Some Challenges

Well, I've encountered a few challenges.

My wonderful husband went out and got me a coffee this morning, and because he had put sugar in it, I wouldn't drink it. I felt horrible not being able to accept his sweet gesture, but I knew if I fell down once, it would just make things hard again.

Tomorrow I am making cupcakes for a birthday. I'm trying to decide what recipe to use. There are cupcake and frosting recipes using agave nectar, but the flavor and decoration options are somewhat limited. I'm trying to decide if I should alter what I serve to everyone else for my new requirements, or just make traditional cupcakes - and if I make them with Sugar, should I eat one? If I don't, it would be strange.

I am beginning to realize that avoiding sugar is going to be as socially awkward as being vegan was.

One habit changed

I did eventually find a sugar free cereal, it's a healthy granola, and it only has a bit of fruit juice in it. My new breakfast consists of plain yogurt, fresh fruit, and a sprinkle of the sugar free granola. This replaced my former usual breakfast of a bagel and cream cheese - so that alone ought to do me some good!

I just heard something on NPR that said that forming a new habit creates new pathways in your brain - interesting!

Also, I've ridden my bike to work twice so far this week - good for me!

The first benefits

It's been less than two weeks since I've taken avoiding refined sugar seriously and I'm already noticing some benefits.

I have more energy! It's not nearly as painful to drag myself out of bed in the mornings - and I don't sit at my desk yawning all day!

Also, I've also stopped craving naughty things - I don't wake up fantasizing about a highly sweetened and creamed 20 ounces of coffee, and I no longer feel like every meal needs dessert!

I have successfully avoided birthday cake at the office, and numerous platters of cookies in the breakroom, and I'm not even sad about it.

Hopefully my convictions stays strong - because my body is clearly happy with the change!

A minor victory

I've been dismayed to find sugar among the ingredients of just about everything I pick up at the grocery store.... After reading the label on just about every yogurt - even the natural organic brands - I was about to give up.

At last I found Nancy's "honey yogurt". It only comes in plain, but that's fine with me... I can add my own fruits, etc, and it's quite yummy!

My next adventure at the store will be attempting to find a sugar free cereal.... What do you think my chances are of that happening??

So I'm giving up refined sugar - now what?

I've toyed with my diet for quite some time - going vegetarian, then vegan, then back to vegetarian, exparamenting with various "health food" crazes... Usually I get hooked on an idea and go all out - and it usually lasts no more than a week.

Well recently I found out I have slightly high chlosterol (dispite being a vegetarian!), so I went to a holistic doctor to get some advice.

Through her advice, and my own research, I came across the book Sugar Blues by William Dufty. A must read for anyone who cares about their health. Well just a few pages in, and I was convinced - no more refined sugar for me! So now what? Another good read is the article Footloose and Sugar Free.

The first step, and the eaisest, is just not to add sugar to anything. There are very few things I add sugar to (besides baking) so no big deal, right? Well I'm totally hooked on coffee - with lots of cream and sugar - I'd have a 20oz fancy Latte every day if it wouldn't kill me. So after about a week of going without my morning coffee, and with an especially long night ahead of me, I decided to try something new.

The local health food store has honey out by their coffee service area - I always assumed it was for the tea. But one morning I saw a fellow adding it to his coffee! I thought it was odd, and the thought stuck with me for a while. So tonight, as I stopped for a few groceries on the way home from work, I gave it a try.

I was plesantly suprised to find out it was very yummy! Possibly even better than sugar!

I am thrilled that I will not have to give up my favorite vice in the name of my latest health kick. I am really hoping that I can stick with this one - stay tuned for my efforts to avoid sugar added to just about everything you can buy at the store.

Right now I have a cold, and am dismayed to see sugar listed as an ingrediant in every cough drop on the shelves! Any suggestions?