Both Steven and I seem to be having some pretty fierce cravings the past two evenings. We usually allowed ourselves some sort of sweet treat after dinner, and this is proving to be the hardest habit to break. We are holding strong, but I think we're swapping out sweet treats for salty ones like potato chips. I need to curb that. I was trying to hold off a few more weeks before I attempted baking some cookies or brownies with dextrose, but I may give in this weekend and try something out.
I did finally find a breakfast that the boys both happily ate. I made homemade waffles, with dextrose instead of sugar. The recipe only called for one tablespoon, and I just swapped it out for one tablespoon of dextrose. The kids didn't seem to notice, and I had one and thought it was pretty good as well. Fresh strawberries on top definitely helped make it a yummy breakfast, albeit a bit labor intensive for a school morning. However, the recipe said I could keep the extra batter in the fridge and use it to make more, so I'm going to try that for the next few mornings. I think fresh will taste better than frozen and reheated. They always seem to get soggy that way.
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Days 6 and 7 check in.
We made it a week! That feels like an achievement. The past two days Steven and I have been completely sugar free. The boys are only getting a minute amount in ketchup and ranch, Sam less than Luke. Luke has a love affair with condiments, and it's going to take more than a week to get him off of them. But honestly, if that's the only place he's getting added sugar, I'm not going to freak out too much about it.
I don't seem to be having any withdrawal issues so far. I did get a headache this evening, but I'm pretty sure it was more of a, my kids are being loud and I'm trying to cook dinner type of headache, than a withdrawal one. Tylenol and water made it go away either way. I also had some pretty strong sugar cravings this evening, but I'm positive those were hormonal cravings. I'm curious how/ if those will change as I detox off of sugar.
We made it through a tough play date with Luke's friends, the host offered juice boxes, yogurt covered raisins, mini cupcakes! And thankfully string cheese. Luke asked for a juice box, but I gave him his water and while he wasn't thrilled, he didn't throw a fit. It's going to be a long time until he stops asking for juice and ice cream and cupcakes. I need to remember that he doesn't understand what it means when I say no sugar, and even Sam doesn't quite grasp the full meaning of it. This is going to be a long, slow moving process, but I have confidence we'll get it figured out eventually.
I don't seem to be having any withdrawal issues so far. I did get a headache this evening, but I'm pretty sure it was more of a, my kids are being loud and I'm trying to cook dinner type of headache, than a withdrawal one. Tylenol and water made it go away either way. I also had some pretty strong sugar cravings this evening, but I'm positive those were hormonal cravings. I'm curious how/ if those will change as I detox off of sugar.
We made it through a tough play date with Luke's friends, the host offered juice boxes, yogurt covered raisins, mini cupcakes! And thankfully string cheese. Luke asked for a juice box, but I gave him his water and while he wasn't thrilled, he didn't throw a fit. It's going to be a long time until he stops asking for juice and ice cream and cupcakes. I need to remember that he doesn't understand what it means when I say no sugar, and even Sam doesn't quite grasp the full meaning of it. This is going to be a long, slow moving process, but I have confidence we'll get it figured out eventually.
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Sugar Free Smoothie
I've been having a smoothie for breakfast most days for months now. It's an easy way to get lots of fruit and veggies in, plus some protein, and they're delicious. I've played around a bit with my current method, to make it completely sugar free, and so far it's working out fantastically.
I start with frozen fruit. I just buy the big bags at my grocery store. I use mixed berries, strawberries, mango, peaches, and pineapple. My favorite mix right now is peaches, pineapple, and a small bit of mango. We have a Magic Bullet blender system that we're loving right now. So I put the frozen fruit in the tumbler cup, then microwave it for one minute. I've found this makes it easier for the blades to break up, but it's still cold, just not rock hard. Then I add a handful of spinach or kale, about 3/4 cup of plain Greek yogurt, and about half a cup of low fat milk. Then I just turn it on and wait. Sometimes if I've been heavy handed with the fruit I'll need to add a splash more of milk. Before we started the sugar free challenge, I was using flavored Greek yogurt, and I was really worried that I would notice a change in flavor. The first day it did seem a bit more tart, but I think I've already grown used to it, and I'm really enjoying them.
