Thanks, Cricket and Weezie!!
I heard about stevia several years ago, but could find little on it.
I was under the impression it was still banned in the US but available world-wide, but that mystery
plant contest in September gave me some newer info. The web info
made it sound like the sugar industry and artificial sweetener mfgs were trying to keep it out, but hooray for the internet!
Believe it or not, when I started looking for stevia several weeks ago, several places were out--but Burpee's had it--15
seeds for $3.95 + shipping. I may have to use some of my Christmas money for some kind of grow-light arrangement to get some of my new wealth of
seeds from
y'all and the
wonderful
seed companies
growing.
I guess we can all just take this step-by-step and learn it together--not that I'm going to do too much cooking. But both DH and I weigh way too much and I can't get him to use artificial sweetners. And we just learned he has another problem to add to his health problems and losing weight and eating right, including adding vitamins, is extremely important.
Most of the recipes I found use the prepared stevia though I did find the two conversion tables.
Cooking with Stevia Conversion Chart This site gives conversion for sugar, artificial sweeteners and stevia products. There is information about steviosides and some other sides which can cause bitterness, but I need to get the basics sorted out first.
Stevia Canada Conversion Chart This site has less information and includes various forms of stevia, including one that sounds like the mortar and pestle ground leaves.
I haven't been to a health food store since supermarkets now carry most of the whole foods I use--brown rice, bulghur, whole wheat flour, etc. and I order vitamins by email. And I shop very little in brick stores anymore.
Thanks again.
Ann