The following is part of an Organic Living Journey Guest Post Series now written by Mariana who has a mother’s heart and scientist’s brain.
Last week we began our journey through sugar-alternatives with aspartame. Today, we’re moving on to the most popular artificial sweetener, Splenda and sucralose. Unlike aspartame, sucralose is not a byproduct of E. coli – yay! So let’s take a look at the facts and learn some more about this little sweetener.
What is Splenda?
-Splenda is an artificial, sucralose-based sweetener|
-Splenda is actually 95% dextrose and maltodextrin and only 5% sucralose. Why? The dextrose and maltodextrin are used for bulk and volume, since pure sucralose is 600x sweeter than sugar.
-To put that into perspective, 1/8 teaspoon of 100% pure, uncut sucralose is equivalent to 1.5 cups of sugar.
-The bulking agents, dextrose and maltodextrin, are mildly sweet and add calories and carbs.
-Maltodextrin is derived from starch and is usually corn-based but may also be derived from wheat. It is processed as glucose in the body.
-Dextrose is a simple sugar and another form of glucose. Food manufacturers use dextrose in place of sugar, especially in candies. It’s the primary ingredient in Pixy Stix.
-Splenda is available in packets and in bulk.
-Thanks to the bulking agents, Splenda exchanges 1:1 for sugar.
-Sucralose is not calorie-free. Technically, sucralose is still a sugar and has calories. However, it doesn’t occur naturally in nature, therefore, the human body isn’t programmed to process it.
What is sucralose?
As many of you know, I ran my first 5K with my 8 year old girls a couple of weeks ago. We chose to do The Color Run and we had a blast. How could we pass up the opportunity to run the happiest 5k on the planet?
We all had a blast! The race organizers are out to make it a ton of fun and I think they succeed at that. From color check points through out the race that douse you with a particular color to a huge “color festival” at the end with lots of colors flying, you will leave a little happier than you came and much more colorful.
For any that aren’t really into running, I would say at the Augusta location a few weeks ago there were actually more walkers than runners. Folks were out in groups or just with friends and having a blast. I was actually surprised how many kids were participating, and how family friendly the race was. As we went through color stations the folks running each station made sure the kids were having a blast giving them high fives and extra color.
My only problem… now my girls want our next race to be that much fun.
If you’re worried that you’re going to be the only one running your first race, don’t be! 60% of The Color Run racers are entering a 5k for the first time. So, grab a friend and get ready for a fun day out of your norm. It’s fun to set a goal and see yourself achieve it. Racers range from 2-80, so bring all ages to the race with you! When you register in a team of 4 or more, tickets are another $5 cheaper.
Enough talk! Set a goal and let’s do this! Get signed up for a race near you. Use the code COLOR5OFF to get $5 off your ticket purchase! Personally I think the Australia race sounds great…
The Giveaway:
2 Southern Savers readers are each going to win 2 tickets to The Color Run of their choice!
To Enter:
Leave a comment below telling me the person you want to take with you to The Color Run in your area.
The winner of this giveaway will be chosen and posted to the Giveaway Winners Page Thursday, 10/24.
This giveaway is sponsored by The Color Run, but all opinions are 100% my own.
Wanna grab two easy freebies at Kroger this week? Here are two deals that don’t even require printing or cutting a coupon! I’m excited about the soap, it’s my husbands favorite brand and while we see deals… rarely do we see free!
Lever Soap Deal
There is a $2 catalina coupon printing when you buy 2 participating Lever products. Right now the 2 ct. boxes of soap are generating the catalina and they are on sale for $1 a box! That means you buy 2 boxes (4 bars), pay $2 and get a coupon for $2 off your next purchase! You can turn around and use it right then to buy more soap!
For those that like to see it in math form:
Buy:
(2) Lever 2000 Bar Soap, 2 ct. box, $1 ea.
Total Due: $2
Get Back: $2 off your next purchase
If you don’t want more soap, that’s fine. The $2 off coupon is good for anything you buy.
Rice Dream Deal
Head over and save a Kroger eCoupon to your shoppers card for $2 off any Rice Dream product. Then head to the store this week and grab a quick and easy freebie! This sale will end Saturday.
