Blue Agave

Blue Agave nectar is a delicious, natural sweetener preferred by health-conscious people for use in foods and beverages. It has a low glycemic index rating, making it ideal for those with special dietary needs and those who wish to avoid sucrose or artificial sweeteners. Substitute sugar or honey with Blue Agave at a ration of approximately 1:3/4.

Code 3221 8 fl. oz.
Code 3224 32 fl. oz.

Tap Into the Healthy Sweetness of Blue Agave

Sweet and healthy! (Can something really be sweet and healthy?)

The wonderful organic Blue Agave available through Young Living is a healthful sweetener with a low glycemic index.

Just what is the glycemic index?

This system classifies foods based on their effect in raising blood sugar levels. Foods are tested against glucose, which has a glycemic index of 100. High glycemic index foods break down into glucose (sugar) quickly, causing blood sugar to "spike" and then quickly crash. Low glycemic foods cause a modest but sustained increase without the following energy crash.

Honey is a fairly low glycemic index sweetener rated on various indexes at approximately 55. Table sugar has a glycemic index of about 68 (some rate it at 85). But Young Living's marvelous Blue Agave weighs in at a spectacular 11 on the glycemic index! This means that using agave as a sweetener does not spike blood sugar levels. Young Living has been able to source the variety of agave with the lowest glycemic index: Blue Agave or Agave tequilana weber azul. The slight blue tinge to this species' leaves gives it the azul, or "blue" name.

Even more important than avoiding blood sugar spikes is avoiding overproduction of insulin and more fat storage. According to a new study, high glycemic foods do just this-overproduce insulin and increase fat storage.(1) Scientists at the Division of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School found that the type of carbohydrates eaten rather than the total amount of carbohydrates is responsible for increased body weight. The researchers found that a higher body mass index (BMI, a measure of body fat) was associated with diets that had higher glycemic index foods. A review on WebMD noted, "foods with a higher glycemic index trigger more insulin production and more fat storage."(2)

Organic and Good!

Wild crafted and harvested in Mexico, agave is a succulent (a water-storing species of plant). There are more than 130 species of agave. Blue agave (Agave tequilana) is famous for its use in the alcoholic beverage tequila, but more and more, blue agave is being harvested for use as a sweetener.

The Agave tequilana plant is related to lily and amaryllis plants even though its sword-shaped spikes look like a cactus. A mature agave plant has "leaves" that are 5 to 8 feet tall, and it grows to be 7 to 12 feet in diameter.
The word agave comes from the Greek word for "noble"-an excellent description for a plant that offers so much!

Because agave is thinner than honey, it can easily be used in beverages, baked goods, fruits, dressing, jams, jellies, ice cream, and cereal. Substitute the recommended amount of sugar or honey with 1/2 - 3/4 Blue Agave. Its wonderful taste is also found in Wolfberry Crisp™ bars and NingXia Red™.

Add a healthy sweetener to your day with Young Living's Blue Agave!

Notes:
1. Ma Y, et al., "Association between dietary carbohydrates and body weight," AmJ Epidemiol. 2005 Feb 15;161(4):359-67.
2. Miranda Hitti, "Good Carbs Mean Better Weight," WebMD. February 9, 2005.

A Candy Maker Discovers Young Living's Blue Agave

As a professional candy maker, I develop recipes and treats that are all natural and sweetened with agave nectar. I use only the finest ingredients and whole grains. When I first started, my sister and I did a lot of research to find the best sweeteners and highest-quality goods available. We were shocked at how many companies profess to be all natural or high quality, but are truly second rate.

I decided to try Young Living's Blue Agave nectar. The notable difference in quality was immediate. Young Living's Blue Agave cooks better, tastes better, and I know I'm getting a product that is truly unrefined and all natural. I take comfort in knowing that Young Living goes through painstaking processes and tests to ensure that its agave meets the highest standards. I now only use Young Living's Blue Agave in all the recipes I develop, and in my baking and candymaking.

Here is a recipe to try with Young Living's Blue Agave. It's fabulous! Enjoy!

Perfect Blue Agave Cheesecake
For crust:
In a blender or food processor, blend to fine crumbs:
1 c. raw almonds
1 c. raw cashews
Add:
pinch of salt
3 Tbs. brown rice flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
Put into a bowl, drizzle with Blue Agave and add:
1/2 c. very soft organic butter
Toss with fork and press into a 9-inch buttered and wax paper lined spring-form pan. Set aside.
For cake:
In a bowl, beat with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form:
4 free-range organic egg whites
Beat into whites:
1/2 cup Blue Agave syrup
24 oz. very soft organic cream cheese (or other soft, mild, white cheese of your choice)
When smooth, add:
1 tsp. vanilla
2-3 drops of lemon essential oil or 2 tsp. lemon juice (optional)
Pour over crust.
Bake at 3250 for 35 minutes, or until firm and lightly brown on top. For best results, let the cheesecake cool completely in the oven. After the cheesecake is cool, run a knife around the edges of the pan and release sides. Transfer to a plate, cover, and refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Top with caramel, chocolate, fruit, Blue Agave-sweetened sour cream, or a topping of your choice.

Food enthusiast Ali has been developing her own recipes since the age of fifteen. In addition to owning her own business, she also works as an actress and is the busy mother of twins. Ali and her family live in Utah.

Reprinted with permission of Young Living, Lehi, UT 84043
Essential Edge magazine

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Diana Hooper, Independent Distributor of Young Living Essential Oils Member #378910
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