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March 27, 2015

Adventures in Canadian Maple Syrup (+ a Giveaway!)

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Hello my friends! I’m headed back south to DC today after spending the week up in Quebec, Canada, on a press trip with my friends from Pure Canadian Maple Syrup. I have been working with them since last year (see also: Healthier Maple Brownie Cookies + Matt’s Maple Cinnamon Latte), so when they invited me up to learn more about the maple syrup production process in person, I was all about it. A big thank you to them for covering my expenses for this trip/sponsoring this post!

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We did and learned a TON this week, so it was hard to boil it down/pick the highlights and main takeaways, but I did my best. 🙂 You can see more of the adventures over on my Instagram page as well!

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Pure Maple Syrup Nutrition

As a dietitian, one of my favorite parts of the trip, of course, was learning more about the nutritional benefits of 100% pure maple syrup! There’s a big difference between syrups on the shelf at the grocery store, by the way. Make sure you are buying 100% real/pure maple syrup, which is a natural product that comes directly from maple trees with nothing else added, versus artificial breakfast “syrups” which are highly processed and made from corn syrup. Those definitely don’t have the nutritional benefits I’m about to talk about. 🙂

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Fun nutrition facts about 100% pure maple syrup:

  • It’s high in over 60 types of disease-fighting antioxidants, which contain anti-cancer, anti-inflammation, and anti-diabetes properties.
  • It is the only sweetener with minerals – it’s a particularly excellent source of manganese (which helps keep bones strong, your brain healthy, and nerves functioning properly) and riboflavin (aka vitamin B2 – it protects cells and is necessary for energy production, too).
  • It contains polyphenols, which are beneficial compounds also found in things like berries, tea, and red wine.

We got to sample some of the sports-focused recipes developed by the dietitian who works with the Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers, Mélanie Olivier. (She was awesome, by the way – loved meeting her!) I really loved the homemade maple sports drink (<— click for recipe) that she developed!

Maple Syrup Production

On Tuesday morning, we visited CDL, an organic maple farm that is a leader in maple sugaring equipment. It was fascinating to see all that goes into extracting the maple water from the trees – check out all this tubing! CDL’s owner, Mr. Chabot, told us that they have 2 million feet of tubing and 100,000 taps. Crazy! He was super high tech, too – he can control all the tube equipment via his phone!

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Did you know that it’s not maple syrup that’s extracted from the trees, but rather maple water? (Which is delicious, by the way, and available in the US now!) That maple water is then boiled down to make maple syrup, maple sugar, etc. I always used to think the syrup itself was what came right out of the tree!

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Each tap on a tree at CDL averages about 3 pounds of maple syrup per year. No more than 10% of any tree’s sap is taken – any more would be detrimental to the tree.

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We also got to experience maple tapping on the smaller scale (using buckets instead of the tubing system) when visiting sugar shacks around Quebec. Like the name implies, sugar shacks are small cabins or a series of cabins, belonging to farms, where the sap collected from the sugar maple trees is boiled down into maple syrup.

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One of the other stops on our trip was to the Maple Syrup Producer’s Cooperative company, Citadelle. They are the world’s largest supplier of 100% pure maple syrup, and their syrup can be found in many mainstream stores in the US, including Trader Joes, Whole Foods, Costco, Publix, and more. They collect sap from over 7 million maple trees across Canada, and their headquarters visit gave us a taste (literally) of all the different types of maple products they offer, plus some insight into the production process. Did you know that it takes 40 liters of maple water to make 1 liter of pure maple syrup?

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Also, maple syrup grades aren’t related to quality, but rather flavor/taste intensity! The variation has to do with when the maple syrup sap was tapped; sap tapped at the beginning of the harvest season (which is only about 20 to 25 days, usually in March/April) is generally clearer and lighter in taste. For drinks and pancakes, you’ll want to use Grade A syrup, either light or medium. The Grade B/dark varieties are much stronger and better suited for baking.

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Food Highlights/Creative Ways to Cook with Pure Maple Syrup

This was quite the foodie trip, with a big focus on maple, of course, so I will finish off this post with some of my favorite things that we ate. I need to try to recreate some of this back at home!

Maple marinated beets // lunch appetizer at Chez Boulay in Quebec
That restaurant was wonderful, by the way – the chef only sources food/cooking products from around Quebec, to support local businesses. Love it!

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Maple roasted turnips // dinner appetizer at Panache Restaurant in the Auberge Saint-Antoine hotel in Old Quebec
I am normally not a huge turnip fan, but loved these! Also, Panache was absolutely gorgeous (as was the hotel) – so cozy and beautiful. Definitely worth a visit!

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Smoked salmon with maple and tangerine jelly // dinner appetizer at Restaurant la Traite in the Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations, a really neat boutique Aboriginal hotel near Quebec. I absolutely love maple with salmon!

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Lobster with maple whiskey braised pork, black lentils, kale, and pearl onions // dinner at Renoir in the lovely hotel Sofitel Montreal.
This entree, made for us by Chef Olivier Perret (a Maple Master), was my absolute favorite dinner of the trip – SO delicious.