I start with frozen fruit. I just buy the big bags at my grocery store. I use mixed berries, strawberries, mango, peaches, and pineapple. My favorite mix right now is peaches, pineapple, and a small bit of mango. We have a Magic Bullet blender system that we're loving right now. So I put the frozen fruit in the tumbler cup, then microwave it for one minute. I've found this makes it easier for the blades to break up, but it's still cold, just not rock hard. Then I add a handful of spinach or kale, about 3/4 cup of plain Greek yogurt, and about half a cup of low fat milk. Then I just turn it on and wait. Sometimes if I've been heavy handed with the fruit I'll need to add a splash more of milk. Before we started the sugar free challenge, I was using flavored Greek yogurt, and I was really worried that I would notice a change in flavor. The first day it did seem a bit more tart, but I think I've already grown used to it, and I'm really enjoying them.
The First Weekend
We survived our first Saturday outing with no sugar! We took the boys to the movies. Actually, we split up and took the boys to different movies. The big boys went and saw Night at the Museum 3, and Luke and I saw Big Hero 6. We each got popcorn and a bottle of overpriced water. Normally, Wes would get Jr. Mints and Milk Duds to mix in with the popcorn, and sodas to go with it. When the movie was over, we walked right by the Sees candy store, the Baskin Robbins, and Cinnabon. It was hard, everything smelled so good, but we did it. We came home and I made dinner instead. Shepherds pie where I had to leave out the Worcestershire sauce since it has sugar in it, but I made more of a gravy then I normally do, and we didn't miss it. I also made another loaf of bread, and a big pot of chicken stock with the remains of the roast chicken from Thursday. This morning I went to my Weight Watchers meeting, ( I'm technically up form my last weigh in 2 weeks ago, but I'm down from Wednesday. We went on a bit of a sugar rush before we started this so I was up.) We're going to just run errand and work in the garage today. Nothing big planned, but of course we'll be sugar free!
Friday, February 20, 2015
Stepping Down Gradually
I wanted to take a few minutes and share my stepping down strategy. I really think that if you choose to change too much at once, then you're just setting yourself up to fail. I think this is why most major diet plans backfire after the first few weeks. Too many changes at once.
Almost two years ago Steven was diagnosed with hypertension. It was a rough time, and really threw us for a loop. He was only 37 years old, we weren't expecting something like that. It obviously altered how he ate, and consequently how I cook. He had to go low salt. At first it seemed extreme. We went from using salt on everything, and then often shaking more on at the table, to cooking with none at all. Our tastebuds revolted, and so did our bodies. Eventually, after talking more with his doctor, and doing some research online, we figured out a happy medium. Still low sodium, but not no sodium. I still cook with relatively low salt. I buy low or no salt added canned tomatoes and beans, low salt crackers and chips. When we go out to restaurants, it's almost impossible to find low salt food. Restaurants usually have obscene sodium levels. Steven usually ends up with a steak, and asks for no or low salt added to it. After two years, it's become habit for us, and our taste buds have adjusted. Now when I order out, most of the food tastes extremely salty, sometimes to the point that I can't finish it.
I want to treat sugar the same way. I know we're going all gung ho right now, but I'm hoping that soon, it will become habit. We won't automatically reach for the sweets, for the processed or restaurant prepared foods loaded with sugars. So we're stepping it down. Focusing solely on sugar, in all its forms. When I've told people about this over the past week or so, I consistently get asked about things like white bread, potatoes, white rice, all those starchy foods. My answer for them is, not right now. Maybe in a year or so, when no or very low sugar is completely second nature to us, then maybe we'll tackle those foods. Or maybe we'll wean completely off of prepared foods, because let's face it, I'm scrounging everywhere for no sugar prepared foods. Life is busy, sometimes they save us.
So for right now, we're stepping it down. No sugar. Still low salt. Other than that, we'll just eat as we please. Baby steps.
