Wednesday, February 27, 2013

The Buzz on Natural Sweeteners

Agave: Too Good to be True?

 Every day, we are flooded by different messages from the media regarding our diets. A hot topic is always: which sweetener is healthiest? Many foods today are full of refined sugars, which we’ve heard are not the best for us time and time again. Grocery store shelves are lined with a plethora of choices including white sugar, brown sugar, artificial sweeteners, honey, molasses, syrup and now “natural” sweeteners like agave.

As fears about white sugar and high-fructose corn syrup cross the country, natural sweeteners are gaining popularity. Agave is becoming the preferred sweetener among the health-conscious. It has 60 calories per tablespoon, compared to 40 calories for the same amount of table sugar, but because it is sweeter than sugar, you can use less of it to achieve the same sweetness for fewer calories.

We decided to do some research on this alternative. What we found out is that agave is processed just like other sugars, which can cause it to lose any nutritional benefits. In fact, agave even comes from the same plant used to make tequila!

Most agave sweeteners are produced from the blue agave plant. The core of the plant contains aguamiel, or "honey water," the substance used for syrup production (and, when fermented, tequila). Although agave starts out in its natural state, the form you buy in most stores has been processed to form a syrup or nectar.

Processing the aguamiel forms a product with either a dark amber or light color, and a consistency much like maple syrup or honey, making it a popular ingredient in energy drinks, teas, nutrition bars and more. While claiming to be all-natural, the label does not explain that the syrup has gone through an extensive process of chemical refining which changes the enzymatic structure of the syrup, converting it into the man-made chemical fructose. Depending on the processing, your agave syrup can be as high as 90% concentrated fructose or as low as 55%, similar to the structure of high-fructose corn syrup.

The bottom line is that refined agave sweeteners are no healthier than sugar, honey, high-fructose corn syrup or any other sweetener. It does contain small amounts of calcium, potassium and magnesium, but not enough to matter nutritionally, especially when processed.

Healthier Alternative? Choose Honey!

Honey has been used by many cultures for centuries, and even longer by bees! Honey is a whole, unrefined food that contains minerals, amino acids and vitamins, not just fructose and glucose, which are pure sugar, like many sweeteners on the market.

BeeAlive’s naturally sweet domestic Pure & Natural Honey is minimally processed at a low temperature, resulting in pure and great-tasting honey with a mild, pleasant flavor -- and it makes a pretty sweet substitute for sugar. According to the American Heart Association, the average American consumes about 23 teaspoons of sugar per day when the daily recommendations are six teaspoons for women and nine teaspoons for men. Honey, like sugar, contains glucose and fructose, but also healthy vitamins and minerals including niacin, riboflavin, thiamin and vitamin B6, which make it a healthier alternative to sugar. Honey is also sweeter than sugar, so you can use less of it to achieve the same sweetness without the extra calories.

At BeeAlive, we believe that diets rich in whole foods like honey are beneficial to our bodies. We challenge you to cut down on your sugar intake by eating less processed food and more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and substituting minimally-processed honey or our BeeAlive Sweet Energy Formula (royal jelly blended with honey) any time you would normally use sugar.

Sources: http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/the-truth-about-agave
http://www.hellawella.com/the-impact-of-sugary-drinks-by-the-numbers-infographic/18245

Monday, February 18, 2013

Recipes with Rose: Royal Jelly Smoothies

Recently, we sat down with Rose Balletta, BeeAlive President Jason’s wife, and started talking about our New Years’ resolutions - errr, the difficulty we all have keeping up with them. We all seem to think that the new year means a clean slate; an opportunity to recreate and better ourselves by changing our unhealthy or annoying habits. Sometimes unrealistic goals cause us to slip up and fall off the bandwagon a time or two... or twenty!

Rose, the mother of 3-year-old triplets, Jax, Julia and Evelyn, realizes more than anyone how life has a way of “getting in the way” of your plans. The days at home with your children are times to cherish, but can be a blurry whirlwind filled with activities and errands that make sticking to a healthy diet nearly impossible. Ordering pizza starts to feel so glamorous.