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“Beggars Chicken” scented with maple leaves // dinner at restaurant L’Orée du Bois in the Outaouais region.
This wins for most creative dish of the trip! It was chicken slow cooked in clay, which was lined with lotus leaves. Neat, right? They crack it open in front of you at the table before plating it! This restaurant was adorable, too – very cozy!

beggars chicken

Maple Taffy!
Enjoyed at Charbonneau Sugar Shack (a traditional sugar shack) and La Tablee des Pionniers (a more innovative/modern sugar shack).

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Maple taffy, aka tire d’érable, is a Quebec sugar shack specialty. To make it, you pour hot maple syrup over snow, then roll it onto a stick. Very sweet but insanely delicious! A few licks of it was perfect. 🙂

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Sugar shacks are really cool, by the way – they reminded me a lot of European ski lodges. Hearty comfort food at its finest! Apparently it’s tradition for families and groups to go enjoy (enormous) meals at them during the maple harvest season.

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The maple baked ham hock in the photo below from La Tablee des Pionniers was insane in the best way possible. Mmmm! Lunch there was such a cool experience – if you are ever nearby, go!

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Other maple cooking/recipe ideas:

  • Use pure maple syrup instead of sugar in homemade tomato/pasta sauce, ketchup, BBQ sauce, lemonade, etc.
  • In baked goods, to swap in pure maple syrup in place of dry sugar in a recipe, use the same amount of syrup as you would have of sugar (1:1 swap), but take out 1/4 cup of any kind of liquid in the recipe (water, milk, whatever – or you could just use 1/4 cup less maple syrup if you don’t mind a less sweet product – that’s probably what I’d do!). Also, decrease the baking temperature by 25 degrees F.
  • To swap in pure maple syrup in place of another liquid sweetener, simply do a 1:1 swap and decrease the baking temperature by 25 degrees F.
  • Drizzle maple syrup over oatmeal or plain yogurt.

breakfast with maple syrup

Last but not least, here are some recipes already on my blog that are sweetened only with maple syrup:

  • Almond Butter Banana Breakfast Bars
  • Oatmeal Banana Coconut Cookies
  • Maple Cinnamon Roasted Veggies
  • Matt’s Maple Cinnamon Latte
  • Nutty Protein Granola Bars
  • Spiced Cranberry Compote Oatmeal
  • Vegan & Gluten Free Granola Bars
  • Healthier Maple Brownie Cookies
  • Oatmeal Banana Pumpkin Cookies
  • Banana Nut Quinoa Muffins

And now, to cap off this post, I have a fun giveaway for you guys! Two lucky fANNEtastic blog readers will receive an awesome maple swag bag, full of a bunch of the fun maple products that we had the pleasure of sampling this week. Use the Rafflecopter giveaway below to enter to win; I’ll contact winners directly when the giveaway ends. U.S. residents only, please. We figure you Canadian readers enjoy this stuff every day! 😉

