Thank goodness that it’s Friday because I am feeling really stressed today. I realize that I juggle a lot (CNC, NuVal, Health, OpenSky, Gordon’s, writing a book), so stress is expected in my life, but today it’s totally overwhelming me. 
I know that I am very fortunate to have all of these wonderful opportunities– I just needed to vent for a minute, ya know? As my husband always says: “It will all work out.”
Snack
When I arrived at NuVal, I immediately made myself a hot cup of Rooibos tea with a squirt of agave nectar. It warmed me right up. The weather is in the 40′s today, but I was still really cold this morning.
Lunch
For lunch, I dug into a homemade salad.
In the mix:
- Romaine hearts
- Spinach
- Grape tomatoes
- Cucumber
- Red onion
- Carrots
- Celery
- Mushrooms
- Crumbled blue cheese
I also had a Siggi’s Orange & Ginger yogurt, which was absolutely divine. It was such a treat! 
A little while later, I made a “mocha” by mixing a packet of sugar-free hot cocoa with some coffee. It was just okay, so I only drank about half of it.
When I got home from work, I made myself a whole wheat Sandwich Thin with peanut butter and banana slices.
I was so hungry. It definitely hit the spot!
Agave Nectar
I’ve received quite a few questions about agave nectar. Like many of you, I’ve read some negative articles floating around the internet about agave nectar and the health benefits associated with it. I’m not really sure what to think about these statements. But, from talking with my Registered Dietitian friend about agave nectar, HFCS, table sugar, etc., we basically came to the conclusion that sugar is sugar. I’m not a RD, so I really shouldn’t comment on the health benefits/risks related to agave nectar and sugar, but in case you have any questions, here’s some info that might help you make your own decision:
- The Truth About Agave: Great Alternative to Sugar, Honey and other Natural Sweeteners
- How Is Agave Processed
- The Truth About Agave Syrup: Not As Healthy As You May Think
- Not All Agaves Are Created Equal
- Sugar Solutions
What do you think about agave nectar and its claims?
P.S. Can someone please come take these cashews away from me!?! I’ve eaten like 50 of them while writing this blog post!
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I use agave nectar in coffee and tea, on top of Greek Style yogurt and in my morning smoothies. I never use that much at one time but I use it every day multiple times a day.
I like the way agave nectar tastes but I totally agree with your friend, sugar is sugar is sugar. Everything in moderation.
While I agree in some respects to sugar is sugar (a calorie is a calorie), there are a few differences – Agave does not raise blood sugar levels in the same way that other sugars do, thus making it a particularly useful sweetener for diabetics.)
That said, my main concern from both an environmental and health standpoint is the level of processing that many sugar products and sweeteners alike go through. Just because agave isn’t hfcs, it still can go through a heavy refining process that strips nutrients and adds chemical additives. Choosing minimally processed agave is the way to go.
oh lord i know the feeling w/ those cashews! i’m that way with any and every nut… and nut butter. peanut butter – oooooh man!!!
I agree with Sam in that it all depends on the level of processing. I have never head anything negative about Agave and, being an dietician myself, I do not believe that sugar is sugar and think hfcs and refined sugar are pure evil for many reasons and should be avoided at all costs. I am intruiged now to look up the negative articles about agave!
Rooibos tea is the best! I always add a HUGE splsh of mil to mine — my current favorite is the vanilla rooibos at Starbucks — have you tried it? It is such a wonderful treat with a bit of skim milk and agave.
Thanks for the info on agave! I occasionaly use it when baking, but not much other than that — i take the approach that anything is fine in moderation (agave included! – a sugar, is a sugar and just because it’s healthIER, doesn’t mean it’s HEALTHY.
I agree, sugar is sugar. I use agave very rarely, and when I do buy it, I try to get the “raw” kind, so that it’s minimally processed. I think it’s fine to use in moderation, but I actually prefer using liquid stevia to sweeten things, since it’s a natural, no-calorie sweetener.
I completely agree – sugar is sugar. Agave has been so hyped up in the “health world”, but really, it’s just sugar!! I also wrote a post about agave this morning, check it out! http://healthylaps.com/2010/02/19/agave-good-or-bad/
I also agree, sugar is sugar. I’m kind of disappointed to find out that it’s not a *miracle* food like I thought it was
I’m still going to use it though- everything in moderation!
nuts. once to start you can’t stop. Fact of life
I’ve never had agave. I just use sugar or honey when I need it. Actually I’ve hardly ever needed it; I don’t even own any “sugar” ingredient. I suppose if I baked or drank coffee then it would be different.
