Well, I've lasted almost a whole month of my Unsweetened 30 Day Challenge and only have 8 more days before the month is up.
My only failings thus far:
1) Ketchup - used twice.
2) Whiskey Sours & Lychee Martinis - used more than twice.
This food challenge didn't go quite as I had planned. I probably ate just as much sugar as I normally would have, but my sugar intake came from "naturally occurring sugars" instead of the processed kind.
Things I've learned thus far:
1) Maltitol, in excess, will kick your ass - literally.
2) Just because you've decreased your sugar intake does mean you should increase your fat intake. (Possible upcoming Food Challenge: No Junk In My Trunk.)
3) Cravings will never dissipate, no matter how much you will them to.
4) Distraction and keeping busy are the answer because idle hands and mind will always get you into trouble.
5) I can survive without all that extra sugar. Others; however, may experience impending doom from my "lack of sweets" bitchiness.
6) Unsweetened Soy Milk is not as bad I as I thought.
I am already planning future food challenges for 2011. This one has kept me on my toes and made me that much more aware of what I put in my mouth.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Public Displays of Animosity
Any conversation that involves the words/phrases: "You're not being fucking fair!" or "You're an asshole." should not be had on a cell phone on a very busy street corner. No matter how pretty you are, it's just not something that should happen. Private conversation as just that -- private -- and no one really wants to hear that sort of language on a lovely Sunday afternoon.
Along the same lines, no matter how drunk and belligerent you are continually holding up your middle finger at someone and then spitting on the floor in front of that person and cursing them just before getting off the bus it not a "human" thing to do. Oh, you're not human? Well then, my bad.
I rode the bus this evening, sitting beside the drunk and in front of the Portuguese/Spanish/Italian gentleman on his cell phone who was the mysterious source of the drunk's aggravation. I've seen this spitting/cursing action done before on film or TV, but never in real life and up close; it was surreal. The only words I could understand from the Portuguese/Spanish/Italian gentleman were "behave" and "policia" so I assume he meant business. Just before the drunk got off the bus I overheard, "That was not nice." What I can't tell (because I would not dare look in his direction) was if it came from his potentially drunken friend or if the bus driver was attempting to respond to the situation in some way.
The two things that passed through my mind during the mild altercation were: 1) "I bite my thumb at you!" and 2) How can you take the reaction/shock you just had and use it in your on-stage performance?
Yes, I might need therapy.
Ah, life in the city, and on public transit, is always entertaining!
Along the same lines, no matter how drunk and belligerent you are continually holding up your middle finger at someone and then spitting on the floor in front of that person and cursing them just before getting off the bus it not a "human" thing to do. Oh, you're not human? Well then, my bad.
I rode the bus this evening, sitting beside the drunk and in front of the Portuguese/Spanish/Italian gentleman on his cell phone who was the mysterious source of the drunk's aggravation. I've seen this spitting/cursing action done before on film or TV, but never in real life and up close; it was surreal. The only words I could understand from the Portuguese/Spanish/Italian gentleman were "behave" and "policia" so I assume he meant business. Just before the drunk got off the bus I overheard, "That was not nice." What I can't tell (because I would not dare look in his direction) was if it came from his potentially drunken friend or if the bus driver was attempting to respond to the situation in some way.
The two things that passed through my mind during the mild altercation were: 1) "I bite my thumb at you!" and 2) How can you take the reaction/shock you just had and use it in your on-stage performance?
Yes, I might need therapy.
Ah, life in the city, and on public transit, is always entertaining!
Monday, February 14, 2011
A Happy Heart Day Half Way Point
Today marks the half way point between the beginning of this food challenge and the end of the month. Today also marks one of the toughest days of the challenge thus far.
It's a Monday. (evil)
It's Valentine's Day. (single)
It was a challenge. (Go Team Sara!)
I resisted the urge to tear into the gifted Hershey's Chocolate Kisses, which now sit all wrapped up snug at the back of my freezer. I didn't allow my epic grumpiness and my tired, frustrated Monday self to ruin this challenge for me.
