February 3, 2010

Toughing it Out

This whole "cutting out sugar and caffeine" thing hasn't really been THAT hard except for a few key things.

Coffee. Coffee. OOHHH coffee, how I miss you. I miss your energy and your sweetness. I miss you in the morning and in the afternoon. However, is it just me or have I been sleeping better without you? Was my lack of sleep or good sleep your fault? I think its too early to tell. All I know is that this week I am tired but I have slept well. I think my new plan is to enjoy my coffee on the weekends and not during the work week. It cuts way down on my caffeine intake and also gives me something to look forward to!

Treats. For anyone who knows me, even just a little bit, you know that I love treats. Not only do I enjoy consuming them but I also enjoy making them! Anything from crumb cake to peanut butter cookies--I would eat it. Luckily, with the holidays being over, my temptations for these kind of sweets remain few and far between. But, that pretty bag of chocolate chips in my cabinet is calling my name. They are longing to be made into a delicious bit of goodness. However, I think I'm gonna stick this one out--At least through next week, see how I feel and then go from there.

This week has been all about fruit salad. Kiwis, to be exact. Kiwis are the most underrated fruit around. They might take a few extra minutes to peel but they are so so worth it.


(more refined photos coming SOON!)

It does take work to make a little bowl of fruit ahead of time but my breakfast is so satisfying and any ADDED sugar from my cereal choices are gone! (Sidenote: I do know that fruit contains sugar. It is natural so I dig it.)

This is by no means a complete diet makeover, nor do I think I actually need one but it is kind of interesting to see how certain ingredients can effect you in so many different ways.

This little jar below currently resides on my bedside table for sweet emergencies, it has just occurred to me that I should move it.

6 comments:

  1. chocolate raisins! I thought you were taking a leave of absence from the chocolate eating world Miss KelleyQ

    That fruit salad looks good though.

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  2. Hi again,
    I stopped putting sugar in coffee whenever possible after my brother did a year's internship for British Sugar and told me just how much goodness they take out of the natural susbstance to get it white and into bags. I've been putting agave nectar (from cactus plants!) into my coffee when I drink it at home - it looks a little like honey but is tasteless and is three times sweeter than sugar so you need hardly any. Plus its much better for you as it has a really low GI value. Over here, in France, you can buy it in health shops...
    Ciara

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  3. K, you can get Agave nectar at everyone's favorite grocery store, Trader Joe's. :) I gotta try that too... good call, Ciara.

    Also I need to share my favorite way to eat a kiwi. Cut horizontally. Get a spoon. Scoop it out from its natural bowl! No peeling required AND the most fun way ever.

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  4. Just the thought of giving up caffeine gives me a headache, Kelley! I am soo impressed with your willpower ;)

    I definitely recommend agave nectar...I am a big fan. It's a little pricey, but since you only need a little, it goes a long way.

    I'm really enjoying your blog so far...keep it up!

    Katherine

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  5. I am so impressed by your ability to give up caffeine! I used to only drink 1 cup of coffee a day but grad school has driven me to at least 2 cups a day! I hit the 2-3p slump and need something to get me through the rest of the day! I have tried substituting different kinds of caffeine free tea recently- I highly recommend the "stash premium" chai green tea- It is great for winter with hues of cinnamon and ginger in it!

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  6. Ack, giving up coffee would be so hard, but I have cut back tremendously. I have lived in South America and Europe where coffee is ingrained in you, but I don't drink nearly as much as I used when I lived in those places. Love chocolate covered raisins, and if I had a container that size it would be dangerous! I found you through Jen Epting, I am another non-mommy blogger and wanted to say hi!

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