Isn’t there a lot of sugar in fruit?  I hear this question all the time.  And people are really terrified of eating bananas.  Maybe it was those internet ads showing a cartoon of belly fat and bananas convincing those with a bit of belly fat to stop eating bananas.   But banana’s might be one of our most perfect foods. They come in a convenient wrapper and they grow from a tree. They were not processed in a factory, have a bar code label, or a list of ingredients you can’t pronounce. Bananas are a whole food. When you eat whole foods, your body processes that food the way nature intended. And this goes for all whole fruits. Read More

Wednesday, July 20, 2021 Day 8   One week ago, I started this adventure. In this first week my weight has dropped by 5 pounds, but that’s mostly the water weight and bloat.  One week down, 51 to go! Read More

Tuesday, July 20, 2021 Day 7   Remember when I mentioned (Day 3 post) that dried fruit was okay as long as it didn’t have added sugar?  We’ll I seldom eat dried fruit because even though it is fruit, the sugars when dried are concentrated.  When I do eat dried fruit, I’m conscious to have a very small portion and savor it.  Yesterday, after lunch, around 3:30, I had a craving for something sweet and broke out the dates.  Ooh, that hit the spot.  I had a few with a tiny bit of no-sugar added almond butter.  What a great snack!  Read More

Monday, July 19, 2021 Day 6   I had a great day yesterday with no headaches or cravings. It was my first test in a social situation since I started this adventure last Wednesday.  Neighbors invited us over and I brought two salads, one with home-made sugar free Caesar dressing and another with one of my husband’s favorite homemade dressings with sesame and poppy seeds for the strawberry and spinach salad, but it has sugar.  I cut the sugar in half and just brought it and I stuck to the Caesar with Romaine lettuce instead.  I should have just made it without the sugar.  I bet no one would have noticed and might have even liked it better! Next time I’ll make it without sugar, period. I’m super aware now of how much sugar my family eats. Read More

Sunday, July 18, 2021 Day 5   Yesterday the magnitude of what I’ve taken on hit me!  I was super excited over the last few days at the prospect of the new challenge to eliminate added sugar from my diet for a year.  I remained positive even though not all reactions to this announcement were, and I was motivated and energized by everyone who cheered me on.  I realized that this challenge was going to test my mental toughness. Read More

Saturday, July 17, 2021 Day 4   Last night was Friday night.  Usually, I’d have a glass of wine around 5:00 to celebrate the end of the work week.  Not last night.  Instead, I made a pitcher of peppermint sun tea, then went out to water the garden, did some weeding, set up the sprinkler, and had a live video to thank you for following my new adventure.  Once I got past that, it was fine. No craving or desire! Then the family wanted to have Chinese take-out for dinner.  No problem, I ordered chicken and broccoli steamed and used some tamari sauce and hot mustard to spice it up.  I’m pretty sure there is sugar in the stir fry sauce.  So that worked out well too. Read More

Friday, July 16, 2021 Day 3   Here’s some more clarification on what is considered sugar free in my sugar free year adventure. I’ll be eliminating all added and processed sugars.  This means the obvious sugary foods such as cakes, cookies, candies, ice cream, donuts, pies, and pastries, etc. which I’ve really been off of for the most part for many years, so not a big problem.  Although, those home-made cookies that make it into the house during the holidays are quite tempting. After all, they come once a year for a special time. This also means sweetened beverages such as soda, vitamin water, fruit juice, flavored coffee beverages or any added sugar in coffee or tea.  Again, not a big deal for me because I already don’t put sugar in coffee or tea, drink soda, or juice. This also includes all forms of alcohol, and no kombucha, which is fermented tea with sugar. Read More

Thursday, July 15, 2021 Day 2   Thank you so much for the well wishes on this new big (crazy?) adventure.  However, not everyone has had a positive reaction.  I guess when one does something pretty extreme, one is bound to get pushback.  I want this challenge for myself and to see what transpires.  A month is not enough. I want something extreme – I’m excited.  I mean I’m not getting any younger, or maybe I can and will!  I guess I have to have a tough skin and take a bit of judgement by putting myself out there.  Read More

Wednesday July 14, 2021 I’ve decided to eliminate added processed sugar from my life for a year.  There I said it, put it in writing, and told you about it!  I already have a pretty clean diet, eating mostly whole foods, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and animal protein like eggs, chicken and fish.  But there are those days when I have a few dark chocolate chips after lunch, and most days when I have wine with dinner.   Read More