Sugar, Sugar

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1dqt4_the-archies-sugar-sugar_fun

This week I decided to participate in the Sugar Free Challenge over at “The Nourishing Gourmet” blogsite.  I’ve been reading labels for a while now, and I get very frustrated when nearly every product I pick up off of a grocery shelf has some derivative of sugar or corn syrup – most of the time as the first ingredient.  UGH!  Why does everything have sugar in it?  Probably because of it’s highly addictive properties.  Companies continue to sell high quantities of super unhealthy food because these products are crazy addictive.  I really think that if most Americans took an honest look at how sugar affected them, they would admit they are addicted. 

Today was DAY 1 of the Sugar Free Challenge for me.  I tried to follow the advice over at The Nourishing Gourmet to gradually decrease sugar intake over the weekend to lessen the blow.  Saturday:  check.  Sunday?  Wicked cravings for Coca-cola and a chocolate covered strawberry blizzard from Dairy Queen.  I know that I have some hormonal things that have been also affecting my cravings, but I went ahead and indulged.

Today, I have stuck to the rules:  No refined sugar (and trying to do no refined white flour as well).  Natural sugars are okay.  I did accidentally have a cheat at breakfast:  strawberry jam on my toast.  But I honestly didn’t even think about it.  Here is what I ate today:

1.     1. Scrambled eggs with sharp cheddar cheese; sprouted toast with pastured butter and –ehem—strawberry jam.  Apple juice (no added sugar).  Also a small swig of kombucha.

2.     2. Homemade beef barley soup.

3.     3. Frozen strawberries with vanilla whole milk organic yogurt (I love the Brown Cow brand for yogurt).

4.     4. Cheese and walnuts.

5.    5.  Iced tea.

6.     6. A bite of a fermented pickle (didn’t taste as awesome as I thought it would…)

7.    7.  Left over pork chop and quinoa.  ½ tablespoon of raw fermented sauerkraut.

8.     8. Mozzarella cheese snack.

I felt like I was eating ALL . THE . TIME .  And I drank a lot of filtered water.  But at this very moment, I have a wicked nasty chocolate craving.  I think the hardest thing for me when I’m trying to eat differently is my car.  I can go to the g-store and buy smart.  I can meal plan.  I can prepare.  But, I can also walk outside, get in my car, and go to any of the infinite fast food restaurants near my home that will sell me sugar filled and other crap food without me even getting out of my car.  I mean, honestly.  There is a McDonald’s directly across the street from my apartment complex, along with a Golden Corrale.  Additionally, within walking distance is a Taco Bell, Jack in the Box, Mexican Place, Stephania’s to go, Hardees, Walgreen's, and two grocery stores.  Right now, I could WALK to Walgreen's and buy as much chocolate as my checking account could handle.

But I haven’t yet.  And honestly, I’m too tired at this moment to walk my butt to the car, let alone to Walgreen's!

Today I was lethargic.  I had crazy chocolate cravings.  I had trouble concentrating on anything but getting a piece (bag) of chocolate.  And I had a lingering headache all day.  I eventually took 2 Aleve this evening…but I’m just realizing that I didn’t check to see if the Aleve had sugar in it.  Wouldn’t that just be a kicker if the ALEVE had sugar in it?  ACK!

I’m a little worried about tomorrow (Tuesday) because of being at work all day.  I need to remember to take a bunch of snacky stuff with me that can survive being in the cold car all day and can be eaten while I drive.