Monk Fruit Nectresse Sweetener

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of NECTRESSE™Sweetener for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

 

The makers of Splenda have come out with a new "natural" sweetner made from Monk Fruit called Nectresse. Monk fruit is a type of chinese melon called Luo Han Guo, which has a super sweet taste that is also zero calories. Nectresse is the only 100% "natural" sweetener made from fruit.

I recently got a chance to review NECTRESSE™Sweetener. I have been trying to inspire myself to get back into dieting and exercise and I thought changing up the sugar in my diet would be a good step in the right direction. I tend to avoid the chemical sweeteners (like splenda and aspartame), and when I heard there was a "natural" sweetener out there, I wanted to give it a try. I used Nectresse in a Yogurt Fruit Parfait recipe that I found on their site: 

and here is the recipe from Nectresse:

 

All in all, I would have to say I was as satisfied as I usually am with any artificial sweetener. It will *never* taste exactly like sugar, but it comes close enough. I think when combined with dairy products in particular Nectresse tastes the best. I tried it in my coffee and was not as pleased....then again, this fruit is supposed to be 150 times more sweet than sugar, so my measurements might have been off!!

I like that there is a fruit sweetener on the market. I don't necessarily agree with giving it the title "natural" because the main ingredient in it is not monk fruit but erithrytol, a sugar alcohol that comes from corn in particular. The next ingredient  to make this sweetener is sugar and we're not talking raw sugar, so it has gone through a chemical refining process. Monk fruit is the third ingredient. So, you can see why calling it "natural" is just a tad questionable, right?? Still, I think it is better than using a chemical sweetener for sure.

Would you like to get a

FREE sample of NECTRESSE™Sweetener?? 

Here is a video from Nectresse Spokesperson and journalist Lisa Ling:

 

Golden Mirror Glam Redo

I found this great mirror at a yard sale at the end of the summer for a couple of bucks. I thought, "I can do something with that...." So, I bought it!!! With some lace (spray painted with metallic gold paint), some plain white lace, some plastic "pearl" strands, and some hot glue I added this:

to give the mirror some glitzy glam style. 

Here's my process:

*spray paint some lace ribbon with metallic gold spray paint

*Once dry, trim edges into petal shapes.

*Trim petals on the white lace as well, then form it into a flowery shape by overlapping each petal at the base with the petal next to it and glue it with hot glue.

*Glue the gold in the same way, just make it a tiny bit smaller than the white lace.

*Glue the pearl strand in the middle (I was a spiral on my biggest flower for fun). 

*Glue them onto the mirror. 

That's it!!!!!!!

I shared this post at some of these wonderful linky parties.

Reach Your Goals This Fall: Running For Beginners

Reach Your Goals This Fall: Running for Beginners

Though bathing suit weather has passed and the shorts are going into storage, fall is the perfect time to begin reaching those fitness goals. For busy moms, the kids go back to school, and the weather cools down to make those morning or evening runs more pleasant. We all would love to have more energy, be healthier, and look and feel more attractive. 

Starting a running regimen can be daunting, but sometimes the fear is mental – and there are helpful plans, supplies, and supplements that can ease the process. It can be as easy as putting one foot in front of the other. Try glucosamine tablets to help with early runners’ joint pain as your body gets used to the increased movement. Several plans also exist on the internet to help just about anyone become a runner, no matter what their experience and fitness level.

Many plans offer a tiered program combining walking and running. They recommend alternating the two for specified periods of time. For example, walk for three minutes and run for one during your first workout, and increase the running increments on a daily basis throughout a several-weeks workout until you can run for thirty minutes without stopping. Even these types of plans can seem daunting those who haven’t had a lot of physical activity in a long time. The great thing about them is that you can just work at a pace that works for you. The downfall is that you may not push yourself like you need to in order to make progress and see results.

Consider finding a friend who is at a similar fitness level as you, so you can push each other and hold one another accountable. If you are just starting a running plan, the idea of inviting another person into the process might seem a little vulnerable. Find a trusted friend, or join a beginners’ running group. Changes are that others might feel as vulnerable as you, and you can build a fantastic support group with like-minded individuals. Just give it a chance.

Good shoes, good music, good nutrition, and supplements can help you ease into running. Good shoes and proper stretching prevent shin splints and other ailments, while glucosamine can help joint function. Eating well provides the energy needed to run and helps you feel great too!

This fall, take that step you’ve wanted to take and start running!

Paige One enjoys writing about fitness and knows that running is challenging, but definitely is worth it!