Sugar by any other name...

While reading ingredients on a package, I wondered why it had so many different sweeteners.  I mockingly read the label aloud, "Look, hun, this has sugar, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, and molasses."  Gasp.

Of course since I avoid sweets, that product went back on the grocer's shelf. Still, I scratched my head, "Why so many sweeteners?"

I assumed it gave the product a distinct flavor by combining different sugars, but I recently learned the truth… by naming multiple sweeteners, it keeps "sugar" from being first on the list of ingredients.

I learned this while reading The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite by David A. Kessler, MD.  He submits that food product developers are willing to exploit the lack of consumer awareness.

"If a food contains more sugar than any other ingredient, federal regulations dictate that sugar be listed first on the label.  But if a food contains several different kinds of sweeteners, they can be listed separately, which pushes each one farther down the list." 

Breakfast cereals are notorious for "hiding" the sugar.  "Cereals often include some combination of sugar, brown sugar, fructose, high-fructose corn syrup, honey, and molasses."

He goes on to state, "Whatever the true motive, ingredient labeling still does not fully convey the amount of sugar and fat being added to food, certainly not in a language that's easy for consumers to understand.  The Kellogg's Frosted Flakes label, for example, indicates that the cereal has 11 grams of sugar per serving.  But nowhere does it tell consumers that more than one-third of the box contains added sugar." 

Thanks to David Kessler, I am wiser to packaging's wily ways.


(Above quotes are all found in The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite by David A. Kessler, MD, p. 103.)

Advice taken.

Several weeks ago, a friend of mine asked her Facebook friends what they suggested to help get rid of her headaches.  She was suffering from frequent severe headaches, especially after heavy exertion in exercise.  Doctors were unable to diagnose a reason, so she turned to her friends.  She received many suggestions, and I almost didn't post anything, since most of my friends don't like to hear what I have to say about health and nutrition, but I decided "what the heck" and told her that I got rid of my severe headaches by eliminating sugar and artificial sweeteners.

Recently she told me that she had decided to take my suggestion, and was surprised (and pleased) how quickly her body responded to the change... no more headaches!

I felt pleased that she had the courage to eliminate sweets, but mostly I was pleased that she found relief from the pain!

DAY 329 -- Hold the sugar please!

My husband I went to lunch earlier this month at a locally owned restaurant (not a chain).  When we were finished with our meal, the waitress came to our table and plopped down two desserts, "We're having a special of free carrot cake with your order!"  We explained (kindly) that we did not want the free dessert; please remove it from the table and give it to someone else.  She felt bad and apologized for not asking us first, vowing to remember to ask others in the future.

We didn't mean for her to feel bad.  We could have just left the dessert on our table and not said anything about it, but we knew the dessert would be tossed if we did that.  This way, she was able to take them away, right then, knowing they were untouched by us.

Then last weekend I attended a large event for women (Time Out for Women).  I was with my sister-in-law, two of her daughters, and another niece.  When we entered the convention center on Saturday morning, they were handing out chocolate truffles.  Three of the five of us declined due to 1) diabetes; 2) severe sensitivity to sugar; and 3) sugar addiction.  I wondered what percentage of the 5,000 women in attendance were unable to accept the free chocolate, or perhaps should not have taken it but could not withstand the temptation.

I was thinking... it sure would be nice, in both scenarios, if we were offered the option of free fruit!

DAY 326 -- Pie Recipe

I typically schedule my post for later in the day, but today I felt like I should share a recipe for pie, in case anyone wanted to try one made without refined sugar for their Thanksgiving feast. I made this pie last year to take to a family gathering.  It turned out delicious.  

This recipe can also be used without a pie crust, for an Apple Crisp.  I'm also including an alternative topping which I believe contains no gluten.

Apple or Pear Pie

4 cups peeled, cored, and sliced apples or pears

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

2 to 2 1/2 Tbs. tapioca (or 1 to 1 1/4 Tbs. cornstarch) (or 4 Tbs. flour)

2 Tbs. vegetable shortening, vegetable oil, or lard

1/2 to 3/4 cup unsweetened 100% pineapple juice concentrate (or unsweetened apple juice concentrate).  

