How's the "No Sugar" Thing Going?

It's a journey, that's for sure. The first month of the new year is not over and already I've felt an enormous increase in energy (some call it raw energy) and my moods are happy and authentic.

Now, here is some Basic 101 from me to you - in hopes of getting you to join my journey. So many of you have asked me how to get started. The first and easiest way to answer this question is to say: "No refined sugar."

This is the start. Well, first the desire to stop eating crap...followed by the intention to stop eating refined sugar. Once you have an initial detox from this (I did and it took almost two weeks) you may crave more fruit than you could ever imagine (I did). There are many schools of thought about this - I am the more "mild" and "flexible." My rule of thumb is this: If I'm not eating refined sugar then it is fine (for now). I increased my smoothie intake, I fuel up on apples and grapes and I chose organic dried mango from Whole Foods above and beyond anything green. But that is just for now.

Soon enough, if I can keep the refined sugar at bay, I will explore more of this beautiful, alive and fresh world of real, live and raw foods. By this I mean to say that one day I may convert - my sister Melanie is looking into it - and she has new mental clarity and alertness by exploring the world of fasts, juicing, dehydrating and sprouting.

So far this week I "admitted" to a colleague that I'm a nerd: I don't drink - I don't smoke - I don't eat refined sugar. Geez Beth, what do you do?

Well, here is a link Melanie suggested I look into. http://www.kristensraw.com/

This is what I will do. I will open more organic, clean food cookbooks, I'll devour more blogs, I'll escape into studies about detoxing the mind and body from caffiene, sugar, you name it...and I'll begin my study into living and eating Raw.
If you want to know what to do to get started right now, Kristen's Raw Website has great suggestions. I've taken the following advice and I can vouch that it works.

Start by reducing or eliminating junk food, packaged snacks, fried foods, coffee, alcohol, white sugar, and white flour. Here is the first step: Go through your cabinets and just throw them away. Don't say, "I'll just eat these but not replace them," actually toss them out. Ceremoniously, if you like. Your life is about to change.

Next to go, I believe, is cooked starches, and later, wheat (and then red meat and dairy products). As for going Raw? I will read more and get back to you.
 
For now I need to focus on: 1) no sugar 2) low carbs 3) real food 4) nothing processed 5) more omega-3's and more fish to be enough. 6) increase my Yoga & Meditation practice. For me it is a new life....for now....
 
Goal for the week: It is time to say "goodbye" to the fat and sugar-free Klondike bars in my freezer - they aren't really food you know.

Raw Food appeals to me because you have a very clear description of what you eat - nothing processed, nothing enhanced, nothing you can't pronounce and nothing dead. Sugar and Fat-Free labels help, but if left to my own interpretation I will find the wiggle room.
 
Truth be told, I really do miss chocolate, but I know how my mind works. Here is an example - This week a friend recommended Jell-O fat and sugar-free instant pudding mix. All you do is add two cold cups of skim milk, mix for two minutes and put in fridge. When the chocolate cravings come, and they do, indulge. Thing is, I do this once and it is ALL I think about. I'll work on this in February.
 
Has anyone heard of an all-chocolate diet? Hhmm, I could be tempted.
 
Next blog I'll share a few of my home creations. Be warned.