I did, however, purchase Chapman's No Sugar Added Ice Cream and thoroughly enjoyed it. Enjoyed it more so than I have ever enjoyed any ice cream before. It truly was a treat...and there's still more left for my next almost mental breakdown.
I am looking forward to the next three days: back to being Nuts on Tues and Thurs and adventures in The Secret Garden on Wed. Now there's one challenge I would most definitely fail: cold turkey on all things theatre. Thank goodness theatre is good for the soul.
My heart is happy and I hope yours is too!
It's a Monday. (evil)
It's Valentine's Day. (single)
It was a challenge. (Go Team Sara!)
I resisted the urge to tear into the gifted Hershey's Chocolate Kisses, which now sit all wrapped up snug at the back of my freezer. I didn't allow my epic grumpiness and my tired, frustrated Monday self to ruin this challenge for me.
I did, however, purchase Chapman's No Sugar Added Ice Cream and thoroughly enjoyed it. Enjoyed it more so than I have ever enjoyed any ice cream before. It truly was a treat...and there's still more left for my next almost mental breakdown.
I am looking forward to the next three days: back to being Nuts on Tues and Thurs and adventures in The Secret Garden on Wed. Now there's one challenge I would most definitely fail: cold turkey on all things theatre. Thank goodness theatre is good for the soul.
My heart is happy and I hope yours is too!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Sweets & Treats
Another "unsweetened" week down and so far so good -- among many challenges. In the past week I've baked twice for a theatre fundraiser, I've stood in a favourite bakery of mine waiting for my soup-and-sandwich dinner, I have resisted the urge to dive into sugary gifts, I turned down Green Tea Ice Cream and I operated lights in a small booth that contained a very enticing container of jujubes.
My only "fail" this week (and since the beginning of this experiment/challenge) was the three whiskey sours I had. Oops! It's another one of those things you forget about, that are an automatic part of a bar trip for some, and contain sugar -- mixed drinks.
I have somehow convinced myself that since I have decreased my consumption of the extra "candy/chocolate/Starbucks coffees" processed sugars that I can increase my consumption of carbs (bread, pasta, etc.) -- something I had under control prior to this month. I believe this to be the reason I am not feeling or seeing results as expected. (Read: No significant dip in scale numbers and still feel bloated at times. Hello! Carbs!) So, to that end, I vow to seriously decrease my consumption of carbs from now until the end of the month. I want to be able to see and feel some sort of a difference from this challenge, gosh darn-it! To assist in the "weening" process, I did purchase a gluten-free, no sugar tea biscuit dry mix from the health food store that I am going to try out.
Another thing I've noticed is my increase in regular black tea with Splenda. I hardly ever used Splenda, or drank black tea prior to this Unsweetened February. I am not as concerned with this, although, too much artificial sweetener is not a good thing. (Read: Sara really needs to cut down/out diet cola.)
After talking with a friend today, I am going to look more into Stevia. It's always been on my radar, but I've never tried it.
This challenge is not only a physical one, but a mental one too. I am educating myself on better ways of living and better health practices surrounding my food intake. I do hope I get something meaningful and useful out of this challenge.
My only "fail" this week (and since the beginning of this experiment/challenge) was the three whiskey sours I had. Oops! It's another one of those things you forget about, that are an automatic part of a bar trip for some, and contain sugar -- mixed drinks.
I have somehow convinced myself that since I have decreased my consumption of the extra "candy/chocolate/Starbucks coffees" processed sugars that I can increase my consumption of carbs (bread, pasta, etc.) -- something I had under control prior to this month. I believe this to be the reason I am not feeling or seeing results as expected. (Read: No significant dip in scale numbers and still feel bloated at times. Hello! Carbs!) So, to that end, I vow to seriously decrease my consumption of carbs from now until the end of the month. I want to be able to see and feel some sort of a difference from this challenge, gosh darn-it! To assist in the "weening" process, I did purchase a gluten-free, no sugar tea biscuit dry mix from the health food store that I am going to try out.
Another thing I've noticed is my increase in regular black tea with Splenda. I hardly ever used Splenda, or drank black tea prior to this Unsweetened February. I am not as concerned with this, although, too much artificial sweetener is not a good thing. (Read: Sara really needs to cut down/out diet cola.)
