4 easy-peasy uses for stevia

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Here at Click & Grow, we're a little bit of health freaks. Our production manager runs 10km every morning before work, our COO and CEO attend the team meetings on a waist twisting disc, and there probably isn't any sport our support specialist hasn't tried. And that's not all. The heck, we're growing our own lunch with space technology! BUT.

We do like to indulge. Especially with candy. Unfortunately, it doesn't really benefit our diets and workout regimens. So our gardener came up with a sneaky plan and started growing stevia in the office. One thing lead to another, and we decided to send this fitness angel of a plant out in the world and offer it to you as one of the refills for the Smart Herb Garden.

Most of you probably know stevia as the sweet white powder every slightest health-hacker has in their cupboard. Many of you might not even know that it actually used to be a herb - before the processing, the refining and the additives. But while the world is stocking up on the white miracle powder, we have found ways to successfully use fresh home-grown stevia leaves and the stevia powder au naturale - green and flavorful. Why? So we can surprise our sweet tooth more often. Without the consequences.

#1 - Fill it, drink it

Photo: maisondesreveries

If your tea asks for a little bit of a sweet kick, add stevia leaves to it. Put them in as a whole or pluck them in pieces - it's your call. Don't overdo it though - even fresh, stevia can be quite sweet. So we'd suggest starting with series of experiments to find the amount that works best for you.

#2 - Shake up

The idea of adding something processed, sticky, sugary and indulg-y to your breakfast green blend might seem to ruin the point of a healthy smoothie. If you like to start your day with a clean slate, skip the processed sweeteners (maple syrup, sugar, agave syrup etc), and grab a leaf of stevia. Fresh, green, sweet and good - add it to your smoothie ingredients and blend away! Again - test the sweetness; even 2 stevia leaves can seem too much for most people.

#3 - Grab yourself a tidbit

Stevia leaf is a great snack for when you're craving something sweet and naughty. Except stevia is not naughty at all. Zero calories and serious sweetness that lingers on your taste buds long after the leaf is gone. Trust us, you'll need no candy or chocolate anymore.

#4 - Sprinkle, sprinkle little star

Stevia can easily be turned into powder in 3 simple steps - dry the leaves, blend or grind them up into powder, and put them in a storage jar, box or tin. It's like nature's fairydust - it opens up a whole new world of possibilities, especially for cooking and baking. Follow the rule 1 cup of sugar = 2 to 3 teaspoons of stevia, and you should be fine! Here's some inspiration.

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