Waging a brutal war...against SUGAR!

My sugar addiction has reached an all-time high. I mean I’m a fitness professional for heaven’s sake! I know how to eat healthy. I do eat healthy. It’s just that darn white hussy in powdered form that I cannot, cannot, cannot say no to.

Sugar is poison in many ways and nothing that I need to be a slave to. So, quite simply I’m quitting the stuff. I’m going cold-turkey.

I am launching a 6-week war against sugar! I want you to join me, because I can’t do it alone. Here’s the plan, it’s simple really:

No dessert for 6 weeks. Period. I can eat fruit, honey, agave nectar (naturally occurring sugar), but cakes, cookies, brownies and candy are out.

If I can do it, I get to buy a new pair of Nike trainers (my other addiction).

There are some rules and parameters that I will outline in a minute, but this is the core of the plan. Skip the sugar. Get shoes! I like that.

The Steps:

1) Clear the Sugar clutter!

Ok, so first thing is first. I need to clear my house of desserts, treats and temptation. On Sunday night (tonight), I’m going to pack it all up in a box and send off to Ad Man’s office. Done. Out of sight, out of mind.

2) Plan for a Treat

In my plan, I’m allowing for TWO special occasions in which I am allowed to eat a dessert. These occasions would include birthdays for immediate family (self, hubby, kids), wedding anniversary, huge news (i.e., promotion.), etc. I’m going to allocate my two special occasions as Easter (March 31) and Ad Man’s Bday (April 13). If you set those in stone (and on the calendar), then you can plan for it. Look forward to it.

3) Reward myself weekly

At the end of each week, I will reward myself with something. Map out your own plan to fit you, but here is what I’m going to do:

Week 1 – Amazingly luxurious bath with some new fun bubble bath

Week 2 – Date night! Get a sitter and go out with hubby!!!

Week 3 – Girls’ Night Dinner!

Week 4 – Manicure

Week 5 – New workout outfit

Week 6 – New Nike trainers!!!

4) Equip yourself with alternates to sweet treats

I have several yummy non-sugar treats that should help curb my sweet tooth without breaking my resolve. Like my banana ice cream recipe. Click here for that. I’ll post a few others throughout the 6 weeks.

5) Motivational Quotes/Pictures

Whether it’s motivational quotes or a picture of a bikini posted on your refrigerator, motivation WILL be necessary. My friend Jill pulled a bunch of quotes and they are awesome. I will also share these throughout the 6 weeks.

Ok, so what are we talking here? What CAN we have?

So oodles of things have sugar in them. Naturally occurring sugar is not bad. It’s just the refined processed garbage that is! There are some things that pass the natural sugar rule:

• Fruit
• Flavored Greek yogurt
• Healthy muffins (think oatmeal blueberry muffin)
• Cocoa powder (unsweetened)
• Natural sweeteners (Agave nectar, honey)
• All-natural coffee creamers (in moderation)

And here is the no-no list.

No cake

No cookies

No brownies

No candy

No ice cream

No pie

No muffins topped with granules of sugar (ugh…I know they are SO yummy)

No chocolate

No chocolate croissants

No slushies

No milkshakes

No doughnuts

No pudding

No dessert

No popsicles. Fudgsicles or any other type of sicle.

No artificial sweeteners (no splenda, equal, etc.)

It is going to be hard. It will take resolve. It will take self-control. If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you.

I hope to beat my sugar addiction and feel better. Cleaner. Healthier. And maybe I’ll lose 5 pounds in the process.

Are you up for the challenge??? Comment here and let me know you are on-board!! I’m going to give everyone who joins us an accountability partner! We are in this TOGETHER!!!!!

Join us!

Big Game doesn't have to mean big diet killer!

One of my favorite, favorite, favorite Holidays is upon us – Super Bowl Sunday! Ok, I like football, but more in the I-like-entertaining-and-football-brings-people-together sort of way, not in the touchdown-dance-never-miss-a-game-actually-paid-attention-to-my-fantasty-football-team kind of way. The reason Super Bowl is so lovely to me is that it marks the end of football season and means that Spring is right around the corner AND that Sundays can again be spent at the park with my husband and kids – instead of scheduled around the Cowboys or Steelers or Green Bay…

Oy!

Did I tell you that my husband actually burned his Romo jersey after they lost in the playoffs several years ago. Yes, as in lighter to jersey. I was like “I bought you that jersey ding-dong.” But you know, all in the name of football. Right.

Ok, so back to the point – Super Bowl Sunday is here!! I usually prepare some light snacky type dishes for the big game, but haven’t shared the wealth on the health.

One of my fabulous boot campers, Jenai, was wondering if I had any light Super Bowl snack suggestions. And I said, of course I do. So, I got out the old blogger pen to share makeovers for a few Big Game favorites. But here’s the deal, don’t tell anyone! Keep it a secret and I guarantee those football husbands (or fiancés or boyfriends) won’t know the difference. [Insert evil laughter here].

