sugars that allow you to feel good about what you’re eating. Plus they make for one very cute presentation!

I know you want to eat them all but don't forget to share! :)

The Food Enthusiast,

 Aly 

Sources:

 1. http://www.discovergoodnutrition.com/2011/02/the-truth-about-sugars-in-fruit/
 2. Recipe from Martha Stewart iving