a Rafflecopter giveaway

- anne
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228 comments
  • Eva @ All Books Considered
    March 27, 2015 · 2:06PM:
    on yeasted waffles!
    Reply
  • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
    March 27, 2015 · 2:08PM:
    Pancakes of course!
    Reply
  • Jen March 27, 2015 · 2:09PM:
    I would love to try REAL maple syrup! I have always had the "fake" syrups from the store.
    Reply
  • Caylin March 27, 2015 · 2:09PM:
    Love maple syrup in granola!! Perfect sweetener and added flavor
    Reply
  • Dietitian Jess
    March 27, 2015 · 2:18PM:
    I like using maple syrup in baked goods/bars/bites in place of sugar. Looks like a really cool trip (and delish)!
    Reply
  • Erin @ Erin's Inside Job
    March 27, 2015 · 2:19PM:
    Lately it has been to use it in my steel cut oats in the morning, but I always use it when I make almond butter at home too (which is all the time haha).
    Reply
  • Georgina March 27, 2015 · 2:20PM:
    On top of oatmeal...yum!
    Reply
  • Laura Swanson
    March 27, 2015 · 2:20PM:
    I love it on pancakes! I won't eat them when we're out at restaurants unless they serve real maple syrup! I am obsessed with the real stuff and would love to win! Also, there's a really annoying philosophy add on your blog that takes up a huge bottom section of the screen. If you roll over it you're taken to a new screen with a video. There's no X on the ad so there's no way to make it disappear. Just an FYI in case you can get rid of it :)
    Reply
    • Anne
      March 27, 2015 · 2:51PM:
      Weird, that's not showing up when I look at my blog! Thanks for the heads up - will def try to get it taken down!
      Reply
  • Morgan March 27, 2015 · 2:21PM:
    Using in baked goods instead of sugar!
    Reply
  • Colleen Inman March 27, 2015 · 2:23PM:
    I enjoy some in my oatmeal or plain yogurt
    Reply
  • Kelsey March 27, 2015 · 2:24PM:
    I love used maple syrup as a sweetener in cookies and granola bars.
    Reply
  • Erin @ Her Heartland Soul
    March 27, 2015 · 2:25PM:
    What an amazing trip! Now I want to eat everything maple syrup! My favorite way to enjoy it is over pancakes!
    Reply
  • Lacy March 27, 2015 · 2:28PM:
    On waffles; like the syrup to get in all nooks!
    Reply
  • Courtney C March 27, 2015 · 2:31PM:
    Love using it in granola bars.
    Reply
  • Lauren March 27, 2015 · 2:40PM:
    over greek yogurt!
    Reply
  • Diane March 27, 2015 · 2:40PM:
    I love it on my breakfast foods, especially french toast!
    Reply
  • Caroline
    March 27, 2015 · 2:44PM:
    i love sweetening my greek yogurt with NH maple syrup!
    Reply
  • Elizabeth March 27, 2015 · 2:44PM:
    I usually use honey or plain old sugar as a sweetener but will definitely try substituting maple syrup
    Reply
  • Amanda March 27, 2015 · 2:53PM:
    I love adding it to my oatmeal!
    Reply
  • Amy March 27, 2015 · 2:54PM:
    I love using it on pancakes and on top of oatmeal
    Reply
  • Allison March 27, 2015 · 2:54PM:
    maple syrup + pancakes + lumberjack attire
    Reply
    • Anne
      March 27, 2015 · 3:07PM:
      Lol to "lumberjack attire." :)
      Reply
  • lindsay March 27, 2015 · 2:56PM:
    born and raised in VT so i love maple! in oatmeal, with bacon, or just on snow ... yum!
    Reply
  • denise
    March 27, 2015 · 3:03PM:
    I use maple syrup as the sweetener in my coconut milk chia see pudding! I also LOVE it on pancakes and oatmeal!
    Reply
  • Seema March 27, 2015 · 3:06PM:
    Love using maple syrup in homemade granola!
    Reply
  • Taryn March 27, 2015 · 3:07PM:
    I love using maple syrup on protein pancakes, or mixed with almond butter!
    Reply
  • Kelly E. March 27, 2015 · 3:09PM:
    Pancakes or granola. I think it pairs well with coconut oil in fruit crisp topping, too! Thank you for the chance to win!
    Reply
  • Charlsie N March 27, 2015 · 3:15PM:
    Love using maple syrup in the Fitnessista's brownie batter balls!
    Reply
  • Maryz March 27, 2015 · 3:17PM:
    I like to use it to sweeten my yogurt or smoothie.
    Reply
  • Hillary March 27, 2015 · 3:19PM:
    Definitely over ice cream or over sweet potatoes!!!
    Reply
  • Bethany Imondi
    March 27, 2015 · 3:24PM:
    Last week in NY, I had pancakes with warm maple butter and it was heavenly. nothing like melted butter and sweet maple syrup to make for the perfect breakfast topping.
    Reply
  • Meghan March 27, 2015 · 3:34PM:
    to sweeten baked goods!
    Reply
  • Suzi W March 27, 2015 · 3:35PM:
    I love maple syrup on ALL of the things!
    Reply
  • paige c
    March 27, 2015 · 3:39PM:
    I like maple syrup on my pancakes/waffles and in my oatmeal!
