Life Is Still Sweet

With one week down on the 30 day Sugar-free Challenge, I wanted to let you all know how this sweet tooth is coping. There are several side effects I was aware of and expecting. So far, though, I haven't had any problems with headaches, cramps or irritability (no more than usual, anyway).

So what have I been eating?
Breakfast has consisted of eggs, either poached or scrambled, and occasionally some cooked zucchini, tomato and onion. On alternate days I have had yoghurt with fruit or simply fruit salad. Lunches have been baked beans, or salad with chicken or tuna. Dinner is usually a meat with salad or veggies. I have been snacking on nuts, fruit and cheese. I have been having my Decaf coffee with Full Cream Milk, no sugar, and my first drink of the day is a Green Tea. Oh, and plenty of water!

I have had a few temptations in front of me, having to push aside cooked carrot and potato, select wisely from a table of party food, watch my family eat lamingtons and caramel cups from the school fair, and my usual beloved demons still in the house of biscuits, cereals and cordials.

I must say that the week has gone surprisingly quick, and I certainly have not been hungry.

I have just had a weigh-in and some measurements taken by my personal trainer, which indicated some good results in just a week.  So onwards into the 2nd week and more results.

What are your demons when it comes to food?

Sugar-free me? Will I Survive?

Last year I set myself a few challenges, one of which was to go without chocolate for a whole month. This was a big ask for this chocoholic, but I'm pleased to say I made it.  I did this challenge just before Christmas last year and felt slightly cleansed before I entered the Festive Season.

This year I was planning on doing the same thing - no chocolate for a month.

 I decided that I could do better though. So I have waved the red flag at my inner bull and set my new challenge.

I have decided to do a 30 day Sugar-free challenge.
There was a bit of hype in the blogging world last year of people choosing to cut sugar from their diets, and it has been in the back of my mind since.

So I have started by eliminating the usual sugars and sweeteners, and have decided to follow Dr Scott Olson's plan which also eliminates foods that act like sugar, which, in it's simplest explanation, is grains, carbs, and any fruit and veg which is not within the low GI or no GI category. You can check out the website Dr Olson has set up here, or on the Facebook page .

4 days in and I am feeling pretty good.

Have you ever tried sugar-free? How did you/do you think you would go?

Such a thoughtful hubby...

I made a decision to go internet-free over the Easter break. It was as easy as that. I would simply leave the laptop on the desk waiting for me. We would be back in four days. Just four days - not a lifetime. I was proud for making that decision. It was mine to make and I did it.

On the way to our beach holiday spot, I thought of my decision to be internet-free, and the things it would allow me to do. More family time, more reading time... more me and us time.

We arrived at our familiar destination and started to unload.  As we hauled our gear inside, I stopped short as I noticed my hubby placing the laptop bag on the table. He looked at me quizzically as I stared at his action. "I wasn't going to bring it" I blurted out, as an explanation to my stare.
"Well I decided to pop it in so you can do something for me online" said hubby, like he was worthy of some prize.

All my ideals for the weekend went straight out the door at that point. My internet addiction and terrible waste of valuable me and us time had followed me on holiday.

I ignored the black bag during the first day, as it sat watching me trying to relax. I could hear it thinking, 'you won't last, it's just a matter of time'. That evening I decided to jump on the internet and do hubby's deed for him, and it would be done. Task completed - on with the holiday.

Unfortunately it was not that simple as I struggled to get our mobile internet stick to connect. By the time I finally connected I was full of frustration. I completed the task for hubby and then proceeded to Facebook and Google Reader. It had taken so long to get to this point I might as well get some benefit to reward my efforts.

A five minute "quick check" turned into well over an hour, possibly pushing two. I greedily drank in the words on the screen and my finger caressed the mouse as I pondered my next word in my Facebook-Words with Friends game.

I had become lost in cyber world again.  I slowly came out of the haze as I noticed sudden rustling and movement, indicating it was bedtime. Thank goodness for the dodgy internet reception that would deter me from jumping back on over the rest of the weekend.

Treats of Tasmania: Cadbury (beware all chocoholics)

When you ask someone what is their favourite food, you may get answers like pizza or atlantic salmon, or even broccoli. My answer has been the same for as long as I can remember.

Chocolate.

I enjoy it immensely. I am one of those people that will give you a strange look if you say that a dessert is too chocolatey.

So it would be fair to say that Easter is my favourite time of year. Any time that promotes eating chocolate is high on my list actually.

So, where does a chocoholic go in Tasmania to shop at Easter?

I could go to any of the stores selling chocolate in pretty wrappers this time of year. I could even go to a specialty shop, where you walk in and the smell of chocolate makes you swoon. Instead, I opt to go straight to the source of what I believe to be the best maker of Chocolate in Australia.

CADBURY!

 Now, just in typing this, I can feel the rush of excitement.

Imagine how I felt as I drove up to the Cadbury factory in Claremont.

Imagine the thrill I experienced as I walked toward the doors that led me inside.

Imagine the adrenaline as I approached the Cadbury Shop and could already see the mountains of stock at reduced prices, and the happy shoppers buzzing around the bargains.