One 9-inch pie shell of your choice (for the bottom crust) 

Topping for pie (recipe below)

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a large bowl, stir together fruit, cinnamon, tapioca (cornstarch or flour), shortening, and concentrate; allow mixture to sit for 10 minutes.  Pour mixture into pie shell and add topping (recipe below).

3. Bake 1 hour or until topping or crust is golden.

4. Remove pie from oven.  Cool on a wire rack.  Serve warm or cold.  To store, place cooled pie uncovered in refrigerator or place in an airtight container and freeze.

Topping 

3/4 cup rolled oats

1/3 cup oat flour

1/4 cup chopped walnuts, almonds, or other nut of choice

2 Tbs. sesame seeds

1 teaspoon poppy seeds

3 Tbs. vegetable oil  

1. In a medium-sized bowl, stir together all ingredients.

2. Spoon topping over any pie or fruit mixture and smooth topping by hand.

Yield: Enough topping for one crisp or one 9-inch pie

Need a topping that is gluten-free?  I've not tried this recipe, but it is in the same cookbook so it might be tasty too.

1 unsalted rice cake, crumbled

1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon white-rice flour

1/4 cup roasted sunflower or roasted sesame seeds (optional)

Scant 2 Tbs. vegetable oil

1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon allspice

1. In a medium-sized bowl, stir together all ingredients with a fork.

2.  Spoon topping over any pie or fruit mixture and smooth topping by hand.

Bake according to directions.

(Recipes are from The "I Can't Believe This Has No Sugar" Cookbook by Deborah E. Buhr, 1990)

DAY 324 -- Some foods are a pain in the head.

Yesterday a friend suffered from a migraine...again.  She gets them frequently, and I've already preached the sermon, "Get off the caffeine, sugar, and especially artificial sweeteners!"  So I said nothing.


But it reminded me of something I needed to add to "My Story" on this blog.  I posted a list on that page of all the changes I've experienced since I stopped eating refined sugar, but forgot (until today) to include that I rarely get headaches now.  I used to get frequent headaches (several times a week), some of which were severe to the point of vomiting.   


Now, when I do get a rare headache, I can usually link it to something I've eaten.  I no longer eat at Pei Wei restaurant because each time I ate there (three times) I ended up with a headache.  Also, because my body is sensitive to sugar, I don't eat fruit on an empty stomach or I can count on a headache as the result.  I eat fruit with a meal; or for a snack, I include nuts, cheese, or plain yogurt.


Now and then I get a headache from something I've not eaten enough of: protein. Thankfully, I can usually feel that type of headache coming on and avoid the problem by eating some cottage cheese.  If I don't catch it in time, then I take some medication along with a boiled egg.  


I know I'm judging by my own experiences, but I am of the strong opinion that most severe headaches are linked to diet.

DAY 299 -- Focus on what I CAN eat.

During work yesterday, a co-worker learned that I don't eat sweets.  Stunned, he questioned me, "You don't eat sweets? Then what do you eat?"  I answered, "Food.  I eat all kinds of delicious food."

I recited some of the fresh wonderful food choices available consisting of vegetables, grains, fruits, protein...which made me think about the "food pyramids" we see.  Even though "experts" juggle the sections of the pyramid around from time to time, the groups remain basically the same, and refined sugar is either a very tiny portion of it, or not even listed. (Here are a couple examples.)

When we look at the food pyramid, we see numerous kinds of food!  Yet, too often the "world" wants us to focus on what we can't have, or can't do, or can't partake of, making it seem like if we don't partake of something then we are soooo restricted and confined.  But the truth is there are numerous things we can have, can do, and can partake of, we actually have lots of freedom and abundant choices.

The author of the focus-on-the-can't-haves and focus-on-the-don't-haves, is old "what's his no-face."  He presented that attitude to Adam and Eve.  In Genesis 2:16-17 it reads "And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it..."  (Kings James version, italics added) 

Then the "serpent" comes along and brings the focus onto the one tree they can't partake of, rather than on every tree that they may freely eat.

Now, I'm not saying that eating sugar is a sin.  I'm not saying those who question what I can eat, or act like I need pitied because I don't partake of sweets, are evil people.  What I'm saying is, I have lots and lots of choices.  I can choose to eat refined sugars if I so desire, but I don't desire that.  I have far more freedom and health by choosing to decline.  No need to make myself miserable by focusing on the one tiny and sometimes non-existant section of the food pyramid I don't partake of...sweets... when there are abundant food choices to take delight in.

