Sugar Detox: Days 4 and 5

Seltzer water takes some getting used to, but it keeps my from reaching for diet soda.

Day 4:

Let’s just call Day 4 Rachel Vs. Phil’s Apple Fritter. I must admit, abstaining from sugar and processed foods is getting increasing more difficult as the days go on. I’m sure a large part of it is just because old habits die hard.

I had an incident on Day 4… I was trying to kill sometime at work, so I stopped by my friend, Phil’s desk to pay a visit and talk shop. He had an apple fritter torn to shreds on a napkin sitting on his desk. I immediately went into a trance-like state and almost grabbed a piece a stuffed it in my mouth. I wasn’t even thinking that I was actually contemplating grabbing someone’s food without asking like a barbarian. All I could concentrate on was the slightly hardened white glaze that sat on top of the doughnut. I seriously almost punched Phil (Sorry, man!)  and ran away with his fritter. Seriously, I wouldn’t have to punch him for a piece of his fritter. Phil is a generous, kind but evil man and he did offer me a piece. I had to tell him that I am avoiding sugar for the next 30 days and he wished me the best of luck. He really had no idea of the internal struggles I was facing involving his apple fritter.

After the fritter incident, I developed a headache which lasted me the rest of the evening. I am wondering if it was related to sugar withdrawal. Despite being under the weather, I still managed to make cook a healthy dinner of salmon, sweet potatoes and spinach. I also made it through a spin class. I figured a crappy workout is better than no workout at all.

Day 5:

I managed to make it through day 5 without any issues. My sugar cravings have subsided a little but I do notice that I am at my weakest moments when I get home from work around 5pm and after dinner around 8:30pm. I picked up some dates to satisfy the sweet cravings. I was also thinking about making some Lara bars. Have you ever tried that?

Healthy Lifestyle Changes
I recently read an article about 4 reasons you aren’t losing weight on Popsugar.com. One of the reasons is “You eat nut butter out on the jar.” I am totally guilty of this sin! A serving of peanut butter has about 200 calories!  I am making a promise to myself to no longer eat nut butter directly from the jar. Those containers are solely for knives and measuring spoons!

Sugar Detox: Days 2 and 3

Family exercise day! Everyone is susceptible to winter weight gain.

Sugar Detox: Days 2 and 3

I didn’t find my sugar cravings too intense the past two days. I managed to hang in there and stick to my healthy meal plan. When I wanted something sweet, I had a clementine. It was kind of a downer, but I feel like that is just my body and my mind getting over my sugar addiction.

I notice my most intense sugar cravings sneak up on me around 9pm when I am settling in watching television. I just get the urge to snack on something… something sweet in particular. Last night, I really really wanted to grab a few chocolate chips on my way to bed, but I managed to control myself. Instead, I had a cup of sleepy time tea and went to sleep slightly disappointed. Is it a coincidence that my body was craving sweet, milky, sugary chocolate about the time my head was about to hit the pillow? I have heard that your body craves simple carbohydrates when it is tired because they will help keep you awake. Knowing that kind of armed me into making a better decision in going for the tea.

Besides my sugar detox, I am trying to make other changes to make a healthy lifestyle more sustainable.

Here are the changes that I’ve made thus far…

1. You can actually see my kitchen table.
This weekend, I made it my mission to remove all the crap from my table. I hear you are supposed to use those things for eating dinner. I have yet to do so, but hopefully I will do so soon in order to discourage myself from mindlessly eating in front of the television.

2. I bought a ton of tea!
I am trying to get out of the habit of reaching for a handful of delicious milk chocolate chips after dinner. I am going to try to combat the urge and satisfy the cravings with tea…. Just to cover all my bases, I got a variety of flavors… Green, Sleepy Time, Vanilla and Caramel.

Cheers to day 2 & 3!

Sugar Detox: Day 1

Ahhhhhhhh, I’m addicted to sugar. It’s true. I crave it when I’m sleepy, when I’m having a bad day and when I’m in the mood to celebrate. I can’t think of anything I would rather have right now than a soft, gooey chocolate chip cookie. Cookies are my favorite thing in the entire world. Heck, Cookie Monster has always been my favorite character on “Sesame Street.” My favorite ornament on my Christmas tree is that lovable blue Muppet holding a big jar of cookies. My sister and I used to argue every year over who got to place that ornament on the true. Seriously, it was no coincidence that the big C-Monster was my favorite.

