Heartbreaking Dawns 1498 Scorpion Chili Sauce *Review*

OK, I confess, I'm a wannabe chili head.  Allow me to explain.  A "chili head" is someone who absolutely loves, and in some ways is quite addicted to, incredibly spicy, flavorful foods.  These usually include the peppers which are truly the hottest of the hot, the chilis that make Jalapenos taste like unflavored popcorn, and Habaneros akin to a quick night time snack.  I'm talking peppers like the Naga Viper, the Trinidad Scorpion (and similar strains like the Butch T or 7 pot), and of course the infamous Bhut Jolokia (Ghost Pepper).  All of these peppers boast heat ratings over a million Scoville Heat Units (SHU).  To put that in perspective, a Jalapeno is only about 3,000 SHU.  These peppers are HOT!!!!!

Chili heads also enjoy many sauces and spices created from these super hot fruits.  I've had quite a bit of experience with sauces myself, and have always liked challenging myself with what I've considered to be quite spicy foods, and am always looking to try the next level.  My tolerance to heat isn't bad, but it's nothing compared to the true chili enthusiasts, or perhaps I should call them "heat seekers."  However I am always looking to try the next step up, and decided I'd like to purchase a real powerhouse hot sauce and give it a go.  I  wanted one that would make Tabasco look like the wimpiest little bottle going, but still wanted one made with natural ingredients and actual peppers, not just super hot extract.

After a lot of research, I came upon a company called Heartbreaking Dawns, and let me be the first to say that while my experience with hot sauces isn't as vast as some, these folks blow everyone else out of the water.

Heartbreaking Dawns is a company based on home brewed sauces made with the tastiest combinations of natural ingredients you could ever come upon.  They've got everything from pineapple jalapeno sauces to super spicy yet flavorful ghost pepper varieties.

I, however, wanted something with a little more kick.  So I settled on their "1498" sauce, made with Trinidad Scorpions, one of the original peppers to dethrone the Bhut Jolokia as the hottest pepper in the world.  Boy was I in for a treat.

Flavor:  This sauce tastes absolutely fantastic.  It's not just a destructive, eye watering heat with no flavor to boot, oh no.  It has an extremely rich combination of ingredients (discussed in more detail later in the article) that taste FANTASTIC together.  This sauce went through many prototypes, and boy did they get the end product right.  It tastes great by itself, but even BETTER on food, and BEST on meats.  Seriously, it's got all sorts of fruity aroma, including hints of blueberry and scotch bonnet peppers as well as the very flavorful Trinidad Scorpion pepper.  It adds a lot of character to almost any meal, and honestly I can't really imagine it going poorly with anything.  It doesn't overpower, despite the intense heat.  Awesome!

Heat:  I won't lie, this stuff is HOT!  But I'll also say that it isn't killer.  Sure, if you think Tabasco is hot, you'll have a little bit of an adjustment period (and will want to go light on the sauce at first),  but it won't set your whole face alight.  It's got a "nice" burn to it that lingers, and makes you sweat it out for a little while, but actually feels good once you get used to it.  As you can probably tell, it's hard to describe.  All I can say is that if you're looking for a kick, this sauce will DEFINITELY give it, especially in larger quantities.  But it can also be used sparingly for a great heat without making you cry for hours.  Be prepared for tongue and throat burn though, they can get intense.

Ingredients/Nutritional Information:  Here's a picture of the ingredient list.

As you can see, the ingredients speak for themselves.  No extract, no artificial sweeteners, no HFCS, just all natural ingredients.  Nearly zero calories per serving, only a TINY bit of sodium (very unusual for hot sauces), and a blend that'll make even seasoned food critics quite intrigued.  It's fantastic, and it really brings a smile to my face to see such natural ingredients in such a tasty sauce.

Other comments:  Check out how cool that logo is, really tattoo-esque, right?

Overall, I highly highly HIGHLY recommend this sauce.  It's a perfect blend of heat and flavor, and is about as natural and healthy as you can get.  It'll add awesome kick to any food, yet will also compliment the existing flavors quite nicely.  You can't go wrong with Heartbreaking Dawns.  Be adventurous, get some heat in your life!