I think sugar is sugar. Everything in moderation
I’ve been reading a lot about agave as well. I think everything in moderation is probably the right way to look at sweeteners in general!
Darn I actually was mighty dissapointed when reading this post. I thought for sure I found a healthier sweetener…but now I’m not so sure…it doesn’t appear to be any better.
Ok. Wow. . .where have I been? I can’t believe the negative articles out there about agave. I have always valued it as a low glycemic index sweetener and have been recommending it to many as a natural alternative to sugar. Yikes. . I’ll be researching more tonght that’s for sure!
I’m not an expert, but I agree with what others have said – sugar in any form should be consumed in moderation, and we should try to choose types that are as natural and as minimally processed as possible. Also, I’ve heard that because agave is sweeter than refined white sugar, we use less of it…so that’s a plus!
I don’t really use agave so I can’t really comment on but everything in moderation is always the best. I have been seeing that siggi’s yogurt a lot I want to try it!
you have a lot going on, I don’t know how you do it! I always try to take a couple hours for myself every day and that really helps my stress levels.
I’ve never tried agave nectar. I’m fine with my honey, table sugar, and maple syrup!
Don’t worry, Tina! We all get that stressed out feeling. You are only human. And like Mal said, “It will all work out.”
That’s so funny about the “mocha”. I tried that at work once and I thought it was going to be this awesome hot drink and it only turned out to be ‘meh’. Oh well! I guess you gotta go all coffee or all hot cocoa, huh?
I like to bake with agave and squirt it on my food every now and again. However, I try not to add too much ‘extra’ sweetness to any of my foods. I’ve gotten used to drinking my coffee black now…wow, and I used to use so much regular milk and sugar…eek!
it’s okay to vent! Even though my job is totally awesome, it still stresses me out sometimes. I think it’s our generation (well that’s what my dad always tells me) that we take on SO MUCH STUFF to do in our lives.
You should try Tazo’s vanilla roobis tea, it’s so good
Feel free to send the cashews my way. I have a serious cashew addiction. YUM!
What are you juggling at Gordon’s?
Oh goodness, cashews. I’ve been there before (yesterday), eating them out of the bag always results in eating more than planned! I’ve learned to just accept it. I guess I could just take the amount I want out of the bag and put them away before starting to snack but that rarely happens!! On the topic of agave though, I agree with most people here, moderation. Just because it’s a natural sweetener doesn’t mean that it’s healthy to use it in large amounts. You said it right, sugar is sugar!
I just blogged about sugars. I agree with some of the above…moderation! Think of sugar like salt- use to taste however with caution in day-to-day meals/drinks/snacks etc.
I’m not sure what I think about the agave nectar, but i figure that it’s probably OK in moderation!
I’m glad that you took some time to vent…it’s nice to know you’re human
(i mean that in a good way). Mal’s right, everything will work out, and it’s all going to be great! in the meantime, i’m glad you shared 
I am glad you put this out there, a lot of people think agave is a magic bullet but it’s not. A sugar is a sugar is a sugar. Also, different brands of agave are all different levels of refined depending on the process so one may be higher on the GI scale than another. I do not agree with Sam, I don’t think it’s any safer for diabetics than regular sugar.
Cashews are one of my weaknesses, too! (Darn you CVS and your 2-for-1 sales) I definitely think that agave nectar is a mixed bag. As far as sugar alternatives go I definitely think it’s one of the better ones (but I have no blood sugar problems, so I’m not sure how it negatively or positively affects people who do). Luckily I’m a college student and I’m not a coffee drinker, so added sugar is something I rarely have to think about.
LOL! Cashews are so good! Hard to eat just a few!
Glad you vented, T! Sometimes that’s all it takes to make you feel better. Hang in there!
Awh, darlin’…. don’t stress! You’re doing an awesome job…and quite inspiring, too! Hope everything calms down a bit for you soon!
My thing is… if there are articles out there saying that its not healthy why bother eat it. I stick to my brown sugar or honey and don’t even want to bother with Agave and HFCS..
I can’t imagine doing all that you do. You’ve essentially got 4+ jobs! Crazy lady, I don’t know how you end up fitting it all in, but you do and for that I am envious. As far as agave goes, I’m with those that say sugar is sugar and everything in moderation.
If it were b/w honey and agave, I’d choose honey for flavor and b/c it’s processed less.
