Category: Healthy Eating / Weight Loss
Foods To Try If You’re Going Sugar Free
We know that more and more people are trying to cut sugar out of their diet. You might have some health concerns and be trying to combat them with a low sugar diet. You might simply want to explore alternatives. Today we’re going to share with you some of our products which can help you to reduce sugar cravings whilst still enjoying balanced, healthy meals.
The first thing we would recommend is going to our Skinny Alternatives section. Here, you’ll find healthy cheeses, sugar-free chocolates, calorie-free dressings and a wide range of snacks.
Sugar Free Chocolate
We stock a wide range of sugar free chocolates including the Cashew Praline, Mint Meltaway, and Peanut Clusters. All of these deliver great taste and texture without the sugar so that you can enjoy a treat without worrying about your health.
Walden Farms: Sugar Free Syrups and Dips
We’re proud to stock Walden Farms products here at Shisler’s Cheese House. We stock their syrup in Blueberry, Chocolate, and Strawberry, as well as their pancake syrup. You can enjoy delicious syrup with no calories, fat, carbs, gluten or sugars of any kind. They are made with concentrated fruit extract and natural flavor. Enjoy them in a glass of milk, over ice cream, with fresh fruit or in a smoothie. Make yourself some easy sugar free pancakes and drizzle them with pancake syrup for an amazing healthy breakfast or dessert.
Our favorite sugar free batter recipe is to mix:
2 mashed bananas
2 eggs
1/2 cup wholewheat flour
1/4 cup milk
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
Once you have a nice smooth batter, simply drop spoonfuls into a hot pan and then flip when you start to see air bubbles appearing. They’re quick and delicious!
Walden Farms also make calorie free dips in both chocolate and caramel flavor. The chocolate dip is made with premium natural cocoa beans, real chocolate, and other natural flavors, while the natural caramel flavor is great with slices of apple or pear.
As if that wasn’t enough, there is also a calorie free marshmallow dip! It is made with all natural vanilla flavor and is delicious with your favorite fruits, in a parfait, a smoothie, with yogurt, or as a topping on pudding or Jell-O. You’ll be spoilt for choice!
Walden Farms Calorie Free Salad Dressings
We’re also lucky enough to have a whole range of calorie free salad dressings, so you can avoid the hidden sugar that pops up even in savory dishes. Choose from a wide range of flavors including Ranch, Italian Sun Dried Tomato, and Honey Dijon. Just like the syrups, they have no calories, fat, carbs, gluten or sugars of any kind.
Try them drizzled over salads, as flavor in your sandwiches or as a marinade for grilled meats, fish or vegetables.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our exploration of our sugar free range. Hopefully, you found something to try this week. What are your favorite ways to reduce the sugar in your diet? Let us know in the comments below!
Surprising Health Benefits of Eating Clover Honey
Are you a fan of honey on your toast in the mornings? Or perhaps you like it drizzled over goat’s cheese? However you like to eat your honey, you might not have yet explored the world of clover honey. Read on to find out all about clover honey, our recipe ideas, the health benefits to be found when eating it, and the honey we have on offer.
What is Clover Honey?
Clover honey is derived from the nectar of the clover plant, collected by honey bees. You can spot it because it will be light colored and very mild. The clarity of the honey will show you its purity; the best honey should be as clear as possible.
How Should I Eat It?
Clover honey is an incredibly versatile ingredient. Below are just some of the ways you might want to use it in the kitchen.
- Try swapping honey for sugar when baking. As a general rule, for every 1 cup of sugar, substitute ½ to 2/3 cup of honey. You should also reduce the liquid in the recipe by ¼ cup and add ½ teaspoon of baking soda for each cup of honey used. Reduce the temperature of your oven by 25°F, as honey will become crisp and brown faster than sugar.
- Sweeten your tea with honey and enjoy a sweeter taste with lower calories.
- Drizzle clover honey over granola for a sweeter breakfast.
- Mix 2 tablespoons of clover honey, the zest of 1 orange and 2 cloves of garlic. Brush onto a cooked rack of lamb for a slightly floral twist.
- Make a pure honey and mustard dressing for your favourite salad.
- Add clover honey to yoghurt for a delicious breakfast or dessert.
- Spread on toast or a bagel.
- Serve clover honey alongside a cheeseboard at your next dinner party. Check out some of our favourite cheese collections here.
- Pour a little honey over your favourite popcorn for a stick treat.
- Add clover honey to your next stir fry along with soy sauce and a chilli kick.
What Are the Benefits?
