Today is Day 25 that I have been sugar free. I'm going to be honest, this week has not been easy. I'm not sure exactly what it is...but starting this past Monday, I've been craving chocolate something vicious!! I mean really vicious....then, today, at work the PTA decided to create this incredible Valentine's spread in the teacher's workroom. It looked like something straight out of a fancy bakery in LA!! (I wanted to take photos--but that would have been pure torture!) Tiers and tiers of sugary goodness...I mean badness...cupcakes, candies, cookies, little cutesy this and little cutesy that. I walked in and my eyes went on overload...and then my mind started to chatter---"Oh Connie, just one. One won't hurt. Just one delicious, scrumptious brownie with delicious chocolate icing. What will one hurt? C'mon, you deserve it. You can have it. Just one."
But, I walked in and walked out and stayed clear of the workroom the entire day.
Though it didn't help my cravings that's for sure.
So after work, on my drive home, I stopped and picked myself up a Lara Bar. Key lime, to be exact. Sure, it's not a delicious, out-of-this world, moist brownie. But it's sweet. A natural sweet. A sweet that actually quenched my craving, and kept me honest to my journey this year into COMMITMENT, TRUST, & TRUTH.
Since I've started to try to kick my sugar addiction, I've had a huge response of LOVELIES, telling me they want to do the same thing. They even ask me for advice.
I'm only at Day 25, my friends. I have a long road ahead of me. My goal is to make 365 days. Sounds crazy, doesn't it?!?! But I'm going to stay COMMITTED, and TRUST that this journey will bring me not only great health, but deliver me other hidden surprises of happiness as well. And--ANNND it will help define a new TRUTH of my Creative Juicy Life. I'm already feeling universes better this early in the journey!! I can only imagine what I will feel like a year from now.
So, let me just say, this is what I know so far....
- I quit cold turkey. None of that "I'll wait until _______." Or, "I'll start on _______ after I ________." Nope, the moment I realized that I had a sugar addiction, I threw out the chocolate covered almonds and declared to Hansel and a few of my friends that I was done with sugar starting NOW.
- Along with quitting sugar, I've also eliminated caffeine, which is not that big of a deal for me (except for the chocolate), because I rarely drink coffee--and I never drink soda. I dropped the black and the green tea (yes, I know it is full of antioxidants--but so are many other great things that don't have caffeine), and I have switched to ginger tea, peppermint tea, and sometimes Kava Stress Relief by Yogi teas. I'm so surprised how much I actually dig these teas. I never really used to--and with a few drops of honey added--totally takes the place of the sweetness of the chai tea latte I used to drink in the morning.
- At night, when I crave something sweet I either eat an apple or have a smoothie made with berries and yogurt! Yum!!
- When I'm at work and totally jones'n for something sweet I either have a cup of tea or a Lara Bar that I keep a stack of in my desk. It works!
- This venture is not always easy...but it keeps getting easier by the day!
If you are thinking of also kicking the sugar addiction here are a couple great resources for you to check out.
A Year Without Sugar (A great post by Nicole MacDonald on Crazy Sexy Life)
My Years Without Sugar (Nicole MacDonald's informative blog!)
This great video that was just posted on Wednesday...
Finally, the last day for the SWEET Early LOVE Bird special of $20 for Art Journal LOVE Letters is this Saturday!!! Registering for this first Dirty Footprints Studio workshop will definitely help with cravings!!! Art Journaling can cure just about everything!! So please go HERE for more information and to register!! Big hugs!
9 comments:
you seriously impress me. :) hugs!!
I am totally inspired! Maybe I will wing raw for a while to see if I can make it a habit :)
Whoops! Wing=swing. I should go to bed now rather than subject anyone else to my horrid typing.
I'm giving up sugar for lent and maybe even more past that. I'll have to check these resources out. Thanks for sharing your journey with us.
FYI: Whole Foods and Trader Joe's have several (actually many) dark chocolate options that do not have added sugar. It is au naturale. So indulge in your chocolate craving.
You inspire me in so many ways. My post yesterday was about a book I want to write. Now I can add you to the list of people to share their story.
hugs, Sandy
PS - I don't see a video?
You go juicy life girl! I will stay-tuned to your sugar-free adventures. Sounds like a book to me.
Giulietta, inspirational rebel
This is such a hard thing to do and I applaud your efforts and your stamina. No matter how long you stay sugar free I hope you are proud of yourself for starting and being conscious in the process. I'm rooting for you over here! And whereas I'm not giving up sugar (yet), I am cutting down and portioning what I do eat. Baby steps! Baby steps!
Hi Connie!
It is so wonderful to read about your no-sugar challenge and the differences you are noticing in your moods.
Almost a year ago I started eating a raw food diet. I didn't jump into it but I made the transition to 100% pretty quickly. It seems extreme to some people, which it understandable since a standard diet in the West tends to be on the other extreme and yet is considered the norm. Anyhow, I just wanted to share with you that I transitioned from a regular, sugary, salty, occasional fast-food standard american diet to a wonderful, raw and living foods diet! i have cravings sometimes too, and on occasion i allow myself to just eat what i want. it's interesting because once your body is clean of certain toxic foods, you notice the immediate effect of them on your system and it really just reinforces your desire to steer clear of those foods. now that you know how good you feel eating sugar-free, you would have a VERY hard time forgetting what you now know about what certain foods do to us.
i have a sweet tooth like you wouldn't believe and i am more than satisfied in the sweets department with my raw food diet. larabars DEFINITELY helped me with the transition... i was happy to see that you know about them. ) dried apricots and figs (organic is best... no preservatives) are simply delicious for those days when you need something sweet and chewy!
many blessings to you on your path to a clearer mind and body, and a happier YOU!
~becca
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