Now that the triplets are getting older, Rose decided that 2013 was the year she was going to embark on a 21-day detox diet and continue nutritional choices throughout the year. After speaking with the supermom, we decided to share her story of how she has successfully maintained her New Years’ resolution by implementing small, simple changes.

Rose’s diet began easy enough; a shake for breakfast (which usually meant blending uneaten fruits the kids had left with whatever vegetables were in the fridge), a healthy lunch of whole foods (that is, foods that are as close to their natural form as possible), followed by another shake for dinner. Two weeks later, after following the diet to a T, the triplets, and later their caring mother Rose, came down with a winter virus. For the sake of convenience, Rose’s diet went out the window.

When the family was feeling better, Rose wished to continue what she had started. She decided that, although she might not follow the “detox” program precisely, she would continue the fruit-and-veggie shakes for breakfast, while consuming nutritious whole foods throughout the rest of the day. After all, she is an active mother of three who needs sufficient energy to complete her daily BeeAlive and Mommy responsibilities.

Rose believes that a diet of whole foods helps to benefit overall health. After reading many mixed reviews on cleanse diets, Rose had an “Aha!” moment. She read a few sources that claimed detox diets can deprive you of energy, and realized: why not supplement the shakes with Royal Jelly?

Royal Jelly is a natural whole food substance used for increased energy, stamina and vitality. BeeAlive’s Pure & Natural Queen’s Royale Royal Jelly is the “food of the Queen Bee,” straight from the beehive with no artificial additives, sweeteners, colorings or flavors. A fifth of a teaspoon delivers an abundant 1,100 mg of fresh Royal Jelly. And at BeeAlive, our precious Royal Jelly is always fresh, never freeze-dried - because doing so can remove Royal Jelly’s beneficial properties.

So, Rose began adding two scoops of the Queen’s Royale to her morning shakes. She has continued the regimen for the past few weeks, feels wonderful and has accomplished some mega mommy milestones. Now, Royal Jelly can take time to work optimally in your body, which is why we at BeeAlive suggest a three-month supply of Royal Jelly to give you the best opportunity to optimize its benefits through consistent everyday use of the product. Rose takes her Royal Jelly daily and was eager to share some of her Royal Jelly shake recipes with you! May you “bee inspired” to start a Royal Jelly regimen of your own - you may already eat great, but just want to turbo charge your vitality by focusing on clean foods, drinking lots of water, getting adequate rest and supplementing with Royal Jelly. It’s never too late to start a new years’ resolution and sometimes small, simple changes (even temporarily) can make a huge, beneficial difference.

Royal Jelly Smoothie Recipes
We’ve included one recipe for a shake every day of the week (plus a bonus shake!).The following recipes make two servings each. You may either make the full recipe, and save half for later (store in fridge and use within 24 hours), or make half the recipe. Use BeeAlive's Pure & Natural Queen’s Royale or Sweet Energy Formula Royal Jelly for best results. Note: The Sweet Energy Formula will make your smoothie sweeter!

If possible, make your ice from pure filtered water. If you prefer your smoothies less chilled, leave out the ice. All fruit may be fresh or frozen. Rose recommends using organic fruits and vegetables in your smoothies, but if you must use nonorganic, please make sure to clean them.

Rose’s Feel Alive BeeAlive Smoothie

2 Kale leaves
1 carrot
1 apple
1 banana
2 cups frozen blueberries
½ cup Lifeway organic plain kefir (substitute with ½ cup more filtered water or yogurt if desired)
1 cup filtered water
1-2 teaspoons of BeeAlive’s Pure & Natural Queen’s Royale Royal Jelly (or 1-2 tablespoons of Sweet Energy Formula)

Blend together until smooth and enjoy!



Green Smoothie

1 ½ cups of almond milk
½ cup of coconut water
2 leaves lacinato (dark green) kale or Swiss chard, coarsely chopped
¼ avocado
½ cup mango chunks
½ cup of ice
1-2 teaspoons of BeeAlive’s Pure & Natural Queen’s Royale Royal Jelly (or 1-2 tablespoons of Sweet Energy Formula)

Blend together until smooth and enjoy!