Fat-free and cholesterol free, clover honey has been found to contain vitamins and minerals that can reduce the risk of illness. Honey is 25% sweeter than table sugar, whilst being an all-natural sweetener. It is a source of flavonoids, which may reduce the risk of some cancers and heart disease. It’s also the only food that contains the antioxidant pinocembrin, which has been linked to improved brain function. This isn’t just clover honey, it’s clever honey!
Where Can I Buy It?
Right here at Shisler’s Cheese House!
We carry two types of pure clover honey. Tonn’s Pure Clover Honey is a very versatile honey that can be used in baking, cooking, and at the table. If you are looking for honey straight from the hive to your table, you will find it in Tonn’s Pure Clover Honey Comb. The raw honey found inside is brimming with health benefits and will make a stunning centrepiece for a celebration breakfast.
Pick up some pure clover honey today and try it out in your favorite recipes.
Common Questions About Cheese
As cheese lovers, it’s easy to know all about the different cheeses available however, there are some simple wonders and questions we are left with regarding things like presentation and storage so here are some quick answers to help all your cheese queries.
Can You Eat Cheese When You’re On A Diet?
If you enjoy cheese in moderation, it can easily fit into a healthy diet. In fact, cheese is a good source of essential nutrients such as calcium, protein and Vitamin A. These nutrients are important for keeping your skin and eyes healthy, your bones and teeth strong, and your muscles growing. Studies have shown that if you eat a piece of cheese after eating a meal or a sugary snack, it can restore minerals of tooth enamel and protect your teeth against cavities.
Which Cheeses Have The Lowest And Highest Levels of Fat?
Every cheese will come with its own nutritional profile which will be displayed on the label. Labels make it easier for if you are watching your fat intake as you can refer to it for the cheese’s fat facts. However, here are some general guidelines for if you find yourself at a cheese dinner party where there are no labels:
Low-Fat Cheeses: Cheeses like cottage cheese, Quark, Ricotta, and Edam. Also, any cheeses which are labeled with low-fat, reduced-fat, and even fat-free versions of your favorite cheeses are readily available.
Medium Fat Cheeses: These cheeses include Camembert, Brie, Emmental, Edam, Feta, and Mozzarella, as well as a lot of process cheeses and soft goat’s milk cheeses.
High Fat Cheeses: Cheeses such as Cheddar, Cheshire, Caerphilly, Gouda, Gruyere, Parmesan, and Stilton are all high in fat but deliciously addictive!
Why Doesn’t Reduced-Fat Cheese Melt Well?
A lot of reduced-fat cheeses are made with added gums and stabilizers to help stimulate the flavor and texture to make them similar to the full-fat varieties. While these cheeses are great for shredding into salads, snacking on, or topping sandwiches, they do not perform well when heated. The reason for this is because of the lower amount of fat in the cheese. Without a decent amount of fat, the heated cheese won’t melt into a creamy texture, it will instead be turned into a hardened, clumpy, stringy mess. The best way to avoid that is to just use a full-fat variety for melting, because a little does go a long way, so it shouldn’t be too bad for you.
How Long Should You Keep Cheese?
No matter how well you store your cheese, it will still continue to ripen in your refrigerator. This is why it is especially important to consume soft cheeses soon after you have purchased them. Once you open soft cheeses, they will only keep for around one to two weeks.
On the other hand, harder cheeses tend to remain fresher for longer. Blue cheeses will keep for one to four weeks, cheddars and swiss cheeses will keep for several weeks, and hard cheeses are usually good to eat for several months.
Also, large pieces of cheese keep a lot longer than shredded cheese, which is why labels usually state to consume shortly after opening the packet.
What Is Processed Cheese?
It was first invented in 1911 by Switzerland’s Walter Gerber. Then, in 1916, James L. Kraft applied for his method for his processed cheese to be patented. A lot of processed cheeses today are sold in individually wrapped sandwich slices, which are great for melting into burgers, but definitely not for serving with fine wine!
Processed cheeses usually consist of a blend of fresh and aged cheeses combined with some preservatives, coloring, and emulsifiers to make them smooth and ease melting. They are then pasteurized to stop the ripening process which ultimately gives the cheese a longer shelf life. This does come at some sacrifice though because processed cheese definitely lacks the distinctive flavor and texture that natural cheese has.
Is It Best To Serve Cheese Chilled Or At Room Temperature?
It is usual that you will serve cream cheeses like Ricotta, Boursin and Quark chilled, however all the other variety of cheese are best enjoyed at room temperature. Room temperature is when cheese is at its best level of flavor, texture, and aroma. If you eat cheese too cold, you are basically missing out, so just remove cheese from the refrigerator 30 minutes before serving and enjoy!