Buy:
(1) Rice Dream Milk, 32 oz, $1.99
Use:
-$2 off Rice Dream eCoupon
Total Due: Nothing!
Tip: Click on the “General” category on the left hand side to find the eCoupon faster.
See all the other deals at Kroger this week.
Here are all of the Lowes Foods Unadvertised Deals starting 10/16. Don’t miss the FREE Duncan Hines Frosting Creations Flavor Mix, Burt’s Bees Throat Drops and more! Also, the Bonus Fuel Rewards Event is still running thru 10/22, so make sure to check that out!
Make sure to check out the weekly ad too.
If you know of additional deals please leave them in a comment below.
Bonus Fuel Rewards Event
- Buy any 10 Participating Products, Get 10¢ off per gallon, mix or match
- Mr. P’s Frozen Pizza, 6.1-6.5 oz, $1
- PIllsbury Grands! Biscuits, 10.2 oz, $1
-$1/4 Pillsbury refrigerated Grands biscuits, (zip 77477) printable
-.30/2 Pillsbury refrigerated Grands! biscuits, SS 9/29
-.40/3 Pillsbury refrigerated Grands! biscuits (regional), SS 9/29
-.40/3 Pillsbury Grands reg or Jr. refrigerated biscuits printable
-.50/3 Pillsbury refrigerated Grands biscuits printable
-.30/2 Pillsbury refrigerated Grands biscuits, SS 10/06
-.40/3 Pillsbury refrigerated Grands! or Grands! Jr. biscuits, SavingStar eCoupon
-.40/3 Pillsbury Grands! biscuits (regional), RP 9/29
-.30/2 Pillsbury refrigerated Grands biscuits, SS 10/20
-.40/3 Pillsbury refrigerated Grands biscuits, (regional), SS 10/06
(use .50/3 and SavingStar, makes them 53¢ each) -
Pillsbury Cinnamon or Crescent Rolls, 4-7 oz, $1
-$1/3 Pillsbury crescent dinner rolls, excl twin pk., (zip 77477) printable
-.40/2 Pillsbury crescent dinner rolls, excl twin pk., SS 9/29
-.40/2 Pillsbury crescent rolls, excl twin pk. printable
-.50/2 Pillsbury crescent rolls printable
-.50/2 Pillsbury crescent dinner rolls, excl twin pk., SavingStar eCoupon
-.40/2 Pillsbury crescent dinner rolls (regional), RP 9/29
(use .50/2 and SavingStar, makes them 25¢ each) - El Monterey Burritos, 4.5-5 oz, $1
-$1 off El Monterey All Natural burritos or chimis, (zip 84123) printable
(makes it FREE!) - Pillsbury Heat-N-Go Mini Pancakes or Waffles, 2.4-2.82 oz, $1
-.55/1 Pillsbury Heat-N-Go mini pancakes or mini waffles printable
–B1G1 Pillsbury Heat-N-Go Mini Pancakes, up to $1.18 (regional), SS 9/29
(use .55/1, makes it FREE!) - Tony’s Crispy Crust Pizza, 7.04-7.42 oz, $1
-.75/2 Tony’s multiserve pizzas printable
(makes them 63¢) - Del Monte Canned Peas, Corn or Green Beans, 14.5-15.25 oz, $1
- Yoplait Greek 100 Calories Yogurt, 5.3 oz, $1
-.40/6 Yoplait yogurt cups printable
-$1/5 Yoplait Greek yogurt cups printable
-$1/5 Yoplait Greek yogurt cups, SS 8/25 (EXP 10/19)
-.40/6 Yoplait cups, SS 9/29
-.50/8 Yoplait cups, SS 9/29
-$1/5 Yoplait Greek yogurt cups, SS 9/29
-$1/5 Yoplait greek yogurt (regional), RP 9/29
-.40/6 Yoplait yogurt cups (regional), RP 9/29
-.50/8 Yoplait yogurt cups (regional), RP 9/29
(use $1/5, makes it 80¢) - Horizon Aseptic Organic Milk, 8 oz, $1
- Coke Products, Selected, 2 L, $1
- Hormel Chili Pour Overs, 6 oz, $1
-.55/2 Hormel chili items, SS 9/08
-.50/2 Hormel chili items printable