DAY 287 -- Answering questions.

When I posted about my 10-year anniversary abstaining from sweets (Sunday, Oct. 9), a reader asked some questions.  I thought others might be interested the my responses, so I hope she doesn't mind that I am using a separate post to answer her questions.

Q: Do you refrain just from sweets, or from sugar in other products like catsup and spaghetti sauce?


A: When I initially began my sugarholic recovery, I stopped eating sweets such as candy bars, pastries, sodas, and obvious treats.  As for other products, I carefully read the labels and if the sweetener was one of the first four ingredients, I didn't eat it.  If it was fifth or beyond on the list of the ingredients, then I went ahead and ate it.  I had a difficult time finding catsup that was low in sugar, but finally found one that was satisfactory to me (however, I can no longer find that brand).  Currently, because of "My Healthy Eating Challenge" I try to avoid all foods that have added sweeteners since I try to eat natural, fresh foods and very little packaged or processed foods.  (It's hard to find packaged foods that don't have sweetener added!)  I watch labels and purchase tomato sauce and tomato paste that does not contain sweetener.  Hunts used to make a spaghetti sauce that did not contain added sugars, but I can no longer find it so I make my own sauce.


By the way... I learned once again how important it is to read labels.  I attended a meeting last night where someone brought gluten-free pretzels.  I tried a few, and they were delicious. Then I read the label.  You guessed it... sugar was added.  I never suspected to look because typically pretzels are a safe bet!

Q: Do you end up having to do a lot of cooking to avoid added sugars?


A: I do make a lot of things from scratch, but I find quick and easy recipes, including recipes for the crockpot.  A few recipes I enjoy are listed on the Recipe Page of this blog.


Earlier in the year I posted a blog entry giving examples of what I eat for various meals.  You can check it out on this link:  Sample Meal Ideas


Q: Do you use natural sweets like maple syrup and evaporated cane juice, all-fruit jam, and stevia?


A: Because I am addicted to "sweet" I use very little sweetener in anything; however, when I do need something sweetened I use pure maple syrup (100% maple syrup), pure honey, or molasses.  I mostly use fruit for sweetening, either fresh fruit or canned fruit (canned in its own juice).  For instance I make muffins using recipes that call for very little sweetener (about 2 tablespoons of honey or molasses for the entire batch), and have added fruit, such as mashed bananas, to help "sweeten" them.


I sometimes use all-fruit jam, but I carefully read the labels because many of the so-called all fruit jams use fruit syrup rather than fruit juice.  I avoid the ones with fruit syrup.  


I don't use stevia, and someone suggested I try agave, but after reading various studies about agave, I avoid that too.


Once sugar was out of my system, I found natural foods to taste delicious.  I don't feel the need or desire to sweeten most foods.  As an example, I use plain yogurt, add chunks of fruit and some broken walnuts, and to me that tastes delicious.  If someone used to eating sugar tasted my yogurt treat, it would not taste good to them because their taste buds are used to sweet.

Q: Do you use artificial sweeteners?


A: No.  Artificial sweeteners are just as they are labeled: artificial.  I try to get my foods in a natural form.  But my main reason for avoiding artificial sweeteners is because they are still addicting to me, and make me crave sweets.  Plus they do unhealthy things to my body such as give me headaches, and make my heart race.  To read more about the reasons I avoid fake sugars, check out my blog post titled Avoiding Artificial Sweeteners.


I know it might seem difficult or overwhelming or maybe even boring to give up sweets, but it is one of the best things I've ever done.  If I could go back in time and change only one thing in my life, I would go back to my childhood and send the sugars packing.

DAY 282 -- Anniversary of sugarholic recovery

Today marks 10 YEARS of Sugar Addiction Recovery for me.  Giving up refined sugar was one of the best things I've ever done.  I've had some people tell me, "Well, I am toooo addicted.  I could never stop eating sweets."  Those people assume that I must not have been very addicted if I was able to give it up... they have no idea the hellish addiction I had.

How did I do it?  How did I give it up?  With Divine help in taking one step at a time, one day at a time, until those one days accumulated into ten years.

To better understand my before and after, here's an excerpt from the "My Story" page on this blog...