All About Salsa!

Ah yes, salsa.  God's gift to health nuts looking for something strong, flavorful and nutrient packed without all the calories.  In my opinion, it's hard to beat a good, natural salsa.  It'll go with all sorts of things, way more than you'd initially believe.  It isn't just an accompaniment to those tortilla chips, in fact those chips actually give salsa a bad rap.  I'm here to tell you today that on its own, salsa is not only delicious, but a very healthy snack that you'll want to get into your diet as soon as possible, especially if you want to spice things up from all those clean, bland, "boring" foods.  Let's check it out!

First, what is salsa?  Well the definition I found on thefreedictionary.com says:


A spicy sauce of chopped, usually uncooked vegetables or fruit, especially tomatoes, onions, and chili peppers, used as a condiment.

This leaves a LOT of room for interpretation.  I've had salsas that were sweet, with pineapple and mango.  I've also had some that are hot as heck, with habanero and green chili peppers.  I've had bean salsa, with black beans and corn and chickpeas (YUMMY).  And then there's the good old mild stuff on the middle shelf of the grocery store, an option that's still completely delicious despite being a little less adventurous.  You'd be amazed at all the different ingredients that can go into one salsa, and surprised at how natural a lot of those ingredients can be.  Here's the nutritional information for the average store bought salsa (For two tablespoons):

Nutrition Facts
Calories 9	(37 kJ)
% Daily Value 1
Total Fat	< 0.1g	< 1%
Sat. Fat	< 0.1g	< 1%
Cholesterol	0mg	0%
Sodium	198mg	8%
Total Carbs.	2.1g	< 1%
Dietary Fiber	0.5g	2%
Sugars	1g
Protein	0.5g
Calcium	8.9mg
Potassium	98mg

You can expect most salsas to have around 10-15 calories per two tablespoons.  This is very very low, especially in comparison to other sauces like ketchup, steak sauce, and especially mayonnaise (over 100 calories for two tablespoons!!!).

When it comes to salsa, the more natural it is, the better.  What do I mean?  Well a lot of the big name companies start to make their product a little overly processed, and you start to get ingredients that you wouldn't really want or need in salsa.  You also get a lot more sodium per serving, as well as a lot more sugar (they sweeten it up unnecessarily in order to sell more jars, obviously.)  To give you a comparison, let's take the sodium count in the salsa mentioned above (which is an average of all store brand nutritional facts), and a natural salsa I have in my fridge right now.

Theirs?  200mg of sodium per serving

Mine?  150mg of sodium per serving

50mg is a plenty big difference.  What salsa is it exactly that I have I'm currently munching on?  It's called "Wholly Salsa," and it's an all natural variant that tastes absolutely delicious.

There's even lower sodium counts out there too.  Here's another natural salsa's nutritional information:

80mg of sodium!?  That's pretty darn low, especially for salsa.  I'm going to have to check this stuff out (though it does look like they added a little sugar).

So why is salsa so healthy and low calorie?  Well the credit goes mainly to its main ingredient: VEGETABLES.  That's right, the low calorie, complex carb, nutrient packed meal item we often like to "accidentally overlook."  You get a ton of vitamins and minerals from salsa that you wouldn't get from other sauces.  In my honest opinion, salsa is quite the find for any dieter, because it can quickly make bland, tasteless foods quite delectable and desirable.  Want some examples of how I personally use salsa?  SURE!

On Sandwiches- That's right, nothing spices up tuna or turkey like a little bit of salsa.  It gives the sandwich an amazing natural kick and barely changes the nutritional info at all.  It has completely replaced mayonnaise in my diet, and definitely does the job well.

On Salads- Want a replacement for that fatty, calorie loaded ranch?  Try salsa!  Believe me you won't miss the saturated fat, or the taste, because you'll be too busy enjoying all the powerful flavors of your salad coated in a beautiful medley of spice and savory goodness.  Did that sell you?  I hope so.  Try it today, it's an amazing low calorie salad topper.


