Well, I can say that cutting sugar was a great way to start out the year. I feel like I’ve got myself on a strong foundation for eating healthy all year long. Let me tell you a little bit about my week and then I’ll reveal what February’s challenge is going to be. 
I didn’t eat 100% added sugar free this week. There. I said it.
Here’s what happened. A friend invited me to a brunch for the purpose of introducing Juice Plus. (Any Juice Plus people out there?) Social situations are the hardest, but normally I’m pretty good at avoiding foods if I need to.
When I got there, one of the hosts showed me she made my 5-ingredient Blender Muffins. Now, I am committed to my challenge, but not so much that I’m going to be rude! She made a recipe from my blog, clearly I had to eat one. I least I know they are made with just a small amount of sweetener. Man, are those good. I love those little muffins!
She also made a smoothie for us to sample with Juice Plus’s protein powder, which also has some added sugar. Again, I wasn’t going to be rude so I drank my sample. Happily, I might add. It was quite yummy.
Social situations are really difficult when you’re trying to eat a certain way. While I wish I could say I ate 100% added sugar free this week, I know I ate only a small amount with one blender muffin and a small smoothie sample.
I’m not sure if this is a coincidence or not, but after that brunch I started craving chocolate. Is it because my taste buds had a small taste of sugar that they were awoken from their slumber? Maybe. I can’t be sure, but those cravings were rough for two days after the brunch. Especially when I made these Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls for the kids and couldn’t eat any for myself.
Moving into February, I plan on continuing to eat less sugar. While I won’t be as strict with not allowing any added sugar, this has been a great reminder that I feel better when I’m sugar-free.
So that brings me to the February Happy Healthy Mama Healthy Year Challenge! Are you ready for it? February’s challenge is:
Eat More Plants!
Everyone is at different places in their journey of healthy living, so this challenge won’t look exactly the same for everyone. I will be back tomorrow with another post talking about it more in detail and giving ideas for how you can implement this challenge whether you’re a vegan or someone who eats meat at every meal. Everyone can benefit from this challenge! See you back here tomorrow with the details. 🙂
How was your week with the Cut the Sugar Challenge? Share the ups and downs you experienced!
I can’t tell you how happy I was to read you ate a muffin. 🙂 Because I had a similar situation in which I ate something with sugar in it…it was good!! 🙂 It was also nice to read that you have a similar reaction that I have. Once I have some sugar then I feel the craving tugging at me but I can keep it at bay better than I used to be able to. Sugar!! Ugh!! Anyway, it can be a roller coaster ride. I appreciate all your information. Looking forward to eating more plants. 🙂
Isn’t it crazy what sugar can do to us?! Why does it have to make things taste so good?! Ugh is right. I’m so glad I’m aware of its effects and how important it is to limit it. I know I’m going to do much better going forward after this challenge. I’m glad to hear you’re going to join in February’s challenge, too!
This is powerful testimony to the addictive nature of sugar and how much better we feel when we reduce our intake. Looking forward to February’s challenge of eating more plants!
You’re so right! I’m glad to hear you’re going to join in the challenge in February! 🙂