Almost two years ago Steven was diagnosed with hypertension. It was a rough time, and really threw us for a loop. He was only 37 years old, we weren't expecting something like that. It obviously altered how he ate, and consequently how I cook. He had to go low salt. At first it seemed extreme. We went from using salt on everything, and then often shaking more on at the table, to cooking with none at all. Our tastebuds revolted, and so did our bodies. Eventually, after talking more with his doctor, and doing some research online, we figured out a happy medium. Still low sodium, but not no sodium. I still cook with relatively low salt. I buy low or no salt added canned tomatoes and beans, low salt crackers and chips. When we go out to restaurants, it's almost impossible to find low salt food. Restaurants usually have obscene sodium levels. Steven usually ends up with a steak, and asks for no or low salt added to it. After two years, it's become habit for us, and our taste buds have adjusted. Now when I order out, most of the food tastes extremely salty, sometimes to the point that I can't finish it.
I want to treat sugar the same way. I know we're going all gung ho right now, but I'm hoping that soon, it will become habit. We won't automatically reach for the sweets, for the processed or restaurant prepared foods loaded with sugars. So we're stepping it down. Focusing solely on sugar, in all its forms. When I've told people about this over the past week or so, I consistently get asked about things like white bread, potatoes, white rice, all those starchy foods. My answer for them is, not right now. Maybe in a year or so, when no or very low sugar is completely second nature to us, then maybe we'll tackle those foods. Or maybe we'll wean completely off of prepared foods, because let's face it, I'm scrounging everywhere for no sugar prepared foods. Life is busy, sometimes they save us.
So for right now, we're stepping it down. No sugar. Still low salt. Other than that, we'll just eat as we please. Baby steps.
Days 2 & 3
Thursday went really well. Both Steven and I succeeded in being completely sugar free. The boys had more frozen waffles for breakfast, but no syrup, much to Luke's dismay. I managed to get my oven clean, and made roast chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy, as well as another loaf of bread. Steven started experiencing some headaches, they sound similar to what I've gone through before during caffeine withdrawals. Luckily Tylenol seems to be helping them.
Friday was another crazy day. It started out well, Sam had more waffles, they're almost gone now. I made eggs and toast for the rest of us. Luke did have a small amount of ketchup on his eggs. I'm going to have to slowly wean him off that as well. Then I went grocery shopping, and spent an arm and a leg on produce and dairy it seems like. I came home and had just enough time to put everything away, pack a bag of snacks, and have a quick lunch before I headed out the door again. I picked Sam up at school, ( he had a minimum day) and then we headed to our old town to have a park play date, about 40 minutes away. The boys happily ate strawberries and cheese sticks, and some almond crackers I found. All was going well until Luke got sand thrown in his eyes. After 45 minutes of continuous crying, I was finally able to get his eyelid up and see there was still sand in it. So, off we went to the local walk in clinic, while Sam thankfully stayed with our friends. Two hours later Luke's eye was given the all clear, thankfully no scratches, and the doctor was able to get all the sand out. We headed back to get Sam, and my friend was sweet to make us all dinner. We had homemade tacos, and I'm pretty sure everything was sugar free except the salsa, which I didn't realize until I took a bite, that it was a sweet mango salsa. Oh well, not bad. Luke also got a lollipop for letting the doctor swab at his eye, but honestly, I wasn't even going to try to fight that. My poor baby was so miserable.
So tomorrow will be our first weekend day, with all four of us home. Weekends are when we tend to go out to eat as a family, or go to the movies, arcade, or miniature golf. Those all typically involve food, much of it sweet. It's going to take some getting used to, finding some new routines, new ways of relaxing, or celebrating. I'm looking forward to it.
Friday was another crazy day. It started out well, Sam had more waffles, they're almost gone now. I made eggs and toast for the rest of us. Luke did have a small amount of ketchup on his eggs. I'm going to have to slowly wean him off that as well. Then I went grocery shopping, and spent an arm and a leg on produce and dairy it seems like. I came home and had just enough time to put everything away, pack a bag of snacks, and have a quick lunch before I headed out the door again. I picked Sam up at school, ( he had a minimum day) and then we headed to our old town to have a park play date, about 40 minutes away. The boys happily ate strawberries and cheese sticks, and some almond crackers I found. All was going well until Luke got sand thrown in his eyes. After 45 minutes of continuous crying, I was finally able to get his eyelid up and see there was still sand in it. So, off we went to the local walk in clinic, while Sam thankfully stayed with our friends. Two hours later Luke's eye was given the all clear, thankfully no scratches, and the doctor was able to get all the sand out. We headed back to get Sam, and my friend was sweet to make us all dinner. We had homemade tacos, and I'm pretty sure everything was sugar free except the salsa, which I didn't realize until I took a bite, that it was a sweet mango salsa. Oh well, not bad. Luke also got a lollipop for letting the doctor swab at his eye, but honestly, I wasn't even going to try to fight that. My poor baby was so miserable.
