Let the sun shine in

Written by Rachel Berman   

Do you use artificial sweeteners? Are you concerned about the health effects? I do in moderation and yes, I am. The truth is that most studies on artificial sweeteners are performed on rats so it’s not exactly clear what the long-term effects are in humans. I’ve tried Stevia, the all-natural no calorie sweetener and wasn’t the biggest fan. It didn’t dissolve properly in my tea and it seemed to have a weird texture. So I use Splenda from time to time to minimize calories from sugar. But times, they are a-changing, my friend.

Sun Crystals are the hottest (pun-intended), newest product on the marketplace in the sweetener department. The ingredients? Two products that grow by sunlight: the stevia plant and pure cane sugar. Because Sun Crystals do still contain sugar, each packet has 5 calories vs. zero in other nonnutritive sweeteners vs. 11 calories for real sugar. But to have an all-natural substitute for my artificial sweetener, those 5 calories are more than worth it! They dissolve completely in hot or cold foods and drinks. The brand also makes a kind for baking. I haven’t tried them yet, but I plan to soon (and I’ll likely post the recipe here!). You only need to use ½ cup of Sun Crystals for every one cup of sugar that’s called for in any recipe.

On top of that, Sun Crystals is a proud member of 1% For The Planet, donating one percent of profits to environmental causes around the world. This year, those funds will go to the American Solar Energy Society to increase use of sustainable energy in the U.S. Naturally healthy, sweet, and socially-conscious? What more could you ask for?




One more thing: To launch their new product, Sun Crystals is providing the opportunity for 20 “naturally-sweet” couples to marry (or renew their vows) in their Sweet & Solar Wedding, which is solar powered of course, on October 22nd at Foley Square Park in New York City. You still have until October 16th to enter.