Kale, Pineapple & Chia Smoothie

Chia is a superfood seed with complete protein and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
When juicing kale, look for the darkest-green kind with long leaves, such as lacinato or dinosaur kale. If it’s not available, use any kale you can find.

½ cup pineapple chunks
2 leaves licinato kale
2 teaspoons soaked chia seeds
1 cup pure water
1-2 teaspoons agave syrup (substitute with BeeAlive Pure & Natural Honey if desired)
½ cup ice
1-2 teaspoons of BeeAlive’s Pure & Natural Queen’s Royale Royal Jelly (or 1-2 tablespoons of Sweet Energy Formula)

Blend together until smooth and enjoy!

Blueberry, Carob & Almond Milk Smoothie

Cacao powder is the same thing as cocoa powder, but the raw form is usually called cacao. It is preferable because it’s packed with nutrients, including magnesium, and is high in antioxidants.

1 cup blueberries
1 ½ cups almond milk
1-2 teaspoons agave syrup (substitute with BeeAlive Pure & Natural Honey if desired)
2 teaspoons raw cacao powder, carob powder or cocoa
½ cup ice
1-2 teaspoons of BeeAlive’s Pure & Natural Queen’s Royale Royal Jelly (or 1-2 tablespoons of Sweet Energy Formula)

Blend together until smooth and enjoy!

Energy Smoothie with Almond Butter & Cardamom

Tahini or pumpkin-seed butter can be substituted for almond butter.
¼ cup almond butter
2 cardamom pods or 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 ½ cups of pure water
1 cup frozen peaches
1-2 teaspoons agave syrup (substitute with BeeAlive Pure & Natural Honey if desired)
½ cup ice
1-2 teaspoons of BeeAlive’s Pure & Natural Queen’s Royale Royal Jelly (or 1-2 tablespoons of Sweet Energy Formula)

Blend together until smooth and enjoy!


Berry Smoothie with Coconut Milk & Cinnamon

2 cups mixed blueberries and raspberries
2 cups coconut milk with coconut meat or ¼ avocado added to 1 ½ cups of coconut milk
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1-2 teaspoons agave (substitute with BeeAlive Pure & Natural Honey if desired)
½ cup ice
1-2 teaspoons of BeeAlive’s Pure & Natural Queen’s Royale Royal Jelly (or 1-2 tablespoons of Sweet Energy Formula)

Blend together until smooth and enjoy!

Mango Smoothie

¾ cup fresh (preferably) or frozen blackberries
1 mango, pitted and chopped
¼ to ½ cup purified water
1 tablespoon flaxseed oil
1-2 teaspoons of BeeAlive’s Pure & Natural Queen’s Royale Royal Jelly (or 1-2 tablespoons of Sweet Energy Formula)

Blend together until smooth and enjoy!

Tropical Colada Smoothie
⅛ cup pineapple
¼ cup mango
¼ cup strawberries
1 banana
½ cup ice
1-2 teaspoons of BeeAlive’s Pure & Natural Queen’s Royale Royal Jelly (or 1-2 tablespoons of Sweet Energy Formula)

Blend together until smooth and enjoy!


Caution:
Bee products may cause allergic reaction in some people.
Due to honey content, not recommended for children under two.
If you are pregnant or nursing, have a medical condition or are taking any medication, consult a healthcare professional prior to use.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. Royal Jelly is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Individual results may vary.

If you're considering a detox diet, get the OK from your doctor first. Keep in mind that fad diets are not a good long-term solution. Detox diets that severely limit protein or that require fasting can result in fatigue. Long-term fasting can result in vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Dehydration also can be a concern. For lasting results, your best bet is to eat a healthy diet based on fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean sources of protein.

Monday, February 11, 2013

Which Form of Royal Jelly is Best For You?

