We're back!

Sorry for the unusually long absence! Well, the month is over. Here is what I have to say, I am in love with you chocolate!! Ok, seriously, I did learn a few good things in March.
1. there is sugar in many more foods than I realize and I need to be aware of that.
2. Many of my "healthy snacks" really aren't so healthy, or else I would have been able to eat them last month! Therefore, I will continue to only eat raw, natural things for snacks. Worked for a month!
3. Agave is not perfect either. The answer is to avoid too much of any sweetener, but at least try to make it as natural as possible.
4. Complete sugara deprivation is an immune system stressor, and is also impossible in this society.
5. Moderation in all things! We already knew that, but I think we could have been a little more moderate with sugar before. I need my Dove to keep me happy, but I need my healthy food to keep me thin. A healthy balance is the solution!

Thanks for your support, all you millions of fans!!

My Super Healthy Friend's Response to Agave

Deb:
Response to your question "is agave worse for you". I think it can be if you go over board with it. I do not believe that it is worse for you if that is the only form of sugar you are using in moderation. If you are weeding out processed and fake sugar, you are weeding out tons of processed foods that have this hidden sugar. So your overall sugar intake is decreasing. Agave syrup is higher in fructose (usually 70-80%) then table sugar/sucrose and High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) (about 50/50 glucose/fructose). I know foods higher in fructose are said to be linked to obesity and liver damage. Sorry, I am not buying it when it comes to Agave. The amount of fructose people get from eating foods w HFCS in it has got to be more than someone eating the way you or I do. Fructose is sweeter than glucose and other sugars, so you don't need to use as much. Plus agave is more expensive, so unless you are rich, you are like me, you don't make a lot of sweets or baked goods and use it in moderation. And it would seem that naturally the nutritional quality of your food will increase with having this sugar-selective diet and the amount of calorie-dense foods will decrease bc you will be eating more 'real' food (which would help fight obesity tremendously).

11days left!

We're on the tail end! While I am grateful for this experience, and hoping to have maybe lost a pound or 2 in the end, I have really been getting excited about being done! I went shopping yesterday and everywhere I went was a Godiva chocolate tower and a Mrs fields cookies. Killer! I have been learning a lot (like agave really is bad for you too! what the heck!) and I have found that I can survive just fine without nightly desserts. I'm getting ready to eat it sparingly though. I do have something to tell you, and I hope you will not loose respect for me, but the decision is final and there is no changing my mind. This weekend Paul and I are staying at a bed and breakfast in Denver for our anniversary. This B&B offers free hot chocolate after skiing the slopes and free nightly desserts. I am here to tell you, I am not passing this up. I have always had a fantasy of sitting in front of the fire at a cabin sipping cocoa after a long day of skiing. I have to embrace this, it's my first ski trip hello! It's not complete without the hot chocolate. Plus, the "free dessert" was probably included in my room fee, so I need to utilize that. However, I swear not to have sugar at any of the restaurants I go to, and I won't buy dessert at the dinner theater, k! Any objections to my plan? I won't change my mind, but I'll hear you out.

Road Block

We have learned a lot thus far on this journey, haven't we....I caved. I ate a desert that contained chocolate chips. Nothing else bad, but still. I literally felt like I needed it. As I crammed the chocolate down my throat, I felt relief. I felt the way you feel when you are extremely thirsty and gulp down water, or when you have been holding your pee forever and finally get to squat on the john. My body is under the control of sugar, obviously! Moments after I ate it, I had a sore tummy. I had forgotten how annoying my daily tummy aches were, and this reminder brought to my attention the fact that since I got off sweets, my tummy aches were diminishing.

So, sugar is bad. This we know. However, we have been doing more research and I fear that perhaps our alternatives; honey and agave, are not much better. Should we then conclude to use moderation in all things? Are raw sugar and cane juice the best options when we need a sweetener? Do we move to removing processed foods and worry less about sugar intake? Thoughts?

Day...What is it?

I feel like I'm loosing track here. The other day I was so proud that I was doing so well on my sugar fast, until I looked at the calendar and realized that it had been only a week and a half! Today is day 14, so we're about half-way there. I really am ok for the most part; it's the chocolate that taunts me the most. I'm also realizing that social events are always surrounded by sugar! I'm trying to make plans with a friend, and we've already exhausted the desssert and coffee shop options because both interfere with my no-suar rule. Interesting that those are the first 2 things we'd go for. I'm going to another friend's house friday night (yes, I am just oh so popular) and I found myself stumped when I realized we can't pair our girls' night with some nice chocolatey fondue. I'll be happier when it's much nicer out and I can take my Shape magazine advice and make my friends outings involve a hike or a walk in the park, then maybe a stop at Whole Foods for a bowl of fresh berries. Where is my friend Brady when I need her!? (we were great at this. Although, we usually still ended with dessert ;). In the meantime, I will learn to sever the dessert expectation that always pairs a gathering. Can you even imagine a baby shower without cake!? Just a suggestion.

Sick problem

As for me, I'm actually doing ok with the cravings. They hit at night, but aren't awful. I've noticed I am downing the fruits far more so than usual--which is a lot. However, I have been sick for the past three days, and you wouldn't believe how often I have wanted sugar! I have a sore throat, and what always makes a sore throat better? Ice cream and Popsicles of course! Not to mention, chocolate is the ultimate comfort food, and I keep getting this notion that all I need is a piece of my dark chocolate orange bar to make me better. HELLO! Sugar suppresses the immune system for 72 hours (according to my oh-so-holistic chiropractor) and yet I have associated sugary foods with sickness remedies. I'm sure I am not alone in this. What does everyone need for an upset stomach? Well Sprite of course. Carbonation may help, but sugar makes worse. Not a good compromise. So I have been loading up on peppermint tea with lemon and honey and all fruit smoothies. Both sooth the throat just as well as ice cream, but actually make you healthier. Crazy concept. Regardless, I have been struggling with the, "But I'm sick and I deserve it!" argument. I'm proud to say I have stood strong. Won't say I have been completely healthy in every other way, but we're just talking about sugar right now. The rest is my business.

What are your must-haves when you're sick? A little sugary goodness, eh? Come on, be honest here.

Day 10
I want sugar!!!! I want ice cream!!! I want flan! I am telling you, even when I eat a big meal, I feel like I am not satisfied because I haven't had sugar. It is so rough! But, I don't feel tempted to cheat. I totally feel like I've got this. I am moving tomorrow so I am starting fresh with groceries. I will be staying with some family members who have food, but once I am in my own place, I am going to get all the good stuff. Natural sauces, dressings, everything that sneaks sugar and corn syrup in as a #1 or 2 ingredient will no longer be in my kitchen.

One easy thing to remove in addition to sweets, (remember, 90% of our nastiness intake comes from something other than desserts) is to watch drinks. When you buy frozen juice, get the stuff that has no added sweetener. Or when you buy a drink from the gas station, or juice in bottles at the grocery store. Keep away from the sugar and corn syrup. It tastes much better without it anyway. Use honey or agave in your tea, and for heavens sakes, stay away from all soda!