Treasures

Today I started my "less than 20 grams of sugar a day" journey and it was great.  I feel great.  I have to tell you that I recently uploaded the TED talks app on my phone to listen to something interesting while I'm working out.  I listened to a talk from Diana Nyad.
Diana_Nyad

She is a 64-year-old woman who swam from Cuba to Florida.  She started trying when she was 20 and finally accomplished it at 64.  Her theme for the last attempt was "Find A Way".  I LOVE that.  I have a lot of obstacles in my days with 5 small children, but I'm just going to find a way.

This morning was very cold in Virginia.  I decided it wouldn't be wise to venture to the gym.  I did a ballet workout  Element-Ballet-Conditioning in my living room.  BD claims I woke him up with the sounds of my rond de jambes (I had to look that up). I'm surprised he didn't wake up to me murmuring, "You are crazy, lady" to the TV over and over.

I had a lot of temptations today, but I just focused on all the OTHER wonderful things in the world besides sugar.  That is my biggest help, just looking for treasures all day long.  Here are the ones I found.

Well, there are the pears.  We call fruit "God candy".  It's so delicious and sometimes I think we forget that.  Not only are they delicious, but they are beautiful.  I just love the pears with rosy cheeks.  I always pick them out even though I know they don't taste better.
Besides the pears there is the beautiful poppy tile my mother gave me and the wonderful sugar and flour canisters my mother gave me that have been over the ocean twice.  There is also a wonderful cinnamony candle a friend gave me.  You see, there is beauty all around and I am loved.  

Who needs sugar?

I love it when I start preparing something healthy for myself and my kids beg me for it.  I usually act like I'm reluctant to share with them so they want it even more.  Two pears were gone in a flash! Plus, these kids make me happy.  Chalkboards make me happy and Gustav Klimit also makes me happy!

Baby #6 makes me HAPPY!!!

One of my dearest friends in the whole world, who has helped me so very much, asked me today for some tips on being a nonsugaric.  Let me just give you one major tip.  The trash can is your VERY best friend.  Okay, so my kids ate part of a pear, but right after that they finished off the last of the eggnog ice cream in the freezer.  They also got out the syrups we have in the fridge.  My husband got this Hershey's Strawberry syrup long ago and I hate it.  I think it is disgusting.  That being said, people eat a lot of disgusting things just because they are sweet.  I was discussing this with the kids and suggested we throw this syrup away.  While we were talking about it I noticed the expiration date of the syrup was 1/2014.  How lucky for us.  Now we had a really good reason to dispose of it.  

Sweets ceremoniously disposed of the syrup.

Isn't it beautiful nestled in the trash?

I always say that you can either waste it in the trash can or waste it on your waist.  I prefer the trash can!

I met my 20 gram limit before dinner.  Then for dinner I made frozen pizzas which I do every Tuesday. I looked at the box and there was added sugar in them.  I decided I'd just have a salad with grilled chicken.  However, I realized my favorite lite ranch dressing has sugar in it (not a lot, but 20 grams is my limit).  I decided I'd just go with my Albanian standard of olive oil, red wine vinegar and salt.  I actually used garlic salt and a little chipotle seasoning.  It was delicious!  

Okay, so that is tip number 2.  There are so many interesting flavors in the world, sugar gets boring!  I bought some pesto parmesan ham today.  I had no idea they made things like this.  I only learned about it because my daughter had lunch at the neighbors and was raving about their ham.  I feel like I've been living in the dark ages.  I can't wait to make sandwiches tomorrow!

I have been thinking that the last time I blogged regularly I spent a lot of time pointing out what temptations I resisted.  I've been thinking perhaps that wasn't very helpful to you our to me so I plan to focus on all the other treasures this time.

And . . . I also realized that I promised I'd reveal my super cool project to you a long time ago.  My project is mostly complete and I'm at least ready to reveal my January portion of it, which I will do tomorrow.

Lastly, my sister posted this great article from the Washington Post that was funny, true and helpful. Check it out. Read-this-if-you-want-to-be-happy-in-2014. 

I think I want to read his book How-Fail-Almost-Everything-Still-Win-Big.

Resolved

I have been waiting and waiting and waiting for the moment when I could sit down and write on my blog today.  The moment is here and already I'm being called away  . . . . One minute please.

Okay here's what I've decided.

My resolution is

1. I will only eat 20 grams of added sugar a day - per the recommendation for women.  This is only 5 teaspoons of sugar.

2. I will earn 5 activity points a day on my activelink (a weight watchers activity monitor) - today I earned 7!  I went for 7 miles on the elliptical and then did this with my family tonight.

This is a place called Jumpology.  They have Family Night every Monday.  It's only $35 for a family of 6.  We had a lot of fun.  I was nervous to jump, but I did and even did a few of my old tricks.  http://www.jumpology.us/

3. I also have had two messages already this new year that have reminded me that the key to overcoming any of our weaknesses- like overeating - is to rely on God.  Therefore, this will be my tactic to gain the strength I need to overcome my sugar addition - just like in AA.