I was recently in a store and saw a few different types of Agave and I almost bought some, but then I realized I didn’t actually know how to use it. But I would probably use it if I knew how, I mean I still drink diet soda soooo
Let the stress melt away in the fact that it’s friday
Oh gosh, I never realised there was such a problem with it! I have about a tsp or so a day with some greek yogurt or something…but I think I might follow up on those links you posted and do some research on it :s Health is important!!
I think everyone feels overwhelmed once in awhile. It helps to keep everything in perspective, and Mal’s right! Things always find a way of working out. Just think about why you are juggling so many different endeavors, and I’m sure you’ll remember why each one is important to you.
At least it is cookie friday!
I agree with others, everything in moderation. That goes for granulated sugar, maple syrup, honey, agave nectar, etc.
Guys are so much more relaxed than we are! I will be stressed out to the point of tears and Ben says, “It will all work out!” ~ But he is always right
Take one thing at a time!!
I actually disagree that sugar is sugar. I have hypoglycemia and agave nectar is a god-send for me. I get very jittery, lethargic, headaches, etc. when I have sugar and agave nectar gives me no such effects. I have figured out my body to the extent that if I am going to have refined sugar, I need to have a small amount and pair it with protein or my body is all out of whack. I am thankful that agave nectar exists because boy do I have a sweet tooth. Now I don’t think it is a health food or anything but for people with low blood sugar, it is wonderful.
Also, I too have read these supposed studies and recall that it seems that they are sponsored by organizations having an interest in HFCS and the sugar industry. I go by how I feel and have no scientific opinion but I would take thosse articles with a bit of a grain of salt….Specifically I read these posts from a blog I go to and read other articles. It was a while ago but I determined I would keep using agave nectar.
http://alteredplates.blogspot.com/2009/05/agave-nectar-police.html
http://alteredplates.blogspot.com/2008/12/madhavas-craig-gerbore-responds-to.html
Thanks so much for posting those articles. Very interesting
Sweeteners, in general, are a touchy subject. I am not sure there is a right or wrong answer out there. Some people can’t have sugar for health reasons and they need to find alternatives that are right for them. Everything in moderation…right? As for being stressed…I am sorry. Hopefully things will work out soon! I hope you have a relaxing weekend.
salted cashews are so good with chocolate ice cream- incase you need something to add to it!
I love agave- I’m into anything that’s not white processed sugar- well, I’m into white processed sugar too, but I wish I wasnt!
I hear ya on the stress. Somedays I just want to bury under the blankets. But keep moving forward and it will be okay.
I agree that sugar is sugar is sugar but I give mad props to agave for not raising blood sugar. I don’t eat any sugar at the moment but once I am able to have a little sugar again, I will use agave.
Sugar is sugar. Everything in moderation and you’ll be fine.
I cannot start eating nuts or I will never stop. 
Stress is in the air today. I’m feeling it too. I’ve been curious about agave lately too. I used to think it was healthier, but now have my doubts as it is 90% fructose. Humph…sugar IS sugar.
Thank you for sharing that info on agave. I am sorry you are feeling so stressed!
I agree that sugar is sugar. I use regular sugar because it’s natural and doesn’t bloat my stomach like artificial sweeteners do. That’s just my take though, people should do what’s right for them.
I need to find that frosting…uh, I mean yogurt. I heard the vanilla tastes like frosting!
I agree that sugar is sugar. I’m sure many of those claims about the “unhealthiness” of agave all go back to having too much of a sugar substance in general. There’s always going to be findings about how something we are eating is “not perfect” for me, but I’m not about to turn my life upside over it. I’m still weaning myself off Splenda for long-term health and flavor reasons, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to throw out all the Splenda I still have in my pantry, nor am I going to completely boycott everything that might have an artificial sweetener for the rest of my life. Everything in moderation, and there really comes a point when obsessing about micro-issues about food becomes frivolous. I’m all about eating well and being good to your body, but there’s no way I can know ALL the facts about what I’m eating and what’s going on in my body. I do what I can, but I also understand that I can put forth all my energy, resources, and studies into eating all the wonderful, perfect foods I can, but I’m still not going to live forever. There’s only so much we can do given our culture, circumstances, the state of the world in this millennium, etc. There comes a point where going with the flow is healthier than stressing over eating the “perfect” diet.
I do not like agave nectar. I had a bottle, and tried several different recipes. The trail mix bars I made had no flavor whatsoever, and we actually had to throw away an apple pie that I made using Agave. The cookbook came with the Agave. Maybe it was just me, but I didn’t care for it at all!
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