Spring Cleaning: Eliminating Sugar

I am determined to do some SPRING CLEANING!!!  This cleaning is not just for my house, but also for my body.  I am ready to do a SUGAR ELIMINATION CHALLENGE!!!  

Ok, back up!  If you know me, you know that I will not be totally be eliminating sugar.  I'm crazy, but I'm not totally insane.  Why not a total elimination?  When I tell myself that I can't have something, I want it more and more and more and more and. . . . you get the point.  So instead of eliminating sugar totally, I am going to limit myself to one treat a week.  I will plan for these treats, so that I can make intelligent choices.  I am calling these a "treat" not a "cheat."  Cheating has a negative connotation, whereas treats are more positive.

The purpose of this challenge:

• Provide information on how to differentiate between processed and natural sugars
• Show the destructive effects that sugar has on your body
• Break your sugar addiction

You can choose to what level you want to participate in this sugar elimination challenge.  Maybe you want to go full force and cut out all sugars, maybe you want to eliminate only processed sugars, or maybe you just need some more information about sugar.  Well, stay tuned!  I will be blogging about sugar all week.  

1. During the next few days be super observant of sugar in your foods.  Read the labels: look for "added" sugars.  Look at food labels and remember that sugar naturally occurs in fruits, vegetables and dairy, which are good for you.  For example, a can of tomatoes has about 5 grams of sugar, but if you look at the ingredients, no sugar has been added.  These sugars are ok to eat.    
2. Sugar is addictive and you may experience some withdrawals.  Especially if you are eliminating caffeine.  Some of the side effects of a sugar detox may include headaches, irritability, and fatigue.  This usually only lasts for the first few days, so don't give up.  Drink lots of water, I have found that adding fresh squeezed lemon juice to my water helps to speed along this process.
   
3. What about natural sugars like honey, sucanat, and molasses?  This is 100% up to you and it depends on what your goals are.  I like to put about 1-2 tsp of maple syrup on my pumpkin pancakes.  If you are used to putting sugar or creamer in your coffee or tea, honey might be a better option.   This is about making a change.  Small changes might work best for you, so start by using natural sweeteners.  However, if you do better with all or nothing- cut out even these natural sweeteners.
4. DON'T QUIT!!!  If you slip up, don't give up!  Just jump back in and don't look back!

Why I chose Shakeology

I wanted to clear up any questions that people may have about Shakeology and share my reasons for drinking it.  It has changed my life!  For even more info check out my Beachbody Coach page

1.  My why.
This is the video that started it all for me.

When I watched my friend, Kimberly Wynn's story I felt like she was talking about me (except for the appendectomy and adhesion part).  I had been struggling with gastrointestinal issues for YEARS.  After much debate, I finally decided to try out Shakeology.  I decided to jump in head first and sign up as a coach.  I told my husband that if I didn't make enough as a coach in 3 months then I would quit.  It paid off in one month!!!  Now, my husband is also drinking it and we both have more energy, feel better, perform better and, in my opinion, look better.

2. What sets Shakeolgy apart from other shakes is that it's a meal replacement
Shakeology  is an entire MEAL REPLACEMENT.  That is, if you were to go through the salad bar 5 times.  I love this video: Tony Horton "checks out" Shakeology.  Okay, the lady is a little bit scary, but I love Tony!  He is a nut!!!  Seriously, there is no way that I can get all of those superfoods into my daily diet.  I love fruit and I tolerate vegetables, but sometimes I get tired of trying to figure out how to get them all into my daily meal plan.  I often drink Shakeology to replace my lunch or dinner. I count it toward one of my servings of vegetables for the day and I feel pretty darn good about that.

3. It's perfect for on the go!
I had someone ask me if Jamba Juice was a good snack when you are out running errands.  I would say-no!  Check out not only the difference in cost, but also sugars, carbs and calories.  This one is a no-brainer.  I carry a packet of Shakeology in my purse at all times for emergencies.  I never know when a few errands will turn into the whole afternoon.  I can just dump the packet into my water bottle and I have a nutritious, convenient snack.




4.  It is cost effective when compared to buying each of these ingredients separately!

Most of the ingredients in Shakeology you can't even find in a regular grocery store.  You would have to go to a specialty food store for them.  The difference in the cost is crazy too.  Plus it's hard to always find everything in season or fresh, not to mention organic. I am super busy, but I also want to get the best bang for my buck.  That's what Shakeology is.  I found it to be the greatest value in nutrition.  This video shows how the developers of Shakeology have traveled the world to find the ingredients.
Shakeolgy: Daily Dose of Dense Nutrition

5.  It is not a protein powder.

Shakeology does have about 16 grams of protein per serving, but it is not just a protein powder.  I used protein powders for years.  I never really felt like they were benefiting my health in any way.  Actually, when I quit them I instantly felt so much better.  I'm sure that it helped that I started Shakeology soon after I finished my last bag of protein powder, but the difference was very noticeable.



6.  I have more energy and less cravings.
Within 10 days of starting to drink a daily serving of Shakeology, I no longer had the "drag-butts" at 3 pm.  I was able to quit drinking pop and never look back.  I still have a sweet tooth, but it has decreased drastically.  I also lost a few pounds quickly after starting it, without changing anything else.

Another great video is 3 Reasons to Drink Shakeology.  Do it for your health, for your happiness and for your family.

Start Small

This is a SECRET!!! DO NOT TELL MY FAMILY!!! I substitute cream soups and mayo with greek yogurt in my casseroles and soups. Yep, no one has noticed! 

I also started using ground turkey in soups, spaghetti, tacos several years ago. We still have to use ground beef for our hamburgers, but my brother raises his own beef so it's as organic as you can get. 

The other day I was pulling out whole grain noodles to cook and my teenage son said "Gross, don't use the brown noodles." I told him that I had been using "brown noodles" for the past 5 years. He said "Oh." I'm so sneaky!!!\

Start small. Change one thing every week: Start replacing your white, processed foods with whole grains. 

Then quit buying sugar loaded beverages. 

Take the candy and cookie jars off the counter and replace them with fruits. 

Leave a plate of veggies on the kitchen counter in the afternoon for when the kids come home from school and for when you get the munchies. 

Make your food from scratch to limit additives and preservatives.