Month: January 2023

Categories
New Years Resolutions

Sugar Free January: Week 4 Update

My last full week of sugar free January has come to a close and I’m feeling very positive about everything. I’ve gotten into a groove of sugar free snacking and sugar free desserts (primarily dates & pineapple) and not missing everything else THAT much. Of course I’m still eyeing that frozen piece of apple cake. In February, I think I’ll do 1 sugar dessert per week. 

I’m still not detecting any taste changes from this month but I don’t think I expected that. I wanted to completely lose my taste for sugar but I doubt that will ever happen! Maybe after a few more months…

I have lost weight though, which really helps with the challenge I’m doing with by brother and husband! 

What I Ate This Week

Again, I didn’t venture TOO far from my typical meals but 3 things really made my week better:

  1. Tempeh wraps
  2. Pineapple
  3. PB stuffed dates
Tempeh Avocado Wrap w/ Hummus

A High Level Look at My Sugar Free January this Week: 

I’m getting more used to it! 

The last week has been: Super Easy – Easy – In between – Hard – Incredibly Hard
My mood has been: Great
My sleep has been: Still good! 
One thing I learned was: Giving up sugar is not the worst thing in the world! 

Categories
Blog New Years Resolutions

Sugar Free January: Week 3 Update

And week 3 of sugar free January is done! I have to admit, it’s getting easier. But I am getting pretty bored with my food (mainly the snacks). At this point, I’ve eaten A LOT of dried mango, cheese and potato chips. I’m not mad about it, just getting a bit bored of it. Last Sunday I ate a “sugar-free” chocolate mousse that used erythritol instead of sugar. I’ve been trying to avoid sugar alcohols but my mom made it and you can’t say no to your mom! 

I’m certainly excited to get back to eating that frozen apple cake in my freezer but I’m also hoping to do some version of sugar free February and beyond. I’ll have to think more about what that will look like.

What I Ate This Week

Again, I didn’t venture TOO far from my typical meals but 3 things really made my week better:

  1. “Sugar-free” Chocolate mousse 
  2. Savarin brillat cheese (SO great if you like soft cheese)
  3. Another round of my vegan chickpea “egg” salad wraps! 
Chickpea egg salad wrap on a plate with potato chips
Chickpea “egg-salad” Wrap
Bowl of strawberries
A delicious bowl of strawberries

A High Level Look at My Sugar Free January this Week: 

I’m getting more used to it! 

The last week has been: Super Easy – Easy – In between – Hard – Incredibly Hard
My mood has been: Good! No complaints actually
My sleep has been: Still good! 
One thing I learned was: I need to get better at living without alcohol. I’m definitely craving the glass of wine after work. 

Categories
New Years Resolutions

Sugar Free January: Week 2 Update

As my 2nd week of sugar free January comes to a close, I can say I’m feeling better about the whole thing and am certainly continuing to learn about myself.

I will confess, last Saturday we were at a friends birthday and they catered pizza and salad which I ate (there was likely sugar in the pizza dough and blue cheese dressing). I actually HAD brought my own protein bar but the host came up and asked if there was anything else she should order for me so I wouldn’t have to eat “some weird grilled cheese thing”. But, I didn’t eat any of the plethora of desserts, I consider it a win overall. 

What I Ate This Week

I haven’t ventured TOO far from my typical meals but 3 things really made my week better:

  1. Dried mango (Nuts.com and Trader Joes)
  2. Sugar Free Banana Strawberry Cake from Fermenting Foodie
  3. Vegan Chickpea “egg” salad wraps! Will post a recipe eventually… 

A High Level Look at My Sugar Free January this Week: 

I’m continuing to stick to the mantra: stay busy and eat less (which is my favorite way to be! 

The last week has been: Super Easy – Easy – In between – Hard – Incredibly Hard

My mood has been: Better than last week! I’ve been sleeping a bit better, watching less TV but playing more video games.

My sleep has been: Better than last week! 

One thing I learned was: I’ve been the reason we’ve eaten out so much in the past few months! Now that its harder to eat out, we haven’t ordered takeout at all! 

Weekends are the hardest for me but if I stay busy, they’ll get a little easier. 

Categories
New Years Resolutions

Sugar Free January: Week 1 Update

First Week = Complete! 

Today marks 7 days of no sugar. No added sugar that is. So, (obviously) no cookies, cakes, ice cream but also none of my favorite vegetable stock (!), soup that I had opened prior to NYD or cereal.  Instead, I’ve been eating MUCH healthier. Salads, homemade bread, rice + tofu dishes. Its been.. Nice? Fine? Dare I say… not so bad? 

Homemade curried butternut squash soup with a quinoa salad

To satisfy my sweet tooth,  I’ve been eating lots of organic dried mango (a favorite of mine from Nuts.com), raisins and peanut butter. I also have yet to go to WholeFoods this year to explore what exciting sugar-free options they have. I got a gift card from work so I’m ready for that guilt-free-sugar-free shopping trip. Eventually, I plan to get a little creative with dates, bananas and applesauce and see what type of baked goods I can produce. 

A High Level Look at My Sugar Free January this Week: 

The last week has been: Super Easy – Easy – *In between* – Hard – Incredibly Hard

My mood has been: Fine, not overly excited but okay. (its the first week back from 11 days off though) 

My sleep has been: Not so great. I have been having LOTS of anxious dreams (nightmares maybe?) but I DO sleep through the night. 

One thing I learned was: Find things to do in your downtime and you won’t eat so much! I’ve been playing a lot of drums (New Years Resolution #1)  and video games with my brother.

Today, I’ll be at a friend’s 30th birthday all day so wish me luck. 

On to sugar free January week 2!