As a Veggie Dip- I love to dip raw vegetables in salsa.  They go together perfectly, and compliment each other in a way that's quite delicious.  I guarantee you won't look at plain old cucumber slices the same ever again after you've had them with a spicy bean salsa.  My personal favorite though is a bowl of cooked baby carrots with a little dish of dipping salsa.  I've been known to have that snack at least three times a day.  TRY IT!

In Omelettes- Now this one is truly awesome.  Throw some salsa into your next omelette, along with some mushrooms, onions, and whatever else you may desire, and be prepared for one amazingly delicious breakfast.  Eggs go great with salsa in general, so don't worry about ruining either flavor.  Plus, when salsa gets warm, it's extra delicious, as more of the aromas and flavors are released.

Plain- Yes you read right, I've been known to eat this stuff plain!  just a few spoonfuls at a time of course (though usually the entire package has less than 200 calories), to avoid too much of a sodium intake.  But don't be afraid to have a spoonful when you feel like it.  It will barely make a dent in your daily calories and is a great way to get a few more vegetables in your diet.  Plus it can really curb the appetite with all those nice flavors!

So get to your grocery store and pick up a jar of salsa today!  It's versatile, delicious, and above everything else, EXTREMELY HEALTHY!  Low calorie, high nutrient, what more could you ask for?  Pick what ever kind you like best, and start trying it out.  Believe me, your taste buds and your figure will both thank you.

Some like it hot, some like it chunky, some like it sweet. It's up to you.  GOOD LUCK!

Maple Syrup: Sweet with Benefits

I'm originally from Vermont, therefore maple syrup to me is a way of life.  I've experienced arguably the best maple syrup this side of the Canadian border, and believe me this amber nectar from the gods themselves will always hold a place in my heart.  It truly is one of my most favorite tastes, and honestly I've never consumed one of the artificial counterparts (like Aunt Jemima) without a slight level of disgust and confusion as to how that stuff even came close to imitating the real deal.  Real maple syrup really is something special, and despite it being....well....SUGAR, it does have quite a few health benefits that allow it to find its way into a health food blog such as this.

Firstly, I'll give those of you who aren't native to sugaring country a little background as to how maple syrup is made.  It is originally created from sap of the maple tree, which can be collected only in a certain window of time during early spring when it drops below freezing at night and rises above freezing during the day.  This causes the sap inside the tree to flow up and down the trunk and right past any sort of tap you've hammered into the tree.  Many maple sugarers collect the sap in hanging buckets, but the more large scale operations use vacuum tubes that basically meet up with the tap and suck the sap down to a holding tank hundreds of feet downhill, which is also connected to an entire web of other vacuum tubes winding all over the forest.  It's a pretty impressive sight come spring time, if I don't say so myself.

Once the sap is collected, it must be boiled in order to remove most of the water (sap is mostly water with only a tiny hint of sugar.)  This boiling process takes a LOT of sweet time, and ends up removing a lot of the raw material.  In fact, it usually takes in the ballpark of 40 gallons of sap to make one measly gallon of syrup.  And I remember some of my friends back in high school claiming they and their families have made thousands of gallons of syrup each year!  That is a LOT of sap.  Then, based on the quality and color of the syrup, it is either labeled as grade A or B.  All three have distinct tastes.  A is usually called "fancy" syrup and is lighter on your tongue.  Many consumers less used to the distinct taste of organic maple syrup prefer grade A because it tastes more similar to artificial syrups they might have had before.  Grade B is the heavier syrup with a more viscous, powerful taste, and really packs a maple punch (I prefer this =]).  You'll see many more locals using grade B, because to us it represents the most pure taste of Vermont.

 Grade A is made earlier in the season, and usually Grade B is made later.  

I lied slightly, there are multiple grade A syrups, with increasing maple flavor as they get darker.  From left to right, these grades are:

• Vermont Fancy, light amber color, delicate maple bouquet
• Grade A Medium Amber, medium amber color, pronounced maple bouquet
• Grade A Dark Amber, dark amber color, robust maple bouquet
• Grade B, darkest color, strong maple bouquet

And they're all pure Vermont organic!