4. Sweets also challenged me to get fit by the time I turn 40.  Fit by 40 is my mantra this year.  I'm so excited about it.

I was very reluctant, but I measured my waist this morning and it was 36 INCHES!!!!  This is not cool, but at least now I have my starting point.  I also weigh 157 lbs.  So watch with me as those numbers both melt away.  I weigh and measure every Monday.

I also thought of a code name for baby #6 which I can't reveal until Wednesday.

Happy New Year!

Well it's a new year.  My sister just made a comment on Facebook about how she was hooked on my blog.  It really inspired me and I really need some inspiration.  So I'm back.  I haven't quite decided what my sugar angle will be this year, but I'm working on it.  I've been thinking about my New Year's Resolution and decided if I didn't have it all mapped out by January 1st that would be okay.  I'll shoot for January 11th, close enough.

Here is an updated picture of my sweet family.  I'm warning you, it's awfully sweet!

This picture was taken by my dear and talented friend DeAnna.  If you want gorgeous pictures like this one please visit her website at http://www.deannanicolephotography.com/

She is super funny and talented and I just think everyone should have their pictures taken by her.  Here are a few more super cute samples of her work.

Oh, you haven't met baby #6.  What should we call her?  Give me some ideas.  This is her hilarious mad face.

 Here she is again!  She was a 9 lb baby.  Too bad I couldn't lay off the sugar.

 Here's BD - He's taller than me now.

 Here's Bumbles - cute as ever, but I can't wait until he stops fighting me every nap time.

 The Ever Beautiful Sweets!

It's SUPER JACK!!!  

Isn't it all too much?  I could stare at these pictures all day.  I'm filling up two picture frames with all of them.  I just have to wait for a few more to come in the mail.

I've only written a few words, but I'm already feeling better about life.  I'm glad my sister mentioned this.  Writing is so therapeutic!

I haven't been doing a very good job dieting, but I have been getting up at 6 am, feeding my baby and heading off to the gym pretty regularly.  So I'm off to bed so I can get up early.  Hopefully, the first day back to homeschooling won't wear me out too much for an entry tomorrow.

Who needs it?

You might think that I've fallen off the wagon because I haven't posted for awhile, but I'm happy to tell you that that is not the case.  I'm still holding strong.  Even though this week I have faced the following.

Tuesday:  Homemade Apple Pie ala mode.  Our Bishop came over on Tuesday and my husband told him that I would make an apple pie.  I really, really didn't want to, but I did.  And I know when my husband asks me to make an Apple Pie he'll ask if there is vanilla ice cream to go with it.  I hadn't made any pie since I left Albania.  My mom had given me some pie plates, but I didn't remember, until I was in the middle of making the pie crust, that I didn't have a pastry cutter or a rolling pin.  I made due without the pastry cutter, but I had to get a rolling pin, which made the whole process much more irritating. 

Later I made some "poptarts".  I only had enough leftover dough to make three.  I ate two and Sweets had the other one.  It was made with nonsugaric jam.  Not so pretty, but I was happy to be able to eat a little pastry.  BTW, I had to stare at the leftover apple pie for 3 days and I still didn't succumb.

Wednesday:  I went to a Relief Society Activity (the women's organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).  It was a pool party, but it was too cold to swim.  I had been looking forward to it for 2 weeks, but Bumbles had a fever on Wednesday.  I did go to my activity for an hour.  There was a counter with desserts, but I just didn't really look at them.  I did notice there was a lot of whipped cream involved, but I just kept walking.

Thursday:  Bumbles was miserable and at one point the only thing I could find to make him stop crying was some of this.

Usually when something like this is sitting in my cupboard I have a few handfuls a day.  I haven't touched this bag.  If I really need something sweet I just have a little box of this.

Saturday: donuts. As I mentioned we'll have 4 new grandkids this year.  One was born last week to my youngest sister.  There is another one on the way in early July.  I went to that sister's baby shower on Saturday and there were donuts.  I resisted them.  I ate fruit and corn muffins and deviled eggs instead.  They were so yummy who needs donuts. 

When I got home my kids had their junk - Snickers ice cream.  Even when you don't want to eat things if you are serving them to other people you tend to lick your fingers or the spoon or something.  I've almost done that so many times without thinking.  So far I have caught myself and resisted.

Last night I went for a late run to the grocery store and to get gas.  I bought my husband his father's days present.

One of his favorites.  I knew I had had a lot of temptation and a rough week so I thought I'd better get a treat for myself to help me maintain my nonsugaric status.  Now if I had been in Albania there would be no hope for me, but here I have a secret weapon.

These are so wonderful.  They have a million flavors.  All the bars only have 5 or so ingredients and there is never anything like sugar in them.  They usually have dates and some kind of nut.  This one had coco powder in it and almonds, but no sugar.  And I mean no sugar of any kind.  Not even fake sugar.  You've got to try them!!!!!!

So when I got home my husband had a bowl of ice cream and I ate my Larabar.  We were both happy.

