December 22, 2012

NuNaturals' new product review and giveaway!

I've never been a big fan of sugar substitutes. I love sugar, honey, and pure maple syrup; but I can't stand the taste of Splenda, or Equal, or any of the other artificial sweeteners. When Stevia first hit the market a while ago, I tried it and actually found it tolerable. And then when NuNaturals sent me their Stevia products to try last year, I found that I really liked them. I've tried a couple of different brands, but this one is honestly my favorite.

If you're new to Stevia, it's a natural (calorie-free) sweetener made from the leaves of a plant, and it's much sweeter than sugar. I've been using their packets and liquid drops in my oatmeal, tea, my protein shakes, and other drinks ever since. Recently, NuNaturals asked me if I'd like to try some new products they've come out with, so of course I wanted to!

Along with the regular packets, tablets, and drops, they now have flavored drops--orange, lemon, peppermint, and chocolate. Apparently, the chocolate is not new--but it was new to me, so I was excited to try it, along with the others.

Peppermint, Chocolate, Orange, Lemon, Vanilla, and plain drops
(seven drops is about as sweet as 1 tsp. sugar)
There are so many products, I haven't quite figured out how to use all of them! I've been experimenting for a few weeks now. I have to say, I love the flavored drops. I've been adding them to all kinds of stuff, and now I got Jerry hooked on the chocolate ones, too ;) The plus-side to using drops is that they easily dissolve in liquid, so you could use it for hot or cold drinks.

First, I tasted one drop of each straight out of the bottle, and was shocked at how good they were. Like most Stevia products, the drops are very potent, so a tiny little bit will go a long way.

I used the drops to perfect a chocolate-mint protein shake. I made it very similar to the Peppermint Patty shake that I posted recently, but I added 7 drops of chocolate Stevia, and 10 drops of peppermint Stevia (in place of the peppermint extract of the previous recipe). I liked using the peppermint Stevia MUCH more than using the peppermint extract--the flavor wasn't so harsh.
Chocolate Peppermint Protein Shake

1/2 cup milk (I usually use more, but I wanted it to be thicker this time)
1 serving vanilla protein powder
1 Tbsp. cocoa powder
7 drops chocolate Stevia drops (you could skip this, since there is enough chocolate, but I made it extra chocolatey with the drops)
7 drops peppermint Stevia drops
1/4 tsp. each xanthan gum and guar gum (optional, as always--I just like the texture that they give)
8 ice cubes

Blend until smooth.

I made another protein shake using the lemon and orange Stevia drops. Remember how I was starving after my long run last week? I threw 1 cup almond milk, 1 serving vanilla protein powder, 1/2 cup frozen blueberries, 1/2 cup frozen raspberries, handful of frozen spinach, 10 drops lemon Stevia, 7 drops orange Stevia, and 1/4 tsp. each guar and xanthan gum into the blender. This was heavenly!! The lemon + orange combo with the frozen berries was fanstastic. And it was only 3 PointsPlus for the whole shake.
Not the prettiest shake in the world, but it was delicious, and very filling (especially for being just 3 PP).

For those of you that like yogurt (blech!) I bet the flavored Stevia drops would be a good addition. Since most flavored yogurts use artificial sweeteners, the Stevia would at least be a natural alternative. But since I hate yogurt, there is no amount of Stevia that would make me enjoy it, I'm sure ;)

When it comes to using Stevia in drinks and my oatmeal, I think it's fantastic--but I'm not a huge fan of baking with it. Baked goods definitely don't taste like they do when you bake them with sugar.

I like the packets of NuNaturals Stevia to use in my tea. I use 1/2 a packet for a cup of tea (like I said, it's potent), or 4 drops of the liquid. If I'm having tea that would go well with the flavored drops, I'll use those instead. The lemon drops in chamomile tea are really good, and the orange drops in plain old black tea are yummy. Since you use so little, it takes forever to go through a bottle of drops or a box of packets.

