February 25, 2013 - The Sugar Monster

Good morning to all of you, (sorry this is late, got my day backwards. My workday started right out of bed and now I am taking a break for coffee and talk time) I finally can say my manuscript is resting in the hands of a publishing company. They have not agreed to publish, only agreed to read. If they agree to proceed, and we come under contract, the wheels will finally be in motion. For now, it will suffice to say the "wheels are on the track." :) Thanks for your love and support. I leave for Thailand Wednesday AM, so tomorrow will be my last blog until March 11th. I will miss talking and sharing with you. No Healthy 4 You Life Group in March, we will start again in April. If you need my carrot cake recipe for Easter or something else we've shared at LG, email and ask ASAP and I will email that to you. As the rain taps gently on my fireplace, I wonder how often our lives make a sound and exactly what sound they make? I would love to be remembered as the steady, consistent sound (rain) that says, "I am bringing a deep soaking to your soil to ensure LIFE." I want to bring the release of Jesus everywhere I go for the next 12 days. I want to release Jesus to my family, staff, dry cleaning lady, and everyone I touch and encounter. How about you? I would imagine sometimes the sound of our lives declares health and LIFE, but maybe not always. I had a friend tell me recently that they cannot seem to conqueror the "sugar thing." While I understand, fought that feeling most of my life, let's break that down. Sugar has no power over us, does it? Its sound isn't real. It's an inanimate object with NO LIFE. However, the addiction to sugar, in my opinion, has a very powerful and loud sound. Sugar sitting in a dish, on the table, has no strings with which to pull us. The taste of sugar (in a cinnamon roll) in your mouth is different. You KNOW it is. wink... The taste of sugar often says, "reward...good job...great accomplishment....YUM!" Right? When we were little, we were often given treats when we "went potty;" or we "made a good grade;" or perhaps we "obeyed at the first command." All of these are great feats in and of themselves, BUT SOMEHOW adding sugar beyond the applause of men (parents, family, teachers) only shouted louder, "you did it." The only problem is the applause of our family and friends lasts a few seconds, but the effects of sugar extend far beyond. I am making a conscious effort to break that in my family. (However, American Eagle is MUCH more expensive than a chocolate cookie. wink) Have you ever tried to go a couple of days with NO sugar? For me, I'd rather have my tongue sliced out. I think it would be easier. Here's what I feel: intense hunger pangs, headache, jitters, and edgy. Maybe you can identify? Here's what my family sees: MONSTER. Yep, they do. And I believe there are many of you who KNOW this too well. :) At this point, we can either grab the custard-filled doughnut at DD and spare our family the horror show, OR we can head to the beach for 3 days and detox. ORRRR.....Realistically, we can control our attitude, take pictures in our mind as reminders that detox is not a pleasant experience and realize that sugar is more than the bowl on the table. My husband and I talked a long time about this yesterday. We all like sweets occasionally and choosing to be healthy can't be when all the variables are correctly aligned. As he said, planning to cook something sweet (with xylitol) a couple of times a month and limiting the portions is the "ticket to winning." I simply smiled, nodded, and thought, "we've come a long way baby." My theory: detox ONCE and let those feelings serve as reminders to never be addicted again. So this morning, get your calendar out, decide which days you will create a yummie, and determine that a couple of portions will satisfy you. SHARE THE REMAINDER QUICKLY. Too simple, PK. No, I work that plan. I find the next holiday, schedule what I am baking and get excited to make the sound that says, "Victory." Carrot cake (with almond flour and xylitol) is on the plan for Easter. I told you. LOL PK