Enjoy More Energy and Vitality
Do you want to enjoy more energy and vitality?
Although it sounds counterintuitive, added sugar will rob you of the very buoyancy that you need to fully embrace your day. START SOMEWHERE adding joy to your life by sleuthing out all of the many places that sugar lurks in your world. While most of us enjoy a delicious dessert now and then (and there is nothing wrong with that!), added sugar in ordinary, staple foods can absolutely rob you of zest! Not only does it scramble your blood glucose and push you toward insulin resistance and Type 2 Diabetes, too much sugar dulls the taste buds to life’s real foods as well as to delectable treats.
The “science” on sugar can be downright confusing. Ignoring the problem in the short run can seem easier. Sugar is highly addictive and in most restaurant and processed foods, you can feel surrounded and be tempted to surrender. In the United States, the average person consumes about 66 pounds of added sugar per year, according to the University of California in San Francisco. Ideally, less than 5 percent of an adult’s calories should come from added sugar including fruit juice, honey, and other natural sugars. While sugar does provide energy, it is a short-term burst which leads to a “sugar crash.” With this crash comes the desperation for another sugar hit and the vicious cycle continues.
Reducing sugar doesn’t mean avoiding all sweets. Some people can eliminate added sugar cold-turkey, but most of us benefit from tapering slowly and intentionally. While sugary drinks, candy, and “sweets” are part of that 66 pounds a year, foods that you would never suspect, so-called “healthy foods”, often contain large amounts of added sugars. Here are some items that commonly have a surprisingly high sugar content that actually places them in the dessert category:
Spaghetti sauce
Yogurt
Salad dressing
Whole-grain cereal
Baked potato chips
Gluten-free products
Bottled fruit juice
Granola
Ketchup
Foods labeled as “low fat” or “fat free”
Barbeque sauce
Cereals
Baked beans
Many prepared organic foods
Some kombucha
Energy drinks and protein bars
The key is to read labels and slowly decrease your exposure. Four grams of sugar equals one teaspoon. It is not unusual to find 20 grams or more of sugar in a “healthy” snack. When you picture five teaspoons of sugar, it is easier to get a handful of almonds or a piece of fresh fruit! START SOMEWHERE today to enjoy more energy and vitality. Live intentionally by uncovering hidden sources of unwanted sugar in common foods. You can do it. I will help you!
Honey-Cinnamon Baked Pears
A key to creating your own environment of vitality is to avoid feeling deprived. When you eliminate the hidden and unwanted sugar, your taste buds are more alive to spices and subtle flavors. Savor this deliciousness from Live Simply while nourishing your body. Eat slowly and enjoy real food without guilt!
Here’s what you will need:
2 ripe pears halved, any variety
1/2 TB cold butter cubed
1/4 cup pecans finely chopped
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1 TB honey
Here’s the drill:
Preheat the oven to 350 F.
Spoon the seeds from the pears to create a small cavity in the flesh of the pears.
Place the pear halves in a high-rimmed baking dish.
Distribute the butter cubes evenly in the cavity of each pear.
In a small bowl, mix together the chopped pecans, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Spoon the mixture in the cavity of the pears, and on the top of the pears (if the cavities can’t hold anymore filling).
Finally, drizzle the honey evenly over the pears.
Bake the pears, uncovered, for 25 minutes, until they are fragrant and soft.
Serve the pears warm with ice cream, whipped cream, or yogurt.
Something positive to ponder: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” Maya Angelou