Anyways, I'm going to keep experimenting with the products, but NuNaturals has very generously offered a giveaway to not one, but FOUR Runs for Cookies readers! I was so excited when I read that :) Each of the four winners will receive three bottles of the drops--one lemon, one orange, and one peppermint. Out of all the NuNaturals products, these drops are my favorite, so I hope you like them as much as I do!

To enter the random drawing, please "like" NuNaturals on Facebook, and leave ONE comment on this post. I'm sorry, international readers, but this one is just for readers in the U.S.; they also cannot ship to P.O. boxes. I will pick four winners on Monday, December 24 at 8:00 a.m. EST. Winners will have until Thursday, December 27th to e-mail me before I choose a new winner.

NuNaturals is also offering a discount code--if you use BLG1212 when checking out, you will receive 15% off your entire order (good until 12-31-12). You can check out their products on their website.

(In full disclosure, I was sent the NuNaturals products for free to review, but was not required to give a favorable review--options, as always, are my own).

116 comments:

  1. I have always wanted to try NuStevia brand. I like that they have so many flavors:)

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  2. I would love to win this product! Because of my diet restrictions, I use artificial sweeteners all the time. Would def like to try the choc drops :)

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  3. Those protein shakes you posted look delicious! Would love to try these!!

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  4. Andrea GellenDecember 22, 2012

    I'm SO excited about this giveaway! I've been seeing/reading about these stevia drops and I really want to try them!!

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  5. I'm not sure how peppermint will work out, but orange and lemon sound nice :)

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  6. Hey, I think the purple shake is not bad looking at all!

    I'd love to try some NuStevia.

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  7. I would love to win! I make protein drinks all the time and I'm like you, I find the extract's way too harsh. I've tried banana extract, and peanut butter extract and found both to be way too much! These NuStevia sound heavenly!

    Chris Newmark

    P.S. Merry Christmas to you and your family!!!!

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  8. I would love to win these, I haven't tried a sugar substitute / sweetener I enjoyed, and these sound good!

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  9. Hi!
    I've never tried these before, but I think they sound fun, and would love too! *especially the peppermint!

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  10. I'd love to try these!

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  11. Im picky about substitute sweeteners as well. Ive not tried these though.
    Draftlover

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  12. Those sound amazing to have with tea!!!

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  13. I actually love to use Splenda but I've been wanting to try stevia for SUCH a long time! I guess i'm just nervous to buy something and then not like it.
    Love your blog! Merry Christmas!!

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  14. Minnesota KellyDecember 22, 2012

    These sound delicious--I would love to try them in a smoothie!

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  15. I would love to try these!

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  16. Great review, I'm sold! I'd love to give them a try!

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  17. I would love to try these!

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  18. I remember you mentioning these before and was thinking of trying them. My trainer wants me to have oatmeal with stevia in the morning and I thought these would be great. Would love to try them in my hot oats :)

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  19. I would love to give these a try!

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  20. I'm always looking for a way to add a boost of flavor!!

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  21. Great Review! Enter me in the contest!

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  22. I liked NuNaturals on Facebook. I would love to try these.

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  23. Liked the product page! Those smoothies look awesome....would love to try the sweetener thanks!!!

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  24. I would love try this product. I need an alternative to artificial sweeteners.

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  25. I like NuNaturals on FB. I have tried the sweetner before and like it a lot. I would love to try to flavored drops!

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  26. I would LOVE to try the peppermint. I love anything peppermint!! Take away the calories...well, that makes it even better!

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  27. I'd love these, stevia is great.

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  28. Id love to try these in my protein shakes!

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  29. I have heard so much about stevia and would love to try it.

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  30. I totally would try these in yogurt :)

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  31. I can't wait to give these a try! Hope I win!!!

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  32. I would love to try the drops!

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  33. I liked them on FB. Thanks for the opportunity to win some!
    Jodi

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  34. Gina StanfordDecember 22, 2012

    I'd love to try this product, thanks!

