Since January 1, 2017, I’ve eaten no sugar or sweeteners of any kind — not even honey or stevia, not even in toothpaste or vitamins (see my ground rules for the sugar-free year).
Can I just say…WOOOO HOOO?!!! Continue reading
Sugar
6 months of total sugar-free-ness!
Whoohoo! Today marks six months since I started my no-added-sweeteners-of-any-kind journey on January 1, 2017. All the details are in this post, but in a nutshell, I’ve been avoiding all added sweeteners, including honey, stevia, maple syrup and more — even in my vitamins, even in my toothpaste.
To mark this milestone, here are some common questions I get: Continue reading
How to quit sugar
Tomorrow (December 31, 2017), I’ll complete 1 full year of no added sugars of any type – not even stevia or honey. Read on for tips on how you can do it too.
Giving up sugar might be one of the hardest things you’ll ever do, but it’s worth it. You’ll be a lean, energetic, cravings-free inspiration to all who know you! So, huge congratulations to you for even considering it. Continue reading
The 95 names of sugar
I don’t consume anything on this list — not even stevia, honey, or agave.
Compiling this list of natural and artificial sweeteners reminded me of the classic Arthur C. Clarke science fiction short story “The Nine Billion Names of God“. The creation of my list didn’t trigger a universe-shaking event, but it brought home for me how hard we humans have worked to support our sugar addiction. How many hours of effort does each item on the list represent — especially the artificial sweeteners? When you think of research, testing, marketing, and so on, it’s truly sobering.
Almost 100 different types of natural and artificial sweeteners are listed below; sometimes we humans really are too smart for our own good. Continue reading
3-month update: Travel, flu, and more
At the end of March, I’m still sticking to my totally sugar-free plan. I don’t dream about sugar any more and my appetite’s well controlled.
During a recent trip to visit family, I noticed a surprising sense of calm and relaxation, despite crowded airplanes and the anticipation of a potentially tense family situation. Was this related to giving up sugar? Continue reading
My TV interview is now online
A super-short interview (just over 1 minute) on my sugar-free year by my local TV station CKPG is now online here (or click the image below).
It was filmed in our kitchen (which has *never* been so clean!), and my husband Andrew was a strong supportive off-camera presence. I was very nervous, but I think it went OK. The recipe I’m shown making in the interview is my sweetener-free Creamy Chocolate Pudding. Continue reading
Update on the Sugar-Free Year: 1 month in
One month with no sugar or any other added sweeteners! Hooray! I’m really doing this!
All the positive effects I saw at 2 weeks are continuing, and I’ve been able to follow my sugar-free rules except for a one-bite mistake in a social situation (I hang my head — details below). Continue reading
My favourite resources, Part 2: Books
This is Part 2 of my response to reader Kim F.’s question, “What resources guided you on your journey?”
Part 1 covered websites; this post lists some of my favourite books.
I’m lucky enough to own all the books listed below except Pure, White and Deadly (waiting for the updated version to come out next month). Books are listed in no particular order, but my top favourites are starred (*). Continue reading
Two weeks in and 5 pounds down
It’s been two weeks of sugar-free awesomeness — I think it’s time for an update.
In a nutshell, I’ve lost weight, I feel more energetic, I’m sleeping better, my skin feels smoother, and best of all, I don’t feel controlled by sugar cravings. I’m loving it so far! Continue reading
Sugar: The world’s most popular drug?
From The Case Against Sugar
Sugar appears to cause pleasure with a price that is difficult to discern immediately and paid in full only years or decades later … Most of us today will never know if we suffer even subtle withdrawal symptoms from sugar, because we’ll never go long enough without it to find out. Continue reading
Kickass Aging 