So I did mention health benefits, did I not?  Good news is that maple syrup (especially grade B) is packed with large amounts of certain nutrients, so you're getting some good stuff along with all that sugar.  What would that good stuff be?  Let's find out!


Manganese:  This interesting little mineral has all sorts of benefits.  It has shown to be a great supporter of bone and joint health, which you definitely want especially as age starts to catch up with you.  The strength of your bones can determine comfort levels later in life.  Manganese also supports general overall cell health, protecting them from damaging free radicals.  It even promotes good sensory function, specifically taste and smell.

You'd do well to get some more manganese in your diet, and guess what, 1/2 cup of maple syrup has over 250% of your daily recommended manganese!  Impressive!

Zinc:  Maple syrup is also packed with zinc, a fantastic mineral that supports HDL (good) cholesterol levels as well as other heart health benefits.  You definitely want to keep that heart of yours beating strong and stress free, and if you like a little organic maple syrup on your whole wheat waffles, then you'll be doing your heart a favor.  1/2 cup of maple syrup has 45% of your daily zinc (though I should've mentioned before that 1/2 cup is a pretty big serving size when it comes to maple syrup.)

Zinc is also very important as it helps your immune system to function at optimal levels, which you'd definitely be keen to paying attention to this time of the year.

Calcium:  This bone-related mineral is in pretty high supply in maple syrup.  1/2 cup of maple syrup will have around 11% of your daily required calcium, and perhaps a little more if it's grade B.  You definitely don't want to be short on calcium, especially women, as this will increase your chances of osteoporosis.


I found a great nutrition profile of maple syrup online, which I'll share with you right here:

NUTRITIONAL PROFILE OF MAPLE SYRUP

• Serving Size 1 tablespoon
• Amount Per Serving
• Calories 52
• Calories From Fat 0
• Calories 52.00 kcal
• Carbohydrates 13.44 g
• Calories from Carbohydrates 52.00 kcal
• % Calories from Carbohydrates 100.00 %
• Fat 0.04 g
• Calories from Fat 0.352 kcal
• % Calories from Fat 0.67 %
• Monounsaturated Fat 0.0128 g
• Polyunsaturated Fat 0.02 g
• Saturated Fat 0.0072 g
• Ash 0.12 g
• Calcium, Ca 13.4 mg
• Copper, Cu 0.0148 mg
• FA 16:0 Palmitic 0.0072 g
• FA 18:0 Stearic 0.0008 g
• FA 18:1 Oleic 0.0128 g
• FA 18:2 Linoleic 0.02 g
• Iron, Fe 0.24 mg
• Magnesium, Mg 2.8 mg
• Manganese, Mn 0.6596 mg
• Niacin 0.006 mg
• Pantothenic acid 0.0072 mg
• Phosphorus, P 0.4 mg
• Potassium, K 40.8 mg
• Riboflavin 0.002 mg
• Selenium, Se 0.12 mcg
• Sodium, Na 1.8 mg
• Sugars, total 12.74 g
• Thiamin 0.0012 mg
• Vitamin B-6 0.0004 mg
• Water 6.4 g
• Zinc, Zn 0.832 mg

http://www.puremapleproducts.com/health_benefits_maple_syrup.html

Clearly maple syrup is packed with all sorts of healthy vitamins and minerals, and is a big step up from plain cane sugar which has around 0% of just about everything.  So what does that mean?  It means you can enjoy one of the greatest sweeteners known to man without feeling too guilty.  In my opinion though, as much as I love the stuff, don't go overboard with maple syrup.  A tablespoon or two is fine, and most likely it'll be all you need.  Go much further and you're well on your way to sabotaging your own diet.

But don't be afraid of maple syrup!  In moderation it is absolutely delicious and extremely good for you.  So go ahead, enjoy one of the most beneficial organic sweeteners on this green (soon to be white) earth.

Enjoy those waffles, love the maple tree, and as always, good luck!