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  35. I love the English Toffee flavored drops - and I'd love to try the other flavors :)

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  36. I think these would be great in water. I'd love to try them.

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  37. Hm...I would love to try this!

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  38. I would love to try them!

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  39. Very interesting! I'm the same when it comes to sweeteners. I hate the after taste with most of them. Would love to try these!!!
    Mandi

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  40. I already use the plain drops in my tea (darn you, you got me hooked on Youthberry Teavana tea ;-) but would LOVE to try the flavored ones. Sign me up!

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  41. I liked them on FB and I am very interested in trying the products! I love the idea of the drops and how easy they would dissolve and how a little bit goes a long way. Thanks for sharing this great review!

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  42. I liked them on Facebook and here is my comment! I'm ready to ring in the new year and drop another 45 lbs!

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  43. I love reading your blog and have been interested in trying Stevia. Your weight loss and running has motivated me to train for a 5K coming up next month. Thank you for updating your blog every day, it's fun to keep up with your running. Your determination is very motivating for me. Leesa Wyzard

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  44. Sounds interesting....definitely worth a shot.

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  45. I have always wanted to try the drops. You did a really great review.

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  46. Sounds like an amazing product that I would get a lot of use with for my pre and post workout shakes!!

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  47. Thank you I love stevia but didn't know they had all this! I would live to enter in for the winnings :-)

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  48. This sounds like an awesome product! Here is my entry. :)

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  49. I would love to try these flavors in my tea too!

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  50. Great ideas on how to use the different flavors! :)

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  51. I would to try these, I've never heard of them...

    Andrea

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  52. I have never tried a stevia product; it would be great to start with a package of stevia. I'm seriously thinking about chocolate oatmeal!

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  53. I would love to try these! They sound great!

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  54. Definitely need to try a calorie free sweetener!

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  55. Thanks for the giveaway! I would love to give these products a try. I love smoothies and would love to play with the different flavor combos.

    Merry Christmas!

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  56. They sound like they would be perfect in shakes! I can't wait to try them. Thanks for the review!

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  57. I would love to try some.

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  58. I would absolutely love to try these! The favors sound so fun, and I've heard great things about NuNaturals but never tried them. I have a big container of Trader Joes stevia powder, but it can be a bit bitter (maybe I use too much?). I too do a lot of smoothies and oatmeal (and yogurt!) and the flavored drops would be so much fun to experiment with!

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  59. Great giveaway! I have been wanting to try the peppermint in my coffee!!

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  60. I would love to try these drops. We make a lot of fruit smoothies and I'm always try to figure out what to sweeten with. Jennifer Bass

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  61. What a great give away! I'd love to have some of these drops :-)
    Linda Barden

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  62. I liked them on Facebook. My favorite brand of stevia is KAL but its powder and it doesn't travel well. Also I drink a lot of ice tea and those flavors would be delicious in iced tea. What a great giveaway :)

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  63. These sound really interesting! I would love to try the vanilla in my oatmeal and experiment with the different flavors in my protein shakes....the orange drops added to a vanilla protein shake might taste like an orange julius flavor???

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  64. Interesting. I've never even heard of this product. Would very much like to try it. Sounds like a great substitute.

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  65. Always up for a new sugar substitute to try!!

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  66. Can't wait to try them... have tried other brands and didn't like the aftertaste! Hope I win!

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  67. If they taste as good as you say, it would be nice to add them to my coffee instead of the calories I waste every day on coffee creamer!

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  68. I'd love to try these. Every since i had my 2nd baby i can't stand any artificial sweeteners!

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  69. would love to try these!

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  70. I use the plain drops in my oatmeal every morning. I would love to try the flavored drops!

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  71. I liked them on FB.
    I've been wanting to try these for a long time! Several of the health-conscious/fitness bloggers I follow use them and love them. Would love to win!

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  72. I liked them on facebook.
    I have a huge sweet tooth so maybe this would help reign it in since a little bit goes a long way.

