Agave Nectar is a sweetener naturally extracted from the pineapple-shaped core of the Agave, a cactus-like plant native to Mexico. While somewhat pricey and hard to find it is easier to use than sugar and far better tasting than artificial sweatners.
Sources for purchase:
Sweet Cactus Farms
Alissa Cohen
BlueAgaveNectar.Com
AgaveNectar.Com

Nucoa is a stick-butter substitute that while salty and high in fat is still suitable for most baking projects. Nucoa can be found in the butter isle at most major grocery stores and supermarket chains at a third of the price of real butter.