After 28 years of providing the finest and purest Royal Jelly to our customers, we at BeeAlive have earned the name, “The Royal Jelly Company.” Royal Jelly, the food of the Queen Bee, is a natural food substance used for increased energy, stamina and vitality. For years, our knowledgeable and friendly call center representatives have answered the questions of thousands of health-conscious callers interested in supplementing with Royal Jelly. At BeeAlive, we realize and appreciate that every “body” is different. In 28 years of business, suffice it to say that we have become well-trained in creating individualized Royal Jelly plans that respond to each of our customers’ unique needs and lifestyles. We pride ourselves on offering four different forms of fresh, never freeze-dried Royal Jelly to suit every lifestyle. With all that we have to offer, you are bound to find a unique formula that will satisfy your unique self and help your body help itself! Below, we match different lifestyles with different forms. Choose your lifestyle and find the best type of Royal Jelly for you!

For the Active Lifestyle: Feel Good Formula Royal Jelly Capsules

Are you a mom chasing after your kids? A student involved in extracurriculars who stays up late to study? A retiree seeking to enjoy the activities you rarely did while working? Or a person with a demanding career?

In this day and age, many of us are constantly in a hurry, rushing to arrive at the next best thing. Every moment of our day is planned. Do you rely on coffee, soda or sweets to help get you through your busy schedule? If you are searching for a healthy alternative or simply a way to increase your energy, we recommend BeeAlive’s Feel Good Formula Royal Jelly Capsules.

Each capsule contains 150 mg of our precious, non freeze-dried Royal Jelly. Take one to two capsules every day at any time that is convenient for you to naturally boost your energy levels and begin living a more energized life! Convenient to take and easy to swallow, blended in a wheat germ oil and honey base, we recommend capsules for individuals looking for a way to Feel Good Naturally®.

For the Sugar-Conscious Calorie Counter: Pure & Natural Queen’s Royale or Feel Good Capsules

If you limit your sugar and calorie intake, you will be happy to know that Royal Jelly will not sabotage your diet. Royal Jelly is a natural food substance that can take time to work optimally in your body, which is why we suggest a three-month supply of Royal Jelly to give you the best opportunity to optimize its benefits through consistent use of the product. Our popular Feel Good Formula Royal Jelly Capsules contain less than half a gram of sugar and zero calories. Our Pure & Natural Queen’s Royale, our most potent form of Royal Jelly in its raw or pure form, has nothing added. It contains only a trace amount of naturally-occurring sugar. Take a fifth of a teaspoon every day for 1,100 mg of fresh Royal Jelly (spoon included with your order!). Pure & Natural Queen’s Royale, shipped to you on ice, must be kept refrigerated. Mix it with yogurt, smoothies or something cool, as heating Royal Jelly destroys its potency and decreases its beneficial properties.

Note: One teaspoon of our Sweet Energy Formula contains 6 grams of sugar and 25 calories due to its honey content. One vial of Energy SERJ, made with grape juice concentrate, contains 1 gram of sugar and 40 calories.

For the Raw Foodie: Pure & Natural Queen’s Royale

Pure & Natural Queen’s Royale Royal Jelly is perfect for the purist who wants Royal Jelly in the same form eaten by the Queen Bee! Straight from the beehive with no artificial additives, sweeteners, colorings or flavors, Pure and Natural Queen’s Royale is shipped to you packed on ice to ensure maximum potency and freshness. Take a fifth of a teaspoon every day for 1,100 mg of fresh Royal Jelly (spoon included with your order!).

For the Sweet Tooth: Sweet Energy Formula

One of our most potent formulas, Sweet Energy is a blend of fresh, never freeze-dried Royal Jelly and natural honey for a delicious taste. One teaspoon provides a generous 1,066 mg of Royal Jelly. Sweet Energy is perfect for those who enjoy the taste of honey, want to take a larger amount of Royal Jelly for extra energy or have difficulty swallowing capsules or tablets. Sweet Energy is delicious straight from the jar, spread on toast or added to your favorite yogurt or smoothie (just don’t heat it!). The recipes are endless!
 