MY SUGARHOLIC STORY:  When people find out I abstain from sugary foods, they usually say, "I could never live like that."  They don't understand... I was not living before giving up sweets.  I was existing, but certainly not living.  I existed in a world of mood swings, depression, fatigue, sickness, anger, and self-loathing.  I had dreams, but no oomph to follow them.

I reached a point where I was desperate.  I wanted to be well!  I wanted good health!  I made appointments with my gynecologist (were my hormones out of whack?); an allergist (were allergies making me sick?); and an internal medicine doctor.  Surely someone would have answers.  In the meantime, I poured my heart out in prayer.  This was nothing new, but perhaps I was finally in the right frame of mind to understand the answer: sugar addiction.  Just as surely as someone could be addicted to alcohol, I was addicted to sugar.  I realized that addiction runs in my family.  Alcohol.  Drugs.  Sugar was my drug of choice.  I realized that just as an alcoholic needs to avoid alcohol at all times (one should not tell an alcoholic, "It's your birthday, go ahead and have a drink!") I needed to avoid sugary foods, even on special occasions.

When this realization hit me, I stopped cold turkey.  It was October 9, 2001.  I went through about a week of withdrawals...and then...the cravings ceased, and I emerged into a whole new world!  I felt alive.  Really alive!  

I am a different person.  Here are some things that changed for me:

• Nearly every day of the week is a good day for me.  I used to have maybe one good day out of a week.  A good day for me is when I am productive and accomplish tasks.
• More energy!  Sure, I still get tired, but it is because I have been on the go all day long.
• No heartburn.  Before going off sugar, I used to have frequent heartburn.  I kept Tums in my purse, next to my bed, in the medicine cabinet.   Now I don't need them.  
• Better sleep patterns.  I go to bed early and arise early.  (I never dreamed I was actually a morning person!!)  I used to go to bed exhausted, have insomnia, and never feel awake even after arising.  I slept in any chance I could get and the only thing that motivated me to get out of bed was the thought of something yummy to eat.  Sugary cereals.  Donuts.  I used to have a sweatshirt that read: "Start every day with a smile and a donut...the smile is optional."
• No need for anti-depressants!  Prior to discovering my sugar addiction, I went on anti-depressants (off and on) always thinking they would help me feel better.  They did not.  Since avoiding sugars, I have never once felt the need for medication--and what's more, I feel mentally better than I ever did during the times I used anti-depressants.
• Fewer skin tags.  I used to have lots of skin tags all over my neck.  Most of them disappeared when I stopped eating sweets!
• Easier to donate blood.  When I was full of sugar, if I donated blood I became very light-headed and dizzy.  They would have to put ice packs around my neck and have me recline with my feet up for a long period of time until I could finally leave the blood mobile.  It was embarrassing, so I rarely donated.  Now, they take my blood, I hop up, grab a bottle of water and free T-shirt, and I'm out the door.
• Courage to do hard things.  Now when faced with a challenge I think to myself, "The Lord helped me quit eating sugar, He can help me accomplish (insert any difficult task) too.  

Freedom from addiction tastes far better than any sweet.  I don't want to enter that bondage--the prison of sugar addiction--again.

DAY 177 -- Nursing Home Food.

On Sundays, my husband and I volunteer at a local nursing home and physical rehab center.  (There is a group of us that hold church meetings at the care center.)  Sometimes when we arrive early to set up, the staff is still clearing breakfast foods from the dining room where we hold our meetings.  I see pancakes with sugary syrup, or French toast made with white bread served with...sugary syrup, or white bread toast. I also notice the foods on their trays at other times during the week when I stop by to visit.  White bread, white rolls, cookies, gelatin, pudding, cakes, pie.

I told one of my nieces that if I end up in a nursing home, it will be the food that kills me faster than anything else.  My body would not be used to sugar, white flour, and processed foods!  She assured me that she will never allow me to go into a nursing home.  I hope she means it!

DAY 158 -- Sneaky labels.

Tonight my husband made a food run to the store to pick up a few more things we need for our vacation meals, and brought back a surprise for me... canned mandarin oranges.  He was excited because written across the label in bold letters it read: No Sugar Added.  I was excited because I love mandarin oranges, but for some reason it's one of the canned fruits that I can never find canned in its own juice.  It always has corn syrup or sweetener added.  I thought maybe California had a product I can't find at home and maybe I should get a case of it!  But I was also skeptical.  Really?  No sugar added?  Then we saw the sweet culprit.  Splenda. 


