Hosting a Lakanto Healthy Holiday Baking Party!

I love being a part of the Tryazon community of bloggers! We try some amazing new products. New to us, at least. Then we host parties and write reviews about them. That is what I was able to do with Lakanto!

*Disclaimer: I was sent all the products free of charge in exchange for hosting a party as well as writing a review. I was not otherwise paid or endorsed. All opinions are my own.* 

I was able to host a holiday baking party using their Monk Fruit Sweetener. This is a Keto-friendly option that has some nice benefits. It is a better option than using sugar. I know this, because I have family members that have been on the Keto diet as well as other family members who have gone sugar-free. We have family meals together that require a variety of options so that we can accommodate each others dietary needs. In case you are unfamiliar with monk fruit and how they get the sweetener, check here. 

I love baking! 

But baking can be troublesome for me. First off, I am supposed to be on a healthier diet in order to lose 45 pounds and get back into shape. But I absolutely LOVE baking! I love making brownies, cookies and cakes. I love fudge for Christmas. But you know... so full of sugar and so unhealthy! So I have been looking for recipes that don't pack on the pounds, while letting me have some sweets from time to time. 

Sweeteners like Stevia are there in stores. You have probably heard of and seen some. You can look on the baking aisles of your nearest store to see a variety of alternatives. But have you ever tried them? Or do you just pass them by? That is where you will find the Lakanto brand products.

What is the difference? 

When it comes to taste, I can't tell the difference! However, the amounts you use are different as are the results. I have found that you use more sugar in recipes than you would using monk fruit sweetener. Also, you are adding stress to the heart and pounds to the waist with sugar! I have made some amazing Keto Fat Bombs before. And when the chance to host this party came around, I also made an Easy (Vegan) Chocolate Cake with Perfect Keto Buttercream Frosting! It was the most delicious one I had made in a very long time! My kids devoured slices way faster than I would have thought. I even added peppermint flavoring to the frosting and it was.... oh, wow! Perfect for the holidays! My daughter tried to dig in early.

Let's start with the cake!  

 Ingredients

1 1/2 cups gluten-free flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup Lakanto Baking Sweetener
1/2 cup coconut oil
1 cup cold water
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbs apple cider vinegar

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. Sift together the flour, cocoa, soda, salt, and s
   weetener directly into the cake pan.
3. Measure and mix together oil, water, and vanilla.
4. Pour liquid ingredients into the pan and mix batter with a small whisk or fork. When smooth, add vinegar and stir quickly.
5. Stir until vinegar is evenly distributed--without pale swirls in the batter.
6. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.

I even skipped the apple cider vinegar as I didn't have any on hand. It was still the best! On my second attempt, I drizzled caramel over the top.

Then top it with the frosting! 

A great cake comes with delectable frosting! Since this is a holiday recipe party, I thought that peppermint needed to be added. About a teaspoon is perfect. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup Grass-Fed Butter
• 1 1/2 cups Lakanto Powdered Monkfruit Sweetener
• 2-3 tbsp Dairy Free Milk (coconut, almond, cashew)

Instructions

1. Add the butter to a mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer and beat for 4-5 minutes until it becomes super fluffy, airy light, pale and doubled in volume.
2. Make sure butter is not too warm/oily; it will not hold its shape!
3. Sift the Lakanto Powdered Sweetener in a medium bowl.
4. In two additions add half the powdered sugar at a time, beating 2-3 minutes in-between each addition. Slowly increase speed. 
5. Once all of the sugar has been incorporated you will notice it may look a bit stiff and dense; adding the dairy-free milk and beating until the buttercream is more soft & spreadable.
6. At this time you can add Vanilla.
7. Once the buttercream is ready, frost your cakes & cakes!
8. You may place buttercream in an airtight container at room temp for 5-6 Days! Best freshly made!

I've also made some unicorn cookies! I was going to make the Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies from their website, but saw some unicorn chips and decided to use those. 

What would you make with it? What is your favorite baked good for the holidays? Leave me a comment below!

Get Your Family and Friends and Astro Trash!

Back to school has kicked in. Families are falling into routines again. But maybe you need help to break the monotony? Time to fall in love with board games again, folks! This family friendly game is all about speed and fun. We totally enjoyed it and I think you will too. 

*Disclaimer: I was sent this game by Tryazon and USAOpoly for the sole purpose of introducing it to others. It was sent free of charge. All opinions are my own.*

This game is for 3-5 players, any of whom are over the age of 6 years. It is very fast paced. There aren't 'turns'. Its a roll until you've emptied your 'planet' of trash. But be careful to watch your neighbors. You don't want them to clean up their planet first! You keep resetting and playing until someone gets 3 trophies. Each round is about 10-15 minutes. This game is better suited to small parties or just family gatherings. That's the quick explanation. Now, let's break it down!

So how does it go? 

Quite simply, actually. Every player gets to grab a planet. They also get 3 dice each. The dice tell you what trash, how many and what to do with it for every roll. You begin the round by saying, 1, 2, 3, ditch it! Then you keep on rolling, following the dice and getting rid of the trash on your planet as quickly as possible. The first one to clear it all, gets a trophy. You reset the trash and start again. Keep repeating until one player has 3 trophies! 

Where can I get a copy for myself? 

So very glad you asked! Target and Amazon both carry it. So pick one up in the store or order it online. 

Who came up with this? 

USAopoly! They are the makers of other great tabletop games. Ever heard of Munchkin? How about Clue? Trivial Pursuit? They all came from the same parent company! If you liked any of those, you should enjoy this one equally.  

Want to see it in use? 

Check out my video below and let me know what you think! What is your favorite aspect of this game?