2007 is looking just as bright as last year.  Some of our favorite days to celebrate are quickly approaching.  See our Calendar of Events for more details. 

Have a wonderful new year and we wish you all much happiness, health, and prosperity for 2007.

Sincerely,

 Soraiya & Azim

P.S. Please feel free to introduce others to Luxe Sweets by sending this newsletter on.

February 4:  Superbowl --> Perfect compliment to pizza or wings: cookies!  Order your platter early so you can be ready for the big game!

February 14:  Valentine's Day --> Luxe loves to spoil your loved one.  We have special V-day packages customized to perfection. See Items of the Month for special treats to add to your creation.

February 20:  Mardi Gras  --> A King Cake is the perfect way to treat your office workers to a fun break.  Just think, whoever finds the plastic little baby in the cake has to buy it next year.  Click here for the complete history of King Cake.

March 17:  St. Patrick's Day --> Seeing green?  How about eating green?  Delicious pistachios rolled in decadent chocolate, green Snickerdoodles, and even green Cupcakes.  


LUXE AROUND AUSTIN

Luxe Sweets is very excited about being featured in the food section of the February issue of Austin Monthly.   It goes on newsstands the last week of January, don't forget to get yours!


ITEMS OF THE MONTH- please call 512 241 1544 to order these items and create the perfect Valentine's Day package.

Linzer Cookies

Hazelnut Strawberry Bark

Rose-Infused Fudge 

Click: http://www.luxesweets.com/seasonal.htm for more details and ordering information.

Lately there has been a lot of news about trans fats (TF).  The state of New York has banned trans fats- a huge step in the right direction to getting people to eat just a little more healthy.  The implications to the food manufacturing and restaurant industry are quite dramatic.  Many fast-food chains are also steering clear of TF.  Stores like Whole Foods are no longer shelving foods with TF in them. 

With all this drama around them we thought it would be helpful to give a very brief explanation of what TFs are, where are they found, and what can be done to avoid them. 

Transfats are created when manufacturers add hydrogen to vegetable or other oils to increase the shelf life and flavor stability of products.  The reason they are bad for you is that they raise your LDL (aka "bad" cholesterol) levels which can lead to very serious heart related problems. 

These delicious but dangerous fats are found in foods that tend to have long shelf-lives.  Also in foods made with shortening, margarine, and other stable fats. 

The best way to avoid TFs is to check the labels of foods you buy.  According to the FDA, anything above 0.5 grams of TF is a "reportable amount."  So this means that if a food claims to have "0 Transfats" you should check the label.  If it says partially hydrogenated or hydrogenated anywhere in the ingredients list, avoid it.  The USDA recommends the maximum amount of TF per day should be 2 grams.  To avoid them in cooking, use olive oil and vegetable oils. 

Curious about how many Luxe Sweets products contain TFs?  Click here for the list.