Family * Travel * Food

Stevia In The Raw Can Help Lighten Up Your Holiday Desserts

The product, information, and gift card have been provided by the makers of In The Raw® so that I could try the product and share my thoughts and information about Stevia In The Raw® Bakers Bag. The opinions expressed in this post are my own and do not reflect the opinions of the makers of In The Raw® sweeteners.

The holiday season means the time of year where many of us over-indulge in sweets and treats. Although we have made some significant dietary changes in my household, it won't stop us from the occasional dessert item. This year we are trying something new by adding some Stevia In The Raw for sweetening. Stevia In The Raw is a zero-calorie sweetener and contains an extract from the sweet leaves of the stevia plant.

I'm sure you are thinking that I am talking about those itty bitty packets. Nope, Stevia In The Raw also comes in a bakers bag which means measuring the correct amount is easy. Also, it is formulated so that 1 cup has the same sweetness as 1 cup of sugar. When using Stevia In The Raw Bakers Bag for baking recipes, it is recommended that the user replace about half of the sugar in order to achieve the proper browning, rising and caramelizing that only sugar can provide. Would you believe that up to 700 calories are saved for every cup of sugar that is replaced with Stevia In The Raw Bakers Bag?

Since this is the baking season, I'd like to share some festive recipes with you.


Chocolate Peppermint Truffle Tart


Ingredients:
Cookie Crust
9 ounces chocolate wafer cookies
5 tablespoons butter, melted
1 tablespoon Sugar In The Raw®
1 tablespoon Stevia In The Raw®

Chocolate--Peppermint Filling
12 ounces unsweetened chocolate, roughly chopped
5 tablespoons cold butter, cut into cubes
1 1/4 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup Sugar In The Raw®
3/4 cup Stevia In The Raw®
1 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract

Whipped Cream
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons Sugar In The Raw®
1 teaspoons Stevia In The Raw®

Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350℉. Lightly grease a 9” round springform pan with removable bottom and sides. In the bowl of a food processor, pulse chocolate cookies until fine. Transfer to a bowl and stir in melted butter, Sugar In The Raw and Stevia In The Raw until well combined. Press mixture into bottom and up the sides of pan. Bake crust until firm - about 5 minutes. Remove from oven and cool.

In a medium bowl, add chocolate and butter. In a small saucepan bring cream, Sugar In The Raw, and Stevia In The Raw to a boil whisking constantly until Sugar In The Raw and Stevia In The Raw are completely dissolved. Pour cream over the chocolate and butter and whisk until chocolate has melted. Stir in peppermint and pour into crust. Chill at least one hour.

In a large bowl beat cream, Sugar In The Raw, and Stevia In The Raw on high speed until stiff peaks form - about 1 minute. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve tart.

Slice tart and top with whipped cream and dust with cocoa powder.

You also must check out the recipes for Chocolate-Espresso Pizzelles and Gingerbread Butterscotch Trifles for a festive addition to your holiday dessert table.

You can find out more about Stevia In The Raw, and other In The Raw products on their website. We are big fans of the Agave In The Raw. It has replaced sugar in our coffee and tea, with no difference in taste. Also, be sure to grab some valuable money-saving coupons here.

Giveaway: The makers of Stevia In The Raw® are providing a Bakers Bag product sample and a $25 online Visa gift card to one lucky Mom Files reader to win. Enter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway
This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only and ends on December 17, 2017. Must follow rules in Rafflecopter. One winner will be chosen randomly. Mom Files is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck!
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Say Yes To A Dress With Pockets!

Ladies, do you ever wear a dress and wish it had pockets? I sure do! I like to be able to have my phone on my person at all times, and often times dresses hinder you from that option. This 'vibrant garnet' dress from eShakti is everything I could want in a dress. Not only is it beautiful, it is the most comfortable dress I have ever worn. 

Ever since I hit my 40s, my body has changed quite a bit. The days of a flat tummy and slimmer figure have been replaced with a pouch and curves. I usually feel self-conscious in certain garments, especially dresses. This keyhole front cotton knit dress fits as if it were made for me, and it actually was! eShakti makes custom dresses to give you the perfect length and overall fit you desire. 
Whether you prefer long sleeves, cap sleeves, or no sleeves, you can choose what works best for you with eShakti. Do you like full length dresses? You can customize your dress length as well. For a very specific fit, you can enter your exact measurements and get what you need. I went with one of the standard dresses and opted for the knee length, three-quarter sleeve, and of course the best part: pockets! I did go up one size for *ahem* comfort. It was a great decision! The material is heavier than I expected, and it's super soft. This dress is versatile and can go from the workplace to an evening party. 

Adding a new dress to your wardrobe should not be something you do with one event in mind. You need dresses you can wear all the time. Dresses suitable for work or recreation are ideal, and many of those are midi dresses. Those are dresses that cover your knees but do not cover your ankles. Within that length range, there are several options. Longer midi dresses tend to look better when you are tall. Shorter dresses can make your legs appear longer when you are on the short side. You can also have fun complimenting your midi-dresses with a variety of accessories. For example, you can change your look with flats or heels, depending on the occasion. Other accessories that can change the look of a midi dress include scarves, belts and jewelry.




This beautiful dress is so flattering on my body type and makes me feel confident. The keyhole in the front gives a sexy touch without being too revealing. My husband loves this look on me. I can see it being worn quite a bit, and I will order another one in black. If you are looking for a comfortable, high-quality dress that won't break the bank, you should give eShakti a try.

They offer a lot of deals including a new customer special of $25 off your first purchase, plus free shipping. The site is user-friendly, but the hard part is narrowing down your choices. I could browse on there for a full hour or more!

Check out eShakti on their website as well as their social channels: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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Get Holiday Ready In Sophisticated Comfort and Style With NIC&ZOE

Today's conversation has been sponsored by NIC&ZOE

Well we have officially made it to the holiday season. It's time to deck the halls, trim the tree, and get ready to attend holiday parties and events. Of course you can't show up without the proper attire on. I have always believed in having a few higher end classic pieces in my wardrobe that can be dressed up or down and worn in multiple ways. It's the smart way to get more wear out of them. One thing that most women can agree on is that you can't ever have enough items in black. This sassy Luxe Jersey Jumpsuit is a prime example.

This Flashing Lights Cardy would look amazing over the jumpsuit
You could wear this to work in the daytime with a cardigan or business jacket, and easily transform it for a night out on the town. Just add some sparkle and bling along with some sexy heels, and you will be set! Adding a fancy belt and a dressy jacket would make for a sophisticated look. You know what makes me happy about this jumpsuit? It looks super comfortable! You can't beat looking stylish while being comfy. Also you don't have to have a super model figure to pull this look off. 

Another holiday pick is this Smokey Lines Dress.

This gorgeous dress is perfect for if you are a bit self-conscious about your mid-section like I am. All you really need with this is a nice pair of tall black heels and some glammy hair and makeup. I don't think you really need much jewelry or accessories aside from earrings and a clutch style purse. Again, this dress is perfect if comfort is important to you.

If you are looking to add some nice unique pieces to your wardrobe this winter, take a look at what NIC&ZOE has to offer. Like I mentioned earlier, I feel it's important to invest in some good garments that can be worn in different ways. NIC&ZOE garments come in many sizes including petite and plus size. Take a browse and treat yourself today! You can even purchase e-gift cards that can be used at nicandzoe.com and never expire. No lie, I am asking Santa for that Jumpsuit. I need it in my closet right away!  

Follow NIC&ZOE on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter for style inspiration and fashion tips.
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