    Reply
  • grace March 27, 2015 · 3:44PM:
    My favorite way to enjoy maple syrup is drizzled on top of my Mom's homemade French Bread French Toast casserole. Totally delicious. Thanks for the giveaway :)
    Reply
  • Shel@PeachyPalate
    March 27, 2015 · 3:46PM:
    Love that they showed you some awesome ways to cook with it! So hard to get good quality maple syrup here but I do much prefer it to the taste of honey.
    Reply
  • Haley March 27, 2015 · 3:51PM:
    Keeping it basic.... Pancakes!!!
    Reply
  • Linda March 27, 2015 · 4:00PM:
    In Gina's amazeballs and on pancakes!
    Reply
  • Maria K March 27, 2015 · 4:04PM:
    All of those meals look amazing! I am a HUGE fan of maple syrup. I use it as my sweetener of choice in just about everything.
    Reply
  • Leigh March 27, 2015 · 4:05PM:
    On pancakes and waffles! And of course only the real stuff- the fake stuff doesn't even compare!
    Reply
  • Lauren S March 27, 2015 · 4:08PM:
    The old fashioned way, on pancakes!
    Reply
  • Kathleen March 27, 2015 · 4:11PM:
    Pancakes and french toast!
    Reply
  • Shoshana March 27, 2015 · 4:12PM:
    I love using it in baked oatmeal...and my husband loves more on top ;-)
    Reply
  • Jessica March 27, 2015 · 4:16PM:
    On oatmeal - yum!
    Reply
  • Meg Bollenback
    March 27, 2015 · 4:19PM:
    Great post, Anne! Seems like you had a great trip and learned a lot. So, this may sound weird, but when I was little my parents would make waffles one morning each weekend and we'd of course have maple syrup on top. While I love that, I actually LOVED dipping apple slices and grapes my mom gave me into the syrup, too. It's really good...albeit, a bit sweet now that I think about it!
    Reply
  • Michelle H. March 27, 2015 · 4:22PM:
    I'm a traditionalist- I love them on waffles and pancakes!
    Reply
  • Liz March 27, 2015 · 4:26PM:
    I love maple syrup over pancakes or French toast! Yum!
    Reply
  • Katie Bangs
    March 27, 2015 · 4:35PM:
    I love pure maple! One of my favorite snacks is fruit or berries with maple syrup over cottage cheese! Delicious! Great post!
    Reply
  • Rosie March 27, 2015 · 4:36PM:
    I love maple syrup on giant, pillowy pancakes esp on a snowy weekend!
    Reply
  • Amanda
    March 27, 2015 · 4:39PM:
    On pancakes!!
    Reply
  • Alisha March 27, 2015 · 4:46PM:
    I love maple syrup in so many ways- in salad dressings, as a marinade & of course over pancakes
    Reply
    • Anne
      March 27, 2015 · 4:47PM:
      I had never had it in salad dressing until this week - so good!
      Reply
  • Annmarie March 27, 2015 · 4:49PM:
    I love maple syrup in oatmeal--it's the perfect sweetener :)
    Reply
  • Lauren March 27, 2015 · 4:55PM:
    I love maple syrup in my oatmeal and on pancakes! :)
    Reply
  • Stephanie March 27, 2015 · 4:58PM:
    Over chicken and waffles, obviously!!
    Reply
  • MollyK March 27, 2015 · 5:06PM:
    I've been using it on my oatmeal in the mornings this past month.
    Reply
  • Marissa March 27, 2015 · 5:18PM:
    My favorite way to eat maple syrup is either on oatmeal or waffles!
    Reply
  • Molly Bortnick March 27, 2015 · 5:25PM:
    My favorite way to enjoy maple syrup is on top cottage cheese with some fruit!
    Reply
  • Kary March 27, 2015 · 5:31PM:
    My favorite is the old staple...on buttermilk pancakes :)
    Reply
  • Wehaf March 27, 2015 · 6:08PM:
    I love maple syrup in my yogurt!
    Reply
  • Lori M. March 27, 2015 · 6:10PM:
    I love it over vanilla ice cream :)
    Reply
  • Emma March 27, 2015 · 6:11PM:
    I love maple syrup as an occasional coffee sweetener or in oatmeal!
    Reply
  • Merideth Stabilito March 27, 2015 · 6:18PM:
    I love eating maple syrup on my oatmeal and pancakes!
    Reply
  • Kristin P. March 27, 2015 · 6:18PM:
    I love it on my 2 ingredient banana pancakes and when I make salad dressing.
    Reply
  • maggie March 27, 2015 · 6:22PM:
    On pancakes or french toast!!
    Reply
  • amy henning March 27, 2015 · 6:40PM:
    I've just started putting maple syrup, wild blueberries and whole milk Greek yogurt together and yum!!
    Reply
  • Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday
    March 27, 2015 · 6:41PM:
    I love maple syrup on pancakes and as a granola sweetener!
    Reply
  • Caroline M March 27, 2015 · 6:47PM:
    I love maple syrup! I think it would be fantastic on oatmeal. I love that it's a natural sweetener.
    Reply
  • Emily S March 27, 2015 · 6:51PM:
    Pancakes!
    Reply
  • Colleen March 27, 2015 · 6:55PM:
    Pancakes for sure!
    Reply
  • Ashley V March 27, 2015 · 7:09PM:
    I like it in greek yogurt or oats!
    Reply
  • Holly E March 27, 2015 · 7:10PM:
    I love maple syrup on french toast.
    Reply
  • Nello March 27, 2015 · 7:18PM:
    I love maple syrup in my oatmeal any day!
    Reply
  • Robyn March 27, 2015 · 7:28PM:
    I like to use it to make granola and on pancakes!
    Reply
  • Erin F March 27, 2015 · 7:31PM:
    Pancakes of course!
    Reply
  • Kaylin @ Enticing Healthy Eating
    March 27, 2015 · 7:34PM:
    I love maple syrup in my baking recipes and on french toast
    Reply
  • Jackie March 27, 2015 · 8:11PM:
    On waffles and pancakes :)
    Reply
  • Erin March 27, 2015 · 8:17PM:
    I guess I'm old school -- on pancakes is great with me!
    Reply
  • Abby Bauer March 27, 2015 · 8:52PM:
    On plain Greek yogurt!
    Reply
  • em March 27, 2015 · 9:16PM:
    On protein pancakes :)
    Reply
  • Tracy March 27, 2015 · 9:17PM:
    So predictable...pancakes!
    Reply
  • Dana S March 27, 2015 · 9:18PM:
    on pancakes or my moms challah French toast!
    Reply
  • Tina March 27, 2015 · 9:35PM:
    Waffles.. Yum
    Reply
  • Layla March 27, 2015 · 9:39PM:
    I use it most often on pancakes. You have given me lots of ideas though. Thanks!
    Reply
  • Lauren March 27, 2015 · 9:45PM:
    Yum! I LOVE maple syrup on pancakes, with peanut butter on top too! When I was a little kid, I actually used to drink maple syrup straight out of the bottle because I loved it so much! Haha!
    Reply
    • Anne
      March 28, 2015 · 7:45AM:
      Lol! I like your style ;)
      Reply
  • kel March 27, 2015 · 9:45PM:
    On my pancakes...
    Reply
  • Caroline March 27, 2015 · 9:48PM:
    By the spoonful?!? Uh I mean in my granola, I use it as the sweetener which is amazing!
    Reply
  • Lauren b March 27, 2015 · 9:55PM:
    Love maple syrup in oatmeal!
    Reply
  • Kelsey R. March 27, 2015 · 10:02PM:
    What a neat trip! I love to bake with maple syrup, and I've been meaning to try the latte recipe with maple syrup that you posted a little while ago :)
    Reply
  • Carley March 27, 2015 · 10:11PM:
    I'm definitely going to try drizzling some syrup on my oatmeal. Great idea!
    Reply
  • Amanda @ Slimplify Life
    March 27, 2015 · 10:20PM:
    I love that maple syrup is an all natural way to add sweetness to a recipe! I'm all about it in baking!
    Reply
  • Becky March 27, 2015 · 10:21PM:
    I've only had real maple syrup on pancakes. Would love to try it out in different ways though!
    Reply
  • Laura W March 27, 2015 · 10:22PM:
    The backyard in my childhood home (I suppose technically still my parents' home) in Michigan is FULL of maple trees and every fall, our neighbors tap them to make syrup. It's crazy how exact the temperature has to be to get the sap! And ridiculous how much sap it takes to make one little container of syrup. That being said, my favorite way is straight-up on pancakes. I grew up with 100% pure maple syrup and can't stomach the processed stuff at all :/
    Reply
  • Holly March 27, 2015 · 10:23PM:
    On blueberry waffles :)
    Reply
  • Erin March 27, 2015 · 10:25PM:
    Great in oatmeal!
    Reply
  • Genevieve March 27, 2015 · 10:40PM:
    I love pure maple syrup in overnight oats!
    Reply
  • Katie March 27, 2015 · 10:52PM:
    French Toast!
    Reply
  • Laurie March 27, 2015 · 11:19PM:
    I love it drizzled over vanilla yogurt with fresh fruit.
    Reply
  • Erin m. March 27, 2015 · 11:46PM:
    I like putting it in yogurt and on baked oatmeal
    Reply
  • Megan L O'Brien
    March 28, 2015 · 12:02AM:
    In plain greek yogurt! I did my 5th grade science experiment on maple syrup; my dad helped me tap our own trees and we made our own syrup!
    Reply
    • Anne
      March 28, 2015 · 7:44AM:
      Whoa! That's really cool!
      Reply
  • Elisabeth March 28, 2015 · 12:27AM:
    I love it on homemade Belgian waffles!
    Reply
  • Melissa March 28, 2015 · 12:51AM:
    I love it on a stack of warm pancakes!
    Reply
  • laurel e March 28, 2015 · 12:58AM:
    On pancakes!
    Reply
  • Danielle March 28, 2015 · 1:00AM:
    Love maple syrup on yogurt and oatmeal!
    Reply
  • Sarah Morgan March 28, 2015 · 6:33AM:
    I love it on oats or yogurt
    Reply
  • Natalie P. March 28, 2015 · 6:38AM:
    Love maple syrup on pancakes!!!
    Reply
  • Torie March 28, 2015 · 6:54AM:
    On pancakes and to sweeten my oatmeal sometimes. Yum! :-)
    Reply
  • Ashley p March 28, 2015 · 7:27AM:
    On waffles or oats, or to sweeten chocolate avocado pudding!
    Reply
  • Emily March 28, 2015 · 7:59AM:
    I use maple syrup in my breakfast oatmeal almost every morning!
    Reply
  • Lugi March 28, 2015 · 8:20AM:
    I love with oatmeal, but nothing is better than homemade pancakes with syrup!
    Reply
  • Nikki March 28, 2015 · 8:27AM:
    French toast