Satisfying Shapes and Colors

We had a crazy weekend.  I was supposed to go to my little sister's house and see her new baby, but I had a very sore throat and I didn't want to get the baby sick.  Sweets cried when she found out we were going.

It was nice to be together with my little family for a whole day.  We had a big breakfast of eggs and bacon, YUM.  When it was lunch time we were so full from breakfast that we decided to just eat the cookies for junk day.  My kids called it a cookie party.  Bumbles would take one bite out of a cookie and try to give the rest to me, but I told him to give it to his dad.  It was really hard to resist those cookies.

Then there was the rootbeer.  We had to get some for BD's Webelos Hike.  We had left overs and there were rootbeer cans everywhere.  You have no idea how many times I almost picked up a half drunk can and had a swig.  But because I knew I would have to report to all of you I resisted everytime.

Then on Sunday I had to resist the big plate of brownies that my sweet sister-in-law made.  But I did it.

Monday I we were finally safe from the sugar.  I was really craving some, but I found joy in watching my children play. 

They were all begging for watching TV, but I resisted and suggested blocks.  They had so much fun.  They were so busy that I had time to put some of Super Jack's blanket together.

I love the way he is holding it up with his chin and still smiling.  I decided that I really like primary colors and basic shapes.  Somehow I got the same kind of satisfaction from looking at color and shapes as I do from eating sugar.  My cravings went away. Especially after I saw this sweet smile.

So Many TREATS!

Ever since I told the whole world that I'm not eating sugar it got a lot easier.  I was just mixing a batch of chocolate chip cookies and didn't take a lick.  My daughter saw me toss a small piece of dough in the sink and was shocked.  Then she realized I'm a nonsugaric again.

Last night when the kids were in bed I was REALLY craving a treat.  I thought about opening the chocolate chips and having a few.  I thought about having some grape juice, but then I realized I got a lame kind that wasn't 100% juice (I'm still getting used to grocery shopping in the States).  I thought about having a piece of bread with nonsugaric jam, but . . . . . I knew I was on the verge of getting heartburn so I just told myself that what I needed wasn't food.  I got busy knitting, which to me is a super treat.  I just can't get enough of it.  Plus, going to sleep with no heartburn was a REAL TREAT!

I'm knitting a blanket for Super Jack.  We realized Sweets and BD and even Bumbles had a special blanket, but Super Jack didn't.  So Sweets, BD and I are knitting him one.  It is going to be really cute.  We have to knit 48 squares and we have completed 14 with a 15th on the way.  That only took us a week.

One little note, you may be wondering why on earth I would be baking chocolate chip cookies when I'm trying to avoid sugar.  I'll tell you.  Since I last posted regularly my family has decided to have two junk days a week.  We don't call them treat days because they really aren't a treat to anything, but your tongue.  I want the kids to know that it is just junk.  So we have junk on Wednesdays and Saturdays.  My baby sister just had her first baby and I'm planning to go spend the day with them tomorrow so I had to make the junk today so it would be here for the kids while I was gone.  This will be the first time we've made cookies and not eaten them right away.  I told my kids it is a test.

I am so proud of my little sister.  Her baby was born on Thursday.  Since she is too far away I've been calling her regularly to see how feeding is going.  Her baby is eating and pooping like a champ!!!!  Nothing makes me happier than helping a Mamma feed her baby!  What a treat! 

I just have to mention one more treat.  While we were in Albania we made some friends from the UK and they told us about an author, Enid Blyton.  They especially recommended one of her series.
Malory Towers  BD, Sweets and I are almost done with the second book.  We are crazy about it.  We never thought we'd find anything we loved as much as Little House on the Prairie, but this is great.

Sugar Babies

I'm back in America and back in the saddle.  I have been eating plenty of sugar since my last post.  But I am determined that this was my last indulgence for awhile.

Many things have happened since my last post and I certainly cannot write them all here.  Let's just say that we had to leave our dear Albania.

This was very hard for us to do.  Then we lived with some wonderful, dear and generous friends for 5 months.  That's right, they let a family of six stay with them for FIVE MONTHS.  We pray often that the Lord will bless them for their great kindness towards us.

We do finally have work and a place of our own. It is just an apartment, which in America seems strange to have a family of 6 living in an apartment, but in Albania it is normal.  As you know, we will always be a little strange no matter where we live.

The kids have gotten bigger.

And so has my belly

That's right everyone.  Number 6 is on the way.  Some of you might be wondering why I'm saying six when I only have 4 kids, but let's not forget our dear sweet girl Lili May who is waiting for us in Paradise.  It was a tough decision, but I did finally decide to try once more.  They say it is a girl, but I'm not sure I believe them.

I also have two pregnant sisters and a pregnant sister-in-law.  There are going to be a lot of sweet and sugary babies around here. 

I've been trying to be a nonsugaric for a month without success.  I've decided that I need to write on my blog in order to make it happen.  I need accountability.  I really want to be a nonsugaric until this baby is born.  I usually have big babies and I'm hoping by not eating sugar I can have a smaller, healthier baby and mom.  So please support me in the effort and cheer me on as you have done before.