Happy Monday!
Weekends are meant for enjoying, so I hope you had an enjoyable one!
We had the Fam over for some before Christmas appies and desserts and it seemed to have turned out pretty darn good besides the fact we garlic’d everyone out 
By total mistake I added wayyyyy to much garlic to the guacamole and a lot of stinky {yet delicious} garlic to the special smoke house red pepper hummus Ryan brews up.
I kept thinking Garlic has been told to keep the Vampires away and this can not be good!! Who wants to keep RPatz away?! Just say No to garlic girls 
After a long night of eating, sipping wine and eating desserts I crawled into bed to wake up at 5 am to just taste garlic! I used to allergic to garlic and can’t tell if it still bothers me or not anymore, but I guess I will find out after the blast I got on Saturday night!
In case you are wondering where all the pictures are, I can honestly say I Forgot to take them. From earlier on in the day on Saturday my head was in the clouds and I was totally rushed and nothing thinking straight. I mentioned here that I had to stop numerous times to just breathe, bring myself back to centre and eat a stinking Gluten-Free, Vegan Shortbread Cookie.
Pretend there is delicious pictures of food here for your and smiling family faces => Insert Here 
Sunday was a day of running around to pick up some last minute Christmas gifts and then I baked the BEST, HEALTHY, vegan, gluten-free banana bread ever. This Banana Bread I baked with STEVIA {I am so excited!! I have been a stevia virgin until now!} and found it ever so delightful. And, so did Hudson
I used my recipe found here and replaced the sugar cane with 1/4 cup extra mashed banana and 1 tsp liquid stevia…..
I am in banana bread heaven over here.
A) Its Gluten-Free
B) Its Vegan
C) It is now SUGAR FREE!
Take me away…..I have fainted and gone to a Healthy Bakers Heaven over here.
Isn’t she a beauty? I am making this for a glorious Christmas Breakfast Treat. My heart is fluttering right now over the thought of this bread with a piping hot cup of joe and a mamosa by its side on the morn of the 25th.
We had a wonderful Sunday night with Ryan’s family for a little holiday gathering and then I came home to relax! After such a busy weekend, I am drained and tired. Not too tired to chat bakery stuff though
Today will be another busy baking day. Round 213 {I swear we have made oodles of freaking cookies!}. Today I have a great feeling about the new batches. I have taken to warming my hands and speaking loving words to the dough as kneeding it. I feel I have a better relationship with my dough and the cookies get the love they need to rise nicely
I also talk to the dough in my wallet everyday to get it to grow It seems to work nicely.
The successes are so rewarding so far and we have the flour mixture perfected and its amazing, however, we are tweaking the fat/oil section of the cookies. This seems to be the tricky part….yet so interesting
I have an appointment with the hot and steamy kitchen, so have a fantastic day!
What did you do over the weekend? Do you bake with Stevia?
To Your Glam Life,
xxoo
jenn (4)
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I’ve never baked with stevia but I am intrigued by the idea. I’m still unclear as to how stevia affects your blood sugar- does it cause less of a spike than other sugars?
I so enjoy your baking experiments- If you try things, I don’t have to! haha
Meri´s last blog ..Meri says RELAX
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Kris Reply:
December 20th, 2010 at 11:11 pm
Hahaha! Your too funny Meri, I like you
I am not so familiar with the science behind Stevia, but I know it is a herb and i do not believe it spikes like other sugars at all.
xxoo
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So glad it turned out so good! I have only tried using the NuNaturals Baking Blend, never the liquid for baking. So far I’ve had good results. I’m not sure how it would do in lieu of brown sugar though – definitely would have to add more moisture.
Heather (Where’s the Beach)´s last blog ..AndA Painful Run
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Kris Reply:
December 20th, 2010 at 11:12 pm
I thought of you while I was baking this bread!! I am glad I did add the 1/4 cup extra banana because it was so moist and delicious!
xxoo
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That looks tasty!
I’ve never liked Stevia… I’ve tried it a few times, and it was no good at all!
But who knows, I might have just had the wrong brand!
Is it snowing there!??!
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Kris Reply:
December 20th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
Hmmm I have never had stevia before testing it in the bakery kitchen
I figured I would try it out and it is fine. I don’t think I would like the taste in a coffee or tea thought.
It was snowing, not now…is it still there??
xxoo
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Banana bread made with Stevia?? Yes please!!
I’m new to the whole stevia baking thing too.
On the weekend I started my prep for holiday baking this week:)
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Kris Reply:
December 20th, 2010 at 11:14 pm
YAY! I am glad I am not the only one who is new to stevia!! My partner in crime
I am so happy to hear your baking is well on its way!
xxxoo
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welcome to the club stevia newbie. Stevia has a way to my heart. hehe! That bread look glorious! I hope it doesn’t smell like garlic though, hehe.
LC
lindsay´s last blog ..Daily Dosage of “D”
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Kris Reply:
December 20th, 2010 at 11:15 pm
hahaha, I tell ya. I feel bad for my guests who had to smell of garlic for days after
I feel so honored to be a part of the stevia bakers club
Thank you for having me!
xxoo
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I baked banana bread yesterday too. It must be something in the air. I haven’t done too much baking with Stevia, but I love it in my coffee and on my grapefruit!! It’s great because it doesn’t leave that bitter taste you sometimes get with splenda!
Lauren @ Fun, Fit and Fabulous!´s last blog ..Weekend Recap- Lights- Running- Basketball- Work- Family- & Baking!
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I cannot wait to try subbing Stevia in! I can’t believe that’s all you had to use.
I have a bottle of it in my cupboard but I always forget about it. I’ve heard alot of great things about the Nu Naturals Stevia in vanilla which might make a great addition
Luv the pic of Hudson!
Ange @ Health and Swellbeing´s last blog ..Weekend Health Links
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I’ve baked w/ stevia before and it turned out great–it was banana bread too! Gotta love it
Jess´s last blog ..A Fresh Start
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your banana bread looks Amazing! i like your pics. i bought the stevia flakes once a long, long time ago and wasn’t sure how to substitute it. the liquid is a good idea. i will definitely give this a try! thanks
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I have tried baking with stevia, but I am still getting that slightly bitter aftertaste =[
Do you use a certain brand?
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you KNOW I cannot come here without saying how CUTE Hudson is… great to see him, hope he is feeling 100% again?
I have never used stevia, but I have some… I should try it soon!
XO
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