Once inside, I wondered if this was a good thing or a bad thing for this chocoholic? I decided that I shouldn't be in this shop for any longer than necessary, without therapy needed afterward. So I did two, maybe three laps around the chocolatey bargains, and then carried my over-flowing basket to the check-out.

I could have seriously spent hundreds of dollars. Such is the burden of my addiction.

I did get a bag full of bargains though, which completed my Easter shopping in one swoop.

Mission accomplished. One very happy, and slightly shaking chocoholic.

I love a good dare .. don't you?

I have just committed in writing to this 30 day challenge from Life Coach Tim Brownson.

Now, really, I could have picked anything.
I started with a list of realistic goals like read a novel, exercise 5 times a week, meditate 10 minutes a day, don't swear for the whole month. But I looked at this list, and though doing any one of these tasks for a whole month would have been a challenge, none of them would have made me as proud and fulfilled as completely deleting from my life the one addiction I crave everyday of my life.

So? GASP! I have committed to 30 whole days ....... without chocolate!

Now, if one of the guys I work with was to read this he would be rolling on the floor and I would eventually need to get medical help for him. He asks me religiously how much chocolate I've had and did I have it for breakfast. I used to be so bad with my addiction that hubby would take one look at me after a day at work and could instantly tell if I'd had chocolate or not. Not good.

I am pleased to say I think I am much better now. Chocolate survives much longer in my house than it used to. Some of that comes down to being a good roll model for the children, and some comes down to eating in moderation and wanting to improve my health.

So, as of tomorrow I will be chocolate free for 30 days. No good trying to tempt me, I am committed (and also that would be just plain nasty!) Wish me well .. and join me IF YOU DARE.

Is technology your friend?

Technology is everywhere you look. Some choose to use it, some choose not to.

I am a huge fan of saving time and making things work for me. So since I started blogging I have started using a few new things that work for me.

Kidspot recently did a great article on mummy friendly applications.
From this article I have started using Evernote. This application has been great to record my blog ideas in audio. I can also save photos to it. It has been compared to having your own project manager.  You can sync with others devices that you use and it is free.
There were some other really good applications in the article regarding shopping, social sites, and kid friendly apps.

I was already a huge fan of Facebook (addicted really but don't tell hubby). I have been able to use Facebook to my advantage by listing my blog posts as I publish them. I get quite a few hits from people who see my posts on Facebook. Along with this I have added Twitter to my tools. I certainly don't tweet a lot, but many bloggers tweet their posts and its a great way to get amongst the pack.

I mostly use Google Reader to view the blogs I like to read. This way I can group the blogs together in a way that works for me, like the ones I like to read first, crafty blogs, etc. I mostly use Google Reader as a gathering tool and will quite often go to the blog site to comment on a post and check out other features of the blog.

Since I have my mobile with me most of the time now, I thought it was also good to use the calendar to remind me of where I am meant to be and when.

image source

Technology is a great thing and I am a huge fan of change, as long as I can see the benefits.

Happiness is ... seeing beyond the smoke haze

We are reaching a milestone in our household and I'm so proud of hubby for his commitment to giving up a long term habit.  It will be 12 months since he decided to put his health first.
As his family, we are forever grateful for his decision.

There are so many bonuses that we are all feeling from him kicking the habit. The obvious medical bonus, short and long term, the financial bonus, and even the social bonus - you heard right! People often refer to it as the social habit, but smoking is anti-social for the non-smoker who is left inside alone, or feels the need to walk away from the smoke haze and stench.

Don't get me wrong. I have been in the same position. I too kicked the habit.
I hope you're sitting down Mum 'cause it's confession time. My first introduction to smoking was in Grade 5, I would have been 11 years old. It started with joining in to something because everyone else was doing it and formed a habit that was turned on and off for the next 15 years, where I finally made the decision to give up cold turkey. It was one of those moments where I wondered what the attraction had been for me. It certainly was JUST a habit, not something I did because I enjoyed it. It always weighed on my mind how the habit might affect my health (and those around me), and the decision to lead a healthier life, narrowing the risks of cancer, stroke and heart attack was not a hard one.

All of my family members have been smokers at one time or another. Even my Mum in her earlier years. My Dad has also given the habit the flick and is doing really well after it being part of his life for about 40 years. His was definitely a health decision after the doctor told him of his high chances of stroke and heart attack if he continued. It was hard for him after so many years but he was strong and committed. My brother was quite a heavy smoker as well. It took several attempts over the years and different methods, but the end result is the same if you want it for the right reasons. In the end, the cons certainly out weight the pros.

Our family are all reaping the benefits of the haze clearing and we are supporting hubby all the way.
Not that we don't still have people around us that smoke, and that is purely their decision. I understand that people have their own reasons for starting and continuing to smoke. If and when they decide to give up, I will be encouraging them all the way. Until then, I will just stay clear of their haze (no offense), as that is my decision to avoid the health risks and the distinct smell.

Have you kicked the habit (if you started it at all)? What were your reasons for starting, or not starting or giving up?

It is my pleasure to be linking up with rub some dirt for