A New Life - The timing must feel right

If the timing feels right for you - it does for me - to begin to change your life from food addiction to freedom, then this list is for you.
This blog is about what I'm eating and about a new experience. Of course, you know me, I've researched and studied and read and culled and devoured endless material guiding me on nutrition and how to start my new life.
My life is already rich, full of grace, happiness, mindfulness, contentment with what I have, and a sense of acceptance with what I don't have (or no longer have...like the large colonial home in the sophisticated country of Connecticut, a huge, green and natural back yard, a garden with an arbor, and full and overflowing window boxes).
Yes, all "stuff" but everything about this physical plane added to my serenity. We should all be blessed to be around what we love. Although two years ago I said goodbye to New England country life and said a reluctant hello to a much busier and expensive Northern Virginia lifestyle, I'm finding acceptance. What I've discovered: I'm surrounded by meaning already. It is true, the expression, we already have what we need and life is just as it should be.
Nearness and daily love with my daughters. A life that is less overwhelming and as simple as I can create it. Books and books and more books piled in my shelves and on my bed stand. A spiritual adviser, work I love (deeply) and a willingness to be in the moment as much as possible.
How does this relate to food? My wellness is my priority now. And my daughters have been told "no refined sugar" will enter our cozy dwelling. I'm told - I've read - it is a matter of three 24 hours and a powerful detox is complete. But there is more. A commitment to a new way of life. Such as, water only. Some herbal tea perhaps. Living raw and naked. Any whole food served raw or gently steamed is allowed. No dressings. No creamy sauces. Not much from the white family.
What follows is a simple list for my blog readers who have asked what I am doing...what I am eating...how I'm doing it.
Well, for started one day at a time - this is the beginning - meditation and quiet and simplicity - less noise and less unwanted distractions. Best of all - this list. It was compiled by a mix of "experts" I trust. I'll share it with you.
Let me know if you begin your own journey, where you are with it, and how it makes you feel. When we shed pounds we also shed emotional baggage. Good luck and congratulations.
Please pardon me for sounding so damn enthusiastic, but this is something I've talked about doing for years.  Now, it's early 2010 and I begin. It is a healthier path, in many ways, and it is what I need to do. I know this down to the core.
It also feels like freedom.
The list
raw nuts
dried fruit (not the crappy, processed kind)
go organic whenever possible (avoiding pesticides and hormones)
the raw nuts and dried fruit replace your usual snacks
dark chocolate is an option for some - not for me right now
dried beans and brown rice (soak in a bowl of water overnight to allow the sprouting process to take place...remember your Mom did this...somehow Americans forgot this simple practice in their quest for speed)
cook the rice and beans to a boil, add coriander, cumin, perhaps sauteed onions
cerviche - chopped fish, chilled, mix with lemon juice (real lemons), onions, some cilantro
root veggies - barely boil or steam
if you eat meat chose organic chicken or small cuts of filet
veggie juice or smoothies (blender or juicer required)
sashimi
sea veggies (try an Asian market for best prices)
use herring to add flavor to fish - use a raw vinegar, onions and spice for flavor
only eat non-farmed salmon
kale
mushrooms
wheat germ (i need to learn more about this)
bee pollen
small amount of raw honey (make sure it is raw and no heat is used to cull it)
grains
lentils
cod liver oil (i'm not there yet)
raw oysters (a favorite0
clams and mussels steamed (not there yet either)
blackberries
blueberries

You get the idea. Bon Appetite

Some Have Habits...Some Have Addictions

addiction  (-dkshn)

1. A physical or psychological need for a habit-forming substance, such as a drug or alcohol. In physical addiction, the body adapts to the substance being used and gradually requires increased amounts to reproduce the effects originally produced by smaller doses.

2. Habitual or compulsive involvement.

Time to come clean.
I'm addicted to the white stuff.

My most important Resolution (goal, hope, dream, intention, determination, fill in the blank) is to go cold turkey and simply say "no" to sugar.

In other words, I no longer eat refined sugar.

I can have no wiggle room. The white stuff, even a little dose, is not an option.

It is hidden in everything - in the strangest of places - in foods that would surprise you.

I wish it weren't so, and it is something I work on, but I live in a very all or nothing world. Black and white works for me. Cold turkey it is. Up or down. Right or wrong. Marathon or a stroll. I don't do things small. Either I'm on board or I'm off board. I've either succeeded or I've failed utterly.

But what I'm learning is the beauty in life is failing utterly. Then the sugar-free sunrise can be that much more captivating - especially with no emotional hangover - no up and down rollercoaster. Just life. Balanced and healthy and exactly the way I want it.

Hang on for the ride. No doubt I'll blog again about this addiction and kicking sugar's ass! But first comes detox.