Ever since I can remember, my Papa loved sports. As a child I would look at the trophies lined up on a shelf installed close to the ceiling in the master’s bedroom where we lived in Tokyo. Since the rooms in Japan were very small it was ingenious of my Papa to think of installing shelves high up,  close to the ceiling – that way they only occupied “air” space, not living space.  Since it was so high up there I had to crane my neck and squint to determine what type of sport the figures on the top of each trophy played – table tennis, bowling, golf, tennis.  High up there were the sparkling symbols that reflected my Papa’s tireless practice and dedication.

 

Ever since I can remember, my Papa was health conscious. When I would open our refrigerator and look at the bottles lined up on the top shelf of the refrigerator door  I would read the labels on each bottle – Vitamin E, lecithin, bee-pollen, wheat germ, yoghurt. These bottles with funny names fascinated me more than the Hershey bars someone had squeezed in next to them. I watched him pop these jelly-bean-like capsules into his mouth as if they were candy.

I delighted in his reaction each time I cried, “Eeeew! Papa is eating pollen and germs!” He would laugh as I then waited for him to finish the yoghurt so I could have the fruit at the bottom. It was indeed ingenious of my Papa to place these bottles in a refrigerator shelf at eye-level of a curious and impressionable 8-year old, next to every chocolate on the market.

 

Ever since I can remember, my Papa never smoked or drank alcohol. His favorite drinks were and still are buco juice and fresh fruit shakes. His daily diet then and  now consists largely of fruit and vegetables. During special occasions when a lot of us tend to gorge on the richest and “deadliest” courses, he, on the other hand, always chooses the healthiest food from the menu or the buffet table. My Papa is now 74 years old, plays tennis every day and continues to explore healthy options. His years of regular exercise and good diet have kept him healthy and sharp of mind.

I love sweets, make no mistake, but, for Father’s Day, and in the spirit of my Papa’s  striving for good health, I decided to have Russian Cookie House put the spotlight on  its  wide range of sugar-free products.

Whether you or any of your loved ones want to or need to be health conscious, it’s a choice. Should you choose that option, we have it. Just like in the refrigerator of my childhood where chocolates and vitamin bottles were placed side by side, Russian Cookie House is proud to be able to offer both alternatives.

And our sugar-free products are definitely tempting!

Thanks Papa for being an inspiration so early in my life!

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!

 

 

QUIZ:

There are a few  natural  sugar substitutes on the market that are used in cooking and baking and to sweeten things, generally. These are low-glycemic, safe for diabetics and ideal for those watching their sugar intake for weight control or other health purposes.

 

The first 3 website subscribers and first 3 facebook fans to identify          A.) plant and B.) country of origin or source of  these sugar substitutes mentioned below  will win a box of sugar-free cookies!

Agave

Stevia

Isomalt

Coco Sugar

C.  Which sugar substitute does Russian Cookie House use in their sugar-free products?