7-Layer Dip > 7th Heaven Dip
Ok, this one is easy! Substitute all the bad stuff with lighter good stuff! Still delish, still low-cal and totally full of fiber.

First layer – Combine refried black beans (you can get fat-free canned versions, preferably “spicy”), 4 scallions sliced, ½ cup salsa, ½ tsp. cumin, ½ tsp chili powder and ¼ cup pickled jalapeno slices, chopped. Spread in bottom of a 2-quart microwave-safe dish and microwave until beans are hot.

Second Layer – Reduced Fat Cheese. Sprinkle sparingly on top of beans, then microwave again until the cheese is slightly melty. And for heaven’s sake, please don’t use fat-free cheese. Probably the worst rubbery substance ever made!

Third Layer – Light (or fat-free) Sour Cream. Spread evenly over melty cheese.

Fourth Layer – Romaine Lettuce (chopped). Sprinkle across.

Fifth Layer – Black Olives. Sprinkle.

Sixth Layer – Avocado (1 medium chopped). Sprinkle on top.

Seventh Layer – Pico De Gallo (1 cup). Spread on top.

Garnish with cilantro to make it extra fancy. Serve with baked tortilla chips, carrots and celery sticks.

Spinach artichoke dip > Creamy Spinach Dip
Skip the mayo, full fat sour cream and stomach-ache inducing fat. Instead try:

Small shallot, peeled
5-ounce can water chestnuts, rinsed
1/2 cup reduced-fat cream cheese, (Neufchâtel)
1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese
1/4 cup nonfat plain yogurt
1 TBS lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
6-oz. baby spinach
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

Pulse shallot and water chestnuts in a food processor until coarsely chopped. Add cream cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, lemon juice, salt and pepper and pulse until just combined. Add spinach and chives and pulse until incorporated.

Pizza > Whole Grain Pizza
You can make lots of lovely pizzas at home with lower fat cheese, whole grain crust, grilled chicken and oodles of veggies. But if you are not into the do-it-yourselfness of that, you can order a healthier delivery kind from Pizza Hut. They allow you to go light on the cheese, choose a whole grain crust and go veggie crazy. Do this online, too, and you are cutting the lion’s share of calories. And for heaven’s sake, PLEASE skip the pepperoni. I can’t think of anything worse for you – processed, oily, fatty, blech!

Wings > BBQ Chicken Tenders

1 cup prepared barbecue sauce
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons honey
1 1/2 pounds chicken tenders (see Note)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 large eggs
1 3/4 cups coarse dry breadcrumbs, preferably whole-wheat
Olive oil or canola oil cooking spray

Combine barbecue sauce, mustard and honey in a large bowl. Set aside 1/2 cup of the sauce in a small bowl. Cut any large chicken tenders in half lengthwise, then add all the tenders to the large bowl with the remaining sauce; stir to coat. Marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 450°F. Coat a large rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.

Combine flour, salt and pepper in a shallow dish. Lightly beat eggs in another shallow dish. Place breadcrumbs in a third shallow dish. Coat each tender in flour, shaking off any excess. Dip in egg and let any excess drip off. Then roll in the breadcrumbs, shaking off any excess. Place the tenders on the prepared baking sheet. Generously coat both sides of each tender with cooking spray.

Bake for 10 minutes. Turn each tender over and continue baking until the outside is crisp and the tenders are cooked through, about 10 minutes more. Serve with the reserved sauce for dipping.

You want a cocktail, you say?
Go skinny with my margarita recipe, find it here. Or buy Skinny Girl Margaritas (already pre-mixed with alcohol). Love this stuff. You can buy just at just about any liquor store. But please ladies, it’s Sunday night and you have work or run after kids (and weigh-in) on Monday!

You want more?
Other good options = guacamole or hummus with veggies or whole grain crackers, popcorn tossed with cayenne pepper or turkey tacos with fresh pico, guac and corn tortillas.

I have a SWEET tooth
Me too. I have a raging sweet tooth in fact. My naked stretchers know all about that, though! Ok, for our sweet tooths (teeth) – whichever is more grammatically correct – why not try my favorite banana ice cream with chocolate chips and strawberries and graham crackers for dipping. Get the recipe here.

Or try this EPIC avocado chocolate pudding. Recipe here. Really? Divinely delicious. Just replace the maple syrup with honey.

Enjoy!
Ok. Enjoy the big game. Enjoy the party. And don’t drink so many skinny margaritas that you actually stretch naked. No one wants to see that at the Super Bowl party. That would be awkward.



Certain recipes inspired from Eatingwell.com and AnEdibleMosaic.com Picture from Google.com.