9 May 2010 – Supplements

Looks like weeds but taste so sweet, the only natural sweetener is the species Stevia rebaudiana, commonly known as sweet-leaf is widely grown for its sweet leaves. Have been using this dried leaf over the years but to only recently discover that it s not common knowledge. So here is to share with whoever is interested. More recent medical research has shown promise in treating obesity and hypertension. Stevia has a negligible effect on blood glucose, even enhancing glucose tolerance therefore, it is attractive as a natural sweetener to diabetics and others on carbohydrate-controlled diets.

The availability of stevia varies from country to country. In a few countries, it has been available as a sweetener for decades or centuries; for example, stevia is widely used as a sweetener in Japan where it has been available for decades. In other countries, health concerns and political controversies have limited its availability; for example, the USA banned stevia in the early 1990s unless labeled as a supplement, but in 2008 approved rebaudioside-A extract as a food additive. Over the years, the number of countries in which stevia is available as a sweetener has been increasing.

Besides the tablet form supplements, the other natural daily supplements for me are:  a tiny square of 99% dark chocolate and is bitter when not used to the taste. Somehow when you get used to that taste, all chocolate are too sweet. One teaspoon of black sesame paste, and I love it but too expensive for me to take more than one teaspoon daily. One tablespoon of blueberries and one of strawberries. Just want to be healthy to live life fully. So please do not wish me a long life, unless both my physical and metal state are as they are and not on the decline!

These supplements do help, especially when I have to be on my feet 6/7hrs daily at Orchard Rd/CentrePoint’s Robinsons for a week at Shelly’s SIN Shawl. With one salesperson down, the Mothers Day weekend and the SIN Great Sale/SGS next week, was asked to help out. Interesting to see for this time round if the so-called supervisors/posting 7 Apr 2009 will be telling me that I am not supposed to chat with the other staff even when there are no customers on the whole floor or that I am not allowed to take pictures of my own counter!

From one mother to all mothers, Happy Mother’s Day, not just for today but for everyday 🙂

Mothers hold their children’s hands for a short while, but their hearts forever – Author Unknown