-.50/2 Hormel chili items printable
(use .55/2, makes them 45¢ each) - Hunt’s Tomato Ketchup, 24 oz, $1
-.20/1 Hunt’s ketchup, SS 9/22
(makes it 60¢) - Hunt’s Premium Pasta Sauce, 24 oz, $1
- Hunt’s Tomatoes, 14.5-15 oz, $1
-$1 off Kraft grated parmesan cheese, 8 oz+ AND (3) Hunt’s tomato cans, 14.5 oz+, SS 9/22 - Hunt’s Tomato Sauce, 15 oz, $1
- Kellogg’s Cereal Cups, 1.5-2.8 oz, $1
- Progresso Classics Soups, 18-19 oz, $1
-$1/3 Progresso soup cans, on product
-.50/2 Progresso soup printable
-.25/1 Progresso light soup can, SS 9/08
-.50/2 Progresso soup cans, SS 9/08
-.25/1 Progresso Heart Healthy soup can, SS 9/22
-.50/2 Progresso soup cans, SS 9/22
-$2/8 Progresso soup cans, SavingStar eCoupon
(buy (8), use (4) .50/2 and SavingStar, makes them 25¢ each) - Hampton Farms Peanuts, Roasted or Salted, 8 oz, $1
- Renuzit Air Freshener, 7 oz, $1
-$5/$20 Combat, Dial, Dry Idea, Got2B, Purex, Purex Crystals, Renuzit, Right Guard, Soft Scrub, Tone and Zout products, SavingStar eCoupon (limit reached)
Buy One Get Ones
- Eckrich Sliced Regular Bologna or Cotto Salami, 16 oz, at $3.99 ($1.99)
(good thru 10/29) - Australis Rosemary Parmesan Barramundi, 12 oz, at $7.99 ($3.99)
(good thru 11/12) - Mama Lucia Meatballs, 25.6 oz, at $8.69 ($4.34)
(good thru 10/29) - Zatarain’s Frozen Entrees, 24 oz, at $7.99 ($3.99)
(good thru 10/22)
-$1/2 Zatarain’s Frozen Entree, SS 9/29
-$1/2 Zatarain’s Frozen Entrees, (regional), RP 9/29
(makes them $3.49 each) - Kahiki Chicken Nuggets, 26-32 oz, at $6.99 ($3.49)
(good thru 10/22)
–B1G1 Kahiki food product, max $7.99 printable
-$1 off Kahiki any size frozen entree, (regional), SS 10/06
(use B1G1, makes them $1.74 each) - Kahiki Entrees, 8.5-10 oz, at $3.39 ($1.69)
(good thru 10/22)
-$1 off Kahiki any size frozen entree, (regional), SS 10/06
–B1G1 Kahiki food product, max $7.99 printable
(use B1G1, makes them 84¢ each) - 2nd St. Creamery Ice Cream, 1 pt, at $4.99 ($2.49)
(good thru 10/22) - Lowes Foods Teriyaki or Soy Sauce, 15 oz, at $2.59 ($1.29)
(good thru 10/22) Read More→
There is an awesome sale today to stock your homeschool or classroom library! Get 50 books for $50 with code UJL at checkout. The books are organized by grade reading level. You aren’t able to pick which books you get, they just come as a set.
I know others that have gotten this deal in the past and they loved all the books that came. The books were mostly paper back though they said they did get 5-10 hardbacks in their box.
K-2nd Grade Books, reg price $178
3rd -4th Grade Books, regular price $178
5th – 6th Grade Books, regular price $240
Note: This is from the Scholastic Teacher store, so it’s meant for teachers. Homeschoolers and Military bases also qualify.
When I entered the code it said it was good through 11/8, though that doesn’t mean they won’t sell out.
Shipping for my order was $4.50. If you go crazy and get two sets it will double to $9.
Staples has two new coupons out that make for great deals on household paper goods or other office/school items you may need. Print either or both and head into your store to get stocked.