After talking with a friend today, I am going to look more into Stevia. It's always been on my radar, but I've never tried it.
This challenge is not only a physical one, but a mental one too. I am educating myself on better ways of living and better health practices surrounding my food intake. I do hope I get something meaningful and useful out of this challenge.
Sunday, February 06, 2011
Adventures in Snacking
Today marks Day 6 of my Unsweetened February food challenge, a risk which is part of my 2011 Take More Risks Bucket List.
My goal today, was to source out different kinds of snacks that would provide that sugary kick I wanted without all the sugar I didn't need. Up until now grapes, bananas, raisins and no sugar added cookies, along with diet cola, had been my snacking tools. I want to increase those choices and give myself more variety.
Cereal and Soy Milk:
Even before this self-imposed challenge, I had always purchased lower sugar and high fibre cereals. This is one area I am not being to hard on myself about. Although the cereals currently in my cupboard (Life Multigrains, Kashi Go Lean, Shreddies) do have sugar in the list of ingredients, the amount of it is low and the fibre content balances it all out...somewhat. Technicalities. My soy milk selection however needed a review. Just prior to February 1st I had purchase chocolate soy milk. As of today, that is now gone (having been consumed) and for the rest of the month I will be consuming unsweetened soy milk. We'll see how this goes. *shutter*
Nature's Candy:
Increasing the intake of fruits (proportionally, within reason) and veggies is all part of the reprogramming process. That's a given. Today was about finding fun stuff that I can keep in my desk at work or in my bag as snacks. I have hidden away my granola bars at least until the end of the month, so I needed some other non-sugar/natural sugar snacks.
Shoppers Drug Mart's Life Brand products, and most recently Simply Food line of products, provided me with some great variety. I already have Life Brand dried apricots in my desk at work. The apricots were the only bags dried fruit at Shoppers that did not have added sugar. For shame Shoppers. I like cranberries too you know! I also invested in those cute little boxes of raisins that most of us got for Halloween as kids. I know I could have just purchased raisins in bulk, but it's the presentation that makes it. A cute little box of raisins is more pleasing to the eye than a Ziploc bag of them. I also scored some dried prunes (no sugar added -- yay Shoppers), no sugar added fruit juice drinking boxes, no sugar added chewy fruit snacks and more cute little boxes of raisins.
Health Food Store:
More expensive, yes, but more variety...even with no sugar chocolate! "Fruit to Go" fruit leather, unsweetened granola and yes, chocolate. I purchased the chocolate as an I-can't-take-it-anymore last resort because, from what I have read and past experience of candy and chocolate made with Maltitol, it can cause...loose poop. Like I said, last resort.
Let the adventures in snacking begin!
My goal today, was to source out different kinds of snacks that would provide that sugary kick I wanted without all the sugar I didn't need. Up until now grapes, bananas, raisins and no sugar added cookies, along with diet cola, had been my snacking tools. I want to increase those choices and give myself more variety.
Cereal and Soy Milk:
Even before this self-imposed challenge, I had always purchased lower sugar and high fibre cereals. This is one area I am not being to hard on myself about. Although the cereals currently in my cupboard (Life Multigrains, Kashi Go Lean, Shreddies) do have sugar in the list of ingredients, the amount of it is low and the fibre content balances it all out...somewhat. Technicalities. My soy milk selection however needed a review. Just prior to February 1st I had purchase chocolate soy milk. As of today, that is now gone (having been consumed) and for the rest of the month I will be consuming unsweetened soy milk. We'll see how this goes. *shutter*
Nature's Candy:
Increasing the intake of fruits (proportionally, within reason) and veggies is all part of the reprogramming process. That's a given. Today was about finding fun stuff that I can keep in my desk at work or in my bag as snacks. I have hidden away my granola bars at least until the end of the month, so I needed some other non-sugar/natural sugar snacks.
