October 22, 2021 Day 99   How could it be that I am still finding products with added sugar in my refrigerator?  Well, I didn’t do a complete purge when I started, but instead just read every label before using the product.  I’ve written here before about mustard, but just found a stone ground mustard in my fridge with added sugar.  Last night I wanted to make a salad dressing (olive oil, ACV, lemon, herbs, mustard), and thankfully I had a new jar of Grey Poupon without any added sugar, in my pantry closet.  Sugar avoided one more time. Read More

October 21, 2021 Day 98   I was compelled to run to the Indian market yesterday for saffron.  I took a much-needed break from work and went on my quest.  In the Subzi Mandi I gathered up bulk bags of raw almonds, walnuts, turmeric powder, black pepper corns, and dates - but no saffron in sight.  One shopper I spoke with said the store owner might have saffron at the register since it is so expensive.  She was right.  I asked for the saffron, and one cashier took out a plastic box with an air tight lid, opened it up, and there were several small boxes of saffron.  I asked how much.  $8.99.  I asked - what about a larger box.  She put her small box away and came back a few minutes later with a slightly larger box.  This was the “lifetime supply” I was looking for.  I felt like I was doing a drug deal.  Well, it is medicinal! Read More

October 20, 2021 Day 97   Yesterday I worked on my sugar course content.  Over the years I’ve learned a lot about sugar, and now with this sugar course development I’m reading and studying, and researching even more so I get it right.   Last night I was on a call with a fellow health coach who did a presentation about inflammatory foods.  We all know that sugar is inflammatory, but she gave us even more information about other inflammatory foods that you might think are healthy, and info about calming inflammation. I already use turmeric, ginger, and cinnamon, almost every day, but she also taught us about saffron and I am intrigued. It’s on my grocery list for the Indian market, but I understand you can order a supply from Amazon too – no surprise there. Tea made from medicinal herbs and spices is not only good for you, but can help curb sugar cravings, or can be used instead of an evening beverage like wine or spirits.  Such a better choice for health.   Read More

October 19, 2021 Day 96   “Leave the guns, take the cannoli.”   Confession time!    I was craving carbohydrates yesterday and I think I know why.  On Sunday night my husband picked up dinner from The Pasta Shop which included a cannoli dessert. One dessert comes with three cannoli.  We’ve never had them and I can’t even tell you how good they were.  I wasn’t fazed when he ordered the cannoli.  I just knew that was off my list, and I’d avoid it.  Well, it didn’t work out that way.  When I opened the box and saw the cannoli, I just picked one up and took a bite. This is so unlike me, and I don’t know what happened.  Was it the site of the cannoli? Was it that we never ever have cannoli – ever! Read More

October 18, 2021 Day 95   Yesterday I started reading “Potatoes not Prozac” by Kathleen DesMaisons, PhD.  I was interested in this book because I know that so many women (especially, but men too) are taking anti-anxiety medication, and sleep medications.  The diet is one piece of the solution, and no added sugar can make a big difference.   The introduction and first chapter talked about sugar sensitivity based on our genes and the lived experiences of our ancestors.  Basically, if you are sugar addicted, it is not your fault.  I know this, but it was reassuring to read it again from a scientist. The meat of the book is about how you can change your diet to allow your body to readjust and no longer be hooked on sugar.     Read More

October 17, 2021 Day 94   It's a bit chilly this Sunday morning so I’m treating myself to a warm pumpkin spice smoothie with no added sugar!  The cooler weather calls for warmer foods, and even your morning smoothie can be warm. You can used canned pumpkin, or a cooked small sugar pumpkin and use it for all kinds of recipes, including chili.    Here is the recipe: Read More

October 16, 2021 Day 93   A member of the diabetes prevention program group I teach asked me about whole wheat pasta versus regular pasta and will it make a difference in the blood sugar rise.  “Slightly” is the answer. Pasta doesn’t contain added sugars, but if we have conquered added sugars and are ready for the next step, understanding carbohydrates and the glycemic index of foods can be helpful if you are concerned about blood sugar regulation and storage of sugars as fat.    There are lots of ways to keep blood sugar from spiking too high and then storing extra sugar in the blood or moving sugar to cells to be stored as fat.  Here are a few to keep in mind.  Read More

October 15, 2021 Day 92   I received a great message yesterday from a friend in the My Sugar Free Year group that made me happy. Here’s what she said…    “Hello Mary Ellen. I wanted to share something with you. I have been following your sugar free journey and I too have decided to cut back on my sugar significantly. I just got my period this morning and I have no PMS and no discomfort. I really believe it’s the diet. Wow. What a difference! No cramps. I didn’t even know it was coming!” Read More

October 14, 2021 Day 90   I had to take a break from work yesterday and get some cooking done because we had nothing to eat, but lots of whole food in the house!  I made a mushroom and wild rice soup, roasted baba ghanoush with peppers, eggplant, zucchini, onion, and tomatoes, and then chicken with pepperoncini peppers and fingerling potatoes for dinner - all sugar free meals.  I had to check the pepperoncini peppers ingredient label and happily found no sugar.  They were brined but just in vinegar, no sugar - yeah!  Now we are set for lunch tomorrow, leftovers for dinner, and baba ghanoush for a few days. Read More

October 13, 2021 Day 90   No sugar issues today as we were all home working and trying to clean out the fridge of leftovers. Chicken, salmon, squash, broccoli, cauliflower.  We were eating it all up.    I’m excited about the quit sugar course I’m writing, and have gotten some nice response from those who are interested in volunteering for the Beta course.   Read More