A Sugar-Free Me!

As part of my resolution to eat healthier (and a challenge from a friend), I've decided to give up sugar for 30 days, starting January 10. I find myself snacking on sugary things all day long, so this is a way to help me break bad habits, clear junk out of my house, and learn to cook and eat without so much sugar in my diet.

THE RULES: I can eat any sort of natural sugar (aka fruit, honey, molasses, agave, etc).
I can't eat anything with sugar, corn syrup, etc listed in the ingredients.

That's it! Sometimes I try to do too much, too fast. I give up sugar, fat, white grains, and only buy salad. That never works, so I'm taking little steps to try to develop good habits. Cutting sugar is the a first little step.

First I got rid of all the Christmas junk I still had laying around.

Goodbye Christmas chocolate!

As it turns out, sugar is in EVERYTHING. Basically any condiment. Any store-bought bread. Giving up sugar means cooking and baking my own food a whole lot more, which is really better for me anyway right?

There are a million recipes out there for sugar-free foods. So far I've made homemade tortillas, fajita marinade, bbq pork marinade, pizza sauce, and my newest favorite, banana bread.

Banana bread sweetened with fresh-squeezed orange juice and a dab of molasses.

When I'm craving something sweet to drink, I add a slice of lemon or lime to glass of ice water. I love it, and it's just enough sweet to satisfy my cravings. 

It really hasn't been too difficult. I have caught myself, sugary treat in hand, halfway to my mouth. I don't even realize it! That's really what this is all about. Stop mindless eating, and hopefully kill a little bit of that sweet tooth. 

Here's to 6 days without sugar! 

A