Agave syrup: the good, the bad & the ugly

Like a lot of people I've been attracted to agave syrup because it's a natural and low GI sweetener. I've always found it a little too sweet and when I tasted it pure, it left a weird sensation in the back of my throat (a little like the tingling/burning sensation you get when having pure honey with a sore or irritated throat)...But I used it nonetheless, for baked goods mostly.

Then I learned that it wasn't liver friendly and with my history of hypoglycemia (and sensitive liver), I stopped using it right away.

Now I know that agave syrup is not raw (but highly refined), not natural, not traditional and...not even healthy! Just another sketchy "healthy" sweetener on the market...

http://www.foodrenegade.com/agave-nectar-good-or-bad/

New Year's Resolutions for 2010

A few dreams to realize and a few things to improve:

1. Write and self-publish my book (which includes translations, illustrations and more), hopefully within the year
2. Start exercising more regularly (may need to find a suitable routine)
3. Continue to cook nourishing foods & make herbal medicine (while spending a little less time in the kitchen)
   
4. Continue to explore the wonderful world of fermented foods & beverages
5. Start meditating again to find balance, soothe my nerves & be less grouchy
   
6. Use my time more wisely
7. Be more organized
8. Be more positive & joyful
   
9. Let my inner child out & be true to myself
10. Be more creative
11. Learn more about the energetics of foods & herbs
12. Watch less TV and start reading my 500+ books
13. Stop buying books (unless absolutely necessary)
14. Start sewing & knitting more
15. Start painting & drawing again
16. Make more time to take care of myself...Naturally!
17. Make my little kitchen garden thrive
18. Be a little bit less introspective
19. Be more loving
20. Find my dream home with a garden and/or woods nearby
21. Work more deeply with Nature & the Spirit Worlds
22. Indulge very reasonably (not everyday) with homemade, natural & sugar free sweets (using very low amounts of dried fruits, honey, dark maple syrup, date molasses, coconut sugar/syrup or boiled cider)
23. Continue to make homemade chocolates ;)
24. Continue living simply, honestly, naturally and a bit more thrifty & frugally
25. Simply live & be!...