Can You Freeze Cheese?
It is fine to freeze cheese, it can be frozen to make it last a lot longer. You do however have to understand that cheese which is frozen will go through some textural changes. Softer cheeses may separate, and harder cheeses may become crumbly. However, if you are going to use the frozen cheese in cooked dishes, you probably won’t notice any difference.
A quick tip to freezing cheese is to double wrap it and only keep it in the freezer for up to six months. When you are ready to take it out the freezer, thaw it in the refrigerator and use the cheese within a few days.
The Probiotics In Raw Milk Cheese Are Proven Very Beneficial
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Despite the controversy, raw milk cheese just may be the perfect food. It offers pretty much all the nutrition you need, with full distribution of amino acids, balanced calories and a huge amount of probiotics which are so good for your body.
The word ‘probiotics’ itself actually means “for life”, which means we cannot sustain our lives without these vital allies. They are an extremely beneficial bacteria that we all have and need for our bowels and intestinal tracts to function smoothly, and so much more. It is said that raw milk cheeses have a wider diversity of bacteria, yeasts, and molds, which ultimately contribute to a healthy gut.
Raw milk cheese is not only good for us but it tastes incredibly delicious, with its richness and complexity of flavors. The best cheese starts with high-quality milk. To achieve this, it must come from healthy cows that feed on lush grass. When it comes to raw milk cheeses, the milk is superlative because the animals have been grazing on pasture.
Even though pasteurization heat-treats milk, which kills pathogens such as Listeria and E. Coli, Laws still stipulate that raw milk cheese in the U.S. must be aged for a minimum of 60 days, regardless of if it is produced domestically or imported from abroad.
The Power Of Probiotics
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Probiotics are proven to play an important role in maintaining healthy digestion and supporting a strong immune system. With the overuse of antibiotics, children often have compromised microbiomes and probiotics may be the key to restoring the healthy gut.
There are also studies that show that pregnant women who enjoy farmstead milk and cheese products throughout their term have children with fewer allergies, asthma and wheezing than those who do not enjoy these foods. Probiotics may also help decrease stress, prevent obesity and regulate weight. There are also studies that suggest that they also protect against respiratory infections.
So, with all these advantages to probiotics and raw milk cheese containing many, it is important to eat it, despite the controversy of raw milk cheese being bad for you. Raw milk cheese is also extremely delicious, so that alone is a plus.
The Best Low-Calorie Wine
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Summer is closing in fast and we all want that ‘bikini body’… but we also love to drink wine. Usually losing weight involves completely ridding our lives of all alcoholic drinks. However, we all know that we can’t resist a delicious glass of wine after a long day or even just on a glorious sunny day. So, rather than trying to go cold turkey, why not try this perfect resolution of easing into summer with some low-calorie, weight-loss friendly wines?
Slim wine wines or skinny wines are definitely not the answer, you’d actually be surprised to know that there are plenty of ‘hidden’ low-calorie bottles that can be found on the shelf of your local wine shop. The two main things that contribute to wine being calorific are alcohol and sugar. With this, dry wines are the least calorific than those wines with residual sugar, and wines with lower alcohol content are also lower in calories which are why wine can be more diet-friendly than liquor-based drinks. The serving size may be larger, but wine is lower in alcohol than liquor, and most cocktails require mixers that add even more calories as well. An easy guideline would be to seek out bottles which are completely dry and contain and ABV of 12 percent or less. It doesn’t matter what type of mine, no option will be calorie free, the key is moderation.
For those sparkling wine lovers, you’ll be surprised to know that sparkling wine, in general, is the lowest calorie option for them all. Sparkling wine is usually lower in alcohol as they tend to be produced in cooler climates, and cooler climates generally mean lower-alcohol wines. Also, a lot of bottles have a sweetness level ‘key’ on the label. Lower dosage equals lower added sugar, so anything with the label of “brut nature,” “brut zero,” or “extra brut” is sure to be bone dry.
White wine lovers also don’t need to worry as white wine is the second lowest calorie wine available. They are definitely lower in alcohol than reds, and many of them fall under 12 percent ABV or less. Residual sugar, however, is something to watch for in white wines as many single-digit ABV bottles have a lot more residual sugar, which isn’t the greatest because sweet wines have around 30 more calories per serving than their dry counterparts.
The question you may be thinking right now is: does this mean that red wine drinkers need to drink something else altogether? Absolutely not. Although red wines tend to be fuller-bodied and have a higher ABV than white and sparkling wines, there are still healthy red wine options available. The best thing to do is look for bottles that are less than 13 percent ABV, the cooler climates offer the best options for this. The good thing about choosing red is that you don’t have to worry about sugar, as nearly all red wines are dry. Though, heavy red lovers may have to forgo their Merlots.. just while working on that summer body. A small sacrifice is much better than no wine at all though, that is for sure.
