Sugar

I've been meaning to post about my "no sugar for 2 weeks" "thing" I did a month ago, but I have been busy, but that is for another post. I learned a lot about myself while not eating sugar. I learned that I could function without it. I learned that I didn't really want to function without it :) I learned that if I am going to eat in response to my emotions, it doesn't matter if I can't have sugar; I will find something else to eat. It was a tough go for a few days, but all in all, I am glad that I did it, if no other reason than to say that I can do it.
So, there it is. I am eating sugar these days. Making it in moderation though. Other things to share on this front, but not today.
Blessings!

A Joy of Boys!

I went home to Charlotte this weekend for a trip. It had been two months since I had been there or seen my parents and Manly Man was working 72 of the last 96 hours. Great time for a visit right?
I had a great time with my parents! I got my hair cut and highlighted. I was able to visit with my precious niece, Savannah Mae. I got to meet up with a wonderful friend from junior high and her new man! What a blast that was!
Mom, Dad, the boys and I went to the Davidson College Women's Basketball game on Saturday afternoon where I saw my junior high band director. I think I saw a hint of "I feel old" from him when I told him both the boys with me were my sons:)
Sunday was church. It is always nice going back to the church I grew up in because everyone knows me. It is nice to be known.
We hit the road to come back home after a short stop to see my niece one last time and so the boys could see their uncle.
I was hoping to not have to stop for a bathroom break on the way home. We made it all the way to Charlotte on Thursday without a stop! It was unreal! No such luck this time. We had to stop twice! But here is the best part...I pull on the side of the road. The boys unbuckle their seat belts, open the van door and pee out the side! Yes I realize that might disgust some of you. That is OK. It isn't my favorite. However, since I can't leave one in the car while I take the other in to use a nasty, germy bathroom, this option is MUCH faster!
I only wish I could do it;)
Stay tuned for a post about what I learned from not eating sugar for two weeks.
By the way, is anyone still out there?

Injured Mom

As I sit, camped out on the couch, with a knee that is aching, I am very aware how blessed I am. My Manly Man keeps asking if I need him to come home since it hurts to walk or stand (I think he might just want to come home!). My boys are being great and even bringing me things I ask for, like water and my purse!
Boys, and Manly Man, I LOVE YOU! I am blessed!
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Day 9 Thoughts

When I can't have sugar, I'll find something else to eat too much of. I'd have to cut out bread, sugar and cheese! Balance! It is all about balance. I will be working on a plan during the remaining 5 days. I need to know how I am going to balance my trigger foods when this is over. Planning! I have a feeling will be of the utmost importance!

This is what I have craved today! I made bread and it was delicious! (Sorry for the poor quality photo!)

Days 6 and 7 (No Sugar)

Wednesday was fine until I got the boys home from Awana and was hungry since we eat an early dinner usually. I had two pieces of string cheese and that helped, but I really wanted something munchie. I went to bed instead.



Thursday wasn't a bad day. We went to Manly Man's aunt and uncle's house to see them for a few hours. We had grilled cheese sandwiches and grapes and strawberries. I had mine with cheddar cheese and it was yum-o! I actually ate two sandwiches. Yikes! I kept lunch light. Then, at 9pm, I attacked some cheddar cheese pretty hard. I'm paying for it today, and drinking lots of water to flush the extra sodium out of my body...my rings are tight right now! Next time, I'll just go to bed!



I found a product today that I am super excited about, but don't want to share it with you until I have tried it. And I can't try it until next Friday! Bet your wondering aren't you???



It gets easier each day to make it through. I'm not sure exactly what I miss the most. It is hard to miss it when it isn't in your house. It is also hard to miss something sweet when a light bulb in your head is turned on, but I will share more about that at the end of the second week. I won't be updating daily anymore about this challenge, but I will be posting a couple of times over the next week.

Remote Controller, In Training!

I asked Jonathan where the remote was because I wanted to know what was coming on next. He had it hidden under his pillow! That rascal!

Day 5 (No Sugar) and A Victory!

Day 5 , yesterday, was great! I made chicken parm last night and it was yummy! Manly Man and I were reminiscing a little over dinner. Chicken parm was the first meal I ever cooked for him and it was actually before we started dating. Fun to look back isn't it?

At Awana tonight, Jacob is having a Valentine's Party in Cubbies. They are supposed to bring in valentines and a snack to share. I immediately thought "sweets" and then realized that I couldn't do that. So, instead, he is bringing in a bag of red seedless grapes! Super proud of my victorious choice, for all involved!

Day 4 (No Sugar) and For the Non-Scrapper

Today has been easier. I haven't overeaten or had any sugar. I have attacked a few pieces of sugar free gum though. I am not going to post my tracker, but it has been a great day. I feel really motivated today. Manly Man is still going too, although he has cheated a few times. I am still proud of him though!

I'm not a scrapper. A scrapbooker that is. My sister is. I think I disappoint her greatly in this area. She is always helpful when I go for a visit. And by helpful, I mean she forces me to sit down and work on a scrapbook that has been in the works for a year and a half. She is great about it, honestly.

