Doctrine & Covenants 89: 18-19

"And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones; And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures."

1.31.2010

I HATE Sugar...

By Ember

Actually, I love it. But I really do hate it. I want to eat it. A lot of it. So my body is truly addicted and thinks it loves it. My spirit hates it because it ends up losing control to my body.

I love to cook and bake. My oldest daughter just had a birthday and I have been planning her cake for a couple of weeks. I resisted eating her real birthday cake because I am committed to eating better and know that one slip up will likely lead to more. So I abstained and ended up throwing the remains in the trash finally since no one was eating it. Well then here comes the birthday party cake. Five layers of different kinds of cake with a red velvet layer crumbled on the top and over the sides. A work of art, I tell ya. And my demise.

I thought 'hey I've done awesome all week. I even lost 4 pounds in 4 days. I can handle one little piece of cake. Why would I lose control? I don't want to gain that weight back.'

Ha!

Hahahahahah!!!!

It got me again. I ate the little piece of cake. And then another piece of cake. And a couple of the chips on the table. And drank a cup of 7 Up. And then had a couple of bites of hot dog at a hockey game.

Which led to today. I have been picking at that stinkin' five layer masterpiece all afternoon! Thankfully it is nearly gone, but that would be thanks to yours truly! AGGGHHHH!!!

Moral of this story: I can't handle it. Not even a bit. And since I can handle none but not a little, I will pick none.

So Sweet Basil, I will join you with your 100 Day Sugar Free Challenge.

February 1, 2010 sounds like a perfect day to begin.

Warning...

By Sweet Basil

Stress causes sugar cravings. At first this was just going to be my excuse for eating a big old muffin filled with sugar and then I looked it up and it really is true.
I am a bit stressed at the moment. A little more than usual. I have been cleaning up puke all week. Poor kids. Everyone has had this nasty bug but the baby now. Mr. Sweet Basil and I were supposed to speak in Sacrament today. I told them to have a back-up plan and I am so glad I did. Church starts at 1:00. Mr Sweet Basil started puking at 1:30. I don't mind speaking in Church and it was an easy topic as well, but when you are worried about everyone in your family getting hydrated enough and not getting enough sleep yourself it can be a bit overwhelming not to mention hoping everyone we have come into contact with won't get sick. So, I ate a big yummy muffin and loved it. But about a half hour later I felt my head swimming and my tummy hurting. 100 day challenge? It really wouldn't be fair let this slide so, I have learned a lesson. Be prepared with something to replace that craving and try not to stress out. Perfect Day to start over: Feb 1, 2010.

1.29.2010

Yummy little muffins

1 c ground flax seed (you can grind flax seed in a coffee grinder)
1 c toasted wheat germ
1 c white wheat (just for fun if you want to know the difference between white wheat and red wheat click here)
1 c mixed flour (if you have a wheat grinder, grind some brown rice, amaranth, barley and some red wheat)I put the extra in a ziploc bag and store it in the freezer. The other kinds of flour just gives some different nutrients and adds a little different taste. If you don't have a grinder and you don't want to buy all the different kinds of flour just use what you have.
1 Tbsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp sea salt
2 egg whites
1 c unsweetened applesauce
1 1/2 c plain lowfat yogurt
1/4 c olive oil
1 c raisins
1/4 c chopped pecans
1/4 c chopped almonds

mix it all up just until moist then fold in the raisins and nuts and throw it in the muffin pans bake for 20 minutes or so at 375 degrees.

This recipe was adapted from the Cranberry Flax Seed Breakfast Muffins in this awesome book.
I didn't have all of the ingredients. What is listed above is exactly what I used and it was very good.

Notice: There is no sugar added. It is day 5 and all is well.

Attention all you tea drinkers...

Do you heat up your water in the microwave or on the stove? Sick of it? I have a great friend that told me to go to my favorite thrift store and buy a coffee maker. Coffee makers are not just for coffee drinkers. I always wondered why there weren't tea makers. Anyway, I may be a little slow but I guarantee that I will be drinking more tea in the very near future. She also told me about this very neat treasure to add to my tea... check it out here.

1.26.2010

Sweet Basil bears all...

I totally missed Embers post back forever ago about the 100 day no sugar challenge. I was very impressed.
My reasons:
#1. To feel better. I usually have a tummy ache after I eat always. This could be from the sugar or the growing yeast because of the sugar or maybe the gluten, I don't know. But I am going to start with sugar. I have done this before and it seemed to help. Why did I go back you ask? That brings me to my next one.
#2. To overcome addiction. I have a problem. That little white evil stuff calls my name even when I am asleep. It makes me angry and depressed and I will beat it and be way better off without it. I do believe in moderation in all things but not for me when it comes to sugar. I know that if I can kick this I could probably do just about anything.
#3. To help me get to a normal weight. I am overweight according to my Wii fit. Obese according to the Doctor's office. I am 5'1" and 157 pounds. That is right. I am letting everyone know. I am a size 12-14. That size is nice on a taller woman but I am really short. There are some women that can pull it off but not me. Cutting out the sugar I know will help me get to a normal weight.
#4. To be able to exercise more effectively. I really want to compete someday in a half marathon. I was working toward that and got lost somehow. I can run but it hurts. I know if the sugar is out of my system and I am using real food for fuel my body will work properly and I will be able to reap greater benefits from exercise.
#5. To learn how to endure. I really hope that at 100 days I can look back and smile and continue on to 200 and 300 and so on. I feel great about making it almost 9 months without chocolate (another addiction but not anymore). Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming...
#6. To teach my kids healthy habits. What is important to me now will become important to them later. I don't want my kids to have weight issues. If I were to continue with my behavior with treats they will learn that too. They will just learn that because they are kids now they don't get 2 bowls of ice cream but when they grow up and are adults they can have as much as they want. How sad and confusing is that?
So, 2 days down 98 to go. Cheer me on, join with me, give suggestions, let's see what can happen.

1.02.2010

What's Worse Than Sugar?

By Ember

Is it true that 'if we eat it, we better burn it or we're going to store it'? I found out some very interesting and timely information through this information. Are all calories the same?

Got another great article and video to pass on from Dr. Mercola.

Of course weight loss/fitness is one of my resolutions. I had a baby this past year and started eating chocolate again (dumb for me) and need to lose about 20 pounds to get to my pre-pregnancy weight. I'd like to lose about 10 more beyond that number. I feel hopeful with this new information, which makes a lot of sense to me, that I can make permanent changes to my diet and be thinner as well as more healthy. I am not a soda drinker but can't wait to tell a few people about what I've learned about soda.

Check it out here! Good stuff.

And I haven't said it for a while, but I still know that Heavenly Father blesses every effort!