Calorie-Friendly Ideas
White Wines
Dry Riesling, Muscadet, and Picpoul.
Sparkling Wines
Cava, Champagne, and Crémant.
Red Wines
Schiava, Gamay, Barbera, and Pinot Noir.
Don’t Let Your Leftover Wine Go To Waste! Make Cookies!
Got leftover wine from a dinner party or special occasion? It may daunt you the thought of drinking that bottle alone but you really don’t want to throw it away. Well, do not worry! The Italians have an amazing use for leftover wine: bake with it!
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Gather some of the ingredients you already have in your pantry and use your leftover wine alongside it to make these simple but tasty Italian wine cookies.
These cookies originally came from the south of Rome, having a long history of being passed down through generations. It is quite a basic recipe, the dough being quite simple, to suit any Roman family, rich or poor. All they needed were wine, sugar, oil, salt and flour.
Another plus to this recipe aside from using up your leftover wine is that it works with any kind of dry wine, red or white, the only difference will be in flavor, but only slight.
These cookies aren’t full of sugar either, so if you’re on a health kick, they won’t be too bad! They’re donut-shaped and are more like biscuits. You can enjoy them as a snack or dip them in milk or coffee, as the Italians would do.
Image Source: cbc.ca/inthekitchen/2012/10/anise-wine-cookies.html
Recipe:
What You Will Need-
1/2 cup dry white or red wine
1/2 cup seed or canola oil
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups all-purpose flour
What To Do
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Mix wine, oil, sugar, and salt in a mixing bowl
3. Add the flour gradually, while stirring to combine until it forms into a dough and starts to hold its shape. Knead with hands if needed.
4. Roll 1/2-inch balls of the dough into a snake-shaped cylinder and then connect the ends, making a donut shape.
5. (Optional) You can then dip or sprinkle with extra sugar if you want them to be sweeter.
6. Place the cookies on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until lightly browned.
10 Convincing Reasons Why You Should Eat More Chocolate
Chocolate is one of the world’s greatest comfort foods, it is the go to when life takes a bad turn, an easy gift for just about anyone, a satisfying, addicting treat that uplifts our moods.
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Now too much of anything is never good for us, but there’s a whole list of the medically proven ways that chocolate, dark in particular is really good for us.
Even though research is ongoing, experts have already found a whole host of benefits such as chocolate being good for the brain, heart, and circulation. It has also been suggested that chocolate can be beneficial to major conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and autism.
With Easter just around the corner, and all that chocolate awaiting us, let’s explore 10 convincing reasons as to why you should eat MORE chocolate!
1. Chocolate is Really Good for Your Skin
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Your skin can be protected from sun damage because of the flavonols in dark chocolate. (That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t apply sun cream when needed).
2. It is Good for Mothers and Their Babies
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A study in Finland says that the stress of expectant can be reduced through consuming chocolate which is subsequently a lot better for a pregnancy. The study also found that babies of mothers who consumed chocolate during pregnancy smiled a lot more than babies who were from non-chocolate-eating parents.
3. Reduces The Risk of Strokes
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Studies in Finland, in particular, have found through testing that the consumption of chocolate lowers the risk of suffering from a stroke. The researchers found that a staggering 17 per cent average of men in the group they tested had a lower risk after consuming chocolate during the study.
4. Cholesterol is Reduced
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High consumptions of cocoa have been found to reduce the levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol and actually raise the levels of ‘good’ cholesterol. This ultimately can potentially reduce the risk of health issues such as cardiovascular disease.
5. Chocolate is Good for The Brain
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The flavanols in dark chocolate are thought to reduce memory loss in elderly people. Dark chocolate has also been found to be beneficial in treating brain injuries like concussions, because of the anti-inflammatory qualities it contains.
6. Chocolate is Rich in Minerals
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Dark Chocolate is full of minerals which are extremely beneficial to us. Minerals such as zinc, selenium, and potassium are in bars of dark chocolate which have a percent of cocoa over 70. The 100g bars of dark chocolate also provide 67 percent of the RDA of Iron.
7. Chocolate Makes You Feel Better
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Everyone can relate to chocolate making them feel better. This is actually because chocolate contains phenylethylamine (PEA), which is a chemical that encourages your brain to release feel-good endorphins, quite like when you’re falling in love.