For the EXTRA Boost: Energy SERJ

At BeeAlive, we recommend supplementing with one of the above Royal Jelly forms every day for best results. On days you need an additional boost to get through a workout, errands or studying, turn on the power of every cell of your body with a HEALTHY, caffeine-free surge of energy. Wherever you go, take an individual serving vial of ENERGY SERJ with you to help increase your energy in the morning, during sports or exercise or to replace your 3 pm cup of coffee.

Take ENERGY SERJ daily for energy, endurance, stamina and vitality! ENERGY SERJ contains NO CAFFEINE or stimulant herbs that cause a crash like many energy drinks on the market. The powerful benefits of ENERGY SERJ come from a potent 500 mg of Royal Jelly blended with Eleuthero and Schisandra, herbs known for their invigorating and adaptogenic properties, and grape juice concentrate. Enjoy straight from the vial, or mixed into a mineral water or fruit-flavored sparkling drink - we guarantee you'll love it and feel great hours later.



Caution:
Bee products may cause allergic reaction in some people.
Due to honey content, not recommended for children under two.
If you are pregnant or nursing, have a medical condition or are taking any medication, consult a health care professional prior to use.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Individual results may vary.



Saturday, February 2, 2013

Recipes with Rose: Super Bowl Super Foods

Americans love Super Bowl Sunday not only for the game, halftime show and commercials, but for the tasty gameday snacks. Did you know that Super Bowl Sunday is the second biggest day of food consumption after Thanksgiving? Before the Ravens and 49ers get ready to tackle each other on the football field this Sunday, we want to help you tackle your party menu!

We at BeeAlive believe that what we put in (and on) our bodies is fundamental to our health. Recent research shows that many party-goers are interested in healthier menu options. That is why we’ve compiled a list of super foods that can make your Super Bowl party a game day win among all fans.

Baked Buffalo Wings with Sweet Energy Honey Mustard

Don’t let the chicken wing shortage prevent you from nibbling every last morsel off the bone of this gameday traditional treat. Alton Brown’s Food Network recipe steams and bakes the chicken instead of deep-frying to avoid extra fat. And we at BeeAlive have the perfect finger-lickin’ sauce for dipping: Honey Mustard made with our very own Sweet Energy Formula that will have your guests begging for the recipe.

BeeAlive Sweet Energy Honey Mustard Dressing

Ingredients:

1-1/4 cups of fat-free mayonnaise
1/3 cup of BeeAlive Sweet Energy Formula
1 tbsp. of vinegar
2/3 cup of vegetable oil
1 tsp. of onion flakes
2 tbsp. of chopped herbs of your choice
2 tbsp. of dijon mustard

In a small bowl, whisk together all ingredients until blended. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Prepare for shortage.

Guac-Asparagus
Although avocados are nutritious and delicious, they’re also high in calories and fat (even if it’s the “good” kind). Food.com offers an exciting new twist on one of our favorite dishes with a low-calorie, low-fat substitute that packs a healthy punch of dietary fiber; protein; vitamins A, C, E and K; thiamin; riboflavin; and niacin to pair with your favorite (baked) chips! Click here for the recipe.

Baked Corn Tortilla Chips
Speaking of baked chips, Food.com offers another great recipe. No one will taste the difference; in fact, they’ll probably be asking you to open another “bag!”

Spinach & Artichoke Dip
With only 59 calories per serving, this Health.com spin off a gameday classic that includes lima beans, cream cheese, Tabasco sauce, capers and mustard is a deliciously devious way to get your friends and family to eat more iron-packed spinach. Click here for the recipe.

Vegan Chili
HellaWella’s healthy substitute for beef chili made with black beans, white beans, kidney beans and lentils, is packed with vitamins and minerals, including dietary fiber, folate, protein, vitamin C, riboflavin, thiamin, niacin, copper and manganese. We guarantee even the carnivores will be hitting the buffet for seconds. Click here for the recipe.

This Super Bowl Sunday, indulge in these "underdog" recipes based off of your favorite gameday classics. Your friends and family will thank you and perhaps even start "healthifying" their own diets when they experience how heavenly even healthy options can taste. I'd call that a win for the home team!