New Staples Coupons
$5 off $30 purchase printable coupon
$5 off $15 in Cleaning Supplies printable coupon
The cleaning supplies coupon is a great one to get stocked on paper goods. In the Staples weekly ad they have Charmin and Bounty Basic items on sale this week.
- Charmin Basic Bath Tissue, 16 Double Rolls, $6.99
-$15% off breakroom & cleaning purchase, Staples In-Ad Coupon
-$1 off Charmin double roll, 16 ct. or mega roll, 8 roll pk.+, excl trial size, PG 9/29
-.25/1 Charmin product, excl trial size, PG 9/29
(makes it $5.99) - Bounty Basic Paper Towels, 8 rolls, $5.99
-$1 off Bounty Basic, 2 ct.+, excl trial size, September Ebony magazine
-.25/1 Bounty towels or napkins, excl trial size, PG 9/29
(makes it $4.99-$4.74)
So you could go in and buy (3) packs of paper towels and after using 3 manufacturer coupons and the store coupon… you’ve got 24 rolls of paper towels for $12.22! That’s basically 50¢ a roll.
Here are all of the Publix $1 or less deals available this week! You’ll want stock up on cereal, peanut butter, baby food, and more.
Keep in mind, you may not be able to find all of the unadvertised deals in your store.
You can see the full weekly ad here.
Publix Dollar Or Less Deals
- Lawry’s 30 Minute Marinade, 12 oz, at $2.99 ($1.49)
-.50/1 Lawry’s marinade printable
-$1/2 Lawry’s marinades, on product
(use .50/1, makes it 49¢) (in FL, makes it 99¢) - Quaker Instant Grits, 12 pk., at $2.79 ($1.39)
-$1/2 Quaker product, (Target coupon) printable
-$1/2 Quaker products, RP 9/29
(use $1/2, makes it 89¢ ea.) - Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner, 12.6 oz, at $2.99 ($1.49)
-.75/1 Kraft Homestyle macaroni & cheese dinner, tearpad
(makes it 74¢) - Ricola Throat Drops or Lozenges, 19-24 ct., at $1.79 (89¢)
(Excludes Dual Action and Extra Strength)
-$1.50/2 Ricola cough drop bags, SS 10/13
(makes it 14¢) - A.1. Steak Sauce, 10 oz, at $3.93 ($1.96)
-$1 off Beef WYB A.1. steak sauce or marinade, 10 oz+, tearpad
-$1 off A.1. steak sauce, 10 oz, Publix eCoupon
(makes it 96¢) Read More→
Here are three new Degree deodorant coupons to print! These make for a few great deals at Rite Aid and Kroger, so check out the scenarios below!
Here are the coupons (use zip 30003):
– $1 off Degree Men Adrenaline Series deodorant printable
– $1 off Degree Women Dry Protection invisible solid printable
– $2/2 Degree Women Expert Protection invisible solids or (1) Women Clinical Protection printable
Buy:
(2) Degree Deodorant, 2.8 oz, $2.39
Use:
(2) -$1 off Degree Women Dry Protection invisible solid printable
Total Due: $2.78
Get Back: $2 Catalina Offer on your next trip
Makes it only 39¢ each!
Buy:
(2) Degree Deodorant, 2.6 – 3 oz, $3
Use:
(2) -$1 off Degree Men or Women’s deodorant printable
Or:
-$2/2 Degree Women Expert Protection invisible solids printable
Total Due: $4
Get Back: $2 +Up Reward
Makes it only $1 each!
Lane Bryant is having a 40% Off Sitewide Sale plus FREE Shipping when you use coupon code 40FLASHLB.
This sale is online or in stores but it’s only good today, so make sure to shop soon to get the best selection of styles and sizes. The sale works on all the New Arrivals for Fall, but the big way to save is to pair the code with all the sale items!
For me anytime you get 40% off is great, but then they throw in free shipping… it’s just crazy good!
A Few Deal Ideas I Saw:
Knit Flippy Skirt $12 (reg. $39.95)
Double Weave Stretch Blazer $35.99 (reg. $79.95)
Ultimate Stretch Sateen Skinny $29.99 (reg. $69.95)
Don’t forget this sale is only good today.
Read More→