8. Heart and Circulation
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A study has found that dark chocolate can actually help to restore the flexibility of arteries, while white blood cells are also being prevented from sticking to the walls of blood vessels- both in which are common causes of artery clogging.
9. Chocolate Can Help You Lose Weight!- (What?!)
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It is true! Chocolate can actually help you lose weight! A neuroscientist Will Clower says that if you consume a small square of chocolate melted on the tongue 20 minutes before a meal triggers the hormones in the brain that tell you you’re ‘full’, which ultimately cuts down the food you consume during the meal. If you finish the meal eating a small chocolate can subsequently trigger snacking, so beware!
10. Chocolate May Be Able To Prevent Diabetes
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It may sound a little backward, but cocoa has actually been shown to improve insulin sensitivity. So in turn, dark chocolate which is high in cocoa, if eaten in moderation, may be able to delay or prevent the onset of diabetes.
Barley Bread Is Not Only Tasty But…
A study in Sweden found that not only is barley bread healthy for us, but it can actually cut the risk of diabetes and obesity.
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The study involved middle-aged participants being asked to eat bread made from 85% barley for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Around 11-14 hours after the last meal of that day, they were then examined for diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk indicators.
It found that a special mix of dietary fibers improved the person’s metabolism for up to 14 hours. Not only that, but it also decreased the blood sugar and insulin levels, making insulin sensitivity increased, it also increased appetite control. The bread was also found to help regulate the growth of healthy gut bacteria.
So now we know all the benefits to this delicious bread, spice up your meal times with this Barley Bread Recipe, while also keeping it healthy:
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What You Need:
– 10 ounces barley flour
– 1 teaspoon kosher salt
– 1-ounce baking powder
– 2 tablespoons honey
– 1/4 cup canola oil, plus extra for greasing the pan
– 2 eggs
– 1 cup whole milk
What To Do:
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First, preheat the gas grill on low heat for at least 10 minutes
Then, lightly grease the sides and bottom of a 4 to 5-quart dutch oven with canola oil.
In a mixing bowl, mix together the flour, salt, and baking powder. Then in another mixing bowl, whisk together the honey, oil, eggs and milk. Add the wet and dry mixed ingredients together.
Pour the batter into the dutch oven, not covering with a lid. Then place the dutch oven on the grill and close the lid of the grill.
Cook with the lid closed for 35-40 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 190 degrees F.
Allow to cool off in the dutch oven for at least 5 minutes before putting on a cooling rack.
If you are baking in a traditional oven, bake at 350 degrees F for 25-30 minutes or until it reaches 190 degrees F.
And enjoy!
Image Source: bakeryandsnacks.com
You May Not Have To Give Up Alcohol To Lose Weight!
Alcohol and weight have always seemed to have a bad relationship. A glass of your favorite wine after work or a nightcap with an old friend are usually the first things to go when we begin a diet. However, research as to why alcohol should stop during diets isn’t as clear as anti-alcohol diets make out.
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Obviously, there are clear negatives to alcohol:
It is not always common knowledge that alcohol is loaded with calories. We subconsciously assume it isn’t as bad because it’s so easy to consume as opposed to eating a big burger or a plate of fries, but alcohol is just as bad- if not worse. The human body targets alcohol calories before the other calories (calories from extra ingredients in cocktails mainly)- the proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, which are stored in the body until needed. To balance out the calories, we need to exercise more or consume less of other calories.
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On the other hand, it isn’t as simple as it seems. Studies show that drinking wasn’t associated with body mass index in men, and it actually had a zero to negative effect in women, meaning that some women who drank actually had less body mass index than women who didn’t. However, this study heavily relied on a specific age and drinking level. It relied on moderate drinking habits, meaning two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women. It did not include heavy drinkers (four drinks a day for men, 3 drinks a day for women), who had a higher risk of obesity.
Through several studies and experiments, they found that two glasses of wine a night for men and one glass of wine a night for women did not increase weight gain. So maybe you can enjoy that glass of your favorite wine after work, after all!
Overall, the problem with studies on people is that everyone is different. It may be that for the majority of people, one to two glasses of wine a day will have no effect on weight gain, but for a minority, it might. It is all down to genetics, stress, eating patterns and exercise. In the end, it all comes down to alcohol and weight management. You just have to find what works for you, moderation is usually the answer.
8 Foods That Will Give You A Healthier Mind
It is easy to forget, with our busy lifestyles, the basic guidelines for healthy eating. A lot of the time, we are so busy that we don’t even manage to consume the 3 important square meals a day. However, there are certain foods that are considered to be ‘brain foods’ and can really help with the overall function of your brain and are really easy to fit in with even the busiest of lifestyles.