I was a very picky eater as a child. I had this weird thing where I was afraid to eat certain foods in fear of choking. I also wasn’t a fan of canned green beans or other canned veggies, which were a staple in my home. However, cookies, cupcakes and brownies were always on the up and up. Whether they were made by those little devils – The Keebler Elves, Little Debbie, Drakes or made with love by my mama, confections have always been my weakness and my crutch.

You can just call me the devil because I even try to push the sweet stuff onto others. I happen to be a pretty solid baker and anytime someone is going through something, happy or sad, I whip up a batch of cake pops to commemorate the occasion. No matter what your dietary deal is — vegan, diabetic, paleo, gluten free — I have found a way to give you some of that sweet goodness. No worries, I got your back.

Deep down inside, I knew that my sugar addiction was getting the best of me. I was not advancing in the fitness department despite the hundreds of horrible burpees I was reluctantly executing. If you have ever done a burpee before, you know that you don’t want to do those things and yield no benefits. They are awful! Why am I putting myself through all of this and seeing no results?! Not to mention, someday, I want to go shopping and not think, “ug, I guess this will do,” in the damn dressing room!

I have also read the white stuff can make you tired and put you in a state of mental fog. Sometimes, I feel like the oldest 31 year old on the planet! I wake up at 7 a.m. and I’m tired by 9:00 p.m.! I survive on caffeine and I can’t concentrate to save my life. This is not the best Rachel that I can be and I want to make it right. However, this isn’t just about me.

I can see the guilty look in my friend’s eyes when I give them delicious treats. They too are wrestling with their inner sweet demons…. Should I just say “what the hell and stuff my face?” — a feeling with which I am well acquainted. I don’t want to be the evil friend, daughter or sister responsible with sabotaging everyone’s efforts in achieving a healthier lifestyle. I want to be the supportive, kick-ass friend.

For all these reasons, I have decided to kick SUGAR for 30 days and see what happens. I am not really one for white bread and pasta, this is mainly and attempt to kick my cupcake, brownie, cookie, cake pop, sweet bread, cake, candy habit. I’ll be checking my sauces, salad dressing and anything else that I am putting in this old bod.

Luckily, I drink my coffee black, so that won’t be too much of a change. I’m sure I’ll be feeling it on a Monday after work around 5 p.m. when I just need to escape from the daily annoyances of life. You know, when you just need that little kick of endorphins.

Anywho… I managed to make it through a complete 24 hours without reaching for the good stuff. Here’s how my day went.

Day 1:

Honestly, day 1 of my sugar detox wasn’t so horrible. I had my own “Fat Tuesday” of sorts the evening before (but it was actually on a Friday) where I ate funfetti cake with chocolate frosting, brownies hiding fun-sized peanut butter cups and an amazing vegan blondie. Nachos and Pizza may or may not have been invited to this party as well. Lucky for me, I kind of felt like garbage from eating so much crap and this made getting through the day a little easier. The thought of putting more sugar into my body was kind of revolting.

For breakfast, I had eggs, Ezekial bread and an orange which actually kept me feeling satisfied until lunch, where there was a chance for temptation. I was invited to a local restaurant to celebrate my friend, Deb’s birthday. I think I picked a wise option for my meal, going with the grilled salmon and a side salad, no dressing. But it was the after lunch treat that was the real kicker!

Look at this beautiful, delicious cake for my friend’s birthday that I managed to resist .

Her awesome daughter brought this beautiful cake to celebrate! Look at all the amazing frosting…. Frosting happens to be my weakness. All I wanted was a corner piece (it has the most frosting) to stuff inside my mouth! However, I managed to politely decline and everyone was very understanding and respectful of my decision.

I think social occasions are the areas that really test your willpower, because it isn’t really about the cake or the pizza. It is about the social interaction. You might not even want the actually temptation. You might just not want to deal with people nagging you about the choices you make. Rest assure, if someone is giving you a hard time for making a healthy decision, it is because he or she is secretly jealous of your awesome powers! Stay strong with that thought!

