Friday, November 30, 2012

sugar rut smoothie

Maybe what sparked my confession earlier this week was just the overall yeuch feeling I've been carrying around. I feel sugared-out, processed-food-out, and dare I say it, carbed-out. I just haven't been eating enough fresh food and my body has been actually craving fruits and veggies. weird.

So yesterday, I shunned the lone pop tart in my cupboard and took the extra time to actually make myself a breakfast. It was simple, fresh, and delicious. Orange Juice, a handful of frozen fruit (strawberries, mangos, pineapples), a handful of spinach (trust me, you don't even taste the spinach), a quick spin in my vitamix, a fun straw, and BOOM, healthy breakfast. My morning commute felt so much better. It perked me up, kept me full longer, and get this- I didn't crave sweets later in the day as per usual. I remember reading once upon a time that foregoing sugar in the morning helps with sugar cravings later in the day, but I don't remember the science behind it. I think it must be something beyond simple carbohydrate crashing... maybe it's psychological or maybe by starting healthy you are reminding yourself how good that feels and tastes.


What kind of things do you do to get out of a sugar rut? I'm considering cutting out artificial sugar because it tricks your mind into thinking you are getting sugar, but since your body doesn't- it actually makes you continue to crave real sugar. "The taste of sweet does cause the release of insulin, which lowers blood sugar , and if carbohydrates are not consumed,  it causes a drop in blood sugar which triggers hunger and cravings for sugar." full interview with internist and physician nutrition specialist, Dr. Melina Jampolis available at http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2012/04/27/are-sugar-substitutes-worse-than-the-real-thing/

... but more on that, and my comparison between sin and processed foods, another day.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Friends,

Confession: I have fallen off the wagon. It started with one little baking project with pumpkin and escalated until I was making cookies and icing with abandon. You see, I love to cook and especially to bake. Since the last post I've made beautiful, complicated french macaroons, fragrant pumpkin snicker doodles, fabulous beer mug shaped and decorated sugar cookies, and lots of other fun projects. I logged into my fitness pal ("mfp") for the first time in almost two months. My gym membership expired and I have failed to get closer to the 5k than the couch. The good news is that I haven't packed on much, if any weight since my last weigh in. However, I am definitely out of shape and my pants confirm that I'm a bit more pudgy.

However, last night I readjusted my goals on mfp to a modest half pound per week and have set my sights on some running pants for me and a doggie sweater for the pup. I'll allow it if I can simply meet my calorie goal for the week. I'm considering myself back on track even though I consumed a considerable amount of chocolate this afternoon and am planning on frozen yogurt with a gal pal tonight. Baby steps, right?

Anywhosal, I'm going to have to think up some light baking projects to quell my lust for my kitchenaid mixer, and what I find, I will share.

Until next time dearies,

C

source: http://www.aspoonfulofsugardesigns.com/2012/04/pot-holder.html