"No sugar added" should really read, "Artificially sweetened."  Or for me and my system (the way my body handles artificial sweeteners) the label needs, "BEWARE: POISON!"

Sadly, the canned mandarin oranges will make a return trip to the store.  But my husband still gets points for being sweet!

DAY 139 -- Substitutions for alcoholic beverages in recipes.

I tried one of the recipes I printed out last night, and it was quite tasty.  I posted the link on my Recipe Page.


The recipe calls for dry white wine.  Whenever a recipe requires an alcoholic beverage, I pull out my trusty substitution list.  I want to share this handy list, so here it is:

When a recipe calls for....    ---      use any one (or a combination) of the following.

• Dry, Red Wine  ---   Water, Beef Broth, Boilion, Tomato Juice, Diluted Cider or Red Vinegar.
• Dry, White Wine --- Water, Chicken Broth, Bouillon, Ginger Ale, White Grape Juice, Diluted Cider Vinegar.
• Beer or Ale --- Chicken Broth, White Grape Juice, Ginger Ale.
• Brandy --- Apple Cider, Peach or Apricot Syrup.
• Rum --- Pineapple Juice or Syrup flavored with Almond Flavored Extract.
• Sherry --- Orange or Pineapple Juice
• Kirsch --- Syrup or Juice from Black Cherries, Raspberries, Boysenberries, Currants, or Grapes.
• Cognac --- Juice from Peaches, Apricots, or Pears.
• Cointreau --- Orange Juice or Frozen ORange Juice Concentrate.
• Creme de Menthe --- Spearmint Extract or oil of Spearmint diluted with a little water or Grapefruit Juice.
• Red Burgundy --- Grape Juice.
• White Burgundy --- White Grape Juice.
• Champagne --- Ginger Ale.
• Claret --- Grape or Currant Juice or Syrup or Cherry Cider.
• Flaming Desserts:  Use a sugar cube soaked in Lemon Extract then set atop the dessert and light it.

(I avoid refined sugars and syrups and sodas, but wanted to include them on the list so all of the choices are available to those who need them.)

DAY 135 -- Article about sugar.

I recommend reading this...

"The Dark Side of Sweet"


Very informative...made me grateful I gave up sweets years ago, and grateful I started to avoid packaged foods for My Healthy Eating Challenge!

DAY 133 -- Comic

After my previous post, I searched for a comic I cut out of the newspaper years ago regarding phen phen.  The comic showed drug store employees clearing the shelves of phen phen prescriptions and replacing the bottles with tennis shoes.

I clipped the comic and saved it because it was a humorous reminder to me that no quick fix can take the place of healthy eating and exercise.  However, I searched my files and cannot find the cartoon.

I did come across another cute comic though, and decided to share it instead.  This is how I used to feel about giving up sugar...and how many people feel about it now.  :)

DAY 102 -- Taste, smell, and feel.

I often fall into the habit of eating without paying attention to my food.  I need to take time to really taste, smell, and feel the texture of the food.  When I remember to do that, my meals are even more enjoyable.  Food tastes great without all the chemicals and processing, so why don't I take more time to celebrate that and give my food a good long sniff?  And then savor the taste on my tongue?


Years ago I challenged myself to really taste my favorite foods.  I mean REALLY taste it as though I was putting it in my mouth for the first time.  I let the foods sit on my tongue while I felt the texture, and then concentrated as I tasted it.  

When I did that, I was surprised at some of the results.  For instance, (keep in mind this was back in my "sugar" days--daze), one of my favorite treats was a Twinkie (or two or three).  I took a bite, rolled it around in my mouth, felt the texture--grossly grainy with an oily film that coated my tongue.  I took a long taste and realized the flavor was horrid!  I was shocked that through the years I had wolfed down countless Twinkies never realizing how truly awful they tasted to me!  I never ate another Twinkie after that.  


It's amazing what we can discover if we really taste, smell, and feel our food.  I'm going to challenge myself to pay attention to what I eat for the next couple days and see what I discover.

DAY 101 -- People noticed!