So tomorrow will be our first weekend day, with all four of us home. Weekends are when we tend to go out to eat as a family, or go to the movies, arcade, or miniature golf. Those all typically involve food, much of it sweet. It's going to take some getting used to, finding some new routines, new ways of relaxing, or celebrating. I'm looking forward to it.
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Day 1 Recap
Do you ever have those days that make you just want to curl up in a ball and cry? Well, that was my day today. I had planned on cleaning out my kitchen cupboards and pantry. Throwing out open containers, boxing up to donate unopened items. Making a fresh start for our kitchen. It was cool and foggy this morning, so first I decided to run the self cleaning cycle on my oven. Steven made pulled pork in it a few weeks ago and spilled a bunch of the juices in it. It's been smoking pretty bad, but it had been too warm to run it. Today seemed like the perfect time to do it. So I turned it on, then went to take a quick shower. When I got out, I could smell the oven, and it smelled smokey, but I wasn't too worried. Then I went check on it. The whole front of the house was filled with acrid black smoke, and there were flames in the oven. I turned it off and opened every window, turned on the fans, and retreated with Luke to my bedroom. The flames went out quickly, and the oven went into cool down mode, thankfully. However, it took hours for all the smoke to clear out. Luke and I spent the first half of the day holed up back in my bedroom. I gave him the last of last nights ice cream to bribe him to stay there, and of course I had a few bites myself. Then later I ate a granola bar without even thinking about it. They were part of the clean out I was meant to be doing today. By the time the front of the house was breathable again, (though still very smelly) it was almost time for Sam to get home from school. I sent both boys out back to play while I tackled the oven. It was scary looking. I used a lot of hot water, soap, and rags, and then a liberal coating of dish soap on the bottom which was the worst, and a stiff scrub brush. It looks a lot better, but still worse than it ever has before. I'm going to wait until morning and then cautiously run another cleaning cycle, not leaving it alone this time.
On top of that, Sam managed to break the fence, thankfully just one board, but it allowed our neighbors dog to escape into our yard, and prompted a very awkward discussion with a man who is the neighbors friend and happened to be in their backyard at the time. I was a mess, covered in soot, and wearing my slippers. I may have yelled at my kids. It's been one of those days. But, the dog is back home, the board is back up, and Sam's homework is finally done. The kids are having spaghetti noodles with butter, and home made bread for dinner. Technically sugar free, but not the gourmet, homemade food I had pictured as our first no sugar meal. To add to it Steven was stuck in traffic, and won't be home for another hour or more.
So, I'm more than ready for this day to be over. I've had sugar, although probably not as much as I normally would. Tomorrow, I start fresh, hopefully with an oven that comes clean and works, because I've promised a friend with a new baby a homemade roast chicken dinner, and I don't think I can pull that off without an oven.
On top of that, Sam managed to break the fence, thankfully just one board, but it allowed our neighbors dog to escape into our yard, and prompted a very awkward discussion with a man who is the neighbors friend and happened to be in their backyard at the time. I was a mess, covered in soot, and wearing my slippers. I may have yelled at my kids. It's been one of those days. But, the dog is back home, the board is back up, and Sam's homework is finally done. The kids are having spaghetti noodles with butter, and home made bread for dinner. Technically sugar free, but not the gourmet, homemade food I had pictured as our first no sugar meal. To add to it Steven was stuck in traffic, and won't be home for another hour or more.
So, I'm more than ready for this day to be over. I've had sugar, although probably not as much as I normally would. Tomorrow, I start fresh, hopefully with an oven that comes clean and works, because I've promised a friend with a new baby a homemade roast chicken dinner, and I don't think I can pull that off without an oven.
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