    Reply
  • Nikki March 28, 2015 · 8:29AM:
    I like baking with maple syrup or adding it to pancakes, waffles, or topping for greek yogurt!
    Reply
  • Jessica Craig March 28, 2015 · 8:40AM:
    On pancakes or waffles. I'm traditional like that I guess.
    Reply
  • mary @ minutes per mile
    March 28, 2015 · 9:00AM:
    love maple syrup in a cocktail! or on pancakes. or just straight from the bottle :)
    Reply
  • Hannah March 28, 2015 · 9:47AM:
    Atop pancakes, waffles and french toast is my favorite!
    Reply
  • Alyssa March 28, 2015 · 10:10AM:
    Pumpkin oatmeal with a drizzle of maple syrup!
    Reply
  • Renee S. March 28, 2015 · 10:21AM:
    pancakes!
    Reply
  • lizee March 28, 2015 · 10:33AM:
    I LOVE maple syrup! I use it every day in my coffee (along with grass fed cream) and use it to sweeten everything. It goes on oatmeal, pancakes, hash browns, sweet potatoes... It's so good!
    Reply
  • Pamela Makuta March 28, 2015 · 10:47AM:
    Maple syrup is so versatile! I would have to say it's a toss-up between oatmeal and smoothies. Thanks for the great giveaway!
    Reply
  • Eva March 28, 2015 · 10:57AM:
    dipping for good ol' juicy breakfast sausages ;)
    Reply
  • Tracie March 28, 2015 · 11:04AM:
    I love maple syrup on sausage.
    Reply
  • Katie M March 28, 2015 · 11:50AM:
    I love it on pancakes!
    Reply
  • abby March 28, 2015 · 12:30PM:
    love it on waffles!
    Reply
  • Lacey McGarry March 28, 2015 · 1:07PM:
    On pancakes! Thanks for the giveaway!
    Reply
  • meredith March 28, 2015 · 1:28PM:
    Try maple syrup & balsamic roasted brussels! It's heavenly!
    Reply
  • Katie March 28, 2015 · 1:34PM:
    pancakes and waffles
    Reply
  • Karen March 28, 2015 · 1:37PM:
    I put it on my oatmeal every morning and when I make waffles it is a must!
    Reply
  • Anel March 28, 2015 · 1:50PM:
    How fun! You got some great pictures! Your IG always makes me hungry! :) The food looks amazing!! I love maple syrup on pancakes, waffles, and yogurt!
    Reply
  • Karen March 28, 2015 · 3:05PM:
    I love adding maple syrup to my coffee as my afternoon treat!
    Reply
  • Taylor @ LiftingRevolution.com
    March 28, 2015 · 3:06PM:
    Looks like an amazing trip! I just had my first REAL taste of syrup about 2 years ago and now I am hooked. Love it! Favorite? In a latte or granola!
    Reply
  • Katie March 28, 2015 · 3:36PM:
    In granola!
    Reply
  • Roadrunner March 28, 2015 · 3:47PM:
    as maple sugar candy!
    Reply
  • Ilene March 28, 2015 · 3:57PM:
    I use it in the granola I make every week.
    Reply
  • Colleen C March 28, 2015 · 4:13PM:
    I love maple syrup on pancakes
    Reply
  • Cindy A. March 28, 2015 · 4:16PM:
    My favorite are pancake muffins with sausage baked inside and drizzled with maple syrup. I wish I had one (or a dozen) right now! Thank you so much for the giveaway.
    Reply
  • Kate
    March 28, 2015 · 4:24PM:
    Definitely want to try it in cooking meats!
    Reply
  • Grace March 28, 2015 · 5:25PM:
    Definitely pancakes! Maybe it would be good on top of your high protein flour less pancake :)
    Reply
    • Anne
      March 29, 2015 · 11:48AM:
      Yes, it is!
      Reply
  • Elin March 28, 2015 · 5:30PM:
    On top of my whole wheat pancakes!
    Reply
  • Elle March 28, 2015 · 6:29PM:
    I love it on pancakes.
    Reply
  • Bets March 28, 2015 · 6:35PM:
    My husband has a slight obsession with maple syrup and I do too. I'm so envious of your trip, it looked like it was tasty and amazing!
    Reply
  • Alison H. March 28, 2015 · 6:35PM:
    On pancakes!!!
    Reply
  • Bets March 28, 2015 · 6:35PM:
    My favorite way to enjoy syrup is on baked oatmeal but there really isn't a wrong way to eat it
    Reply
  • iamalighthouse March 28, 2015 · 8:15PM:
    I like some in my berries/coconut milk/cinnamon concoction I make for breakfast!
    Reply
  • Alyssa @ Renaissancerunnergirl
    March 28, 2015 · 8:17PM:
    I love maple syrup! The best way to eat it, in my humble opinion, is pouring it over fresh snow to make chewy maple candy...yum!
    Reply
  • Kelly March 28, 2015 · 8:29PM:
    In baked goods! I like to make these 4 ingredient muffins that have bananas, maple syrup, honey, and cocoa powder!
    Reply
  • Kristen
    March 28, 2015 · 9:11PM:
    Waffles!
    Reply
  • Becca F March 28, 2015 · 9:12PM:
    In my baked goods!
    Reply
  • Kirsten March 28, 2015 · 9:27PM:
    definitely on pancakes! I also like it in coffee in place of sugar.
    Reply
  • Kelly D March 28, 2015 · 10:48PM:
    We enjoy maple syrup on pancakes, and lately my daughter asked for it on a sliced banana.
    Reply
  • Holly Rigby March 28, 2015 · 10:50PM:
    Company favorite. Maple Dijon Pork Tenderloin...it's so easy and it's the business as my daughters say! Also on frosting with cupcakes...and on oatmeal or yogurt...just a teensy bit.
    Reply
  • Michaela Decker March 28, 2015 · 11:18PM:
    We love making chocolate (maple) syrup to pour over crepes stuffed with fruit and whipped cream!
    Reply
  • Maggie March 28, 2015 · 11:23PM:
    I love making homemade ice-cream with maple syrup as the sweetener!
    Reply
  • Brighid S. March 28, 2015 · 11:27PM:
    Straight up! But when other people are around and I feel too guilty to basically drink maple syrup, I love it on a fresh Belgian waffle :)
    Reply
  • Birdiebee March 29, 2015 · 12:07AM:
    My favorite way to enjoy Maple Syrup is on thick and frosted french toast.
    Reply
  • Krista March 29, 2015 · 1:15AM:
    My husband is from Vermont, so we're a pure maple syrup family. :) We love it drizzled on greek yogurt!
    Reply
  • Donna March 29, 2015 · 8:01AM:
    I love maple syrup on my sweet potato protein pancakes. Mmmmmm
    Reply
  • Audrey March 29, 2015 · 10:10AM:
    I've used it for beef tenderloin in the slow cooker- yummmmm
    Reply
  • Carolyn March 29, 2015 · 10:49AM:
    Love to put maple syrup over crepes :)
    Reply
  • Meghan W. March 29, 2015 · 10:52AM:
    On plain yogurt with fruit or granola!
    Reply
  • Alycia March 29, 2015 · 11:29AM:
    Sounds like an awesome trip, and the food looks delicious! I'm a plain and boring kind of girl, I love maple syrup on waffles!
    Reply
  • Kris S March 29, 2015 · 11:39AM:
    I love maple syrup! Thanks to all the Canadians in France we can get the real stuff here too! I love to put maple syrup in my morning oatmeal- yum!
    Reply
  • Vera K March 29, 2015 · 12:22PM:
    I LOVE pure maple syrup on pancakes.
    Reply
  • Shana March 29, 2015 · 12:51PM:
    That maple syrup on snow thing is something I totally did as a kid in New England! Love it so much
    Reply
  • Cheryl Harris March 29, 2015 · 2:09PM:
    I love maple syrup mainly on pancakes! English muffins are yummy too!
    Reply
  • Jennifer Henshall March 29, 2015 · 2:09PM:
    I loved this post! I can't wait to try substituting maple syrup for sugar in some of my recipes. Thanks for all of the great info on the health benefits of maple syrup, as well. :-)
    Reply
  • Becca March 29, 2015 · 3:57PM:
    on pancakes !
    Reply
  • Amanda March 29, 2015 · 6:05PM:
    I like cooking maple syrup into my protein waffles so I can eat them on the go!
    Reply
  • Carly March 29, 2015 · 7:37PM:
    I love maple syrup on my oatmeal in the morning!
    Reply
  • Sarah Evans March 29, 2015 · 7:44PM:
    Love the new maple syrup products out. I like how we are using an old product in new ways!
    Reply
  • Monica Guzik March 29, 2015 · 7:54PM:
    I love to mix maple syrup with oats, chocolate chips and peanut butter and roll them into energy balls.
    Reply
  • chickie brewer March 29, 2015 · 9:15PM:
    I like to drench my pancakes with it!
    Reply
  • Becca Nemecek March 29, 2015 · 11:05PM:
    Pancakes! :)
    Reply
  • Susan Christy March 29, 2015 · 11:32PM:
    Waffles, pancakes, french toast.
    Reply
  • Leslie March 29, 2015 · 11:36PM:
    I love maple syrup in general, but especially on buttermilk pancakes - Martha Stewart's recipe is the best!
    Reply
  • Amy Lepper March 29, 2015 · 11:47PM:
    Pancakes! Waffles are a close second!
    Reply
  • ali
    March 30, 2015 · 8:12AM:
    i LOVE maple syrup in everything :) but my favorite is as the sweetener in my homemade granola and my yummy maple balsamic salad dressing :)
    Reply
  • Isaly March 30, 2015 · 8:36AM:
    I love maple syrup in my coffee
    Reply
  • mary matheson March 30, 2015 · 9:09AM:
    It is good in tea.
    Reply
  • Meghan March 30, 2015 · 9:24AM:
    Maple syrup is my favorite! I could probably drink the stuff! :)
    Reply
  • Brandy H.
    March 30, 2015 · 10:04AM:
    Oh my goodness! It looks like you had a wonderful time! A trip all centered around maple syrup? YES! Amazing!
    Reply
  • Allison Galassie March 30, 2015 · 10:13AM:
    on french toast
    Reply
  • Natasha March 30, 2015 · 10:21AM:
    Recently I have been loving maple syrup in my morning oats!
    Reply
  • Ryanne March 30, 2015 · 10:25AM:
    oatmeal in the morning!
    Reply
  • jillian March 30, 2015 · 10:52AM:
    Pancakes... with maple syrup and almond butter. SO good
    Reply
  • Ellen March 30, 2015 · 10:53AM:
    On waffles (which we have every Saturday morning) or oatmeal!
    Reply
  • Sarah March 30, 2015 · 11:10AM:
    I use it all the time, but my favorite is to make maple bacon wrapped pork loin in the smoker. Yum!
    Reply