While at the funeral, several family members noticed my weight loss and commented on how good I looked.   

Having such comments at my aunt's funeral (my father's sister) was significant to me because it was at my father's funeral that I was almost at my heaviest.  As my sister drove me to the airport after my father's funeral, she told me (as kindly as she could) that many family members had been shocked by my obesity and felt very concerned for my health.  They feared that mine would be the next family funeral.  

Yet, I still gained even more weight from that point.  It was almost a year after dad's death before I learned of my sugar addiction and started my road to recovery.

What a good feeling to have others notice my recent weight loss, but it's an even better feeling to know that I am doing what I need to do for good health.  I hope to live a long, long time, but if for some reason I am taken from this earth sooner than expected, at least my family will know I was doing my best to be healthy.  I am glad that at this funeral I did not cause concern that my grave would be the next.

DAY 96 -- How others react...

Lunch was brought in at my husband's workplace, but he chose not to eat it since it was high in sugar content.  (A chef prepared waffles with whip cream, syrups and sugary glazed berries, etc.)  When his co-workers learned that he was not going to eat with them, and learned that he preferred to eat healthy, they started giving him a hard time about it, "Ooooh, Goodie Two Shoes!"  "Okay, well, you can answer the phones and do all the work while we're in our sugar coma."  

I was surprised when he told me their reactions.  I've had people respond with comments like, "I wish I had your willpower," or "I couldn't live like that," but I don't recall anyone teasing or giving me a hard time.

Wouldn't it be nice if people could be happy for others when they are trying to make improvements in their lives?  

DAY 95 -- Sample meal ideas.

Several years ago, I had a friend that frequently told me, "I would love to follow you around all day and see what you eat.  I don't understand how you eat without sugar."  Then I would explain that many foods do not contain added sugar!  
So, with that in mind, I thought today I would post a few sample meal ideas, just in case others wonder the same thing, "What do you eat?"


Even though I don't count calories, fat grams, carbs, portions, or whatever, I do try to eat from the basic food groups.


Breakfast:  


I have some grain or starch, for instance (but not limited to)... oat bran, shredded wheat cereal, Zoom (whole wheat cereal), cracked wheat cereal, fried potatoes, or whole wheat pancakes. (Any cereals I purchase, I carefully read the labels to make sure there are no sugars added.)


I add fruit to my cereal to sweeten it, like fresh banana, peaches, pears, or dried fruit, like raisins.  If I have pancakes, I eat it with butter and natural applesauce on top (or sometimes pears).  If I use canned fruit, I use the kind canned in its natural juice (no sugar or artificial sweeteners added).


For protein I have an egg (from cage free chickens at a local farm), or cottage cheese (I select cottage cheese that does not have dextrose added, and I select cottage cheese made from cows not treated with growth hormones).  Once in awhile I have uncured bacon (cured bacon has sodium nitrates--I read about those and they scare me!!).


And I usually have milk (again...from cows not treated with growth hormones.)


Lunch:


I typically have a tossed salad for lunch.  I love salads!  I drizzle olive oil over it, and I have a variety of vinegars to choose from. 


I have protein, and a grain/starch, and if I have room, then I sometimes add some fruit.  Usually my lunch menu consists of leftovers from supper the night before... such as...


Supper:


I usually serve cooked vegetables for dinner.  And then serve a variety of foods with protein and grain/starch.  And I'm talking a WIDE variety of stuff.  Here is just a smidgeon of what we've had recently.


Chicken Cacciatore (made with tomato paste--no sugar added, and seasonings) served over whole wheat or whole grain pasta.


Steak with potatoes.


Pork loin with a homemade teriyaki (no sweetener) sauce, served with brown rice.  


Ahi tuna, with sweet potatoes, or squash.


(For suppers, I try to rotate through chicken, beef, pork, fish... so we aren't having protein from the same source meal after meal.)


Snacks:


A small piece of cheese with apple, and a few Triscuits.
-or-
A healthy homemade muffin, with some milk.  (The recipes I use only call for a couple tablespoons of honey or 100% maple syrup, to sweeten the entire batch.)
-or-
Plain Greek yogurt mixed with fruit and a few raw walnuts (broken into pieces).


Again, this list is just a very small sample of the foods I eat, but hopefully it gives a general overview.