Shoppers Drug Mart's Life Brand products, and most recently Simply Food line of products, provided me with some great variety. I already have Life Brand dried apricots in my desk at work. The apricots were the only bags dried fruit at Shoppers that did not have added sugar. For shame Shoppers. I like cranberries too you know! I also invested in those cute little boxes of raisins that most of us got for Halloween as kids. I know I could have just purchased raisins in bulk, but it's the presentation that makes it. A cute little box of raisins is more pleasing to the eye than a Ziploc bag of them. I also scored some dried prunes (no sugar added -- yay Shoppers), no sugar added fruit juice drinking boxes, no sugar added chewy fruit snacks and more cute little boxes of raisins.
Health Food Store:
More expensive, yes, but more variety...even with no sugar chocolate! "Fruit to Go" fruit leather, unsweetened granola and yes, chocolate. I purchased the chocolate as an I-can't-take-it-anymore last resort because, from what I have read and past experience of candy and chocolate made with Maltitol, it can cause...loose poop. Like I said, last resort.
Let the adventures in snacking begin!
The Unsweetened February - Day 6
Six days so far. Some have been easier than others. Thursday and Friday were pretty smooth as I kept myself busier at work, which took my mind from thinking about it to thinking about something else.
This was the first weekend of my Unsweetened Challenge. It was tough, just as I thought it would be. The sweetness of fruit helped, but my saving grace was black tea with Splenda. I drank three large mugs of it on Saturday...and then peed like a race horse. Although during this challenge I have allowed myself diet soda, at the same time, I don't want to rely on that for my "sugar" fix. Adventures into different kinds of tea and making my own homemade iced tea will help.
It occurred to me on Day 2 that the Raspberry Sauce I had just consumed with my chicken had more than its fair share of sugar. No more Raspberry Sauce. Similarly, on Day 5 after plating my hot and delicious looking grilled cheese, it hit me that the Ketchup I had just retrieved from the fridge had an epic amount of sugar. No Ketchup on the grilled cheese; hot sauce instead. Not as good without the Ketchup, but doable.
After Day 5's sugary sauce revelation, I have decided to "up my game" in this challenge. Throughout the remainder of this month I will increase the challenge by adding more "sugar" items to the list of no-nos. One of the biggest will be white flour and negative carbs in general. If I can get to February 28th (sanity in tact) with a serious reduction of negative carbs maybe, just maybe, I'll be able to retrain my brain to accept this as the norm.
This was the first weekend of my Unsweetened Challenge. It was tough, just as I thought it would be. The sweetness of fruit helped, but my saving grace was black tea with Splenda. I drank three large mugs of it on Saturday...and then peed like a race horse. Although during this challenge I have allowed myself diet soda, at the same time, I don't want to rely on that for my "sugar" fix. Adventures into different kinds of tea and making my own homemade iced tea will help.
It occurred to me on Day 2 that the Raspberry Sauce I had just consumed with my chicken had more than its fair share of sugar. No more Raspberry Sauce. Similarly, on Day 5 after plating my hot and delicious looking grilled cheese, it hit me that the Ketchup I had just retrieved from the fridge had an epic amount of sugar. No Ketchup on the grilled cheese; hot sauce instead. Not as good without the Ketchup, but doable.
After Day 5's sugary sauce revelation, I have decided to "up my game" in this challenge. Throughout the remainder of this month I will increase the challenge by adding more "sugar" items to the list of no-nos. One of the biggest will be white flour and negative carbs in general. If I can get to February 28th (sanity in tact) with a serious reduction of negative carbs maybe, just maybe, I'll be able to retrain my brain to accept this as the norm.
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
The Unsweetened 30 Day Challenge
I am now well into rehearsals for my role as The Recorder for the production of "Nuts" at The Village Playhouse. This will take care of one of the risks on my current 2011 bucket list.
So now what? Well, let's scratch another risk off the list. Today, February 1st, marked Day One of my first 30 Day Challenge. I know, I know, February only has 28 days. Technicalities. My first 30 Day Challenge is a food challenge...or lack of a certain food - sugar.
For the next month I am going to decrease considerably the amount of sugar I intake on a daily basis. No candy or chocolate, no hot chocolate or special Starbucks coffees, no baked goods. I am allowing myself diet sodas, Crystal Light type drinks and Splenda for sweetening any regular coffee or tea that needs it, but NO SUGAR! Naturally occurring sugar, yes. Any other kind of sugar, no.