After being faced with the cake dilemma, the rest of the night went off without any problems. I made it to the gym for a little HIIT workout, drank my protein shake loaded with berries and settled in with a salad and some swordfish for dinner.

I made it through Sugar Detox Day 1! Keeping my fingers crossed for Day 2.

Has anyone done this before? I’d love to hear your stories. =)

The End Of My Three Bean Chili

Well, my chili has reached the end of the road. That one batch fed my boyfriend and I for three whole days! This meal is a total bang for your buck. It is full of veggies and black beans. It is naturally vegan and gluten free!

I posted a link to the recipe on cookinglight.com on Monday. You seriously need to try this.

I also had a green side salad to get more veggies in for the day. =)

Blueberry Waffles – A Favorite Go To Breakfast

I love whole wheat waffles. They are fast and easy. You can add fruit and nuts and make them a complete, filling breakfast.

This morning I had 2 whole wheat waffles with 1/2 cup wild blueberries and some slivered almonds…. A very happy breakfast for a busy day. I have to go car shopping with my family and god knows you need energy to get through that.

Does anyone recommend any small, affordable new cars?

Indian Food Smack Down

Okay, so I was so excited about my super chana masala last night that I decided to give Indian another go this eveing. We decided to order take out from the local Indian joint so we could hang with the puppies.

To my dismay I got home and realized they fogot to pack my bismati rice and my plain naan.

My meal this evening was left over chana masala, left over brown rice, papri chaat, mixed veggie curry and garlic naan. I am carbing up for my 5k tomorrow! =)

Oh, and my indian food was way better than the food I had tonight. =(

I Found My New Favorite Chips

Lunch this afternoon was a plethora of veggies and hummus wrapped in a La Tortilla Factory Smart and Delicious warp. This was super yummy. To compliment my wrap, I had a serving of Honey BBQ Kettle Baked chips and some carrots. Yum Yum

The Great Pumpkin Breakfast Challenge

Wahoo! Time to celebrate! I bought my first can of pumpkin of the season.  I can finally satisfy my cravings for all things pumpkin.

I have decided to devote my first can of pumpkin to creative healthy breafasts for this week. Yummy…

Today’s breakfast was a Pumpkin Yogurt Parfait. =)
I combined half a cup of pumpkin with a teaspoon of brown sugar, a dash of cinnamon and a dash of salt. I layered that woth half cup plain nonfat organic yogourt, 1 cup bran cereal and a teaspoon of honey. Very filling and it tastes like Fall!!!

1/2 cup of plain pumpkin has just 50 calories and tons of flavor.

What’s your favorite thing to make with pumpkin?

Trouble Commenting

Hello everyone. I apologize for not posting yesterday. I stayed home sick from work and was not in the mind frame for blogging. I also apologize for not responding to comments. I have been trying and having techinical difficulties, but I am listening.

Upon reader’s request =) I will be making some healthy fresh Thai food this week. It will probably be lettuce wraps or fresh rolls.  Stayed tuned for that!

This morning I had my last 2 pieces of honey wheat and 2 tablespoons of better’n peanut butter. Are you ever relieved when food is no longer in your house?

Eating Light Chinese

Chinese food is fast, super easy and filled with all kinds of MSG that makes my brain crave it in the worst way.  For the most part I try to avoid this evil food, but every once and a while my boyfriend gives me those chinese food eyes. I can’t constantly keep him from his general tzo chicken.

So when I do go out for chinese, I go prepared with a gme plan. Do not order anything fried! Order food steamed, sauce on the sides and brown rice.  The waiter might look at you funny when you tell him you want the sauce on the side and he might try to convince you otherwise. That is what happened to me tonight. Stand your ground. Order it how you want it and don’t be shy to ask for it.

This evening I enjoyed some spicy tofu with veggies and rice. Sadly, they were all out of brown so I had to go for white.

Lunch this afternoon was a tofuwich with hummus, veggies and avocado.  Carrots and an orange accompanied my sandwich.

Missing from my photo stash are the 2 cookies I ate after work when I was enountered with a bad situation… =(  You win some and you lose some.  Mayb next time I encounter a negative emotion I won’t run to the cookie jar.