SUGAR.
I have sort of a love/hate relationship with the stuff. Don't get me wrong...I looooove sweets. When I was little, I would eat brown sugar by the spoonful. My friend, Kate, and I used to sneak entire cups full of sugar under her bed and just eat it. We also thought it was awesome to double the amount of sugar when we made Koolaid. (I cringe just thinking about it!)
Don't worry, my sweet tooth has definitely calmed down since my childhood days! I still love sugar, but I don't eat it by the spoonful... and there are many desserts that I actually enjoy less sweet than the average person- I usually cut the sugar in half when I make cookies. So...
What is my problem with sugar, you ask? Well...you see (and some of you will know EXACTLY what I'm talking about)... sugar calls to me. NO! I'm not crazy, it really does! I'll be sitting there, minding my own business, when out of the blue- I hear it! the giant marshmallows in the cupboard..."Jenny.....we're just sitting here all alone....come to us....you NEEEEED us..." and then before long, the Nutella joins in..."Jenny! What are you doing just sitting there? Go grab a spoon and start eating!"
I'm really not one to argue....especially with sugar.
Before I know it, I have eaten 2 giant marshmallows, 3 spoonfuls of Nutella, and I'm searching the cupboards to make sure there aren't any more lonely morsels that need my attention.
Well, folks....this is all about to change. You see...not only does sugar make me feel lethargic and yucky after I eat it, but it messes with my heart. Ya know....that little organ in your chest that kinda sorta keeps you ALIVE????? Yeah, not something you want to mess with. It's just one of the lovely health issues I inherited from my mom's side. (Love you, mom!)
So, what am I going to do about it???
I am going to go a year without refined sugar!
Well...mostly :) I've decided that as a compromise, I will allow myself to have one "free-day" a month. Because, seriously...how can you NOT eat pie on Thanksgiving day? Here are my official rules:
*No refined sugar of any kind. this includes: granulated sugar, powdered sugar, cane sugar, corn syrup, or high fructose corn syrup.
*Small amounts of sugar-containing condiments like salad dressing and all-natural ketchup are ok, in moderation.
*Natural sweeteners like agave, honey, stevia, fruit, and molasses are ok, in moderation.
*No refined sugar of any kind. this includes: granulated sugar, powdered sugar, cane sugar, corn syrup, or high fructose corn syrup.
*Small amounts of sugar-containing condiments like salad dressing and all-natural ketchup are ok, in moderation.
*Natural sweeteners like agave, honey, stevia, fruit, and molasses are ok, in moderation.
My official start date is tomorrow- Sunday, October 9th. My plan is to blog about my progress often, share healthy recipes that actually taste good (I'm sort of a food-snob in that way...), and I'm sure there will be some ranting in there somewhere :) Wish me luck! (and congratulations if you made it through this entire post!)