Maybe I should allow people to come follow me around and see what I eat... as long as they do the dishes, laundry, and clean the house while they are here!  ;-)

DAY 84 -- Birds of a feather.

I spent the day with the niece I've mentioned in previous posts.  We went to several religious classes together, plus spent time gabbing.  I enjoy being with her because she eats in a similar fashion.  She's not addicted to sugar, but she avoids it because she learned that her body does not handle it well.  She's also into health and nutrition; and has studied it for twenty years.

It's pleasant to be with someone who does not ridicule, or judge the way I eat...someone who doesn't mind sitting in comfortable chairs and sharing healthy snacks (homemade not-so-sweet muffins, vegetable sticks, almonds, fruit) rather than hit the fast food joint.  Some people feel uncomfortable around me because they want to "pig out" and they feel like they can't do that if I am around.  (I've had people tell me this--that's how I know.)

Sometimes the hardest part about eating healthy is being the "odd person out," so I thoroughly enjoyed female gab time with someone who "gets me."

DAY 82 -- Reflecting on regrets.

(Earlier today I added a note to yesterday's post and then kept thinking I had already posted for today!)

I've been reflecting on the difference in my life the last 9 1/2 years of recovery (from sugar addiction).  The difference between night and day, I am a different person than I was back then.  I rejoice in the change and feel very blessed...but...at times I feel a sadness that it took me 45 years before I actually started to live!  I look back and think about how I could have been a better mother if I had not been in a sugar stupor.  My kids grew up with a mother that was tired, sick, and depressed most of the time.  A mother that was morbidly obese and wouldn't let anyone take a picture of her.  I wish I could have raised them without the addiction ruling my life.

And sometimes I'm sad for such a big chunk of my life being gone before I woke up.  Since going off sugar I have lived a full life, accomplished many goals (including graduating from college with a bachelor degree) and I am so much happier and productive.  But I'm also at the age where things are starting to slow down and I don't have as many years to reach super long term goals.

I wish I could help others -- especially young adults -- recognize sugar addiction, and have the courage to change so they could be their best selves now and not have to wait for so many years and have so many regrets.  I wish I could give others hope!

It's interesting that in reading some of my old journals, I actually wrote numerous times that I was addicted to sugar, but I never did anything about it!  I guess I just never made the connection that as a sugar addict, I needed to treat myself like an addict or alcoholic and STOP!  I am grateful that when I was finally able to face the sobering truth about my addiction, that the Lord granted me the strength to deal with it.  With His help, I can do hard things.   

DAY 81 -- Making jam.

Today my niece (the one who is a health guru to me...that I mentioned in a previous post) came to my place and we made strawberry freezer jam using very little sugar.  We tried three different recipes.  One batch used 3/4 cup of 100% apple juice, one batch used 1/2 cup of 100% white grape/raspberry juice concentrate, and one batch used 1/2 cup of honey.  Each batch made nearly 6 pints of jam...so what little bit of added "sweet" is divided by that amount.  Not too bad when compared to most jam recipes that call for 3-4 cups of sugar!!

The last batch I mentioned...the one with 1/2 cup honey...was an interesting recipe I found on-line for Balsamic vinegar/strawberry jam.  Sounds strange, but it's delicious!  I think it will be my favorite.

I also bought a couple kinds of organic bread for us to try out... so tonight my husband and I will need to have a bread and jam tasting session!  =D  (I'm sure he won't mind!)

NOTE:   I want to clarify that jam...even my homemade low sugar jam...is high in sugar content because of the fruit and juice concentrate, etc., so I use it very sparingly.  As a sugar addict, I don't want to have anything sweet on a regular basis or it makes me want more and more and more.  For that reason, I limit my jam use and have it only about once a week (if that) and I use it in place of a fruit serving.  For instance, normally for breakfast I have some protein (maybe an egg or cottage cheese), and grain (maybe wheat cereal, oatmeal, or whole grain toast) and a small piece of fruit (half a banana, half of a grapefruit, a small amount of peaches in natural juice, for instance).  So, if I decide to add jam, I might just have an egg, a piece of toast, and jam.  No additional fruit for that meal.  Again...this is because of my addiction, not because of calories or portions or whatever.  I don't want sweets to rule my life again like it did years ago.