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  73. Michelle StoutDecember 23, 2012

    Exciting! I am always looking for more healthier versions of sweetners. These sound amazing. My new lifestyle starts 12-26. No excuses and these would be a great additon.

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  74. I'd love to try this product, thanks!

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  75. I liked them. I loooove stevia. And I love your blog. I hope I win!

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  76. These products sound awesome!!!

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  77. I've been wanting to try these for awhile now!

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  78. Would love to give these a try (liked on Facebook).

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  79. I'm like you I don't care for sweeteners but would love to give this product a try!!

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  80. I would like to win and like to try these drops. Like you, I don't like most artificial sweeteners.

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  81. I would love to try these in my tea!

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  82. I use the NuNaturals stevia drops all the time. I'd love to try the flavored drops! (I also liked on fb).

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  83. Thanks for offering this give-away. I've been wanting to try some stevia products. Thanks for the smoothie recipes in this post too!

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  84. I love Stevia! This would be perfect to aid in my weight loss journey!

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  85. I love their products! Use them in smoothies and even when I bake! Would love to win. Liking on facebook in a sec.

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  86. I love anything peppermint...especially when it is calorie free!

    Hope you have a great Christmas!

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  87. Would love to win. Merry Christmas!

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  88. I have been wanting to try this for a long time. I am going to check it out.

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  89. I'm so happy you're liking their products! Katie, have you tried the chocolate in water to flavor it? How much did you use & how did it taste? Thanks!!

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  90. I am eager to give these a try! What a wonderful give-away! Thanks for the chance to win!!

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  91. I would love to compare the peppermint protein shakes! Thank you for the chance to sample the drops. Merry Christmas to you and your family! Also, thank you for posting your take on waiting until Jan. 1 to "start" a new routine. I couldn't agree more!

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  92. I would love to try these.

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  93. That chocolate peppermint smoothie sounds delicious!

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  94. I like them on FB and let them know you sent me. Sounds intriguing, I'd like to give it a try :)

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  95. I would love to give these a try!

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  96. I have never tried stevia. I am sensitive to sweeteners, but would love to find one that tastes great and doesn't give me a headache

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  97. I would love to try these since I don't like the other chemical substances on the market.
    Thanks for sharing! Merry Christmas!

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  98. I would be so excited if I won these!!! I just recently started using stevia and I love it!

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  99. I've seen bloggers use NuNaturals for months and I'd love to try them! Merry Christmas!!

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  100. I have never tried any Stevia product. I try to steer clear of artificial sweeteners, but since these are natural, it would be nice to try it! :)

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  101. Those sound perfect for my tea! I've never tried any Stevia products before, but I've been curious.

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  102. I'd love to try the flavors!

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  103. They sound delicious! I'd love to try all of them, especially the peppermint!

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  104. I would love to try these! All the flavors sound delicious.

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  105. The chocolate stevia sounds amazing! I'd love to try it, I love NuNaturals vanilla liquid stevia

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  106. This stuff sounds fantastic! I have been looking for ways to jazz up my smoothies!

    Donna

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  107. I would love to try it.

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  108. I would like to try this! Hope I win :)

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  109. Oh my, this is perfect! My mother was just diagnosed as having diabetes, and is trying to find good sugar/flavoring alternatives for, well, pretty much everything. I would love to share these with her.

    TBH, I probably will buy some to try even if I don't win. But I really, really wanna win! :-)

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  110. These look so interesting...I'd love to try a sweetener alternative that isn't just a chemical!

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  111. I'd love to try NuNaturals. Thanks

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  112. Ive been so curious to try these drops. This would be great!

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  113. Would love to try these! :)

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  114. I have been wanting to try alternative sweeteners so thank you for this giveaway!

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I used to publish ALL comments (even the mean ones) but I recently chose not to publish those. I always welcome constructive comments/criticism, but there is no need for unnecessary rudeness/hate. But please--I love reading what you have to say! (This comment form is super finicky, so I apologize if you're unable to comment)

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