It is not realistic for me to be able to do scrapbooks for everything. This digital photo age has about killed me. Until I found the photo books that Shutterfly will let you create. You can do a quick one that helps you through a lot of the process or do one that takes more time and requires a little more effort on your part. They print it and send it to you in book form. It is like making a yearbook. I have done three of them so far. I am trying to have one for each year so that we have a way to look at pictures without having to go to the computer. Check them out here.

Day 3 (No Sugar)

Breakfast:
1/2 c egg whites
1/2 oz cheese
2 T salsa
Coffee w/ 1% milk

Lunch
4 oz turkey
1 slice pepper jack cheese
1 whole wheat sandwich thin
Cucumbers
1/3 c grapes

Snack
1 oz cheddar cheese
8 triscuits

Dinner
Mmmm...

Water
64+ oz

At church today, we started looking at how Truth gets twisted ever so slightly and where that leads us. The point was made also that the devil stands ready to accuse us. The interesting part about that is that he will do whatever it takes to get us to give into temptation and THEN step back and point his finger at us, accusing us! God's grace has set me free; free from His wrath and free from accusation. Since for me eating is my drug of choice, my addiction, the devil stands ready to tempt me and then accuse me when I give in and eat because I am feeling frustrated (or whatever emotion it is). It makes me feel even worse because of his finger pointing. I am thankful to be saved by grace! I was reminded that I have a choice to make when tempted to over eat or eat emotionally. And now I have a very good visual of the devil taunting me. Perhaps, through God's strength, I will be able to resist. Just my thoughts on the day.

And I didn't have any sweets at our Super Bowl party! And no sodas! Those two things call for a celebration...a nice glass of water!
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Day 2, No Sugar

Saturday wasn't the greatest of days, but I didn't have any sugar. I did a BIG lunch of hot dogs with chili and chips. In turn, I had a salad and some grapes for dinner, with a few spoonfuls of homemade mashed potatoes. I wanted something sweet so instead, I had chips. Lot of chips. I have done no sugar before and it wasn't this hard!

Sunday will be hard with the Superbowl! I am going to try my best to make wise decisions throughout the day and continue on with the no sugar thing!

Day 1 (No Sugar)

Breakfast:
Coffee w/ low fat milk
1/2 c egg whites with 1/2 oz cheese

Lunch:
4 oz turkey
1 slice pepper jack cheese
1 sandwich thin
Cucumbers

Snack:
1 string cheese
1 kiwi
2 slices cheddar cheese
8 triscuits
Hot tea

Dinner:
Cheese steak
Chili cheese fries.

Water: more than 64 oz

Thoughts:
Some days are easier than others. I woke with a ton of motivation and also a lot of comfort because Manly Man is going to do this with me! There isn't a lot of sweets in my house. I took care of that yesterday. :) He has had a harder time than I have today, but I think that he will be glad in the long run.
I experienced some frustration that I would have loved to take out on some cookie dough or something, but I decided to have a little cheese and a few triscuits along with some peppermint tea. It helped, some.

I did blow it at dinner by having a cheese steak sandwich and some chili cheese fries. It was mostly for comfort...it has been cold and rainy all day. I didn't really enjoy it to be honest. Because I knew that I had made a decision with my emotions and not my heart and mind.

But, I didn't have any added sugar today.

Day 1 done. 13 more to go.
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I'm Doing It!

Two weeks, starting Friday morning. No sugar. Allow me to clarify. No added sugar to my coffee or food. No sodas or juices. No candy or sweets. No baked goodies. None of it.

Sugar is a food that is bad, very bad for me. I over eat on it a ton!

I will try to post each day to be honest about this. I know in my heart that I need to do this. I know in my jeans that I need to do this too!

Another Profound Discovery!

I know! I haven't blogged hardly any in the last few months. I want to get back to it...truly! I just don't know what to write about I guess.
Today, I write about another self-discovery moment, mostly as a reminder to myself; but perhaps helpful to someone else too!

When I feed my body well a lot of things happen. Two of the hugest things are this:

1. I am a better wife because I feel good on the inside and I haven't been stuck in a self-pity and sinful (for me) pattern.

2. I am a better mom for the same reason.

When I feel bad in my own skin, I'm not fun to be around.

When I feel good in my own skin, I'm a little happier and more joyful!

Loving my boys well

I been trying to figure out my boys lately. I picked up The Love Languages book by Gary Chapman and flipped through it. I was reminded of what my love language is (quality time) and was able to quickly figure out my boys'. Nothing shuts Jonathan down quicker that fussing at him and NOT cheering him on. He is words of affirmation. He needs encouragement. He needs me to be positive with him. Sounds easy right? Homeschooling him makes it a little tricky because I get really frustrated when he is spacey and doesn't try his best. I am trying to love him better by being encouraging and to temper my temper.
Jacob was easy to figure out. Every morning he wakes up and comes to find me and snuggle. It is his favorite thing to do and maybe his favorite time of the day. He is physical touch. He loves to give kisses and hugs, all the time. He rubs in our kisses, still!
My boys, I love you, even if I don't always do a good job loving you in your love language. Remember this, I am trying. And I am human. I love you Jonathan and Jacob!
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