  • Alicia Grove March 30, 2015 · 11:33AM:
    I love maple syrup on waffles and in baked goods :) Also love maple ice cream!
    Reply
  • Jennifer Lattin March 30, 2015 · 11:37AM:
    Yum to Maple Syrup. I like to use it in muffins (actually in your Spelt Muffin recipe, I swap out the sugar for maple syrup. :)
    Reply
    • Jennifer Lattin March 30, 2015 · 11:38AM:
      To add....anybody else associate Maple Syrup with Buddy the Elf? Mmmm. Maple syrup on spaghetti! Ha ha. Joking.
      Reply
      • Anne
        March 30, 2015 · 12:09PM:
        Ha, yes! Best movie ever.
        Reply
    • Anne
      March 30, 2015 · 12:09PM:
      Great idea! I'll try that next time :)
      Reply
  • Libby March 30, 2015 · 11:41AM:
    I absolutely LOVE maple syrup - in coffee (as you know!), in baked goods, in smoothies... it's my favorite sweetener. And I only recently learned on your blog the difference between Grade A and Grade B! I always thought it was a quality thing, but apparently not!
    Reply
  • charlotte March 30, 2015 · 11:52AM:
    I love it on a protein pancake in the morning!
    Reply
  • Kristin S. March 30, 2015 · 12:02PM:
    I love it in protein bars that I make at home! It adds such great flavor!
    Reply
  • Katie M March 30, 2015 · 12:15PM:
    i love maple syrup on waffles! you can't go wrong with a classic!
    Reply
  • Bobbi March 30, 2015 · 12:21PM:
    I love pure maple syrup and can't go back to the store stuff!
    Reply
  • Caroline March 30, 2015 · 12:22PM:
    On blueberry pancakes!
    Reply
  • Dena March 30, 2015 · 12:35PM:
    I made the switch to real maple syrup in my house years ago and never looked back! We use it in smoothies, baking, and of course, on top of pancakes and waffles. Delicious!
    Reply
  • Lynn March 30, 2015 · 1:01PM:
    On pancakes or sweet potatoes. Thanks for the giveaway!
    Reply
  • Brooke P March 30, 2015 · 1:04PM:
    Oh man...everywhere I can! Pancakes/waffles, yogurt, protein balls...I love the taste!
    Reply
  • Brooke March 30, 2015 · 1:16PM:
    I love syrup on pancakes of course, and in a few of my marinade recipes--can't go wrong!
    Reply
  • Megan March 30, 2015 · 1:20PM:
    Love maple syrup on pankcakes or waffles or french toast!
    Reply
  • Lauren March 30, 2015 · 1:22PM:
    I love using maple syrup as a natural sweetener when baking!
    Reply
  • Laura March 30, 2015 · 1:47PM:
    On pancakes!!!
    Reply
  • Erika March 30, 2015 · 1:56PM:
    I love maple sugar candies, maple cotton candy and maple butter. Such a treat!
    Reply
  • Katie McGaughey March 30, 2015 · 2:00PM:
    Yum! On Pancakes!
    Reply
  • Kate McHugh March 30, 2015 · 2:01PM:
    My favorite way to enjoy pure maple syrup is pretty standard...heat a little bit up and put it on top of pancakes, waffles and/or french toast. Add some fresh fruit and you have a delicious breakfast.
    Reply
  • Jennifer March 30, 2015 · 2:21PM:
    I like to drizzle maple syrup over mixed nuts for dessert!
    Reply
    • Anne
      March 30, 2015 · 3:20PM:
      Yum, I would not have thought of that!
      Reply
  • nik March 30, 2015 · 2:54PM:
    waffles
    Reply
  • Emily March 30, 2015 · 2:56PM:
    Can't beat maple syrup on french toast
    Reply
  • Meg C. March 30, 2015 · 3:13PM:
    My favorite way to enjoy maple syrup is drizzled over pancakes.
    Reply
  • Pati March 30, 2015 · 4:09PM:
    I love adding it to my steel cut oatmeal.
    Reply
  • Karissa March 30, 2015 · 5:01PM:
    On banana pancakes!
    Reply
  • Molly March 30, 2015 · 5:17PM:
    I love maple syrup on pancakes!
    Reply
  • anna March 30, 2015 · 5:18PM:
    Love maple syrup on french toast or lately I've been having it with strawberries on plain greek yogurt!
    Reply
  • Madeline March 30, 2015 · 5:32PM:
    Drizzled on French toast with bananas and strawberries!
    Reply
  • Caitie March 30, 2015 · 5:49PM:
    I love it on pancakes and French toast of course
    Reply
  • Linda F March 30, 2015 · 8:17PM:
    Love using maple syrup with soy sauce as a marinade for salmon.
    Reply
  • Angie March 30, 2015 · 8:24PM:
    In baked goods!
    Reply
  • Carly March 30, 2015 · 9:38PM:
    Maple syrup in my greek yogurt is the BOMB! :)
    Reply
  • Steph March 30, 2015 · 10:58PM:
    I love to put a tablespoon or so in homemade sweet potato soup!
    Reply
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anne mauney fannetastic food
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I’m Anne, a Registered Dietitian and mother. I've been blogging since 2009 and love showing others that eating nutritious foods and staying active can actually be fun rather than overwhelming!

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