Now, you're probably saying, "Sara, this doesn't seem like a risk." To that I say, "Oh yes it is, for me." In only my first day, I had to stop myself no less than 4 times from going for that sugar item that I didn't think twice about before. If I can do this for a whole month think about the health benefits and maybe even the good habits I will be introducing to my life.
"But still Sara, where's the risk in it all?" Well maybe put aside the word "risk" and let's use "temptation".
February is a chocolate month due to Valentine's Day. Also, this month I am involved in a fundraiser called "Sweets & Treats". People will come to see staged productions and then enjoy fresh baked desserts with their coffee and tea. I am one of the volunteered bakers. I volunteered before coming up with this challenge. I think I might be crazy.
I am not doing this for anyone else but me so if I sneak a sugar item I am not failing anyone else but myself. We'll see how long I can fight against temptation. GO TEAM ME!
So now what? Well, let's scratch another risk off the list. Today, February 1st, marked Day One of my first 30 Day Challenge. I know, I know, February only has 28 days. Technicalities. My first 30 Day Challenge is a food challenge...or lack of a certain food - sugar.
For the next month I am going to decrease considerably the amount of sugar I intake on a daily basis. No candy or chocolate, no hot chocolate or special Starbucks coffees, no baked goods. I am allowing myself diet sodas, Crystal Light type drinks and Splenda for sweetening any regular coffee or tea that needs it, but NO SUGAR! Naturally occurring sugar, yes. Any other kind of sugar, no.
Now, you're probably saying, "Sara, this doesn't seem like a risk." To that I say, "Oh yes it is, for me." In only my first day, I had to stop myself no less than 4 times from going for that sugar item that I didn't think twice about before. If I can do this for a whole month think about the health benefits and maybe even the good habits I will be introducing to my life.
"But still Sara, where's the risk in it all?" Well maybe put aside the word "risk" and let's use "temptation".
February is a chocolate month due to Valentine's Day. Also, this month I am involved in a fundraiser called "Sweets & Treats". People will come to see staged productions and then enjoy fresh baked desserts with their coffee and tea. I am one of the volunteered bakers. I volunteered before coming up with this challenge. I think I might be crazy.
I am not doing this for anyone else but me so if I sneak a sugar item I am not failing anyone else but myself. We'll see how long I can fight against temptation. GO TEAM ME!
Taking More Risks in 2011
I don't do the New Years Resolution thing anymore. What do I do? I follow a motto for the year. Yup, that's right, a motto. Last year's motto was: Do More Stuff. Pretty generalized motto, but it worked...I had an epic and busy 2010!
This year's motto is: Take More Risks.
What I've decided to do is create a list; a "2011 Take More Risks Bucket List" to be exact. This list will be on going, growing in "risks" as I think of them (or as they are recommended to me). No risk will be removed from the list, but not all risks may be completed -- they are simply a guideline or supply from which to dip.
The list thus far is:
- Perform karaoke.
- Take part in a live theatre production...ON STAGE.
- Travel, away from the city/province/country, at least once, maybe twice.
- Join a club.
- Take a class.
- Say "yes" more often than "no".
- Do at least 2 "30 Day" challenges.
- Get a tattoo.
Other than the tattoo these all might seem like "safe" risks, but I think I can shake things up. It's still early in the year. Plus, the list is ever growing...
This year's motto is: Take More Risks.
What I've decided to do is create a list; a "2011 Take More Risks Bucket List" to be exact. This list will be on going, growing in "risks" as I think of them (or as they are recommended to me). No risk will be removed from the list, but not all risks may be completed -- they are simply a guideline or supply from which to dip.
The list thus far is:
- Perform karaoke.
- Take part in a live theatre production...ON STAGE.
- Travel, away from the city/province/country, at least once, maybe twice.
- Join a club.
- Take a class.
- Say "yes" more often than "no".
- Do at least 2 "30 Day" challenges.
- Get a tattoo.
Other than the tattoo these all might seem like "safe" risks, but I think I can shake things up. It's still early in the year. Plus, the list is ever growing...
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